Introduction

• Our eternity depends on the level at which we examine ourselves.
• Judas was called to be an apostle, but we don’t know his origin story.
• Paul’s life had the opposite direction to Judas’ life.

I Corinthians 9:27

• Paul disciplined himself.

Matthew 26:20-26

• Some translations render this to indicate that Judas was already betraying Jesus.

Honest and detailed self-examination

Acknowledge that we might be wrong

• I Corinthians 10:12
• II Peter 3:17-18 – “be on your guard”

Critically examine specific aspects of our life

• It’s easy to look at the surface only and think we are great. We must look more deeply than that.
• II Corinthians 13:5 – “test yourselves;” “examine yourselves!”
• Luke 18:11 – Don’t be arrogant like the Pharisee here!
• Galatians 6:3-5 – Don’t think you are something when you are nothing.

Look for the warning signs

• An unbelieving heart
  • Hebrews 3:12-14
• A “root” of sin
  • Hebrews 12:14-17; James 1:14-16
  • Fix sin before it gets to be a bigger problem!
• Decreased love
  • Revelation 2:4-5 – Remember how zealous you once were!

Does not keep account of a wrong suffered.

• Luke 23:34
• Luke 17:4
• Matthew 18:21
• Hebrews 8:11-12
• How does Jesus exemplify the ideal?
  • By forgiving us!
• When is it hard?
  • When I make it about me or my ego?
• How do we love anyway?
  • Mark 11:25
  • Hebrews 8:9-10
  • Remember our purpose in the relationship.

Is not provoked

• Acts 17:16
• Acts 15:39 – Paul and Barnabas disagreed about taking John Mark with them, so they went separate ways. This works for preachers but not husband and wife!
• Hebrews 10:24
• John 3:17; 12:47
• John 3:18
• If your spouse is truly sinning, we must help them see that, but we must first make sure it is not just a personal annoyance.

Believes all things

• Love wants to believe the best. It is optimistic.
• Acts 26:14-18 – God had no evidence that Saul would do any of these things when He called him. He laid the opportunity in front of Saul and Saul took it.

Does not act unbecomingly

• I Corinthians 12:23-24
• II Samuel 6:20-23 – What David did embarrassed Michal.
• Matthew 12:15-21 – Jesus was careful in his interactions with people.
• I Corinthians 10:23 – Seek the good of your neighbor.
• Be sensitive to what might embarrass your spouse.

Introduction

• Matthew 4:1-4 – When we study with people, are we going back to “it is written?”
  • Psalms 119:11

We may often ignore the context.

• “I know this is the context, but it’s still a good rule for this case …”
• I Timothy 5:19

What does context mean?

• That which comes before and after.
• Acts 17:1-4 – Paul reasoned from the scripture and some were persuaded.
• Acts 17:16
• Nehemiah 8:2-8 – The people stood in their place and those reading did so clearly and gave the sense so the people could understand.
• Acts 8:26-40 – “Do you understand what you are reading?”
• The scriptures were written so that we might know how to behave.
• I John 5:13
• John 21:15-19

Luke 10

• Luke 10:1 – See Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. There was a benefit in sending disciples out in pairs to preach.
• Luke 10:11 – See Luke 17:20-21.
• Luke 10:16 – The disciples were just the laborers. Jesus did not want them to take it personally if the message was rejected.
• Luke 10:20 – The real cause for our joy is in heaven – it is our relationship with God.
• Luke 10:17 – Satan and demons are real!
• Luke 10:21 – Jesus thanked God that these things had been revealed to the disciples because of their childlike hearts. These were not great and powerful people by earthly standards, but they had the right heart.
• Luke 10:25-37 – Parable of the good Samaritan
  • Luke 10:26 – Jesus asked how it read to him.

Introduction

• Matthew 16:16, 18

Matthew 21:33-46 – The Jews should have accepted Jesus. So should we!

• Psalms 118:22
• Acts 4:8-12
• If you reject Jesus, you cannot be saved.
• Ephesians 2:19-22

Romans 9:30-10:3 – We must do things God’s way.

• Isaiah 28:16
• Many Jews rejected Jesus thinking they could be saved because of their perfect living.
• All of us need Jesus and His forgiveness!
• Romans 6:3-4

I Corinthians 3:9-15 – I must work hard to convert people to Christ.

• Our work of converting others will be tested by fire.

I Peter 2:4-10 – What will I do with Jesus?