BIBLE STUDY INTRODUCTION (5/31/15)

"Speak to the Mountain" Mark 11:23 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer:

 

Father, today I and this community make a commitment to You in the name of Jesus. We turn from speaking idle words and foolishly talking things that are contrary to Your Word, and to our true desire to ourselves and toward others. Your Word says that the tongue defiles, that the tongue sets on fire the course of nature, that the tongue is set on fire of hell.  In the name of Jesus, we submit to godly wisdom that we might learn to control our tongues. We are determined that hell will not set our tongue on fire. We renounce, reject, and repent of every word that has ever proceeded out of our mouth against You, God, and Your plans for our lives. We cancel its power and dedicate our mouth to speak excellent and right things. Our mouth shall utter truth. Because we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, we set the course of our life for obedience, for abundance, for wisdom, for health, and for joy. We set a guard over our mouth, O Lord; help us to keep watch over the door of our lips to speak those things which be not, as we speak to the mountains in our lives. Then the words of our mouth and our deeds shall show forth Your righteousness and Your salvation all of our days. Thank You for Your Word, Your Word tells me that Jesus spoke to the mountain in His days, and we can speak to the mountain today.  We are learning how to apply Your Word to our lives daily. We pray this in Jesus' name, AMEN.

 

We will be reading: (Mark 11:23-24) King James Version (KJV)

 

"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

 

Introduction:

In one of my daily quiet times, I asked God to show me what I really needed to study at this time.  I wanted something that would be a blessing to my spiritual growth right now.  I enjoyed my quiet time that morning, and went on to do my daily task, but all of  sudden I saw this "Speak to the Mountain" by Andrew Wommack, who is one of my favorite TV bible teachers. I was so drawn to this subject. I knew it was God giving this to me to study next!  I begin my research on this subject; it is important to us to live a victorious life, and this is a vital lesson for us to learn and to apply to our lives. The results we are looking for in prayer and in living the Christian life can sometimes be boiled down to this one thing; did we speak to the issue?  Wow! ((((Glory Hallelujah!))))

 

It is like telling someone that you want your dog to obey you and you ask them to help. They watch you for a while but then stop what you are doing and simple say, "You need to give your dog a command!" In other words exercise your authority by speaking to your dog.  I love that!  Jesus taught us this: (Mark 11: 22-23) "So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  (v23) "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

 

It is amazing but in verse 23 Jesus actually tells us three times to speak, say, or command the mountain. We will look at those in the lesson. We have often spoken to God about our problems not realizing that God had delegated to us the power and authority to speak to our problems. In fact, if we do not speak to our problems in Jesus' name they won't be affected or addressed by God. If Jesus hadn't commanded the demons to leave they would not have left.  Amen.

 

Let me say this, I have been struggling with an issue in my life, and at this point I need to speak to it and make it move.  This is why, I believe, God had me to see this study by Andrew Wommack.  God want me to use my faith and to speak to this issue. Glory to God! 

 

I did some research on this topic and to my surprise, there are few who truly believe that we can speak to the mountain. This is divine revelation some do not understand, nor do they believe that we can speak to our problems or situations and make them go away as led by the Spirit of God.

 

I am excited about this study because I know it will be a blessing to me, personally.  For this study there will be a prayer, questions, a reflection question for each week, a small application of speaking to the mountain, a discovery, and reading of the book of Mark (1-16). This is not a very lengthy study, but a very important one to know.

 

Week # 1          Jesus Give Instructions: "What is a Mountain in a believer's life?"

Week # 2          Authority and the Whatsoever Clause

Week # 3          What will you do with Your mountain?

Week # 4          Mark 11:23-24

Week # 5          Faith and Confession

Week # 6          Can Faith move Mountain?

Week # 7          The power to change is inside you

 

 

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 8 CONCLUSION

7 Last Words of Jesus from the Cross

Date (5/22/15)

Week # 8  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

In our conclusion of this study, let's go deeper into what happen after the crucifixion. What did Jesus do and where did Jesus go? These are good questions to learn, so we can be greater witnesses for our Lord Jesus Christ. We mention this in one of the study, if not mistaken, it was our introduction. The events following Jesus' death is very important to learn.

 

Events Following Jesus' Death

 

The Earthquake

Matthew 27:51-52 - At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (NIV)

 

Why did the Temple's curtain rent in part?

 

During the lifetime of Jesus, the holy temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life. The temple was the place where animal sacrifices were carried out and worship according to the Law of Moses was followed faithfully. (Hebrews 9:1-9) tells us that in the temple a veil separated the Holy of Holies—the earthly dwelling place of God's presence—from the rest of the temple where men dwelt. This signified that man was separated from God by sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). Only the high priest was permitted to pass beyond this veil once each year (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:7) to enter into God's presence for all of Israel and make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 16).

Solomon's temple was 30 cubits high (1 Kings 6:2), but Herod had increased the height to 40 cubits, according to the writings of Josephus, a first century Jewish historian. There is uncertainty as to the exact measurement of a cubit, but it is safe to assume that this veil was somewhere near 60 feet high. Josephus also tells us that the veil was four inches thick and that horses tied to each side could not pull the veil apart. The book of Exodus teaches that this thick veil was fashioned from blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen.

The size and thickness of the veil makes the events occurring at the moment of Jesus' death on the cross so much more momentous. "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom"  (Matthew 27:50-51).

So, what do we make of this? What significance does this torn veil have for us today? Above all, the tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus' death dramatically symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was a sufficient atonement for sins. It signified that now the way into the Holy of Holies was open for all people, for all time, both Jew and Gentile.

When Jesus died, the veil was torn, and God moved out of that place never again to dwell in a temple made with hands (Acts 17:24). God was through with that temple and its religious system, and the temple and Jerusalem were left "desolate" (destroyed by the Romans) in A.D. 70, just as Jesus prophesied in (Luke 13:35). As long as the temple stood, it signified the continuation of the Old Covenant. (Hebrews 9:8-9) refers to the age that was passing away as the new covenant was being established (Hebrews 8:13).

In a sense, the veil was symbolic of Christ Himself as the only way to the Father (John 14:6). This is indicated by the fact that the high priest had to enter the Holy of Holies through the veil. Now Christ is our superior High Priest, and as believers in His finished work, we partake of His better priesthood. We can now enter the Holy of Holies through Him. (Hebrews 10:19-20) says that the faithful enter into the sanctuary by the "blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh." Here we see the image of Jesus' flesh being torn for us just as He was tearing the veil for us.

The veil being torn from top to bottom is a fact of history. The profound significance of this event is explained in glorious detail in Hebrews. The things of the temple were shadows of things to come, and they all ultimately point us to Jesus Christ. He was the veil to the Holy of Holies, and through His death the faithful now have free access to God.

The veil in the temple was a constant reminder that sin renders humanity unfit for the presence of God. The fact that the sin offering was offered annually and countless other sacrifices repeated daily showed graphically that sin could not truly be atoned for or erased by mere animal sacrifices. Jesus Christ, through His death, has removed the barriers between God and man, and now we may approach Him with confidence and boldness (Hebrews 4:14-16).

The Centurion - "Surely he was the Son of God!"
(Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47)

The rending of the veil signified that Christ, by his death, opened a way to God. We have an open way through Christ to the throne of grace, or mercy-seat now, and to the throne of glory hereafter. When we duly consider Christ's death, our hard and rocky hearts should be rent; the heart, and not the garments. That heart is harder than a rock that will not yield, that will not melt, where Jesus Christ is plainly set forth crucified. The graves were opened, and many bodies of saints which slept, arose. To whom they appeared, in what manner, and how they disappeared, we are not told; and we must not desire to be wise above what is written. The dreadful appearances of God in his providence, sometimes work strangely for the conviction and awakening of sinners. This was expressed in the terror that fell upon the centurion and the Roman soldiers. We may reflect with comfort on the abundant testimonies given to the character of Jesus; and, seeking to give no just cause of offence, we may leave it to the Lord to clear our characters, if we live to Him. Let us, with an eye of faith, behold Christ and him crucified, and be affected with that great love wherewith he loved us. But his friends could give no more than a look; they beheld him, but could not help him. Never were the horrid nature and effects of sin so tremendously displayed, as on that day when the beloved Son of the Father hung upon the cross, suffering for sin, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. Let us yield ourselves willingly to his service.

 

The Soldiers Break the Thieves' Legs
(John 19:31-33) explaining why the soldiers did not break the legs of Jesus. John's is the only account that shows fulfillment of the prophecies concerning none of Jesus' bones being broken and His side being pierced. (Numbers 9:12 "They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it." (Psalm 34:20) "He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken." (Zechariah 12:10) ""And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn." According to prophecy it came to pass.

It was typical at crucifixions for Romans soldiers to show mercy by breaking the criminal's legs, thus causing death to come more quickly. But this night only the thieves had their legs broken, for when the soldiers came to Jesus, they found him already dead. Instead, they pierced his side. Before sunset, Jesus was taken down by Joseph of Arimathea and laid in a tomb according to Jewish tradition.

 

The Soldier Pierces Jesus Side:
(John 19:34) Could Blood and Water have Issued from a Dead Jesus?

Some doubt that any fluids at all could have issued from Jesus because he was already dead when his side was pierced, John 19:33. Once death occurs, the blood does not flow well because the heart stops pumping and the body grows cold. Yet the blood had to flow as a visible sign of his expiatory (atoning) death, because Leviticus 17:11 says: "... the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life" (this is one way Christianity explains expiation (the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement.) [atonement]). Hence, a miracle was likely required to confirm that his expiatory work was now "finished," as Jesus himself says in John 19:30. Jesus was born by a miracle from a young virgin, performed dozens of miracles throughout his short adult life, and his life's end was marked by a miracle, the issue of blood and water. Then came the final miracle: a resurrection from the dead three days later, the New Testament records. He still works miracles, even after His death!!!  There are more………………….

 

Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
(Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

Jesus Rises from the Dead
(Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9)

Jesus Appear to the Eleven and others: (Mark 16:9; Matthew 28:9, 17; Luke 24:15, 36, 50; I Corinthians 15:5, 6, 7, 8; John 20:19, 26; 21:1; Acts 9:5).

Jesus Ascended to the Father (Acts 1:7-10; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:51)

Jesus will return again soon, and we must be ready to meet Him and the Father. I encourage you to study to show yourself approval unto God. Please don't be taken by surprise when He returns to take His bride to Heaven. Be watch and prayerful at all times. We know the time is near that He return. These words I leave with you. "The Comfort of Christ's Coming."

^"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." AMEN.  God bless you!
 

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 7 (ENDING PRAYER)

 

 

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!  Dear Lord Jesus, though my memory isn't what it used to be, I join King David today in giving you praise today for Who you are, and all the good gifts you lavish on us in the gospel. I praise you that irrespective of changes in my brain chemistry, you'll never forget me. This is my great hope and centering peace. But while they are fresh on my heart, here are a few things for which I am especially grateful as this day begins. I praise you for forgiving all my sins—past, present, and future—sins of thought, word, and deed.  How staggering a thought!  I used to think you forgive only confessed sins, but now I realize I'm probably aware of only 4 percent of my sins. But your blood covers the other 96 percent as well. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a perfect and complete forgiveness! I praise you for securing, and healing all my diseases—diseases in my body, heart, and mind. Though I wish you would completely heal me before you return, nonetheless, I have this sure hope: The healing I'm already receiving in the gospel will be brought to completion. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for present, ongoing, and a secured complete healing! I praise you for redeeming my life from all pits—the pit of eternal separation from God, the pits others throw me into, the pits I naively fall into, and the pits I foolishly dig for myself! You've bought and brought me out of all pits into your embrace by taking the ultimate "pit" of God's judgment for us on the cross. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for an-all-pit redemption! I praise you for crowning me with your love and compassion. You've taken away all my guilt and you've borne all my shame. My conscience is no longer under the law and condemnation, but under grace and your rejoicing. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a coronation of mercy and grace! I praise you for satisfying my desires with good things. Lord, I praise you for the smile of my grandson, the kiss of my wife, the taste of dark chocolate, the rainbow you painted on the side of a trout, the recent encouragement from a friend, and the sounds of great music, to name a few. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a God who takes my desires seriously and satisfies them in countless ways! Lord Jesus, may the unsearchable, innumerable, and inexhaustible riches of the gospel renew me today with youth-like energy, that I may soar like an eagle and live to the praise of your glorious grace! I pray in your holy and loving name, Amen.

 

Reading:     Week # 7              (John 19-21)

 I really enjoyed this reading. Learn so much more about the Lord and what He did, and about the disciples too. I find so much peace in reading the Word.
 

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 7 (SHARING)

The burying place of Jesus Christ:  Garden Tomb

 

 

JERUSALEM –

On Easter Sunday, millions of Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Jerusalem, thousands of Christian pilgrims visit what many believe to be the site of that resurrection. 

Located near the heart of Jerusalem is a place called The Garden Tomb, what some believe was the Garden of Joseph of Arimathea. Here is where some believe Jesus died, was buried, and then rose from the dead.  The garden is a two acre oasis in the often hectic city of Jerusalem. British Christians bought the garden 125 years ago and formed The Garden Tomb Association. For years, they've allowed visitors here free of charge.  "What we do have here in the Garden is a perfect representation of the Biblical accounts at the end of the four Gospels. Everything in those four Gospels matches what we show people here in the Garden," Richard Meryon, director of The Garden Tomb, said.

 

Touring the Garden

Today, nearly a quarter of a million visitors pour into The Garden Tomb each year. Guide Steve Bridge took CBN News on a tour visitors get when they come to the garden.     

"What we plot out is the basic geography that we have in the Bible," he explained. "Jesus was crucified outside of the city walls at a place called Golgotha. And in the immediate area to where Jesus was crucified there was a garden that belonged to a rich man by the name of Joseph of Arimathea." We came first to the place the Bible calls "Golgotha," where the book of Matthew says "and when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull." 

"What are some of the main questions people ask you when they come here?" we asked Bridge.

"Some of the main questions, certainly from Christian groups would be can we be certain that this is the place where Jesus died and He was raised to life," Bridge said. "People often ask how come there are two places here and there is the Holy Sepulcher?"

 

Weighing the Evidence

The question arises because some believe Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the actual place of the crucifixion and resurrection, not the Garden Tomb. Constantine's mother Queen Helena helped build the church in 326 A.D.  The archeological weight supporting the church's claim is substantial. For example, the Roman emperor Hadrian built a temple on the site in the second century because local Christians venerated the site as the place of Golgotha. But the evidence for the Garden can be compelling. The gospel of John says, "... at the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden ... " (John 19: 38; 41).

 

If you have a garden, you need lots of water, especially in the dry Middle East. The Garden Tomb contains one of the oldest and largest cisterns in Jerusalem. It's 2,000 years old and holds about 200,000 gallons of water. "So the tomb we have here is a typical of a first century Jewish rolling stone tomb. It's dated at least 2,000 years, possibly older," Bridge explained to CBN News.

 

The Empty Tomb: 

In the Garden, the Bible also says there was a tomb. "It is carved out of solid rock. It's a man-made tomb and that's how the Bible describes the tomb in which the body of Jesus was laid," Bridge said of the tomb, while we are standing next to its entrance. "This channel that you can see in front of the tomb entrance is where the stone would have sat that would have been rolled to seal the entrance to the tomb. So finally, the most important thing about this tomb itself is that it's empty." We went inside for a look. "What we're looking at when we're looking at this direction is through into the burial chamber itself," Bridge explained. "And what you have inside the burial chamber are these two areas where a body would be laid, one just down here and one on this side." The tomb itself seems to fit the Bible's description. But whether The Garden Tomb or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the site of the resurrection of Jesus, many Christian pilgrims take with them a profound affirmation of their faith "I'm a Bible teacher in the states. And want to take some of this passion back, that Jesus is who he says he is, that he is the son of God, and he did walk this earth," Kelcey Gillespie, a Christian who made a pilgrimage here to Jerusalem, told us.

 

Celebrating the Person

As people celebrate Easter, those at The Garden Tomb stress it's not the place, it's the person.     

"The Bible writers really weren't that interested in establishing where Jesus died. We have very little information," Bridge said. "The Bible writers themselves were much more interested in Jesus Christ himself who he is. Why He died."  "That's what we want people to take away, that the tomb is empty. And we as Christians, of all the world's faiths, serve a living God who's overcome death, who has dealt with the sin in our life," Meryon said. "And Jesus is the centrality of our Christian faith, is He not?"  "And so here at the Garden that's what we want people to take away is the living Lord Jesus. The Easter weekend is the weekend that changed the world," he added. "The weekend that Jesus died and was buried and rose again for me and for you!"

 

 

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 7 (ANSWERS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1).        Have you put your life and, indeed, your life beyond this life, in God's hands?

Yes, I have!

 

2).        How do you experience God's salvation through Christ in your life today?

Wow! I experience more peace than I had before I meet the Lord.  When things come upon me to worry, I pray and I experience joy, and I know it comes from knowing God, my heart know this. I am not perfect, but I know that I am not what I use to be. I am a new creator in Christ Jesus.

 

3).        What do Psalm 31:5 says concerning Jesus was speaking to God?

"Into Your hand I commit my spirit; 'You have redeemed me,' O Lord God of truth."  Jesus said, "You, God, have redeemed Me."

 

4).        What did the centurion say about Jesus down at the cross? (Luke 23:47)

"So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!" Some versions say, "Certainly this man was innocent!"

 

5).        What is this saying "Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit!" consider to be?

His final word before his death on the cross was a prayer to His Father.

 

6).        Some versions says "commit" and some says "commend" what is the different?

I looked each one up and found some says…………………….

(NIV)……Commit

(KJV)……Commend

(NASB)….Commit

(NET)…..Commit

(NLT)…..Entrust

(RSV)…..Commit

(WEB)….Commit

(WYC)….Betake

(TLB)…..Commit

(LEB)…..Entrust

 

Commend:

1:  to entrust for care or preservation

2:  to recommend as worthy of confidence or notice

 

Entrust:

1. To give over (something) to another for care, protection, or performance: "He still has the aura of the priest to whom you would entrust your darkest secrets" (James Carroll).

2. To give as a trust to (someone): entrusted his aides with the task.

 

Betake:

To cause (oneself) to go or move.

 

Commit:

1: to put into charge or trust :  entrust

 

7).        What is this "spirit" Jesus was yielding back to God?

Paul said, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame as the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."  It is also said in Genesis, God breathe the breath of life into man (Genesis 2:7)therefore it is the spirit of life, which goes back to God because it belong to Him.

 

8).        What is man consisted of?

Man is a spirit that has a soul that lives in a body.

 

9).        Where do the "spirit of life" lives in man?

It lives in man's soul. The body cannot live without the spirit of life which lives in the soul.

 

10).      What is the meaning of praise?

1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of personal worth or actions.

2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works.

Praise him, all his angels, praise ye him, all his hosts. (Psalm 148)

3. To express gratitude for personal favors.  (Psalm 138)

4. To do honor to; to display the excellence of.

All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord.  (Psalm 145)

 

11).      What example did Jesus leave concerning Himself?

To me, He left that His love was enduring. He was determent to please the Father. His love is everlasting when you look at the condition of man and the world, but He still came and died for the world, why? I shall never know on this earth. He was a sweet compassionate person, yet strong enough to accomplish what He did on the cross. He was the Son of God! My very life testify to that as being true.

 

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 7 (GOAL)

Yielding to God's Holy Spirit:

 

Once you have invited Jesus into your heart/life, baptized with water, and then filled with the Holy Ghost, God comes into your life through the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide you in this world. You must read and study God's Word to know how to be led by the Spirit of God; there are two forces, and three voices we can hear, (God, Satan, and the flesh). Our spirit is reborn from the worldly spirit; God's Spirit enter, and the enemy war against it; remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the enemy. This is why we are to study to show ourselves approval, to be led by God's Spirit. (Romans 6) teaches us to walk in the Spirit, (Romans 6:19) says, yield to the Holy Spirit, and that mean yielding to righteousness and not sin. God's Word teaches, guide us, and instruct us how to walk in the Spirit, and once we learn, we must yield all our members to it. The Word says, the flesh war against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh leading us to a righteous path. (Galatians 5:16-26) give us what is walking in the flesh and what is walking in the Spirit. I choose walking in the Spirit, so I yield to these fruits, and not the works of the flesh. When God speaks to us He speak through His Spirit to our reborn spirit, and we must obey His Spirit in order to be led by His Spirit, therefore yielding to God's Holy Spirit.

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 7 (WARM-UP QUESTION)

Name the events following the crucifixion.

 

The earthquake:  (Matthew 27:51-52)

The dead came alive: (Matthew 27:51-52)

Jesus is laid in the Tomb: (John 19:38042)

Jesus rises from the dead: (Luke 24:1-12)

Jesus ascend to the Father: (Acts 1:9)

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God: (Mark 16:19)

 

 

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 7 (CROSS REFERENCES)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numbers 14:8

"If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey."

 

Psalm 3:6

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around."

 

Psalm 20:7

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God."

 

Psalm 23:4

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

 

Psalm 27:3

"Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident."

 

Psalm 46:2

"Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;"

 

Isaiah 12:2

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'"

 

Habakkuk 3:18

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

 

BIBLE STUDY "PASSION WEEK" WEEK # 7 (5/15/15)

7 Last Words of Jesus from the Cross

Date (5/15/15)

(Week # 7) 

 

 

Beginning Prayer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father God, as this Word goes forth, please send it straight to our hearts, so we will never forget what You did by sending Your Son Jesus to die for our sin.  Bless these Words to fall on good grounds, so that all would bring forth good fruit in their season. Thank You for helping us to learn more of You, and Your love for creation.  Thank You that I know that He live, and bless all who read these bible studies to know that Jesus live too.  In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen!

 

Title:  "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"

 

Scripture Reading: Luke 23:46 World English Bible (WEB) "Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Having said this, he breathed his last."

 
Cross References:       Numbers 14:8; Psalm 3:6, 20:7, 23:4, 27:3, 46:2; Isaiah 12:2; Habakkuk 3:18

 

Theme: (The Passion of Christ)

 

Warm-up Question: Name the events following the crucifixion.

 

Goal:   Yielding to God's Holy Spirit

 

Let's Study……..

 

Here Jesus closes with the words of (Psalm 31:5), speaking to the Father. We see his complete trust in the Father. Jesus entered death in the same way he lived each day of his life, offering up his life as the perfect sacrifice and placing himself in God's hands.

Like a trusting child, he turns to the Father and takes the next step. He has bound himself by love, to both God and the human race. Soon he will begin his long-term ministry by demonstrating the fact that human beings survive physical death. Then he will continue to draw to himself, and thus to heaven, everyone he can ... for as long as it takes ... until whosoever will has come.

The seventh word of Jesus is from the Gospel of Luke, and is directed to the Father in heaven, just before He dies. Jesus recalls Psalm 31:5 - "Into thy hands I commend my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God." Luke repeatedly pleads Jesus' innocence: with Pilate (Luke 23:4, 14-15, 22), through Dismas (by legend), the criminal (Luke 23:41), and immediately after His death with the centurion" "Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent" (Luke 23:47).

Jesus was obedient to His Father to the end, and his final word before his death on the Cross was a prayer to His Father.

Jesus fulfilled His mission: "They are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith" (Romans 3:24-25). The relationship of Jesus to the Father is revealed in the Gospel of John, for He remarked, "The Father and I are one" (John 10:30), and again, at the Last Supper: "Do you not believe I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works" (John 14:10). And He can return: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father" (John 16:28). Jesus practiced what He preached: "Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

 

Reading Scripture in another version: Luke 23:46 Amplified Bible (AMP)

"And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit! And with these words, He expired."

 

Jesus is in the closing moments of His life on the earth after spending 6 hours on the cross. He is exhausted; He is hurt; He is lonely and He is soon to breathe His last.

 

• He cried out with a loud voice, "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit." This was the last statement that Luke records in His account and often taught as the last words of the earthly Christ. I tend to lean toward the last words being spoken of in the Gospel of John for reasons that will be identified when we come to the text. Nevertheless, this was definitely in the last moments of His life.

• Notice it was not with a weak voice, but a LOUD VOICE. This is significant because it tells us that He was mustering up last great effort to cry out to God in His hour of need.

• This is a quote from Psalm 31:5 and also happens to be the closing line of the typical Jewish prayer at the end of the night. It was part of the pattern of prayer of entrusting their soul unto God as they planned to slip off into sleep for the night.

• This was also one of the favorite Psalms of the distressed Jew; and if you are reading this right, Jesus most certainly met that qualification. What does a man do while He waits to die on a cross? He reaches out to God.

 

Listen to some of the lines of this Psalm and try to understand the trust He had in the power of the Father.

 

Excerpts from Psalm 3:

 

Verses 1-5 In Thee, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; in Thy righteousness deliver me. 2 Incline Thine ear to me, rescue me quickly; be Thou to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me. 3 For Thou art my rock and my fortress; for Thy name's sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me. 4 Thou wilt pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me; for Thou art my strength. 5 Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.

Verse 9, "Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body;"

Verses 12-14 I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind, I am like a broken vessel. 13 For I have heard the slander of many, terror is on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they schemed to take away my life. 14 But as for me, I trust in Thee, O LORD, I say,

"Thou art my God."

Verse 15-16 My times are in Thy hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. 16 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; save me in Thy lovingkindness.

Verse 22 As for me, I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from before Thine eyes"; nevertheless Thou didst hear the voice of my supplications when I cried to Thee.

Verse 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.

 

• It is quite humbling to look at the cross from this perspective. Jesus was entrusting His soul to the Father. He was not bitter; He was not confused;

He was not mumbling. He was trusting in God that He would be delivered!

• Notice that it is Jesus' spirit that He is committing to God. This carries with it an important lesson for our understanding of the afterlife. What is this "spirit" that Jesus was yielding back to God? There are many uses of "spirit" in the Bible. the wind -Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (KJV, NKJV) a breath -II Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (KJV) personal sentiment -Matt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. One's intentions -Phil 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Holy Spirit -Acts 2:38 And Peter {said} to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

• I am persuaded the "spirit" which is referred to in Luke 23:46 is not of the above, but yet another option, the spirit of life. Paul makes the statement in 1Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul revealed that we not only have a body and a soul, but also a spirit. The spirit is not the body or the soul, but what it says, the "spirit". What is the spirit that Paul is referring to?

• The spirit of life is what was God breathed into Adam and made man a living soul. Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Adam was formed out the dust of the ground but had not life until God breathed the spirit of life into him.

• This is the same spirit of life that was driven from all living during the flood.

Gen 7:21-22  "And all flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; 22 of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died.

• The spirit of life resides in the soul of a man and is the force that energizes the body of mankind. The body cannot live without the spirit of life. We find mention of it in other passages of the Bible.

• I am persuaded this is the same "spirit" that Jesus is entrusting to the Father, the spirit of life. This is the life force that keeps the soul alive after it leaves the body and goes on to Hades, the place of disembodied souls. I also believe this is why it is often synonymous with the soul, for both leave together at the same time. The soul lives forever in torment or blessedness for the spirit of life keeps the soul alive!

 

Let's talk about praising God:

Praise, mostly of God, is a frequent theme in the psalms, the Hebrew title of which is "Praises." Yet praise is a theme that pervades the whole of Scripture. Genesis 1 is indirect praise; direct praise is found in hymns scattered throughout the books of Exodus, 2 Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel, Ephesians, and Revelation. Words that are often used as synonyms or in parallel with "praise, " and some help point to its meaning, are "bless, " "exalt, " "extol, " "glorify, " "magnify, " "thank, " and "confess." To praise God is to call attention to his glory.
A vocation of praises: Praising God is a God-appointed calling. Indeed, God has formed for himself a people "that they may proclaim my [God's] praise" (Isaiah 43:21 ; cf. Jeremiah 13:11 ). God's actions, such as Israel's restoration from the exile, are to result in God's "righteousness and praise springing up before all nations" (Isaiah 61:11 ). God has also predestined the church "to the praise of his [God's] glorious grace" (Ephesians 1:6 ; cf. Matt 5:16 ; Ephesians 1:14 ; Philippians 1:11 ; 1 Peter 2:9 ). The future vocation of the redeemed in glory is to sing praise to God and the Lamb (Revelations 4:11 ; 5:12-14 ; 7:12 ). Doxologies are fitting because they capture what God intends for people (Psalm 33:1 ; 147:1 ).
In the light of this calling to praise God, the oft-declared intention, "I will praise you, O God"  and the exhortations for others to praise God take on additional meaning. In giving oneself to praise the worshiper declares his or her total alignment with God's purposes. The environment of those gathering for worship, judged by such admonitions, was one of lavish praise to God. Since God is holy and fully good, God is not to be faulted, as some do, for requiring praise of himself. Praise is fitting for what is the highest good, God himself. Praise is both a duty and a delight (Psalm 63:3-8).
 
Reasons for Praising God:  
 
In addition to being the fulfillment of a calling, praise is prompted by other considerations, chief of which is the unique nature of God (1 Chronicles 29:10-13 ). One genre of the psalms, the hymns, is characterized by an initial summons, such as "Praise the Lord" which is followed by a declaration of praise, introduced by the word "for, " which lists the grounds for offering praise, often God's majesty and mercy. The shortest psalm (117), a hymn, offers a double reason for praise: God's merciful kindness (loyal love) is great, and his truth endures forever. Other hymns point out that God is good ( Ezra 3:10-11 ; Psalm 100:5 ; 135:3 ), or that his ordinances are just ( Psalm 119:164 ), that he remembers his covenant ( Psalm 105:7-8 ), that his love is enduring (Ps. 136), or that he is incomparable ( Psalm 71:19 ). A basic understanding in the hymns, if not in all the psalms, is captured in the theme "The Lord reigns." God's kingship is pronounced both in his majestic power displayed through the creation of the world ( Psalm 29 , 104 ) and in his royal rule, often as deliverer, over his people ( Psalm 47 , 68 , 98 , 114 ). As king, God is judge, warrior, and shepherd. Often too, praise is to the name of God (Psalm 138:2 ; 145:2 ; Isaiah 25:1 ). That name, Yahweh, conveys the notion that God is present to act in salvation (Exodus 6:1-8).
The biblical examples of praise to God, apart from citing his attributes and role, point to God's favors, usually those on a large scale in behalf of Israel. A hymn in the Isaiah collection exhorts, "Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement" ( Isaiah 12:5 ; nab ). Exhortations to praise are sometimes followed by a catalogue of God's actions in Israel's behalf ( Nehemiah 9:5 ; Psalm 68:4-14 ). God's most spectacular action involves the incarnation of Jesus, an event heralded in praises by angels in the heavens and shepherds returning to their fields: "Glory to God in the highest" ( Luke 2:14 Luke 2:20 ). Praise is the legitimate response to God's self-revelation. Personal experiences of God's deliverance and favor also elicit praise ( Psalm 34 ; 102:18 ; 107 ; cf. Dan 2:20-23 ; Rom 7:25 ; the healed paralytic, Luke 5:25 ; Zechariah, Luke 1:68 ; the response at Nain, Luke 7:16 ; and Jesus himself, Matt 11:25 ).
An intimate relationship of a person or a people with God is sufficient reason for praise. A psalmist, captivated by the reality of God's choice of Jacob, exhorts, "Sing praise" ( Psalm 135 ; cf. Rev 19:5 ).
Expressions of Praises: The believing community is both a fitting and frequently mentioned context for praise. The author of Hebrews quotes the psalter: "In the midst of the assembly I will praise you" ( Heb 2:12 ). The audience is enlarged beyond the worshiping community when the worshiper announces, "I will praise you [in the sense of confessing], O Lord, among the nations" ( Psalm 57:9 ), and more enlarged still, "In the presence of angels ["gods" NIV] I will sing my praise" ( Psalm 138:1 ; nab ). While privately spoken praise to God is fitting and right, it is virtually intrinsic to the notion of praise that it be publicly expressed. Indeed, David appointed Levites to ensure the public praise of Israel ( 1 Chron 16:4 ; 1 Chronicles 23:4 1 Chronicles 23:30 ).
The Scriptures offer a language of praise and so are instructive on how expressions of praise might be formulated. Nehemiah leads in praise by saying, "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord" ( Neh 9:5-6a ). The chorister Asaph followed David's cue: "Sing praise to him; tell of his wonderful Acts" ( 1 Chron 16:9 ). Persons intent on cultivating spirituality are often helped, at least initially, by repeating and personalizing such lyrics of praise.
Praise to God in Israel took the form of artfully composed lyrics. A significant number of psalms are identified in their headings as "A Psalm, "a technical term meaning "a song of praise." Israel's expressions of praise to God could include shouts ( Psalm 98:4 ), the plying of musical instruments ( 1 Chronicles 25:3 ; 2 Chronicles 7:6 ; Psalm 144:9 ; 150:1-5 ), making melody ( Psalm 146:2 ), and dancing ( Psalm 149:3 ). A public expression at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem took the form of devotees waving palm branches (Matthew 21:1-11 ). Praise for Israel consisted, in part, of the spoken word, "Open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise" ( Psalm 51:15 ) behind which, however, was a total person committed to praise: "I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart" ( Psalm 9:1 ). Such praise is not tainted with bitterness or in other ways qualified but is from someone who is thoroughly thankful.
The Bible speaks also of persons praising or commending others ( Genesis 12:15 ; 49:8 ; Proverbs 31:28 Proverbs 31:30 ; 2 Corinthians 8:18 ). However, it counsels, even warns, about the giving and receiving of praise lest it be for the wrong reasons or be misconstrued ( Psalm 49:18 ; Proverbs 12:8 ; Proverbs 27:2 Proverbs 27:21 ; John 5:44 ).
Unquestionably the Book of the Psalms is centerpiece for any discussion about praise. In it the believer's vocation to praise is wonderfully modeled, so that even laments (one-third of all the psalms) contain elements of praise. As a book of praises, the psalms build to a remarkable crescendo of praise (Psalms. 145-150),  in which all creatures are summoned to incessant praise of God, as are the stars and planets in the heavens, and even the angels. I mention praises because of what Jesus has completed for us. This and all He does for us deserve our praises. We must be grateful. We give praises to God for sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins. He made the atonement and it was great and completed.
 

Reading Scripture in another version:  Luke 23:46 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

"Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last."

 
Point of Interest: Atonement:

 

Questions:

1).        Have you put your life and, indeed, your life beyond this life, in God's hands?

2).        How do you experience God's salvation through Christ in your life today?

3).        What do Psalm 31:5 say concerning Jesus was speaking to God?

4).        What did the centurion say about Jesus down at the cross? (Luke 23:47)

5).        What is this saying "Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit!" consider to be?

6).        Some versions says "commit" and some says "commend" what is the different?

7).        What is this "spirit" Jesus was yielding back to God?

8).        What is man consisted of?

9).        Where do the "spirit of life" lives in man?

10).      What is the meaning of praise?

11).      What example did Jesus leave concerning Himself?

 

 

Ending Prayer:

 

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!  Dear Lord Jesus, though my memory isn't what it used to be, I join King David today in giving you praise today for Who you are, and all the good gifts you lavish on us in the gospel. I praise you that irrespective of changes in my brain chemistry, you'll never forget me. This is my great hope and centering peace. But while they are fresh on my heart, here are a few things for which I am especially grateful as this day begins. I praise you for forgiving all my sins—past, present, and future—sins of thought, word, and deed.  How staggering a thought!  I used to think you forgive only confessed sins, but now I realize I'm probably aware of only 4 percent of my sins. But your blood covers the other 96 percent as well. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a perfect and complete forgiveness! I praise you for securing, and healing all my diseases—diseases in my body, heart, and mind. Though I wish you would completely heal me before you return, nonetheless, I have this sure hope: The healing I'm already receiving in the gospel will be brought to completion. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for present, ongoing, and a secured complete healing! I praise you for redeeming my life from all pits—the pit of eternal separation from God, the pits others throw me into, the pits I naively fall into, and the pits I foolishly dig for myself! You've bought and brought me out of all pits into your embrace by taking the ultimate "pit" of God's judgment for us on the cross. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for an-all-pit redemption! I praise you for crowning me with your love and compassion. You've taken away all my guilt and you've borne all my shame. My conscience is no longer under the law and condemnation, but under grace and your rejoicing. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a coronation of mercy and grace! I praise you for satisfying my desires with good things. Lord, I praise you for the smile of my grandson, the kiss of my wife, the taste of dark chocolate, the rainbow you painted on the side of a trout, the recent encouragement from a friend, and the sounds of great music, to name a few. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for a God who takes my desires seriously and satisfies them in countless ways! Lord Jesus, may the unsearchable, innumerable, and inexhaustible riches of the gospel renew me today with youth-like energy, that I may soar like an eagle and live to the praise of your glorious grace! I pray in your holy and loving name, Amen.

 

Reading:     Week # 7              (John 19-21)