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?

G K Chesterton "Orthodoxy" - quotes about humility

2 amazing quotes from G K Chesterton's book "Orthodoxy" - these are about humility; and the freedom that comes from it.

G K Chesterton “Orthodoxy”

“It is impossible without humility to enjoy anything – even pride. But what we suffer from today is humility in the wrong place. Modesty has moved from the organ of ambition. Modesty has settled upon the organ of conviction; where it was never meant to be. A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed. Nowadays the part of a man that the man does assert is exactly the part he ought not to assert – himself. The part he doubts is exactly the part he ought not to doubt – the Divine Reason. Huxley preached a humility content to learn from nature. But the new skeptic is so humble that he doubts if he can ever learn… The old humility was a spur that prevented a man from stopping; not a nail in his boot that prevented him from going on. For the old humility made a man doubtful about his efforts, which might make him work harder. But the new humility makes him doubtful about his aims, which will make him stop working altogether… We are on the road to producing a race of men too mentally modest to believe in the multiplication table.” Pp.27-28

“How much happier you would be if you only knew that these people cared nothing about you! How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it; if you could really look at other men with curiosity and pleasure; if you could see them walking as they are in their sunny selfishness and their virile indifference! You would begin to be interested in them, because they were not interested in you. You would break out of this tiny and tawdry theater in which your own little plot is always being played, and you would find yourself under a freer sky, in a street full of splendid strangers…How much happier you would be, how much more of you there would be, if the hammer of a higher God could smash your small cosmos, scattering the stars like spangles, and leave you in the open, free like other men to look up as well as down.” P.15

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

getting ready

Sorry I've been away from the blog for a while - I was trying to work hard on finishing up the book and then working hard on preparing for this year's challenge group teachings on the life of Christ.

I realized that it's very daunting to study and teach the life of Christ - you get scared about misrepresenting things and preforming blasphemy. This quote by Lewis Sperry Chafer is kind of funny:

"In attempting to write of His adorable Person and His incomprehensible achievements - which achievements when completed will have perfected redemption, exercised to infinite satisfaction the divine attribute of grace, manifested the invisible God to His creatures, and subdued rebellious universe in which sin had been permitted to demonstrate its exceeding sinfulness - the limitations of a finite mind which is weakened by a faulty perception are all too apparent."
-Lewis Sperry Chafer

or to put it more simply;

"I am too dumb for this!"
-Jessica Lowery

But, I'll be sure to put up the teachings on the blog as they come out.
-j-