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?

isaiah 40-48 cg teaching

Challenge Group: Isaiah


Isaiah 40-48



1. Intro – Discussion: What aspects of God do you think about often? Which aspects about God bring you comfort in times of distress?







2. Intellectual Controversies

a. Second “Deutero” Isaiah

i. Some liberal Christians believe that this section of Isaiah had to be written by someone else at a later date.

ii. “The fact that the prophet lived in the 8th century B.C. makes it very difficult for some scholars to accept that he could have identified Cyrus the Persian by name, since Cyrus did not arrive on the scene of history until nearly 200 years later.” – Hill and Walton

iii. “The whole case for the sovereignty of God in Isaiah 40-48 is built around the Lord’s ability to say beforehand what He is going to do and then challenge the idols to do the same. The naming of Cyrus comes at a crucial climax” – Hill and Walton

iv. N.T. proof: Mt. 3:3, 12:17ff, Lk. 3:4, Acts 8:28, Rm. 10:16 (Isa. 53), and Jn. 12:38-41 (Isa. 53 + 7)

b. Who is the Servant?

i. Confusing language and switches make this an area of controversy. We will look at this some as we go through the verses.

ii. Controversy over the meaning of 1 Pet. 1:10-12 lit. what type or what time.

iii. Either way, we know which passages the N.T. claims to be fulfilled by Christ.

iv. “This is an ideal Servant, One who embodies all that Israel failed to be.” D.A. Carson





3. Outline

a. Isa. 40-66 – God’s Comfort and Redemption

b. Isa. 40-55 – Servant Songs

c. Isa. 40-48 – Trust in the Great and Only God

d. 40 – Trust in God, who is Greater than Everything

e. 41 – God will be a Needed Help

f. 42 – Servant will Make the Blind See

g. 43 – Unfaithful Israel Redeemed by the Only God

h. 44 – Worthless Idols vs. Only Redeeming God

i. 45 – Only One Creating and Saving God

j. 46 – Unequaled God Brings Righteousness to the Unrighteous

k. 47 – Babylon Judged

l. 48 – God won’t give His Glory to Another







4. Isaiah 40

a. 40:1 – See 39:6 for context.

b. 40:6-8 – “Men are transient and unreliable but the Lord’s word endures.” -Motyer

c. 40:9 – Zion=bringer of good news. Then Jesus did this in the ultimate sense, then He passes this mission onto us, His Body.

d. 40:10 – His ARM rules. This is a word – picture for Christ. (c.f. Isa. 59:16) It says that Christ had a special part to play and the language is repeated in this last section of Isaiah.

e. 40:11 – The ARM is used to bring closeness between leader and lambs. Some translations say “arms”, but it is singular.

f. 40:12-17 – God is sovereign. People can’t outsmart or overpower Him. Think of the situation that these people were facing – sometimes in the midst of suffering, it is hard to understand what God is doing.

g. 40:18-26 – Think of the small and sometimes stupid things we trust in when the all-powerful God is there. He is the ally we always have, and He’s also the ally we really need.

h. 40:27-28 – God notices and understands

i. 40:29-31 – Waiting for the Lord…

“Power (osma) is related to the word for ‘bone’ and, therefore, has the sense of ‘durability’ and ‘stability’.” “[Those who wait] are promised renewed strength (vhalap) (lit.) ‘keep putting on fresh strength’, and different strength, a strength that is not natural, as if people could grow wings…he finds inner resources that do not fail before life’s demands.” -Motyer

5. Isaiah 41

a. 41:4 – Alpha and Omega. God has always been there, and will always be there

b. 41:8-14 – Israel, the man and the nation, are God’s servants – then he brings up the Redeemer

6. Isaiah 42

a. 42:1-4 – Servant is self-effacing, merciful, compassionate, and just.

b. 42:5-7 – Servant is a Covenant and a Light to the nations. He will open blind eyes and free prisoners. (c.f. Lk. 7:21-22, Isa. 61:1, Acts 26:23, Jn. 8:12)

c. 42:17-20 – Back to Israel as God’s servant, blind and deaf. Jesus said that he spoke in parables for this reason.

d. 42:21 – Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. God gave us the whole Bible – every part – for a reason. It pleased Him, for His righteousness’ sake. It is great!

7. Isaiah 43

a. 43:1-7 – God really loves Israel; He wants to do a lot for them, and He does do a lot for them.

b. 43:10-13 – There is only one Savior and Redeemer. God says that He acts, He saves, and He helps people to understand Him.

c. 43:16-20 – “Israel is used to reflecting on [the Exodus], but now God will do a new thing. So do not dissolve into the past…Be courageous, for God will do a new thing, to effect a new cycle of spectacular delivery.” D.A. Carson

“The past can teach, but it must not bind. The gaze must be ever forward to what God will yet do.” -Motyer

d. 43:21 – Quoted in 1 Pet. 2:9

e. 43:25 – God wipes out sin for His own sake. It’s what He wants to do, and what He chooses to do. “for my own sake means for reasons that find their explanation within my own nature.” -Motyer

8. Isaiah 44

a. 44:6-8 – There is only one God and prophet

b. 44:20 – Description of an idol-worshipper

c. 44:22 – The sin cloud cleared

d. 44:28 – Introducing Cyrus. Cyrus came to power in 559 B.C.E. and is well-known for letting the Israelites return home and begin rebuilding after the exile. (c.f. Ezra 1:2-4)

9. Isaiah 45

a. 45:1-6 – Cyrus is chosen

b. 45:7-10 – We, the created, should know our place.

c. 45:18-19 – “Just as natural fruitfulness requires the fertilizing action of heaven on a responsive earth, so spiritually, only God can give increase by ‘raining down’ righteousness, i.e. His absolutely right purposes, those things which match His righteous nature. The earth is an attractive figure of responsive welcome to what God sends.” -Motyer

d. 45:22-24 – All knees will bow… (c.f. Php. 2:10-11)

10.Isaiah 46

e. 46:4 – Even later in life, God will still be there with us. This is a lifelong relationship and companion. This verse shows that while God is transcendent, He is also immanent.

f. 46:5 – God is completely unique and unequaled.

g. 46:8-13 – God’s prophecy shows His sovereignty and that salvation is sure. V.11 “bird of prey” – probably refers to Cyrus

11.Isaiah 47

h. 47:6 – Babylon is going to behave wrongly and eventually be judged

12.Isaiah 48

i. 48:3-5 – Another reason for prophecy

j. 48:6 – Reminds me of the “mystery”

k. 48:11 – We need to see this as loving, and take up the same cause.

l. 48:12-16 – Trinity in v.16+12. Interesting that God’s arm comes up again…could mean something or not. I don’t know.

m. 48:17-18 – “Teaching” and “Leading” Mind + Actions/ Life

n. 48:20-22 – There is no peace for the wicked.

“The ways of the Lord are right,

And the righteous will walk in them,

But the rebellious will stumble in them.” – Hosea 14:9b

“The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,

But a good man will be satisfied with his.” – Prov. 14:14

isaiah 40-48

N.T. use of Isaiah 40-48




40:2 – Rev. 18:6

40:3 – Mt. 3:3, Mk. 1:3, Lk. 3:4-6, Jn. 1:23

40:6 – 1 Pet. 1:24-25

40:8 – Mt. 5:18

40:10 – Rev. 22:12

40:11 – Jn. 10:11, 14-16

40:12 – Heb. 1:10-12

40:13 – Rm. 11:34, 1 Cor. 2:16

40:16 – Heb. 10:5-9

40:18 – Acts 17:29

40:21 – Acts 14:17, Rm.1:19

40:27 – Lk. 18:7-8

40:31 – Lk. 18:1, 2 Cor. 4:1, Gal.6:9, Heb.12:3

41:4 – Rev. 1:8, 17, 22:13

41:8 – James 2:23

41:10 – Rm. 8:31

41:23 – Jn. 13:19

41:24 – 1 Cor. 8:4

42:1 – Mt. 12:8-21, Php. 2:7, Lk.9:35, 1 Pet. 2:4,6, Mt. 3:17, 17:5, Mk

1:11, Lk.3:22, Mt. 3:16, Lk. 4:18,19,21

42:5 – Acts 17:25

42:6 – Lk. 2:32, Acts 13:47, 26:23

42:16 – Heb. 13:5

42:20 – Rm. 2:21

43:6 – 2 Cor. 6:18

43:7 – James 2:7, Eph. 2:10

43:21 – Lk. 1:74-75, 1 Pet. 2:9

44:6 – Rev. 1:8, 17, 22:13

44:10 – Acts 19:26

44:20 – Rm. 1:21-22, 2 Thess. 2:11, 2 Tim. 3:13, Rm.1:25

44:22 – Acts 3:19, 1 Cor. 6:20, 1 Pet. 1:18-19

44:26 – Mt. 5:18

45:4 – Acts 17:23

45:9 – Rm. 9:20-21

45:14 – 1 Cor. 14:25

45:17 – Rm. 11:26

45:23 – Heb. 6:13, Rm. 14:11, Php. 2:10

46:10 – Acts 5:39

46:13 – Rm. 3:21, 1 Pet. 2:6

47:2 – Mt. 24:41, 1 Cor. 11:5

47:8 – Rev. 18:7

47:9 – Rev. 18:8, 10, 23

47:11 – 1 Thess. 5:3

47:15 – Rev. 18:11

48:2 – Rm. 2:17

48:4 – Acts 7:51

48:12 – Rev. 1:17, 22:13

48:13 – Heb. 1:10-12

48:20 – Rev. 18:4

Social Justice and Amos

Amos
Outline:
1. Oracles against the nations (1:3-2:16)
a. Damascus
b. Gaza
c. Tyre
d. Edom
e. Ammon
f. Moab
g. Judah
h. Israel
2. Further oracles against Israel
a. 3:1-6
3. Visions of Judgment
a. 7:1-9:4
4. On the sovereignty of God and restoration of Israel
a. 9:5-15

Purpose and Message:
1. (2:6-16) Amos denounces sin and forecasts national disaster due to covenant consequences
2. (3:1-6:14) Amos condemns specific acts of social injustice and religious hypocrisy <4:1, 5:11-12, 6:4-8>
3. (7:1-9:4) Amos relates several visions he has seen relating with God’s judgment and the exile of Israel <8:4-6>
4. (9:5-15) Amos concludes with the promise of Messianic restoration and blessing

Major Theme: Social Justice
6:12, 5:24
Social Service and Social Action are differenciated in John Stott's: “Involvement: Being a Responsible Christian in a Non-Christian Society, Vol. 1” I'll summarize the differences below; but it's important to keep in mind that the Bible, in this case Amos, suggests that we engage in both sorts of social justice.
Social Service:
-Relieve human need (5:12)
-Philanthropy (4:5; 6:4-7)
-Ministering to individuals/ families (4:1; 5:6-7)
-Works of mercy (4:1; 6:4-7)

Social Action:
-Remove causes of human need (8:4-6)
-Political and economic activity (5:10-11, 15)
-Transforming the structures of society (4:4-5; 7:7-9)
-Quest for justice (2:6-8; 5:7, 24; 6:12)

5 Areas of Christian Teaching that Foster Meaningful Involvement in Society:

1. A doctrine of God as the creator and sustainer of creation, merciful God of all nations, a God who hates injustice and is concerned for humankind (2:10; 4:13; 5:8, 15; 9:7)

2. A doctrine of humanity that understands that all persons are God’s creatures, created in His image, and valuable (1:9; 2:1; 9:7)

3. A doctrine of Jesus as Messiah that understands the renewal and restoration associated with true redemption (9:13-15)

4. A doctrine of salvation that admits human fallenness and sin, looks beyond to God for the solutions to the problems of sin and evil in the world, and truly “does justice” (2:4; 3:2; 5:4-6, 14-15)

5. A doctrine of church as a community that sees responsibility to be an agent of reconciliation and restoration for our fallen world (3:1; 9:11-15)

(From B. Thorogood’s “On the Book of Amos as an Old Testament Paradigm for Social Concern”)

From Other Passages:
1. In the Minor Prophets – Haggai 1:5-7; Malachi 1:8; 2:10, 17)
2. In the Wisdom Books – Ps. 140:12
3. In the Historical Books – Boaz and Ruth
4. In the Gospels – Mt. 6:19-21
5. In the Epistles – James 2:15-16

Further Reading:

“Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” Sider
“Involvement: Being a Responsible Christian in a Non-Christian
Society, Vol. 1” John Stott
“Churches that Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with
Good News and Good Works” Sider, Olson, and Unruh
“The Church in Response to Human Need” Samuel and Sugden
“A Quiet Revolution: Meeting Human Needs Today; A Biblical
Challenge to Christians” John Perkins
“Christian Social Ethics” Cotham
“Ministry to the Social and Physical Needs of Our Society”
www.xenos.org/classes/um2-10.htm
“Christian Principles – Missions and the Poor”
www.xenos.org/classes/principles/cpu4_missions.htm
“The Gospel in Action: A Holistic Approach”
www.xenos.org/xsi/2004institute.htm
“God’s Heart for the Poor”
www.xenos.org/invest/studyguide_wk3.pdf

cg - isaiah 13-26 from ms. laura stoddard

Intro = The Complaint Agianst the Nations
In this we see what is important to God - what does God make a big deal of? The nations sought security from others or through self-sufficiency; Either way they were forgetting God. Before we read these downer passages; let's start with having an attitude of faith in God's goodness and character rather than putting God on trial.

First Section = Chapters 13-20
-13-14:23 - A prophecy against Babylon (They were arrogant, oppressive, ruthless)
-14:22-27 - A prophecy against Assyria (Israel trusted them when they shouldn't have)
-14:28-32 - A prophecy againt the Philistines (They oppressed the poor and needy)
-15 and 16 - A prophecy aginst Moab (They were rich, agressors, conceited, worshippers of Molech) [READ 15:5, 16:9]
-17 - An oracle against Damascus (idolatry) [READ 17:10]
-18 - A prophecy against Cush (agressive)
-19 - A prophecy about Egypt (idolatry and divination, spirit-worship) [READ 19:3, 22]
-20 - A prophecy against Egypt and Cush (become shamed, captives to Assyria) [READ 20:5

Second Section - Chapters 21-23
21:1-10 A prophecy about Babylon (idolatry)
21:11-12 A prophecy against Edom
21:13-16 A prophecy against Arabia (pomp/arrogance)
22 A prophecy about Jerusalem [READ 22:14,18]
23 A prophecy about Tyre (wealthy merchants in this town will be forgotten for 70 years, there will no longer be a good harbor) [READ 23:17-18]

Third Section - Chapters 24-26
24 God's Devastation of the Earth
[READ 24:1-6, 20-23]
25 Praise the Lord
[READ 25:1-4, 8]
26 A Song of Praise
[READ 26:3-4]

Common Complaints
Idolatry, Injustice, Oppression, Forgetting God
"The whole series comes to a dramatic climax in the contrast of 2 cities: the world's city- the human attempt to organize a world without God- which falls
(24:10), and the strong city of salvation (26:1) which stands." -Motyer, Commentary on Isaiah

Things to REmember
-God takes no pleasure in punishing. God is looking for faithful people; the vision has to do with a positive search, not a desire to find evil. [1 Chron. 16:8-14]
-God is ready to forgive and restore. REpentence is possible, necessary, and effective [Isa. 26:9-10]
-God will always have someone to follow Him: the remnant will live [Isa. 14]
-God made it clear to people what right and wrond were and that He is a jealous God [Deut 4:24, 39-40, DEut 18:9-13]

Application
1. We are so blessed by the new covenant and how easy it is to approach God under grace [2 Pet 3:8-9, Heb. 4:16]
2. We are so lucky to have the HS to help us walk with God, and to convict us.
3. There will be this sort of judgment and destruction again (tribulation); Judah/Israel was called to be a blessing to the surrounding nations so that they would know God. Similarly, we also need to be a good witness.
4. We should be eager to listen to instruction and discipline. Our pride or hurt feelings are a small price to pay. God dealt strongly with people who had similar sin as us. This is a wake up call, not a threat. [Isa. 26:16-18]

Challenge Group - Isaiah 7-12

Chapters 7-12 of Isaiah are set in a time of war, when the people and even the king were terrified. King Ahaz failed to trust God, and is spoken of poorly in the Bible. In this section, Isaiah tells the people that they do not need to fear this current threat, but he brings up a time when things will be much worse for them because of their lack of repentance. He also sprinkles in the message of hope in the future that God will bring about, mentioning the birth of Immanuel and the peace that the remnant will enjoy someday.

1. Historical Backdrop
a. This section is set during the Syro-Ephraimite War (735-732b.c.e.)
b. Rather than trusting God, Ahaz looked to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser the 3rd for help. 2 Kings 16:2-9
c. Tiglath-Pileser the 3rd conquered Damascus and dispersed the Aramaens in 732 b.c.e.
d. 10 years later, the northern tribes rebelled again, and were also dispersed into Assyria (722 b.c.e.) Samaria was destroyed in 721 b.c.e.
e. In 701b.c.e., when Hezekiah was king, Sennacherib of Assyria laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah initially trusted in Egypt, but eventually repented and trusted God for their deliverance. When this happened, the Assyrian army was destroyed.
f. Isaiah lived past the date of Sennacherib’s death in 681 b.c.e.. Then, it is believed that he was put in a hollow log and sawed in half for his belief.
2. Summary of the Section
a. In chapters 7 and 8, God comforts the faltering and terrified people by telling them that Ephraim and the Aramaens are not going to succeed. He also makes reference to “Immanuel”, a child born of a virgin.
b. In the first part of chapter 9, God assures the people that the other strong nations of the day are not going to last – but Israel will be restored to glory at the end of the age. Here he brings up “Immanuel” again, saying that a child will be born who is called “Mighty God”.
c. 9:12-10:15 warns the people of Judea about a siege that will come about because the people are unrepentant in their failure to trust God. In 9:20 he predicts that the siege will be so bad that people will eat the flesh off their own arms and hands and still feel hungry.
d. 10:20-11 discuss the faithful remnant who do the exact opposite of what the unrepentant people in 9 do. He encourages them that the mighty nations of this day will be cut down, and a branch of Jesse (Christ) will spring up and make things better in the future. This section descibes the Millenial Kingdom in cool detail (i.e. a child playing by a viper's den, lions eating hay, etc..)
e. Chapter 12 focuses on how God is our salvation. We should trust Him and not be afraid.
3. A Closer Look at the themes
“Immanuel” will be born
7:14-16
9:6-7
11:1-10
Other strong nations will not last, but Israel will
7:1-16
8:1-5
9:1-11
10:24-27
10:33-11:1
Most are Unrepentant, but a Remnant will Trust God and His Wisdom
9:15-10:20
Do Not Be Afraid
7:2+9
8:12
9:12-13
10:24-27
12:2
More about Fear-- Prov. 3:25-26, Ps. 112:7-8a
-- Fear comes from an inappropriate view of God.(Rm. 8:15, Heb. 13:5-6, 1 Jn. 3:21-22.) Fear and faith are often brought up together as opposing attitudes.
-- We are used to relying on ourselves or other people. We need to be re-trained.
-- It is only as we abandon ourselves to the care of God that we will no longer be self-reliant and autonomous. It is only as we rid ourselves of alternate safety nets (plan bs) that we will no longer be double-minded. We need to learn from the mistakes of Ahaz and the people who "feared what everyone fears rather than fearing God" and who depended on self and others instead of God.
-- If we want a dynamic life, we need to stop worrying about our safety.

Some verses about Heaven

1. The Landscape of Heaven
-Rev. 21:2, 21:9-21 There will be a new Jerusalem
-Rev. 21:25 The gates of the new Jerusalem will never be shut
-Rev. 22:1 There will be a river with the water of life
-Rev. 22:2 There will be a tree of life with different fruits, and
healing leaves
-Lk. 21:33 God’s Word will be there
-Heb. 9:24 The OT forms are copies of heavenly things
-2 Cor. 12:2 It is unspeakable

2. Old things will pass away
-Rev. 21:1 The first heaven and earth will pass away
-Rev. 21:1 There will no longer be any sea
-Rev. 21:4 There will no longer be any death, mourning, crying,
or pain
-Rev. 21:4 The old order of things will pass away
-Rev. 21:5 God will make everything new!
-Rev. 21:22 There will no longer be any temple, because God
will dwell among us
-Rev. 21:23 There will no longer be any sun or moon, because
God will be our light
-Rev. 21:25 There will no longer be any night or fears
-Rev. 21:27 There will no longer be any impurity, shame, or
deceit
-Rev. 22:3 There will no longer be any curse
-Heb. 12:26-29 Shakable created things will be shaken away,
but we receive an unshakable kingdom
-Mt. 22:29-30 There will no longer be institutions like marriage
-Rm.8:20-22 The creation will be liberated from all corruption
-1 Cor. 13:8-12 Partial knowledge and dim seeing will be done
away with; we will fully know and be fully known

3. We will be with God
-Rev. 21:3 God will live with us
-1 Cor. 15:24-28 Everything will be subject to God
-Rev. 22:3 We will serve the enthroned God
-Rev. 22:4 We will see God
-Rev. 22:4 God’s name will be on our foreheads
-Rev. 3:21 We will sit with God
-2 Thess. 2:16 God will give us eternal comfort

4. We will be with others
-Rev. 21:24 The nations will live there – diversity
-Rev. 21:24 The kings will live there in splendor
-Rev. 22:5 We will reign in heaven
-Mt. 8:11 We will spend time with ancient heroes like Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob
-Isa. 60:18-22 Even the smallest and loneliest person will be
part of a mighty clan and nation in heaven
-1 Cor. 6:3 We will judge angels – interacting and settling
disputes or questions

5. We will be rewarded
-Rev. 22:12 We will be rewarded in heaven
-1 Pet. 1:4 Our inheritance in haven will never perish, spoil, or
fade
-1 Pet. 1:7 Our faith result in praise, glory, and honor
-Mt. 18:1-4 The humble will be great in heaven
-Lk. 18:18 Sacrifices that we make in this life for God will be
paid back many-fold in heaven
-Jn. 6:27 Work we do for God endures into heaven

6. Our salvation will be realized and experienced
-Rev. 21:4 God will wipe away every tear
-Rev. 21:6 We will drink from the water of life and quench our
thirst
-Isa. 60:18-22 All of us will be righteous
-1 Pet. 1:5, 9 Our salvation will be revealed
-1 Cor. 15:35-58 We will have new bodies full of splendor and
power
-2 Cor. 5:1-4 We groan, naked, awaiting our heavenly clothes
-Rev. 2:17 We will be given hidden manna
-Rev. 2:17 God will give us a secret name written on a white
stone
-Rev. 2:28 We will receive “the morning star”?
-Rev. 3:5 We will be clothed in white
-Rm. 8:23-25 We will realize and experience our adoption as
sons and daughters of God
-Rm. 8:23-25 Our bodies will be redeemed
-1 Cor. 13:8-12 We will know fully and be fully known
-Titus 2:13-14 We will be purified and redeemed from every evil
deed
-1 Pet. 1:13 Grace will be revealed
-Rm. 5:21 Grace will reign, just as sin reigns now

7. Promises about Heaven
-JN 6:40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
If we put our faith in Christ, God will raise us up and give
us eternal life
-Jn. 10:26-28 Once we have a relationship with God, we will
never perish and nothing can snatch us out of God’s hand
-Titus 1:2 God promises eternal life from ages ago, and God
cannot lie

REV 22:6-7 “And he said to me, “ These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
“And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.””

REV 22:17 “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”

death by suburb challenge group

Sphere Challenge Group ’09-‘10
Death by Suburb and the Media Monster: How to Keep Some Quiet in Our Loud Lives

1. Intro = “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9NLT). Our Lord never promises that anything will be easy. He promises only His presence and power, and that is always enough.” – Campbell, How to Really Parent Your Child
2. The Media Monster
3. The Empty Self
a. Inordinately Individualistic
b. Infantile
c. Narcissistic
d. Passive
e. Sensate(mediated by electronic images)
f. Has Lost the Art of Developing an Interior Life
g. Hurried and Busy
4. Casting out the Empty Self
a. Admit the Problem
b. Choose to be Different
c. Change Your Routine
d. Develop Patience and Endurance
e. Develop a Good Vocabulary
f. Set Some Study Goals
5. 5 Groups of Wise Virtues
a. Truth-seeking, Honesty, Wisdom
b. Faith and Hope
c. Humility, Open-mindedness, Self-criticality, Nondefensiveness
d. Ardor, Vigilance, Fortitude
e. Fidelity to God and dedication to His cause as one’s chief end
6. Death By Suburb
1. The Problem: Worldliness
a. Environmental Effect:
“The space around us – the physical organization of neighborhoods, roads, yards, houses, and apartments – sets up living patterns that condition our behavior.” –Kenneth Jackson “Crabgrass Frontier”
b. Envy/ Coveting (p.8-9)
c. Self-Love
d. Busy and Chaotic Life (p.168-169 – read)(p.197-198 – read)
e. “Immortality Symbols”
“An immortality symbol is not really about the thing. It’s not about baseball. It’s not really about my child. It’s about the glory that the thing bestows on me.” P.42
-what we call idolatry, identity
f. “Shirkers”
“Shirkers are religious folk who inadvertently disengage from the suffering of the world and who unwittingly collect to themselves every available religious experience.” P.100
“The flow of Shirker Religion is all one direction: toward me” p.112
g. Utilitarian “Transactional” Friendships
“Intimacy is the one thing in…church that everyone craves but few seem to have. You can’t use relationships as a means to position yourself in life and then also expect to experience in them the kind of friendship that sweetens life and takes the edge off its hard parts.” P.154
h. Utilitarian “Transactional” Relationship with God
-Quid Pro Quo


Discussion: How does our environment effect us negatively?

2. Some Spiritual Solutions: 8 spiritual practices to counteract our environmental toxins
a. #1 Inside Space
- Contemplating the Supernatural
- Prayer, Sabbath, and Solitude p.26,28,33
- Listening to God
“becoming still…And to stop the scheming inside my head.” P.32
- Gradual vs. Instant
“It’s not easy to sit and trust that in solitude God will speak to you – not as a magical voice but that He will let you know something gradually over the years (Nouwen)” p.32
b. #2 The Journey Through Self
- “This purification process…is not a journey into my own inwardness, it is a journey through myself, to emerge from the deepest level into the place He is, the point at which God and I meet.(Bloom)” p.44
- Jn. 3:30
- Recognizing and Combating Self-Love
“Self…the inner voice that suggests you live for yourself. The voice of self-love is even more powerful than the voice of the serpent. (Fenelon) p.49-50
“The biggest problem in any church I attend is my love of self.” P.140
“Is this continual resistance [to God] due to the fact that He has not given you what you want in a way that will flatter your ego? (Fenelon)” p.179-180
- Needing God
“the presence of Jesus would be found not in met needs but in unmet expectations and perceived need…the end of myself.” P.192
c. #3 Loving the Unlovely
- Counteracting Coveting
- Change the direction of our gaze
“Instead of riveting my gaze on the possessions of others economically above me, I do an about-face. I turn to face the person whom I perceive to have less than I…opening ourselves up to people in and with whom God seems to be most active.” P.72
“There must be something about beholding the Holy within that pushes you back to the street.” P.46
- “Mortality Symbols” p.48-50,p.190, 198-199
d. #4 Remembering Laughter / Having grace in difficult times
- “Remembering Laughter” story
- Making peace with our allotment of suffering (p.83)
- The difference between bitter old woman and happy old woman (p.90)
- Suffering = the enemy of self-love
p.52
“It’s good to learn early enough that suffering and God are not a contradiction but rather a unity, for the idea that God Himself is suffering is one that has always been one of the most convincing teachings of Christianity. I think God is nearer to suffering than happiness, and to find God in this way gives peace and rest and a strong and courageous heart (Bonhoeffer)” p.94-95
e. #5 Pursuing action/ Obedience
- Shirking vs. Obedience
f. #6 Staying put in Your Community“Only in relationships that permit no bailing out can certain forms of spiritual development occur. Marriage is one. Church is another.” P.140
“Just as surely as God desires to lead us to a knowledge of genuine Christian fellowship, so surely must we be overwhelmed by a great disillusionment with others, with Christians in general, and, if we’re fortunate with ourselves…only that fellowship which faces such disillusionment, with all it’s unhappy and ugly aspects, begins to be what it should be in God’s sight, begins to grasp in faith the promise that is given to it.” -Bonhoeffer
g. #7 Finding and Keeping Good Friends“there is always a little humility on the part of each toward the others; with all my friends, I feel lucky to be counted as one.(C.S.Lewis)” “[Friendship] heightens the joys of prosperity and mitigates the sorrows of adversity by dividing and sharing them.(Aelred)” p.162
“In friendship I can say I have felt the grace of God.” P.166
(Lk. 24:13-34)
h. #8 Pursuing Time“There is a realm of time where the goal is not to have but to be, not to own but to give, not to control but to share, not to subdue but to be in accord…spiritual life begins to decay when we fail to sense the grandeur of what is eternal in time (Heschel)” p.176
“Christian contemplation begins at the point where the meaning of the swiftly flowing surface of earthly events is broken to reveal their relation to heaven (Hans Urs von Balthasar)” p.190
3. His conclusion: Mending“Entropy is nowhere more at work than in one’s spiritual energy and good intentions…Mending must be an ongoing continual activity. Entrance into the deeper spiritual life is by way of obedience in the small things…mending one’s life, making small adjustments on a regular basis to avoid the speed and clutter of modern living.” P.184

martha mccallum challenge group teaching on parenting

Sphere Challenge Group ’09-‘10
A Christian Home - Martha McCallum

1.Evangelism Starts in the Home
a.When God is our first love, we have no problem loving others.
b.Be filled with the Spirit, so that when you talk to your family you have
spiritual power and authority.
2.Breaking
a.Pray this to God: “God, let there be an end to my trying. I’m helpless before
You.” – Murray (Absolute Surrender)
b.Chambers said, “The right to ourselves is the only gift we have to give to
God.” Because everything else we have was given to us, and isn’t ours to give.
3.Hospitality
a.Our hospitality will bring a life of abundance
b.God keeps open house for the universe.
c.Kids are a part of the mission we have. Also, our children take part in our
calling because they are part of the family.
d.An open house takes a lot of time and patience.
4.Sold-out
a.View our whole lives as sold out to God – Don’t compartmentalize.
b.Don’t separate your home-life from the rest of the world; that makes children
more selfish. “Domestic transplants” vs. taking your kids out into the world
with you.
c.Don’t be afraid to hurt your kids feelings by having an event at your house.
d.Don’t make the kosmos the center of your life or the center of your child’s
life. Don’t be engrossed.
5.Education and Community
a.Education is an important value.
b.Enjoy being a part of your community
c.Instead of saying “no” to the watching world, balance it out with the love of
Christ.
d.Be sure you show your children how enjoyable Christ is – He is more important
than worldly temporal things.
6.Sharing
a.Share your Christian burdens and insights with your kids.
b.Share the woes of the spiritual battle, Satan’s attacks, etc..
c.Share feelings.
d.Allow kids to be a part of what you go through, Be open. It’s ok to show them
that we as parents can mis-read things and make mistakes.
7.Teach Stewardship
a.Be positive. Encourage your children.
b.Tell your kids how God has gifted them, and that those things come from God.
c.A stewardship is something used for God’s kingdom. Show children how they
might be used.
d.Show them a lofty vision. “God expects a lot out of you. What will you do with
all the gifts God has given you?”
e.Our attitude toward money should be godly; we shouldn’t love money or cling to
it/ worry about it all the time.
f.We should be generous and giving
g.Parents can become lustful for money and security and transfer that lust to
their children.
h.Don’t be afraid to challenge your kids
8.How to Handle Children’s Sins
a.Fighting, defiance, lazy, peer pressure, disobedience, whining, selfishness,
bad sportsmanship, rebellious, stubborn
b.Be honest with your kids. Maybe even say, “You got that from me.”
c.Be realistic. All are sinful and deserving of hell. But God loves and saves
us – and that’s why we give our lives to Him.
d.Paint a vision for how the defects they have could be used in a positive way.
e.Let them know that lying is futile. Your sins will find you out.
f.Give examples of how you changed through the years.
g.The biggest mistake to make here = ignoring sins, “protecting” them from other
kids and authorities, pretending.
h.Another mistake = nit-picking
i.Stick to moral issues, and be positive in discipline.
j.Wait, do not lose your temper. But if you do, apologize.
9.Heritage
a.Train them to be godly and effective
b.Teach them about leadership, being unselfish, and outward-focused.
c.Show them that a life with God is the most exciting life there is.
d.Lead in good, not in evil.
e.Have good friends and pray together as prayer partners.