Teaching by Chad Ragsdale

Teaching by Michael DeFazio

Teaching by Elijah Dally 

Week 2: The Preparation of Jesus for Ministry - Luke 3-4:30

Preparing You for Jesus - The Ministry of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)
- (3:1-2) The King Arrives in History
- (3:3-9) Prepare for the King: Repent
- (3:10-14) What Does Repentance Look Like?
- (3:15-20) John Points Beyond Himself

John the Baptist and Jesus compared:

John the Baptist:
- John ministers in the wilderness - 3:2-3
- John preaches to Israel - 3:3, 18
- John preaches repentance - 3:3, 8
- John announces one greater who is coming - 3:16
- John confronts Herod and is rejected - 3:19-20
- John's ministry results in imprisonment - 3:20
- John prepares people for the coming Messiah

Jesus:
- Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness - 4:1
- Jesus begins preaching to Israel - 4:14-15
- Jesus preaches the fulfillment/good news - 4:18-21
- Jesus arrives as that greater one - 3:21-22; 4:1-21
- Jesus confronts unbelief and is rejected at Nazareth - 4:24-30
- Jesus' rejection anticipates his eventual death
- Jesus declares that the promised age "has been fulfilled" - 4:21

The King Arrives - Luke 3:21-4:30

Who is He?
- Son of God - Luke 3:21-22, 38; 4:3, 9
- New Adam - Luke 3:23-38
- Promised Messiah - Luke 4:14-21

What will He do?
- Defeat evil - Luke 4:1-13
- Heal the broken - Luke 4:18
- Free the captive - Luke 4:18
- Proclaim good news - Luke 4:18-21
- Bring God's Kingdom - Luke 4:18-21

How will He do it?
- In obedience to the Father - Luke 4:1-13
- In the power of the Spirit - Luke 3:22; 4:1, 14, 18
- Through the Word - Luke 4:4, 8, 12, 16-21
- In confrontation with the powers of evil - Luke 4:1-13
- Despite rejection from his own people - Luke 4:24-30

How will people respond?
- Amazement - Luke 4:15, 22
- Questions - Luke 4:22
- Rejection - Luke 4:23-24, 28
- Hostility - Luke 4:28-30
- Praise/Reception - Luke 4:15, 22

Parallels between the Ministries of John the Baptist and Elijah

John the Baptist:
- Appears in the wilderness - Matt 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:2
- Wears camel's hair and a leather belt - Matt 3:4; Mark 1:6
- Calls Israel to repentance - Matt 3:2; Luke 3:3, 7-14
- Challenges Israel's presumed covenant status: "Do not presume to say... 'We have Abraham as our father'" - Matt 3:9; Luke 3:8
- Announces coming divine judgment - Matt 3:7, 10-12; Luke 3:7, 9, 17
- Confronts King Herod for his sin - Matt 14:3-4; Mark 6:17-18; Luke 3:19
- Herodias wants John killed - Mark 6:19, 24
- His confrontation with the royal household leads to persecution - Matt 14:3-12; Mark 6:17-29
- Prepares Israel for the coming of the Lord - Matt 3:3; Mark 1:2-3; Luke 3:4-6
- Turns Israel toward God - Luke 1:16-17
- Explicitly comes "in the spirit and power of Elijah" - Luke 1:17
- Jesus says John fulfills the coming of Elijah - Matt 11:13-14; 17:10-13

Elijah:
- Lives/ministers in wilderness settings - 1 Kings 17:2-6; 19:4-8
- Known by his hairy appearance/garment and leather belt - 2 Kings 1:8
- Calls Israel to return to YHWH - 1 Kings 18:18-21, 36-39
- Challenges covenant Israel for abandoning YHWH - 1 Kings 18:18, 21
- Announces God's judgment upon rebellious Israel - 1 Kings 17:1; 21:17-24
- Confronts King Ahab for his sin - 1 Kings 18:17-18; 21:17-24
- Jezebel wants Elijah killed - 1 Kings 19:1-2
- His confrontation with the royal household leads to persecution - 1 Kings 19:1-3
- Expected to return before the Day of the LORD - Mal 4:5-6
- Elijah's promised return would "turn the hearts" of God's people - Mal 4:5-6
- The prophetic model John fulfills - Mal 4:5-6
- Elijah was promised to come before the Lord - Mal 4:5-6

Teaching by Michael DeFazio

Welcome and Opening Discussion

- Let's talk about us and Paul. You first.
- My story with Paul...
- Why "wisdom from Paul on walking with God"?

Colossians as Framing Anchor

- From the Lycus Valley (AD 61) to the Four States (AD 2026)
  - What they wanted...
  - and what Paul gave them:

- What we (might) want... and what Paul (wisely) gives us:
  - Not...
  - Instead...
    - gospel _______________ that grounds and guards our effort
    - hopeful _______________ of deep and holistic transformation
    - simple _______________ that unlocks ongoing transformation
    - embodied _______________ where formation takes root

Honestly diagnosing "the world in front of the text"

- What kind of person do you think God wants you to become?
  - Generally...
  - Specifically...

- What aspects of your life fail to match?

- How badly do you want to change?

- How (hard) are you intentionally working to see this through?

If we have time, Paul's gospel in two words...

Teaching by Chad Ragsdale

Week 1: Introduction to the Gospel of Luke - Luke 1-2

Author:
Luke: A companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; Acts 16:10; 20:5; 21:1; 27:1; 2 Tim 4:11)

Date:
Late 60s AD

Purpose: To give an account of salvation history for those who are seeking God

Outline of the Gospel of Luke
Luke 1-2 - The Miracle of Jesus
Luke 3-9a - The Ministry of Jesus
Luke 9b-19a - The Mission of Jesus
Luke 19b-24 - The Majesty of Jesus

The Chiasm of Luke-Acts

A - CAESAR / ROMAN WORLD - Luke 2:1-2 - Caesar Augustus rules "all the world"
B - GALILEE - Luke 4:14-9:50 - Jesus' ministry expands through Galilee
C - TOWARD JERUSALEM - Luke 9:51-19:27 - "He set his face to go to Jerusalem"
D - JERUSALEM - Luke 19:28-24:53; Acts 1:1-8:1 - Death, Resurrection, Ascension, Spirit, Witness
C' - AWAY FROM JERUSALEM - Acts 8:1-13:3 - "Those who were scattered went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:4)
B' - SAMARIA - Acts 8:4-25 - "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ" (8:5)
A' - CAESAR / ROMAN WORLD - Acts 25:10-12; 27:1; 28:16, 30-31 - "I appeal to Caesar" - Gospel arrives in Rome

Luke 1-2

Luke 1:1-4: Introduction to the Gospel

Luke 1:5-2: The Fulfillment is Here

Miracle Children - John the Baptist and Jesus compared:

John the Baptist:
- Gabriel announces birth - 1:5-25
- Elizabeth barren - 1:7, 13
- Named John by God - 1:13
- Will be great - 1:15
- Zechariah's song - 1:67
- Born, circumcised, named - 1:57-66
- Grows and becomes strong - 1:80

Jesus:
- Gabriel announces birth - 1:26-38
- Mary a virgin - 1:27, 34-35
- Named Jesus by God - 1:31
- Will be great, Son of the Most High - 1:32
- Mary's song - 1:46
- Born, circumcised, named - 2:1-21
- Grows and becomes strong - 2:40, 52

The Temple and Priest-King
- Zechariah the Levite/Priest from Aaron - Luke 1:5
- Zechariah goes into the temple to pray - Luke 1:8-10
- Joseph the Davidic/Kingly Line - Luke 2:4-5
- Jesus is circumcised and purified - Luke 2:22-24
- Jesus in His Temple home - Luke 2:41-50

The Holy Spirit and the Dawn of a New Age
- The Presence of God will no longer be confined to the temple - Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-29
- John the Baptist - Luke 1:14-15
- Elizabeth - Luke 1:41
- Zechariah - Luke 1:67
- Simeon - Luke 2:25
- Jesus - Luke 3 - The Holy Spirit descends upon Him - The Holy Spirit is not mentioned again concerning anyone else until the Book of Acts.

Teaching by Josh Clark 

Week 7: Serving in the Land (Ch 22-24)

Structure of Joshua:
Joshua 1-5 - Preparation for entry, "cross"
Joshua 6-12 - Entry into Canaan, "take"
Joshua 13-21 - Allocating Canaan, "divide"
Joshua 22-24 - Keeping Canaan/covenant, "serve"

Chapters 22-24 each start with Joshua summoning the people of Israel (22:1; 23:2; 24:1)

1. Potential Civil War (Ch 22)

V 1-9 Joshua's Charge to Eastern Tribes
- V 2-3 The people have obeyed Moses' and Joshua's commands
- V 4 "the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers" fulfills the condition of Joshua's command in Josh 1:15
- V 5 Joshua commands the people to continue in complete obedience. Gives them 7 things to do
  - "observe" the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you
  - "love" the Lord your God
  - "walk" in all his ways
  - "keep" his commandments
  - "cling" to the Lord
  - "serve" him with all your heart and with all your soul
- V 6-9 The 2 1/2 tribes are blessed and sent to their tents.

V 10-34 The Altar of Witness
- V 10-11 The conflict: the western tribes hear that the eastern tribes have set up an altar of imposing size on the west side of the Jordan river. (Deut 12:5)
- V 12-14 Western Tribes response: Prepare for war & send delegation
  - Delegation consisted of:
    - Phinehas, son of Eleazar the High Priest; see Num 25
    - 10 chiefs, each one the head of a tribe
  - V 15-20 Delegation's message to Eastern tribes:
    - Why are you rebelling?
    - Remember the sin at Baal Peor?
    - If dwelling on the East will cause you to rebel, claim an allotment of the West. Don't rebel or cause us to rebel.
    - Remember Achan?
- V 21-29 Eastern Tribes Response: We are being faithful and unifying the nation
  - V 22 "The Mighty One, God, The LORD!" They start their oath with an appeal to God in his supreme authority and incomparable power.
  - V 22-23 If they are lying and created the altar for unauthorized use, they ask that the Israelites or God put them to death.
  - Reason for building the altar:
    - That the descendants of the Western tribes wouldn't look at the descendants of the Eastern tribes and say they aren't a part of Israel
    - That their descendants don't hear that they have no portion in Israel and worship other gods (V 25)
- V 30-34 The Resolution
  - The Western tribes accept the oath, and worship the Lord because there was no sin.
  - They return home bringing good news and relief that there won't be a civil war because the Eastern tribes have remained faithful.
  - We hear that the Altar is named Witness by the Eastern tribes because it serves as a witness to the whole nation of Israel that there are no other gods but Yahweh.

2. Joshua's Charge to Israel (Ch 23)

V 1-5 God's Deeds for Israel
- Joshua reminds the people how they have been firsthand witnesses to the fulfillment of God's promises.

V 6-11 A Charge to Respond in Obedience
- V 6, 11 Obedience and love are inseparable.

V 12-16 Warning Against Future Disobedience

3. Covenant Renewal and Conclusion (Ch 24)

V 1-13 Retelling of God's Faithfulness Throughout the Generations
- V 1 Shechem - Joshua calls them back to the land where they had previously renewed the covenant in Josh 8:30-35.
  - Fitting that it starts with Abraham because this is where Abraham receives the promise of the land (Gen 12:6-7).
  - Shechem is also where Jacob's household buries their foreign gods (Gen 35:1-4).
- V 2-13 Notice the "I" statements from God.

V 14-28 The Final Charge
- "Serve" appears 20 times throughout chapters 22-24. 15 of those 20 times appear in these 15 verses.
- V 14-15 Joshua's final charge to the people: Put away the idols and serve Yahweh. Serve the true God or serve the gods of the people that Yahweh is driving out.
- V 16-18 The people's response: after all that we have seen Yahweh do we will also serve Yahweh.
- V 19-20 Joshua: You are not able to serve the LORD. He is holy. He is jealous and he doesn't take idolatry lightly.
- V 21 The people: No we will do it!
- V 22-23 Joshua: You are witnesses against yourself. They say we are.
  - Joshua: "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel."
  - Gen 35:2 "Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments."
- V 24 The people: We will serve and obey Yahweh.
- V 25-28 Joshua cuts a covenant with the people, writes the words of the covenant in the Book of the Law of God, and sets up a stone under a terebinth tree at Shechem as a witness against them if they don't keep their word.
  - Deut 23:21, also see Ecc 5:1-7

V 29-33 Three Burials
- V 29-30 Joshua
  - "servant of the Lord"
  - Died at 110 years of age which is the same age Joseph died at
- V 32 Joseph
  - Gen 50:25; Ex 13:19; Heb 12:22
  - Buried at Shechem
- V 33 Eleazar the High Priest

4. Christ Connection

- 2 Cor 1:20
- All of the promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus.

Teaching by Drake Holderman

Teaching by Josh Clark 

Week 6: From Refuge to Rest (Ch 20-21)

1. Cities of Refuge (20:1-9)

- See Num 35:9-34, Deut 19:1-13
- Cities of refuge were set up to:
  - Protect anyone who committed an accidental murder
    - Provide a punishment for the murder - exile from the land
  - Prevent unnecessary violence or revenge from the avenger of blood
    - This highlights the sanctity of life for the victim & accidental murderer
- How did it work?
  - If there was an accidental murder, the murderer would flee to the city of refuge and plead their case.
    - If they were guilty, the avenger of blood could kill them (Num 35:16-21).
    - If they were innocent they had to live in the city
  - Vs 9 The city for anyone in the land
- How long did they have to live there?
  - Until the High Priest died
- Bigger problem found in Num 35:33-34
  - Innocent blood shed pollutes the land
- Land can only be cleansed through death of the murderer (Num 35:33) or death of the high priest (Josh 1:6, Num 35:32)

2. Levi's Allotment (21:1-42)

V 1-3
- Num 35:1-8

V 4-40
- Levitical Allotment:

  Kohathites (Aaron's descendants) - Judah, Simeon, Benjamin - 13 cities
  Remaining Kohathites - Ephraim, Dan, Half-Tribe of Manasseh (West) - 10 cities
  Gershonites - Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Half-Tribe of Manasseh (East/Bashan) - 13 cities
  Merarites - Reuben, Gad, Zebulun - 12 cities
  Total - Throughout Israel - 48 cities

- No portion was given to the Levites in the land (13:14, 33; 14:3-4, 18:7)
- Their inheritance was:
  - The tithes that support the Levites (13:14)
  - The Lord (13:33; 18:7)

3. Promise Fulfilled, Possession Ongoing (21:43-45)

These verses are a great summary of the book of Joshua
- 43 summarizes the land given in ch 13-21
- 44 summarizes the conquest in ch 1-12
- 45 summarizes the book as the theological ideal - God is faithful to his promises.

- Complete or Partial Conquest?
  - 13:1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess."
  - On the east side of the Jordan they failed to drive out the Geshurites and Maacathite (13:13)
  - On the west side they failed to drive out the Jebusites (15:63), the Canaanites in Gezer (16:10), Canaanites in the cities of Manasseh (17:12)

- V 44 "Rest"
  - 2 kinds of rest in the book of Joshua - rest from war, rest of a settled life
    - There are still enemies to drive out but the enemy has been definitively defeated
    - The settling will depend on their faithfulness to God's command to drive out the people. In order to experience the blessings of Eden the people need to obey the God of Eden.
      - Num 33:55-56

4. Christ Connection

- The rest that we find in Joshua was never intended to be the final rest, but always pointed to the greater rest found in Jesus.
  - Heb 3:7-4:13
- As long as it is called "today" (in other words everyday) trust and believe in the Lord. Let faith propel you to act in hope and obedience until you enter his rest.

Teaching by Tyler Bade