BSF Lesson 18 a Matthew 17 (29 Jul 2014)

1. Jesus Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13)

Principle 1: Jesus is God's Son who delivers His people from sin to become the children of God.

2. Jesus: The Object of Faith (Matthew 17:14-21)

Principle 2: Faith that is committed to, depends on, and trust in Jesus will move mountains

3. Jesus' Devine Sonship (Matthew 17: 22-27)

Principle 3: Jesus shows there are occasions when it shows more grace to submit than to resist.

The Transfiguration - Matthew17

It is in this context of confusion among the disciples that we read the transfiguration story. Six days went by after Peter's confrontation with Jesus, apparently uneventful but no doubt filled with confusion on the part of the disciples. Then Jesus took Peter, James, and John up "to a high mountain" where they witnessed a most wonderful sight. Jesus was glorified before their eyes. His body took on a different appearance (Matt. 17:2). Then there appeared Moses and Elijah. When we think about it, these two characters fit perfectly in this scene. Moses was the great lawgiver in Israelite history, but he was also the first of God's great prophets (cf. Deut 18:14ff). Elijah was a great prophet too. Furthermore, both of them saw an appearance of God in their lifetimes (Moses: Exod 33:17ff; Elijah: 1 Kings 19:9ff), and both of these occurred on a mountain (Mt. Sinai). Both of them, like Jesus, had performed mighty works in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and both had experienced, to some degree, the rejection of their own people. These two characters have symbolic significance as well. Together they represent the Law and the Prophets, both of which pointed to Jesus (cf. Rom. 3:21). 

Then there was the heavenly voice speaking the same words that were heard at Jesus' baptism (Matt. 3:17). It is important to note that the heavenly voice sounded while Peter was suggesting the building of three tents (no doubt as "shrines") for Jesus and the other two figures. It seems that Peter thought the kingdom could be established right there and then. Just a few days earlier he had heard Jesus say that some of them would live to see it (Matt.16:28), and no doubt he assumed this was it. But whereas Peter wanted to give Jesus, Moses, and Elijah equal treatment, the divine voice corrects him. The voice from heaven singled out Jesus as the new and sole source of authority. Again, Peter stood corrected. Then, just about as quickly as it had happened, it was over (Matt. 17:7f). 

The Meaning 
What did this mean? 

First, it was a lesson for the disciples about who Jesus was. Recall the context here. The disciples (Peter speaking for them) had confessed that Jesus was the Messiah but they had a mistaken idea of what that meant, and Jesus' speaking of his death had confused them. The transfiguration served to confirm Peter's confession. It showed Peter, James, and John that Jesus was no ordinary man nor even a great prophet, but that he was indeed no less than the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel. God was confirming the disciples' confession. 

Second, this scene demanded that men hear Jesus as one who had authority to speak to them. Peter later came to understand this point. In 2 Peter 1:16-21 he acknowledges that the word of Jesus is sure and confirmed and that we must not move away from it. In that passage he tells us that the transfiguration, of which he was a witness, carried this significance. The transfiguration was a statement about the authority of Jesus. On that mountain it was demonstrated that it is now Jesus alone who has authority over men. Moses and Elijah served only a temporary purpose in the plan of God (cf. Rom. 3:21). I think that it is interesting that it was this very point (the passing away of the Law and Prophets) that caused so much trouble in the early church (cf. Acts 15, Galatians, etc.), yet God had already settled this question in the transfiguration of Jesus. 

Third, the transfiguration confirmed that the kingdom of the Messiah would be characterized by glory. In the transfiguration the three selected disciples saw a foretaste of the glory and victory of Jesus. This posture of victory would be even clearer to them after Jesus' resurrection, and it was really only then that the disciples began to put it all together. But for now this scene encouraged the disciples. It showed them that Jesus was indeed the glorified Son of God. 

Fourth, this scene is the key to understanding the cross of Jesus and his commitment to it. In Luke's version of the story he tells us that Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah about his approaching death in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). This is an important piece of information, for it shows us the proper context in which to view this scene. The sequence of events in the narrative here in Matthew also shows us very plainly that the transfiguration was meant to be interpreted in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus. References to Jesus' death literally surround the transfiguration story (Matt.16:21; 17:12, 22f), and Jesus told his disciples not to discuss what they had seen until after his resurrection (Matt. 17:9). Clearly, he wanted them to view the transfiguration in that specific context. 

Jesus wanted his disciples to know that he would, indeed, be glorified, but it would not at all be the kind of glory most people were expecting (a worldly kind of supremacy). Nor would he gain that glory in the way most people thought he would (by physical war with Rome). The glory that lay in store for Jesus, which the disciples previewed in the transfiguration, would come through his death and resurrection. The transfiguration was therefore meant to be a lesson on the cross, to show its necessity. It would only be through his death and resurrection that he would attain glory. That's why Jesus committed himself to the cross: it was the path to glory (cf. John 12:24). The disciples needed to begin to learn this new, biblical but unheard-of idea of glory. 

Life by the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26

Galatians 5:16-20,22-26 NIV

[16] So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. [17] For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. [19] The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5: 22, 23 -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians chapter five describes in detail the difference between walking by the flesh, and walking by the spirit. Galatians 5: 19, 20, and 21 list the 'fruit' of the flesh. They include adultery, strife, idolatry, murders, and more. These are the types of things we don't want in our lives, so we will concentrate today on the fruit of the spirit.

First, how do we obtain this fruit of the spirit? It is not something we can go and buy at the grocery store, so having money does not help us. Also, it is not referred to as the fruit of good works, so we don't get it by volunteering, giving money to the poor, or other works. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't do good works, but that's not how we get this fruit of the Spirit. When we are born again (born from above), we receive the gift of holy spirit from God [See ROMANS 10: 9, 10]. It is the proof that we are now His children. To obtain the fruit of the spirit, we must operate the nine manifestations of the spirit. It is like growing a fruit tree in your back yard. You have to water it, feed it, prune it, keep the pests off it, and finally you get the fruit. It doesn't happen immediately -- as soon as you plant the tree. You don't see it as soon as you are born again -- when you receive the gift of holy spirit. The manifestations of the spirit are detailed in I Corinthians Chapter 12.

The Light of Faith

Reading below was a good reminder that people are watching our actions .... We can the a shining light showing how Jesus is in our lives.

===========

Focus Verse of the Week

Do all things without grumbling or questioning,15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14

Classic Commentary

[The believers were called to] unity of spirit by grace, and a walk according to God, so that they may be as heavenly lights amid the moral darkness of this world. [They were] to always carry, and thus hold forth, the word of life: such was Paul's desire. Thus, they would give proof by the constancy and practical effect of their faith, that the apostle had not run or labored in vain; and they would themselves be his glory in the day of Christ. (Oh, if the church had continued that way! Be that as it may, Christ will be glorified.)

The apostle unites his work and the reward in the day of Christ with the blessing of the assembly. He would not be separated from it in his death. This union of heart and faith is very touching. He presents himself as capable of being poured out (that is to say, his life) upon the sacrifice and service of the Philippians' faith.

(Adapted from the John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament

A Thought to Keep

Is your faith lived out so consistently that others see you as being a light that shines in a dark world?

BSF (15 Jul 2014) : Lesson 16

Matthew 15: Traditions of the Pharisees & A Gentile Woman's Faith

1. External vs Internal (Matthew15: 1-20)

Principle 1: Wickedness is rooted in the hearts of people, not the external environment.

2. Inconstancy vs Perseverence (Matthew15: 21-28)

Principle 2: Jesus Christ responds to faith with answers to prayers

3. Physical vs Spiritual (Matthew15: 29-39)

Principle 3: Jesus Christ will meet your deepest needs when you come to Him

Matthew 15

Reminders in pics

Who Am I?

Read this and is a good reminder
___________________

Galatians 3:26-27
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

So who are we?
We are called sons of God (Galatians 3); new creations (2 Corinthians 5); children of God and heirs of God (Romans 8).
The New Testament is brimming with descriptions of the Christian's identity in Christ.

Understanding who we are in Christ will cause us to recognize why we are different from the world. The truth is, if we don't understand what makes us different from the world, we will never be able to make a difference in the world.

We, of all people, need never ask, "Does anybody know who I am?" We are new creatures . . . children of God.

Prayer Point: Thank God for the incredible, life-changing work He has accomplished in your life: through His death on the cross, paying for your sin; through His resurrection, securing for you eternal life; through His mercy, flowing for you every day. Don't live in a state of spiritual amnesia any longer; instead, meditate on God's promises on your behalf, and thank Him for who He is molding you to be.

BSF (8 Jul 2014) - lesson 15

1. Herod's Guilt (Matt 14:1-12)

Principle 1: Refusal to repent from sin leads to ruined lives.

2. Jesus' Compassion (Matt 14:13-21)

Principle 2: Jesus can meet all our needs

3. Jesus Saves (Matt 14:22-36)

Principle 3: Jesus saves & keeps us when we are focused on Him.

Everything is rubbish

Philippians 3:7-9 NIV

[7] But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

The Great Commission .....

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “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.” - Matthew 28:16-20 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew28:16-20&version=NIV