Live the Word Bible Studies

Matthew Study 33: 27:62-28:20

Dear Student of the Word,

Attached is the final installment of our study of Matthew's gospel that we began last January.  We will move on to study Colossians after I take a week off and then begin John's gospel after the first of the year. By God's grace, we should finish the New Testament studies next year.

Here is what I wrote on the last day of this last study:

28:18 – Jesus was not phased or hindered by the doubts of some; He proceeded with the “meeting” as planned for He had something important to tell them.  First, He established that all authority had been given to Him. How much authority is “all” authority?  It’s all, everything, as much as there is. Jesus didn’t receive some authority, along with others like Mohammed, Buddha or Sun Yung Moon.  He received all authority and God will not share His authority with another.  He won’t give His “all” to one and then take some back to give to someone else. Jesus is the One who has the authority to save, to bless and to direct the affairs of the Church.

v. 19 – I have often said that Jesus brought the disciples all the way from Jerusalem to Galilee and then told them to “go.” I often preach messages at missions conferences, one of which is entitled, “He’s Got Us Coming and Going!”  I also have one by the title, “When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go!”  And the final one is “What Part of Go Don’t You Understand?”

Jesus told the disciples to go and they immediately went back to Jerusalem where they had to be evicted before they would heed Jesus’ words. Jesus had given them their marching orders, but they weren’t ready to go, ready in their minds, that is. They were still too tightly held by Jewish culture and custom, but over time they would go and take the gospel everywhere in the world.

Jesus was very clear what they were to do as well. They were not to meet social needs; they were to preach, teach and baptize, making disciples as they went. Jesus had taught the disciples and He then expected them to go and do the same.  The focus for their teaching was to be what Jesus had taught them; not philosophy or psychology.  Are you teaching what Jesus taught you through the apostles?  How can you be more effective at doing so? 

Paul understood this and had a body of teaching that he imparted no matter where he went.  He called it “my gospel.”  Paul knew that he didn’t own it; he knew that it was his to preach, that no one else could do it because it was his purpose to go to the Gentiles.

This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares (Romans 2:16).

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:10-12).

v. 20 – Jesus promised that He would be with the disciples unto the end of the age, that He would be with them as they did the work that He was commissioning them to do.  What a fantastic promise!  As you go, God goes with you. It doesn’t get any better than that. 

So we have reached the conclusion of our study of Matthew’s gospel. Matthew ends his gospel with Jesus telling His disciples to go forth and spread the good news about Him. That hasn’t changed in 2,000 years.  Jesus has made you a missionary to wherever He sends you:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Where has Jesus sent you? He has sent me to Africa mostly, with some work here in the States.  It doesn’t matter where you go and you cannot compare your assignment to that of anyone else.  You have your own work to do.  Are you doing it? 

If there is one lingering impression from our study of Matthew, it is that Jesus knew who He was and repeatedly told people, although indirectly at times. Those who wanted to know who He was would know; those who did not would be confused or unenlightened. I pray that this study has enriched your life as it has mine and I hope you will continue to read, study and gain even more insight into the greatest story ever told – that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Amen. 

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus my website archives contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files.

Download matthew_study_33.doc

Matthew Study 32: 27:32-61

Dear Student of the Word,

This is the next to last study in Matthew, which we began last January. I have learned so much about this gospel, which has become my favorite of the four over time. Of course, they are all great reading, with different objectives in mind for each. This week we finish the crucifixion account, which of course ends in Jesus' death. This week I wrote for one day this week:

27:54 – The Roman guards were impressed by the events that surrounded Jesus’ death and Jesus’ demeanor, so much so that they declared Him to be God’s Son! The Jews were hardened in their unbelief, but these guards represented some of the first fruits of Jesus’ ministry among the Gentiles. These hardened soldiers saw what happened and bore witness to the truth, the same truth that the Jews had mocked and rejected: Jesus was the Son of God! One never knows how anyone else will respond to the gospel, so don’t prejudge. Just share the facts and let the Holy Spirit do the work. After how the soldiers treated Jesus, I would never have imagined that any would have responded as they did.

v. 55 – Not many of Jesus’ male disciples were present, but many of the women disciples were. Jesus had a great impact on women and they were loyal to Him until the end, standing by and watching His suffering. Are you loyal to Jesus no matter how it affects you? Do you stand by Him even when others mock Him? I hope so. These women had come from Galilee, to help take care of Jesus’ needs while He traveled and ministered. The women were away from home while in Jerusalem, but undoubtedly had friends and family there. Yet Galilee is a two-hour drive away from Jerusalem today, so it was a long journey for them back then. What price are you paying to follow Jesus and take care of His people?

v. 56 – Three women are mentioned by name. I wonder why Matthew did this? Were these woman well-known among his readers so that by mentioning them he would increase the account’s credibility? I am not sure, but I know that I am impressed with the commitment and loyalty of the women in the face of danger to anyone aligning themselves with Jesus in that hour. The men had fled for the most part, but the women stayed close until the end.

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, once said, “Some of my best men are women!” He often sent women to troubled inner city areas where they had greater ministry success than men. I have often said that the church in many instances is trying to achieve its mission with one arm tied behind its back and with only half its gift base due to the restrictions on women in ministry.

What is your viewpoint on women in ministry? What is the basis for your view? What roles can women play in the church and in building the Kingdom? How can we more effectively involve women in the work of the ministry?

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus my website archives contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files.

Download matthew_32.doc

Matthew Study 31: 26:69-27:31

Dear Student of the Word,

This week we take a look at Jesus' trial before Pilate and His treatment at the hands of the Roman soldiers.  I found it difficult to make any comments about some of the verses; instead, I just wrote a prayer.  I don't want to trivialize Jesus' sacrifice by trying to find creative insights or make glib comments.  Jesus paid a high price for me to even be writing these studies, and I want to give proper reverence and respect for that price.

In light of that, this week I wrote:

27:24 – Pilate was an astute man who read situations correctly.  He lacked courage, however, to stand for the truth and so he gave in to the wishes of the crowd.   He washed his hands, indicating that he was finished and innocent of the crowd’s decision, but he really wasn’t innocent.  He did not want it reported back to Rome that he could not maintain control in Jerusalem, so he did what was politically expedient.  He delivered Jesus over to the wishes of the crowd.  Pilate was not a leader; he was a manager and politician.  He was not looking to make any reforms or changes; he simply wanted to serve his time in Palestine and move on to another appointment, hopefully one that had more prestige and money involved.

So the elders and priests had their agenda, Pilate had his agenda and Jesus had His agenda.  Jesus’ agenda was to do the will of the Father, so He was the one with the moral authority and power in this situation, even though He was bound by chains and the will of the mob.  How about you?  Do you see yourself in charge, even if circumstances and sinful people have you boxed in?  God is in control of your affairs, and if you entrust yourself to Him, you will be rewarded and vindicated.

v. 25 – This was a scary declaration by the people.  They proclaimed that the penalty for what they were doing should be on them and their children!  They were so convinced that what they were doing was God’s will that they were willing to assume full responsibility for the outcome.  Forty years later, God would take them up on their proclamation, destroying their country, Temple, religious system and way of life.  I do not believe that the curse they called down on themselves is still in effect, for they extended it one generation beyond themselves to their children. 

v. 26 – Releasing Barabbas and condemning Jesus was a travesty of justice.  As stated earlier, it clearly showed the priorities of sinful man – rebellion over submission to God.  Pilate had Jesus flogged and handed him over the executioner.  It is not important, but I wonder what Barabbas did with his life after his release?  In some sense, Barabbas was the firstfruits of Jesus’ ministry, for he was a sinner set free as Jesus took his place and endured the sentence that Barabbas and all sinful men should have endured. 

We do not see Jesus resisting, complaining, or trying to use the system to escape His death.  He was as a lamb led to the slaughter, as Peter so aptly described:

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 4:20-25).

Are you in a situation where you are suffering? Then suffer nobly and in the manner that Jesus suffered.  Trust God to deliver you. 

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2).

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus my website archives contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files.

Download matthew_study_31.doc

Matthew Study 30: 26:36-68

Dear Student of the Word,

Not much time today, so this intro will be short.  This week we look at the explanation of Jesus being seized in the Garden of Gethsemane when Judas betrayed Him to the guards and officials, about which I wrote:

26:40 – How disappointed Jesus must have been when He came back to the disciples, only to find them asleep.  What Jesus was going through, however, He had to go through alone.  No one could assist Him in His hour of sorrow.  Keep in mind that the men had drunk some wine at the Passover meal, plus the hour was late.  What’s more, they were spiritually dull, still not realizing the impending events that would lead to Jesus’ death. They did not accurately assess the spiritual situation, and therefore they did not pray as they should or could. 

v. 41 – Jesus uttered an oft-quoted truth, saying that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  Many of our spiritual disciplines are designed to bring the body into alignment with the desires and inclinations of the spirit.  Yet our bodies often scream for attention and preeminence.  When you fast, for example, your body clamors for food. When you go to pray early in the morning or late at night, your body demands sleep.  Yet some can often stay up late to watch a comedienne, movie or sporting event with no trouble. 

Jesus knew what was ahead so He prayed.  The disciples did not know and therefore they did not pray.  Are you spiritually watchful at this point in your life?  Or has your prayer life waned, paling in significance and attention when compared to other activities?

v. 42 – Jesus did not let His disappointment with the disciples affect His own prayer life.  He returned to prayer a second time, also returning to His original theme of the cup that He was about to drink.  Jesus inquired as to whether or not the cup could pass Him by, yet He reiterated that it wasn’t His will that mattered most, but the Father’s.  Is there any cup that you must drink at this point in your life?  Are you submitting to the Father’s will in that, or are you resisting, perhaps even sounding spiritual as you resist? 

v. 43 – The disciples did not respond to Jesus first admonition to watch and pray, for they were asleep once again when Jesus returned to where they were.  Their eyes were heavy. I have felt this kind of heaviness when I have traveled overseas across many time zones.  No matter how hard I tried, I could not keep my eyes open.  Yet Jesus was able to stay awake because He understood the priority of prayer when one is being tested. He overcame His humanity to apply the proper spiritual discipline. If Jesus did it, you and I can do it, too!

v. 44 – Jesus went off a third time to pray, having checked to see if He had any conscious partners to join Him.  Once again, we see that Jesus did not let the failures of others impact His own spirituality.  He was committed to do what He needed to do whether or not anyone joined Him.  Have you allowed your own spiritual life and disciplines to suffer because of the failures of others? 

vs. 45&46 – Jesus returned to alert the men that the hour had finally arrived when He would be betrayed.  Jesus had prayed and was now convinced that the cup was not going to pass, so He embraced it.  Betrayal is a part of every person’s walk with the Lord, it seems.  I wonder if it isn’t to prove that the only One who will never betray or fail you is the Lord.  You cannot put your trust in man, but only in God.  That doesn’t mean you should not expect people to behave in a godly or loyal way.  If and when they don’t, however, you cannot let that affect your own walk with the Lord.  Are you hurt or wounded over some betrayal of a friend?  Then allow the Lord to prove to you that He is ever faithful and loyal.

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files, can be found on my website in the archives.  Lord willing, I hope to have the New Testament studies finished by the end of 2009.

Download matthew_study_30.doc

Matthew Study 29: 26:6-35

Dear Student of the Word,

2008 is fast coming to a close and so is our study of Matthew. We begin to study the last few days of Jesus' life prior to His crucifixion, this week looking at the Passover meal He celebrated with His disciples.  The meal began with Jesus sending the disciples into the city to look for a man who would provide the room where they would celebrate.  This is what I wrote about that Passover meal:

26:18 – I have often said that God is a great administrator, the best I have ever beheld.  He knows when to start to be ready at a certain time.  He knows how to prepare His team and covers all the details.  What’s more, God is not just “creative” or “administrative.”  He is both and when He functions in one role, He is not excluding the other.  What do I mean by that?  For example, we know the exact time the sun comes up and sets.  We know the first day of winter and spring.  We know the exact minute when it will be high tide and low tide.  That is supreme organization in my mind.  Yet does all that “organization” and “administration” take away from God’s creativity?  Absolutely not! 

I point this out because many people believe they are in either one or the other category – creative or administrative.  I formerly thought this way too, but now I see that I am both and God helps me function in both because of who He is.  Do you think like I used to think?  Do you see yourself as more creative or administrative?  Are you ready to grow in the “other” sphere as God helps you?

v. 19 – The disciples went and found the man that Jesus had directed them to and, sure enough, the man gave them the place in which they were to prepare and celebrate the Passover.  God made their job easy by going ahead and preparing the way.  I have felt and known that kind of help in my career, and it is special thing.  When God directs and I obey, the job always goes smoothly.  Yet I don’t believe God always gives this kind of specific direction.  At times, we are to walk in what we know and carry out our duties in a work-like fashion, which doesn’t mean that work style isn’t spiritual.  I point that out because there are some who are looking for God’s direction in everything, even the simplest things.  I think that sounds spiritual, but isn’t realistic.  Do you agree with me or not?

vs. 20&21 – This is the 28th time that Jesus said “I tell you the truth” according to Matthew’s gospel.  Do you tell the truth?  Do you exaggerate, leave out important details, hide the truth, tell half-truths, or just plain lie?  I hope not, but it’s hard to be truthful in every situation. What if someone you love asks you, “How do I look?” and he or she look terrible?  How do you answer the question?  Jesus told the truth that people were not even asking for, as in this example.  He told the disciples that one of His closest Twelve was going to betray Him.  They could not believe it, so He had to assure them that He was speaking truth.  I want to be as committed to telling the truth as Jesus was and is:

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:14-16, emphasis added).

v. 22 – The disciples were shocked by this truth and began to proclaim their innocence by denying any personal responsibility.  While Judas would betray Jesus specifically, all of them would betray Him in a more general sense by abandoning Him in His hour of need.  Loyalty is a rare trait, as we discussed a few days ago.  Most people will serve their own interests, which is why this passage in Philippians has always been so special to me and one I have tried to use as a guiding principle in my life:

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel (Philippians 2:19-22).

If Paul only had the pleasure of knowing one like Timothy in his lifetime, how many people like Timothy will you and I ever know?  And a more important question is: Can you be one like Timothy according to this definition in Philippians?

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files, can be found on my website in the archives.  Lord willing, I hope to have the New Testament studies finished by the end of 2009.

Download matthew_study_29.doc

Matthew Study 28: 24:35-26:5

Dear Student of the Word,

I hope you are well and prospering in the will of God.  I realize that these last few studies have been longer than usual because I have been including more verses than I normally do. This is because of the parables and stories we are studying.  They do not lend themselves to being broken up, so I have included them in one day's study even though they exceed my usual limit of four verses per day.  I trust that you are not overwhelmed by the length and will simply take them "one day at a time."

One such parable was this week's look at the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25 and their "oil crisis."  These are the conclusions I came to about that story:

This parable has always puzzled me, but to you it may seem straightforward. What are some of the lessons we can learn here?

1.  The main lesson seems to be one of personal preparedness in the context of the Lord’s return.

2.  God expects everyone to be faithful and work with a view toward the future. This requires balance, for you must work today to prepare for the future while waiting on the Lord to clarify His will and purpose.  You cannot do your work in your own power, yet you are expected to prepare and aggressively seek God’s will.

3.  This does not only pertain to a state of holiness, where your life is free from sin, but also a sense of doing the work that God wants you to be doing to extend His kingdom.

4.  If God gives you forty years or one hundred years, you are to be prepared to meet Him at any time by being faithful with the opportunities at hand.  There will be a day when preparation will no longer be possible; the door will be shut. You cannot cram for the things of God like you do for a college exam. 

5.  This principle can be applied to health, learning and relational matters.  You must make the most of the time you have and not talk about what you are going to do “one day.”  You don’t know how many “days” you have, so you must act today to do all that you can do.

6.  You can mourn for lost opportunities just like for lost loved ones.  You can think of what could have been and be sad or think of all that was (that you did) and be happy. 

7.  The return of the Lord will be sudden and your own death will also be sudden; it will come more quickly than you may think.  So be ready and live your life in such a way that you minimize regrets.

8.  You cannot live off someone else’s faithfulness, just like the foolish virgins could not borrow oil from the wise.  You must live your own life and make the most of it!

9.  We must work like those who don’t know the Lord may not have much longer to give their lives to Him and ask forgiveness for their sins.

10.  Regret is a terrible thing.  You often can’t make up for what you regret doing or not doing; you can only share the wisdom you gained from the regret with others.

Can you think of any more lessons to be learned from this parable?

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files, can be found on my website in the archives.  Lord willing, I hope to have the New Testament studies finished by the end of 2009.

Download matthew_study_28.doc

Matthew Study 27: 24:1-35

Dear Student of the Word,

This week we move into Matthew 24, one of the most difficult and controversial passages in Matthew.  Some believe that Jesus was talking about His Second Coming, others about the fall of Jerusalem.  I believe it's a little of the former and a lot of the latter, and I explain why in this week's study.  For one of the days in this week's study, I wrote:

24:5 – Why are there counterfeit $20 US bills in circulation? Why not counterfeit $4 bills? There are no counterfeits for what isn’t real, so no one would accept a $4 bill – well, maybe some poor soul would.  So why would there have been so many counterfeit Christs?  You got it; because there was a real One.  Even today there are many counterfeits of real spiritual things.  How do you avoid the counterfeit?  Not by refusing all spiritual things (or all $20 bills), but by learning to detect the real ones.  Here are two passages that may help.  One warns that fakes and frauds will come, but the other assures us that if we test what comes, we will know whether or not it is the real deal.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve (2 Corinthians 11:3-5).

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false” (Revelation 2:1-2 emphasis added).

v. 6 – Jesus was referring to the fall of Jerusalem here, answering their question as to when the end He had predicted would come.  There would be rumors that armies would march against the Jews but those rumors would prove false.  Some would probably find consolation in these false alarms and therefore think the end would never come, but it would.  Jesus was warning His disciples to recognize the signs that would surround the pending doom of Jerusalem. 

It is of note that Josephus, the Jewish historian, reported that not one Christian lost his or her life in the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Why was this?  Because they took Jesus’ words to heart and did what He said in this chapter, understanding that He was not talking about the Second Coming but the fall of Jerusalem.

v. 7 – You may ask at this point, “But aren’t there calamitous things happening now that mirror what Jesus was saying in these verses?”  The answer of course is “yes,” but the context of this message from Jesus was His condemnation of the Pharisees and prediction that the kingdom was being torn away from them and given to another people.  Usually context is king in matters of interpretation, so that is why I am keeping the focus on the fall of Jerusalem and not the end of the world.

v. 8 – Jesus used the analogy of a woman in birth to help His listeners understand what he was saying.  When they would begin to see things that He described, they were an indication that the “birth” was imminent but not immediate.  They were not to misinterpret that the calamity would not happen when the birth pangs or contractions stopped. They would continue until what Jesus promised would fully come to pass.

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files, can be found on my website in the archives.  Lord willing, I hope to have the New Testament studies finished by the end of 2009.

Download matthew_study_27.doc

Matthew Study 26: 23:1-39

Dear Student of the Word,

Some people have said that the word leader doesn't appear in the Bible, that pastors as we know them today are unheard of in the Bible.  I don't agree and see leadership concepts through the Old and New Testament that are specifically addressed to leaders.  This week we study what Jesus said to the Pharisees and leaders of Israel in Matthew 23 in which Jesus delivered His seven "Woe to you Pharisees" condemnations. 

Here is what I wrote on Day Six of this week's seven daily studies, which you can download below:

23:33 – Jesus called His listeners a brood of vipers and snakes, condemned to hell.  That proves that Jesus believed in a real hell and that people will actually go there.  I’m sure that you have heard some say that this life on earth is the real hell.  I hate to mess up their theology but this isn’t hell.  There is a place of eternal punishment for God’s enemies and the Pharisees were heading there unless they repented!  That is a sobering thought. 

v. 34 – Here we see Matthew writing about what Luke also reported.  God’s plan to expose these Pharisees was to send them His prophets whom the leaders would flog and kill.  Isn’t it interesting that God could choose to send some of His servants into situations where He knew they would be mistreated?  He did this and gave those He sent no say in the matter.  God did not apologize for sending them into a bad situation in which they would be mistreated. God can send His servants anywhere He chooses to have them treated however He wishes and never apologize.  Some may even lose their lives and have to wait for vindication. 

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:9-10).

When you say to God that you will do His will, are you serious?  Can He send you to a bad situation?  Can you be mistreated and see that is God’s will for you?  Can you rejoice in that?

v. 35 – God can use you to reveal the hearts of other people, even if it reveals their wickedness.  So can you pray the prayer that Isaiah prayed?

With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving” (Isaiah 6:7-9).

v. 36 – There it is again.  Jesus said, “I tell you the truth!” The Pharisees and the people could never have imagined that what Jesus was saying would come true.  They thought they were on good terms with God, but Jesus was telling them otherwise.  And their spiritual condition was going to lead to the downfall of life as they knew it in Jerusalem and Israel.  This was unimaginable, I’m sure, so Jesus had to affirm that He was indeed telling the truth.

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies, along with the unpublished Faith Files, can be found on my website in the archives.  

Download matthew_study_26.doc

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PROVERBS:  My most popular book is my daily devotional from the book of Proverbs.  If you would like a sample of September's devotional, you can download it below. 

Download September.doc

COMING TO THE UK?  I have a ministry who would like to bring me over to the UK for October 20-November 3, but they need partners to help, whether churches or individuals.  If you would be interested in utilizing my ministry services while I am there, please write me this week and let me know.

Matthew Study 25: 21:33-22:46

Dear Student of the Word,

Forgive me that this week's study is a bit longer than usual.  There were quite a few parables and stories in this portion of Matthew that could not be subdivided, so I addressed them as a whole.  Jesus is in Jerusalem in these last chapters of Matthew and He is engaged in intense debate with His enemies.  Of course, Jesus always emerged victorious from such encounters, yet that didn't keep His enemies from trying their best to humiliate or trap Him. This week I wrote:

22:34 – It was as if Jesus was playing ping pong with the leaders – back and forth, back and forth, first one opponent, then the other, first the Pharisees, then the Sadducees and then the Pharisees again.  Yet Jesus was up to the task, always impartial, never vindictive, but always honest.  How are you with your opponents?  Are you as consistent and firm, yet gracious?

v. 35 – This time the Pharisees put forth a lawyer, one who had spent his life studying the law. Not having learned their lesson earlier with the question about Caesar, the Pharisees sought to test Jesus once again by asking Him a difficult question.  This question, however, was and is an important one and we can see God’s providential hand in both the Pharisees asking it and Matthew including it.  What’s more, it would have been of supreme interest to every Jewish reader to whom Matthew was writing.  The question:  what is the greatest commandment in the Law?

vs. 36-38 – Without hesitation, Jesus answered that it was to love the Lord your God with all your being.  The whole Old Testament and all its requirements and regulations can be summed up in one short sentence, and this represents God’s summary.  The Old Testament can seem so burdensome and complicated, yet with one statement Jesus streamlined and simplified it all.  How easy and focused that is!  Wow!  Even the youngest child or the least intelligent adult can understand that. 

I have made God so complicated at times, yet Jesus makes it simple.  What’s more, we have no reason to believe that this commandment changed in the New Testament.  God was and is to be our top priority in all that we do.  I have a body of teaching on purpose and I have written extensively on the subject.  Yet I could summarize it all in one or two sentences: “You have a purpose, something only you can do or be. If God wants you to accomplish your purpose – and He does – then He must reveal what that purpose is.  Yet God is a great communicator and, if your heart is set to hear it, God’s is set to reveal it.”

What is the summary of what you stand for, teach or believe?

v. 39 – Jesus then added that the second most important commandment is to love your neighbor.  Our service to mankind must never, ever replace our love for God as the number one emphasis in our lives, no matter how urgent the needs of the people we serve.  We serve people because we love God and that is, or should be, our main motivation.  Yet Jesus said the second commandment was similar or like the first.  We express our love for God when we love and serve others.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:9-11).

How are you expressing your love for mankind as an indication of your love for God?

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Download matthew_study_25.doc

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CONTRIBUTIONS: It's been a slow summer. If you can contribute to my ministry, please do so at my website using PayPal or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Thank you.

Matthew Study 24: 21:1-32

Dear Student of the Word,

Thank you for your patience as I try to keep up with these studies while sitting in my seminary classes and working long and hard to stay current with my classwork.  This is the last week of classes, so I hope to be back on track next week with our weekly studies. 

This week we look at Jesus' triumphal entrance into Jerusalem just prior to His death and resurrection.  With that in mind, this is what I wrote:

21:14 – After Jesus cleansed the Temple of special business interest groups, He had a healing service.  This tells me that the lame and blind were already in the Temple area for worship, but it was “one-sided” up to that point.  They were there to give to God but God was not giving anything in return, mostly because the leaders were blocking God’s way.  As I stated earlier, Jesus said the Temple was to be a house of prayer and prayer was a representative activity.  What Jesus said was not meant to indicate that prayer was the most important activity in the Temple.  He confirmed this by not praying after He said what He said, but by healing.  The Temple was to be a place of spiritual activity, not business transactions, and prayer wasn’t the highest priority.

Is your church a place of spiritual activity or business?  Is your own life comprised mostly of spiritual or business duties?  Your own “temple” is to be a “house” where needs are met and God’s business is done through you to meet others’ needs.

v. 15 – What a terrible reaction from the leaders!  What a bad and evil attitude they had.  When they saw the “wonderful” things Jesus did, they were indignant.  They saw the people crying out for salvation, saw Jesus healing the sick and restoring sight to the blind and the leaders were offended.  Religious people and leaders are always offended when their agenda isn’t followed and God’s agenda is.  Jesus showed that God was going to circumvent the leaders and go directly to the people to meet their needs.  I have heard it said that God respects authority and always works through the established authorities.  I wholeheartedly disagree, for what was happening here was a fulfillment of Scripture:

"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the Lord.  "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number (Jeremiah 23:1-3).

v. 16 – The leaders wanted Jesus to stop the worship of the “little” and “simple” ones in favor of the rigid worship rules established by the leaders.  Jesus refused to do so then and won’t do it now.  God is the ultimate Shepherd of His people and, if His “under-shepherds” won’t do their jobs, then God will intervene and care for His people Himself!  He will then raise up new leaders, as Jesus did by raising His apostles above the authorities of the day.  Beware if you are a leader who takes care of yourself and not the people.  God is against you and may remove you from your office. 

v. 17 – Jesus left Jerusalem.  He was attracting too much attention and animosity, so He withdrew.  Jesus did not run from controversy but that is not His main mission.  He came to do the will of the Father and it was not quite His time to surrender His life, so He withdrew.  I love Jesus.  He was so focused on the Father’s will and refused to be diverted from that.  How focused are you on the Father’s will?  How able are you to walk away from controversy or fame?  How willing are you to confront wrongs yet not be consumed by your crusade? 

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Download matthew_study_24.doc

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RADIO: Don't forget to tune in to Your PurposeQuest: The Power of a Focused Life every Wednesday at 9 AM Eastern time on the Voice America.  If you miss the show, you can access any of the past broadcasts at the network archives. This will be my last show for a while. 

NEW WEBSITE: Also, make sure you check out my new website and take advantage of the many features that will help you discover your purpose. What's more, every Bible study I have composed for the last seven years (19 New Testament books) can now be found in the site archives.