Introduction

• Hebrews 13:1 - “Let love of the brethren continue”
• Ephesians 4:3, 13-15

The right authority

• Matthew 21:23 - They were not sincere, but this is a legitimate question.
• I Corinthians 20:10-13
• Isaiah 8:19-20

Commands

• Matthew 28:18-20
• Luke 17:7-10
• I Corinthians 7:19
• I Thessalonians 4:1-2, 11
• II Thessalonians 3:4-6, 10-12
• II Peter 2:21-3:2
• I John 2:3-4; 3:22-24; 4:21-5:3
• II John 1:4-6

Examples

• John 15:12
• Acts 20:35
• I Corinthians 4:16; 10:6-11; 11:1
• Philippians 3:17; 4:9
• I Thessalonians 1:6
• II Thessalonians 3:7-9
• Hebrews 4:11
• III John 1:9-11

Implications

• Genesis 2:24 ➡️ Matthew 19:3-6
• Exodus 3:6 ➡️ Mark 12:26-27
• Psalms 16:10 ➡️ Acts 2:24-32
• Psalms 110:1 ➡️ Matthew 22:41-46; Acts 2:33-36
• Matthew 9:6 ➡️ Matthew 9:2
• Acts 10:10-16 ➡️ Acts 10:28 - The gospel is for all.
• Acts 16:9 ➡️ Acts 16:10

When we’re trying to understand God’s will on a particular matter, we take all of the information that’s available in the Bible (in whatever for it’s in) and bring it all into a harmonious conclusion - “So this is what God wants!”

Pitfalls we want to avoid

Let’s avoid appeals to human tradition

• “But we’ve always done it this way.”
• Matthew 15:1-9
• II Thessalonians 2:15

Let’s avoid appeals to human authorities

• “Well, ol’ brother so-and-so always said …”
• Matthew 15:7-9
• Acts 17:11

Instead of assuming, let’s ask sincere questions.

• “What do you mean by that?” “Which verses teach that?”
• John 7:24

Let’s love God and each other enough to eagerly get into the text!

• Hebrews 13:1

Introduction

Christ is the head of His church.

• Matthew 16:18
• Acts 11:20-26
• Acts 20:28
• Ephesians 5:23-30

Let’s be precise and kind with our words.

• Proverbs 15:1-4
• “Legalist” - Romans 3:20; Matthew 15:9; II Thessalonians 1:8
• “Anti-”
• “Conservative” / “Liberal”
• “Institutional” / “Non-institutional”

We’re not interested in trying to prove points based on tradition or bias.

• John 12:48

We’re interested in Biblical truth.

It’s important to continually study this topic.

What does “church” mean?

The word “ekklesia”

• Matthew 16:18
• “the ‘called-out ones’ of God” (Mounce)
• “properly, ‘a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly’” (Thayer)
• “a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)” (Strong)
• The word “group” is a good parallel to ekklesia.

The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: secular group

• Israel in wilderness - Acts 7:38
• Riotous mob - Acts 19:32, 41
• Legal court - Acts 19:39

The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”:

• Singular: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4 (Ephesians 1:22-23)
• Plural: Acts 15:41; Romans 16:16

The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: universal spiritual group

• Ephesians 5:23-29
• Hebrews 12:18-24
• Matthew 16:13-20

Luke 24, continued

Luke 24:13-35 - The road to Emmaus

• ” … Two of them …”
  • It is suspected that one of the two men was Luke himself, but we don’t know for sure.
• Discussion with Jesus
• Jesus’ sermon to them
• Overnight stay
• Back to Jerusalem

Luke 24:36-49 - Jesus appears again

• To the entire group
  • Surprised beyond belief
  • Shows His wounds
  • Takes food
• Reminds them: law, prophets, psalms
• “You are witnesses”
• Stay here

Luke 24:50-53

• Jesus leads them to Bethany
• Blessed disciples
• Carried up into Heaven
• They worshipped Him
  • Deuteronomy 6:13 - Jesus was deity!
• Joyful return to Jerusalem
• Continually praised God

Luke final words

• Why four gospel accounts?
• Why did Luke write it?
• What were some of the differences?
• What is unique about the book of Luke?
  • Matthew - Jesus the King
  • Mark - Jesus the servant
    • Written more for Gentiles; explains Jewish traditions.
    • Emphasis was on Jesus’ actions more than His words
  • John - Jesus the Son of God
    • Emphasis was on the deity of Christ. John 20:30-31
  • Luke
    • An “orderly” account, designed for a Gentile audience.
    • Theophilus was likely a Roman Gentile
    • Gives most complete record fo young Jesus.

Introduction

• Romans 1:5; 16:26

Why do we obey God?

Because we love Him!

• I John 4:7-11, 19-21; 5:1-3 - Loving God means loving our brethren and vice versa. Loving God also means obeying Him.
• John 4:31-34; 8:28-29
• John 14:29-31 - Jesus was submitting to crucifixion because of His love for the Father.
• John 17:4

Because His laws are good for us.

• Deuteronomy 6:24
• Proverbs 6:27-35 - God’s marriage law points us away from trouble.
• Proverbs 23:30-35 - Stay away from alcohol.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
• These are the only laws you can follow without hesitation. They are for our good!

Because we want to be saved.

• Ecclesiastes 12:14
• Ecclesiastes 11:9
• Hebrews 5:8
• James 2:20-24 - Belief here clearly includes obedience.
• James 1:26, 21, 25 - We must obey to be blessed.
• Matthew 7:21

Introduction

• Hebrews 5:11-14 - Mature people get that way by practice.
• II Peter 3:18

Examining yourself

• Haggai 1:1-9 - Consider your ways!
• Psalms 119:59
• Lamentations 3:40
• Is it possible we could sit down once a week and examine ourselves?
• Matthew 7:1-5 - Do some self-evaluation first!
• II Corinthians 13:5
• How about making some self-evaluation cards?
  • Am I using my money for good? Luke 10:35
  • Have I been gossiping? Proverbs 26:20
  • When people see me, do they see the joy a Christian should have? Galatians 5:22
  • Do I encourage others to serve the Lord? Acts 11:23

Praying

• Praying in Acts
  • No one was “above” praying to God.
    • Acts 1:13-14; 6:4; 20:26
  • Prayers were actually heard by God.
    • Acts 10:4, 31; 12:5; 8:22
  • Prayer was a habit.
    • Acts 1:14; 2:42; 10:2, 30, 9; 12:5, 12; 16:25
• Suggestion: plan a special, focused prayer each day

• How to do this:
  • Make a list
  • Set a time
  • Use an app

Reading the Bible

• Hosea 4:1-6
• Psalms 119:105
• I strongly encourage every person to read the Bible at least on a weekly basis!
• Nothing will give you an overarching understaning of the Bible story like reading the Bible itself.
• Nothing will familiarize you with the Bible like reading it:
  • the words the Holy Spirit chose
  • the phrasing
  • the repitition of certain things
  • the details or lack of details in certain stories
  • the unfiltered descriptions of God, people, and sin
• How to do this
  • Choose a good translation
    • (I recommend: ESV, NASB, NKJV, etc.)
  • Designate a time.
  • Decide on a plan.
• Bible reading plans
  • The Classic: Just pick it up and read it.
    • 1,189 chapters (3.3 per day or about 23 per week)
  • Use a special daily reading Bible
  • The Story
    • Abridged Bible (imperfect summaries, footnotes)
    • Possibility: read full New Testament and The Story Old Testament
  • Use an app
    • YouVersion
    • Olive Tree
    • Word of Promise
    • Dwell
• Deuteronomy 17:18