LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

Jesus often used parables when he taught. They are little stories about relatable situations and characters that illustrate a point. The goal with Jesus’ parables is not to decipher every little nuance and symbol but to get the main point. Jesus told dozens of parables, but today we will focus on just three.

The Rich Fool

Luke 12:16-34 This man wanted security and ease of life. He had worked hard, expanded, and made smart financial moves until his harvest was huge. In one sense, he had done everything the right way, except for one critical issue: he ignored God. For the rich man, his problem was not financial success, but making that an ultimate aim above God.

The Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:23-35 The forgiven servant can’t see the big picture; he can see only the wrong done to him. He’s swept up in his emotions, seizing and choking the one who owed him a mere 100 denarii when he was forgiven 10,000 talents.

1 talent = 20 years wages. Assuming minimum wage of $10 per hour at 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, after 20 years, that means 1 talent = $416,000 today. This guy owed 10,000 talents = $4,160,000,000. This is an absurd number! He is owed 100 denarii = 100 days wages. Assuming $10 an hour, 8 hours a day, that’s $8,000 dollars. So, he’s forgiven $4 billion and loses it over $8 grand!

The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37 The Samaritans hated the Jews and vice versa. They both had powerful reasons to despise the other, going back for centuries. Although the priest and the Levite would have been the most expected to help someone in need, it is the Samaritan who helps the injured man. At great cost to himself, he cares for his religious, ethnic, and political enemy. This is how Jesus wants his followers to apply the commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In this way, Jesus confronts tribalism head on, excluding it as an option for his followers.

John 20:31

The Gospel of John was written so that we would believe that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah], the Son of God; and that believing we could have life in his name.

Isaiah 42:1-3 Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.

John 5:30-57 The testimony that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God

Jesus’ testimony was not simply his own. There was more of a witness than just one man’s words. Nu 35:30; De 17:6; 19:15; Mt 18:16; Jo 8:13-18; 2 Co 13:1; 1 Ti 5:19

- The testimony of John the Baptist: Jo 5:33-35; Jo 1:31-34; Mk 11:27-33

- The testimony from the works of Jesus: Jo 5:36; Mt 11:2-6; Jo 10:24-25; 37-38

- The testimony from the Father: Jo 5:37-38; baptism (Mt 3:16-17; Mk 1:11; Lk 3:21-22); Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:5-6; Mk 9:7; Lk 9:35; 2 Pt 1:16-18); after a prayer of Jesus (Jo 12:27-30).

- The testimony from Scripture: Jo 5:39-47; Lk 16:19-31; 18:31-33; 24:25-27, 44-45

The resurrection and the holy spirit also give testimony to Jesus

- The resurrection testifies about Jesus: Ro 1:1-4; 1 Co 15:3-6

- The holy spirit testifies about Jesus: Jo 15:27; Ac 1:8

Matthew 16:13-17; John 6:44

God draws people to understand and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

What do you think about Jesus?

The teachings of Jesus Christ are built upon and in harmony with Moses and all the Old Testament prophets. His teachings are also consistent with and fundamental to that of the apostles in the New Testament. A harmonious, progressive theme is maintained throughout the Scriptures. The theme is simply stated in the Gospels as the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 4:17-23 Wherever he went and whenever he spoke, the message was the same.

Matthew 9:35; Luke 10:9 When Jesus sent out the apostles and disciples to teach, he said, “Go preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 5:43-48 Love was not a new subject, but his teaching enlarged it.

Matthew 22:35-46 All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments.

Matthew 24:12 The verse is about the end of the age but also can be applied to our lives. Revelation 2: you have left your foremost or primary love. Do not let life wear you down; love big to the end.

Mark 12:28-34 If we want to enter the Kingdom of God, we must keep love foremost of all.

Luke 1:27-37 Compassion is the core of loving others.

Luke 11:42 Jesus never got lost in religious legalism as many people tend to do.

John 13:34-35 We understand love by viewing the actions and words of Jesus. The higher standard of love is to love as he did.

John 14:15, 21-31 We love Him by keeping his commandments.

John 15:9-21 My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.

Genesis 3:15 The seed of the woman

Genesis 4 Cain and Abel

Genesis 6 Had there not been the flood, eventually Noah either would have been ill-effected or died and with him the promised seed.

Genesis 17 Abraham and Sarah could not reproduce.

Genesis 25:21 Rebecca was barren.

Genesis 38 Tamar’s husbands both died.

Exodus 1:15-ff Midwives were ordered to kill all the baby boys in Moses’ day.

1 Kings 1:5 Adonijah, David’s son, plotted to steal the throne from Solomon.

Solomon had 770 wives and 300 concubines and only one son and two daughters.

1 Kings 22 Jehoshaphat was almost killed by the deceit of Ahab.

2 Kings 11 Jehoram married Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel. Their son, Ahaziah, reigned after his father. He died, and Athaliah killed all the grandchildren. The aunt took Joash as a baby and hid him for 6 years.

Isaiah 38 Hezekiah had no sons and was going to die, but God gave 15 more years during which his son, Manasseh, was born.

2 Kings 24:1-15; 25:7 Zedekiah - all his children were killed in front of him, then his eyes were taken. However, Jehoiachin was saved beforehand.

Matthew 2:16 Herod killed all the male children two years old and under.

Matthew 1:1-17 The women in the genealogy -- Tamar, vs 3; Rahab, vs 5; Ruth, vs 3; Bathsheba, vs 6; Mary, vs 16.

Luke 1:27-35 God created seed in Mary.

Matthew 1:1 Jesus “the Messiah”, the son of David, the son of Abraham

Two Important “Everlasting Covenants” from the Hebrew Scriptures

- The Covenant to Abraham

- The Covenant to David

The Messiah

1 Chronicles 2:8-10 The mother of Samuel the prophet, Hannah, prayed over her son, and in her prayer she prophetically spoke of this Messiah that would judge the ends of the earth.

The anointed of the Lord

“The Messiah”

anoint = mashach

anointed = mashiyach= messiah

Hebrew mashiyach = Greek christos

Messiah = Christ = The Anointed

John 1:41

He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).

2 Samuel 5:1-5 As the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed, David ruled the kingdom of God. It was God’s kingdom. The children of Israel were God’s people. But David sat on the throne, ruling over Israel. He was to shepherd God’s people.

1 Kings 1:34-35 Solomon now sat upon David’s throne and ruled Israel.

1 Chronicles 29:20; 22-23 As the Messiah over God’s heritage, the king was worshipped. Solomon sat on “the throne of the LORD [Yahweh]” in David’s stead. It was called David’s throne (1 Kings 1:35), but in reality it was Yahweh’s throne, with God’s anointed, His Messiah ruling on His behalf.

The Covenant to David

1 Chronicles 17:1-15 The promise to David

God not only promised this to David, but He made a covenant with David (Psalm 89:3-4). The covenant to David was a salt covenant (2 Chronicles 13:5). God bound His oath to David with a covenant. It will absolutely come to pass (Jeremiah 33:20-21).

It had been over 550 years since the last descendent of David ruled as Yahweh’s anointed over God’s people. But God would keep His promise. It was at this time in history, just before what historians call the “Common Era” when the Angel Gabriel visited the small village of Nazareth.

Luke 1:26-38 The promise to Mary. A fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant

Luke 2:1-20 The birth of Christ -- The Messiah!

Hosea 4:1-3 The people have no faithfulness, no steadfast love, and no knowledge of God. Instead, they are swearing, lying, murdering, stealing, committing adultery, and shedding blood.

Hosea 12:8 Israel is not the least concerned about its sin. They don’t think God will see or do anything.

Hosea 6:4-10; 13:4-8 God is furious and ready for action, like a lion who hunts her prey or a bear robbed of her cubs. The object of God’s wrath, however, is Israel.

Hosea 10:1; 8:4-6; 4:12-13 Out of all of their sins, one stood above the rest--idolatry! God is very sensitive about idolatry.

Hosea 11:1-4 God cared for His people and adopted them, right from Egypt. However, they would not walk in His ways and kept sacrificing to Baal.

Hosea 1:2; 2:1-23 God had Hosea marry a prostitute so that he could illustrate God’s own situation

He had three sign children

1. Jezreel: God will judge the king’s dynasty for what they did in the Valley of Jezreel

2. Loruhamah: God will no longer have mercy on Israel

3. Loammi: Israel is no longer God’s people

Hosea 6:1; 7:13-15 Repeatedly, Hosea called the people to repentance. If they wouldn’t repent, then God would punish them.

Hosea 12:6; 14:1-3 Repeatedly, Hosea reached out to his people to turn back to God.

Hosea 11:8-11; 2:14-23; 14:4-7 Even though Hosea has so much doom and gloom, there’s also a strong message of hope, if the people will actually repent.

Hosea 14:9; 10:12 Let’s learn from this example and be faithful to our God.

Chronological Order of Events at Mt. Sinai

Exodus 19:1-40:38

In the third month of the first year, the children of Israel arrive at Mt. Sinai. They cleanse themselves for three days. Exodus 19:1-15

God speaks to all the people from the mountain. He orally gives them the Ten Commandments. Exodus 19:16-20:19

Moses alone goes into the mountain to receive further details and consequences of the Law. Exodus 20:20-23:33

Moses tells all these words to the people. They agree to obey. A covenant is made (The old covenant). Exodus 24:1-11

Moses goes into the mountain for 40 days and receives instruction regarding the tabernacle and the office of the priest. Exodus 24:12-31:18

While in the mount, the children of Israel make a golden calf. Moses breaks the tables of stone upon his return. Exodus 32:1-33:23

Moses returns into the mountain another 40 days. He again receives the tables of stone. Exodus 34:1-35

The children of Israel build the tabernacle. Exodus 35:1-39:43

The tabernacle is reared up on the first day of the second year. Exodus 40:1-38

Song: How Great Thou Art

Welcome

Colossians 3:16

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Song: Psalm 100

Psalm 69:30 Magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2 Come before His presence with thanksgiving - shout joyfully with psalms.

Psalm 107:22 Sacrifice the sacrifice of thanksgiving - tell of His works with joyful singing.

Psalm 116:17 Offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Psalm 147:1, 7 Sing unto Yahweh with thanksgiving.

Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto Yahweh and to sing praises unto Thy name.

God is to be praised with a heart of thankfulness. It is good to sing praises to Him.

Hebrews 13:15 This practice continues in the New Testament instruction as well, to offer a sacrifice of praise and give thanks to His name.

Song: It is Good to Praise the Lord

Song: We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise

Hebrews 13:15-16 Our giving is also a sacrifice we offer to God in thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:15-18 This is well pleasing to God.

2 Corinthians 9:7-12 Genuine giving is never to be by compulsion or grudgingly, but out of a heart of thankfulness, out of a cheerful heart! The fruit of genuine giving is a product of thanksgiving, which in turn produces thanksgiving.

Tithes and Offerings

Psalm 106:1 Praise Yahweh! O give thanks to Yahweh, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting

“His lovingkindness is everlasting”

(“His mercy endureth forever” KJV)

This is the anthem of God’s People - “His lovingkindess is everlasting.”

1 Chr. 16: 4, 34 When David brought the ark to Jerusalem, the Levites were instructed to sing it.

2 Chr. 5:13; 7:1-6 At the dedication of the Temple with King Solomon, it was repeated.

2 Chr. 20:21 When Jehoshaphat sent out singers before the armies of Israel, they sang it.

Ezra 3:11 When the foundation was laid at the time of the restoration under Zerubbabel, it was sung.

Jer. 33:11 This will be sung in the future in Jerusalem when the Kingdom is restored.

Psalm 136:1-3; 25 We are to thank God for His mercy - His lovingkindness.

Song: Kindness

Song: Lord, You are Good

1 Timothy 2:1-2

“...thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” We can be thankful and pray for our country and those who are public servants and lead our state, our nation, and other nations in the world.

Matthew 26:27; Luke 22:19 - He “gave thanks” (GK eucharisteo)

Song: Thank you, Lord

Communion Service

Song: Give Thanks

1 Corinthians 14:13-17 - One aspect of... To read the rest of the notes visit lhim.org/sermons

Genesis 12:1-4 Unlike Adam and Eve, the people in the flood and the tower of Babel, Abram took God at His word and did what he was told to do. He believed God meant exactly what He said and responded accordingly.

12:7 Noteworthy is he built an altar to the LORD. The next place he stopped is Bethel where again he built another altar. Abram was part of the purpose of the ages and understood that loving God was his purpose in life.

Genesis 13:14-18 Initially, God gave a general promise regarding the land. Now the boundaries were established: as far as he could see to the north, south, east, and west. The scope of his descendants was enlarged to include a great multitude beyond numbering.

Genesis 15:1-6 The promise regarding his seed became very specific -- from his own body and innumerable like the stars in the sky.

15:13-16 The 400 years commences with the birth of Isaac since his descendants are referenced. During this interval, they are to be first strangers or sojourners in a land not theirs for one hundred and ninety years. For the remaining 210 years, they were in Egypt.

15:18 To assure him of God’s promise and Abram’s future, God cut a covenant with him.

16:2-4 Abram is held up as the great example of someone who believed and walked with God; however, he did not live a mistake-free life. Over ten years passed since the first promise, and yet they still did not have children. Sarai came up with a plan to have a child. That plan was her own and not God’s.

17:1-8 The promises and commitment increase again.

22:15-18 God’s threefold commitment was: first, His promise (Genesis 12), then He cut a covenant (Genesis 15 and 17), and now He swore (Genesis 22).

Hebrews 6:13-18 The Abrahamic covenant will absolutely come to pass.

Galatians 3:6-9, 14 God told him he would be the father of many nations and changed his name to reflect this. Israel is only one nation. The inclusion of the Gentiles made his seed to be many nations.

Verse 16 The most significant seed of both biology and faith -- Jesus Christ

Verse 29 If we believe in Christ, we are the seed of Abraham and heirs of the same promises.

The fall was not an isolated event, effecting Adam and Eve, but the introduction of a virulent contagion capable of tainting every aspect of human experience.

Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:1-16 Within the second generation of humanity, we encounter not only jealousy, but even murder. Even so, God did not give up on Cain; He warned him beforehand and protected him from vengeance afterwards.

The Flood

Genesis 6:1-7 After many generations, human evil compounded to such a degree that everyone’s thoughts were only evil continually. Consequently, God regretted He ever made us and resolved to blot out all of humanity.

Genesis 6:8 This one little verse changes everything. It’s the first instance in Scripture of God’s grace or favor.

Genesis 6:9-22 If Noah could be a righteous man who lived blamelessly in the midst of overwhelming rebelliousness, violence, and sin, then what’s your excuse? God decided to save the people and the animals in an ark. He could have rescued them on His own, but He chose to involve them in the process.

Genesis 7:15-24 Once the animals and Noah’s family were in the ark, God closed the door. It rained for forty days, then the waters prevailed 150 days. What must that have been like to be a zoo keeper for half a year while the boat floated in the sea?

Genesis 8:8-12 Noah sent out doves to see if the water had subsided. When the one returned with an olive leaf, it told him that the flood waters had receded and that he would be saved.

Genesis 9:8-13 God made a covenant never to destroy the earth with a flood again. The rainbow is the sign of this covenant.

The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1-4 At first glance, it’s hard to see why this would be problematic. However, God had commanded humanity to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28).

Genesis 11:5-9 God had to stop them from repeating the mistakes of the past. Languages are our reminder that unity and progress are not always virtues if we aren’t pursuing God’s will.