MATTHEW
Matthew 3:13-17
The Saviour; The Scriptures; The Spirit
* The Saviour has come for us. He takes the sinner’s place – in His baptism, in His death.
* The Scriptures – God has spoken to us. He still speaks to us – here and now.
* The Spirit has been given to us – for holiness and witness.
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led by the Spirit, but the temptation came from the devil (Matthew 4:1).
The wilderness was the place of danger. It was the place of promise.
We can lose ourselves. We can find ourselves. We can lose God.We can find God.
Satan says, “If…” (Matthew 4:3,6). Jesus says, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7).
Satan offered Jesus the world (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus said, ‘The Lord is all that matters to Me.’
People speak to us about living in the real world. They talk about looking after No. 1.
‘”Go away, Satan! Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him” (Matthew 4:10).
Matthew 4:12-25
“John had been arrested.” Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him!
His message was similar to John’s – but different: Jesus had come.
The Kingdom of God had come (Matthew 4:17). This was the shining of “a great light” (Matthew 4:16; John 8:12). This was the dawn – a new beginning.
Repentance is a new beginning, turning towards the light, turning away from everything that stops the light shining.
The first four disciples turned towards the light (Matthew 4:18-22). They will never be the same again. The fishermen became fishers of men. They became disciples of Jesus. Later, they became apostles for Him.
Preaching, teaching, healing (Matthew 4:23). Healing of the body is always a mystery, until the Lord returns. Healing of the whole life – This always happens when the preaching and teaching are received with obedient faith.
An overview of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
* We do not begin with our love for God or our love for another. We begin with God’s love (John 3:16).
* Jesus speaks about “the Kingdom of heaven” – it “is theirs” (Matthew 5:3,10). “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul when, at the Cross, the Saviour made me whole” – Before we go up to heaven, heaven comes down to us.
* The Be-Attitudes – What kind of people are we to be? We’re to be like Jesus (Galatians 2:20; John 3:30).
* We are to live for the glory of God (Matthew 5:16). We are not all called to preach God’s Word. We’re all called to praise His Name.
Love (Matthew 5); Prayer (Matthew 6); Wisdom (Matthew 7)
* Love (Matthew 5:43-44) – There is nothing more important than this (1 Corinthians 13:13). It’s not something that comes from within ourselves. Love is given to us. It’s God’s love – reaching us, changing us.
* Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) – The Lord creates in us a desire to pray: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).”Teach us”, “Our Father” – This is more than private prayer. This is praying together. We see more of this in Acts.
* Wisdom (Matthew 7:24-27) – This is more than knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1). This is life-changing. It changes us – and others: “it builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). We are “your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Matthew 9:9-13
The conversion of Levi, the call to become Matthew (Mark 2:13-14)
* The opening of our eyes – to see ourselves as we really are, to see Jesus as He really is. We are sinners. He is our Saviour.
* The stirring of our hearts – This could be for me, the possibility of a new beginning: “Love lifted me. When no-one but Christ could help, love lifted me.”
* The opening of our ears – the power of Jesus’ words, “Follow Me.” He’s looking for an immediate response from us.
* The changing of our lives – new direction: “No longer I but Christ” (Galatians 2:20)
* The loosening of our tongues – Speaking for Jesus: Matthew became a Gospel writer. He became a witness for Christ.
Matthew 12:1-21
The controversy over the Sabbath comes immediately after “Come to Me…” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Our true rest is in the Lord. He is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8).
Let us not emphasize the sacrifice that we make for Him. Let us emphasize the mercy that He shows to us (Mathew 12:7).
What is so special about Jesus? – This is the question that the four Gospels answer for us.
Jesus is God’s Servant. Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus is our Saviour.
We rejoice in Jesus – God’s Servant and God’s Son. Above all, we rejoice in this: Jesus is our Saviour.
There is nothing more wonderful than this. This is Good News.
Here, we read about Jesus – God’s Servant – chosen by God; beloved of God; God delights in Him.
This is a wonderful description of our salvation.
* Chosen – “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23).
* Beloved – “O man, greatly beloved” (Daniel 10:11)
* God delights in us – there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7,10,32).
Matthew 13:1-23
Jesus tells stories. Jesus is the Story.
We are to make up our minds about Jesus. This is the message of the parable of the sower.
“The Word about the Kingdom” (Matthew 13:19) – This is about more than words. This is about Jesus. Our response to Jesus is more than words. It is the response of our whole life. It’s about bearing fruit for Him (Matthew 13:23).
This message may be compared to the message of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) – Use it or lose it.
We’re all different. We’re all called to serve the Lord – in different ways.
We don’t have the same gifts. We don’t have the same potential.
The contrast is not between the hundred, the sixty and the thirty. It’s between those who bear fruit and those who don’t bear fruit.
In the parable of the talents, the contrast is not between the two becoming four and the five becoming ten. The contrast is between those who use the gifts that have been given to them and those who don’t use their gifts.
* How will we serve the Lord? – That is for the Lord to say (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:7,11-12).
* Will we serve the Lord?- This is a different question. This is the first question. This is the question that each of us must answer.
If our answer is ‘Yes’, we move on to the next question. It’s a question we ask the Lord: What do You want me to do?
If our answer is ‘No’, the Lord will not force Himself upon us. Use it or lose it.
Matthew 16:13-17:13
Who is Jesus? – “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16); God’s beloved Son (Matthew 17:5)
Where does this faith come from? – It has been revealed to us by our Father in heaven (Matthew 16:17)
How are we to grow in faith? The first question concerns God’s revelation.the second question concerns our response to God’s revelation: “Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5).
How are we to listen to Him? – “When they looked up, they saw no one except Him – Jesus alone” (Matthew 17:8).
When we listen to Jesus – forgetting about ourselves and concentrating on Him, what does He say to us? – He speaks to us of His revelation to us and our response to Him. He speaks of His death anon (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:9,12). He speaks of our dying to self and living for Him.
His revelation and our response – The two are very closely connected.
Jesus is our Saviour. He is to be our Lord. We are not only to believe what God says to us. We are to live the life of a believer. Our life is to be shaped by our faith in Jesus, who died for us and rose again for us – Jesus, our Saviour and Lord.
Matthew 21:1-27
A welcome party – How do we welcome Jesus? He’s riding into Jerusalem? Is He riding into our hearts – as King of kings?
‘Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.’
What happens next. After celebration, there is crucifixion. After crucifixion, there is resurrection.
Jesus is praised – Hosanna! Hallelujah! Between the Hosanna (the triumphal entry) and the Hallelujah (the resurrection), there is the Cross – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Joyful praise, then everything went quiet for a while, then the praise started again. There was hope, then everything seemed to be hopeless, then there was even more hope than there had been before.
Our life has its ups and downs, its high-points and its low-points. God is there in the high-points. He is there in the low-points.
* There are times when we need to hear His Word of rebuke and correction – What are you doing? “My House will be called a House of prayer” (Matthew 21:13).
* There are times when we need to be called out of our barrenness and into the Lord’s fruitfulness (Matthew 21:18-21).
How are we to receive this Word of rebuke and correction? – This is from the Lord. It’s His Word to us.
Matthew 21:28-46
Jesus speaks to us about the servants of God – and He speaks about Himself: the Son of God. Jesus is telling us that He will be crucified for us – and He will be raised from the dead for us. The coming of Jesus, the death of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus – This is the Gospel story. This is the Good News of God’s love. How are we to respond to God’s love? For each of us, there is a choice we must make. Will we enter into God’s blessing and continue in the way of His blessing? Will we miss out on God’s blessing because we draw back from following the Lord? Here, we read about two men. One started badly, and ended well. The other started well, and ended badly.
(1) The first began with sin – “I don’t want to” (Matthew 21:29), but he recognized his sin, he confessed it, and he was forgiven.
(2) The second said he would follow the Lord, but he didn’t keep going – “I will, sir, but he didn’t go” (Matthew 21:30).
Are you travelling towards the Lord – or away from Him? Is it faith leading to good works or “faith without works is dead”?
Matthew 25:31-46
This is not all that God’s Word says to us about our eternal salvation, but it is part of what is said. We need to hear what Jesus is saying to us here. We hear his voice, along with the voices of Paul and James. We need to hear all that God’s Word says to us about faith and works. We are to help people in simple, practical ways. We’re not to look for a reward. We’re not to think, “What will I get out of this?” We’re to think, “How can I help this person?”
The woman poured very expensive fragrant oil on Jesus’ head (Matthew 26:7). The disciples asked, “Why this waste?” (Matthew 26:8). They weren’t just asking the way of the Cross means, “It’s no longer I who live, but Christ who,long a question. They were stating a point of view. When Jesus answered their question, He countered their point of view. He said, Worship is never a waste of time. He said this in the most emphatic way (Matthew 26:13).
What was so important about this woman’s action? She worshipped the Lord. That’s what this is all about. It’s telling us that worshipping the Lord is important. How can we serve Him if we’re not learning to worship Him?
What about us? Are we, like this woman, true worshippers of the Lord? or Are we like Judas Iscariot – “looking for a good opportunity to betray Him?” (Matthew 26:14-16).
Matthew 26:17-35
All was not well with the disciples. Judas had too low an opinion of Jesus. All of them had too high an opinion of themselves (Matthew 26:35). Could things be turned around? Yes! – but there can be no resurrection (Matthew 26:32) without crucifixion (Matthew 26:28).
Matthew 26:26-56
“I did it my way.” When we’re comparing ourselves to other people, we can say, “I did it my way – not your way, not your way, not their way.” When we’re looking at our life in the light of God, we must never say, “I did it my way.” It must always be, “I did it God’s way.” Going God’s way is always better than getting our own way. For Jesus, going God’s way meant going the way of the Cross.
What is the way of the Cross? It’s putting a line through the letter I. Going the way of the Cross means, “It’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Going the way of the Cross is to be our daily choice. We are to deny ourselves. We are to take up our cross daily. This is what it means to follow Christ. We are to say “No” to the way of Judas. We’re to say “Yes” to the way of Jesus.
Matthew 26:57-75
“But I tell you … ” (Matthew 26:64). The future – We’re to be people who are pressing on towards God’s future – Jesus Christ and God’s everlasting Kingdom. These words are a fulfilment of Daniel 7:13-14.
Jesus is not the King who has come. He’s the King who will come. He’s not only the King of Israel. He’s the King of “every people, nation and language” (Daniel 7:14). His Kingdom does not rise and fall. His Kingdom is forever. “And our eyes shall see Him … Not in that poor lowly stable…”
Peter – following Jesus at a distance (Matthew 26:58), denying Jesus and weeping bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). Our Saviour is great, but we are not great. Was there a future for Peter? Yes. This was not because of Peter’s great love for Jesus. It was because of Jesus’ great love for Peter. We often fail Jesus. He never fails us. He keeps on calling us on to His future – glorious, heavenly and eternal.
Matthew 27:1-31
This is not only the story of Jesus. It’s also the story of two other men – Judas and Barabbas.
The two men were very different. Judas started off so well – and ended very badly. Barabbas made a mess of his life – and was given the opportunity of making a new beginning.
Judas had been a disciple of Jesus for three years. After all of this, he betrayed Jesus, and took his own life. Judas was lost.
Barabbas was “a notorious prisoner” (Matthew 27:16). “Barabbas was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion” (Mark 15:7). “He had been thrown into a prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder” (Luke 23:19). “Barabbas was a revolutionary” (John 18:40). Barabbas was saved from crucifixion. What became of Barabbas? We don’t know. What we do know is this: Barabbas lived because Jesus died.
In the story of Barabbas, there is the Good News of what Christ has done for us and can do for us. In the story of Judas, there is the bad news of what sin has done to us and can do to us. In the story of Barabbas, there is grace received. In the story of Judas, there is grace rejected.
What about us? What will our story be? Will it be grace which gives us a new beginning? or Will it be sin which leads to a tragic ending? At the Cross of Christ, each of us must make our choice.
Matthew 27:32-66
“This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37).
Let’s go back to Matthew 2- “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him … Herod is about to search for the Child to destroy Him” (Matthew 2:2,13).
From the very beginning, Jesus lived under the threat of death. For Jesus, there would be a violent death – but it would happen in God’s time, not man’s time. In God’s time, it was made clear that Jesus’ death was a special death. He took our place. He died for us. This is the meaning of His words, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus took our sin upon Himself. When God looked upon Jesus, He saw our sin, and He turned away. When “Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit” (Matthew 27:50), something amazing happened – “the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51), “the tombs also were opened and many bodies of the saints who had gone to their rest were raised” (Matthew 27:52), “And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:53).
Jesus’ death was not a tragedy. It was a triumph – over sin, death and hell. It was a triumph for forgiveness and cleansing, for new life and eternal life.
Matthew 28:1-20
Who moved the stone? There is no human explanation – “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. he rolled back the stone” (Matthew 28:2). The resurrection was more than a great change for Jesus. It was a great change for His disciples – first, the women (Matthew 28:5) and, then, the men (Matthew 28:8).
What was it that changed them? – “He is not here! He has risen” (Matthew 28:6). “Jesus met them and said, Good morning” (Matthew 28:9). “Jesus came near and said to them, All authority…” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Our response – “fear and great joy” (Matthew 28:8), worship (Matthew 28:9, obedience (Matthew 28:19-20).
God’s promise – “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
___________
* The Saviour has come for us. He takes the sinner’s place – in His baptism, in His death.
* The Scriptures – God has spoken to us. He still speaks to us – here and now.
* The Spirit has been given to us – for holiness and witness.
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led by the Spirit, but the temptation came from the devil (Matthew 4:1).
The wilderness was the place of danger. It was the place of promise.
We can lose ourselves. We can find ourselves. We can lose God.We can find God.
Satan says, “If…” (Matthew 4:3,6). Jesus says, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7).
Satan offered Jesus the world (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus said, ‘The Lord is all that matters to Me.’
People speak to us about living in the real world. They talk about looking after No. 1.
‘”Go away, Satan! Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him” (Matthew 4:10).
Matthew 4:12-25
“John had been arrested.” Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him!
His message was similar to John’s – but different: Jesus had come.
The Kingdom of God had come (Matthew 4:17). This was the shining of “a great light” (Matthew 4:16; John 8:12). This was the dawn – a new beginning.
Repentance is a new beginning, turning towards the light, turning away from everything that stops the light shining.
The first four disciples turned towards the light (Matthew 4:18-22). They will never be the same again. The fishermen became fishers of men. They became disciples of Jesus. Later, they became apostles for Him.
Preaching, teaching, healing (Matthew 4:23). Healing of the body is always a mystery, until the Lord returns. Healing of the whole life – This always happens when the preaching and teaching are received with obedient faith.
An overview of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
* We do not begin with our love for God or our love for another. We begin with God’s love (John 3:16).
* Jesus speaks about “the Kingdom of heaven” – it “is theirs” (Matthew 5:3,10). “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul when, at the Cross, the Saviour made me whole” – Before we go up to heaven, heaven comes down to us.
* The Be-Attitudes – What kind of people are we to be? We’re to be like Jesus (Galatians 2:20; John 3:30).
* We are to live for the glory of God (Matthew 5:16). We are not all called to preach God’s Word. We’re all called to praise His Name.
Love (Matthew 5); Prayer (Matthew 6); Wisdom (Matthew 7)
* Love (Matthew 5:43-44) – There is nothing more important than this (1 Corinthians 13:13). It’s not something that comes from within ourselves. Love is given to us. It’s God’s love – reaching us, changing us.
* Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) – The Lord creates in us a desire to pray: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).”Teach us”, “Our Father” – This is more than private prayer. This is praying together. We see more of this in Acts.
* Wisdom (Matthew 7:24-27) – This is more than knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1). This is life-changing. It changes us – and others: “it builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). We are “your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Matthew 9:9-13
The conversion of Levi, the call to become Matthew (Mark 2:13-14)
* The opening of our eyes – to see ourselves as we really are, to see Jesus as He really is. We are sinners. He is our Saviour.
* The stirring of our hearts – This could be for me, the possibility of a new beginning: “Love lifted me. When no-one but Christ could help, love lifted me.”
* The opening of our ears – the power of Jesus’ words, “Follow Me.” He’s looking for an immediate response from us.
* The changing of our lives – new direction: “No longer I but Christ” (Galatians 2:20)
* The loosening of our tongues – Speaking for Jesus: Matthew became a Gospel writer. He became a witness for Christ.
Matthew 12:1-21
The controversy over the Sabbath comes immediately after “Come to Me…” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Our true rest is in the Lord. He is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8).
Let us not emphasize the sacrifice that we make for Him. Let us emphasize the mercy that He shows to us (Mathew 12:7).
What is so special about Jesus? – This is the question that the four Gospels answer for us.
Jesus is God’s Servant. Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus is our Saviour.
We rejoice in Jesus – God’s Servant and God’s Son. Above all, we rejoice in this: Jesus is our Saviour.
There is nothing more wonderful than this. This is Good News.
Here, we read about Jesus – God’s Servant – chosen by God; beloved of God; God delights in Him.
This is a wonderful description of our salvation.
* Chosen – “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23).
* Beloved – “O man, greatly beloved” (Daniel 10:11)
* God delights in us – there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7,10,32).
Matthew 13:1-23
Jesus tells stories. Jesus is the Story.
We are to make up our minds about Jesus. This is the message of the parable of the sower.
“The Word about the Kingdom” (Matthew 13:19) – This is about more than words. This is about Jesus. Our response to Jesus is more than words. It is the response of our whole life. It’s about bearing fruit for Him (Matthew 13:23).
This message may be compared to the message of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) – Use it or lose it.
We’re all different. We’re all called to serve the Lord – in different ways.
We don’t have the same gifts. We don’t have the same potential.
The contrast is not between the hundred, the sixty and the thirty. It’s between those who bear fruit and those who don’t bear fruit.
In the parable of the talents, the contrast is not between the two becoming four and the five becoming ten. The contrast is between those who use the gifts that have been given to them and those who don’t use their gifts.
* How will we serve the Lord? – That is for the Lord to say (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:7,11-12).
* Will we serve the Lord?- This is a different question. This is the first question. This is the question that each of us must answer.
If our answer is ‘Yes’, we move on to the next question. It’s a question we ask the Lord: What do You want me to do?
If our answer is ‘No’, the Lord will not force Himself upon us. Use it or lose it.
Matthew 16:13-17:13
Who is Jesus? – “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16); God’s beloved Son (Matthew 17:5)
Where does this faith come from? – It has been revealed to us by our Father in heaven (Matthew 16:17)
How are we to grow in faith? The first question concerns God’s revelation.the second question concerns our response to God’s revelation: “Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5).
How are we to listen to Him? – “When they looked up, they saw no one except Him – Jesus alone” (Matthew 17:8).
When we listen to Jesus – forgetting about ourselves and concentrating on Him, what does He say to us? – He speaks to us of His revelation to us and our response to Him. He speaks of His death anon (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:9,12). He speaks of our dying to self and living for Him.
His revelation and our response – The two are very closely connected.
Jesus is our Saviour. He is to be our Lord. We are not only to believe what God says to us. We are to live the life of a believer. Our life is to be shaped by our faith in Jesus, who died for us and rose again for us – Jesus, our Saviour and Lord.
Matthew 21:1-27
A welcome party – How do we welcome Jesus? He’s riding into Jerusalem? Is He riding into our hearts – as King of kings?
‘Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.’
What happens next. After celebration, there is crucifixion. After crucifixion, there is resurrection.
Jesus is praised – Hosanna! Hallelujah! Between the Hosanna (the triumphal entry) and the Hallelujah (the resurrection), there is the Cross – “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Joyful praise, then everything went quiet for a while, then the praise started again. There was hope, then everything seemed to be hopeless, then there was even more hope than there had been before.
Our life has its ups and downs, its high-points and its low-points. God is there in the high-points. He is there in the low-points.
* There are times when we need to hear His Word of rebuke and correction – What are you doing? “My House will be called a House of prayer” (Matthew 21:13).
* There are times when we need to be called out of our barrenness and into the Lord’s fruitfulness (Matthew 21:18-21).
How are we to receive this Word of rebuke and correction? – This is from the Lord. It’s His Word to us.
Matthew 21:28-46
Jesus speaks to us about the servants of God – and He speaks about Himself: the Son of God. Jesus is telling us that He will be crucified for us – and He will be raised from the dead for us. The coming of Jesus, the death of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus – This is the Gospel story. This is the Good News of God’s love. How are we to respond to God’s love? For each of us, there is a choice we must make. Will we enter into God’s blessing and continue in the way of His blessing? Will we miss out on God’s blessing because we draw back from following the Lord? Here, we read about two men. One started badly, and ended well. The other started well, and ended badly.
(1) The first began with sin – “I don’t want to” (Matthew 21:29), but he recognized his sin, he confessed it, and he was forgiven.
(2) The second said he would follow the Lord, but he didn’t keep going – “I will, sir, but he didn’t go” (Matthew 21:30).
Are you travelling towards the Lord – or away from Him? Is it faith leading to good works or “faith without works is dead”?
Matthew 25:31-46
This is not all that God’s Word says to us about our eternal salvation, but it is part of what is said. We need to hear what Jesus is saying to us here. We hear his voice, along with the voices of Paul and James. We need to hear all that God’s Word says to us about faith and works. We are to help people in simple, practical ways. We’re not to look for a reward. We’re not to think, “What will I get out of this?” We’re to think, “How can I help this person?”
Matthew 26:1-16
We begin with the Passover and the crucifixion (Matthew 26:2). This is the context within which we worship God. We look back. We remember. We give thanks.The woman poured very expensive fragrant oil on Jesus’ head (Matthew 26:7). The disciples asked, “Why this waste?” (Matthew 26:8). They weren’t just asking the way of the Cross means, “It’s no longer I who live, but Christ who,long a question. They were stating a point of view. When Jesus answered their question, He countered their point of view. He said, Worship is never a waste of time. He said this in the most emphatic way (Matthew 26:13).
What was so important about this woman’s action? She worshipped the Lord. That’s what this is all about. It’s telling us that worshipping the Lord is important. How can we serve Him if we’re not learning to worship Him?
What about us? Are we, like this woman, true worshippers of the Lord? or Are we like Judas Iscariot – “looking for a good opportunity to betray Him?” (Matthew 26:14-16).
Matthew 26:17-35
All was not well with the disciples. Judas had too low an opinion of Jesus. All of them had too high an opinion of themselves (Matthew 26:35). Could things be turned around? Yes! – but there can be no resurrection (Matthew 26:32) without crucifixion (Matthew 26:28).
Matthew 26:26-56
“I did it my way.” When we’re comparing ourselves to other people, we can say, “I did it my way – not your way, not your way, not their way.” When we’re looking at our life in the light of God, we must never say, “I did it my way.” It must always be, “I did it God’s way.” Going God’s way is always better than getting our own way. For Jesus, going God’s way meant going the way of the Cross.
What is the way of the Cross? It’s putting a line through the letter I. Going the way of the Cross means, “It’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Going the way of the Cross is to be our daily choice. We are to deny ourselves. We are to take up our cross daily. This is what it means to follow Christ. We are to say “No” to the way of Judas. We’re to say “Yes” to the way of Jesus.
Matthew 26:57-75
“But I tell you … ” (Matthew 26:64). The future – We’re to be people who are pressing on towards God’s future – Jesus Christ and God’s everlasting Kingdom. These words are a fulfilment of Daniel 7:13-14.
Jesus is not the King who has come. He’s the King who will come. He’s not only the King of Israel. He’s the King of “every people, nation and language” (Daniel 7:14). His Kingdom does not rise and fall. His Kingdom is forever. “And our eyes shall see Him … Not in that poor lowly stable…”
Peter – following Jesus at a distance (Matthew 26:58), denying Jesus and weeping bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). Our Saviour is great, but we are not great. Was there a future for Peter? Yes. This was not because of Peter’s great love for Jesus. It was because of Jesus’ great love for Peter. We often fail Jesus. He never fails us. He keeps on calling us on to His future – glorious, heavenly and eternal.
Matthew 27:1-31
This is not only the story of Jesus. It’s also the story of two other men – Judas and Barabbas.
The two men were very different. Judas started off so well – and ended very badly. Barabbas made a mess of his life – and was given the opportunity of making a new beginning.
Judas had been a disciple of Jesus for three years. After all of this, he betrayed Jesus, and took his own life. Judas was lost.
Barabbas was “a notorious prisoner” (Matthew 27:16). “Barabbas was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion” (Mark 15:7). “He had been thrown into a prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder” (Luke 23:19). “Barabbas was a revolutionary” (John 18:40). Barabbas was saved from crucifixion. What became of Barabbas? We don’t know. What we do know is this: Barabbas lived because Jesus died.
In the story of Barabbas, there is the Good News of what Christ has done for us and can do for us. In the story of Judas, there is the bad news of what sin has done to us and can do to us. In the story of Barabbas, there is grace received. In the story of Judas, there is grace rejected.
What about us? What will our story be? Will it be grace which gives us a new beginning? or Will it be sin which leads to a tragic ending? At the Cross of Christ, each of us must make our choice.
Matthew 27:32-66
“This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37).
Let’s go back to Matthew 2- “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him … Herod is about to search for the Child to destroy Him” (Matthew 2:2,13).
From the very beginning, Jesus lived under the threat of death. For Jesus, there would be a violent death – but it would happen in God’s time, not man’s time. In God’s time, it was made clear that Jesus’ death was a special death. He took our place. He died for us. This is the meaning of His words, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus took our sin upon Himself. When God looked upon Jesus, He saw our sin, and He turned away. When “Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit” (Matthew 27:50), something amazing happened – “the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51), “the tombs also were opened and many bodies of the saints who had gone to their rest were raised” (Matthew 27:52), “And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:53).
Jesus’ death was not a tragedy. It was a triumph – over sin, death and hell. It was a triumph for forgiveness and cleansing, for new life and eternal life.
Matthew 28:1-20
Who moved the stone? There is no human explanation – “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. he rolled back the stone” (Matthew 28:2). The resurrection was more than a great change for Jesus. It was a great change for His disciples – first, the women (Matthew 28:5) and, then, the men (Matthew 28:8).
What was it that changed them? – “He is not here! He has risen” (Matthew 28:6). “Jesus met them and said, Good morning” (Matthew 28:9). “Jesus came near and said to them, All authority…” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Our response – “fear and great joy” (Matthew 28:8), worship (Matthew 28:9, obedience (Matthew 28:19-20).
God’s promise – “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
___________
MARK
Mark 1:1-20
This was a new beginning (Mark 1:1), but it was based on what had gone before (Mark 1:2-3).
Those who speak of Jesus Christ, their Saviour, are "voices crying in the wilderness", but their ministry is blessed by the Lord (Mark 1:3,5).
We must never forget this, and we must pray that we will be like John - pointing away from ourselves to Jesus (Mark 1:7-8).
Whatever the world may say, we need more of Jesus, not less of Him. If we're going to have more of Jesus, we need more of the Word of God.
How can we get to know, love and serve Jesus better, if we're content with keeping everything shallow?
The Spirit of the Lord descends whenever our chief focus of attention is on God's "beloved Son" (Mark 1:9-11).
It will not be easy to keep our attention on Jesus.
It wasn't easy for Jesus. It won't be easy for us (Mark 1:12-13).
John had been "arrested" (Mark 1:14). Would it be any easier for Jesus? Will it be any easier for us?
Will the call to "repent" be heard as "good news" (Mark 1:14-15)?
Many will say "No", but some will say "Yes" (Mark 1:16-20).
May God help us to follow Jesus, and call upon others to follow Him.
Mark 2:1-17
"He was speaking the message to them" (Mark 2:3) - and there were "signs following" (Mark 16:17). Preaching and miracles: - we see this pattern in Mark 1 - preaching (Mark 1:14-20), miracles (Mark 1:21-34,40-45). In Mark 1:39, we see both - preaching and miracles. Along with preaching and miracles, there is prayer (Mark 1:35). In Mark 2, there is forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:5) and healing for the paralyzed man (Mark 2:11-12). Notice which comes first - forgiveness. Jesus is saying, 'This is about more than the legs.' What is He saying to us? We need more than physical health. "So long as you have your health" - This isn't the full story. We need to have our sins forgiven. Only Jesus can do this for us.
When we read about the call of Matthew, known before his conversion as Levi (Mark 2:13-14), we learn about how life can be turned around by Jesus.
Levi, Evil, Live
The story of Levi is to become our story. Like Levi, we are evil. Like Levi, we have begun to live. Through faith in Christ, we have stepped out of our old life and into His new life.
Jesus came to call sinners (Mark 2:17). Sinners - That's what we are. We must not pretend that we are "righteous" (Mark 2:17). We're not. We must not say, "I have not sinned. I don't need to be saved." We must confess our sins, and receive God's forgiveness.
Mark 3:1-19
Jesus' ministry of preaching, teaching and healing was a remarkable ministry - but He did not go it alone. He called disciples to be with Him and learn from Him. How much do we know about these men? We know quite a lot about some of them. There are others about whom we know nothing at all. Do we need to know a lot about all of the apostles? No! We need to know about Jesus. The Saviour is more important than the servants. The message is more important than the messengers. This is a very important lesson. This is a lesson that we all need to learn. This is a lesson that we must never forget. Before we can work for the Lord, we are to "be with Him." We are to speak for Him (Mark 3:14). We are to pray that people will be changed (Mark 3:15).
Mark 4:33-5:20
Parables and miracles: In Jesus' miracles, there's a message for us. We must ask, 'What does this mean for us?' In the miracles - calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) and driving out demons (Mark 5:1-20), there is the message: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46;10).
We look beyond the storm of wind and waves. We see the storms of life - and we hear Jesus, saying to us, "Be still" (Mark 4:39). He challenges our fears, and He calls us to have faith in Him (Mark 4:40).
Where do the storms come from? - Satan. He's a determined enemy: "No one was strong enough to subdue him" (Mark 5:4). We need more than positive thinking. We need Jesus - the Saviour. He is strong enough to subdue Satan. Satan is a defeated enemy. We don't put ourselves together again. Jesus does this for us.
Don't keep the Good News to yourself. Tell people "what the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you" (Mark 5:19). Your testimony will be blessed: "They were all amazed" (Mark 5:20).
_________________
LUKEMark 2:1-17
"He was speaking the message to them" (Mark 2:3) - and there were "signs following" (Mark 16:17). Preaching and miracles: - we see this pattern in Mark 1 - preaching (Mark 1:14-20), miracles (Mark 1:21-34,40-45). In Mark 1:39, we see both - preaching and miracles. Along with preaching and miracles, there is prayer (Mark 1:35). In Mark 2, there is forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:5) and healing for the paralyzed man (Mark 2:11-12). Notice which comes first - forgiveness. Jesus is saying, 'This is about more than the legs.' What is He saying to us? We need more than physical health. "So long as you have your health" - This isn't the full story. We need to have our sins forgiven. Only Jesus can do this for us.
When we read about the call of Matthew, known before his conversion as Levi (Mark 2:13-14), we learn about how life can be turned around by Jesus.
Levi, Evil, Live
The story of Levi is to become our story. Like Levi, we are evil. Like Levi, we have begun to live. Through faith in Christ, we have stepped out of our old life and into His new life.
Jesus came to call sinners (Mark 2:17). Sinners - That's what we are. We must not pretend that we are "righteous" (Mark 2:17). We're not. We must not say, "I have not sinned. I don't need to be saved." We must confess our sins, and receive God's forgiveness.
Mark 3:1-19
Jesus' ministry of preaching, teaching and healing was a remarkable ministry - but He did not go it alone. He called disciples to be with Him and learn from Him. How much do we know about these men? We know quite a lot about some of them. There are others about whom we know nothing at all. Do we need to know a lot about all of the apostles? No! We need to know about Jesus. The Saviour is more important than the servants. The message is more important than the messengers. This is a very important lesson. This is a lesson that we all need to learn. This is a lesson that we must never forget. Before we can work for the Lord, we are to "be with Him." We are to speak for Him (Mark 3:14). We are to pray that people will be changed (Mark 3:15).
Mark 4:33-5:20
Parables and miracles: In Jesus' miracles, there's a message for us. We must ask, 'What does this mean for us?' In the miracles - calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) and driving out demons (Mark 5:1-20), there is the message: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46;10).
We look beyond the storm of wind and waves. We see the storms of life - and we hear Jesus, saying to us, "Be still" (Mark 4:39). He challenges our fears, and He calls us to have faith in Him (Mark 4:40).
Where do the storms come from? - Satan. He's a determined enemy: "No one was strong enough to subdue him" (Mark 5:4). We need more than positive thinking. We need Jesus - the Saviour. He is strong enough to subdue Satan. Satan is a defeated enemy. We don't put ourselves together again. Jesus does this for us.
Don't keep the Good News to yourself. Tell people "what the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you" (Mark 5:19). Your testimony will be blessed: "They were all amazed" (Mark 5:20).
_________________
Luke 1:26-38
This was a special time in Mary's life. It begins with God. He takes the initiative. He comes to Mary. He tells her what He is about to do. This is just the beginning. Before the Saviour's birth, there's the time of waiting. Before the coming of the Saviour, there's the waiting for Him.
For Mary, what was to be important in this time of waiting/
* She was to remember this - "The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28).
* There was no need for her to be afraid (Luke 1:30) - the outcome was certain: "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His Name Jesus" (Luke 1:31).
* She was not to think, "How can this be...? (Luke 1:34. She was to trust in the power of "the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:35). We're not to say, "This is impossible." We're to hear and believe what God says to us, "Nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).
* Mary was to give herself to God. She was to keep on saying, "Your will be done" (Luke 1:38).
___________________
Luke 1:39-55
Mary was "blessed" (Luke 1:42,48). God's blessing came to her through her son, God's Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. God did "great things" for her - and us (Luke 1:49). Christ was given to Mary. He has been given for us. In Christ, we see God's holiness and love (Luke 1:49-50). In Him, love reaches us and changes us. It makes us holy. It makes us loving.
__________________________
Luke 2:25-37
Here, we read about two people, who were well on in years - Simeon and Anna.
* Simeon had been waiting on the Lord - to fulfil His promise. He was standing on the Word of God (Luke 2:25-26). Don't give up hope, God will do a new thing. We must make sure that we don't miss out on it. Don't stop believing.
* Anna was very old (Luke 2:36-37). She kept on "serving God" and speaking for Him (Luke 2:37-38).
Note Simeon and Anna's response to Christ - praise (Luke 2:28), thanksgiving (Luke 2:38 and passing on Go's blessing to others (Luke 2:34,38).
____________________
JOHN
ACTS
Acts 1:1-3
The four Gospels tell us what "Jesus did" (Acts 1:1). That was just the beginning. Acts tells us that there is more.
Acts is at the heart of the New Testament. It's between the Gospel as and the Letters. It was written to Theophilus (lover of God).
Do you and I love God? Let us learn from Him. Let us live for Him.
The story continues. We are part of it. It will never end. It's for today. It's for tomorrow.
Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me" (Luke 4:18). This was for doing as well as teaching.
We continue this work in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is Jesus, the risen Lord, working in us and through us.
The resurrection really happened. This is the central theme of the apostles' preaching.
ROMANS
Romans 1:1-17
The Gospel according to Paul - more than that: "the Gospel of God" (Romans 1:1)
Good News, promised in the Old Testament, centred on the risen Christ (Romans 1:3-4)
He shows us our sin. He shows us our Saviour. He leads us into a new life of salvation, holiness, service and eternal life. At the heart of all this, there is faith in Christ.
How do we come to faith in Christ? How do we find this new life in Him? We read the Scriptures, beginning with the Old Testament and reading on into the New Testament. In the Scriptures, we find the Gospel. It's Good News - not good advice. Christ is the Good News. "We have heard a joyful sound - Jesus saves."
This is for today. It's for us. The Saviour came for us. He died for us. He rose for us. He lives in us - He's more than our example. He will come again for us. This Gospel has power - to save us, now and for eternity. This is for everyone - everyone who believes. Each of us must make our personal response - faith in Christ.
Romans 5:1-11
We live in the present. We are shaped by the past. We plan for the future. The Gospel speaks to us in the whole of our life - past, present and future. It speaks of peace, grace and glory (Romans 5:1-2).
Each of these blessings are given to us through our Saviour.
* Peace comes with forgiveness.
* Standing in grace - Jesus' words about the wise man (Matthew 7:24); standing against Satan, with the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-11,17).
* Glory - eternal life (in Romans 6:23 - note the contrast between "wages" and "gift." It's not so mush 'glory for me.' It's sharing in the glory of God. It's giving glory to God.
At the heart of this Gospel of peace, grace and glory, there is God's love and Christ's death (Romans 5:8). This is Good News!
Romans 8:31-39
The Gospel tells us about the triumph of Christ for us. Here, we must not go straight to His resurrection. we must also speak of His crucifixion. Without his crucifixion, His resurrection has no meaning.
The Gospel also tells us about His triumph in us. This is the ongoing work of the Lord in our hearts and lives. This work continues throughout our life.
What will it mean to be "more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37)?
* First, it means that the victory is Christ's, and He gives it to us.
* Second, His victory is complete, but we need to grow into His victory.
* Third, we need to learn to stand upon the fact of His victory, and not our changeable feelings.
PHILIPPIANS
Philippians 2:5-11
____________________
JOHN
John 8:30-47
In Genesis, we read about "the father of lies." Here, we read about Jesus Christ, the living Truth.
To understand why we need to be set free, we need to go back to Genesis 3. Sin brings us into bondage. We become slaves of Satan (John 8:34). He controls our life. This is the bad news concerning every one of us. There is Good News - see 1 John 3:8. Jesus has taken on Satan. Jesus has defeated Satan. Jesus is stronger than Satan. Jesus is the Son (John 8:36). He's the Truth (John 8:32). This is more than the truth about Him. He is the Truth. It's more than the Truth who came into the world a long time ago. He's the Truth who comes to us today. He comes to us. He changes us. He comes to us through the Scriptures. He comes to us by the Spirit. Come to Him. Be changed by Him.
John 12:2-36
Jesus "lifted up" - His death for us (John 12:32-33).
On a hill far away", "a green hill far away" - Is God far away? "From a distance, God is watching us." He is also near to us. Through the Cross, we are drawn to Him.
* We look at Christ on the Cross, and we say, "Forbid it , Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God."
* We look at the Cross, and we see the bright shining light of God's love: "Inscribed upon the Cross, we see, in shining letters, God is love."
* We look at the Cross, and we see the outstretched arms of love, a loving invitation, a loving welcome: "I hear They welcome voice that calls me, Lord, to Thee, for cleansing in Thy precious blood that flowed on Calvary. I am coming, Lord, coming now to Thee; wash me, cleanse me in the blood that flowed on Calvary."
John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Jesus said, "The truth will set you fee" (John 8:32). To Israel, at the time of the Exodus, God said, "You were not made for this." To us, "You were not made for this." There is more. There is eternal life. We must travel through the wilderness, but our journey does not end in the wilderness. There is something else beyond the wilderness. We will be welcomed into the promised land. We look back to the story of the Exodus, and we learn of God's love and power - first, His love; then, His power. From there, we look forward to the first coming of Christ,our Saviour, What He does for us is more than what He did for Israel in the Exodus. He's not just taking us to a new land. He's leading us on to the glory of His eternal presence.
___________________John 12:2-36
Jesus "lifted up" - His death for us (John 12:32-33).
On a hill far away", "a green hill far away" - Is God far away? "From a distance, God is watching us." He is also near to us. Through the Cross, we are drawn to Him.
* We look at Christ on the Cross, and we say, "Forbid it , Lord, that I should boast save in the death of Christ, my God."
* We look at the Cross, and we see the bright shining light of God's love: "Inscribed upon the Cross, we see, in shining letters, God is love."
* We look at the Cross, and we see the outstretched arms of love, a loving invitation, a loving welcome: "I hear They welcome voice that calls me, Lord, to Thee, for cleansing in Thy precious blood that flowed on Calvary. I am coming, Lord, coming now to Thee; wash me, cleanse me in the blood that flowed on Calvary."
John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Jesus said, "The truth will set you fee" (John 8:32). To Israel, at the time of the Exodus, God said, "You were not made for this." To us, "You were not made for this." There is more. There is eternal life. We must travel through the wilderness, but our journey does not end in the wilderness. There is something else beyond the wilderness. We will be welcomed into the promised land. We look back to the story of the Exodus, and we learn of God's love and power - first, His love; then, His power. From there, we look forward to the first coming of Christ,our Saviour, What He does for us is more than what He did for Israel in the Exodus. He's not just taking us to a new land. He's leading us on to the glory of His eternal presence.
ACTS
Acts 1:1-3
The four Gospels tell us what "Jesus did" (Acts 1:1). That was just the beginning. Acts tells us that there is more.
Acts is at the heart of the New Testament. It's between the Gospel as and the Letters. It was written to Theophilus (lover of God).
Do you and I love God? Let us learn from Him. Let us live for Him.
The story continues. We are part of it. It will never end. It's for today. It's for tomorrow.
Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me" (Luke 4:18). This was for doing as well as teaching.
We continue this work in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is Jesus, the risen Lord, working in us and through us.
The resurrection really happened. This is the central theme of the apostles' preaching.
The Kingdom of God: Past - Old Testament, Jesus, Acts; Present - now; Future - eternal life
Acts 1:4-8
The promise (Acts 1:4-5,8) led to the prayer (Acts 1:12-14) and the power (Acts 2).
Prayer is standing on the promise. Power is the fulfilment of the promise.
Waiting on the Lord comes before and leads to witnessing for Him.
On Acts 1:8, see Ezekiel 47:3-5.
Acts 1:9-11
"cloud" (Acts 1:9) - "the glory of the Lord" (Exodus 40:34)
"Listen to Jesus" (Mark 9:7).
Jesus has not left us. He is Lord, love, life and light. Get ready for His Return.
Acts 1:12-14
Gathered together
* Communion (Matthew 26:26-30)
* Great Commission - Preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), make disciples, teach them (Matthew 28:18-20).
* Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-38)
* Commitment - We see this here.
Acts 1:15-20
The Gospels tell us about Peter and Judas. Peter denied the Lord. Judas betrayed the Lord.
On the Day of Pentecost, Judas could, would and should have been there - but he wasn't. Life is full of what ifs - what might have been.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was there. He preached.
This is grace. It reached Peter - and the other disciples who fled for cover. It could have reached Judas.
Sadly, Judas made his choice. Betrayal set the direction. Suicide confirmed that, for Judas, there was no reversal, no repentance.
There could have been - but there wasn't.
Acts 1:21-26
We never hear any more about Matthias. We do hear a great deal more about Peter. From chapter 1 to chapter 2, from Matthias to Peter, from the background to the foreground - on to Pentecost. It's for all of us.
Acts 2:1-13
When the Spirit comes - not just when He came
Being "filled with the Spirit" (Acts 2:4) means more than preaching the Christian message. It also means living the Christian life. It means being filled with Christ - in our message and our life.
Acts - from Jerusalem to Rome, just the beginning of Christ being taken to the whole world.
Here, we're at the start of a new age - not a new age of anything goes, a Biblical new age.
We see this in the preaching of Peter. We also see it in the preaching of Paul (Acts 17).
Acts 2:14-36
Powerful and effective preaching
We could move straight on to the effect of the preaching - good preaching is preaching that does its hearers good. Are you being blessed as you hear the Word of God?
We need, first, to go back to the preacher and the message.
There needs to be humility - This is not from me. There needs to be confidence - This is from the Lord.
The message is centred on the Saviour. It is grounded in the Scriptures.
When we read the Scriptures, we learn of Christ.
There are lessons for today's Church and world. This is not "We're open to every idea wherever it comes from." It's not "We make things up as we go along."
The work of the Spirit - opening up the Scriptures and pointing to the Saviour
Acts 2:37-47
"pierced to the heart" (Acts 2:37): the work of the Holy Spirit
"Repent" (Acts 2:38)- We don't earn God's blessing. We respond to His promise of blessing.
"baptized in the Name of Jesus" (Acts 2:38) - not what we do, what Jesus has done for us.
_______________________ Acts 1:4-8
The promise (Acts 1:4-5,8) led to the prayer (Acts 1:12-14) and the power (Acts 2).
Prayer is standing on the promise. Power is the fulfilment of the promise.
Waiting on the Lord comes before and leads to witnessing for Him.
On Acts 1:8, see Ezekiel 47:3-5.
Acts 1:9-11
"cloud" (Acts 1:9) - "the glory of the Lord" (Exodus 40:34)
"Listen to Jesus" (Mark 9:7).
Jesus has not left us. He is Lord, love, life and light. Get ready for His Return.
Acts 1:12-14
Gathered together
* Communion (Matthew 26:26-30)
* Great Commission - Preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), make disciples, teach them (Matthew 28:18-20).
* Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-38)
* Commitment - We see this here.
Acts 1:15-20
The Gospels tell us about Peter and Judas. Peter denied the Lord. Judas betrayed the Lord.
On the Day of Pentecost, Judas could, would and should have been there - but he wasn't. Life is full of what ifs - what might have been.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter was there. He preached.
This is grace. It reached Peter - and the other disciples who fled for cover. It could have reached Judas.
Sadly, Judas made his choice. Betrayal set the direction. Suicide confirmed that, for Judas, there was no reversal, no repentance.
There could have been - but there wasn't.
Acts 1:21-26
We never hear any more about Matthias. We do hear a great deal more about Peter. From chapter 1 to chapter 2, from Matthias to Peter, from the background to the foreground - on to Pentecost. It's for all of us.
Acts 2:1-13
When the Spirit comes - not just when He came
Being "filled with the Spirit" (Acts 2:4) means more than preaching the Christian message. It also means living the Christian life. It means being filled with Christ - in our message and our life.
Acts - from Jerusalem to Rome, just the beginning of Christ being taken to the whole world.
Here, we're at the start of a new age - not a new age of anything goes, a Biblical new age.
We see this in the preaching of Peter. We also see it in the preaching of Paul (Acts 17).
Acts 2:14-36
Powerful and effective preaching
We could move straight on to the effect of the preaching - good preaching is preaching that does its hearers good. Are you being blessed as you hear the Word of God?
We need, first, to go back to the preacher and the message.
There needs to be humility - This is not from me. There needs to be confidence - This is from the Lord.
The message is centred on the Saviour. It is grounded in the Scriptures.
When we read the Scriptures, we learn of Christ.
There are lessons for today's Church and world. This is not "We're open to every idea wherever it comes from." It's not "We make things up as we go along."
The work of the Spirit - opening up the Scriptures and pointing to the Saviour
Acts 2:37-47
"pierced to the heart" (Acts 2:37): the work of the Holy Spirit
"Repent" (Acts 2:38)- We don't earn God's blessing. We respond to His promise of blessing.
"baptized in the Name of Jesus" (Acts 2:38) - not what we do, what Jesus has done for us.
ROMANS
Romans 1:1-17
The Gospel according to Paul - more than that: "the Gospel of God" (Romans 1:1)
Good News, promised in the Old Testament, centred on the risen Christ (Romans 1:3-4)
Paul speaks as "a slave of Christ, called as an apostle, singled out for God's Good News" (Romans 1:1).
In love, God has given us Jesus, the Gospel, the Scriptures.He shows us our sin. He shows us our Saviour. He leads us into a new life of salvation, holiness, service and eternal life. At the heart of all this, there is faith in Christ.
How do we come to faith in Christ? How do we find this new life in Him? We read the Scriptures, beginning with the Old Testament and reading on into the New Testament. In the Scriptures, we find the Gospel. It's Good News - not good advice. Christ is the Good News. "We have heard a joyful sound - Jesus saves."
This is for today. It's for us. The Saviour came for us. He died for us. He rose for us. He lives in us - He's more than our example. He will come again for us. This Gospel has power - to save us, now and for eternity. This is for everyone - everyone who believes. Each of us must make our personal response - faith in Christ.
Romans 5:1-11
We live in the present. We are shaped by the past. We plan for the future. The Gospel speaks to us in the whole of our life - past, present and future. It speaks of peace, grace and glory (Romans 5:1-2).
Each of these blessings are given to us through our Saviour.
* Peace comes with forgiveness.
* Standing in grace - Jesus' words about the wise man (Matthew 7:24); standing against Satan, with the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-11,17).
* Glory - eternal life (in Romans 6:23 - note the contrast between "wages" and "gift." It's not so mush 'glory for me.' It's sharing in the glory of God. It's giving glory to God.
At the heart of this Gospel of peace, grace and glory, there is God's love and Christ's death (Romans 5:8). This is Good News!
Romans 8:31-39
The Gospel tells us about the triumph of Christ for us. Here, we must not go straight to His resurrection. we must also speak of His crucifixion. Without his crucifixion, His resurrection has no meaning.
The Gospel also tells us about His triumph in us. This is the ongoing work of the Lord in our hearts and lives. This work continues throughout our life.
What will it mean to be "more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37)?
* First, it means that the victory is Christ's, and He gives it to us.
* Second, His victory is complete, but we need to grow into His victory.
* Third, we need to learn to stand upon the fact of His victory, and not our changeable feelings.
In Romans 8:38-39, we read about many enemies. They will always be with us, they will not go away - but there is something else that will always be with us: "the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." We must never forget this.
Romans 10:1-21
God's way of salvation is so different from man's attempt to put himself right with God (Romans 10:3).
Christ is our Saviour (Romans 10:4). What is "the message" (Romans 10:8)? - Christ. Everything is centred on Him. Without him, there is no Gospel.
* Confess Him as Lord - He is Lord, He's my Lord.
* Believe in your heart - The resurrection: the heart of our faith. Without the resurrection, we may have admiration for Jesus - the man, the example, the teacher, but we'll never have anything more than that. Jesus is more than our example and our teacher. He's our Saviour and Lord.
"How welcome..." (Romans 10:15) - We should give thanks to God for those who have preached the Gospel to us. When God's Word is preached, God is at work (Romans 10:17). There is power in God's Word. It's the power of the Holy Spirit.
God's Word and God's Spirit - This is what creates our response, our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:1-21
Jesus died for us. We must live for Him - "this is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1).
The changing of our way of living begins with the changing of our way of thinking (Romans 12:2). this changing of our way of living isn't something that we do by ourselves. It's the "mercy" and "grace" of God that changes us (Romans 12:1,3).
How does He change us?
* He brings us into fellowship with other believers - "one body in Christ" (Romans 12:4-5).
* He gives us opportunities to serve Him (Romans 12:6-8).
How are we to serve the Lord?
We don't begin with the things that we do. We begin with the people that we are (Romans 12:9).
We're reminded of the Sermon on the Mount. This is more than Jesus' teaching. It's a description of Jesus. we are to become more like Jesus. It's Jesus living in us and through us. We look beyond Jesus' life - to His death and resurrection.
* Romans 12:19-20 - Jesus didn't defend Himself. He stood in the place of sinners.
* Romans 12:21 - Evil did not triumph over good. Jesus rose from the dead.
____________________PHILIPPIANS
Philippians 2:5-11
When God's Word speaks to us about Jesus, it does not only tell us to keep on looking back to the past. It tells us something else - Keep on looking forward to the future, God's future, the future He's preparing for us. When Christ came to earth for the first time, many people refused to believe in Him. When He comes for the second time, "every knee shall bow ... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:11). When our faith is under attack, we must never lose sight of God's future: "Jesus Christ is Lord."
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HEBREWS
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JAMES
1 PETER
1 Peter 1:1-12
1 JOHN
JUDE
REVELATION
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HEBREWS
Hebrews 10:11-25
We remember the "one offering" (Hebrews10:14). We come to God "through the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19). We look back to what happened in the past - the death of Jesus for our sins. We do not remain in the past. We learn from the past. We build on the past. We receive from the Lord, blessing in the present. We are preparing ourselves for the future, God's future. How do we prepare for the future? How does God prepare us for His future? We have the Gospel promise and the Gospel warning. The promise calls us to "enter" into God's blessing (Hebrews 10:14). The warning calls us to make sure that we don't miss out on God's blessing (Hebrews 10:25). When we remember Jesus, our lives will be richer. When we forget Him, they will be poorer.
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JAMES
James 1:1-27
God's "complete work" in us (James 1:4) - "faith" that keeps on going when the going gets tough, "faith" which becomes "mature" (James 1:3-4).
We've heard it said that "all you need is love" (The Beatles). What about "all you need is faith"? Faith is more than a feeling. Faith leads to a changed life.
How are we to move towards a changed life? - We must ask God for "wisdom" (James 1:5) - to know the will of God - and strength - to do the will of God (James 1:8).
How does God change us?
* He gives us "new birth by the message of truth" (James 1:18).
* He gives us victory over temptation - again, this is "by the message of truth." He gives us the strength to say "No" to the temptations that come to us from Satan (James 1:13-14).
* He leads us in the way of obedience - hearing and doing God's Word (James 1:22). He gives us the strength to say "Yes" to Him, His Word and His will.
What kind of life does the Lord lead us into? Is it a 'holier- than- thou" way of living - looking down on other people? No! There are to be high standards of love as well as holiness (James 1:27). It's not to be love without holiness. It's to be both - love and holiness.
_________________________ 1 PETER
1 Peter 1:1-12
This is Peter speaking to us. This is the man who denied the Lord. What a transformation! In the life-story of Peter, we see God's love and power - restoring Peter, making him a new man. We see God's holiness and faithfulness. The Lord didn't give up on Peter. he kept on working in Peter's life. The Peter we see here is very different from the Peter at the time of Jesus' crucifixion. We read the story of Peter, and we say, "To God be the glory! Great things He has done" - "praise, glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7).
______________________________1 JOHN
1 John 1:1-2:2
God shows us the way to "eternal life" (1 John 1:2). It is not in ourselves. It is "in Christ" (1 John 1:3). The way to eternal life begins when God shows us that we are sinners and Jesus Christ is our Saviour. Without Christ, we "walk in darkness" (1 John 1:6). Through Him, we receive cleansing. This cleansing comes to us through the shedding of the precious blood of Christ (1 John 1:7). This cleansing is more than the forgiveness of our sins. This is where we begin - "The vilest (every) offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives." We move on from there. "The blood of Jesus keeps on cleansing us from all sin."
1 John 5:1-21
Our contemporary world has made a hero out of the scientist, Richard Dawkins. He's the author of the book, The God Delusion. He tells people what they want to hear - There is no God. They can live whatever way they like. What a strange world we live in! It's a world that's been turned upside down - by unbelief and disobedience. Is there a better way? Is there a way back to God, a way back to faith, a way back to holiness, a way to eternal life? Let's listen to what God's Word says to us.
1 John 5:4-5 - the victory of faith. It's not faith in ourselves. It's faith in Christ - God's beloved Son. This faith comes to us from God's revelation, breaking out of heaven (Matthew 3:17). It's faith that comes to us from God's Son, breaking out from the grave (Romans 1:3-4).
1 John 5:11-13 - eternal life. This is better than earthbound thinking that comes from the earth and never rises above it. Christ came from heaven, and takes us to heaven. This is more than making the most of a meaningless world. This is catching a glimpse of why we were put on this earth and where we are headed for beyond this earth.
________________________________ JUDE
"The punishment of eternal fire" (Jude 7) - There aren't words that we like to hear. They're words that we need to hear. God is calling us back from "the blackness of darkness forever" (Jude 13). He's calling us to come, in faith, to His Son, Jesus, our Saviour. Once we have come to the Saviour, we are to win others for Him - "save others by snatching them from the fire" (Jude 23).
How are we to be saved from the fire? How are we to save others from the fire?
* First, we must remember "the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 21). Without His mercy, none of us can be saved.
* Second - "build yourselves up in your most holy faith" (Jude 20) - "the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all" (Jude 3). It's not only our faith. It's the faith.
* Third, "Pray in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). Begin with the prayer, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13) - and never forget this prayer.
* Fourth - "Keep yourselves is the love of God" (Jude 21) - and never forget this: it is the god of love who keeps us in His love, and remember to give all the glory to Him (Jude 24-25).
* Fifth - Commit yourself to God's rescue mission, leading sinners out of unbelief and into faith, out of disobedience and into godliness (Jude 22-23).
remember that the grace comes from the Lord and the glory goes to Him. Never think too highly of yourself. What are we? - "those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ" (Jude 1).
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REVELATION
Revelation 1:1-20
Genesis tells us about the beginning. revelation tells us about the end. Why? - Are we to speculate about what happened at the beginning? Are we to speculate about what will happen at the end? No! We are to see who was there at the beginning. We are to see that He will be there at the end (Revelation 1:4,8,17-18). Can we say anything at all about the beginning? Can we say anything at all about the end? Are we stuck in the middle, with no understanding of what happened at the beginning and what will happen at the end? There is an answer to such questions: God has revealed Himself to us. He is the eternal God. he was there at the beginning. He will be there at the end. God has revealed Himself to us. This doesn't mean that we can answer every question. It does mean that we can trust the Lord. he has all the answers. What we don't understand, He does understand. This is something that we must never forget. When we're going through hard times, we must remember this - We don't need to be able to understand all that's happening to us. What we do need to understand is this - When bad things are happening to us, there's one thing that never changes : the love of God. At the beginning, He loved us. At the end, He will love us. His love is an everlasting love. His love endures forever.
