CG notes - Intro to the King

this is the final paper i had from the other night - the class notes themselves.

Challenge Group ’10- ’11 The Life of the King

Introduction of the King

1.      Introduction to our study

-         Why Study Christ?

a.     Every Heresy denies Christ. Christ is even controversial within “Christian” churches. 1 John makes it clear that people who want to be in with God need to have a proper outlook on Christ.

b.    Christ is who we aspire to relate with and become like (2 Cor. 3:17-18)

c.     Christ is the earthly representation of God – part of His role is to show us God’s character/relational pattern/wisdom/ etc.. in a way we can better comprehend. (Jn. 1)

d.     Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King ministers to every part of our souls. Christ the Prophet (truth-teller) ministers to our minds as we see the truth; Christ the High Priest (intercessor) ministers to our hearts as we realize our acceptance; and Christ the King (sovereign) ministers to our wills as we see He is worthy of our submission.

e.     Christ offers a “new and living way” of living a spiritual life on earth. (sidewalk example/ vitamin example – take in/ assimilate)

f.       Also, Christ is the crux of our whole belief, salvation, eternity, sanctification, ministry “fruit”, and anything we study in the Bible plays a part in pointing to Christ. He is the Ultimate.

-         Our study

2.    Map/Timeline/Resources/Homework

3.    Christology

-         Fully Human = Heb. 2:14-18, 1 Tim. 2:5, Jn. 8:40, Rm. 5:12-19

-                   Importance = Mediation/ Death

-         Sinless Humanity = 2 Cor. 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn. 3:5, Heb. 7:26-28

-                   Importance = Substitution/ Sacrifice

-         Full Deity = Col. 2:9, Rm. 9:5, Jn. 1:1-10, 30; Heb. 1:10-12, Jn. 1:18, Heb. 1:1-3, Heb. 10:10-12

-                   Importance = Paying for an infinite amount of sin;    

                        Revealing God to us.

-         Kenosis = Mt. 24:36, Mk. 6:5, Jn. 4:4, Heb. 4:15, 9:14, Jn. 5:30, 1 Cor. 15:3, Php 2:6-7, Jn. 14:10, 15:9, 14:28, Acts 2:22, 10:38, Heb. 2:17, 1 Cor. 15:21, Jn. 14:10-17

-                   Definition: At the incarnation, Christ gave up not only the environment of the Godhead and His position as Ruler, but also the use of His Divine attributes.

-                   Importance = Jesus can sympathize with us, and shows us an example of a life led in dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus made real sacrifices for us; not only on the cross – but even before that.

-         3-Fold Office of Prophet, Priest, King = Jn. 1:1-18, Rev. 22:3, Jn. 17:4, 14:24, Acts 2:22, Mk. 6:14, Lk. 4:43, Mt. 19:16-26, Isa. 9:6, Deut 18:15, Jn. 20:26-28, Lk. 7:16, 24:19, Heb. 4:14

-                   Importance = Fulfills prophecy and typology of the OT. Ministers to our needs as truth-teller, intercessor, and ruler. Defeated Satan, death, slavery to sin, and deception with His truth, love, and authority.

-         Pre-Existence =

-                    Importance = not a demigod.  He had true authority and infinity. Jesus being a Deity is something we cannot bend our beliefs about.

-         Salvation and Resurrection =

-                    Importance = Nothing matters without this.

-         2^nd Coming and Role in Eschatology =

-                    Importance = This world is not in order currently; things will be made right in the future. Jesus still has an important role to play. He is not just a sacrificial Lamb; but also a living King with a Kingdom.

4.    History/ Background

-         OT ends during the Persian kingdom; that was a time of re-building and general peace

-         Then Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and as he marched into the city of Jerusalem was welcomed to read the Law and Prophets and see prophecies about himself within them. He left Israel in relative peace also.

-         When Alexander died young, the kingdom was divided into 4 quadrants under his 4 generals. The Ptolemys of Egypt ruled over Israel. They lived in harmony with each other; this is when the Septuagint (LXX) was written.

-         Then the northern kings in Syria began to take control of Israel – they were not as kind. One of the Syrian kings was Antiochus Epiphanies who desecrated the temple (by slaughtering a pig on the altar) and killed 40,000 people in the city of Jerusalem. The Syrian kings began religious persecution of the Jews, and eventually made Judaism illegal as they were trying to assimilate them into the Greek culture (Hellenizing) During this time, the Jews began to rely more on town synagogues and lawyers (teachers of the Law) and Pharisees.

-         The Maccabean Revolt took place led by Mattathias and his family. They were tired of the years of oppression and the lack of religious freedom. Members of Mattathias’ family went on to begin the sect of the Saducees.

-         Pompey of Rome took control of Israel around 60 years before Jesus was born (63 BCE) He gave control of Israel to a wealthy Edomite/ “Idumaean” officer who found favor with Pompey. Also, the Sanhedrin was set up at this time.

-         The Edomite/ “Idumaean” ruler of Israel had 2 sons; one of whom was Herod the Great. This is likely the king who was ruling at the time of Jesus’ birth.

-         After Herod the Great died; Israel was divided up into 3 tetrarchies. Archelaus was tetrarch of Judea, Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, and Herod Philip was tetrarch of Trachonitis, Aurtanitus, and Batanea.

-         Archelaus was unpopular and ended up being banished in 6 CE. He was succeeded by a string of Roman proconsuls, the 5^th of whom was Pontius Pilate. After Jesus’ death, Pilate was later banished to Gaul and ended up committing suicide in 36 CE.

-         In 37 CE Caligula made Agrippa I king of first the area that Herod Philip had, and later the area of Galilee and Perea.

-         In 44 CE, Caligula reversed his policy of having a puppet-king, and reverted back to using proconsuls. Two of these are mentioned in Acts 23-27 = Felix and Festus.

5.     Birth

     - Born of a virgin (Genealogy)

     - Shepherds and manger in Bethlehem

     - Circumcision and naming (8^th day)

     - Redemption of firstborn and purification of the mother (1 month old. Num. 18:15-16; Lev. 12:1-4, 8) Simeon and Anna meet Jesus and speak (Lk. 2:25-38)

     - Visit of the Magi in a house in the city of Bethlehem (Mt. 2:11; also Herod’s edict about children 2 years old and younger means that this was likely at the time Jesus was around 1 year old)

     - Flight to Egypt

     - Return to Nazareth

     - Education

     - At age 12, he was attending feasts in Jerusalem

Discussion = Why is not much written about Jesus’ boyhood? What things about Christ have stood out to you and taught you something about yourselves?

Life of Christ - Map/Locations

So, I can't upload a map onto the blog; but this is the next-best thing. A list of locations along with verses and in a plausible chronological order. If this were taken and looked at with a map of Israel; you could map out some of the big events the life of Christ.

1. Birth – Lk 1-2; Bethlehem
2. Simeon and Anna recognize Messiah – Lk 2; Jerusalem
3. Flight to Egypt – Mt 2; Egypt
4. Childhood – Mt 2; Nazareth
5. Confounds teachers of the Law – Lk 2; Jerusalem
6. Baptism by John – Jn 1; Bethany
7. Tempted in the wilderness – Lk 4; between Bethany and Ephraim
8. Turns water into wine – Jn 2; Cana
9. First temple cleansing, Talk with Nicodemus – Jn 2-3; Jerusalem
10. Woman at the well – Jn 4; Sychar
11. Heals offical’s son – Jn 4; Cana
12. Rejection in Nazareth – Lk 4; Nazareth
13. Settles in Capernaum – Mt 4; Capernaum
14. Heals man at pool – Jn 5; Jerusalem
15. Appoints the 12 (Lk 6) and Sermon on the Mount – Mt 5-7; Sea of Galilee western side
16. Heals Centurian’s servant – Mt 8; Capernaum
17. Raises widow’s son – Lk 7; Nain
18.  Pharisees’ opposition – Mk 3; Capernaum
19.  Parables of the Kingdom – Mk 4; Sea of Galilee western side
20.  Stills the storm – Mk 4; Sea of Galilee
21.  Heals Gadarene demoniac – Mt 8; East side of Sea of Galilee
22.  Raises Jairus’ daughter – Mk 5; Capernaum
23.  2^nd Rejection in Nazareth – Mk 6; Nazareth
24.  Sends the twelve – Lk 9; Capernaum
25.  Death of John the Baptist – Mk 6; Machaerus (possible site)
26.  Feeding the 5000 – Jn 6; Bethsaida
27.  Walks on water – Mk 6; Sea of Galilee
28.  Many miracles – Mk 6; Sea of Galilee, western side
29.  Bread of Life sermon – Jn 6; Capernaum
30.  Syrophoenician girl healed – Mk 7; Tyre
31. Feeding of 4000 – Mk 8; Sea of Galilee; eastern side
32.  People demand a sign – Mk 8; Sea of Galilee; western side
33.  Heals blind man – Mk 8; Sea of Galilee; eastern side
34.  Testimony of Peter: “You are the Messiah” – Lk 9; Caeserea-Philippi
35.  Transfiguration – Lk 9; Mount Hermon (possible site)
36.  Ten lepers healed – Lk 17; Samaria
37.  Heals blind man – Jn 9; Jerusalem
38.  Raises Lazarus – Jn 11; Bethany
39.  Seclusion with disciples – Jn 11; close to Ephraim
40.  Seven parables (Lk 13-18) and Rich young ruler (Lk 18); Perea region
41.  Blind man healed and meets Zaccheus – Lk 18-19; Jericho
42.  Anointed by Mary – Jn 12; Bethany
43.  Triumphal entry/ Second Temple cleansing/ Last supper – Mt 21-26; Jerusalem
44.  Agony and arrest – Mk 14; Gethsemane and Mount of Olives
45. Trials, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, appearances – Jn 18-21; Jerusalem and Golgotha
46.  Great Commission – Mt 28; Sea of Galilee western side
47.  Ascension – Acts 1; unknown?

Typology of Christ

There were several handouts and notes from tonight. This is just one of them; I'll send out the rest over the next few days. This one is about OT characters, events, and things that acted as "types" of Christ=

OT Typology

Persons =

1.      Aaron – Heb. 5:4-6, 8:1-6, 7:27

2.    Abel – Heb. 11:4

3.     Adam – Rm. 5:12-21, 1 Cor. 15:45-47

4.    David – Shepherd King

5.     Isaac – Gal. 4:28-29, Hen 11:17, Gen 22 (sacrifice)

6.    Jonah – back after 3 days

7.     Kinsman-Redeemer – Lev 25:48-49, Ruth 3:12-13, Heb. 2:14-15, Ruth 4:4-6, Jn. 10:11, 18, 1 Pet. 1:18, Lev 25:27, Rm 3:24-26, 1 Pet. 1:18-19, Gal 3:13

8.    Melchizedek – Ps. 110:4, Heb 5-7

9.    Moses – Deut 18:15-19, Ex 3:7-10, Acts 7:25, Ex. 2:11-15, Jn. 1 :11, Acts 7 :23-28, 18 :5-6, Num 34 :1-2, Jn. 12 :29, Mt. 13 :57, 21 :11, Acts 3 :22-23, Ex. 32 :31-35, 1 Jn. 2 :1-2, Ex 17 :1-6, Heb 7 :25, Deut 33 :4-5, Jn. 1 :49

Events =

1.      Clothes of Adam and Eve – Gen 3:21, Job 29:14, Ps 132:9, Isa 61:10, 64:6, Rm. 3:23, Rev 19:8

2.    Preservation in the Ark – 2 Pet 2:5-9, 2 Tim 4:18

3.     Deliverance from Egypt and desert wanderings – Ex 16:4, 17:6, 1 Cor 10

4.    Entrance into the Promised Land – Heb 3-4, 1 Cor 10

Things =

1.      OT sacrifices – Lev 17:11, Gen 4:4, 22:7, Jn 1:29, 1 Pet 1:19, Acts 8:32, 1 Pet 2:21-23

2.    Tabernacle –

3.     Aaron’s rod – Num 17, Heb 9:4

4.    Bronze serpent – Num 21:5-9, Jn 3:14-16

5.     Smitten Rock – Ex 17:5-7, 1 Cor 10:4

6.    Noah’s ark – Mt 24:37-28, Lk 17:26-27, Heb 11:7, 1 Pet 3:20, 2 Pet 2:5-9

Institutions and Ceremonies =

1.      Sacrifices

2.    Priesthood

3.     Feasts

a.     Passover – Lev 23, 1 Cor 5:7, 1 Pet 1:15-19

b.    Unleavened Bread – 1 Cor 15:20-23, Lev 23:11

c.     Firstfruits – Eph 2:14, Lev 16:15

d.    Wave Loaves (Pentacost) – Rm 3:25, Heb 9:7-28

e.     Day of Atonement – Heb 13:11-13, Lev 16:24

f.       Tabernacles – Zech 14:16-19

4.    Cities of Refuge – Num 35, Deut 19:1-13, Joshua 20, Ps 46:1, 142:5, Isa 4:6, Rm 8:33-34, Heb 6:18-19

"Jesus Christ: Prophet Priest" by Andrew Murray

This book was amazing. It was so good to read Andrew Murray again; he really knows how to communicate deep truths about Jesus more than anyone.

This book is on the short side; and actually is a written version of 4 of his spoken sermons.

Section 1 is on Jesus as our Prophet, Priest, and King.
Murray discusses how Jesus was the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. And how these different roles minister to our innermost being. He brings up the 3 "faculties" of man= mind, heart, and will. And then he proceeds to talk about how each of these faculties are damaged by sin, yet can find light and blessing through Christ. He says that Christ the Prophet shows our minds how lost and broken we are; then Christ the Priest shows the way to God and the love and acceptance therein. Lastly Christ the King is fit to rule over my life. It's a really nice picture of how our anxious hearts can go to the One with the answers.

Section 2 is on Jesus the Completion of Priesthood
He speaks in this section about the work of the cross. At first he gives a theology for why Jesus needed to be fully God and fully man; then goes on to talk about our nature. An ox is completely satisfied in a field of green grass; whereas we could never be satisfied with that. It's because the ox has a different nature than we do; and our nature has to be transformed - we need to be "born again". "I must have a nature in harmony with the Kingdom." (p.30)
Another blessing of this new nature, or heart, is that the law of God is written on our hearts. He speaks about it this way: "When I speak of an acorn, how do I know that it will grow up into a mighty oak tree that may stand for a hundred years? Because the law of the oak tree has been written on the heart of the acorn." (p.29) In the same way, having Christ within us gives us the chance to grow in huge ways because of the nature he brings into our souls. "Jesus, the High Priest, does His work within us. He gives us His own life." (p.33) He claims that this point isn't thought about often enough. He says we often talk about the external/legal/transactional element of Christ's redemption - but may skip over the internal redeeming presence of Christ within our hearts.

Section 3 is called, "The Lord Jesus Christ: Our Way into the Holiest"
In this section he muses on how for 1500 years, our God sent a message to all people that they are not worthy to come too near to God. The veil in the temple, the holy-of-holies, the whole priestly sacrificial system. And then on the day of the cross, the veil was ripped open! We live in a privileged time. Furthermore, Christ provides the ability to walk with Him. A "new and living way" according to Scripture. If we moan and say, We can't walk with God! It's too hard! He urges us to think about what walking with Christ is actually like. He gives an example of walking on a sidewalk and getting tired, and says - the sidewalk won't carry you by itself, because the sidewalk is dead. But we have a NEW and LIVING WAY- something (someOne really) who does carry us forward when we are too tired to take another step.

Section 4 is about Jesus being the food for our soul
In this section, Murray describes how food and nourishment works; then he talks about how we are to eat Christ - and then God will Himself release the nutrients into our bodies and strengthen us from within. "God has ordered everything so that the assimilation goes on quietly without any effort on your part, and without your noticing it...The eating is your work, the inward assimilation is God's work." (p.61)

A very good read overall! I highly recommend it, or any other Murray book having to do with Jesus.

"Consider Him" by Sanders

Jen Ferg and I are beginning the daunting (but exciting!) task of spending a year studying the life of Christ. We're going to teach this topic to some ladies in a challenge group. So, I'll try to include all of the cg teaching notes when they become available as well as any book reviews of books I finish on the topic.

The first book I finished, I finished today. It's a J. Oswald Sanders book; but not his best book on the topic of Christ. I think it's pretty well-accepted by all that his best book about Jesus is "The Incomparable Christ". But, how is this book, the book called "Consider Him" ?

I have to say, I'm a huge fan of Sanders. I've never read a book by him that I didn't like. And while this book is no exception, I do feel like I should say (to be fair) - that I would not recommend this book if asked for recommendations. The reason, is that it is kind of all over the place. There is no way to follow his train of thought or there is also no way to really learn anything concrete. You can be inspired. You can be excited to begin a deeper study into the life of Christ. I certainly was. But, that alone does not a good book make. His other work is far more useful.

Having gotten that negativity out of the way, though, let me share some of the high points.

At certain points, he focuses in on small strange details about Christ. For example, he looks at Christ's hands. And quotes several verses about the hands of Christ, and then talks about what deeper meaning is represented in those verses and in Christ's hands themselves. And while this is not stellar interpretation practice (allegorical), yet, it does make my mind begin to race in new and creative directions.

And I think that's the point of this book. To "Consider Him". Sanders, (and God too, by the way) think that it is worthwhile in our Christian lives to pause and spend time thinking about Christ. He starts this short book by bringing up some of the verses that urge us to consider Him:

"Consider Jesus Christ...Consider Him who endured" (Heb. 3:1, 12:3)

Among the many benefits of this practice are: it will "cure our self-satisfaction", "deliver us from self-pity", be the "antidote for discouragement", and "prove a stimulant for lethargy".

"To many are vocally sorry for themselves and feel that life has given them a raw deal. They feel misunderstood and neglected. "Consider Him that endured". Was He misunderstood, badly treated, unappreciated, misjudged? He knew what it was to be misjudged by His family. Compared with His, our trials are trivial...His own intimates doubted, denied, and forsook Him. Yet He endured. Consider Him, and take heart again." (p.9-10)

He gives practical advice for making what is sometimes called "The second decision" - the decision to allow Jesus to reign as Lord in your life. He says, "We must do the following: 1. make a break with the past and vow that other lords shall no longer rule. 2. decisively renounce all known sin and disobedience 3. enthrone Christ alone, and refuse to acknowledge any other name; 4. depend on the Holy Spirit - "no man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3)." (p. 103-104)

And he ends talking about being ambassadors for Christ. I'm excited to be doing this study, for sure. I can see how studying this topic will be life-changing.