Saturday, May 31, 2014

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 4 (Good Point!)

Did you notice this.......................


Is God limited to our faith? No, for there are several instances in the Gospels where faith is not mentioned. Today we sometimes struggle with the faith to believe that Jesus is able to heal because we see so little healing accomplished. When we struggle this way, we should follow the example of the father who said to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). There is a vast difference between a struggling faith such as the father had, and the stubborn unbelief of the people in Jesus' hometown, which did prevent Him from doing any mighty works there (Mark 6:3-6). Let's be sure we have a struggling faith and not a stubborn unbelief.

Amen!     
 


BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 4 (SHARING DEVOTION)

Please hear the words of this devotion I receive through email; it add confident to the study.

"I Will"

"And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." —Matthew 8:2,3

Jesus did two things when He was moved with compassion: He touched the leper, and He said something to him. I always thought the moment Jesus touched someone, that person was healed. But this man's leprosy didn't depart until Jesus said something. Apparently, His words were as important as His touch. What did Jesus say to the leper? "Be thou clean." He gave the command for the leprosy to depart. But He also said something else—the phrase most Christians are looking for—"I will." Notice Jesus didn't say, "I won't" or "Later." He didn't say, "This disease is good for you" or "You deserve this" or "God sent this leprosy to teach you something." Jesus didn't have to fast and pray to find out God's will. He just said, "I will." He knew God's will. He also knew one of His purposes for coming to earth was to destroy all the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), including sickness and disease. Part of Jesus' commission was to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, and bring deliverance to all mankind. God never told Jesus to just seek out a few here and there who needed healing. Jesus was sent to heal all. So when the leper said, "If You will," Jesus responded, "Of course I will! God's will is healing for all mankind!"


This came from my Healing daily devotional book. 5/30/14. I thought it was good for the Healing of Jesus chapter on this study.    

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 4 (PRAYER)

As always, I like to pray the prayer..............

Father God, we com e to You on behalf of all who need healing in their physical body, and spiritual mind, in Jesus' name. Lord, You are our Healer! We praise You. Touch each person who need healing from any sickness or disease. Healing belongs to us in Jesus' name. Bless us to meditate on Your Word, which is greater than any sickness or disease. The devil can't make sympton stick, because God's Word in us drives them out. Thank You, Father God, for Your Word on healing. Isaiah 54:17 says, No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper; we cast all our care upon You, and we shall prosper, and be in good health, even as our soul prosper. We confidently pray in faith for healing right now upon every member and their family. We believe everyone will receive their answer because God's Word says, "by Jesus' stripes we are healed;" this we pray in Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.    

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

MORE SCRIPTURES ON HEALING

Isaiah 53:5:
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed
 
Matthew 8:17:
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

"He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses

 
1 Peter 2:24
Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

 

 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 4 (5/27/14)

The Ministry of Jesus Study
Created by Evangelist Claudia Jordan
Date: 5/27/14
Week Study # 4
 
Title:                                    Healing Ministry of Jesus
Scripture:                            Mark 1:29-31
Weekly Focus:                   I Peter 2:24        
Memory Verse:                 Proverbs 4:22                   
Bible Reading:                   Luke 4:31-44; Luke 4:38-41 and Matthew 8:14-15
 
 
Getting Started
 
The ninth chapter of Matthew is largely an account of the miracle-working ministry of Jesus. Five miracles are recorded, four of them physical healings, and the fifth, a restoring to life of a dead girl. But these are only representative of the many miracles Jesus performed. In fact, toward the end of the chapter Matthew seems to sum it all up by writing: "And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and affliction" (v. 35). 

Several years later when Peter was preaching to the household of Cornelius, he said that "[Jesus] went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38). Of all Peter could have said about Jesus' ministry he focused on His doing good and healing people. The ultimate purpose of Jesus' incarnation of course was to give His life as a ransom for many  (Matthew 20:28), but His three years of public ministry were characterized by doing good and healing people.

What was the purpose of Jesus' healing miracles? John in his gospel calls the miracles "signs," (2:11; 2:23; 4:54; 20:30–31). That is, they displayed the divine power of Jesus and attested that He was indeed the Son of God. In fact, John specifically states that the miracles he included in his gospel were for the purpose that his reader "may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you might have life in his name" (20:31). Jesus Himself used His miraculous healing of the paralytic man as a proof that He had authority to forgive sins — an obvious reference to His divine Son-ship  (Matthew 9:2-6).
There was another motive, however, in Jesus' healing ministry. He was moved by compassion for those in need. Matthew records that as He went throughout the cities and villages, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). On another occasion when Jesus saw the only son of a widow being carried out for burial, He had compassion on the woman and raised her son to life (Luke 7:11-14). 

Jesus' acts of healing, then, had a two-fold purpose. Clearly, they were needed as an authentication of His divine Sonship. But in the process Jesus wanted to respond to true human needs. We should not overlook the application to us. While the spiritual needs of people are paramount, we must not ignore their physical needs. After all, according to Jesus' words in (Matthew 25:31-46), the final judgment will certainly take into account our ministries to the physical needs of people.
On an institutional level we evangelicals are doing a fairly good job of ministering to the physical needs of people. But as individuals, do we have compassion for the poor, the homeless, the elderly, and the disabled? We cannot perform miracles, but we can minister in many ordinary ways. Each of us needs to prayerfully consider how we might follow the example of Jesus' compassion in meeting the physical needs of needy people.

Returning to the miracles recorded in Matthew 9, it is instructive to note the part faith plays in them. In the healing of the paralytic man, Matthew says that Jesus saw his faith (v. 2). To the woman who was healed, Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well" (v. 22). And to the two blind men whom He healed, He said, "According to your faith be it done to you" (v. 29). And as for the ruler whose daughter Jesus restored to life, his faith is certainly implied in his request to Jesus: "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live" (v. 18). Only of the demon-oppressed man who was mute is there no mention of faith on his part.

In all four of the instances where faith is mentioned, the object of faith was in Jesus' ability to heal, not His will to heal. Today as we pray for the healing of friends or loved ones who suffer severe illness or disease, we too should believe that God is able to heal, either directly or through conventional means. To say I have faith that God will heal is presumptuous since we do not know the mind of God, but to say God is able to heal is to exercise faith.
Is God limited to our faith? No, for there are several instances in the Gospels where faith is not mentioned. Today we sometimes struggle with the faith to believe that Jesus is able to heal because we see so little healing accomplished. When we struggle this way, we should follow the example of the father who said to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). There is a vast difference between a struggling faith such as the father had, and the stubborn unbelief of the people in Jesus' hometown, which did prevent Him from doing any mighty works there (Mark 6:3-6). Let's be sure we have a struggling faith and not a stubborn unbelief.  
Do you know that Jesus is a healer? Do you really know it, in the depths of your heart? The beginning to any healing—whether it's your own healing or the healing of someone you love—is knowing who Jesus is and acting on what you know. 
 
Healing the mother of Peter's wife is one of the miracle of Jesus in the Gospel, namely in Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-41 and Matthew 8:14-15.
In the Gospels of Mark and Luke this episode takes place after the exorcism at the Synagogue in Capernaum. Jesus goes to Apostle Peter's house. There he sees the mother of Peter's wife lying in bed with a high fever. Jesus touches her hand and the fever leaves her, and she gets up and begins to wait on him.
Following this, the Gospels report that at sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness or were demon-possessed, and laying his hands on each one, Jesus healed them and cast demons out of them (Matthew 8:16-18). Awesome!

Jesus' activities in Galillee include a number of miracles and teachings. The beginnings of this period include the centurion's servant (8:5-13) and calming the storm (Matthew 8:23-27) both dealing with the theme of faith overcoming fear.  In this period, Jesus also gathers disciples, and calls Matthew.  His ministry was full of good works, but He was walking by faith, and not by sight.  His healing ministry was so large. So many received healing at that time, but some didn't have faith to receive.
The healing ministry of Jesus is not only well-known throughout the world, but it is practiced in many churches that believe the power to heal through the Holy Spirit is for Christians today. This collection of healing miracle articles is a comprehensive look at Gospel accounts in which Jesus healed the sick, delivered the demon possessed and even raised the dead.

A miracle is a phenomenal or supernatural event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers, and more often than not cannot be explained by the laws of nature. God never operates contrary to His Word or to the laws of nature which He has established, but He has the prerogative to supersede them. Instantaneous healings and the expulsion of evil spirits always constitute a miracle.

One of the six miracles unique to the Gospel of Luke is the healing of a crippled woman. This record is found in Luke 13:10-17. "Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, 'Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.' And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God."

This woman's condition was caused by a spirit. She was bowed over and could not straighten herself to stand upright. She was in spiritual bondage and physically bound as a result. Although her name is not given and there is no other history about her, she went to the one place where one would think she could get help, the synagogue. Likewise, today's churches should be places where hurting people can find help. Jesus saw her, and called to her to Himself. He said, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." (NIV) Jesus then laid His hands on her, identifying her as the one to whom He was ministering, and imparted healing wholeness to her. The spirit causing her malady had to leave, and did. She instantly stood up straight and praised God.

"But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, 'There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.' The Lord then answered him and said, 'Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it" The man responsible to oversee that particular synagogue was himself bound by legalism. He witnessed Jesus ministering healing to a woman with an obvious need, but instead of glorifying God, he was angry. He was more concerned about adhering to the letter of the law and which day it was than the fact that God had just set this woman free from an eighteen year disability. The ruler of the synagogue spoke to the crowd, as if to get them to agree with and side with him, but Jesus spoke directly to the man, and rebuked him publicly. Jesus knew the Scriptures, and referred to Exodus 23:12: "Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest…"

Jesus brought God's true heart and the meaning of the law to this situation, conveying that if one would compassionately care for an animal, how much more are people more important and of greater value than animals, no matter which day it is. "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him."
Three Gospel writers record a miracle about a woman who had suffered for twelve years from hemorrhaging. Although there are differences between the Matthew account and the healing recorded in Mark and Luke, to dissect these records is not the purpose of this brief consideration. It should be noted that any discrepancies, so-called, are manufactured. The Bible is inerrant and apparent contradictions are usually not difficult to explain. Similar events happen regularly in life, which does not make them identical. Logically, many people suffer from similar diseases, and it should not seem unreasonable that Jesus healed many people suffering from like maladies. It should not seem unusual that two women would both be suffering from the same disease, as occurs among people today. Nevertheless, examining the differences is not the emphasis here.

In Matthew 9:20-22, Jesus and His disciples were on their way to heal a man's daughter, and "suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, 'If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.' But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, 'Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.' And the woman was made well from that hour."

Mark 5:25-34 offers the most details of the instantaneous healing of a woman, unnamed, but significant in the Bible because of her determination and faith. She had a continuous bleeding condition, and "had suffered many things from many physicians." She had spent all of her money on what medical care was available, as Luke 8:43 adds, but no one could help her, and she actually got worse.

Leviticus 15:19-30 addresses the condition this woman apparently suffered. "If a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. Everything that she lies on during her impurity shall be unclean; also everything that she sits on shall be unclean." It goes on to say that anyone that touched any place where she had been sitting would be unclean. No man would lie with her, and if she had been married, her uncleanness was a legitimate reason for her husband to divorce her (Deuteronomy 24:1). According to the Law as stated in Leviticus, if her discharge went longer than normal, all the days of her impurity would make her unclean. In this case, it had been twelve years. She was desperate, and likely very lonely. She couldn't touch anyone, nor could anyone touch her. She would have been shunned by everyone, including her family. She was not welcome in the synagogue or in any public place. Her life was wretched, but she had one last hope.

She heard of Jesus, and was willing to break social restrictions. She said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." She came behind Jesus in a crowd and touched His garment. She knew she was healed. She could feel it inside. Jesus stopped, turned around and asked, "Who touched My clothes?" His disciples thought His question was absurd. Peter said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." (Luke 8:45, 46) Jesus knew by revelation that something had happened and He looked around to see who had touched Him. Afraid and trembling, but undoubtedly excited about her miracle, she came and prostrated herself before Jesus, and told Him before everybody the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

For twelve years she was an outcast, rejected by everyone. All of her money was gone and all of her efforts had failed. She literally had nothing to lose. When she heard of Jesus, she knew that if she could just get close enough to touch His garment, God would heal her. With unshakable resolve, she worked her way through the crowd of people, reached out her hand and simply touched Jesus' garment. When Jesus called her "daughter," He was fully accepting her back among the people of God. Her tenacity and believing action brought her a long awaited victory.

EXTRA: 

 
Mark's audience was a Christian community, suffering persecution and martyrdom, probably in Rome. They were tempted to betray and deny their faith to avoid pain and death.
Mark emphasizes the suffering of Jesus and tells them that Jesus has suffered out of love for them and that they must be willing to risk suffering, pick up their cross and follow him. Being faithful means being willing to suffer for him and not deny him. More than any other gospel, Mark shows the humanity of Jesus. Jesus has emotions, is compassionate, embraces children, gets angry, he weeps ...and he suffers. In Mark, Jesus is the Suffering Servant Messiah foretold by Isaiah.
 
Questions:
1. Who was Jesus talking to when he said, "Hypocrite!" Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?"
2, There are five healing miracles recorded in Matthew 9, name them.
3. What was the purpose of Jesus' healing ministry?
4. How many of the Gospels recorded the healing of the mother of Peter's wife?
5. How long did it take the woman who was bowed over to receive her healing?
6. Explain in detail the healing that took place in Matthew 9:20-22.
 
Reflection Questions:
 
1.  Have you received in your spirit that healing is still for today?
2.  When was the last time God healed you, and how?
3.  Would you pray for someone who believed, and needed healing?
 
Prayer:
Father God, we com e to You on behalf of all who need healing in their physical body, and spiritual mind,  in Jesus' name. Lord, You are our Healer! We praise You. Touch each person who need healing from any sickness or disease. Healing belongs to us in Jesus' name. Bless us to meditate on Your Word, which is greater than any sickness or disease.  The devil can't make sympton stick, because God's Word in us drives them out.   Thank You, Father God, for Your Word on healing.  Isaiah 54:17 says, No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper; we cast all our care upon You, and we shall prosper, and be in good health, even as our soul prosper.  We confidently pray in faith for healing right now upon every member and their family. We believe everyone will receive their answer because God's Word says,  "by Jesus' stripes we are healed;" this we pray in Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen
 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 3 (REFLECTION ANSWERS)

 
1. Do you have a part in Jesus' teaching ministry? 
 
Yes, I love to share God's Word, which I believe is teaching what Jesus taught. His teaching ministry is my life.
 
2. What have you learn about Jesus' teaching ministry in your life lately?
 
Its powerful, its true, it's the law of God. And, it help me to stay focus on eternity.
 
3. Do you have the gift of teaching to edify the Body of Christ?
 
Yes, I do!  Some people don't know they have it. It's a blessing! We must study the Word first in order to be able to teach it.
 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 3 (ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS)

1.  In order for the people to receive, Jesus did what?
Jesus taught them the Word of God, taught them to believe that by faith you can say with your mouth, believe in your heart, and you will receive whatsoever you need. 
2.  What was the teaching of the Beatitudes? 
The teachings of Jesus called the Beatitudes, recorded in the gospels of Matthew (5:1-10) and Luke (6:20-23), are an invitation to a way of living that brings true happiness and both inward and outward peace. The beatitudes call us to a radically new way of being when we center our lives on God, and we become transformed. The beatitudes call us to true happiness and the deepest of joy as we find our true identity in our relationship with God and true peace both inwardly and outwardly.   
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 
 3.  When Jesus taught, He taught with what? 
Mark 1:21-28  "21 And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; 24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee."
4.  Jesus told His disciples to pray for those who did what to us?
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (Matthew 5:44) 
5.  The commandment, precepts, judgment of Jesus is what?
The Law of God! The Law of God is like a mirror. For example, if I was to go outside and roll around in a mud puddle, when I come back into the house and stand before a mirror, can I say to the mirror, make me clean? No, the mirror cannot do that. It can only tell me I need to be cleansed by reflecting my filth before my eyes. In the same way, when we look at the Ten Commandments and realize we have broken many of the Laws, the Law tells us we are in need of a cleansing. But, mankind cannot cleanse himself or even stop sinning for that matter. All the Law can do is warn us, we need a Saviour! 
Now do you see why Satan attacks the Law of God? It points to His biggest threat! JESUS CHRIST! The devil knows that if people today look at the Lawof God it will CONVERT them into obeying God. Psalms 19:7 says, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."
 
6.  What do we call the prayer Jesus taught His disciples? 
The Lord's Prayer
 
7.  What did Jesus tell His disciples to do if they loved Him? 
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah,[b] do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah,  do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah,[d] do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
 
8.  How old was Jesus when He started to teaching?
 
Officially, he was twelve years old, but it's taught today as been thirty years old. Read Luke 2:46-47, and it will tell you that Jesus was so educated that He was really teaching the doctor in religious instructions. Quoted, "The trained doctors are amazed at the wisdom of one a fraction of their age. In this story, Jesus shows a pattern that would show up throughout his earthly ministry. He hears them (v. 46), he questions them (v. 46), and he answers them (v. 47). The result: the ones being taught are astonished. This would happen the next time Jesus teaches (Luke 4:32)." If today's young people can preach at age seven, then our Lord Jesus Christ can teach and preach at age twelve, amen. I believe he was teaching them!

 

Sunday, May 25, 2014

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 3 (These are great points!)

After his death, burial, and resurrection, he spent forty days teaching his disciples things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). He spent his last days upon this earth training the disciples for the task they would soon be given. Jesus did not teach the disciples so they could gain knowledge that would remain unshared. He was preparing them for his last command: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Christ did not plan his teaching ministry to fit into a 3½ year curriculum that would end when he ascended. He began a ministry that Christians can have a part in today.     


BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 3 (SHARING)

Not only did Jesus begin and base his ministry on teaching, but he also ended it with the same. The day before his crucifixion he is teaching his disciples the meaning of the Last Supper. He uses a living illustration to explain to them his shed blood and broken body. He could have used anything to teach this, but he chose the simple elements that were already available to the senses of the disciples. After the supper, he then led them down a path that evidently had vines, branches, and trees. He explained to them using a metaphor how the relationship of a vine to a branch is like Christians to the Christ.


Jesus presents the simple truth in such an authoritative and surprising way that the people ask with wonder, "Is not this Joseph's son?" His teaching ministry in Galilee leaves the people in the same condition as the doctors in the temple eighteen years earlier, astonished (Luke 4:32).

And today it is still astonishing! Its so astonishing, its hard for some people to believe it. I love the power of the spoken Word!!!    

 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 3 ( I AM PRAYING)

 Father God, we thank You and praise You forever. You are so honored to be praised. Thank You for blessing our study with everything we need. You promised us that Your Holy Spirit would teach us whatever we need to learn. Holy Spirit, we thank You for teaching us God's Word as we study about our Savior Jesus. Jesus taught His disciples, so we desire You to teach us. We desire to humble ourselves before You, asking that a spirit of humility be released in us as we learn of Jesus our Lord. Thank You for a quiet and meek spirit, for we know that the meek shall inherit the earth. Search us, O God, and know our hearts; try us, and know our thoughts today. See if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting through these teaching. AMEN.    

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

MISTAKES ON LAST BIBLE STUDY POST

 
Ask I was reading through this lesson, I saw typo in it; please over look them. Its a great study!  Jesus' ministry is what nourished us in salvation today. 
 
 
 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 3 (5/20/14)

The Ministry of Jesus Study

Created by Evangelist Claudia Jordan

Date:  5/20/14

Week Study # 3

 

Title:                           Teachings of Jesus

Scripture:                    Matthew 9:35;

Weekly Focus:            Matthew 4:4

Memory Verse:           John 13:14-16

Bible Reading:           Matthew 4:13; 9:1; Luke 8:1; John 13:14-16; Matthew 5,6, 7

 

 

Getting Started

Jesus taught love, forgiveness, and acceptance. He taught us that He died for our sins and that if we embrace Him that we will be saved. Jesus Christ is an example of everything good and perfect. He shows us how to be meek, humble, and selfless. He portrays love, kindness, and mercy. Sermons have been preached about his office of prophet, priest, and king. However, it is rarely mentioned that he was also a teacher. People who are very conservative and place a large emphasis on preaching insist that Jesus was not a soft-spoken teacher, but a preacher of preachers. People who are very liberal and place the emphasis on Jesus caring for the poor and the widows insist that he was not a teacher teaching absolute truth, but a social reformer. He did many things, and all of them, he did perfectly. One of those was teaching.

Much of Jesus' ministry involved teaching. He taught in many places, to many people, using many methods. His ministry began with teaching, consisted of teaching, and ended with teaching. He had time to teach a group of thousands. He also had the compassion to teach single individuals. He is a perfect example of how to effectively teach.

Jesus' ministry began with teaching. It is often said that his teaching ministry began in Luke 4. This may be true concerning his public ministry as a grown man. However, eighteen years earlier, Luke gives a glimpse of what was to come. In Luke 2:46-47, the record is given of Jesus in the temple at the age of twelve. Jesus is left at the temple for about three days. His parents find him, not engaged in youthful vices, but conversing with men trained in religious instruction. The miraculous thing is that the young boy is not speechless and gazing at the trained doctors, but the contrary is true. The trained doctors are amazed at the wisdom of one a fraction of their age. In this story, Jesus shows a pattern that would show up throughout his earthly ministry. He hears them (v. 46), he questions them (v. 46), and he answers them (v. 47). The result: the ones being taught are astonished. This would happen the next time Jesus teaches (Luke 4:32).

For the next eighteen years, Jesus increases in wisdom, stature, and favor. He becomes a carpenter and is subject to his parents. He presents himself publicly when he began to be about thirty years old. He is then tested for forty days and afterwards returns into Galilee. His first ministry involved teaching in the synagogues (Luke 4:15).

In the same chapter (4), Luke gives a detailed record of one of Jesus' teaching services. Jesus first gets the attention of the audience by standing up so all eyes would be directed toward him. He then begins to read the material he wants to present to his listeners. After the material is read, he then gives the book back to the minister and sits down. He then speaks only one sentence after reading his text: "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21). The few lines read from Isaiah and the one line explaining its fulfillment is enough to make the crowd fill with wonder. Jesus presents the simple truth in such an authoritative and surprising way that the people ask with wonder, "Is not his Joseph's son?" His teaching ministry in Galilee leaves the people in the same condition as the doctors in the temple eighteen years earlier, astonished (Luke 4:32).

The record of the next 3½ years contains teaching that remains unparalleled to this day. Throughout the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus teaches all manner of people all manner of subjects. One thing that made him so effective is the fact that common people understood him. He did not teach them with the intent of trying to show his superiority (the resurrection would prove that). He did not teach them using great swelling words that would end up subverting the hearers. He taught them using common language. He spoke in parables that common farmers could understand. He spoke of the seed and the sower, the serpent on the pole, the manna that came from heaven, the living water, and the sheep and the shepherd. When people did not understand him, he did not tell them to study, learn, or simply figure it out. He explained with patience and had compassion on those "ignorant and out of the way" (Hebrews 5:2). He used simple stories, parables, and illustrations. He used tangible objects to relate to his stories, such as birds, flowers, vines, water, and coins. He taught in a way that would leave people for him or against him, but not ignorant. For this reason, "the common people heard him gladly" (Mark 12:37).

Not only did Jesus begin and base his ministry on teaching, but he also ended it with the same. The day before his crucifixion he is teaching his disciples the meaning of the Last Supper. He uses a living illustration to explain to them his shed blood and broken body. He could have used anything to teach this, but he chose the simple elements that were already available to the senses of the disciples. After the supper, he then led them down a path that evidently had vines, branches, and trees. He explained to them using a metaphor how the relationship of a vine to a branch is like Christians to the Christ.

After his death, burial, and resurrection, he spent forty days teaching his disciples things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). He spent his last days upon this earth training the disciples for the task they would soon be given. Jesus did not teach the disciples so they could gain knowledge that would remain unshared. He was preparing them for his last command: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Christ did not plan his teaching ministry to fit into a 3½ year curriculum that would end when he ascended. He began a ministry that Christians can have a part in today.

 

Extra: 

Matthew's community was Jewish-Christian. This community understood itself as

Jewish and continued to pray in the synagogues, while also gathering in their homes for the

breaking of bread. While Matthew's principal focus was his Jewish-Christian community, he was also reaching out to fellow Jews. His emphasis is that Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. He drew on themes from the Hebrew Scriptures. He attempted to show that following Jesus was not a departure from Jewish belief but rather it was faithful to it. Matthew traces Jesus' ancestry through the House of David, back to Abraham. He quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures and compares Jesus to Moses. As Moses was the Lawgiver in the Hebrew Scriptures, so Jesus interpreted the Law anew. This also connects with the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who foretell a new covenant written not on stone but in the heart.

 

Questions:

1. In order for the people to receive, Jesus did what?

2. What was the teaching of the Beatitudes?

3. When Jesus taught, He taught with what?

4. Jesus told His disciples to pray for those who did what to us?

5. The commandment, precepts, judgment of Jesus is what?

6. What do we call the prayer Jesus taught His disciples?

7. What did Jesus tell His disciples to do if they loved Him?

8. How old was Jesus when He started to teaching?

 

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you have a part in Jesus' teaching ministry?

2. What have you learn about Jesus' teaching ministry in your life lately?

3. Do you have the gift of teaching to edify the Body of Christ?

 

Prayer………………….

 

 

Father God, we thank You and praise You forever. You are so honored to be praised. Thank You for blessing our study with everything we need.  You promised us that Your Holy Spirit would teach us whatever we need to learn. Holy Spirit, we thank You for teaching us God's Word as we study about our Savior Jesus. Jesus taught His disciples, so we desire You to teach us. We desire to humble ourselves before You, asking that a spirit of humility be released in us as we learn of Jesus our Lord. Thank You for a quiet and meek spirit, for we know that the meek shall inherit the earth. Search us, O God, and know our hearts; try us, and know our thoughts today. See if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting through these teaching.  AMEN.


BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 2 (ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS)

1. In the Garden of Gethsemane, what did Jesus pray for?

The Lord Jesus Christ was the God-Man. The Divine and human natures, without merging into each other and without changing, "undivided and unseparated" (the dogma of the Chalcedonian Council) were united in Him in one Person. In accordance with His two natures, the Lord also had two wills. As God, Jesus Christ was of one substance with God the Father and had one Will with Him and the Holy Spirit. But as perfect man, consisting of a soul and a body, the Lord also had human feelings and a human will. His human will was completely obedient to His Divine will. The Lord subjected His human will to the Divine will – He sought only to do the will of the Heavenly Father (John 5:30); His spiritual food was to do the Father's will; He prayed for the Father's will be done.

2. What was Jesus final instruction following the scene in the garden?

Matthew 28:10 – Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Matthew 28: 16- 20 – Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." After having spent 3 years with Jesus, it is now time to show and tell what they have been taught and what they have learned. Jesus here gives his final instructions to his disciples. All that they have been taught by Jesus must now be put into practice. In other words, now is the time to put feet to their faith! Jesus' final command to His disciples is given in Matthew 28:16-20, which is known as "The Great Commission." Their responsibilities and duties as a "Disciple" has not changed just because Jesus is present in Spirit and not flesh. Jesus clearly states that all power and authority has been given unto Him in heaven and on earth, therefore, He commands His disciples and all of us confessing Christians to "GO"! Nothing will happen until we "Go"! WHO WILL GO? We are commanded to make disciples, baptize and teach. If we do these things, Jesus promises that He will be with us always, even unto the end.

3. How did Jesus close His prayer for His disciples in John 17:14-19?

He asked God to sanctify them through His truth: His word is truth. As He has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

4. Jesus prayed for all the disciples, but the one that was lost, who was that?

John 17:12 The phrase simply means "man doomed to destruction" and is not reserved for any one individual. In fact, there are two people to which the title "son of perdition" is applied. In context, John 17:12 is referring to Judas Iscariot, while 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is referring to the "man of lawlessness" who will appear in the end times before Christ's return – also known as the Antichrist. John 17:12 "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." 2 Thessalonians 2:3; "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there comes a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."

5. Jesus told His disciples their testimonies were going to be what?

Jesus told them that their greatest testimony to the world was going to be their love for one another and their spiritual like-mindedness. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) This love for one another included not only a mutual respect as men but also care and compassion as fellow eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Unity among the disciples was critical.

6. What is the mystery of Christ?

Paul refers to the mystery of Christ in Ephesians 3:4-5 that "has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets." The first thing to note is that this was never a mystery to God, since He knows all things (I John 3:20). The Lord planned Christ's redemptive work "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4), and has now "made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure" (Ephesians 1:9). But what changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament, and why is there a mystery in the first place?  One of the key things that "changed" was that God's plan of salvation through Christ was fulfilled. There were hints of God's plan in (Genesis 3:15), which took place in the Garden of Eden immediately after the fall. Throughout the Old Testament, particularly through the prophet Isaiah, God revealed some of His plan, but it was primarily through the Jews.    What God did in the Old Testament was really a picture of what was to come through Jesus Christ. God showed the Jews that they could not keep the law, and they had to keep making sacrifices to cover their sins. Then in the gospels, the ultimate sacrifice (Jesus Christ) came to cover their sins once and for all. What many Israelites obviously did not realize is that God's plan was not just for the Jewish people, but for everyone, both Jew and Gentile, who receives Jesus Christ as their Savior. God's plan throughout Scripture has always been the same, and since the fall, that plan has been in motion. God reveals to us only what we can handle and understand; He is all-knowing, and we have not even begun to fully comprehend the mind of God (Isaiah 55:8-9). Now that Christ's work on the Cross has been completed, and the mystery has been revealed to us through Paul (Ephesians 3:8-9), it is time to boldly proclaim the gospel to everyone—both Jew and Gentile (Romans 10:14-17).

7. How many years did Jesus ministry last?

John mentions three Passover festivals during the ministry of Jesus (Jn. 2:13, 6:4 and 11:55) – and possibly a fourth (Jn. 5:1). Note that these cannot be the same festival, because other festivals occur in between (Jn. 5:1, 7:2, 10:22). Thus, we can assume that Jesus's ministry lasted for at least three years, and that He was put to death in AD 32 or 33 (or later).    

Monday, May 19, 2014

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 2 (SHARING)

 
A Life of Prayer:

Lord, You are the Vinedresser, Jesus is the Vine, and I am the branches. I remain in Him and He remain in me, and my prayers bear much fruit; apart from Him, I can do nothing. LORD, Jesus said that I ought to always pray and not turn coward (faint, lose heart, or give up). I will be earnest, unwearied, and steadfast in my prayer life, being both alert and intent in my praying just as Jesus was, with thanksgiving. I consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that I will not grow weary and lose heart during times of intercession. I will always pray in Jesus' name.  Grant to me the spirit of prayer.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 2 (REFLECTION ANSWERS)

Reflection  Answers:

 

 

1. Do you believe prayer works? Share an answered prayer.   Yes, I do!  Well, when you have to go to renew your license there is always a long waiting line; and now you have to have so much paper work as proof of who you are today; I didn't know this because it's been four years for me. They changed a lot of things last year; to my surprise I needed a copy of my birth certificate, marriage license, death certificate if husband is dead, and then two bills with my name and address on it.  And your present license too.  If it were not for God prompting my mother-in-law last year for me to get my marriage license copy because I could find the other one, and while at it get the death certificate too, she said; I wouldn't have my license today if I didn't follow through with it; Also, I asked for prayer, and John and Aster stood in agreement with me, and it was only two people before me, and the traffic was good, and I had all the paper work, mission accomplished!   Now I say in my heart, thank You Jesus for answering our prayers. And there is much more. LOL

 

2. Do you find yourself losing heart when it comes time to pray?  I did once!  Then God led me to create this community so (I) could get back on track, and I did.  Thank You, Jesus!

 

3. Do your prayers bear much fruits? I truly believe they do.  I have faith in God answering my prayers, because He is faithful. 

 

4. Do you believe God has called you to pray, if so, according to the world situation, how would you pray?

Small prayer: Father God, I praise You for the liberty we enjoy in this country. Thank You especially for freedom to worship You. Protect that freedom, Lord, so that we who are Your people (in all countries) may continue to serve You openly and freely.


BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 2 (PRAYER)

 Let's pray!

After this manner we pray to Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.  Father, let Your Kingdom come into our hearts as we study this lesson on Jesus' ministry. Your will be done as we make the decision to follow Jesus' prayers. Give us always what we need to learn more of You, help us to eat our daily bread from Your Word. Forgive us always, Lord. As we study Your Word, help us not to give up or give in to temptation, but keep us focus on our time of study. We honor You because all the power and all the glory be Your forever, in Jesus' Mighty name we pray. Amen.

 



BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 2 (INSIGHT)

 Jesus Prays for the Preservation of His Disciple:
 
There are three significant elements in the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples, as recorded in John 17:9-19.

The first is the recognition that these men had been selected by God and they belonged to God.

The second is the request for unity among these men, the same unity shared between the Father and the Son.

The third is the petition of protection for the twelve disciples.

 All of Jesus' final instructions recorded in the preceding chapters were then sealed by this prayer.

We must pray too for ours and others' preservation today............

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 2 (SHARING)

Jesus had a powerful ministry, did He!  Jesus was a praying man.   Each of the three major elements in Jesus' prayer for His disciples was important to their future ministry. Without coming under the guardianship of God, without unity, and without protection from the enemy, the effectiveness of the message of the gospel would be dangerously compromised. It was for this reason that Jesus prayed for his twelve disciples.
 

 

BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 2 (INSIGHTS)

Jesus Prays for Unity among the Disciples:
 
There are three significant elements in the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples, as recorded in John 17:9-19. The first is the recognition that these men had been selected by God and they belonged to God. The second is the request for unity among these men, the same unity shared between the Father and the Son. The third is the petition of protection for the twelve disciples. All of Jesus' final instructions recorded in the preceding chapters were then sealed by this prayer.

In this part of the series on Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples, the focus will be on the necessity for unity among the twelve disciples. Unity, as spoken by David in the psalms, has incredible value in the eyes of God. As David said, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1) Jesus knew the Scriptures well, and perhaps was reminded of this psalm when He prayed for His disciples. Jesus knew that if they were unified amongst each other and with God, they would be purposeful and effective witnesses for Him.

In order for the gospel to be carried throughout the world, those who carried that message had to have one heart and mind. They all had to share the responsibility of not only the mission but the message. Jesus told them that their greatest testimony to the world was going to be their love for one another and their spiritual like-mindedness. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) This love for one another included not only a mutual respect as men but also care and compassion as fellow eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Unity among the disciples was critical.


 
 
 

I AM HERE