LHIM Everything

It is in these seven statements that Jesus reveals much about his ministry and mission, and even though there is no record in the Gospels of him specifically stating, “I am the Messiah”, we will see that it is in making these proclamations, that he is indeed saying he is YHWH’s Anointed, the Messiah

Mark 8:27-30

“Who is Jesus?”

A:  a prophet; a philosopher; a moral teacher, just like the Buddha, Confucius, Mohamed; was he “nice guy” who accepted people for who they were, that got caught up in the politics of his day, a “wanna be” Jewish Messiah, who lead his followers down the road to heresy and died the death of a Roman criminal, only to have his disciples make up some wild story about him being raised from the dead.

Or

B: the true Messiah, the Son of God who was prophesied of in the Old Testament, sent from God and carried out his mission as the Messiah, including his death, whom God raised from the dead.

John 20:30-31. the purpose of the Book of John

Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the “synoptic” gospels.

“Synoptic” = taking the same point of view

Use of Words in the Greek Text of the Four Gospels

world – kosmos orderly arrangement of something; a decoration or ornament

Jeremiah 2:32. (Septuagent) Can a virgin forget her ornaments (kosmos) or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten me

“this world” in John usually spoken by Jesus; that which is contrary to God

John 18:36. “My kingdom is not of this world”

Jews – In John the word “Jews”  (Ioudaios)

Believe – “believe in” or “believe on” Jesus

Believe UNTO (eis) denotes all the way into; faithfulness, commitment, loyalty

Over 30 verses used in reference “believe in” John 2 – John 16

John 2:11. This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

John 2:23. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.

John 3:14-18. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:36. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John 4:39. From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”

John 6:29. Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

John 6:35. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

John 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.”

John 6:47. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

John 7:5. For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

John 7:31. But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has, will He?”

John 7:38-39. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 7:48. No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he?

John 8:30. As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.

John 9:35-36. Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”

John 10:42. Many believed in Him there.

John 11:25-27. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”

John 11:45. Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.

John 11:48.  If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

John 12:10-11. But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.

John 12:37. But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him.

John 12:42. Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue;

John 12:44-46. And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.

John 14:1. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

John 14:12. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

John 16:9. concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me

Christ Not Jesus’ last name

English for Greek  christos = “anointed”

Equivalent to Hebrew  mâshı̂yach = “anointed (one) < mâshach = smear, anoint (with oil)

Bread for use in the Tabernacle was “anointed” with oil

Used when designating someone for an office or function: kings, priests, some prophets

Psalm 133:1-2. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes.

Throughout Old Testament, there would be “the anointed one” who would be a part of God’s promises of a future restoration.

Son of God: it was Jesus’ claim to be the son of God that offended the Jewish leaders

Psalm 2:6-7. “But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will surely tell of the decree of YHWH: He said to me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.

Son of David points to lineage of David as King

King

Son of Man Numbers 23:19a God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent;

When God addresses Ezekiel, He address him as “son of man” [93 X’s]

Daniel 7:13. I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.

THE Prophet Deut 18:15 “YHWH your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.

1 Corinthians 2:11. We can overcome mind reading by recognizing that we don’t know what others are thinking.

2 Corinthians 10:5. We can identify, analyze, and deal with all the thoughts we have.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. We are to test everything and hold onto the good.

1 Kings 19:1-8. Even great prophets, like Elijah, experienced depressing thinking patterns. Sometimes, we just need to take care of ourselves.

We can all tend our mental gardens. When we view our minds as a garden, we can weed (identify and cast away negative thoughts), remove pests (identify the sources behind the negative thinking patterns), water (put on Scripture), add fertilizer (take care of ourselves more holistically with exercise, etc.), and allow God to transform us as He promises to.

Finally, there is a time to be sad and process our emotions. But no matter what, something greater is coming. You are equipped for this challenge. You can tend the garden of your mind. You can provide an environment conducive to the growth and powerful transformation that God desires for your life!

To maintain sanctified thinking, we must control anxious thinking patterns. Catastrophizing, negative projecting about the future and overgeneralization come against the joy and peace that is ours in Christ.

Numbers 13:23-14:1 – Catastrophizing (predicting that things will turn out badly) and overgeneralization destroy sanctified thinking.

Numbers 14:2-22   Ten times they lost control.

By the Red Sea:  Exodus 14:11-12

Desert of Sin:  Exodus 16:2-3

At Rephidim:  Exodus 17:3

Romans 8:15   We are not the slaves of fear; we are the sons of God.

1 Peter 5:5-9; 2 Timothy 1:7   Give your anxiety to God; claim what is yours in Christ.

John 14:27; 15:10

Matthew 6:34; Hebrews 3:7-12, 15; 4:7   Stop negative predictions; live one day at a time.

Psalm 62:5-8   Have godly self-talk.

Philippians 4:4-9   Stop overgeneralization; pray and focus.

This teaching is relevant for us today. Although the underlying elemental principles of our day manifest differently, they nonetheless enslave us the same. Cultural currents like hyper-individualism, careerism, aestheticism, consumerism, technological optimism, inclusivism, polarization, and coercion are always pushing and pulling us along. Let us instead imitate our Father as dear children, looking to the teaching and example of His Son, Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:1-3   Before Christ, we were enslaved to the elemental principles of the world—powers behind the way the world works.

Galatians 4:3-5   Because of Christ, there’s been a fundamental change in how people relate to both God and the world. God has adopted us into His family.

Galatians 4:6-7   God’s spirit inspires us to cry out, “Abba! Father!” This way of addressing God comes straight from Jesus’s private prayer life. (See Mark 14:36.)

Galatians 4:4-11   God has redeemed us from slavery, set us free, and adopted us, making us heirs of a mighty inheritance. As His children, we address Him as “Abba Father”. In such a state, how could we go back to slavery? How could we return to the old way of relating to God and the world?

Throughout history, God has chosen individuals that no one would expect. But nonetheless, that is who God wanted. Likewise, God decided in advance that he would choose all those who put their faith in Christ. Being chosen by God means that God wants YOU! But to be chosen by God requires that you respond to his invitation in the good news of Christ. God’s chosen ones are those who choose God.

God desires for everyone to be saved.

John 3:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9

Revelation 22:17

The invitation is for all who “want” to drink the water of life.

Colossians 3:12-13

Being “chosen” means that God wants YOU! You are special to God. God has a plan and a purpose for His chosen ones.

But what does it really mean to be “chosen” by God? And why are some people said to be “chosen” and others are not?

2 Thessalonians 2:13

1 Peter 1:1-2

Being chosen means that you made a choice! God’s “chosen” are those who chose God.

Matthew 22:1-14

Being “chosen” is conditioned upon our response (i.e. choice). So, let’s help others choose God in their lives and become one of God’s CHOSEN ONES!

Justification by faith is a key concept in Christian salvation. The idea is simple. We believe in the gospel message; God justifies us, making us right with Him. To further understand this, we’ll consider two examples: Abraham and David, both mentioned in Romans 4.

Romans 3:21-26   God’s righteousness is a big topic. To understand it, we need to reflect on how God created our world, how humans have repeatedly rebelled, and how God has devised a solution to these problems.

Romans 4:1-8   To understand justification, the Apostle Paul points to two examples: Abraham and David.

Genesis 15:1-6   Although Abraham failed repeatedly throughout his life, he was a believer. When God promised him a child, he trusted in that promise.

2 Samuel 12:1-9   David’s sins with Bathsheba and Uriah were so severe and deplorable it’s hard to believe that he could ever become justified. Even so, after Nathan confronted him and he repented, he wrote a psalm, celebrating the blessing of forgiven sins. (See Psalm 32.)

1 Corinthians 1:26-29; James 2:5; Matthew 11:25   Justification by faith makes salvation available to everyone. Rather than choosing the wealthiest, most intelligent, or most beautiful people, in His wisdom God decided He wanted believers. What a magnificent truth!

Leviticus 25 and the book of Ruth lay the foundation of understanding our spiritual redemption that we have in Christ. We will be returned to our spiritual family and inherit the land. We are part of the new Israel therefor included in the promises made to Abraham.

Leviticus 25:1-7   The 7th year sabbath would provide rest for the land, the people, and the animals plus build their faith and confidence in Yahweh.

Leviticus 25:8-9   This was the only day the high priest entered the holy of holies for the forgiveness of sins.

Leviticus 25:10   In the 50th year, year of jubilee (lobel – ram’s horn), they were to return to land and family.

21   Deal honestly and obey God, and He will provide blessing for 3 years (6, 7, 8).

28   Kinsmen – redeemer

Leviticus 26:34-35; 2 Chronicles 36:20-21   Israel never kept the sabbaths.

1 Corinthians 15:5:2; Revelation 11:15   When the last trumpet is sounded, Jesus will return, the dead will rise, the day of jubilee will begin, Israel will finally return to its land and family. The prophets foretold of Israel’s redemption.

Ruth 3:11-13; 4:3-6   Redemption was for Ruth because she was a barren widow and for her husband’s land.

Romans 3:10-24; 6:1-6   We are no longer slaves to sin.

Ephesians 1:7; 2:1-10   We are no longer slaves to the lust of the flesh and mind.

Ephesians 1:13-14   Our future redemption includes returning to God’s original family plan and inheriting the land.

The outpouring of God’s spirit on Pentecost marked a massive step forward in God’s plans to redeem the world. At Babel, He had divided up humanity, confused the languages, and assigned the nations deputy rulers from His divine council. Through the work of His Messiah, Jesus, and the outpouring of the spirit, God has begun the process of taking the nations back that will ultimately culminate in His Kingdom coming on earth.

Acts 2:1-12 Fifty days after Christ’s crucifixion, his followers waited in Jerusalem for the promised spirit. Jews from many nations around the world were present.

Genesis 10:1-12 The table of nations includes seventy names of individuals who descended from Noah’s three sons.

Genesis 11:1-9 The world had united and cooperated to build a tower to make a name for themselves. God spoke to His divine council and then confused the languages.

Deuteronomy 32:7-9; 4:19-20 Centuries later, Moses referred to the Babel incident and said Yahweh divided up humankind according to the number of the gods.

Psalm 82:1-8 The gods that Yahweh put in charge of the nations acted corruptly and showed partiality to the wicked. They are under God’s judgement.

Acts 2:1-12 Pentecost marked the moment when God began to dwell within His people via the spirit. Furthermore, it initiates His effort to take the nations back.

Revelation 5:9-10 In the end, God will succeed. His kingdom will have saints from every tribe, language, people, and nation. They will reign as His priests upon the earth.

Mother’s Day may not be a Christian holiday, but the Scriptures clearly set out how God views a mother and the importance of the goodness of this woman as it relates to the goodness of God. There are numerous stories in the Bible about mothers who were good women such as Hagar, Hannah, Esther, Ruth, and Elizabeth, alongside stories of non-mothers, those spiritual good women such as Miriam, Martha, and Mary Magdalene. In this sharing, the “mother of all the living” – Eve, the Proverbs 31 woman, and Abigail will exemplify God’s perspective of “a good woman”.

Mother’s Day may not be a Christian holiday, but the Scriptures clearly set out how God views a mother and the importance of the goodness of this woman as it relates to the goodness of God.

Psalm 139:13-14

These are beautiful words to think about (as David did) of how God wove us in our mother’s womb, and we can give thanks for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Ephesians 6:1-3

There is a spiritual and physical consequence to honoring our mothers and fathers. It does not say honor your mother only on a designated day, but we are to give honor to our mothers every day.

Proverbs 31:10; 25-26; 30

This proverb of wisdom and instruction: Who can find a good woman? She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. This woman who fears the LORD shall be praised.

Genesis 1:1, 3, 10, 12;18, 21, 26, 31

Genesis 2:21-24

Genesis 3:20

Eve was very good in God’s creation and the mother of all the living.

The word “good” in the verses in Genesis are the Hebrew word tob. In the Greek, “good” is kalos agathos, chrestos and often appears in a nonmoral sense in Scripture, like in a good appearance, good land, good gold, good soil, good wine. But most of the biblical uses of the word “good” have to do with moral qualities.

Psalm 86:5   For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You.

Psalm 34:8   O Taste and see that the LORD is good, how blessed is the man who takes refuge in him;

In Scripture, His goodness appears most clearly in His dealings with people.

Psalm 26:3   Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Romans 2:4   Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and tolerable and patience, not knowing that the kindness (goodness) of God leads you to repentance?

In the Scripture, goodness always involves particular ways of behaving. Because God is good, He is good to His people; when people are good, they behave decently toward each other, based on God’s goodness to them.

Micah 6:8   He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

In Galatians 5:22, goodness is a fruit of the Spirit.

1 Samuel 25:3, 10, 18-19, 22-33, 39

We have the biblical record of Abigail, a good woman of understanding. She trusted and had faith in the goodness of her God, Yahweh. Abigail ended up marrying King David and gave birth to their son, Chileab.