The Kingdom's Worth

Living the Parables
-Part IV-

#8 The Net
Matthew 13:47-50

"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate thee wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Background on Nets
The nets were about 2 by 100 meters
The boats were 3 by 10 meters
Sometimes they used the shore
Sometimes they used 2 boats
Lake Galilee had at least 25 native species of fish

Points to Ponder
We are commanded to be fishers of men
The Gospel is for people of every nation
There’s no way to only catch good fish

#9 The Hidden Treasure
Matthew 13:44

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

#10 The Pearl of Great Price
Matthew 13:45-46

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Background on Treasures & Pearls
Sometimes the safest place for treasure is the earth
Burying treasure was a common practice
Finding treasures accidentally was not uncommon
Pearls were considered the most precious gems
The Persian Gulf & India possessed the finest pearls

Points to Ponder
Some find Christ by seemingly accidental means
Some find Christ by seeking earnestly
The kingdom is hidden from natural eyes
The kingdom is worth getting excited about!
The kingdom is worth everything you have
At first, the man’s actions must have seemed absurd
Both men were richer after the transaction
When one has one possession, he holds it very tightly

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep
To gain that which he cannot lose” (Jim Elliott)

*The following is a fictional dialogue
from "Disciple" by Juan Carlos Ortiz
that illustrates the point of the parable

I want this pearl. How much is it?
Well, it's very expensive
But how much?
Well, a very large amount
Do you think I could buy it?
Oh, of course. Everyone can buy it
But didn't you say it was expensive?
Yes
Well, how much is it?
Everything you have
All right, I'll buy it
Well, what do you have? Let's write it down
Well, I have $10,000 in the bank
Good. $10,000. What else?
That's all. That's all I have.
Nothing more?
Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket
How much?
Well, let's see..30..40..60..80..100...$120
That's fine. What else do you have?
Well nothing. That's all.
Where do you live?
In my house. Yes, I have a house.
The house too then
You mean I have to live in my camper?
You have a camper? That too. What else?
I'll have to sleep in my car!
You have a car?
Two of them
Both become mine, both cars. What else?
What more do you want!?!?
Are you alone in this world?
No, I have a wife and two children
Oh yes, your wife and children too. What else?
I have nothing left! I am left alone now
Oh, I almost forgot. You yourself too! Everything becomes mine- wife, children, house, money, cars, and you too. Now listen- I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don't forget that they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them you must give them up, because I am the owner.

Genesis 22

Spiritual Test
1. Spiritual Tests come from God (22:1)
2. Spiritual Tests check our allegiance to our spiritual nature (Galatians 5:22)
3. Spiritual Tests reveal our level of faithfulness to God (22:12)
4. Spiritual Tests are stepping stones (22:13)
5. Spiritual Tests, if passed, can bring increased blessing (22:17)

These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ( 1 Peter 1:7)

Spiritual Temptations
1. Spiritual Temptations are from Satan (Mark 1:13)
2. Spiritual Temptations check our allegiance to our sin nature (James 1:14)
3. Spiritual Temptations reveal our faithfulness to Satan (Matthew 13:38)
4. Spiritual Temptations are stumbling blocks (Matthew 26:41)
5. Spiritual Temptations, if given into, can bring devastation (1 Tim 6:9)

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1Corinthians 10:13)

Responding to the Word (Genesis 22:22:1-5)
1. God’s Word isn’t always easy for us to digest (22:1)
2. God’s Word doesn’t always seem to make sense (22:2)
3. God’s Word demands prompt obedience (22:3)
4. God’s Word calls for commitment (22:4)
5. God’s Word requires a personal response (22:5)

The Priority of Obedience (Genesis 22:6)
1. Obedience must take priority over comfort
2. Obedience must take priority over family
3. Obedience must take priority over wealth

Isaac as a ‘shadow’ of Christ
1. Both were conceived supernaturally
2. Both births had been promised well in advance
3. Both were only beloved sons of their father & mother
4. Both were to be sacrificed on a mountain
5. Both were considered as good as dead for 3 days
6. Both carried the wood needed for sacrifice
7. Both showed obedience to their father’s plan

By the Father’s mercy, Isaac was spared
By the Father’s grace, His own Son was not

Hebrews 9:1-10:18

First Covenant

1. Regulations for Worship

Outer Room Regulations
a. Priests entered regularly to carry on their ministry

Inner Room Regualations
a. Only High Priest entered
---Only once per year
---Never without blood
---Offered blood for his own sins
---Offered blood for ignorant sins of people

2. Earthly Sanctuary (the tabernacle)

First Room (Holy Place)
a. Lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40)
b. Table with Consecrated bread (Exodus 25:23-30)

Second Room (Most Holy Place)
a. Golden altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-6)
b. Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-22)
---Jar of Manna (Exodus 16:32-34)
---Aaron's staff (Numbers 17:1-13)
---Stone Tablets (Exodus 25:16)

3. Results

Positive
a. Sins committed in ignorance were covered by this ritual (9:7)
b. The sprinkling sanctified men outwardly
c. It was a reminder of sins, helped people know their need (10:3)

Negative
a. These rituals were unable to clear the conscience of the worshiper (9:9)
b. They were only temporary (9:10, 10:11)
c. It could never had made people perfect (10:1)
d. Animal blood has no power to take away sins (10:4, 11)
e. God was not pleased with these rituals (10:8)

Transition

Hebrews 9:8-10
The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

Hebrews 9:23
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Hebrews 10:1
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.

Thus, both the regulations and the tabernacle itself were temporary shadows. They were patterned after something greater. They were not able to accomplish anything spiritually (internally) significant, but were mere illustrations of Christ, who would accomplish all.

Second Covenant


1. Regulations for Worship

a. Christ entered the most Holy Place by His own blood (9:12)

2. Heavenly Sanctuary

a. It's a greater and more perfect tabernacle (9:11)
b. It is not man-made (9:11)

3. Results

Positive
a. His blood sanctifies us inwardly (9:14)
b. He appears for us in God's presence (9:24)
c. His sacrifice is only need once, it has eternal ramifications (9:25-26)
d. We have been made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus once and for all (10:10, 14)
e. His laws are now on our hearts and minds (10:15-16)
f. Our sins & lawless acts are remembered no more (10:17)
g. No more sacrifice is needed (10:18)
h. We may serve the living God! (9:14)

The Kingdom's Growth

Living the Parables
-Part III-

#6 The Mustard Seed
Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, Luke 13:18-19

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

The Mustard Seed
1. Was proverbial for smallness in 1st century
2. The Seed is about a millimeter in diameter
3. Usually about the height of a man
4. Sometimes grew to 12 feet tall

Interpretation #1
Growth =’s Positive Expansion of the Kingdom
1. They wanted the kingdom to come NOW
2. They expected the kingdom to come in POWER

Old Testament Allusions
Psalm 104:12 Ezekiel 17:23, 31:6 Daniel 4:12

Application: The Kingdom will grow with Time

Interpretation #2
Growth =’s Negative Expansion of the Kingdom

Mustard Seed =’s Small, but Pungent
Tree =’s Un-natural (evil) growth
Birds = Satan

Application: The Church will become worldly


#7 The Leaven
Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20-21

He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Interpretation #1
"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast (The Gospel) that a woman (The Church) took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough (The World).”

Same message as the mustard seed parable
Mustard Seed =’s Extensive Growth
Leaven =’s Intensive Growth

Application: We must impact all of society

Interpretation #2
"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast (Corrupting Agent) that a woman (Wrongful Authority) took and mixed into a large amount of flour (Fellowship) until it worked all through the dough.”

Reasons to interpret negatively
1. It’s in the middle of the wheat and weeds parable
2. It’s connected to the mustard seed parable
3. In 50 out of 52 cases, yeast is negative
4. Jesus uses yeast negatively elsewhere
5. The woman ‘hid’ the yeast

The yeast of the Pharisees = Hypocrisy (Luke 12:1)
The yeast of the Sadducees = Doubt (Matthew 16:6-12)
The yeast of Herod = Greed (Mark 8:15)
The old yeast = Immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1-8)
The yeast of the law = Legalism (Galatians 5:1-9)

Application: The Church will become worldly

Conclusion:
Though I was originally taught (by dispensationalists) that these parables were about negative/worldly growth of the church, I now believe (based on context) that they represent the gradual increase in the kingdom of heaven in both quantity & quality.

Wheat & Weeds

The kingdom of heaven is like
Many of Jesus' parables begin with this phrase (or the parallel 'kingdom of God is like'). Why? I believe there were two main reasons he made these metaphors. First, the kingdom of heaven is, in many ways, invisible. Humans often have a hard time grasping invisible concepts. These parables help us understand spiritual realities by comparing them with physical realities. The most difficult task for us is to recognize that the invisible is the greater reality of the two realms. Fields of wheat & weeds exist, but they will pass away. The people in the world were designed for eternal dwellings. This world is full of illustration. We simply must open our eyes and ears to its stories. Second, the kingdom of heaven is so different from the kingdoms of the world that it needed to be defined in new ways. Earthly kings acquire by killing, but Jesus acquired by dying. You can point toward Rome, but the kingdom of God is within you. This kingdom was so different that the word 'kingdom' itself needed to be redefined. The word needed enlarged to fit a kingdom that, unlike all others, would last forever.

a man who sowed good seed in his field
When Jesus interpreted this parable for His disciples, He equated the man in the physical story with the Son of Man in the spiritual reality. In other words, Jesus was saying 'I am the man'. Meaning just pours out of this. Jesus was not just any man. He was what every man was made to be. He was the perfect man. And it took a perfect man to start the revolution that would produce the perfect kingdom. He was what no other man had ever been. Napoleon once said,

'Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for Him….I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man: none else is like Him; Jesus Christ was more than a man.'

Jesus was more than a man. Many men had started kingdoms. Now God was going to start a kingdom of His own. It's no mistake that, in Jesus interpretation, this kingdom is said to belong to the 'Son' at one point and to the 'Father' at another.

Many have submitted to the rule of this 'man' and become 'sons of the kingdom.' These are pictured as 'good seed' in the parable. They are marked by the fact that they were sown by the sower, able to call God their Father, and able to be called righteous. These are scattered throughout the world.

But while everyone was sleeping
Since Jesus doesn't give commentary on this detail of the parable, we must be careful not to read into the circumstance. But one can hardly keep from going to Gethsemane when considering these words. Three times, as Jesus agonized in that garden, His disciples slept. It was in their weakness that Jesus' will, once and for all, vowed to carry His cross. Men will inevitably sleep. Jesus, however, would accomplish His kingdom work in spite of this or, more accurately, because of this.

his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away
In the agricultural context of this parable, there were few acts more violent than sowing weeds in another man's finely sown wheat field. And yet this is what the devil had done. He came to corrupt a world that had been created 'good'. He was crafty enough to come at the prime time (while everyone was sleeping), for he does his work in darkness. He was skilled enough to provoke mutation. The 'weed' in the parable was probably the 'bearded darnel'. It was a degenerate of the wheat family. The bearded darnel was indistinguishable from the wheat in its early stages. Wheat and weed would now grow together. Once mixed, there was no instant fix. Side by side good and evil men would live their lives as seeming twins. His work being done, the devil departed.

When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared
As the wheat matured, it's distinguishing characteristics became evident (wheat often grew taller than the bearded darnel). As the church matures, its members are known by their good works. The harvest will not take place until the church reaches unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and becomes mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). At this point, the weeds will also be exposed for what they are due to their lack of good production. The secrets of men's hearts will, on that day, be plain to see.

The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
Jesus, apparently, found the identity of the owner's servants insignificant since he did not comment on them during his explanation of the parable. We can only go so far as to compare their questions with our own. We ask Jesus: 'Didn't you make men good?' and 'Why, then, are so many evil?' We don't even consider our role in the thing (sleeping). We take the problem to the source and ask His defense.

'An enemy did this,' he replied.
The weeds did not surprise the man in the story. The problem of evil does not surprise Jesus in reality. He does not blame the sleeping servants. He knows all about their frailty. He knows who the enemy is.

The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
Instead of being upset with the enemy, the servants are upset with the wicked men. They have an urge to purge the field of its ugly element. And herein lies one of the key points of this parable. Not only the Pharisees, but the disciples as well, had an intolerance and impatience toward anyone who did look like them. The Pharisees were weeds themselves, but did not know it. The disciples, however, were simply too temperamental, occasionally asking for fire to consume wrongdoers. In similar fashion, many today lack the patience and tact of Christ. We want a perfect world and perfect churches. And we want them now.

'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.
Christ, knowing the enemies hopes to destroy good wheat, gives a clear answer to their question. The roots of the 'bearded darnel' were, by this point in the parable, so intertwined with what had been good seed that tearing them out would certainly destroy some of the wheat. Still, Jesus is in control. He is fully aware of the devil's tactics and has the necessary solution. He'd rather permit the weeds for a time, than damage the wheat for eternity. The Lord knows that without the maturity of the wheat, it will not survive the weed-removing surgery. The wheat must first reach proper age.

But to depart, for a moment, from the parable, there is another reason for delay. The God of miracles is able to convert some of the weed into wheat. This is why Paul tells Timothy to instruct enemies instead of pulverize them. This parable is not teaching that there are two classes of humans by birth, but two by allegiance. One group belongs to the devil while the other group belongs to the Lord. It is also not teaching a 'pacifist' approach to church discipline. What is obviously not wheat can be weeded out before the harvest. A main point of the parable is that we must not judge by appearance, but that doesn't negate our call to, as Jesus put it, judge righteous judgment

Thus, Christ waits for both the quality and quantity of the wheat to peak before he tells the harvesters what to do.

At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'
And when the words of Malachi ring true again and we 'see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not' the harvest will be here. The order here is the same as Matthew 25:46. Everything that causes sin and all who do evil with be thrown into the fiery furnace. Much Old Testament imagery is utilized here to describe the fate of the wicked weeds. Just like ancient Babylon threw men into a fiery furnace for disobedience (though, in Daniel, unsuccessfully), so too will rebels of the new kingdom be dealt with.

Also picking up on Old Testament imagery, the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Ultimately, the inevitable will occur despite the enemies scheme. The Kingdom of heaven, and the good men in it, will prevail. In the ambiguity of our present experience, we must never forget that Christ is triumphant.

Genesis 20-21

Genesis 20:1
Where was Abraham moving on from?
---The Trees of Mamre
What was Abraham leaving behind?
---He had built an altar there
---He had friends there
---He had experienced God there
**I believe Abraham's time at the Trees of Mamre was a happy & stable time in his life.
Why do you think Abraham left?
---It was probably something as practical as a lack of resources
Why is moving so difficult for humans?
---We resist change, especially when we are in a comfort zone

Genesis 20:2-18
Had Abraham acted this way before?
---Yes, he acted in an almost identical manner at the end of chapter 12
Do you ever struggle with the same sins repeatedly?
---Any sin can become a stronghold in our lives
Why wasn’t Abimelech’s action considered a sin?
---No, because he had a clear conscience
How did God keep Abimelech from sinning?
---By giving him a dream
At what point did Abimelech become responsible for his actions?
---When he was aware of the situation. At that point he had a choice to make
As far as we can tell, what kind of people lived in Gerar?
---God fearing people
What did Abraham assume about the people of Gerar?
---That they were NOT God-fearing people
How did Abraham justify his action?
---It was a half truth
Why did Abimelech need Abraham to pray for him?
---God ordained blessing to come through Abraham

Genesis 21:1-7
How long had Abraham & Sarah been waiting for a son?
---There whole married lives. Andd now they were 90+
How did Abraham & Sarah have a son at such an old age?
---It was a miracle of God
At what time was the son born to them?
---At the perfect time (just like Galatians 4:4)
Did they obey God’s commandment concerning circumcision?
---Yes
Why did they name their son Isaac?
---He brought laughter back to the household. It was also ironic in light of their ealier laughter

Genesis 21:8-21
What emotions was Sarah experiencing at the feast?
---First celebration, then jealousy/anger
What emotions was Abraham experiencing at the feast?
---First celebration, then sadness/worry
What was God’s position on the matter?
---He'd take care of Ishmael AND Isaac
What were Hagar’s emotions after the feast?
---Worthlessness/fear
What became of Ishmael?
---He was blessed by God

Genesis 21:22-34
What made Abimelech & Phicol see God’s blessing on Abraham?
---His prosperity
Do you think this was a good alliance?
---Yes
What is the significance of the name Beersheba?
---Like the tree of Mamre had been, it became a resting place for Abram

Hebrews 8

Chapter 7 of Hebrews was a long argument comparing Melchizedek & Jesus and contrasting that priesthood with the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood. It was a very logical argument full of Old Testament observations. Now, in chapter 8, the author of Hebrews gets practical and states his main theme with a passion

Hebrews 8:1-2
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

'Such' a 'High Priest' refers us back to the phrase in 7:26. Jesus is the type of High Priest that 'meets our need'. Unlike the earthly priests, Jesus sits beside the throne in heaven and serves in the true tabernacle. In what capacity does he serve? The author tells us in 9:24-26 that His work there is 'to appear for us in God's presence...once and for all'.

He then shows the shadows and the better reality

Shadows: High Priests offer gifts/sacrifices
Reality: Jesus offers a once and for all gift/sacrifice

Shadows: Earthly Priests
Reality: Heavenly Priest

Shadow: Earthly Sanctuary
Reality: Heavenly Tabernacle

Shadow: Old Covenant
Reality: New Covenant

Regarding this New and Superior Covenant, the author quotes Jer. 31:31-34

Ways in which the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant:
1. Instead of the laws being written on tablets, the law would now be written on the hearts and minds of the people.
2. Instead of only the priests experience the presence of God, all men will have such access
3. Instead of the never-ending sacrifices, now there is a once and for all sacrifice

The author concludes by making the following remark:

Hebrews 8:13
By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

Thus, a new covenant overrides a previous covenant. And the previous covenant, now obsolete (being merely shadows of reality) was about to disappear. This, in fact, happened as the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in AD70.

The End of Winter

In the Chronicles of Narnia 4 English children are sent t a professors country mansion during WWII. During a game of hide & seek the youngest child hides in the back of a wardrobe only to discover it is a doorway to another world. In this new world it is 'always winter and never Christmas'. As we read through the Old Testament, that is the kind of world we find from a fall forward...a world in need of Christmas Day!

It was....
1. A world where Adam & Eve, living in paradise, couldn't resist a single temptation. They chose rebellion over perfection.
2. A world where it only took a 2nd generation to produce the worlds 1st murder
3. A world where by the 6th chapter the world was so wicked that every inclination of the thoughts of mens heart was only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5)
4. A world where men disobeyed and made towers for their own glory
5. A world of slavery and sin
A world of deception and death
A world of sickness and suffering
6. A world where Job cries out ""He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot."
7. A world where prophets longed to see the day of their savior (1 Peter 1:10-12)

As time went on their salvation become clearer and clearer:
---They knew the savior would be from Abraham
---Judah's tribe, David's line
---They knew he'd be born in Bethlehem of a virgin
---Some even knew the approximate time (Luke 2:25-35)

And one day the world became flesh (John 1:14, Hebrews 1:1)
The time had come to end winter
Christmas day was finally here

Galatians 4:4
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

The first Christmas was Jesus ending winter
Jesus came to change the landscape of the world
Jesus came so you would go (with His presence)

1. Go and sin no more (John 8:11)

Matthew 1:21
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

2. Go on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1)

3. Go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19)

Kingdom Parables 1

Living the Parables
-Part II-

The Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus came to start a kingdom
Jesus defeated the previous prince
Jesus’ kingdom is unique
Jesus’ kingdom has had tremendous growth
Jesus’ kingdom has enemies/rebels

#4 The 4 Soils
Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:2-9, Luke 8:4-8

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear."

The Seed is the WORD of God
The farmer is ANYONE who spreads God’s Word

4 Reactions to the Word of God
You can respond with a Hard Heart
You can respond with a Shallow Heart
You can respond with a Worldly Heart
You can respond with a Good Heart

What we must do as Christians
Turn on our EARS
Take care HOW we listen
Take care WHAT we hear

#5 Wheat & Weeds
Matthew 13:24-30
Click HERE for my lengthier commentary on this passage.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

'An enemy did this,' he replied.

The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'”

What Represents What?
The Man is Jesus
The field is the world
The Wheat represents the children of God
The Weeds represent the children of satan
The enemy is Satan

5 Lessons for Those in the Field
We lose ground when we fail to watch & pray
We tend to blame God for our troubles
We lack the patience of God
We lack the tact of God
We will be harvested when the difference is evident

What is the Timing of Satan's Binding?

Sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover. For instance Hal Lindsay's most famous paperback, entitled "The Late Great Planet Earth", captures his pessimistic outlook with succinct precision. Perhaps his second most popular work, "Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth", is an even clearer summary of its contents. Unfortunately, the clarity is uncalled for.

Lindsay's premillennialism places the binding of satan at the end of the current age. Scripture places it at the beginning. When Jesus came 2000 years ago He didn't say satan would be driven out at the end of the world. He said "now the prince of this world will be driven out." He admitted Satan's strength, but used the present tense to say He (Jesus) "ties up the strong man."

The Apostles understood that Satan had been bound by Christ's 1st Coming. Paul pointed out that Jesus "disarmed the powers and authorities...by the cross." The author of Hebrews agrees by declaring that the very purpose of the 1st Coming was to "destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil." And John confirms this by stating "the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."

When we come to the 20th chapter of John's Apocalyptic work and find him describing an 'angel' with a 'key' and a ' chain' seizing a 'dragon' that is a 'serpent' and binding him for a thousand years, very few interpret these nouns in a wooden literal sense. The key represents authority. The chain symbolizes limited freedom. The dragon & serpent simultaneously depict Satan. Binding, then, implies restraint, not ropes. And a 'thousand' years is simply a long duration of time.

So what 'binding' is John referring to? He's probably referring to the binding Jesus had taught him about and that he'd written about. When was this accomplished? At the 1st Coming of Christ and, specifically, at the cross. This places us in the midst of the 'thousand years' and leaves satan a 'dead man walking'. Revelation 20 directly mentions the devil's limitation, during this time, in regards to his work of "deceiving the nations." And history evidences his inabilities. Up until the 1st century the truth was mostly contained in one tiny nation, but from that point on it went to the ends of the earth.

Scripturally, the devil is severely limited in power during the church age. Maybe that is why the New Testament speaks of Jesus & His followers having so much 'authority'. Satan has not yet been "thrown into the lake of burning sulfur", but he has been thrown a curve ball that he just can't hit (especially with his anthropomorphic arms symbolically tied behind his anthropomorphic back). His power is limited to those who accept slavery. He has no authority over anyone in Christ. He may prowl around like a "roaring lion", but he can't take control of anyone that keeps some distance from his den. He's a caged animal now and the Holy Spirit is a trustworthy zookeeper.

Some day in the future, satan will be loosed to deceive the nations one last time. But Paul says Jesus will defeat him "with the breath of his mouth". Peter says "that day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat." John notes that fire will come "down from heaven" and the devil and his children. "This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire" at the 2nd Coming. Satan will be lobbed into the lake and every human knee will bow before Jesus Christ. At that moment many of us will realize we gave satan way to much credit when we were living on the late great planet earth.

Genesis 18:16-19

Genesis 18:1-17
Who were these 3 men?
a. Two of them were angels (19:1)
b. One of them was God (18:22)
Do you think Abraham and/or Sarah knew who their visitors were?
--Maybe not at first, we can't really infer that from the use of the term 'lord' since this word is often used simply to show respect. But as the visit progressd, the nature of the guests certainly became clear.

Romans 4:19-20
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

1. Do these passages seem to contrast with the account we’ve been reading?
--Yes, in Genesis Abram's faith wavers at multiple points
2. How could these NT writers, then, say what they said regarding his faith?
--Because ultimately our faith is evidenced by what we do. And Abraham ultimately obeyed God
3. What is the very best way to show that you believe?
--Obedience
4. Do these New Testament quotes encourage you in your faith?
--They do mine. It helps me to see that even though I struggle sometimes with doubt, I can still be an example of faith to others if I obey

Genesis 18:16-19
1. Why do you think God wanted to tell Abraham His ‘secret’ (James 2:23)
--Friends are open with each-other
2. How can we be considered ‘friends’ of God? (John 15:14-17)
--If we obey His commands
3. What parallels can you find between Abraham & the Disciples?
a. Both were considered friends of God
b. Both were told the secrets of God
c. Both were chosen by God to bear fruit

Genesis 18:20-33
1. Where was the ‘outcry’ coming from? (2 Peter 2:6-8)
--probably from Lot
2. Do you think God really needed to go to see how bad they were?
--No, similar to the wording regarding the tower of babel, this is anthropomorphic language
3. Why did Abraham assume that God would destroy Sodom & Gomorrah?
--He had an awareness of their wickedness
4. What does Abraham’s argument reveal about his understanding of God?
--He believed God to be a God of mercy
5. What do God’s answers reveal about the nature of God?
--He is incredibly merciful
6. What would have happened if Abraham had lowered the number even further?
--We can't be sure, but we have every reason to believe He would have said 'Yes'. Perhaps this reminds us that we can pray BIG.
7. What does the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah say about those cities?
--There were less than 10 righteous people in the whole city

Genesis 19:1-26
1. Why was Lot sitting in the gateway of the city?
--City business was accomplised there. Perhaps Lot was socially involved
2. Do you think Lot knew the visitors were angels?
--Maybe not at first, but eventually it became obvious
3. What was the sexual preferences of the men in Sodom?
--A huge majority were either homosexual or bisexual
4. What did the men in Sodom want to do to the visitors?
--They wanted to gang-rape them
5. What other sins was Sodom guilty of (Ezek. 17:49-50, Rom. 1:26-27)?
--Arrogance, lack of concern for poor, etc
6. What did the people of Sodom think of Lot?
--They disliked him and considered him judgmental
7. Why did Lot offer his daughters to the crowd?
--It is possible, since they were homosexual, he knew they wouldn't accept. On the other hand, perhaps he was just making protection of his guests the ultimate priority (especially since women had a low status in that culture
8. Why did Lot hesitate to go with the visitors?
--Perhaps he was clinging to his position in the city or his worldly possessions. Maybe he was trying to convince his sons-in-law to come so his family name could continue
9. Why do people hesitate to obey God?
--Same reasons. We become too attached to the things of this world, even family members.
10. Why was Zoar spared?
--Because Lot asked and because it was small
11. Why couldn’t the angels ‘act’ until Lot arrived?
--Because God willed to protect the righteous
12. What happens when we turn back from following God’s will? (Luke 17:32)
--We lose our life

Genesis 19:27-29
1. What do you think Abraham thought when he saw the smoke?
--I doubt he was very surprised. He was probably concerned for Lot
2. Why did God save Lot?
--Because Abraham asked

Genesis 19:30-38
1. Why was Lot afraid to stay in Zoar?
--Because the people were wicked. They were going to be destroyed for it until Lot asked for God to spare that small city
2. Who did Lot’s daughters want to be like?
--They desired to follow the customs of the world
3. Why did Lot’s daughters have to get him drunk to carry out their plan?
--Because they knew what they were doing was wrong
4. What did these incestuous unions produce?
--Future enemies for Israel

Hebrews 7

Who was Melchizedek?

Theories:
1. Just a righteous/ancient king
2. Shem (a Jewish theory)
3. A 'type' of Christ
4. A 'pre-incarnate' appearence of Christ

Characteristics of Melchizedek in Scripture
1. He was King of Salem (Genesis 14:18)
2. He gave bread and wine to Abraham (Genesis 14:18)
3. He was Priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18)
4. He blessed Abram (Genesis 14:19)
5. Abram gave him ‘of everything’ (Genesis 14:20)
6. He is a Priest forever (Psalm 110:4)
7. His name means King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:2)
8. King of Salem means King of Peace (Hebrews 7:2)
9. He was without genealogy (Hebrews 7:3)
10. He was without beginning or end (Hebrews 7:3)
11. He is greater than Abraham (Hebrews 7:7)
12. He is greater than a Levitical Priest (Hebrews 7:9)
13. He has an indestructibe life (Hebrews 7:16-17)

Characteristics of Jesus that correspond
1. He is the King of Jerusalem (Matthew 27:11)
2. He gave bread and wine to Abraham’s children (Matthew 26:26-28)
3. He is the High Priest of God (Hebrews 5:10)
4. He blesses Abraham’s descendants (Galatians 3:29)
5. Abraham’s descendants give Him everything (Romans 12:1-2)
6. He is a Priest forever, has an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:24)
7. He is the King of Righteousness (Matthew 3:15)
8. He is the King of Peace (Acts 10:36)
9. He was born of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35)
10. He is without beginning or end (Revelation 21:6)
11. He is greater than Abraham (John 8:52-58)
12. He is greater than a Levitical Priest (Hebrew 7:22)
13. He has an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:24)

Conclusion
In the very least, then, Melchizedek was a 'type' of Christ. He foreshadowed the kind of priest that Christ is. The very fact that Jesus is said to be 'like' Melchizedek implies (to some) that this is a type/anti-type scenario and not a theophany. But, I do not feel theory #3 should be dismissed in a cavalier manner b/c:

1. It could mean that Melchizedek was a theophany 'like' Jesus was a theophany of God
2. The whole point of Hebrews is to show the greatness of Christ. Why talk about Melchizedek's greatness if he wasn't Christ?
3. Melchizedek is said to be a priest forever, which includes 'now'
4. The point of chapter 7 is to contrast the Melchizedek priesthood with the Levitical. The former is 'forever' and the latter is 'transferable'.

Thus, from this chapter we see these theological concusion:
1. Jesus is better than Abraham (7:7)
2. Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant (7:22)
3. Better than the Levitical Priesthood, otherwise why would another 'Melchizedek' priest be necessary (7:11, 26-28)
4. Since the Levitical Priesthood is no longer necessary, and another 'Melchizedek' has come, there must also be a 'change' of law. The whole system transitions from Old Covenant to New Covenant (7:12)

Galatians

Below you will find the handouts I used while teaching through Paul's letter to the Galatians. There are no answers, only questions that can be used to encourage discussion. Towards the end of the series, though, the format changed a bit Q&A to cross references and discussion.

Galatians 1
Galatians 2
Galatians 3
Galatians 4
Galatians 5
Galatians 6

Galatians 5

Freedom in Christ (5:1-12)

1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

What are Christians free from?
What must we do to stay free?

2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Do you think Paul is referring to the ‘act’ or the ‘mindset’ of circumcision?
If we want to be saved by the law, how well must we obey it?
Is it possible to depend on the law & grace at the same time?
What are we waiting for?
Does circumcision make a difference in Christ’s eyes?
What does Christ value? What counts in His eyes?
How does true faith express itself?

7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

Does living under ‘freedom’ mean we do nothing?
Were the Galatians listening to God or man?
What ‘yeast’ is Paul referring to? Why?

10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

How many people does it take to influence us negatively?
What does the future hold for those who enslave others to the law?
What is Paul’s proof that his ‘Gospel’ was different than theirs?
How angry does Paul seem regarding the false teachers?

The Sinful Nature (5:13-21)

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

In what two ways can one use freedom?
Is there such a thing as too much freedom?
What happens to those who use their freedom to indulge in sin?
How do you “love yourself”?
Who is “your neighbor”?
How should you “love your neighbor”?

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

What opponents exist within each person?
What does the sinful nature desire?
What does the Spirit desire?
What do we escape if we are led by the Spirit?

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Is it difficult to discern between righteousness and sinfulness?
What are the acts of the sinful nature?
What won’t happen for those who make these acts their lifestyle?

The Spiritual Nature (5:22-26)

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

LOVE
What is love?
1. Storge- Natural Affection
2. Philia- Loyal Friendship
3. Eros- Romantic Passion
4. Agape- Unconditional

What type of love does Paul speak of in Galatians?
1. Galatians 2:20
2. Galatians 5:6
3. Galatians 5:13
4. Galatians 5:14
5. Galatians 5:22

Who do we love?
1. Our God
2. Our Selves
3. Our Family
4. Our neighbors
5. Our enemies

JOY
ENCOUNTERING JOY
Joy is based on conversion (Matthew 13:44)
Joy is based on Jesus’ 1st Coming (Luke 2:10, John 3:29)
Joy is based on Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:8, Luke 24:52)
Joy is based on Christ’s continued presence (John 15:11)

EXPERIENCING JOY
Joy can be found in fruitful ministry (Luke 10:17, 1 Thes. 2:20, 3 John 1:4)
Joy can be found in answered prayer (John 16:24)
Joy can be found in unity (Phil. 2:2)
Joy can be found in Christian relationships (2 John 1:12)
Joy can be found in affliction (2 Cor. 7:4, 8:2, Heb. 10:34, James 1:2)
*Discipline doesn’t seem like joy (Hebrews 12:11)

EXAMINING JOY
Joy can be lost (Matthew 13:20)
Joy can be re-found (John 16:21)
Joy can be consistent (Acts 13:52)
Joy can be made complete (John 15:11, 1 John 1:4)
Joy can be inexpressible (1 Peter 1:8)

PEACE
WHAT IS PEACE?
Peace is a lack of fear (John 14:27)
Peace is confidence in victory (John 16:33)
Peace is the result of a battle won (Matthew 10:34, Romans 6:20)

HOW TO PURSUE PEACE (Romans 14:19, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11)
Peace comes when we trust in God (Matthew 5:34, Romans 15:13)
Peace comes with an unbroken relationship w/God (Luke 2:14, Romans 5:1)
Peace comes from being controlled by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:6)
Peace comes from order (1 Cor. 14:33)
Peace comes when we are unified together (Ephesians 2:15, 4:3)
Peace comes, often, from previous discipline (Hebrews 12:11)
Peace comes by praying for world leaders (1 Tim. 2:2)
He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)

THE SCOPE OF PEACE
God gives us times of peace in life (Acts 9:31)
Peace can be experience at any time (2 Thes. 3:16)
Peace can be experienced in any situation (2 Thes. 3:16)
Peace isn’t always possible in every relationship (Romans 12:18)
True/lasting Peace is only available in the kingdom of God (Galatians 6:16)
We cannot fully comprehend the peace of God (Phil. 4:7)

PATIENCE
God has great patience (1 Tim 1:16)
We must pray for patience (Colossians 1:11)
A good minister has great patience (2 Tim 4:2)
With great patience comes great gain (Hebrews 6:12)
God’s patience produces salvation for many (2 Peter 3:15)

KINDNESS
Kindness gets people’s attention (Acts 4:9)
We should show unusual kindness to guests (Acts 28:2)
God’s kindness leads us toward repentance (Romans 2:4)
God’s kindness is conditional (Romans 11:22)
God’s kindness was displayed in His sending Jesus (Titus 3:4)

GOODNESS
Goodness is closely linked with knowledge (Romans 15:14)
A good child wants to please his/her Father (Ephesians 5:9-10)
We find goodness in the word of God (Hebrews 6:5)

FAITHFULNESS
Faith is active trust (Hebrews 11)
Faithfulness can be consistent reliance (Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:23)
Faithfulness can be consistent reliability (Romans 3:3)
Many people are not faithful (Romans 3:3, Galatians 1:6)
Many people are faithful (3 John 1:3)

GENTLENESS
Our approach to confrontation should be one of gentleness (2Cor. 10:1)
Our response to sin should be one of gentleness (Gal. 6:1. 2 Tim 2:25)
Gentleness involves time between awareness and confrontation (Titus 3:2)
Gentleness is a sign of wisdom (James 3:13)
Gentleness is a key component of evangelism (1 Peter 3:15)

SELF-CONTROL
A lack of self-control creates big problems (Proverbs 25:28)
A lack of Self-control makes you a target for temptation (1 Corinthians 7:5)
Self-control is a very personal issue for many people (Acts 24:25)
Self-control comes with focus (1Thes. 5:6-8, 1Peter 4:7, 5:8)
An increase in ability brings in increase in responsibility (2Peter 1:6)

Galatians 4

From Slave to Son (4:1-7)

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.

How is a child similar to a slave?
How is a child different than a slave?
How were they similar to the slave/child snenario?
When were ‘we’ children?
How were we in slavery to the basic principles of the world?

4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Why was the 1st century the right time for God to send His Son?
What did His Son come to accomplish?
What are our full rights as God’s children?

6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

What did God send because they were sons?
What 3 stages did Paul describe?
Who enters our life after we’ve been made sons?
Do we go through these 3 stages?
What stage are you in now?

The Lure of Legalism (4:8-20)

8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Who/what had the Galatians been slaves to?
Who made first contact? God or man?
What were the miserable principles of their past?
What were these special days/months/seasons/years?
Who/what were you a slave to?
How did God pursue you?
What are some miserable principles in our society?

12I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Did Paul consider them brothers?
What memory does Paul refer to?
What do you think Paul’s tone is in this passage?
Why do you think Paul refers to their first meeting?
How should we approach stumbling brothers/sisters?

17Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Were ‘those people’ passionate?
What did ‘those people’ want?
When is it fine to be zealous?
How long should we be zealous for good?
How passionate was Paul for the Galatians?
Are false teachers passionate today?
What do false teachers want today?
What are you passionate about?
How do we maintain passion?
How passionate are you for brothers & sisters in Christ.

Old Testament Figures (4:21-31)

21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. 24These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants.

BACKGROUND
Genesis 12:7
Genesis 15:1-6
Genesis 16:1-15
Genesis 17:15-22
Genesis 18:10-15
Genesis 21:1-10

One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."

What covenant does Hagar represent?
What city corresponded with Hagar?
What covenant does Sarah represent?
What city corresponds with Sarah?

28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." 31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

With whom does Paul compare the Galatians?
Who was persecuted in Abraham’s day?
Who was being persecuted in Paul’s day?
Who was not going to share in the inheritance?

Galatians 3

Flesh & Blood (3:1-14)

1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?

What did Paul call the Galatians?
Who bewitched the Galatians?
What were they denying?
How did they receive the Spirit?
How do people receive the Spirit today?
After we are saved, do people sometimes return to human effort?
Why is believing a piece of information so important?

6Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

What made Abraham ‘as righteous’?
Who are Abrham’s children?
What did Abraham receive in advance?
What must we do to be considered righteous today?
What will happen to us if we have faith?
What do you think this blessing entails?

10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."

If you are trying to be saved by works, what are you under?
If you are trying to obey the law, what laws must you perfectly obey?
How many people, then, can be justified by the law?
Do the righteous live by the law or by faith?
Has anyone ever followed everything written in the Book of the Law?
How were pre-cross Jews saved?
How are post-cross Christians saved?
How do we live by faith?

13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

What did Christ become?
Why did Christ redeem us?
How should we respond to Christ’s willingness to become a curse?
How do we know if we have placed our faith in Christ?

Elect in the Son (3:15-18)

15Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.

Once a human covenant is established, can the details be changed?
Does everyday life illustrate God’s ultimate truth?

16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.

What promises are Paul referring to here?
Who are the seeds?
Who is the seed?
What would it have indicated if the text had said seeds, plural?
What does it mean that the text says seed, singular?
Where then can we find spiritual security?

17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

What, then, was ‘added’ to the covenant?
What does the inheritance depend on?
How should we view the law given to Moses?
How should we view the promise given to Abram?

Purpose of the Law (3:19-25)

19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

Why was the law added?
When was the law to end?
Who was the mediator?
Was there a mediator when the promise was given?
What do laws accomplish in America?
What do rules accomplish in a home?
How do you feel when you break a law?
How do you feel when you break a promise?

21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Are the law and the promise in conflict?
Was the law ever meant to give life?
Who receives the promise?
Should we be seeking obedience or Christ?
How do we become children of the promise?

23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

What were we held prisoners by before faith?
When was faith revealed?
Why was the law put in charge?
Are we still under the supervision of the law?
When we fight the law, who wins?
Have you ever felt condemned?
What is the difference between condemnation and conviction?
If we are not under the law, what are we under?

Children of God (3:26-29)

26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,

Who is Paul speaking to?
How do we become ‘sons of God’?
Why didn’t he say ‘sons of Abraham’?
What does it mean to you to be a child of God?

27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Was he referring to literal baptism or spiritual baptism?
How had they clothed themselves with Christ?
What does it mean to be baptized spiritually?
What is the significance of water baptism?
How are we clothed with Christ?

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Is race a factor in God’s church?
Is class a factor in God’s church?
Is gender a factor in God’s church?
What do we become once we join God’s church?
Have churches applied these standards of equality?

29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Who must we belong to in order to be considered Abraham’s seed?
What else does belonging to Christ make us?
How can we gain the greatest inheritance?

Galatians 2

Team Ministry (2:1-10)

1Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.

What was Paul doing for 14 years?
Who were Barnabas and Titus?
What ‘revelation’ is he referring to?
Why did he do this privately to the leaders?
What was Paul’s fear?
Should we be trained before taking part in ministry?
Who played a major role in your pre/post conversion?

3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

What was the issue?
What type of people were causing the problem?
What kind of freedom was Paul talking about here?
Why didn’t Paul and his co-workers give in to them?
What kind of issues are contemporary churches facing?
What types of people are causing the problems?
Is there freedom at our church?
Have any ‘churches’ compromised?

6As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance—those men added nothing to my message.

What was Paul’s view of position/status?
What doesn’t God judge by?
What can men add to the gospel?
How should we view position/status?
What shouldn’t we judge by?
Where should we go in order to understand the gospel?

7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

What did the leaders in Jerusalem realize?
What did they recognize before giving Paul the right hand of fellowship?
What important ministry was a must in the early church?
Do we have something like the Jew/Gentile distinction in America today?
Did the early Christian leaders minister exclusively to one group?
Have we forgotten the call to remember the poor?

Team Conflict (2:11-14)

11When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.

Who did Paul approach when he had a problem with Peter?
How sure was Paul that Peter was wrong?
Who should we approach when we have a problem with someone?
How sure should we be that someone is wrong before we confront them?

12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

What made Peter change his behavior?
Do we ever act different around different people?

13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

How did Peter’s behavioral change affect others?
Do people watch leaders?
How does a leaders behavior affect others?

14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

What truth of the gospel were Peter and his companions denying?
Did Paul confront Peter in private or in public?
How did Paul view Judaism?
Are we allowing the freedom that the Gospel provides?
Should confrontation be public or private?
How should we view Judaism?
How should we view religion in general?

Justification & Holiness (2:15-21)

15"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

Did faithful Jews before Christ came believe in justification by works?
How were 1st century Christians justified?
How many people will be justified by observing the law?
What is justification?
How many people today believe in justification by works?
How are we justified today?

17"If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Was Christ content with sin in their lives?
What did Paul destroy?
What was Paul’s identity?
Where can righteousness be found?
Is Christ content with sin in our lives today?
What must be destroyed?
Where should we find our identity?
What is the only way righteousness can be found?

Galatians 1

Introduction (1:1-5)

1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me,

Who is Paul?
At what point in his life did he write this letter?
What was an apostle?
What key belief did Paul state in his introduction?
Who were the brothers with him?
Are there still apostles like Paul today?
Are people still called by God today?
What is the key difference, if any?
What beliefs should be dearest to us?

To the churches in Galatia:

Where was Galatia?
What was the status of its churches?
How are our churches similar to their churches?
How are our churches different from their churches?

3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

What does Paul bring to the Galatians from God?
What did Jesus do for Christians?
What was the world like at that time?
What belongs to God foroever?
How do we give something from God away?
Does Jesus rescue us ‘in’ the evil age or ‘from’ the evil age?
What is the present ‘present age’ like?
When we give God the glory, are we giving Him something he lacks?

The Gospel (1:6-12)

6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all.

How long had the Galatian church existed?
What does the term ‘gospel’ mean?
What ‘different’ gospel were they turning to?
Why wasn’t this gospel a gospel?
Is it possible for our church to desert God?
What ‘other’ supposed gospels are popular today?

Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

What does it mean to pervert something?
Should we trust an angel that preaches another gospel?
What happens to the one who preaches another gospel?
What gospel had they first accepted?
How important is this issue to Paul?
What do people pervert the gospel today?
Why shouldn’t we trust even an angel preaching another gospel?
How important should the content of the gospel be to us?

10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Who is Paul trying to please?
How many masters did Paul have?
What should a Bible-teachers goal be?
Are you a people-pleaser or a God-pleaser?

11I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Did Paul receive the gospel from any man or school?
How did Paul receive the gospel?
Where must we receive the gospel today?
Who can we trust to convey the true gospel?

The Change (1:13-24)

13For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

What was Paul’s background?
Why did Paul persecute the church?
Was Paul a religious person before his conversion?
What was your ‘previous way’?
Is there saving power in sincerity?
Is there saving power in religion?

15But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16to reveal his Son in me

When was Paul set apart?
Was Paul changed by Religion or by Revelation?
What is your experience concerning God’s calling?
How has Jesus been revealed to you

so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

For what purpose was Christ revealed to Paul?
Was Paul’s first priority fellowship or evangelism?
Where did Paul go?
For what purpose is Christ revealed to us?
What is your first priority?
Why do you think Paul returned to Damascus?

18Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24And they praised God because of me.

Who did Paul get acquainted with in Jerusalem?
What did Paul do in Syria, Cilicia & churches in Judea?
What did people know about Paul?
Why is it important to connect with other Christians?
What thought does your name bring to the mind of those who know of you?

The Parables

Below is a series I am teaching through the parables of Jesus

Introduction (wise guy, new wine, treasures old and new)
The Kingdom Comes (4 soils, wheat & weeds)
The Kingdom's Growth (mustard seed & leaven)
The Kingdom's Worth (net, treasure, pearl)
Forgiveness (2 debtors, unforgiving servant)
Compassion (good samaritan)
Possessions (rich fool, shrewd manager)
Prayer (friend at midnight, unjust judge)
Humility (place of honor, slaves duty, 2 prayers)
Passion (lost sheep, lost coin)
Fruitfulness (the talents, the minas)
Invitation (great feast, wedding banquet)
Generosity (workers paid equally)
Reconciliation (the prodigal son)
Revelation (rich man & lazarus)
Judgment (wicked tenants)
Ready for Return (ten bridesmaids)

Introduction

Living the Parables
-Part I-

#1 The Wise Guy

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

“If you wanna help people,
you gotta know which story to tell them.”
~from the movie 'Walk the Line'
~Over 30% of Jesus' teaching was through parables
~Since we are to live on 'every word' (matt. 4:4) we must feed on the parables when building our house

What is a Parable?
A parable is a PHYSICAL story
that illustrates a SPIRITUAL reality

Why Study the Parables?
Parables are memorable (we remember stories, not sermons)
Parables are mysterious (see Matthew 13:10-17, they seperate seekers from the hard-hearted)
Parables are metaphors (the greek means 'to place alongside)
Parables are meaningful (they have a moral)
Parables are meat (Matthew 13:17, parables are milk AND meat)
Parables are mirrors (but they show us our spiritual appearence)

#2 The New Wine

He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.

Characteristics of Old Covenant Keepers
Their focus is religious ritual instead of people
Their fasting is public instead of private
Their faith was measured by comparison instead of obedience

The Meaning of the Parable
The old garment & wineskin represents the Old Covenant
The new garment & wineskin represent the New Covenant
The Patch & the Wine represent the Gospel/Spirit (see Acts 2:13, Ephesians 5:18)

Thus, the main point of the parable is that the Old Covenant couldn't contain the Gospel! Judaism, in its 1st century form, couldn't have handled the enormous energy and power of the Holy Spirit. No, something new was needed. A new covenant. And no one with the heart of a pharisee would be able to handle it (in contrast, no one with an 'new' heart could have survived the rigidness of Judaism). Thus, this parable is about the transition from Judaism to Christianity.

3 Kinds of People
Slaves of Sin (lost in their sin)
Wanderers in the Wilderness (lacking victory)
Conquerors in the Kingdom (victorious Christian Living!)

#3 Old & New Treasures

He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

We are to celebrate/utilize all the great truth from the Old Covenant/Old Testament (shadows) and all the great truth from the New Covenant/New Testament (light)!

Dreams & Visions

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream in chapter 2
This dream is interpreted for us. 2:39 says "After you, another kingdom will rise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth. Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom." Thus, the dream is about 4 kingdoms (usually interpreted as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece & Rome). These were the 4 kingdoms that existed b/w the time of the dream and the arrival of Christ. 2:44 says ""In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed." When Jesus came, He came announcing the arrival of that kingdom. Thus the chapter 2 dream covers the time period from Daniel through Christ.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Tree in chapter 4
This dream is also interpreted for us by Daniel. The tree represents Nebuchadnezzar (4:22- "you, O king, are that tree!"). The tree being cut down is interpreted as Nebuchadnezzar being "driven away from people" and living "with the wild animals" for a time, but will be (and was) restored after that time (the fulfillment is documented in the end of the chapter).

Daniel's Dream of Four Beasts in chapter 7
Again, this dream is interpreted for us (this time, apparently, by an angel) and corresponds to Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2. 7:17 says, "The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth." So this would, again, most likely refer to Babylon/Medo-Persia/Greece/Rome. During the reign of Rome, a new eternal kingdom will begin (this being the kingdom Jesus announced in His ministry). The rest of Daniel 7 gives further detail on the 4th kingdom (Rome).

Daniel's Vision of a Ram and a Goat
The vision here in chapter 8 is also interpreted for us by Gabriel. He says in 8:20, "The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece." Thus the dream in chapter 8 is a zoomed up view of the 2nd and 3rd kingdoms of the previous dreams. The dream deals with Alexander the Great (the large horn) and the 4 minor kingdoms which existed in the Greek Empire after his early demise. A later leader of one of these 4 minor kingdoms is described as a "master of intrigue" and is most likely Antiochus IV (since this is still consiidered the 3 Kingdom (Greece).

Revelation of chapter 9
Daniel is given information about the next 490 years for Israel starting with a decree to restore/rebuild Jerusalem and culminating with the arrival of the Annointed One (Jesus).

Daniel was given a revelation of a Man in chapter 10
This revelation frightened him, but was explained 3 weeks later via a vision which helped him to understand the revelation. The 'understanding' is given in Chapter 11. It is specifically about the end of the 2nd kingdom (persia) and the start of the 3rd (Greece). The mighty king (11:3) is, once again, Alexander the Great. Just as in the chapter 8 vision, it explains the 4 minor kingdoms that arise after Alexander's death (north, south, east, west, see 11:4). Only the southern (historically known as the Ptolemies) and the northern (historically known as the Seleucids) kings receive mention (since they were the most significant). Verses 36-45 are the most controversial, but it's preferable not to seperate the kings mentioned therein with a gap of many centuries and thus it is probably still 1st century AD or earlier in mind. Chapter 12 picks up there and either jumps ahead to judgment day OR is referring to AD70 and the spiritual resurrection (being born again). The latter seems to fit the context better, but is avoided by most who prefer to interpret all prophetic passages as being fulfilled in our current circumstances.

Genesis 17-18:15

What was Abram commanded in this section of Scripture?
1. Walk before God (17:1)
2. Be blameless (17:1)
3. Keep God’s covenant of circumcision(17:9)

What did God promise to do for Abraham when He confirmed His covenant?
1. To greatly increase Abraham’s numbers (17:2)
2. To make Abraham the father of many nations (17:4-5)
3. To make kings come from Abraham’s line (17:6)
4. To keep His covenant with Abraham’s descendants forever (17:7)
5. To give Abraham & his descendants the land of Canaan (17:8)
6. To be the God of Abraham’s descendants (17:8)
* How does the N.T. Treat the promise? (Galatians 3:29)

The Covenant of Circumcision?
1. Every male among Abraham was to be circumcised (17:10)
2. It is a sign of the covenant (17:11)
3. This practice was to continue in the future (17:12)
4. Infants were to be circumcised on the eight day (17:12)
5. This included those born AND bought among Abraham (17:13)
6. Uncircumcised males were to be cut off from the people (17:14)
* How does the N.T. treat circumcision? (Rom. 2:28-29, 1 Cor. 7:19, Gal. 5:6, 6:15, Phil. 3:3, Col. 2:11)

Significant Name Changes in Scripture (2 Cor. 5:17)
1. Abram became Abraham (17:5)
2. Sarai became Sarah (17:15)
3. Jacob became Israel (32:28)
4. Simon became Peter (John 1:42)
5. Saul became Paul (no reference)

Abraham’s Doubtful Solutions
1. Eliezer would be his heir (15:2)
---Not from Abram OR Sarai
2. Ishmael would be his heir (17:18)
---Not from Sarai
* Isaac would be his heir (17:19)
---From Abram AND Sarai
* Ishael would still be blessed (25:12-16)

What was Abraham’s response to God’s promise? (17:17)
What was Sarah’s response to God’s promise? (18:12)
What were they focusing on that caused this laughter?

Genesis 15-16

In Abram’s Shoes…
What do you think his emotions were ‘after this’? (15:1)
Why would Abram have been ‘afraid’ and needed a ‘shield’? (15:1)
Why did God remind Abram about his ‘great reward’? (15:1)
Who did Abram think would ‘inherit’ his estate? (15:2-3)
Who was Eliezer of Damascus? (15:2)

God’s Promise: A child through Abram & Sarai (12:7)
Doubt #1 A Servant (15:2-3) Not from Abram or Sarai
Doubt #2 A Son (15:4, 16:1-2, 17:18) Not from Sarai
God’s Promise: A child through Abraham & Sarah (18:10)

What are some of the promises God has made to us?
Do people ever water-down God’s promises because of doubt?
What should our response be to God’s promises (15:6)

Justification by Faith
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness
1. Romans 4:3, 20-24
2. Galatians 3:6
3. James 2:23

Abram’s Journey
1. He was called out of his earthly land (15:7)
2. He was told to believe a promise (15:8)
3. He wanted assurance of the promise (15:8)

Our Journey
1. We are called out of the world (John 15:19)
2. We are told to believe the promise (Galatians 3:7+22)
3. We want assurance of the promise (1 John 5)

The Vision
What was the meaning of the vision (15:9-21)
What was the future for Abram (15:15)
Why was God waiting for the sins of the Amorites (15:16)
In Sarai’s Shoes…
What do you think her emotions were ‘now’? (16:1)
Do you think she felt like a failure? (16:1)
How did she try to take matters into her own hands (16:2)
Who did Sarai think would inherit Abram’s estate? (16:2)
Who was Hagar? (16:2-3)

What happens when we take matters into our own hands? (16:4-6)
Did God care for the people who were not part of the promise? (16:7-16)
Do Sarai & Hagar have any symbolic value? What? (Galatians 4:21-31)

Hebrews 5:11-6

We have much to say about this

The "this" refers to:
1. Perfection (5:9)
2. Righteousness (5:13)
3. Maturity (6:1)

The author, though, delays teaching on "this" because his audience is immature:
1. They are slow to learn (5:11)
2. They are still in 'elementary' school (5:12)
3. They are still on the bottle, spiritually (5:12)

In contrast, a mature Christian has the following traits:
1. They are able to teach the elementary truths (5:12)
2. They eat solid spiritual food (5:14)
3. They are able to distinguish b/w good & bad spiritual food (5:14)*
*unlike a baby who will put anything in its mouth

The author then calls his audience to build on the foundational teachings

Foundational Christian Teachings:
1. Repentance from acts that lead to death (6:1)
2. Faith in God (6:1)
3. Instruction about baptism (6:2)
4. Laying on of hands (6:2)
5. Resurrection of the dead (6:2)
6. Eternal judgment (6:2)
*Every Christian should have a basic, yet firm, understanding of these 6

Since some/all of these believers were (at least) considering a return to Judaism, the author describes an impossibility:

It is impossible for those...
1. Who have been enlightened by the truth (6:4)
2. Who have tasted the beginnings of salvation (6:4)
3. Who have experienced the Holy Spirit (6:4)
4. Who have been impacted by God's word (6:5)
5. Who have had a glimpse of future glory (6:5)
6. Who have, despite all of this, fallen away (6:6)
To be brought back to repentance (6:6)

Why is it impossible?
1. Because they are crucifying (present tense) Jesus all over again (6:6)
2. Because they are subjecting Jesus to public disgrace (6:6)
*Those like this are known by their fruitlessness (6:7-8)

The author has warned his audience firmly, but is confident they are not like those described in 6:4-8.

God will remember
1. Their good works (6:10)
2. Their love (helping people) (6:10)

In order to have an assurance of salvation, they must:
1. Show diligence in doing good (6:11)
2. Imitate those full of faith and patience (6:12)
3. Begin to inherit what has been promised (6:12)

They need not doubt because God has proved Himself faithful
1. He swore to Abraham (6:13)
2. He swore by His very name (6:13)
3. His promise to Abram was fulfilled (6:15)
4. He is the same God now as He was then (6:17)

Since God does not change or break His promises:
1. We may be greatly encouraged (6:18)
2. We have hope as an anchor for the soul (6:19)
3. We are firm and secure in Christ (6:19)

The author, then, is painting the following picture:
We, as Christians, have an anchor in the 'inner sanctuary' (the very presence of God). We must continue to patiently 'hold' on to the rope of hope and move towards this great glory. The only reason we have access is because of the broken body (curtain) of Christ, who has become a High Priest forever.