bsfonline – Page 8 – The Notes are Good

20 BSF Matthew Week 20, Day 4

My Daily Journal:

What does a christian look like? When we think about it, our immediate thoughts turn to outward appearances and probably someone who looks a lot like us.

But Jesus looks at the heart. A Christ-Follower is someone who has given their heart over to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

A christian may be male or female. A christian may be married or single. If someone is single, they don’t have to marry to be a christian nor does marrying make them more of a christian. God is in control. Being married is a gift. But being single is also a gift. They are different gifts, but one is not better than the other (OK, the Apostle Paul had a bias for being single, but you understand my point). Both are gifts. The key is to use the gift for the glory of God.

The same is true of age. A christian may be young or old. There is no minimum age for asking Jesus into your life. Young christians (I’m talking age not maturity of faith) are amazing examples of unconditional love, both giving and receiving. I am very proud to call these children, brothers and sisters in Christ.

My Answers:

8.
a.
Intimacy is a part of marriage. Some can’t. Some choose to forgo it for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can should accept it

b.
He saw a life of celibacy as a gift from God. But for those who don’t have this gift to remain celibate/chaste, they should marry and for those who marry they should live as a married couple, sharing in intimacy with each other.

9.
a.
1 john 2:15-17… for all that is in the world, lust of flesh, eyes, pride of life, is not of the Father. Rom 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind

b.
By demonstrating the love I have for my wife and model the respect and appreciation I have for her in ways that others can see

10.
a.
For Him to pray for them and for Him to place his hands on them

b.
They may have felt He had more important matters to attend. They were operating as gatekeepers, only allowing through those “worthy” of an appointment

c.
Failure to acknowledge them as faithful followers, brothers and sisters. Failure to address them at their level. Failure to pray for them and bless them. Failure to be humble.

d.
Be on their level and welcome them. Encourage them. Not talk down to them. Show them the love of Christ – take time for them!

20 BSF Matthew Week 20, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

The pharisees asked this question of Jesus to “test him”, i.e., to trap him.

Basically there were two camps, one that believed you could divorce for “any reason” and another that believed you could only divorce for “some reasons.” Either option He chose, alienated one of the camps.

But, I believe, the question itself is the trap. Let me put it another way.

This is the same as saying:

“Jesus, we have this beautiful, priceless and irreplaceable crystal vase. Is it better to break it by throwing it to the ground or is it better to break it by smashing it with a hammer?” Jesus, (with great tact), informs them they are num-nuts and what they should be focused on is protecting the vase so it does not get broken.

All of this focus on divorce misses the point entirely. Take care. Treat a marriage as what it is: something precious and valuable and irreplaceable. Something ordained by God.

But what about those with a broken vase? What about those who have divorce in their past? God meets us where we are. He doesn’t say to the lost sheep, find your way back to the flock and then we’ll talk. He goes and finds the sheep where it is, while it is still lost. In 1 Cor 6 Paul explained that some of the members of the church had been thieves, greedy, sexually immoral, drunkards… but you were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. Jesus didn’t say get your life in order first and then come to me. He said come to me and I will help transform your life.

My Answers:

6.
a.
He continued ch 18 theme of forgiveness: shouldn’t divorce. If divorce for any reason other than sexual immorality then any other relationship is adultery

b.
Any relationship after marriage is adultery (except in the death of a spouse)

c.
do not separate. If spouse is an unbeliever stay together, but if they decide to leave, let them go.

7.
a.
The man who hates and divorces his wife does violence to the one he should protect. He does not look on with favor or plea

b.
It is true – to teach a nation that was focused on itself

c.
Christ is the model. Love as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy. Husband and wife=1 body. care for spouse as you would your own body.

d.
The love He had for us, cleansing us in the water through the word, to prepare us to be holy and blameless

e.
God meets us where we are now, 1 Cor 6:8-11, thieve, greedy, sexually immoral, drunkards….that is what some of you were but you were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; Matt 18:12, lost sheep=rejoice

20 BSF Matthew Week 20, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

To me, the discussion about the Law of Moses and divorce is like a discussion about daredevil safety equipment. Let’s put it this way. If you are going to ride a motorcycle at high speeds and jump it over a bunch of flaming cars, someone is going to suggest you have on a really good helmet and flame retardant clothing.

The better idea is to not do it. But since some people are set and determined to do it anyway, sufficient guidelines and protective gear is designed.

When Moses outlines these “laws” about divorce, I don’t think he is saying this is a good idea or the right thing to do. I think he is simply saying, you are going to do this anyway because you are hard hearted, so let’s take these steps to minimize the damage.

My Answers:

4.
God created male and female in His image. He joined them together and commanded them to be fruitful. They become one flesh, man must leave his father and mother and be united with his wife

5.
a.
Prohibited from returning to a relationship where a husband sends her out of their house

b.
Their hearts were hard

c.
God will allow me to do things that are wrong. That doesn’t make them right, but if I’m hard headed and hard hearted enough He will allow it.

19 BSF Matthew Week 19, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

I worry about being taken advantage of. We live in a world full of warnings to “keep up your guard.” We are told to be careful, diligent, cautious. “There is a sucker born every minute.” Don’t be a patsy, an easy-mark.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Peter’s question is not unreasonable. There have to limits, right? There have to be boundaries. If someone wrongs us, they have to pay. How many times must I offer forgiveness to someone who repeatedly transgresses against me.

I’m guilty of this mindset. But it is a mindset of limited resources and God is a God of Unlimited Grace and Provision. Jesus helps put this in perspective. We are focused on the equivalent of 100 silver coins. We seek justice for a transgression of 100 silver coins. But God is dealing at the level of 10,000 bags of gold.

Since we don’t deal much in actual silver and gold, I looked it up.

A US Silver Dollar (1878-1935) is worth about $15.50 in silver. So 100 silver coins would be worth $1,550.

During the gold rush, a bag of gold held approximately 25 pounds. Assuming bags have traditionally been about the same size, a bag of gold at current market value would be worth a little over US $500,000. So, the forgiveness of the King was to the tune of US$5,062,000,000. $5 Billion Dollars.

In God’s economy, the things we worry about someone taking advantage of us over would get lost in rounding. If I spent more time and effort protecting my heart and my eyes and those I love, that would be a far wiser eternal investment than protecting worldly possessions.

My only appropriate response should be one of thanks to God and modeling the grace and mercy that He has shown me. When we pray for God to forgive our sins as we forgive others, the forgiveness we show others is the measure we are asking Him to use on us.

My Answers:

12.
a.
how many times must I forgive my brother = maximum number of time I can ask for forgiveness. If 7, then…

b.
Law of Lamech or Lamech’s curse was a distortion by Lamech for a rule of vengence. Jesus turned these words into a rule of forgiveness instead.

13
a.
Sins of others to me are miniscule compared to forgiveness I have received. 10,000 bags of gold vs. 100 silver coins

b.
Lord’s prayer, forgive us our sins as we forgive others

c.
As I forgive and seek to truly hear others and simply listen, I find myself in a better place, one where I feel more forgiven

d.
Thank you for being God. Thank you for being the almighty and being patient with me. Thank you for being the shepherd to come and hunt me down when I repeatedly go astray.

19 BSF Matthew Week 19, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Being a member of the body of Christ is not a life of diplomacy. Diplomacy is all about building a coalition. It is about operating from a position of strength. It is about dealing with others in a way that doesn’t hurt their feelings.

We like diplomacy. You’re OK, I’m OK. Can’t we all just get along? Personal freedom. We take these words and stretch them into excuses to avoid confrontation.

When we do need to confront something, we start by building our coalition. Recruiting others to our side to present a position of insurmountable strength.

But this is all wrong. If a fellow member of the body of Christ is sinning seriously against another, I am called to approach them individually. Listen to that again. I am called to approach them individually. Not to discuss it first with a bunch of different people to build my coalition. Not to ignore it and hope it goes away or somebody else deals with it. Not to just accept it and avoid conflict. I am called to approach them individually.

I don’t like that. I don’t really want to do that – I like conflict avoidance. But I don’t need to worry or avoid this. First, the entire responsibility never rests on me. If the person doesn’t listen to me, then we simply advance to step number 2. There is no huge burden or failing on my part, it just moves to include 2 others.

Even then we still don’t need to worry. The promise about binding and loosing isn’t just a grant of authority to us as the church. It is also a reminder that when we are gathered prayerfully with 2 other believers to trust in God fully, then Jesus is there and God’s will is being done. Anything we do is only what God has ordained and allowed. I need not worry or feel burdened if I rely and trust on God whole-heartedly.

I still don’t like it, but Jesus didn’t like being tortured and put to death for my sins either. That helps put it in perspective.

My Answers:

9.
a.
All parts form one body. If one part is honored, all rejoice. If one part suffers, every part suffers.

b.
1. approach individually, 2. approach with 2 others along, 3. approach with and through the church, 4. if not, remove from the congregation until they repent and change ways

10.
a.
Compassion and love

b.
To win them over, to bring them back into a state of not sinning

11.
a.
Bind as in a binding contract. Loose as in to set free from bondage. We can set people free from sin and bind them to an inheritance of grace through faith

b.
through Jesus Christ – wherever 2 or 3 gather in His name, He is present.

19 BSF Matthew Week 19, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

How do I bring others to Christ? I think the answer to that is by living out my faith. It is not just in the words that come out of my mouth, but also in my actions and behaviors. It is not just in missional statements but in actions and interactions. The way I choose to live my life. The people I choose to be around and the way I choose to spend time, in ways that bring honor and glory to God. The way I put trust in Him and show His love in my interactions with others.

How do I cause others, particularly “little ones” to stumble? I think the same things apply. It isn’t just a direct comment or statement I make to them, but more often through my actions and interactions. The things I do in my life that do not bring honor and glory to God. The way I choose to live my life in worry and doubt instead of trusting in Him fully. They people I choose to be around who don’t follow Him. The interactions I have with others that exclude God.

The message in our passage today is that this is extremely serious. Far more serious than, I think, we give it credit. We go through life with such nonchalance, not thinking how the anger we feel, or the worry, or frustration or greed, lust or pride influence our words and actions in ways that can cause those “little ones” who are watching to stumble. We like to delude ourselves thinking that no one notices, but talk with young believers. Their number one concern of becoming a christian is that they will be seen to be “religious”, joined with hypocrites who go through the motions on Sunday morning but fail to demonstrate it the rest of the week.

Harsh? Yes. But when our Lord says it would be better to tie a heavy stone around your neck and go drown yourself, I am thinking we should probably take this seriously!

My Answers:

6.
a.
better to have a large millstone hung around their neck and drowned in the depths of the sea

b.
Pride – we saw someone drive out demons in your name but he wasn’t one of us so told him to stop

7.
a.
stop judging and criticizing others – Don’t be a stumbling block either in my words or actions or approach. Just because I can doesn’t mean I should because it may be misunderstood – err on the side of shining God’s light.

b.
criticism, bad examples, drinking, failing to serve or grumbling about service

8.
Even when I go astray, Jesus doesn’t write me off or condemn or curse me, instead He seeks me out and rejoices in my return.

19 BSF Matthew Week 19, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

I spend a lot of time with children and they are not always humble. I see plenty of kids acting out to get attention. I see many children who are very focused on themselves. I see children who have no issue being disruptive if it brings them joy or raises their social standing. I don’t read today’s verses with rose colored glasses. And, I don’t think acting childish is what the Lord is trying to tell us.

But there are also some traits I see in the children I work with that I think are at the root of today’s scriptures.

The first is love. Children are amazing at giving and accepting love. They make friends without hesitation. They show kindness and compassion for those around them. I think this is in part because they readily accept love as well. They don’t question the love of their parents and family and plug into that to have joy with others.

The second is innocence and acceptance. I am constantly amazed at the conviction these young believers have. Not because they have a depth of knowledge and study to prove something, but simply because they accept it as the truth. They know that God loves them because He does, not because they read 16 commentaries that help them work it out in their head.

I don’t think it is an accident that these verses come directly on the heels of the encounter with the father of the demon possessed son whom the disciples could not heal. I think this is the answer to his prayer to Jesus, “help me with my unbelief.”

The answer to that prayer is not going to come from some outside sign or proof or miracle (even though all of those things are present). The answer to the prayer is to just accept belief as fact. To be totally open to it, not because it is the only thing left standing after exhaustive examination (which it would be), but because it comes from God. To a child this is easy. Jesus loves me, this I know…

As maturing christians we sometimes make things so complicated. We hold on to our doubts until they are proven wrong. But, Jesus teaches us to simply let them go. It is called faith and belief for a reason.

My Answers:

3.
a.
become like little children

b.
Matt: blessed: poor in spirit: kingdom of heaven, those who mourn: be comforted
John 1: those who receive him, believe, become children of God (born of God)
John 3: must be born again (nicodemus) born of water and spirit, flesh to flesh, spirit birth to spirit

4.
a.
Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all

b.
Humility and repentance

5.
a.
Not proud or concerned with “great matters”, Hidden things from wise and learned and revealed them to children, “My dear children, I write this to you…” Those entering the faith – those seeking to believe and grow in Christ, humble

b.
Those who serve, those who pray, those who put others first, teachers, preachers, missionaries, the little children – I can teach, I can pray and I can humble myself to not rely on my own knowledge or skill but to rely fully on the Holy Spirit. To be bold and step forward in the ways God is calling me that brings glory to him not gain for me.

c.
Jesus

18 BSF Matthew Week 18, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Small faith vs. Little faith: Jesus praises small faith but chastises His disciples for having little faith. The image it brought to my mind was of a plant, reminiscent of the parable of the sower and the seeds.

A small plant is one just beginning to grow. It is at a tender stage, but full of potential and power. It reaches hungrily to the sun. It digs roots in deep to feed on nourishment.

In contrast, a little plant is one that is failing to thrive. Instead of continuing to dig in and grow tall and majestic, it has gotten twisted around itself. It lives only partially in the sunlight. It relies on existing roots and does not continue to dig deeper.

Imagine the frustration of the farmer who has planted strong seed and nourished it through the initial stages of growth, only to see it failing. He knows the potential. He sees the strength it can have, but, only if it chooses.

Jesus does help us with our unbelief. He has given us His Word, the bible. He has given us His church. He has given us the promise of salvation and the ability to converse with Him daily in prayer.

But how often do we fail to thrive, to feed on His nourishment, to accept His strength? We need to be bold. We need to dig in to His foundation. We need to bask in the light of our creator. When we do – what we could do for Him in His name!!!

My Answers:

9.
a. a man, a father
b. Lord have mercy on my son, seizures and suffering – heal him
c. the disciples
d. You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you/put up with you: bring
e. I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief
f. doubt – little faith

10.
a.
All, physical, spiritual, power over all that has been created, power over death. A full measure. According to Gods will

b.
Small faith is freshly planted and growing, little faith is failing to mature and thrive. It is not being nourished in prayer and study and trust

c.
To trust more fully in God for everything – To fully know and live life in the fact that His will will be done.

11.
To be bold. To trust in the power He has given to His believers to take action that brings honor to Him.

18 BSF Matthew Week 18, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

Unveiled Glory: In Exodus 34 we learn that after Moses would leave the sanctuary, from being in the presence of the glory of the Lord, he would veil His face because the Israelites could not handle the shine of his face.

In 2 Cor 3:13 Paul wrote: “We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.”

Jesus did not hide what was going to happen from His disciples or from us. It wasn’t veiled in a parable. It wasn’t disguised in code. It was as plainly spoken as one could speak. He would be put to death and then rise 3 days later.

It was not that Jesus had less shine than Moses. Just the opposite. But it was time for the glory to be unveiled. Like a bride at marriage lifts her veil when joined to her spouse. The bridegroom had arrived and the time had come and was coming for the veil to be removed.

My Answers

3.
a.
up a high mountain

b.
Peter James and John

c.
spending time with the disciples

4.
a.
transfomed into holy radiance. He was in communion with the saints and prophets, His appearance and being reflected His soul, one free and clean of sin

b.
He was an eye-witness. He saw and heard it as fact, not story

c.
Both

5.
Matt: coming on the clouds of heaven
John: seen the glory of the Son
John: Glorify your son that your Son may glorify you
Acts: a light, brighter than the sun – voice from heaven
Phil: exalted by God – given the name above all names
Rev: son of man, his face shining like the sun, hair white as snow and eyes blazing like fire

17 BSF Matthew Week 17, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

The crowd can (and often is) wrong. Many of us have a bias to popular opinion. The majority rules. The individual people has a say in the direction of things.

I believe this comes not so much in the faith of the populace, but in a lack of faith and trust in tyrannical rulers. But, in the same way that we can yield too much to power in the hands of a few, we can also yield too much power to the many.

There is a growing trend in churches to want to be “culturally relevant.” We need to be more accepting. We need to open the church up to a dialogue and allow people to shape what works for them. We need to be accepting of popular opinion.

But that is not how Christianity works. Jesus tells Peter, you didn’t get your statement of faith from a book or from listening to the crowd. You got your faith from God. That is where faith in Jesus comes from. “No one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Christ is a rock, not a willow tree. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He doesn’t yield to who people want Him to be or who they would like for Him to be, He is who He is: The Messiah, The Son of the living God.

Emphasis is on the word “the”. There is only one Messiah, there is only one Son, there is only one living God. Jesus says “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Again., THE. The only way, the only truth, the only life. There are no other paths.

Some may look at that and say, “how arrogant. Every other path is wrong and Jesus is the only way?” It is not a boast. It is a fact. If there is only one path, shouldn’t we tell people that are heading the wrong direction. That isn’t condemning them. It isn’t judging them or putting them down. It isn’t excluding them. It is trying to love them and save them.

Don’t pay attention to my words. I could be wrong. Don’t pay attention to the words of our culture, to popular opinion. It is normally wrong. Pay attention to what the bible says. It is never wrong.

My Answers:

4.
a.
Elijah, John the Baptist, Jeremiah

b.
the Messiah, the Son of the living God

c.
Both

d.
Yes – affects everything

5.
a.
by my Father in heaven

b.
John: children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God
1 Cor 2: not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words
1:Cor 12: no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.