bsfonline – Page 10 – The Notes are Good

10.4 BSF Matthew Week 10, Day 4

My Daily Journal:

“While He was saying this…” Be careful as you read the passage this week that you don’t miss those 5 opening words.

What was He saying? “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

What does that have to do with this synagogue leader showing up with this request?

Let’s compare/contrast the actions of this leader/father with his dying/dead child and that of another biblical leader/father and his dying/dead child. Let’s turn back to 2 Samuel 12:14-24.

David is only a man. He was a faithful man and loved by God, but he was only a man. Jesus is the “son of David.” Later in Matthew we will hear him called this by the blind men. It is a true statement and important for fulfillment of prophecies. But Jesus does not stand on David. He is not a reincarnation of that king. He is not an add-on, a patch, an addition to what has come before. He is something new (but also something eternal). He is King Jesus from the authority of sitting at the throne of God, not from sitting at the throne of David. His power and authority do not end at death.

What an amazing comfort for all who have lost loved ones. They are not dead. In God’s eyes and power, they are only asleep. With a single calling from His lips they will rise to life again, none worse for having experienced the sleep of death.

My Answers:

10.
a.
25-26 woman, 12 years, bleeding, uncured, Docs, broke, 27 touched, 28 “if touch be healed” 29 healed
30 Jesus asked who? L45, Denial L46, Power Mrk33, Confession, 22. “your faith has healed you” Mrk 34 “go in peace and be free from suffering”

b.
She had been bleeding for 12 years. Long suffering afflictions are simply waiting on God’s timing

11.
a.
Synagogue leader

b.
She was on death’s door. None of his discussion was about Jesus it was about his daughter. He must have held out hope that Jesus could save her, but, is that faith or desparation?

c.
He did not judge Darius and his faith (or lack there of), instead He took on the love of this father for His child

09.5 BSF Matthew Week 9, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Pop-Quiz Time for the Apostles.

Let’s review.

They heard the sermon on the mount where Jesus told them not to worry.

They heard Him teach them how to pray. They also heard the promise that God will answer those prayers.

They heard Him speak with authority, above that of any one in the temple.

They heard Him speak of coming to fulfill prophecy.

They saw His authority over all forms of infirmities and His ability to heal.

They heard Him say to leave your old life behind, don’t rely on what you used to know and do but follow Him first and only.

So, here comes the pop-quiz. Where should you test a bunch of fishermen? How about, on a boat?!?

How should the test be conducted? How about a storm? Something along the lines of, “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat…” (see Matthew 7:25) What, oh what, would a wise man do???

What did they do? Pray or panic? They panicked. Oh, you of little faith. C- grade at best! (get it? “below “c” level”…sorry, bad storm on the sea pun!)

I don’t mean to be hard on the apostles. How often do we do the same thing? How often do I? I hear the words, I understand them and I want to apply them, but when storms come up, I go blank, I rely on myself, I show my “little faith.”

But, like the apostles, Jesus saves me. And, let’s be clear, this must have been a major storm… these were guys who made their living on the water… they knew a deadly storm. But, Jesus tells us we don’t need to fear even the deadly storms.

We don’t even need to fear the demon possessed.

I thought it interesting that the demons are aware of their ultimate outcome. “Did you come to torture us before the appointed time?” They know what is ahead. They know who is in control and who is the judge, the administrator of justice.

But how often do we fail the test, too? Do we put worry about livelihood over faith in eternal life? Do we put profit concerns over prophecy fulfilled. What is eternal life and salvation worth? 2000 pigs? I would hope so.

Finally, when we are called to follow Jesus, we are also appointed a place for that calling. The demon possessed man wanted to get out of town. He wanted to start anew. But Jesus had a special mission field for him and it was in his own backyard. This may have been the hardest mission field imaginable – but he obeyed. What an amazing transformation. From living in the tombs of the dead to being the one inviting others to eternal life!

My Answers:

12.
a.
Jesus was sleeping, he got up and rebuked the storm

b.
Authority over nature

c.
They had heard Him call Himself Lord, they had seen others put their faith in Him – would he then die in a storm? Did they trust the power of the storm over the power of God

d.
Heart issues – Ezek 36:26

13.
a.
lived in the tombs – so violent that no one could pass that way

b.
The demons identified Jesus for whom He is, the Son of God. They identified that there was an appointed time at which the demons would be tortured

c.
Asked to come with Jesus but Jeses did not let him and told him to stay and witness

d.
To leave – they loved their livelihood more than their lives. Swines over Salvation. Profit over Prophecy Fulfilled.

e.
“keep faith under wraps – it may offend someone and lose a sale” We don’t want our faith to interfere with our livelihood

08.5 BSF Matthew Week 8, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Stolen words used for unearned earthly gain.

The words of the bible are precious. They are not just words, they have power, meaning and purpose. But when people use these words in a twisted fashion, they don’t just deceive, they are thieves.

If I take a tool from my neighbors garage, I am a thief. If I take credit for artwork I did not create, I am a thief. If I take the Words of God and use them for my glory instead of His, I am a thief.

We may deceive ourselves into justifying our theft. We may think that watering down the scripture is a means to get people in the door. We may think that it is better to avoid the “controversial” parts of the gospel. But what does Jesus say? There is never a time that Jesus does not reflect the glory of God alone. His food was the do the will of Him who sent Him and to finish His work.

What do you stand on? Is it what you want to be true? Is it what you would like the bible to say? Or do you stand on the one and only solid foundation.

Actually, standing is not enough. We are not just called to stand on the cornerstone, we are called to be built on it, as it says in 1 Peter, into a holy house of worship to the Living God.

My Answers:

11.
a.
Matt: Jesus knowing them (not His sheep)
Luke: do not do what Jesus says
John: refuse to come to Christ, do not have the love of God in heart, do not accept Christ
John: Belief in the Father
Hosea: rejected what is good, set up own kingship aside from God, made idols

b.
The words that came out of their mouth were lies and for show. The words did not reflect submission to the rule of God or a contrite spirit, they were stolen words used for illegal earthly gain, which does not carry into heaven

c.
I am, myself, at times. When I rely on myself and not the H/S, I lie to myself. When I pray afterwards instead of before, I am being my own prince, When I put trust in men who look the part and sound good instead of the word of God, I live a lie.

12.
That He alone is the Judge on Judgment Day. No one enters except by His knowledge. He alone is Lord.

13.
a.
Hear the words of the Lord AND put them into practice

b.
They don’t practice their faith (if they have any at all). They put it in a box (Sunday morning) or on a shelf (unread bible) and go about living their life with what they think is right or what they want right to be.

c.
Isaiah: Lay a stone in Zion, tested stone, precious cornerstone, rely on it never stricken w/ panic
1 Cor: No one can lay any other foundation: Jesus Christ
1 Peter: Living stone, rejected by humans chosen by God, we on Him a spiritual house, holy priesthood

d.
On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand

08.4 BSF Matthew Week 8, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Hero Worship: It amazes me how people follow and worship other people. They have a NASCAR driver they follow. They can tell the stats of each player on their favorite team. They invest time watching and discussing singers and actors, turning them into American Idols.

But if these “heroes” do not stand for God, then they are tricks and lies. If they lead others into temptation, then they are counterfeit heroes. They are not the real deal. They are counterfeit. They are also not just misguided. If they oppose the one true God, seeking praise for themselves over God, then they are to be avoided. Deliver us from evil.

My Answers:

9.
a.
13-14: Narrow vs wide gate/broad road. Narrow to life, wide to destruction
15 False prophets (sheep/wolves) 16 (fruit: grape from thornbush, fig from thistles) 17-18 (tree bearing fruit)

b.
good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

10.
a.
Do not trust outward appearances, particularly in regard to teachers of faith. They may “look the part”, but they are a shell containing viciousness

b.
They are not “misguided” they are wicked. False teaching of the gospel and thus, opposing God, is ranked among worse offenses. They may have Reverend as a title but that does not mean they are to be revered. Christ had no issue calling the highest church leaders a brood of vipers.

c.
1. Beware – trickery abounds and what looks good and easy is seldom right
2. Make sure my life and ministry is bearing good fruit from the Spirit within me. Trust it and the Word of God alone, not my desire for what I want it to say instead. Guard my heart from evil and watch my words, they cannot be taken back.

08.3 BSF Matthew Week 8, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

My wife gets some friendly teasing from her group for her passion for getting deep into God’s word and looking up the Greek behind our English biblical words. She jokingly said this morning that she looked up the word “knock” in Greek and it means to “knock, as on a door.”

While she said this tongue in cheek, it is actually a very relevant point.

Lots of people ask. They scream out in their words and actions. Some people seek. They look for answers. They look for help. But knocking – that is something different.

You can ask from afar and anonymously. You can seek answers from unreliable sources. We have a neighbor who asks her deepest questions to Google search like some sort of magic eight ball to give guidance to her life.

But knocking requires personal action and personal involvement. To knock in prayer, you have to show up on God’s doorstep. You have to know the right house, the right door. You must spiritually get up and carry your prayers to Him. You have to extend your hand. You have to take action, engage directly and personally.

God does not just want our requests and wishes, He wants our connection with Him. He doesn’t want us to just phone it in, He wants us to enter His home.

My Answers:

6.
a.
Ask, Seek, Knock

b.
Yes, sick child, guidance for another child, restful sleep for spouse

7.
The promise of the Holy Spirit. Good gifts could mean any blessing, but the H/S is the ultimate gift and blessing

8.
a.
The ultimate answer to prayer (according to God’s will) is salvation and reconciliation. He purchased that gift for us while we were still sinner (Rom 5:8), but we still must choose to accept the gift and submit to Him

b.
God is not a vending machine that you insert prayer and out pops blessings or your get your own way. God does what is in His will and His mercy out of love. All prayer is heard and answered, some not as we wish for teaching/change

c.
It fits unselfish love. God has nothing to gain through prayer, but through His love of us He delights in giving

08.2 BSF Matthew Week 8, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

7953227784_d71b2d2c8a — Flickr Creative Commons: stockmonkeys.com

1. Measure for Measure: This reminded me of the days of the gold rush. Miners would pan for gold and, hopefully, find nuggets. They would then bring these in to town where someone would purchase them., The price was based on weight and the purchaser of the nuggets owned the scale. It was often a simple balance and they used counter weights to determine the weight of an ounce of gold. If their counter weight was a bit heavy, say 1.5 ounce or 2 ounces instead of 1 ounce, then when they put the gold on the other end of the scale, they would get that much extra for the price they paid. But Jesus explains that this manipulation is all for nothing, because the same set of weights, the measure, they use for others will be the same set of weights used to evaluate their worth. In this situation the only thing that makes sense for fairness to abound is to use weights that are true and accurate. The only source of that measure that is true is the Word of God.

2. I just finished reading a book called Allegiant, and one of the lines in the book really stuck in my mind in regard to our lesson this week. “Everyone has some evil (sin/fault) inside of them and the first step to loving anyone else is to recognize the same evil (sin/fault) in ourselves, so we are able to forgive them.” We have spent 4 weeks on the Sermon on the Mount and it is easy sometimes to compartmentalize the lesson of three weeks ago and this week, but they are all the same sermon. In Matt 5, Jesus explained this principle in the extreme. You may not have murdered someone else, but have you been angry or thought of another as being a fool? If so, it is the same thing, the same sin, the same evil, with the same just punishment (the fires of hell 5:22). To minister, to love, to forgive another; we cannot do it from a position of superiority because that is a lie. You cannot speak truth and lie at the same time. It starts by seeing our own need for forgiveness.

3. Pearls to Swine: When thinking of unbelievers we often think of the Gospel as mad tasting medicine. They don’t want it but it is good for them and they really should take it. We know what is best for them. Take your medicine and be grateful. But, we forget or neglect the tremendous value and worth of the Word of God. It is not something to be pushed on other people. Would you force another against their will to take gold from you? Would you force them to eat from an amazing banquet of the finest food? Of course not. You would recognize that as ridiculous. You may invite them, offer, encourage, teach, prepare them for the gift, but if they don’t choose to take your gold, you wouldn’t force them. But how much more valuable and precious is the gift of the Holy Spirit than gold or silver. How much more nourishing is the Word of God than earthly food. When we treat it as bad tasting medicine, we dishonor its true worth and value.

My Answers:

3.
a.
To put yourself in the position of being over another person, particularly a fellow believer, for the purpose of demeaning or disparaging them. i.e., don’t have a “holier than thou” attitude

b.
same way judge others will be judged, measure for measure. Focus on the plank in your own eye over the speck of sawdust in another (judge yourself first and foremost and right the situation). Do not give dogs what is sacred, don’t throw pearls to swine

c.
forgive and you will be forgiven, give and it will be given to you (blessing of measure). Can the blind lead the blind, will they not both fall into a pit, Student is not above the teacher, but everyone fully trained will be like their teacher

4.
a.
Matt: brother or sister within the church, but as a brother/sister, a confidant, friend
Gal 1: Preachers (people or angels) – that they stay true to the word of God
Gal 6:Someone who has been caught in a sin. Also, yourself (test your own actions)
2 John: Deceivers, antichrist, false teachers

b.
Take the glaring sin out of your own life first ( hidden can be glaring). Point out their sin to them with compassion and nurturing. If ignore, join with 1-2 in the body privately to intervene, expand to church, remove from fellowship.

5.
Each of us is given our own free will and choice. No one can force or coerce another into accepting the gift of salvation or force them to truly repent. They must choose. If they fail to choose or choose the wrong path, leave them be (although you can continue to pray for them). “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.” Prov 23:9

06.5 BSF Matthew Week 6, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

I don’t think Christians are called to be ignorant pansies that are constantly taken advantage of, bullied and abused. We are not called to be a doormat for others to simply wipe their feet on.

We are called to follow our mission. If we are following it fully, if we are truly committed to that mission then it and it alone is critical in everything we do and every decision we make. When you are a soldier in battle you don’t decide to ignore the mission because you don’t want to get your uniform dirty. When you are a surgeon with a patient on the table you don’t decide to operate of some other part because it is easier and quicker. You stick with the mission – it is what it is all about.

Our mission is simple. We heard it last week. Be salt and light to the world. Take the strength and word and light of God and use it to witness, heal, baptize and save. Period. That is the mission.

If walking a mile accomplishes that – walk the mile. If giving up a shirt accomplishes that, give up the shirt. But, in all of it, stay true to the mission. If giving someone your shirt does not bring them closer to God, then the mission is not to give shirts – it is to figure out what brings them closer to God.

One of my friends talked about an interaction with a homeless person this week at a coffee shop. The man asked my friend, “can you help me?” and he gave him a few dollars. But that weighed heavy on his heart. There is nothing wrong with giving the money, and God can use that, but what if he had, instead, invited the man to sit down with him and bought him food that they shared together. How much more could the investment of 10 minutes meant in the mission my brother carried?

I can get so focused on “what is rightfully mine” that I fall back into the trap of justice = revenge or getting even. But this is based on a mindset of finite resources. For me to get even I have to take it back from the person who wronged me. But I am the child of an infinite God and creator. There is so much more. God honors that which honors Him!

My Answers:

12.
a.
If your yes is yes and your no is no, then there is no “qualification” to speaking the truth, you just always do. There is no provision for falsehood

b.
“To be honest with you…” These words imply that at other times you are not honest or don’t mean it. Hard to tell when is when and what is what

c.
Know the truth and stick to it. No “white lies”.

13.
a.
Fear and Concern over being a doormat keeps me out of ministry opportunities and witnessing to others. I need to keep in mind what is truly important (bringing others to Christ). If being slapped or giving a shirt or walking a mile helps with that, then, by all means, that is what I should be doing

b.
God will honor that which honors Him.

14.
Gal: walk with the spirt not gratify the desires of the fleshEph: Put off old self and deceitful desires, new in attitude, righteousness and holiness like God
Phil: Obey, work out with God and allow Him to act in my to fulfill His good purpose
Phil: think about: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy

06.3 BSF Matthew, Week 6, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

1. I didn’t know for sure what the word meant so I looked it up: Raca: vain, empty, worthless, only found in Matt. 5:22. The Jews used it as a word of contempt. It is derived from a root meaning “to spit.”

2. I was moved by the 1 John 2:11 passage, “But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”

The thought it brought to mind was the realization that anger and hatred that I carry in my are like a dark spot in my eye. That spot is blacked out and doesn’t absorb any light. Clearly greed and lust are the same way.

So, I looked up how big of a dark spot would it take to affect my vision. Literally. Here is what I learned: The receptors in our eyes are in an area called the macula. At the center of the macula is the fovea centralis. This is the “point of sharpest, most acute visual acuity.” At the center of the fovea centralis is the foveola. The closer ones cones are clustered to this are, the better your vision. A dark spot in this are, something blocking the cones, would have a significant impact on the ability to see and could cause blindness. The foveola is about 0.35 mm. In other words, a little less than half the size of this period.

So, how much anger and hatred can I allow to reside in my heart and in my eye? This was a good visual for me (no pun intended).

I want to see. I want to be able to see the world with Jesus’ eyes.

3. I had a whole part on trying to explain Matthew 5:25-26 but I moved it to Day 5

My Answers:

5.
a.
Deut 5:17 (Also Exodus 20:13)

b.
They separated the hands from the heart. Hatred and desire to murder someone was fine as long as they didn’t physically do it. They followed the letter of the law but not the intent

6.
Anger and hatred are in me as darkness. It is impossible to be filled with the light if I have darkness in me. Even a little darkness is blinding.

7.
Pray, forgive, reconcile if possible – but regardless, take it out of my heart

8.
What can I do to love and save my brother? vs. What can I do to get what is rightfully mine? Cain’s Protection (Gen 4:15) Lamech’s Arrogance (Gen 4:23-24) Eye for eye (Ex 21:23-25)

06.2 BSF Matthew, Week 6, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

In our discussion this week about moral law, ceremonial law and prophecies foretold I did some digging into the old testament prophecies and found these two great resources:

The first is a side by side list of over 350 old testament prophecies and the corresponding new testament references demonstrating Christ’s fulfillment: 351 Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ

The second is a “school house rock” style video that demonstrates the probability of any of this just being “chance.”

In particular, today, I was struck by the question about the bible becoming living to me. When I mechanically do my study, I get the mechanics of the scriptures. I see the words. I see the do’s and don’ts and the blessings and the warnings. But that is all I see. However, when I pray first and really put my mind and spirit in a time of openness to God’s revelation, I experience God’s word in such a deeper way. For example, in Sunday School recently we discussed Isaac and the blessings to Jacob and Esau (Genesis 26). Through that study I was struck by the fact that Isaac didn’t just “take back” the blessing that Jacob received and it made me realize none of us can ever truly “take back” words that we speak. They carry forward with a life of their own. We can try to explain them, soften them, translate them, but once spoken we can’t unspeak them. Then, tie that Old Testament lesson to the New Testament lesson this week about knowing the old testament teachings and speaking the truth always.

It brought to mind a good steak. The old testament is the breed of the animal, the feed that went into it, the aging process, the marinade used, the perfect temperature of the flame, the hand of the experienced chef. Sure, with out any of that, the steak (new testament) could still be nourishment and something for me to chew on. But without the old testament I lose the flavor and the full experience that God intended.

My Answers:

3.
a.
Respect and honor. He did not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. They are to be practiced and taught.

b.
Through BSF and Sunday School teaching, my love of the old testament has grown in the past few years. I have too often viewed it as out-dated and difficult – as a rule book that doesn’t apply now.

c.
Begin with prayer. Ask for Jesus’ help through the Holy Spirit to open my eyes and heart to how these ancient words point to Jesus and how they apply to my life today.

d.
Study of Isaac’s blessing of Jacob and Esau – I am too casual with words, treating them like something I can take back or erase, but that isn’t the case. Once words are spoken they take on a life of their own and carry weight.

4.
a.
Heb 9:27 die once and then face judgment. Ephesians 2:9 Not by works, so that no one can boast. Luke 18:18-27 “you know the commandments…” and “then come follow me.”

b.
Heb 8:7-13 (quoting Jeremiah 31) Jesus is the new covenant, the old is obsolete. For Christ is the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified” (Rom 10:4), Mark 12: 28-34 – Love God and Neighbor more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices

c.
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
“Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me” (Psalm 40:7).
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
“…all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Jesus Christ, Luke 24:44)

04.5 BSF Matthew Week 4, Day 5

Today’ Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

First, I was struck by the calling of the first apostles. Not so much in what they were called to do, but in what they were not called to become.

Jesus didn’t call them to become high priests. He didn’t call them to become the pharisees or Sadducees. He didn’t call them to become government leaders. He called to be who they were, but to be it for Him.

We forget this. We think that to serve God we must become someone else. If I am a fisherman, Jesus calls me to be a fisher for Him. If I am a laborer, I am called to labor for Him. If I am a teacher, to become a teacher for Him. Our “market place skills” are not something to diminish or discard in our following of Christ, they are simply God-given gifts to be redirected to serve Him.

Second, I was struck by the duality of Jesus message and ministry. He came with power and compassion, with retribution and love. He calls us to repentance and joy. But, in our way of looking at things, these can often seem like opposites. When we think about being repentant, we think about being sorrowful and mournful not filled with joy and celebration.

But we forget (or are in denial that) we are caught in a trap. Look at how many times and ways the word “snare” is used throughout the old testament. We have gone off the path and have been caught in the snare of sin. Jesus screams to us to cry out. Not over anguish that we have been snared, but so that He can set us free and carry us back to the path of righteousness. Jesus said repent AND be healed. Not only did He say it – He did it for all to see. The gospel is Good News!

My Answers:

8.
a.
He lived in Capernaum by Zebulun and Naphtali
A shoot came up from the stump of Jesse (the Vine – Jesus)

b.
All old testament prophecy ultimately points to the arrival of Christ. He didn’t do things to “fulfill prophecy”, more what He was doing had been prophecied

9.
a.
At once they left and followed Him

b.
I will send you out to fish for people

c.
Most of my ministry is to children. There is no earthly recognition or gain from this, no earthly profit, but it honors my God.

10.
a.
Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near – proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, healing

b.
Same message, but he took the batton to the conclusion of the race. He not only washed, but he healed (both physically and spiritually).

c.
That the time of salvation through the Son of God, a descendant of David, the Messiah, had arrived

11.
a.
He came with retribution&power against sin and those who choose the path, AND with compassion and love. Not to destroy, but to save out of the clutch of sin. He came for a time of repentance AND joy (they go together) Judges 2:3 their gods (false idols) will become a snare to you. Ps 18:15 the snares of death confronted me, Ps 25:15 the Lord, only he will release snare (see also Acts 1:22, Ps 147:3)

b.
He is King and Lord and never sets that aside. He has full power to justly punish sin and sinners alike. And, He, through benevolance and grace chooses to lift me up to be considered not just his servant, but also His son.