April 2010
April 4 AM
"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
The Significance Of The Resurrection (28:1-10)
INTRODUCTION
1. According to the four gospels, Jesus rose from the dead following
His crucifixion...
a. Matthew records how the women found the tomb empty and were
instructed by an angel to tell the disciples - Mt 28:1-8
b. Also how Jesus appeared to them while on their way - Mt 28:9-10
In all, the New Testament records ten distinct resurrection
appearances of Christ prior to His ascension to heaven
2. The significance of the resurrection of Jesus to the Christian faith
cannot be overestimated...
a. It has great significance for one who has yet to believe in Jesus
b. It also has great significance for those who are Christians
I. FOR THE UNBELIEVER
A. IT VERIFIES THE DEITY OF JESUS...
1. The resurrection proves that Jesus truly is the Son of God
- Ro 1:4
2. It also demonstrates that He truly has all authority in heaven
and on earth - Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36
B. IT VERIFIES THE TRUTHFULNESS OF JESUS...
1. Jesus foretold His resurrection on three occasions - Mt 16:21;
17:22-23; 20:17-19
a. If Jesus was telling the truth in describing His suffering
and resurrection...
b. ...then He was telling the truth in everything else He said
-- Would God raise a liar?
2. Therefore the following teachings of Jesus are true:
a. He was from the Father above, and spoke the words of the
Father - Jn 8:28-29
b. No one can come to the Father but through Him - Jn 14:6
c. His blood was shed for the remission of sins - Mt 26:28
d. He came to offer abundant life - Jn 10:10
e. He went to prepare a place for us - Jn 14:2
f. He shall come again - Jn 14:3
g. There will be a resurrection of the dead and ensuing
judgment - Jn 5:28-29; 12:48; Ac 17:30-31
II. FOR THE BELIEVER
A. IF JESUS HAS NOT BEEN RAISED...
1. Gospel preaching is vain - 1Co 15:14
a. The preaching of the apostles is empty, meaningless
b. There would be no purpose in preaching about a liar, or
lunatic
2. Our faith is vain - 1Co 15:14
a. Our belief in Christ would also be empty, meaningless
b. For our faith would be in a liar, or lunatic
3. The apostles were false witnesses - 1Co 15:15
a. They swore that God raised Jesus from the dead - Ac 2:32
b. They claimed to spend 40 days with Him after the
resurrection, eating and drinking with Him - Ac 10:39-41
c. There is no way they could have been deceived or mistaken;
either they told the truth or they were deliberate liars,
deceivers, and frauds!
4. We are still in our sins - 1Co 15:17
a. It would have been a liar or lunatic that died on the cross
b. No such person could have provided a sacrifice that was
holy and without blemish
5. Believers have perished at death - 1Co 15:18
a. Their faith would have been in a false Messiah
b. They would have had no atonement for their sins
c. Dying in their sins, there would be no hope
6. Christians are to be pitied - 1Co 15:19
a. Because we believe in a false Messiah
b. Because our faith in Him leads us to refrain from much
worldly pleasure
c. Because we are often ridiculed or persecuted for our faith
B. IF JESUS HAS BEEN RAISED...
1. It verifies our justification - Ro 4:24-25
a. Jesus claimed His blood would be adequate - Mt 26:28
b. By raising Jesus from the dead, God demonstrated His
acceptance of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins! - Ro 8:
33-34
2. It demonstrates the power available to the Christian - Ep 1:
18-20
a. Power available at our conversion - Col 2:11-12; 1Pe 3:21
b. Power available to live the Christian life - Ro 8:11-13;
Php 2:12-13; 4:13; Ep 3:20; 6:10
3. It gives us hope concerning our own resurrection - 1Pe 1:3
a. His resurrection gives us a living hope! - 1Pe 1:21
b. Especially concerning the resurrection of believers! - 1 Th 4:13-14
4. It demands our complete loyalty to Him - Ro 14:9
a. He was raised and then exalted to become our Lord - Ac 2:
32-36; Ep 1:20-23
b. Thus our lives and service belong to Him - Ro 14:7-8; 2 Co 5:15
CONCLUSION
1. The impact of the resurrection of Jesus should not go unfelt in our
lives...
a. As a historical event it has everlasting implications
b. For both the unbeliever and believer
2. The unbeliever needs to examine the evidence for the resurrection
carefully...
a. The nature of the testimony provided by the witnesses
b. The unfeasibility of alternative explanations for the empty tomb
For if Jesus rose from the dead, one must believe in Him! - Jn 8:
24
3. The believer must never lose sight of the significance of the
resurrection...
a. Do our lives demonstrate that we serve a risen Lord and Savior?
b. Do we possess the hope, peace, and strength that the reality and
power of His resurrection gives to the Christian?
May we never forget "The Significance Of The Resurrection" of Jesus
Christ in our lives!
April 4 PM
"GIVE ME THE BIBLE"
Why I Study The Old Testament
INTRODUCTION
1. What benefit is the Old Testament (OT) to the Christian today...?
a. Is the Christian under the OT as a system of justification?
b. Is the OT authoritative regarding the work, worship, and
organization of the church?
If not, why even bother with reading and studying the OT?
2. It is true Christians are not under the OT...
a. Gentile Christians were never under the OT (or Old Covenant)
1) The Old Covenant was made with the Israelites at Mt. Horeb
(Sinai) - Deut 5:1-2
2) Not even Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc., were under the Old
Covenant - Deut 5:3
3) Thus Gentile Christians were not required to be circumcised or
keep the Law - Ac 15:1-29
b. Jewish Christians have been delivered from the OT law
1) Through the body of Christ - Ro 7:1-6
2) By His death on the cross, Jesus brought the OT covenant to an
end - Ep 2:14-16
3) It served to lead the Jews to Christ, a purpose fulfilled - Ga 3:23-25
3. Unfortunately, some conclude from this that we need not read the
OT...
a. I have known Christians who had never read through the OT once
b. I have heard some who will not attend services if a study or
sermon series is based on the OT
"Why bother, if we are not under the OT?", is the reasoning of
some
4. Is that the proper attitude of Christians toward the OT? This
attitude...
a. Is wrong, contrary to the teaching of the NT itself!
b. Deprives the Christian of a wonderful source of peace and comfort
c. Prevents the Christian from gaining wisdom and understanding
concerning the life that now is, and that which is to come!
I. WHY STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT?
A. WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING...
1. Note carefully what Paul wrote in Ro 15:4
a. Things "written before" (i.e., the OT) were "written for our
learning"
b. The OT was written and preserved especially for the
Christians' benefit!
c. The OT provides "patience and comfort", that we "might have
hope"!
2. The OT provides a record of God's faithfulness, how He kept His
promises:
a. To Abraham and the nation of Israel
b. To judge the wicked and avenge the righteous
c. To forgive the penitent, and protect the humble
The history of the OT is intended to give us hope that God will
keep His promises to us!
B. WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION...
1. Paul reminded the Christians at Corinth of Israel's fall in the
wilderness - 1Co 10:1-10
2. Note carefully what he says in 1Co 10:11
a. The events described may have happened to Israel
b. But "they were written for our admonition..."
c. Again, the OT was written and preserved especially for the
benefit of Christians!
3. Other NT writers often appealed to the OT in admonishing
Christians
a. The writer of Hebrews, in exhorting Christians to remain
steadfast - He 3:12-19
b. James, in encouraging Christians to be patient in their
suffering - Jm 5:7-11
c. Peter, in warning of false teachers and scoffers - 2Pe 2-3
The history of the OT is intended to serve as a warning to
Christians!
C. MAKES ONE WISE REGARDING SALVATION IN CHRIST...
1. Paul noted that Timothy had known the "Holy Scriptures" since
childhood - 2Ti 3:14
a. When Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was
the OT
b. So Paul clearly had the OT in view
2. He said the OT is "able to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus" - 2Ti 3:15
3. How is this possible? The OT provides:
a. The fall of man and the rise of sin
b. The background and development of God's scheme of redemption
c. Hundreds of Messianic prophecies which describe what to
expect when He comes
4. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New
Testament like:
a. Hebrews, without an understanding of the Levitical
priesthood
b. Revelation, without an understanding of OT prophecy and
apocalyptic literature
If one is to be wise concerning salvation in Christ, studying
the OT is imperative!
D. PROFITABLE TO MAKE ONE COMPLETE...
1. Paul writes of the benefit of "All Scripture", which includes
the OT - 2Ti 3:16-17
2. Therefore the OT is profitable for:
a. Doctrine - such as the nature of God, man, and sin
b. Reproof and correction - the need for repentance
c. Instruction in righteousness - how to live godly lives
3. The apostles often appealed to the OT concerning Christians'
conduct:
a. E.g., Ro 12:19-21; 2Co 6:16-7:1; 9:7-10
b. E.g., Jm 2:20-26
c. E.g., 1Pe 3:8-12
There is much we can learn from the OT about truth and
righteousness!
II. SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. INCLUDE IN YOUR BIBLE READING PROGRAM...
1. Do not limit your daily Bible reading to just the New Testament
2. I encourage one to read the whole Bible through each year, both
OT and NT
a. One might start with Genesis and end with Revelation
b. Others prefer both OT and NT concurrently throughout the
year
The important thing is make the OT a part of your regular study
of the Bible
B. USE A MODERN TRANSLATION...
1. I grew up on the KJV, had no problem with the NT, but found the
OT extremely difficult
2. In high school, I began reading the NASB, and the OT came alive
for me!
I personally recommend either the NKJV, ESV, NASB
C. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STUDY BIBLES, SPECIAL CLASSES...
1. Study Bibles provide historical background, maps, drawings,
etc. (e.g., ESV)
2. If your congregation offers classes or sermons in the OT, take
them!
Don't be like some who won't attend when the subject is from
the OT
D. GIVE FOCUS TO PSALMS, PROVERBS, AND THE PROPHETS...
1. Certainly all of God's word is of great value
2. But one might appreciate the value of the OT more quickly, by
giving attention to:
a. The Psalms - as a great source of comfort, peace, and
drawing near to God, especially in troubling times
b. The Proverbs - as a great source of practical wisdom for
everyday living
c. The Prophets - as a great source for learning about the
righteousness, justice, mercy and love of God
This is not to suggest that we neglect the other parts of the
OT
CONCLUSION
1. Should we only study Scriptures pertaining to the covenant under
which we live...?
a. Should Israel have discarded Genesis, and the first nineteen
chapters of Exodus? No!
b. Should we discard the gospels, since Jesus lived and died under
the Old Covenant? No!
2. Neither should we ignore the OT, for it provides...
a. The background and setting of the NT
b. Much in the way of learning, admonition, comfort, hope, even
wisdom concerning salvation!
Be careful not to neglect that which was written and preserved for OUR
benefit...
"For whatever things were written before were written for OUR
learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope." -Ro 15:4
"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were
written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
come." - 1Co 10:11
And remember that...
"ALL Scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable..."
2Ti 3:16
April 11 PM
"ARE YOU A DISCPLE OF JESUS?"
INTRODUCTION
1. In The Great Commission, notice Jesus' command... - Mt 28:18-20
a. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..."
b. To "make disciples" is the GOAL of evangelizing the world for
Christ
2. Are you a disciple of Jesus...?
a. Perhaps you believe in Jesus
b. You might even be one to attend church services regularly
I. THE DEFINITION OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. THE WORD DISCIPLE...
1. Literally means a learner
2. It denotes "one who follows another's teaching" - Vine's
3. A disciple was not only a learner, he was also an adherent
4. For this reason disciples were spoken of as imitators of their
teachers
B. THE GOAL OF A DISCIPLE...
1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like his or her teacher - Lk 6:40
2. To be Jesus' disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
3. This coincides with God's goal in the redemption of mankind,
that we be conformed to the image of His Son - Ro 8:29
II. THE MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. ABIDES IN JESUS' WORDS...
1. Note what Jesus said to those who believed in Him - Jn 8:31
2. This would imply being a diligent student of the teachings of
Christ
3. It also requires one to be a "doer" of the Word - Mt 7:21-27;
Ja 1:21-25
B. LOVES THE BRETHREN...
1. Consider what Jesus said to His followers - Jn 13:34-35
2. With a love patterned after the love of Jesus ("as I have loved
you")
3. With a love that is visible to the world ("by this all will
know")
C. BEARS MUCH FRUIT...
1. Read what Jesus told His disciples - Jn 15:8
2. Notice the word "much" (also found in verse 5)
a. Jesus is not talking about an occasional good deed
b. But a lifestyle which prompts people to glorify God! - Mt 5:16; 1Pe 2:12
3. Failure to bear much fruit will result in being severed from
Christ - Jn 15:1-2
III. THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. JESUS MUST COME FIRST...
1. Made strikingly clear by Jesus Himself - Lk 14:25-26
2. Before anyone else, including members of our own family - Mt 10:34-37
3. Even before one's own self - Lk 9:23-25
B. WILLING TO SUFFER FOR JESUS...
1. Taking up our own cross to follow Him - Lk 14:27
2. Trying to live godly lives in an ungodly world, we may find
that following Christ sometimes involves ridicule and
persecution - 2Ti 3:12
3. Even if we are blessed to escape such things, we must still be
willing to expend time and energy in promoting the cause of
Christ in positive ways
C. FORSAKING ALL TO FOLLOW JESUS...
1. Having counted the cost - Lk 14:28-33
2. In other words, Jesus must be King and Lord of our lives
3. Nothing can take precedent over Him and His Will for us
IV. THE REWARDS OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. FUTURE BLESSINGS...
1. We shall be saved from the wrath of God which is to come - Ac 17:31; Ro 5:9
2. We can look forward with joyful anticipation of eternity with
God, free from sorrow, pain and death - Re 21:1-8
B. PRESENT BLESSINGS...
1. Jesus offers peace the world cannot give, to calm the troubled
heart - Jn 14:27
2. His words inspire joy to lift our spirits out of any depression
- Jn 15:11
3. He offers to those who follow Him the abiding love of God,
which casts out fear - Jn 15:9; 1Jn 4:18
4. He makes it possible for us to be members of the family of God
- Mk 10:28-30
V. THE BEGINNING OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. INVOLVES BAPTISM...
1. Why baptism? - cf. Mt 28:19
a. Remember the goal of discipleship: to be like Jesus
b. He was holy and sinless, yet we are to be like Him
c. Baptism is an act of faith which puts us in contact with the
cleansing blood of Jesus so we can be forgiven - cf.
Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:3-4
d. It is also the means by which one "puts on Christ" - Ga 3:27
e. So baptism is the logical starting place for true
discipleship!
2. What is baptism?
a. An act of submission which must be preceded by faith in
Jesus and repentance for our sins - Ac 2:36-38; 8:36-37
1) This precludes infant baptism
2) For infants are incapable of believing and repenting
b. An act of submission which involves a burial in water, in
which one then rises to walk in newness of life through the
power of God - Ac 8:38; Ro 6:3-4; Col 2:12
1) This precludes sprinkling or pouring as a mode of baptism
2) For neither of these involve a burial nor an immersion
(which is the meaning of the Greek word "baptidzo")
c. When done according to the Word of God, baptism is an act of
faith on our part which results in a wonderful working of
God in our lives!
1) Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16; Ep 5:25-27
2) We are regenerated and renewed by the Spirit of God so we
can now live for God! - Tit 3:5-6
3) It is truly a rebirth involving both water and the Spirit
- Jn 3:5
B. INCLUDES FURTHER TEACHING, OBEDIENCE...
1. Note carefully what follows baptism - cf. Mt 28:20
2. This brings us back to the very definition of discipleship
3. For Jesus clearly states:
a. We are to be taught (to be learners)
b. We are to observe (to be adherents or doers)
4. Thus we embark on a life devoted to learning and doing all
Jesus commanded!
CONCLUSION
1. Only those scripturally baptized and demonstrating the marks of
discipleship, despite the costs, can truly be called disciples of
Jesus!
2. Only they can look forward to the rewards of discipleship, and take
comfort in Jesus' promise:
"and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" - Mt 28:20
Have you taken the initial steps in becoming a disciple of Jesus (faith,
repentance, and baptism)? Are you becoming more like Him by
demonstrating the marks of discipleship in your life...?
