Go (28:16-20)

The Gospel According to Matthew
Jesus for President (Part 70: Go!)

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."


1. Jesus has been given ALL authority!
- All ='s all. Jesus is unique, not just another great one (King of kings)
- Not shared with Moses, sports, tv, shopping, family
- 'has been given' (past tense) there are still rebels

2. Jesus delegated authority to the APOSTLES!
- Government, parents, apostles, etc
- authorized, sent, confirmation
- Rev 21:14 (12 foundations of the church)

3. Jesus’ delegates left an authoritative BOOK!
- But they died! Who do we turn to?
- Catholics --> Peter's successor's
- Protestants --> Peter himself (and the other Apostles)

4. Jesus desire is to have diverse DISCIPLES!
- not 'converts' 'fans' or 'attenders'
- Obedient to all Jesus' commands

5. Jesus has promised His continued PRESENCE!
- The Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9-11)
- No ascension story b/c focus is on presence

He has Risen! (27:57-28:15)

The Gospel According to Matthew
Jesus for President (Part 69: He Has Risen)

1. The women went to anoint Jesus’ body
Matt 28:1, Mark 16:1-3, Luke 24:1

2. An angel appears at the tomb (guards afraid)
Matt 28:2-4

3. Women arrive at tomb (Mary Magdalene sent back)
Mark 16:4, Luke 24:2, John 20:1-2

4. Women have conversation with angel (then go back)
Matt 28:5-8, Mark 16:5-8, Luke 24:3-11

5. Peter & Beloved Disciple come to tomb
Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10

6. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene
Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18

7. Jesus appears to the other women
Matt 28:9-10

8. Priests pay off the guards
Matt 28:11-15

9. Jesus appears to Peter
Luke 24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5

10. Jesus appears to 2 other disciples
Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-35

11. Jesus appears to the disciples
Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-20

12. Thomas misses out on seeing Jesus
John 20:24-25

58-66 (Toward Restoration)

Chapter 58
The people in Isaiah’s day seemed quite devout (2-3a), but they lived wicked lives (3b-4). Religious activities like fasting, however, are useless if they are not connected to holy activism (5-7).

Chapter 59
When salvation has not occurred, it is not a reflection on God’s capabilities (1) but on our iniquities (2, 9). Sin separates all people from God (16a). If salvation is to occur, it will have to me initiated by God Himself (16b). And so God became flesh (17, 20) to bridge the chasm between God and humanity. The incarnation shows that God is connected to humanity. The presence of the Spirit (21) shows that humanity is connected to God.

Chapter 60-62
The group of people that will be connected to God through this Messiah (61:1) are described as light (60:5), a building (60:18, 62:5), a tree (61:3b), a priesthood (61:6), a bride (62:4), and a holy city (62:12). These are some of the very same images used to describe the church in the New Testament.

Chapter 63-66
God had established a covenant with Israel (63:8) and saved them from their enemy (63:9), but they rebelled against Him (63:10a) and brought upon themselves the judgment of God (63:10b). Eventually, this judgment produced a sense of guilt (64:6-7) and some cried to God for help (64:8-9). At that time, God extended Himself to Gentiles (65:1) and excluded some obstinate Jews (65:2, 7). In the future, all believing (65:10, 66:2) Jews & Gentiles will rejoice in paradise (65:17-25), but the rebellious will be sentenced to death (66:24).

He has Died (27:45-56)

The Gospel According to Matthew
Jesus for President (Part 68: He Has Died)

7 Sayings from the Cross

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)


2. I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)


3. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matt 27:46, Mark 15:34)


4. Dear woman, here is your son… Here is your mother (John 19:26-27)


5. I am thirsty (John 19:28)


6. It is finished (John 19:30)


7. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)

From Death to Life (2:1-10)

EPHESIANS 2:1-10
- From Death to Life -

In a sense, all of chapter 1 was preparatory to the actual content of the Epistle. Chapter 2 begins with a description of what the Ephesians were saved from (wrath/death) and what they are saved to (love/life).

Questions to Consider

1. What is the meaning of ‘dead’ (1)
- Total Depravity (hard version): Takes this in a literal manner (completely dead spiritually)
- Total Depravity (soft version): Takes this is a metaphorically manner (as good as dead, cut off from the source of life)

2. What 3 systems are at play for those that are dead in their sins? (2-3)
- World- It's patterns
- Satan- His deceptions and temptations
- Flesh- It's desires/lusts

3. Are these 3 systems still present in the life of a believer? (2-4)
- They are still present, but no longer in power
- The Church becomes the shaping human influence rather than the world
- The Spirit becomes the shaping spiritual influence rather than Satan
- The renewed mind becomes the shaping willing influence rather than the flesh

4. Why is Satan referred to as the ruler of the kingdom of the air? (2)
- This could refer to the principalities and powers all around us (not flesh and blood)

5. What is the difference between mercy and grace? What motivates them? (4-5)
- Mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve (punishment)
- Grace is when God does give us what we don't deserve (blessing/reward)

6. What is the purpose of verses 6-7 (why the past and future tenses?)
- The past tense is used in 6 b/c it is true of Christ and we are 'in Christ' so it is as good as done for us as well. I heard someone say recently that because we are "seated with Christ in the heavenly realms" then our prayers should take on a different emphasis. Rather than simply asking God to intervene in a situation- we should be asking more along the lines of "how are we going to get this done together?" in other words, it is more of a "partnering" approach than a hiearchal approach.
- The future tense is used in 7 b/c, though we experience a foretaste of blessing now, the best is yet to come (complete fulfillment)

7. What is Paul speaking against with his statement that we are not saved by works and why? (8-9)
- Good deeds were never to be a means to earn salvation, they are a mark of who has already received it

8. How does Paul’s positive statement about works fit with the previous verses? (10)
- It shows that Paul was not opposed to works. By no means! Works were a necessary response!

9. What is the significance of the last phrase “which God prepared in advance for us to do”? (10)
- God has prepared good works for us. It is our job to see them and do them.

49-57 (The Servant)

The 'Suffering Servant' becomes an even greater theme in this section, though it is unclear in Isaiah who exactly is in mind. Is the servant Israel? Isaiah? A future Messiah? All three interpretations would fit well with some of the texts and none of them seem to perfectly account for all of the texts. For the most part, though, it seems that the future Messiah, Jesus Christ, is in (distant) view here.

The theme of Gentile mission is in view in chapter 49. A vision of God's mission which includes only Jews is simply too small (49:6). God will both restore the fullness of the Jews (49:19) and reveal Himself to all of humanity (49:22, 26).

The Jews must realize that their predicaments were caused by their sins (50:1). Though righteousness was hard to find in Israel (50:2), God would identify a willing vessel (50:4). This vessel would pay a price for serving God (50:6). And just as God had turned Abraham (one man) into a great nation (many), so God would turn this servant (one man) into a great nation (51:2). This would take place through the putting of the law into the hearts of people (51:7). This would be done through a new exodus (51:9-11). God would reverse the injustices of this world (52:1-2).

The 'Suffering Servant' theme appears most directly (and most easily linked to Jesus) in 52:13-53:12. 52:13 may either refer to the exaltation of Jesus' ascension or, ironically, to the exaltation that came through his being raised up in crucifixion. That Jesus would attract many nations (52:15) has been a consistent theme of this section. What Israel had been told to be (a light to the nations), God would do through 1 true Israelite (Jesus Christ).

Chapter 53 describes the servant (Jesus) as not having any worldly beauty to attract us. Rather, he was to be a man of sorrows. He would heal the sick and yet be rejected (53:4). But by his death, sin(s) would be dealt with (53:5). This atoning death was the will of God (53:10). But death was not to be the end! God would prolong his days (a rare glimpse of resurrection in the Old Testament).

Chapter 54
Verses 7-9 refer to a brief moment of judgment followed by an long/eternal period of kindness. What do you think these verses refer to?

Chapter 55
Verses 1-3 & 6 speak of an urgent invitation. Verse 11 describes the necessary vehicle for response. How do you understand verse 11?

Chapter 56
Last week we talked about how the Old Testament speaks more often than we may have realized about Gentile inclusion. See verses 3 & 6-8.

Chapter 57
This chapter offers, in my opinion, the 3 main features of a strong solution to the problem of pain. First, we may be underestimating the value of suffering/death (1-2). Second, we may be underestimating the value God places on free-will (10). Third, we may be discounting the future restoration (16)

Jesus on Trial (26:57-68, 27:1-2, 11-44)

The Gospel According to Matthew
Jesus for President (Part 67: Jesus on Trial)

In the greatest injustice in history, the one perfect human being to ever exist was sentenced to death on a Roman cross. Why did this happen? Who is responsible?

Were the disciples responsible?
Judas
Peter
The Twelve

Were the Jews responsible?
Annas
Caiaphas
Sanhedrin

Were the Gentiles/Romans responsible?
Pilate
Herod
Pilate

Were all people responsible?
Adam/Eve
Me
You

Was God/Jesus responsible?
Isaiah 53:10
Romans 8:32
John 3:16




Trial # Official Reference(s)

1 Annas John 18:13, 19-23

2 Caiaphas Matt 26:57-68
Mark 14:53-65
Luke 22:54
John 18:24, 28

3 Sanhedrin Matthew 27:1-2
Mark 15:1
Luke 22:66-71

4 Pilate Matt 27:11-14
Mark 15:2-5
Luke 23:1-7
John 18:29-37

5 Herod Luke 23:8-12

6 Pilate Matt 27:15-26
Mark 15:6-15
Luke 23:13-25
John 18:38-19:16

He Exits the Garden Alone (26:36-56)

Jesus Prayer Life: Lessons from Gethsemane
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, we get glimpses into his prayer life. With this story, we get one of the most thorough portraits of the prayer life of Jesus. What can we learn from this story and apply to our own lives?

1. He made prayer a priority (36)
2. He selected special places for prayer (36)
3. He selected special people for prayer (37-38)
4. He selected special positions for prayer (39a)
5. He prayed with extreme honesty (39b)
6. He recognized the role of the Father’s will (39c)
7. He made prayer a matter of significant time (40)
8. He believed prayer was life changing (41)
9. He prayed repeatedly (42-44)
10. He received answers (40, 43, 45-46; Luke 22:43)

Religious Violence: A Response to Peter
Many evils are done in the name of religion (47) and, perhaps, even with a righteous motivation (51). But Jesus, as our King, forbids His people from using violence to further the Kingdom of God. Why?

1. It isn’t effective. It just breeds more violence (52)
2. It isn’t necessary. We have spiritual strength (53)
3. It isn’t right. God has a bigger plan (54-56)

Praying for You (1:15-23)

After praising (and calling for the praise of) God (1:3-14), Paul shares that he has continually given thanks and lifted up prayers to God on behalf of the recipients. This section expresses some of Paul’s prayer requests.

Questions to Consider

1. How do you think Paul heard about their ‘faith in the Lord Jesus’ and their ‘love for all the saints’? (15)
- Their faith was demonstrated by actions (James 2:14-26)
- Their love was demonstrated by actions (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

2. In what sense did Paul pray continuously? (16-17a)
- Without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17) means without giving up, not 24/7 (Luke 18:1-8)

3. What is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation? (17b)
- This refers to vertical knowledge (sorta like street smarts vs. book smarts)
- It is by the presence of the Spirit that we truly get to know God

4. In this text, what is the purpose of the Spirit? (17c)
- To get to know God!

5. In what sense can hope be known? (18)
- It is an invisible reality, but it can be experienced spiritually

6. What is the hope God had called them to? (18)
- Glory, restoration of creation

7. In what sense can power be known? (19)
- Through experience ('know' in the Bible is an experiential term)

8. For whom is this power available? (19)
- To believers

9. Just how powerful is this power? (19-21)
- It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead to the throne, triumphing over all rivals

10. Do we treat Christ as the head of the church? (22)
- The head is the boss

11. Why would Paul call the church Jesus’ body? (23)
- It's made up of those who submit to Jesus and are enlivened by His Spirit

40-48 (The Road from Exile)

Chapter 40 marks the start of the second section of Isaiah. Whereas the first section was marked by messages of judgment, the second section is marked by messages of comfort. For this reason, and because of the first words of 40:1, chapters 40-66 is sometimes called 'the Book of Comfort.' Some have found a further division of this section in that the first 9 chapters end with the words "There is no peace for the wicked" (48:22) and the second 9 chapters end with the same words (57:21), thus creating 3 sections. The first section (40-48) seems primarily about a return from Exile in Babylon. The second section (49-57) seems primarily about the Coming (1st) of the Messiah. The third section (58-66) seems primarily about Judgment Day and the ultimate restoration of the heavens and earth.

A main reason why some scholars reject Isaiah as the author of this 'Book of Comfort' is that it (especially this first sub-section) speaks very specifically about happenings much later than Isaiah's lifetime. For example, Babylon itself was not a superpower during Isaiah's lifetime, but the 'Book of Comfort' speaks as if Babylon will become such a power and then be destroyed. Perhaps more alarmingly, Isaiah speaks directly of 'Cyrus' (41:2, 8, 25, 44:28, 45:1, 13, 46:11). But unless an anti-supernatural bias (either a rejection of a supernatural being or a rejection of the possibility of such a being knowing the future) is in place, it is difficult to argue for differing authorship based on the evidence.

In discussing the end of Babylon, the decree of Cyrus, and the like, it would be easy to assume that the events being covered are more ancient than the 1st Century AD. Nevertheless, the NT authors do quote this section (or quote Jesus quoting this section) as pertaining to their own time. Indeed, 40:3-5 is clearly considered a prophecy of John the Baptist. Why would discussion of the Jewish return from exile in Babylon be mixed with discussion of John the Baptist and, eventually, the Messiah (40:9)? The answer lies in the fact that the return from exile in Cyrus' day didn't seem like much of a return. Jesus ministry, then, could well have been viewed as a 'true' return from exile (not exile to Babylon, but exile to sin). Cyrus delivered the Jews from Babylon, but Jesus delivered them from the sin that sent them to Babylon.

The people who will benefit from God's activity are those who put their trust in the Lord rather than fearing the circumstances. Fear is a major theme in this section (41:10, 13, 14, 43:1, 5, 44:8, etc). Trust in the Lord is the preferred alternative (40:29-31).

Praise be to God (1:3-14)

Questions to Consider

After a brief introduction, Paul launches into the epistle by praising (and calling for the praise of) God (3, 6, 12, 14). The section gives some of the reasons why God is praiseworthy.

1. How does 3a relate to the Trinity?
- Certainly a surprising line coming from a staunch Jew
- Reflects the deity and humanity of Christ

2. Why does 3b emphasize ‘heavenly’ & ‘spiritual’?
- Christianity doesn’t promise earthly & material blessing

3. What does 3c mean by ‘in Christ’?
- Used by Paul hundreds of times, rarely elsewhere
- Speaks to deep presence, inclusion, part of body

4. How does a Calvinist read 4-5?
- Election of individuals specific individuals before time
- Election of individuals based on God’s will/pleasure

5. Is there a better way to read 4-5?
- Some think God looked ahead at who would believe
- I think Jesus alone is elect, ‘in him’ is the key
- We are ‘elect in the son’

6. How do we access the redemption/forgiveness of 7?
- Through the blood

7. What ‘mystery’ is 9 talking about?
- That through faith in Christ, Jews & Gentiles are saved
- See Romans 11:25-26, Ephesians 3:2-6, Col. 1:26-27

8. Who is the ‘we’ in 11-12?
- The Jews. The ‘you’ in 13 is the Gentiles (thus, mystery)

9. How does 13a say we are ‘included in Christ’?
- They heard and believed

10. What guarantee are we given in 13b-14?
- Assurance of salvation through witness of the Spirit
- This is 1 of 4 tests spoken of in 1 John 5:1-6
Moral- Obedience
Social- Love
Doctrinal- Belief in Jesus
Spiritual- Witness of Spirit