Matthew 11

• Matthew 11:1-5
  • John clearly already knew who Jesus was, having baptized him. But why did he send his disciples to ask this?
    • Possibly, John’s faith was shaken, having been put in prison.
    • He could have sent the disciples for their own benefit to reinforce their faith.
  • See Isaiah 35:5-10. Note the context. This is referencing the coming of the kingdom of God. Jesus gave them an answer that required them to think.
• Matthew 11:6 – People in Jesus’ hometown took offense at Him.
  • John 6:54-56
  • John 16:1 – Jesus’ disciples would be persecuted.
  • Jesus was offensive to those for whom He did not:
    • Meet their expectations
    • Bring peace on earth
• Matthew 11:7-11 – John the Baptist also offended them. See Malachi 3:1-5.
• Matthew 11:12 – Compare Mark 10:35. Some people thought Jesus’ kingdom was one that would rule by force. This could also be saying that to be in the kingdom took effort (Luke 16:16). This could also mean that the kingdom of heaven was advancing and those who wanted to be in it were seizing it.
  • “take it by force” – See Matthew 12:29; John 6:15
• Matthew 11:13-14 – See Colossians 4:6; Jude 1:22-23. If the listener does not accept the message, it is possible they would have refused it no matter how it was presented.
• Matthew 11:20-24 – Those who had seen more would have more required of them (Luke 12:47-48). God has blessed us greatly and He expects a lot out of us.
• Matthew 11:25-26 – The gospel is for the ordinary man.
• Matthew 11:28-30 – See Jeremiah 6:16.

God’s communication through history

At first, He just talked directly to people.

• Genesis 1:28; 2:16; 4:6; 6:13; 9:1; 12:1

Sometimes, God would use vision or a dream.

• Genesis 15:1; 20:3, 6; 41:25, 28
• I Samuel 3:1

Sometimes, God would manifest Himself in some form and appear to people.

• Genesis 18:1-2, 22-33 – Abraham was even able to have a conversation with God.
• Job 13:22 – Job wished for this kind of dialog!
• Exodus 3:2-4 – Moses and the burning bush.
• Exodus 19:18-19; 31:18
• Exodus 33:11 – God spoke to Moses face-to-face.

God brought punishments or blessings on some people.

• Amos 4:6-8 – You should have noticed the punishments! This doesn’t mean any bad things is a sign from God.

Creation itself teaches us about God.

• Psalm 19:1-2

Many times, God used prophets.

• II Kings 20:1-7
• Nehemiah 9:30
• II Peter 1:21

God’s FINAL communication

• Hebrews 1:1-2
• Mark 1:22; 9:2-7; 16:15 – Jesus’ teaching was different. His messengers carried the message to the world.

Practical takeaways

• We need to get good at reading and understanding the Bible. John 12:48-50
• Defend the Scripture!
  • Hebrews 2:1-4 -This is God’s law from now on for everyone!
  • Deuteronomy 13:1-5
• On a very personal level, don’t rebel against the Bible when it hits you where it hurts.
  • Acts 2:37

Galatians 4, continued

Galatians 4:12-20 – “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

• Galatians 4:13 – Whatever this illness was, it gave Paul the occasion to preach to them the first time. See Philippians 1:12. We need to adjust to God’s plan. Remember the lesson of Jonah.

Galatians 4:21-31 – Allegory of Abraham’s two sons

• Galatians 4:21 – See Genesis 12:1-3; 13:16; 15:1-6; 16:1-11, 15-16. After ten years, Sarai decided to use Hagar, which was not God’s plan. See Genesis 17:1-5, 15-21; 18:10-15; 21:1-5, 9-15. Abraham had been waiting 25 years for Isaac. Ishmael was already 14 years old!
• Galatians 4:23 – Isaac was not a natural birth – both Abraham and Sarah were well past child-bearing age. God did the same thing with Gideon in Judges 7:2. He made it clear that it happened purely because God promised it.

• Galatians 4:25 – See Hebrews 12:18.
• Galatians 4:27 – The quote is from Isaiah 54:1.
• Galatians 4:28 – We are only children of God because of God fulfilling His promise. We can’t do it on our own!
• Galatians 4:29 – See Genesis 21:9.

Introduction

• There are Christians all over the world worshiping God today!

The Philippines

• The population is 106 million people, but the country is only 120,000 square miles. A third the population of the US, but only a thirtieth of the land. Population density is much higher.
• Our work
  • There 2 weeks
  • 16 congregations
  • About 22 sermons – all translated except 1
  • 9 Q & A sessions
  • One radio program
  • One debate / discussion – 7th Day Adventist
  • Countless Bible studies with preachers
  • Lindsay
    • 5 ladies’ classes
    • 5 children’s classes

Things you will learn if you go on these trips:

• Realize your Bible knowledge is lacking.
• You must get out of your comfort zone.
• The perspective you will gain.

Mexico

Nicaragua

Peru

Chile

Challenges in Central / South America

• The mentality that men are too good or too macho for spirituality.
• The definition of marriage.

Involvement

• Already involved
• If you would like to go sometime
• Balikbayan boxes
• Individual financial help
• Ongoing Bible studies via Zoom

Luke 5

• Luke 5:8 – Peter realized his condition!

[Unfortunately, the microphone died for a couple of minutes in the middle of this lessons, I have removed the dead time from the recording. -MRW]

Matthew 10

Matthew 10:1-4 – The twelve apostles

• Jesus gave them authority to work miracles. This did not make them immune to sin. It did not keep Peter from denying Christ. It did not keep Judas from betraying Christ.
• In describing these men, Matthew calls himself out as a tax collector.

Matthew 10:5-6 – Apostles sent to the Jews

• Why did Jesus direct them to only go to the Jews?
  • Matthew 15:24-28 – Jesus healed the lady’s daughter even though she was a Gentile.
  • Acts 1:8
  • Romans 1:16 – To the Jews first and also to the Greek. The gospel is for everyone!
  • Romans 2:9-10 – There would also be tribulation to all who dismissed the gospel.
  • Ephesians 2:11-12 – The Gentiles were formerly outside the camp.
  • Romans 15:8-12 – These are Old Testament passages. Gentiles were in the plan from the beginning.
  • Romans 11:28 – God loved Abraham and because of that, the gospel came to the Jews first.
  • Romans 4:16-17 – Abraham is considered by God to be the father of all who follow in his footsteps of faith.
  • Romans 11:11-12 – The gospel went to the Jews first and they were the first to reject it. Then it went to the Gentiles and it made the Jews jealous.
  • Luke 4:42-43 – Jesus only had so much time and He chose the most appropriate places to go.
  • Acts 13:46 – Paul said it was necessary that the Jews received the gospel first.

Matthew 10:7-8 – The message of the apostles

• The “kingdom of heaven” implies a ruler. Those in the kingdom subject themselves to the ruler.
• Matthew 7:21 – Those who do the will of God can enter the kingdom.
• Mark 12:32-34
• Daniel 7:27
• The king of heaven is coming, so you must repent and get in line!
• John 18:36 – Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world.
• Mark 9:1 – The kingdom of heaven was coming in their lifetime.
• Mark 1:15
• Mark 15:43 – Joseph of Arimathea was waiting for the kingdom of God.
• Daniel 2:44