The Connected Podcast

Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was[a] in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.#faith #connected #connectedchurch #biblestudy #epistles #Paul #Philippians

An introduction to Paul's letter to the believers in Ephesus as well as some commentary on Chapter 1.#faith #connected #connectedchurch #biblestudy #epistles #Paul #Ephesians

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness[b] of Sarah's womb.20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone,24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Final Warnings13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”[a]2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.Final Greetings11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.13 All God’s people here send their greetings.14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Sorrow is not bad if it brings someone to a place of repentance. At the time that Paul wrote the letter of tears he felt bad, however, now having seen the effect it had he is not sorry because his pain induce sorrow in the Corinthians that led them to repentance and ultimately sending Titus to contact Paul and bring him encouragement at the time he needed it. This is the importance of accountability and my wife is much better at this than I am, though I am trying to get better. Paul did not mask his hurt from the Corinthians, he poured it out, but he poured it out in such a way as to convey his pain and as a result he was ultimately comforted. What if Paul kept his hurt to himself. What if he never "confronted" the Corinthians about their behavior. They may have never repented and Paul would not have received comfort from them at a time when he needed it most. Don't be afraid to have hard conversations. They make things and Us better.

I feel like there are very few weddings that take place in the US that don't include some reading from this chapter. I don't want to gloss over this. I think it is important to reflect on the this "Love never fails." Such a loaded expressionIs it the word Paul uses Here For Love is agape it's the Greek translation of the Aramaic word rahma that Jesus used to describe love. Paul is using a word that the gospel writers use based on the actions they saw Jesus Take in his ministry and teachings love was not necessarily a word that was defined in a dictionary as much as it was something they saw Jesus live out and so when Paul refers to love in this chapter he's referring to the kind of love and action that was demonstrated by Christ. There's a lot of beautiful expression here but I think the most important takeaway is that love has the capacity to surpass present circumstance when we embody the life and teachings of Christ. Jesus did not live a comfortable existence on purpose which is not to say that you and I need to take a vow of poverty or chastity or put ourselves in intentionally awkward or challenging situations it does however mean that we do not run from those circumstances because love has granted us the capacity to overcome present circumstances because in those circumstances we more identify with the teachings of our Messiah. Christ intentionally sought out those who could not repay his generosity and would constantly take up the case and the cause of the marginalized and the disenfranchised and those of us that choose to pursue this work here at Connected Church sign up for a life devoted to empowering the marginalized the disenfranchised and the impoverished in our communities because those are the individuals who put us in the position to best emulate the love of Christ.

The Believer’s Freedom23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[f]27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience?30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Review of 1 Corinthians Chapter 2

How did the Spirit come to any of us. This is an important introspective question. What did any of us do earn the gift of the Spirit. What works did you perform to get the Spirit and are you still performing those works to keep the Spirit? Because if you performed specific works to get it, you have to do those works regularly to keep or to get it back, depending on how you look at it. So this is what it comes down to is any preacher any Pastor any leader any denomination any Gathering group party of people that describe articulate outline number a set of steps that need to be completed in order for someone to receive the gift of grace and the spirit of Christ that's a false gospel and Paul has gone through Great Lengths in the first two chapters the first portion of this letter to establish his credentials so that he can make this point and this is where as a church we have to wrestle a little bit and this is where as your pastor I have been wrestling considerably because for those of you that know my background and know the teachings with which I had been raised what Paul is saying here is heresy. If I were to say this plainly there would be many individuals and my family many friends many Associates that would really question me and would question my faith in the direction that we are going in as a church because this is absolutely contrary to what I was taught when I was raised in the church. But here we are and this is what we must struggle and consider what is Paul actually saying and what do we believe?NT Wright on the Book of Galatians and Ethnic Identity, 14:02 min - "pahee-dag-o-gos" (a tutor i.e. a guardian and guide of boys. Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.) - booster rocket analogy - Galatians 3:24

So from this introduction from this opening statement we already get a flavor in a feel for what call is having to address and the work that's before him for additional context and we'll get to it more and more throughout the letter what was important for us to understand is that for many Jews and we've talked about this mindset several times it was the same mindset that Paul brought in to his conversion and eventually was delivered from but it's this mindset that to be Jewish means to be set apart and so even though we are embracing this notion as Jesus as Messiah he's still our Messiah he still the Jewish Messiah and so if others are going to embrace Jesus as Lord and savior they need to become Jews that if if you are going to call Christ your king and your lord you can't do so without adhering to the law and so Paul gets wind of what's Happening in the churches in this region in and notice we see a little bit further a little bit further down there Paul is addressing several churches so this letter needs to get passed around and need to be several copies of this letter written because there are several churches in the area that this letter needs to go to cuz Paul is addressing a region not just a single assembly and the way that he was with his first two letters to the Thessalonians hear polish addressing the region of Galicia and the churches that are in that region and so we get this sense immediately just from the first couple verses that Paul's got some real work to do here to get these folks moving in the same direction and it's not an unusual phenomenon in fact we find ourselves in a very similar place today where we are trying to create these cultural tenants these cornerstones that are not Christ upon which someone's Christianity needs to be formed and to say it differently we are trying to prescribe what Christianity needs to look like and sound like. I credit my beautiful bride Rachel for this inside one of her major challenges with the modern church and and in particular with missionary work is that often times when Christian missionaries go out we don't go out to Simply share the good news we go out to try to conform in a simile other cultures and languages and people's to what modern Western Christianity looks like in the North Western Hemisphere specifically I'm talking about Western Europe and North America and so we are very arrogant and narrow-minded when it comes to how Christianity can be expressed because we think everybody needs to express it the way that we express it and there is little tolerance appreciation and almost never any celebration of the cultural diversity that exists within one's acknowledge recognition and worship after one Lord Christ Jesus we are struggling with the very same challenges that Paul try to address in this letter to group of churches that frankly don't look very different then many of the church's we see today.

In the same way that Paul's greeting is the exact same as the first letter you will notice Paul's benediction is the exact same as the first letter as well. This time however Paul goes on to exhort the new believers to avoid idle individuals. In this context idleness comes from the Greek word ataktos unruly, disorderly or deviating from the prescribed path. Paul is pleading with the new believers to avoid those that are following an unrighteous path. We can see that Paul's writings and guidance are still very much influenced by the notion that God's people need to separate and set apart. Paul than goes on to remind the believers that he has not asked them for much has he as worked to provide his own bread. As Paul concludes his letter he encourages the believers warn any believers that stray from the path, not consider them enemies, but warn them as family. I think this is something we have missed in our culture, i.e. cancel culture

At the end of this, the first of Paul's letter to Thessalonica, Paul encourages the believers to keep the faith and understand what happens as it pertains to Christ's return.

Paul is from the city of Tarsus, which was multi-cultural, multi-ethic and there was likely very little separation between Jews and Gentiles which is an important detail because Jews, particularly Pharisees, were zealous about remaining distinct and a part from the rest of the world, just as God called Israel to be a model and example to the rest of the world and also a nation set apart."Wright: There are two things which are in hindsight, apparently intention. And when I've talked to Jewish friends about these, I think they are both still in a kind of tension in the modern world as well. One is the sense of the people of Israel, the Jewish people, being designed by God to be distinct from the rest of the world, and to be God's special people, the ones who have a special closeness to God have to maintain that.Then, in the Second Temple period after Ezra and Nehemiah, on through to the time of Jesus, the zealous Jews like Saul of Tarsus - that's the word he uses of himself. He says, "I was exceedingly zealous for the traditions of our fathers" - they are looking back to the great traditions of zeal to people like Elijah and Phineas and Elijah in 1 Kings, and Phineas in the book of Numbers, and saying, "That's what it means to be a zealous Jew."When Israel is going to the bad, worshiping the Baal or whatever it is, then somebody has to step in and do what's necessary to purge the evil from Israel. So you have that great biblical tradition which is what inspired the Maccabees. If you read 1 Maccabees 2, great speech in there about what you now have to do granted the wicked Syrians who are coming to take over and they want to stop us all being loyal Jews. So that's clearly where Saul of Tarsus came from. That's historically a puzzle." NT Wright, Bible Project Podcasthttps://bibleproject.com/podcast/series-gospel-p9-acts-e5-nt-wright-interview-getting-know-apostle-paul/

The American Medical Association's crusade against abortion was partly a professional move, to establish the supremacy of "regular" physicians over midwives and homeopaths.Immigration, especially by Catholics and nonwhites, was increasing, while birth rates among white native-born Protestants were declining. (Unlike the typical abortion patient of today, that of the nineteenth century was a middle- or upper-class white married woman.) Would the West "be filled by our own children or by those of aliens?" the physician and anti-abortion leader Horatio R. Storer asked in 1868. "This is a question our women must answer; upon their loins depends the future destiny of the nation."Nonetheless, having achieved their legal goal, many doctors—including prominent members of the AMA—went right on providing abortions. Thus in an 1888 exposé undercover reporters for the Chicago Times obtained an abortion referral from no less a personage than the head of the Chicago Medical Society. (He claimed he was conducting his own investigation.) Unless a woman died, doctors were rarely arrested and even more rarely convicted. Even midwives—whom doctors continued to try to drive out of business by portraying them, unfairly, as dangerous abortion quacks—practiced largely unmolested.https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1997/05/abortion-in-american-history/376851/Prior to the civil war abortions are broadly legal and manage entirely by women as nearly all reproductive healthcare in the country is managed by women in the form of midwives. Two led to the criminalizing of abortion, civil war in which white women were charged with traveling to the north, south, east and west of the country to have more babies in order to combat the "browning" of the US and in 1847 a group of white men founded the american medical association, John Yang, PBS News Hour: In 1847, a group of white men formed the American Medical Association. They pushed for laws to make abortion illegal in an effort to put midwives like Madame Restell out of business. The effort to outlaw abortion was also driven by a growing fear of foreign nonwhite immigration and declining birth rates among white Protestants.Michele Goodwin Author, "Policing the Womb: Invisible Women and the Criminalization of Motherhood":It was deeply racial, tying into the fact that the nation was soon to be at war and that there were tensions that were already building, with abolitionists saying, these are horrible things that we see taking place in the antebellum South. And so they connected a racist impact to that too, saying that white women needed to use their loins and go north, south, east and west because of the potential browning of America.• Jennifer Holland, University of Oklahoma: In the mid-'60s, you have this reform movement grow up. And clergy were really outspoken in this particular reform movement. And it's this group of clergy from all different denominations, Jewish, Protestant. And they counseled women about abortion, and helped them seek abortions, and not only that, but then the clergy would testify about their actions in the state legislatures. So they were openly breaking the law.https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/exploring-the-complicated-history-of-abortion-in-the-united-states

Thirty-one years ago I was called to be a pastor by God. I was officially installed as a pastor this past Saturday. I had a calling before it was official and I would serve in my calling without the ceremony but making it official adds power and favor to the calling.

Saul tried to take on the role of priest and make sacrifices to God before a pending battle and was cursed as a result1 Samuel 13: 6 - 146 When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns,7 and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him.11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.”13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince[b] over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”David eats the bread of the presence1 Samuel 21: 1 - 6Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David, trembling, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?”2 And David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has charged me with a matter and said to me, ‘Let no one know anything of the matter about which I send you, and with which I have charged you.’ I have made an appointment with the young men for such and such a place.3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here.”4 And the priest answered David, “I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women.”5 And David answered the priest, “Truly women have been kept from us as always when I go on an expedition. The vessels of the young men are holy even when it is an ordinary journey. How much more today will their vessels be holy?”6 So the priest gave him the holy bread, for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence, which is removed from before the Lord, to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is taken away.David puts on the ephod to inquire of God as to how they proceed and God honors him1 Samuel 30: 3 - 93 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.4 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.5 David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel.6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,[b] each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David.8 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.”9 So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.Both were in the position of kings, but only was fit the role in its entirety.

Chapter 8Saul attacks the churchThe young Sanhedrin, Saul was consenting in Stephen’s death, he may not have thrown a stone, but he might as well have. Around this time, largely due to the apostles teaching, there was a great persecution of the church and many scattered abroad throughout the region except for the apostles. And Saul persecuted the church greatly, in particular he would go house to house dragging them away to prison or other forms of punishment (verses 2-3). Phillip preaches about Jesus in Samaria, Simon the magician accepts ChristVerses 5-13 tell of the exploits of the Phillip and his ministry. Many were healed and brought to Christ through his ministry he also saved many who were cursed by a sorcerer and even freed the sorcerer, whose name was Simon and Simon joined Phillip in his works to see more miracles. Words is sent to Peter and John of what Phillip did in Samaria. Peter and John lay hands on those that were baptized so that they would receive the Holy Ghost. Phillip ministers to the Ethiopian officialSimon being unlearned sees Peter and John laying hands on others and they receive the Holy Ghost and he wants to purchase that power thinking it is something he can pay for. Peter quickly rebukes him for his thoughts (verses 18-24). The chapter ends in verses 28-39 with Phillip being called by an angel to go minister to the Ethiopian Eunuch. The eunuch is reading the word, Phillip expounds on the word and teach the eunuch the gospel and immediately the eunuch gets baptized. I want my teaching to be this effective. Furthermore the eunuch goes away rejoicing because he understood what Phillip taught him and the Holy Ghost catches Peter away and teleports him to away to another location.Chapter 9Saul's conversionVerses 1-6 Saul prepares to set out to Damascus to get permission from the High Priest to send out letters from Damascus to the Synagogues throughout Jerusalem stating that anyone caught teaching or supporting the doctrine of the disciples of Jesus Christ will be bound and brought to Damascus. On his way to Damascus Saul encounters the Spirit of Jesus that inquires as to why Saul was persecuting his people. Ironically Saul had no answer, however he did inquire of the Lord Jesus as to what he would have Saul do. Verses 7-9 following the encounter Saul is left blinded by the light for three days and during that time he did not eat or drink. Verses 10 -12 God calls to a man named Ananias to go into the street and go to the house where God has sent Saul and God will us Ananias to restore Saul’s sight. Verses 13-16 there is a brief back and forth between Ananias and God, Ananias question God considering all the wrong that Saul has done and God tells Ananias that he has a job for Saul to do. With that Ananias goes to lay hands on Saul. Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagoguesVerses 17-22 When Ananiahs laid hands on Saul to restore his sight and give him the Holy Ghost. After Saul’s sight was restored he ate something to get his strength up, he was baptized and immediately went into the temple preaching that Jesus Christ is God’s son. Many Jews were confused because this was the same man that came to Damascus to get permission to bring all those he found doing what he is currently doing to the temple at Damascus. It was not long before the Jews were trying to plan ways to kill Saul. Saul escapes Damascus and goes to JerusalemThe disciples that were with him help Saul escape the city to avoid death. He travels to Jerusalem to join the disciples there and initially they are scared to receive him, but Barnabas takes him to the apostles to declare the works of the Lord. Now that Saul was not persecuting the church it could grow and prosper (verse 31). Aeneas is healed and Dorcas is resurrectedThe chapter ends with Peter performing two miracles in verses 33-43. He first heals a man that had been sick with Palsy for eight years. Lastly he raised a woman from the dead in Joppa.

Peter's sermon at PentecostPeter starts referring to the prophecy of Joel and how these things were foretold. That in the last days God’s Spirit would pour out on all flesh and that young men would prophesy and have visions and old men shall dream dreams (verses 13-24). Then Peter goes on to talk about David and his prophecy and all he had said of God. For David spoke of how God would not allow his people to see corruption nor would he allow eternal woe to come upon them, but that he would make a way for his people (verses 25-36). The holy men hear Peter’s words and become pricked in their hearts and want to know what they must do to obtain this salvation of which Peter speaks. Verse 38 is what we must do in order to be saved from the corruption of death, hell, and the grave. By these words three thousand more souls were added to the kingdom by receiving the baptism. And they continued from that day on in the apostle’s doctrine in breaking of bread and in prayer. The Fellowship of the believersVerses 43-47 are clear illustrations of the unity they had, in that they souls that were added sold all that they had and came together and divided up their possessions so that every man had what he needed and they went to from house to house fellowshipping and eating together and praising God. This is admirable and certainly a beautiful display of unity, at the same time clearly everyone did not sell all their belongings if they were eating at various homes. Furthermore it is important to note that they had no problem selling their belongings and coming together because they expected Jesus to return soon to take them up with him.

Chapter 9Jesus sends out the 12 apostlesJesus perplexes HerodJesus feeds 5kPeter confess Jesus as the ChristJesus predicts his deathTake up your cross and follow JesusThe TransfigurationJesus delivers boy from unclean spiritFather says "help my unbelief"Jesus foretells of his death, againWho is the greatestAnyone not against us is for usA Samaritan village rejects JesusThe cost of following JesusChapter 10Jesus sends out 72Woe to unrepentant citiesThe 72 comeback

Luke NOT JEWISHLuke has been commissioned by Theophilus to produce a volume reflecting the life and teachings of Jesus. Luke makes a point to interview those that were with Jesus from the very beginning. We also know Luke traveled with Paul, we this in Acts of the Apostles. Further Luke is writing this work to demonstrate the fulfillment of Christ work in redeming not only the lost sheep of Israel, but the entire world. There are many that make the argument, the exchange between Jesus and Nichodeamus, where we get the passage - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."Luke is writing to a global audience and demonstrating that Chris is not only the Jewish Messiah, he is the Messiah for the whole world.Chapter 1Dedication to TheophilusTheo commissioned Luke to write his account of Jesus' lifeJohn the Baptizer's birth foretoldLook at Zachariah's reaction and the consequencesJesus' birth foretoldLook at Mary's reaction and the consequencesMary visits ElizabethJohn leaps in his mother's womb, is this evidence of life at the time of conceptionDid the Holy Spirit conceive in Mary the moment she agreed to the God's plan?Mary's song of praiseBirth of John the BaptizerZachariah's prophecyChapter 2The Birth of JesusThe Shepherds and AngelsJesus presented at the templeReturn to NazarethThe boy Jesus in the templeJesus submits to his parents, is this a foreshadow of what we see when Mary asks Jesus to solve the wine problem at the weddingChapter 3It is worth noting that all four Gospel writers begin their works with John as a precursor to Christ's ministry. JB is a unifying character across all four authors and Luke makes a specific point of providing us with background information on JB than we receive in any other author's account.John the Baptizer prepares the wayGenealogy of Jesus - it is worth noting the difference between Matthew's record of Christ's genealogy and Luke's account. Matthew traces Jesus lineage back to the Abraham the Father of the Israelites, Matthew is confirming Jesus as Messiah to the Jewish people. Luke takes Jesus' lineage all the way back to Adam and God, because Luke is writing to a much larger audience Chapter 4The temptation of ChristJesus begins his ministryKingdom of Heaven is hereJesus rejected at Nazareth16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” - this is likely referring to the Year of Jubilee, Leviticus 2520 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?”23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’”24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land,26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.27 And there were many lepers[a] in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.30 But passing through their midst, he went away.The year of the Lord's favorJesus heals man possessed with an unclean spiritJesus heals manyJesus preaches in the synagogue

Chapter 10I am the Good ShepherdJesus is using a two part illustration to make an important point that I think many times as Christians we over complicate. First Jesus describes himself as the door through which sheep can pass in order to find pasture in the metaphor is passing through the door of Jesus is how we find life in God's Kingdom. Jesus then goes on to call himself the Good Shepherd and states that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep this is both figurative and literal. I may or may not have thought of this before and someday sections I know that I have taught the children this and children's church that during this time when Shepherds would take their sheep out grazing many times they would be with the sheet overnight and would need a place to pen the sheep and keep them together and safe overnight and so the shepherd's would often Corral the Sheep into natural fenced-off or pending area where they could then lay down in front of the opening and serve as a gate of sorts and when the Shepherds would lay down the Sheep would not cross over the Shepherds body without the Shepherd getting up and the shepherd was also in a position to then defend the Sheep if any Predators or thieves came to get access to them. Jesus is also speaking metaphorically and that a Shepherd actually gives up his life in service to our defending the Sheep lays down as in his willing to sacrifice which is exactly what Jesus does for us when he lays down his life on the cross at Calvary. The point here is this Jesus is very clear that we need to pass through him and him alone in order to access life and she's in God's Kingdom. I believe this is the message we often overcomplicate the Sheep know the shepherd's voice and another they will not follow and the Sheep grants and the shepherd grants the Sheep access to pasture the Sheep do not go anywhere the shepherd does not direct and allow them to go and we have complicated and clouded and convoluted this message over the years when the simple message of the Gospel truth is Jesus is our way to gain access to God's Kingdom.I and the Father are oneDon't keep us in suspense, but Jesus responds I have told you several times· I told you, I am the one who came from heaven (John 3:13, 6:38) · I told you, whoever believes on Me has eternal life (John 3:15) · I told you, I am the unique Son of God (John 5:19-23) · I told you, I will judge all humanity (John 5:19-23) · I told you, all should honor Me just as the honor God the Father (John 5:19-23) · I told you, the Hebrew Scriptures all speak of Me (John 5:39) · I told you, I perfectly reveal God the Father (John 7:28-29) · I told you, I always please God and never sin (John 8:29, 8:46) · I told you, I am uniquely sent from God (John 8:42) · I told you, before Abraham was, I Am (John 8:58) · I told you, I am the Son of Man, prophesied by Daniel (John 9:37) · I told you, I will raise Myself from the dead (John 10:17-18) · I told you, I am the Bread of Life (John 6:48) · I told you, I am the Light of the World (John 8:12) · I told you, I am the Door (John 10:9) · I told you, I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

Chapter 6Jesus feeds 5kJesus walks on water (once again no mention of Peter, Jesus calls out to them from the water)I am the bread of life (addresses a Jewish audience)The words of eternal lifeChapter 7Jesus at the feast of boothsCan this be the ChristOfficers sent to arrest JesusRivers of living water (Jesus speaking of the Spirit that had not yet been given, Jesus has not been glorified)The earliest manuscripts do not include 7:53–8:11Chapter 8Woman caught in adultery (how interesting that many early manuscripts do not include this reference)I am the light of the world

Chapter 10Jesus teaches on divorceLet the children come to meRecall in the previous chapter Jesus sets a child in the midst of his disciples when they were discussing who would be the greatest, Jesus reinforces his affection for children and also make the point again about this upside down Kingdom he is promoting. Greatness is found in humility and faith.Tragedy of the rich young ruler (camel/eye of a needle)Third time Jesus foretells of his deathJames and John seek to sit at Jesus' side in his kingdomThey don't know what they are asking, it is not for Jesus to place people in particular positions in the kingdom, that has been set. However once again Jesus makes the point that leaders in the Kingdom, serve.Jesus heals blind BartimaeusMark also make the point that Bartimaeus called Jesus Messiah, as a blind man he could see what many other Israelites could not that Jesus is Lord. It is also worth observing that we are back in Jewish territory because once again Jesus is performing public miracles.Chapter 11Jesus triumphant entry in JerusalemJesus curses the fig treeJesus cleans out the templeJesus teaches about the withered fig treeJesus' authority is challenged

Chapter 8Jesus feeds 4k+ non-JewsPharisees demand a sign, Jesus warns of the leaven of the Pharisees and HerodPeter confesses Jesus is the ChristJesus prophesies his death and resurrection

Chapter 6Jesus rejected at homeJesus sends out the 12John the baptizer is executedJesus feeds 5k+ JewsJesus walks on water to calm the seaJesus heals the sick in GennesaretChapter 7Jesus discusses traditions and commandments with Pharisees and what truly defiles a personThe Syrophoenician woman's faithJesus is in foreign land at this point

Chapter 22Parable of the wedding feastThe key takeaway here is that those that forfeited their seat are now open to anyone willing to sit at the Master's table.Give to Caesar what is Caesar'sSadducees, who don't believe in the resurrection, ask about the resurrectionGreat commandment Who's son is the ChristThis question is particularly important because Jesus is illustrating the point that their perception their understanding their expectation as to Who's Sun Christ is is flawed at its foundation they are absolutely looking for a physical descendant from the line of David flesh-and-blood human being who can trace their ancestry back to David but they are not making the simultaneous link that the Messiah would also be God and so Jesus poses this very challenging question if the Messiah is David's son why does David call The Messiah, Lord - Psalms 110:1 - The LORD (The Father - God) said unto my Lord (The Son, Christ, Messiah) sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.This is not just for the Pharisees, this is for his disciples as well. Jesus is saying all y'all need to rethink everything that you think you know about Messiah.Chapter 23Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites (seven different times)Chapter 24Destruction of the templeSigns of the end of an ageThe abomination of desolationComing of the Son of ManNo one knows the day or hourLesson from the fig treeChapter 25Parable of the ten virginsParable of the talents given to three different servantsFinal Judgement

Chapter 17• Jesus casts out another demon• Jesus pays the temple taxChapter 18• Disciples argue who will be the greatest• Parable of the lost sheep• Parable of the unforgiving servantChapter 19• Jesus teaches on divorce• Jesus blesses the children• The rich young man asks Jesus how to live foreverChapter 20• Jesus tells his disciples to pray that God send more laborers• Jesus predicts his own death (third time)• The mother of James and John ask Jesus to let her sons sit at his right and left handJesus heals another two blind menJesus teaches us about a higher way of life, a deeper and fuller existance

Chapter 11:John the Baptizer disciples question JesusDanger to those cities that do not repentHarvest is plentifulChapter 12:Jesus is Lord of SabbathHeals man with withered hand on the SabbathGod's chosenJesus teaches on blaspheming the Holy SpiritJudge a tree by its fruitTeaches on the sign of this generation of JonahTeaches on how a unclean spirit can returnWho is my mother, brothers or sistersChapter 13:Parable of the sowerWhy Jesus uses parablesSower explainedParable of weedsKingdom is like a mustard seedParables of weeds explainedParable of hidden treasures and expensive pearlParable of the netNew and old treasuresJesus rejected in his home town

Matthew is doing something quite brilliant in the early chapters of his accounting of the Gospel. Notice how Matthew draws a parallel between the announcement of the arrival the labor delivery and eventual birth of the Messiah and his early years and how they parallel The Exodus story. In fact Matthew quotes the prophet Hosea (Matthew 2:14-15 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”) when he references that God's son was coming out of Egypt Jose was referring specifically to Israel and the Jewish readers at the time made that connection what Matthew is doing is showing how Jesus arriving on the scene is very much akin to Israel being welcomed into the Promised Land in fact you may have recalled and several messages I've preached in the past how God's connection with his people in the Old Testament was very much aligned with the land not in when Israel inhabited the promised land when things were going well in the promise land it was a sign of Israel's favor with the Lord and when they were ever exiled or foreign Invaders came in and took control of the land it was always clearly sign of Israel having falling out of favor with God well what better way to draw attention to the fact that for the Jewish reader the Messiah is here in the person of Jesus and drawing a connection between Israel's salvation and deliverance into the promised land and paralleling that with Christ birth and early years and the person of Christ becomes the embodiment of the promised land that is real salvation during the Covenant with the fathers was found in their connection to the land and now they're found salvation will be found and their Covenant with Christ.The second half of chapter for Christ begins his ministry and he starts by declaring that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand this is the theme of Christ's Ministry and teaching as observed and recorded by Matthew we see this phrase appear again and again throughout Christ's teaching and the work that he does as Matthew work or is it the Kingdom of Heaven the kingdom of God the Kingdom of Heaven the kingdom of God again and again. Chapters 5 through 7 are the teachings of Christ this is where we begin to truly understand price perspective on how Humanity should live in such a way as to embody the intersectionality Between Heaven and Earth. Christ teachings lead the way for how we can embrace our humanity and still live as God's kingdom is here for us on Earth

Elihu makes the case that God could use dreams as a way of warning us.Job 33:14-20For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, so that his life loathes bread,and his appetite the choicest food.

Verses 7-12 account the conversation between God and Satan concerning Job. For God, Job represents the potential to do great things, to be diligent and obedient. For Satan Job represents the opportunity for downfall and an example of conditional faith. When Satan appears before him God asks, “From whence hast thou came” the devils responds “from going to and fro in the earth, up and down in it”. Matthew HenryHis examination, how he came thither (v. 7): The Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? He knew very well whence he came, and with what design he came thither, that as the good angels came to do good he came for a permission to do hurt; but he would, by calling him to an account, show him that he was under check and control. Whence comest thou? He asks this, 1. As wondering what brought him thither. Is Saul among the prophets? Satan among the sons of God? Yes, for he transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Co. 11:13, 14), and would seem one of them. Note, It is possible that a man may be a child of the devil and yet be found in the assemblies of the sons of God in this world, and there may pass undiscovered by men, and yet be challenged by the all-seeing God. Friend, how camest thou in hither? Or, 2. As enquiring what he had been doing before he came thither. The same question was perhaps put to the rest of those that presented themselves before the Lord, "Whence came you?’’ We are accountable to God for all our haunts and all the ways we traverse. III. The account he gives of himself and of the tour he had made. I come (says he) from going to and fro on the earth. 1. He could not pretend he had been doing any good, could give no such account of himself as the sons of God could, who presented themselves before the Lord, who came from executing his orders, serving the interest of his kingdom, and ministering to the heirs of salvation. 2. He would not own he had been doing any hurt, that he had been drawing men from the allegiance to God, deceiving and destroying souls; no. I have done no wickedness, Prov. 30:20. Thy servant went nowhere. In saying that he had walked to and fro through the earth, he intimates that he had kept himself within the bounds allotted him, and had not transgressed his bounds; for the dragon is cast out into the earth (Rev. 12:9) and not yet confined to his place of torment. While we are on this earth we are within his reach, and with so much subtlety, swiftness, and industry, does he penetrate into all the corners of it, that we cannot be in any place secure from his temptations. 3. He yet seems to give some representation of his own character. (1.) Perhaps it is spoken proudly, and with an air of haughtiness, as if he were indeed the prince of this world, as if the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them were his (Lu. 4:6), and he had now been walking in circuit through his own territories. (2.) Perhaps it is spoken fretfully, and with discontent. He had been walking to and fro, and could find no rest, but was as much a fugitive and a vagabond as Cain in the land of Nod. (3.) Perhaps it is spoken carefully: "I have been hard at work, going to and fro,’’ or (as some read it) "searching about in the earth,’’ really in quest of an opportunity to do mischief. He walks abut seeking whom he may devour. It concerns us therefore to be sober and vigilant.Henry makes some very insightful points, among them the fact that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light to deceive man, but we should never fall for that because the truth is never in him, he also makes a strong point about Satan having to give an account of what he was doing, even though he was cast out of Heaven he was not out of God’s reach.Because of God’s great faith in Job (now that is something God has faith in Job) he gave over all of Job’s possession over to Satan to do with as he would. Verses 13-19 This is an account of some of the greatest calamity to fall upon one man at one time, in a matter of minutes Job heard from four different messengers all of which brought news of a major loss of Job’s possessions; first his oxen and asses and the servants tending to them, next his sheep and the servants tending to them, then his camels and the servants tending them, and lastly his children all gone, everything Job had was taken from him in one swift blow. It is important to note the way in which Job looses his possessions, Satan uses the Sabeans (Sheba = "seven" or "an oath" or a nation in southern Arabia) to take Job’s oxen and the Chaldeans (Kasdiy or a territory in lower Mesopotamia bordering on the Persian Gulf) to take his camels; two different tribes of people who have been used by the enemy throughout scripture to torment God’s people, even though Job was not a Jew he was still one of God’s own. And in the case of his sheep (which metaphorically represent his children) and his literal children he uses natural things. In the case of his sheep he uses “a fire from God” and in the case of his children he used a “great wind from the wilderness” to attack the four corners of the house so that it would collapse and crush everyone inside. Bro Gordon Jackson theorized that the enemy used tactics that could be attributed to God to take from him those things which were closest to him, his children and his sheep, both of which symbolize his close relationship to God.Verses 20-22 is an account of Job’s reaction, this is why he was considered perfect; he rent his clothes, shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship God, not to entreat him for himself or his possessions, but to worship God. “Naked I came into this world and naked I shall leave”, “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord”. And in all this Job sinned not. It is no wonder God had so much faith/confidence in Job.Job 2 Satan interrupts another meeting between God and his sons. Another conversation between God and Satan ensues where God once again put his faith in Job’s commitment to him and presents him before Satan. Satan asks this time for access to his health as a means of proving that he is fallible and will curse God. God sends Satan away under strict orders to do what he will just not to kill him. Satan attacks him with boils all over his body. Verses 9-10 Job remains faithful even in the face of his doubting wife that tells him to “curse God and die”. Yet Job remains faithful and offers back to her that if they are to receive good from God should they not also receive evil. I think here is a small window in to the mind of Job in that yes he absolutely remains faithful, but he does not understand that evil does not come from God. For the modern church this lesson and the principles that book establishes are vital because Job did not understand that yes God allowed Satan to torment him so indirectly it came from God, but Satan was doing the tormenting. That is why is so important to know what to pray because if we do not know what is going on we could be praying a midst and saying the wrong things. The chapter ends with Job’s friends coming to show support, but they end of up wallowing in the grief with him. They see that Job is in pain and for seven days and nights they lay with Job and don’t say anything. The bible also says they saw him from a far off and did not recognize him so they mourned with him. If you are mind friend, do not allow me to wallow in my circumstance, see one could make the argument that even in his illness Job could have bounced right back, but his friends come and feed into the self pity that was in his spirit and instead of increasing his faith they subtract from him. It is very important to evaluate your friends and who you have around you especially during times of trial.

Ecclesiastes is the second book written by the wisest of all men King Solomon, what is interesting about Ecclesiastes is that there is a tone of depression in this book. Many theologians are of the opinion that Ecclesiastes was written after Solomon’s great fall and during or after a period of repentance. Solomon had fallen very far from grace and it is apparent in the tone his writing in this book versus the preceding book of Proverbs. Much of what Solomon articulates in this book is a result of his age and his reflection on his life and what he has seen and experienced. Matthew HenryThe account we have of Solomon’s apostasy from God, in the latter end of his reign (1 Ki. 11:1), is the tragical part of his story; we may suppose that he spoke his Proverbs in the prime of his time, while he kept his integrity, but delivered his Ecclesiastes when he had grown old (for of the burdens and decays of age he speaks feelingly ch. 12), and was, by the grace of God, recovered from his backslidings. There he dictated his observations; here he wrote his own experiences; this is what days speak, and wisdom which the multitude of years teaches. The title of the book and the penman we shall meet with in the first verse, and therefore shall here only observe. are indeed many things in this book which are dark and hard to be understood, and some things which men of corrupt minds wrest to their own destruction, for want of distinguishing between Solomon’s arguments and the objections of atheists and epicures; but there is enough easy and plain to convince us (if we will admit the conviction) of the vanity of the world, and its utter insufficiency to make us happy, the vileness of sin, and its certain tendency to make us miserable, and of the wisdom of being religious, and the solid comfort and satisfaction that are to be had in doing our duty both to God and man. This should be intended in every sermon, and that is a good sermon by which these points are in any measure gainedEcclesiastes 1 As stated in the introduction verse two of this chapter really does say it all; “…vanity of vanities all is vanity”. This phrase is a loaded term because it comes from a place of sobriety and repentance, Solomon, the preacher, is on his way back to God’ graces and has looks back over his life and the things that caused his descent he feels quite justified is taking the stand that all is vanity. According to Matthew Henry, Solomon is writing this from several aspects; as a repentant man, a preacher, a son (of David), and a King (of Jerusalem). Each persona has unique aspects that influence the overall tone and material of the writing. However the point is consistent throughout; al is vanity. This chapter also features a familiar and often referenced passage of scripture; “…and there is no new thing under the sun” (verse 9). Solomon is building the case that all is vanity and by making the claim that there is nothing new under the sun it is a lot simpler to make the case about vanity. If there are no new experiences, if there a no new indulgences, if there are no new passions that means everything has been done before and therefore everything is vanity.

Jeremiah is providing us a blueprint for how to pray, how to express our pain and suffering an burden to God. It is very similar to the patter we see in Psalm 22:My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises[a] of Israel.David is expressing his pain and at the same time acknowledges that God is worthy of praise. We will look at this in more detail in Bible study later this week, but what's clear is that Jeremiah is inspired by and keeping to the pattern established by David. This is a formula we can look to. Relationships are based on communication and expressions. What the authors of Psalms and Jeremiah are doing to showing us how to continue to build our relationship with God. Take the time to express your pain and anguish. What do you feel, why do you feel that way, how have your experienced your pain or difficulty, where is this happening and then what would you like God to do about it.Psalms 22 Prophetic psalm verse 1 is quoted by Jesus on the cross (Eli, Eli, lama sabathani). Verse 18 more prophecy, “They part my garments among them and cast lots…” When Jesus is stripped the roman guard parted his garments and cast lots. Does this psalm prove the connection between David and God that God would give David this kind of insight? Matthew HenryIn this psalm he speaks, I. Of the humiliation of Christ (v. 1–21), where David, as a type of Christ, complains of the very calamitous condition he was in upon many accounts. 1. He complains, and mixes comforts with his complaints; he complains (v. 1, 2), but comforts himself (v. 3-5), complains again (v. 6-8), but comforts himself again, (v. 9, 10). 2. He complains, and mixes prayers with his complaints; he complains of the power and rage of his enemies (v. 12, 13, 16, 18), of his own bodily weakness and decay (v. 14, 15, 17); but prays that God would not be far from him (v. 11, 19), that he would save and deliver him (v. 19–21). II. Of the exaltation of Christ, that his undertaking should be for the glory of God (v. 22–25), for the salvation and joy of his people (v. 26–29), and for the perpetuating of his own kingdom (v. 30, 31). In singing this psalm we must keep our thoughts fixed upon Christ, and be so affected with his sufferings as to experience the fellowship of them, and so affected with his grace as to experience the power and influence of it.

Purim, (Hebrew: “Lots”) English Feast of Lots, a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews who, in the 5th century bce, were marked for death by their Persian rulers. The story is related in the biblical Book of Esther.Haman, chief minister of King Ahasuerus, incensed that Mordecai, a Jew, held him in disdain and refused obeisance, convinced the king that the Jews living under Persian rule were rebellious and should be slaughtered. With the king’s consent, Haman set a date for the execution (the 13th day of the month of Adar) by casting lots and built a gallows for Mordecai.When word of the planned massacre reached Esther, beloved Jewish queen of Ahasuerus and adopted daughter of Mordecai, she risked her life by going uninvited to the king to suggest a banquet that Haman would attend. At the meal she pleaded for the Jews and accused “this wicked Haman” of plotting the annihilation of her people. Upset, the king stepped out into the palace gardens. On returning, he found Haman “falling on the couch where Esther was.” The king mistook Haman’s frantic pleas for mercy as an attack upon the queen. The outraged king ordered that Haman be hanged and that Mordecai be named to his position. Esther and Mordecai then obtained a royal edict allowing Jews throughout the empire to attack their enemies on Adar 13. After an exhilarating victory, they declared the following day a holiday and (alluding to the lots Haman had cast) named it Purim.From The Jewish Feast of Purim, a celebration of the deliverance detailed in the book of Esther, is named after the lots that Haman cast. On Purim, the book of Esther is read in the synagogue, and every time the name “Haman” is read, the audience drowns out the sound with ratchet-type noisemakers called graggers (or groggers) or by anything loud and annoying: alarm clocks, toy xylophones, balloons popped with pins, dolls that cry, toy police sirens, whistles, etc.From The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God at all. But He is there nonetheless, evident in His divine providence. Every aspect of the story of Esther, from Queen Vashti’s disobedience to Haman’s wicked motives to Esther’s beauty to Mordecai’s wisdom, work together to save the Jewish people. The hand of God is evident throughout the book, which teaches a powerful lesson: even the actions of the wicked are governed by God in a master plan to do good for His chosen people and for all who trust in Him (see Romans 8:28).From Haman was an Agagite and the son of Hammedatha. Haman was likely a descendent of Agag, king of the Amalekites, long-time enemies of the Jewish people. God had told King Saul to destroy the Amalekites centuries earlier (1 Samuel 15:3), but Saul failed to obey the command. His disobedience led to the loss of his kingdom and, in Esther’s time, the threat of annihilation for all Jews.From Haman was an Agagite and the son of Hammedatha. Haman was likely a descendent of Agag, king of the Amalekites, long-time enemies of the Jewish people. God had told King Saul to destroy the Amalekites centuries earlier (1 Samuel 15:3), but Saul failed to obey the command. His disobedience led to the loss of his kingdom and, in Esther’s time, the threat of annihilation for all Jews.From

From Matthew Henry -Elimelech. His name signifies my God a king, agreeable to the state of Israel when the judges ruled, for the Lord was their King, and comfortable to him and his family in their affliction, that God was theirs and that he reigns for ever. His wife was Naomi, which signifies my amiable or pleasant one. But his sons' names were Mahlon and Chilion, sickness and consumptionhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/ShavuotShavuot, also called Pentecost, in full Ḥag Shavuot, (“Festival of the Weeks”), second of the three Pilgrim Festivals of the Jewish religious calendar. It was originally an agricultural festival, marking the beginning of the wheat harvest. During the Temple period, the first fruits of the harvest were brought to the Temple, and two loaves of bread made from the new wheat were offered. This aspect of the holiday is reflected in the custom of decorating the synagogue with fruits and flowers and in the names Yom ha-Bikkurim (“Day of the First Fruits”) and Ḥag ha-Qazir (“Harvest Feast”).During rabbinic times the festival became associated with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, which is recounted in the Torah readings for the holiday. It became customary during Shavuot to study the Torah and to read the Book of Ruth.Celebration of Shavuot occurs on the 50th day, or seven weeks, after the sheaf offering of the harvest celebrated during Passover. The holiday is therefore also called Pentecost from the Greek pentēkostē (“50th”). It falls on Sivan 6 (and Sivan 7 outside Israel).

Romans 12:1 - 2 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.This is the description of true worship, this takes us back to Moses and Sinai the first commandment is to Love God and have nothing else before God and then to not make an idols. Here Paul is directing back to how to love God, by sacrificing self and embracing God's plan and purpose of worship.

For many of us we read how the nation of Israel turn their backs on God time and time again but while they were in the wilderness before they entered the promised land and even upon entering the Promised Land they continued to sin and do those things which God told them not to I miscarried on for years and years and you and I read those stories and we wonder how is it possible that you could experience God's miraculous power firsthand the way the Israelites did and continue to turn their backs and continue to miss the mark and we see this again in the New Testament as those that traveled with Jesus and those that sat with Jesus and listen to Jesus and learn from Jesus I would abandon him would question him would doubt him and we think out loud and we dare say that if it were us we would never do those things if we were Peter we would never deny the Lord 3 times before the rooster crowed if we were at the foot of Mount Sinai serving as the high priest we would never create a golden calf for the Israelites to worship as the god that brought them out of Israel Egypt we would never do those things and yet here we are you and I more than a third of the way through the year following one of tumultuous years in modern history we are 8 months into 2021 having survived 2020 and we're making the same mistakes we're doing some of the same things we aren't leading in love we aren't demonstrating radical empathy in generosity and compassion we aren't concerned with our fellow man though our actions indicate we acknowledge the need for community. It is one of the great ironies that all of the outrage last year was about needing to be connected and needing together and we are so desperate to be around one another that we have abandoned all precautions and now we find ourselves in the middle of a variant that is more dangerous than the original strain of covid and our response to this variant is to be more obstinate than we were with the original strain. We don't we don't want our children to have to wear masks in school we tell people if they are feeling unsafe being in public they should stay home we are threatening any elected official that talks about implementing any of the measures that helped us through last year all in the name of community and togetherness and unity and yet we still don't value those who are different from us we still have a hard time embracing someone who has a different political ideology or a different religious system of beliefs or a different culture or a different ethnicity we need to be together and yet we still haven't found a way to live together in a friendly way that celebrate each other's differences we continue to miss the mark season after season just like Israel because in here comes the real shocker I know we are human just like the Israelites were human and so what do we do how do we move forward what is our next move Humanity.

We come together to pray and to giveThe impact of corporate prayer is very similar to the impact of corporate worship and testimony. Hearing others express their affection and love and appreciation of God can serve be an encouragement and a blessing to others. Corporate prayer can also strengthen our faith and fill-in the gaps. It's not about having all the right words, however there is a blessing when God can use someone else to express the sentiment of our own hearts. It can also serve as confirmation because everything is not just coming from you. When you hear God speak through someone else it will boost your own faith.