“Church A-B-C’s” is a year-long theme for our life together at Faith Lutheran Church. It is dedicated to understanding God’s calling upon His holy people—what it means to be a vibrant, mission-driven body of faith. We believe that God has called us to know Him and to make Him known to others in the world. We get to know Christ through His Word, shared in the church (the “temple”) in worship and Bible study. We get to know Christ through His Word shared around our dinner tables, with family, friends, and neighbors. We make Him known through our lives of service.  

The season of Lent offers us an extended season of reflection. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and coming back to the gracious, faithful love of God. During this Lenten season, we are exploring some of the Old Testament psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems that express a wide range of emotions. Some express joy and thanksgiving, others lament and sorrow. They teach us about God while also giving voice to our faith in God.  

Many of the psalms selected for this series address the trouble and anguish of sin . Today we focus our attention on Psalm 51—David’s plea for mercy following his sinful acts of adultery and murder. It wasn’t immediate for David to own up to his sins. Only after God intervened and sent the prophet Nathan to confront David did he acknowledge his sin and repent by writing this psalm. The bottom line—when we sin, God desires repentance. He does not “take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart” (Ps. 51:16-17).

The Synoptics A Study of the First Three Gospels

1. Overview of the Synoptics (Review):

Revelation 4 6 … In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures … 7 The first living creature was a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.

 Matthew’s symbol:

 Mark’s symbol:

 Luke’s symbol:

 John’s symbol:

2. The Gospel According to Mark:

“Narrative Sandwiches”

Mark 10:17-31

Mark 10:32-34

Mark 10:35-45

Mark 11:12-14

Mark 11:15-19

Mark 11:20-26

Mark 4:35-41

Mark 5:1-20

“Messianic Secret”

Mark 1:44 —

Mark 3:12 —

Mark 5:43 —

Mark 7:36 —

Mark 8:26 —

Why might Jesus have insisted on secrecy, when at other times he encouraged the sharing of the good news truth? (cf. Mark 5:19-20; Matthew 28:18-20)

Missing Ending of Mark?

“Church A-B-C’s” is a year-long theme for our life together at Faith Lutheran Church. It is dedicated to understanding God’s calling upon His holy people – what it means to be a vibrant, mission-driven body of faith. We believe that God has called us to know Him and to make Him known to others in the world. We get to know Christ through His Word, shared in the church (the “temple”) in worship and Bible study. We get to know Christ through His Word shared around our dinner tables, with family, friends, and neighbors. We make Him known through our lives of service.  

The season of Lent offers us an extended season of reflection. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and coming back to the gracious, faithful love of God. During this Lenten season, we are exploring some of the Old Testament psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems that express a wide range of emotions. Some psalms express joy and thanksgiving, others lament and sorrow. They teach us about God while also giving voice to our faith in God.  

Many of the psalms selected for this series address the trouble and anguish of sin . Today Psalm 107:1-16 expresses thankfulness for deliverance because this psalm was actually written to celebrate the Jews’ return from their exile in Babylon. Even today we can draw comfort from this ancient text and give God praise for His “unfailing love” because “he is good; His love endures forever”. When we gaze up at the cross, we can be comforted and confident “for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17). 

“Church A-B-C’s” is a year-long theme for our life together at Faith Lutheran Church. It is dedicated to understanding God’s calling upon His holy people – what it means to be a vibrant, mission-driven body of faith. We believe that God has called us to know Him and to make Him known to others in the world. We get to know Christ through His Word, shared in the church (the “temple”) in worship and Bible study. We get to know Christ through His Word shared around our dinner tables, with family, friends, and neighbors. We make Him known through our lives of service.  

The season of Lent offers us an extended season of reflection. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and coming back to the gracious, faithful love of God. During this Lenten season, we are exploring some of the Old Testament psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems that express a wide range of emotions. Some psalms express joy and thanksgiving, others lament and sorrow. They teach us about God while also giving voice to our faith in God.  

Many of the psalms selected for this series address the trouble and anguish of sin . Today Psalm 107:1-16 expresses thankfulness for deliverance because this psalm was actually written to celebrate the Jews’ return from their exile in Babylon. Even today we can draw comfort from this ancient text and give God praise for His “unfailing love” because “he is good; His love endures forever”. When we gaze up at the cross, we can be comforted and confident “for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17). 

“Church A-B-C’s” is a year-long theme for our life together at Faith Lutheran Church. It is dedicated to understanding God’s calling upon His holy people – what it means to be a vibrant, mission-driven body of faith. We believe that God has called us to know Him and to make Him known to others in the world. We get to know Christ through His Word, shared in the church (the “temple”) in worship and Bible study. We get to know Christ through His Word shared around our dinner tables, with family, friends, and neighbors. We make Him known through our lives of service.  

The season of Lent offers us an extended season of reflection. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and coming back to the gracious, faithful love of God. During this Lenten season, we are exploring some of the Old Testament psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems that express a wide range of emotions. Some psalms express joy and thanksgiving, others lament and sorrow. They teach us about God while also giving voice to our faith in God.  

Many of the psalms selected for this series address the trouble and anguish of sin . Today Psalm 107:1-16 expresses thankfulness for deliverance because this psalm was actually written to celebrate the Jews’ return from their exile in Babylon. Even today we can draw comfort from this ancient text and give God praise for His “unfailing love” because “he is good; His love endures forever”. When we gaze up at the cross, we can be comforted and confident “for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17). 

1. Overview of the Synoptics:

 How Matthew, Mark and Luke are similar:

 How … and why Matthew, Mark and Luke are different:

Revelation 4

6 … In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures … 7 The first living creature was a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.

 Matthew’s symbol:

 Mark’s symbol:

 Luke’s symbol:

 John’s symbol

: 2. The Gospel According to Matthew: A Case Study in Uniqueness — the Death of Judas (Matthew v. Luke)

Matthew 27:1-10: 1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

Acts 1:15-19: 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus—17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

Key differences:

 Matthew compares Judas to:

 Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 18 (esp. 9) 2 Samuel 14:33 Matthew 26:50

 Luke compares Judas to:

 Key Scripture: 1 Kings 21 1 Kings 22:38

The differences between Gospels may feel dissonant at times. They force us to pay attention to some fine details. If we are too quick to harmonize the Gospel accounts, we may miss the opportunity to notice the nuances of each unique account.

“Church A-B-C’s” is a year-long theme for our life together at Faith Lutheran Church. It is dedicated to understanding God’s calling upon His holy people – what it means to be a vibrant, mission-driven body of faith. We believe that God has called us to know Him and to make Him known to others in the world. We get to know Christ through His Word, shared in the church (the “temple”) in worship and Bible study. We get to know Christ through His Word shared around our dinner tables, with family, friends, and neighbors. We make Him known through our lives of service.  

The season of Lent offers us an extended season of reflection. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and coming back to the gracious, faithful love of God. During this Lenten season, we are exploring some of the Old Testament psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems that express a wide range of emotions. Some psalms express joy and thanksgiving, others lament and sorrow. They teach us about God while also giving voice to our faith in God.  

Many of the psalms selected for this series address the trouble and anguish of sin — after all, this is a season to reflect on our need for a Savior. Today we will focus our attention on Psalm 19, specifically vv. 7-14 when David hails the “law of the Lord”. Some may consider laws as reducing fun and freedom, but in this Psalm we hear that God’s statutes are more precious than gold. Rather than chains on our hands and feet, God’s laws are guidelines and lights for our path. His Word revives us, makes us wiser, gives us joy, and leads to reward.   

“Church A-B-C’s” is a year-long theme for our life together at Faith Lutheran Church. It is dedicated to understanding God’s calling upon His holy people – what it means to be a vibrant, mission-driven body of faith. We believe that God has called us to know Him and to make Him known to others in the world. We get to know Christ through His Word, shared in the church (the “temple”) in worship and Bible study. We get to know Christ through His Word shared around our dinner tables, with family, friends, and neighbors. We make Him known through our lives of service.  

The season of Lent offers us an extended season of reflection. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and coming back to the gracious, faithful love of God. During this Lenten season, we are exploring some of the Old Testament psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems that express a wide range of emotions. Some psalms express joy and thanksgiving, others lament and sorrow. They teach us about God while also giving voice to our faith in God.  

“Church A-B-C’s” is a year-long theme for our life together at Faith Lutheran Church. It is dedicated to understanding God’s calling upon His holy people – what it means to be a vibrant, mission-driven body of faith. We believe that God has called us to know Him and to make Him known to others in the world. We get to know Christ through His Word, shared in the church (the “temple”) in worship and Bible study. We get to know Christ through His Word shared around our dinner tables, with family, friends, and neighbors. We make Him known through our lives of service.  

The season of Lent offers us an extended season of reflection. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and coming back to the gracious, faithful love of God. During this Lenten season, we are exploring some of the Old Testament psalms. The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems that express a wide range of emotions. Some psalms express joy and thanksgiving, others lament and sorrow. They teach us about God while also giving voice to our faith in God.  

The first three Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are very much alike and present similar portraits of Jesus’ life, ministry, suffering and resurrection. Thus, they have traditionally been called “synoptic gospels” (from the Greek, meaning “seeing together”). Anyone who reads all three will notice parallels in timeline, which events are included, and the same teachings of Jesus. But each of the Gospels is also unique. Each shares events not included in the other two. Each offers some unique details that contribute to the overall picture of Jesus’ life. This 5-week study will look at the similarities and differences between the “Synoptics,” even addressing some accounts that seem to contradict each other.