LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

Colossians 1:18 (ESV)

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent

Colossians 1:3-6

The hope laid up for you in heaven

Colossians 1:11-12

He has qualified us to share in the inheritance.

Colossians 1:13

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.

Colossians 1:14-20 -- The preeminence of Christ

Christ is seated at the right hand of God -- Consider what this means.

Ephesians 1:19-23

There are powers in this world -- earthly kingdoms with hierarchy of rule. There are the rulers of the darkness of this world -- Satan’s kingdom -- spiritual forces of wickedness (Eph 2:2; 6:12; 2 Cor 4:4; Luk 4:5). There are myriads of angels -- powerful created beings (Dan 7:10; Heb 12:22; Jud 14; Rev 5:11). There are the seven spirits before the throne (Rev 1:4; 4:5; 8:2). There are four angels holding back the four winds of the earth (Rev 7:1; Dan 7:2; Eze 37:9; Mt 24:31). There are 24 elders (Rev 4:4). And there are the four living creatures -- the cherubim before the throne of Yahweh (Rev 4:6-9; Ps 99:1; Eze 1:1ff; 10:1ff).

When men saw visions of God’s throne, they brought them to great humility: Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 7:28.

Jesus ascended to the right hand of God above all principality, power, might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come! (Ps 110:1; Dan 7:13-14; Mat 26:64; Mar 14:62; Luk 22:69-70; Mat 28:18; Eph 4:8; Heb 1:2, 13; Heb 10:12; Rev 5:1ff)

Colossians 2:8-10

In him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form, and in him you have been made complete, and he is the head over all rule and authority.

Colossians 2:15

He has disarmed the rulers and authorities, made a public display of them, and triumphed over them.

Colossians 2:17-19

The substance belongs to Christ...and not holding fast to the head.

Colossians 3:1

Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Philippians 3:10-12 Paul knows he has not yet obtained resurrection; he’s not yet been made complete. Press on = dioko: to pursue, chase, persecute. He sees the finish line of the resurrection and races toward it.

Philippians 3:13-14 Like a running, straining every muscle and nerve, he’s pushing himself forward to the hope. He’s not holding back or hedging his bets.

Philippians 3:15-17 If you’re mature, you’re like Paul--your eye is on the finish line. Rather than sitting comfortably on your laurels, you’re actively seeking to walk with God today. When’s the last time God did something in your life?

Philippians 3:18-19 Sadly, there are people who make themselves enemies of the cross of Christ. We can’t be so focused on our appetites and earthly things that we put stumbling blocks before other Christians. Rather, we must keep our eyes on the hope.

Philippians 3:20-21 Citizenship was important in the Roman Empire, especially in a city like Philippi since it was a Roman colony. Our citizenship is in heaven from which we await our Lord.

"'We are citizens of heaven,' Paul declares in verse 20. At once many modern Christians misunderstand what he means. We naturally suppose he means 'and so we're waiting until we can go and live in heaven where we belong.' But that's not what he says, and it's certainly not what he means. If someone in Philippi said, 'We are citizens of Rome,' they certainly wouldn't mean 'so we're looking forward to going to live there.' Being a colony works the other way round. The last thing the emperors wanted was a whole lot of colonists coming back to Rome. The capital was already overcrowded and underemployed. No: the task of the Roman citizen in a place like Philippi was to bring Roman culture and rule to northern Greece, to expand Roman influence there." NT Wright (Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters, p. 124)Let’s press on towards the prize with a clear focus. Let’s chase after the hope without allowing ourselves to be distracted by what’s around us. Although our resurrection is in the future, it should affect how we live now, including how we spend our time and money, how we plan the future, and how we treat people.

The Scriptures are progressive in revealing God’s plan. The Old Testament points to the coming Messiah, while the gospels present the historical Christ -- that is what he did when he first came. Little is communicated about what was accomplished on the cross because God kept it a secret, or as it is called a mystery.

1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Paul the Apostle was given the revelation about the great mystery which is now written in the church Epistles with his name. The book of Acts records the history of the early church after Christ ascended. Obviously, they did not know the fullness of what was accomplished on the cross until Paul shows up on the scene.

Romans 16:25 -- The next few weeks we will focus on the epistles that reveal the great mystery.

Ephesians 1:9; 3:1-11 In this mystery, we see God’s eternal purpose. Within the mystery, we learn our new identity in Christ.

Ephesians 1:1-23

1:1 Saints are the faithful in Christ, the Greek word hagios is translated 9 times as “saints” in Ephesians and 5 times “holy.” The saints are the holy ones. In Christ you have been made holy. You are a saint!

3 -- Heavenly 1; 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12

Only God knew what was to be accomplished IN CHRIST -- 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15

4 -- Many are called, few are chosen. Matthew 22:14

You were called. Have you responded? If so, you are chosen.

5 -- Predestination and free will (Matthew 22:1-14)

God’s kind intention to you is that you become His son, that you be a part of the purpose of the ages, His family.

6 -- Praise of God’s glory, 12 and 14

7 -- Redemption -- 2:1-13 If the devil knew killing Jesus would free those whom he held captive in sin, he would not have killed him. Christ took on sin on the cross.

9 -- God’s kind intention is why we are included and why we can know when for centuries others did not know.

10-14 All these blessings now and, if we are faithful, the Kingdom when it comes -- how can we not live to the praise of His glory?

Genesis 1:26-28 God’s original plan was to fill the earth with people created in His image and likeness. Once the original plan was shattered by sin, Yahweh set in motion a strategy to regain His purposes. He still wants an earth filled with people like Him that He can share love with; He wants a family!

Genesis 13:14-18 God promised Abraham land and descendants like the dust of the earth.

15:5-7 Descendants like stars in heaven

17:1-8 “Multiply you exceedingly; ...I will be their God”

22:15-18 Seed as stars of the heavens and as the sand on the seashore

Galatians 3:6-9, 29 Includes all those of faith, Jew and Gentile

Jeremiah 33:14-26 Yahweh cut a covenant with David that absolutely cannot be broken. “I will multiply the descendants of David My servant.”

God’s plan has not changed. He still wants the earth filled with holy people.

Acts 15:13-18; Romans 11:25

Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekiel 11:20; 36:28; 37:21-28; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Revelation 21:1-5 He will be our God, and we will be His people

Matthew 28:18-20 The church’s mission statement

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Join God in what He is doing.

Where is your treasure?

Luke 12:13-15 “BEWARE”

Luke 12:15 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:16-21 Parable of a rich landowner

Luke 12:22-34 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 23:4-5 Don’t set your heart on riches. Don’t weary yourself to gain wealth.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 Having food and clothing, be content.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Don’t fix your hope on the uncertainty of riches. Be rich in good works; be generous and ready to share, storing up the treasure of a good foundation for the future.

Be ready for the coming of Christ

Luke 12:35-48

Christ is coming back. How should that affect the way you live today?

Repent

Luke 13:1-5

Bad things happen to good and bad people alike. How did Jesus respond?

Luke 13:6-9 The parable of the unfruitful fig tree

Matthew 23:1-3 The scribes were paid scholars who could at least write, but often also were experts on what the Bible said. Pharisees were laymen who joined a strict sect, dedicated to scrupulous observance of God’s laws. Jesus says to obey these people, but don’t imitate them. Their words are good, but their actions are bad.

Hypocrisy: the behavior of people who do things that they tell other people not to do (Merriam-Webster)

Matthew 23:4 We should not only tell our fellow brothers and sisters what is right and wrong, but should also have compassion on their struggles and offer to help them carry the burden.

Matthew 23:5-12 They were motivated by honor. Honor is appropriate for elders, leaders, and everyone (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 2:17). Honor is good, but self-focus and aggrandizement are not. Jesus taught much on how to practice righteousness properly (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18).

Matthew 23:13-39 Jesus knew what was to come (Matthew 24:1-2). The Jewish War with Rome lasted from a.d. 66 to 73. It was devastating in every way imaginable.

Matthew 23:34-37 How they responded to Jesus determined the fate of the city and the nation. The stakes were incredibly high. Don’t mistake Jesus’ tone for a petty, angry outburst. How would you speak to leaders whose self-delusion was dooming their nation?

Seven Thunderous Woes

v13 Shut the Kingdom in people’s faces

v15 Great effort to make converts twice a child of hell

v16 Blind guides who use technicalities to invalidate oaths

v23 Precision in tithing, but miss weightier matters (justice, mercy, faithfulness)

v25 Clean outside, but inside are filthy (greed, self-indulgence)

v27 Outwardly righteous, but inwardly hypocritical and lawless

v29 Memorialize prophets of old, but persecute prophets before them

Hypocrisy is not a Christian problem; it’s a human problem.

Honestly evaluate yourself. God has made a way to be forgiven (John 3:16; 1 John 1:8-10).

Matthew 20:20-28 The mindset of a Christian is entirely different than that of the world. It is the opposite.

The mother of John and James was a regular member of the disciple group (Matt. 27:55-56).

19:28 The thrones are already assured; the question is precedence. James and John along with Peter were the inner circle.

22 The cup is a metaphor for destined suffering. The connection Jesus placed on the cup and throne is interesting -- suffering and the glory. They responded that they were able, but both ran when Jesus was taken.

23 -- In the future, they would drink the cup of suffering. James is killed in Acts 12:2, and John perhaps in his imprisonment on Patmos.

24 The ten others are no freer of ambition than the two brothers.

27 -- Greatness among the disciples of Jesus are the reverse of what the world is used to. True greatness is in service.

28 -- Our service will be different from Jesus’, but its motivation must be the same, not to be served but to serve.

Philippians 2:1-3 The opposite of the concerns that were of John and James.

4-13 Fear and trembling basically means respect and humility.

Romans 1:1 Paul was a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:23 You are bought with a price -- the life of Jesus. You are not your own.

Galatians 6:16-17 We have the big C brand -- Christ our Lord.

Galatians 1:10-12

Psalm 25:15 The bond slave keeps his eye on the Master.

Ephesians 6:5-9; 2 Timothy 2:22-26

Romans 6:16ff You are going to be a slave for someone or something; why not Yahweh and our Lord Jesus the Christ?

Revelation 1:1; 22:1-7 Bond slaves are the ones revelation was written to.

Overcomer Promises:

2:7 Tree of life in the paradise of God

2:11 Not hurt in the second death

2:17 Hidden manna, white stone with a new name, new life

2:26-29 Authority over the nations, morning star (22:16)

3:5-6 White garments, book of life, confess before the Father

3:11-13 Pillar in the temple of God, name of God, New Jerusalem, Jesus’ new name

3:21-22 Sit on the throne of Jesus

Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 11, 21 We must overcome.

Ephesus -- first love

Smyrna -- faithful until death

Pergamum -- desire for money and wrong doctrine

Thyatira -- immorality and idolatry

Sardis -- wake up

Philadelphia -- keep God’s word, and do not deny His name

Laodicea -- neither hot or cold; get hot

John 16:32-32 Jesus overcame the world.

1 John 2:13-14 We too can overcome.

1 John 4:4 Greater is he in you than he who is in the world.

1 John 5:4-5 We are overcomers.

Romans 8:31-39 We overwhelmingly conquer.

Hebrew 6:13, 18-19 Anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast

Hebrews 11:13-16 Their hope influences their entire lives. Do we see and welcome our hope?

Revelation 1:1-3; 3:11; 22:12 The time is near; live like it is so.

2:7 Tree of life in the paradise of God

2:11 Not hurt in the second death

2:17 Hidden manna, white stone with a new name, new life

2:26-29 Authority over the nations, morning star (22:16)

3:5-6 White garments, book of life, confess before the Father

3:11-13 Pillar in the temple of God, name of God, new Jerusalem, Jesus’ new name

3:21-22 Sit on the throne of JesusMatthew 24:36-51 Be on the alert!

Mark 13:35-37 Eliminate procrastination.

Romans 13:11-12 Put on the armor of light.

James 5:7-8 Be patient.

1 Peter 4:7-8 Sound judgment and sober.

1 John 2:18 It is the last hour.

Mark 8:27 Who do people say that Jesus is? What’s the buzz on the street?

Mark 8:28 They thought he was a prophet. People were circulating a rumor about John the Baptist.

- Mark 6:14-16 Herod believed that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.

- Malachi 4:5-6 Because of this prophecy, people thought Jesus could have been Elijah.

- Luke 1:15-17 The angel, Gabriel, explained that John the Baptist came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” to fulfill this prophecy.

- Matthew 11:13-14 Jesus said of John that “he is Elijah who is to come.”

Mark 8:29 This, now, is the question that reverberates through the centuries. Your answer to this defines your relationship with Jesus. Apart from Peter’s answer, four alternatives are popular among different groups today:

1. Jesus is a myth (he never existed)

2. Jesus is a dead good man (a tragic hero)

3. A dead bad man (a false prophet)

4. God in the flesh (2nd person of the Trinity)

Luke 1:31-33 This is Jesus’ destiny from the beginning--to rule forever

Mark 8:29-33 Within four verses, Peter swings from his greatest shining moment to his most awkward. Jesus knew what he had to do. He didn’t want to, but he couldn’t allow Peter or Satan or anyone to plant the smallest seed of doubt in his mind about going through with it.

Mark 8:34-38 If you have the guts to confess Jesus as Messiah, then you have thrown in your lot with him. You have given him your allegiance, loyalty, and fidelity.