Judas: BetrayerFebruary 26, 2012Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 22:1-6Vs 1: Hypocrisy—the yeast (leaven) of the Pharisees (ref. Luke 12:1b)App: We must learn to walk in full disclosure before God and one another (ref. 1John 1:7-9)Vs 3: Not giving Satan footholds (ref. John 12:4-6)App: A call to pray for those who handle church finances(ref. Mark 14:21, Matthew 26:14-16, 1Timothy 6:9-10)App: Consider between yourself and God: “what’s my point of vulnerability?” 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1Timothy 6:11-12 (ref. 1John 4:4, Romans 8:38-39)Though Judas may have been with Jesus, he wasn’t in Jesus“Yet there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him. 65He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” 66From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. John 6:64-66(ref. John 17:12b, Matthew 6:24, Ephesians 2:1-2)App: All Eyes on Jesus. 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10(ref. Acts 1:18-19)Matthew 27:3: Judas was “seized with remorse… returned the 30 silver coins… (and said), I have sinned.” Repent (met-an-o-eh-o): to change one’s mind; a complete turnaround (ref. John 7:37-38)Judas’ word (met-am-el-lo-mahe): He was simply sorry that he got caught What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Jesus’ Prophecy, Part 3February 19, 2012Please turn in Bibles to Luke 21:7-38Vs 7-19: “When will these things happen?”“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirthright up to the present time.” Romans 8:22Vs 20-24: Short-term prophecies fulfilled (70 AD)App: Fulfilled short-term prophesies add credibility to long-term prophecy. Be encouraged. Believe.Vs 25-28: Where we are today App: All Eyes on JesusVs 29-33: Parable of Fig Tree (budding of Israel)App: Be aware of events as they unfoldApp: Do you have an impossible situation in your life? God specializes in impossibilities Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1Peter 5:6-7 “For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.” Jeremiah 30:3Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land. Ezekiel 37:21I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’” Ezekiel 37:14App: Pray for the nation of Israel. Vs 34-36: How we should then live (ref. Rom. 8:1, Heb. 4:14-16, 2Peter 3:3-4, 8-9)“pray without ceasing” 1Thessalonians 5:17 NKJVThen Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up). Luke 18:1What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Jesus’ Prophecy, Part 2February 12, 2012Please turn in Bibles to Luke 21:20-28Luke 21: Jesus’ greatest prophetic teaching: The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25,Mark 13)Vs 20-24: The fall of Jerusalem“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand…” Matthew 24:15“When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand…” Mark 13:14 “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.32“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:29-33“These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Luke 21:9bApp: Revelation 21:6-7He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 21:6-7What about the Abomination that causes Desolation? It may not be one specific object, person or event, as much as any deliberate attempt to mock the reality of God’s presence. But we must take the prophet Daniel seriously,“From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Daniel 12:11 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand….Mark 13:14App: Get ready—Jesus is comingVs 25-28: Stand Tall and Be ElatedApp: All Eyes on Jesus What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Jesus’ Prophecy, Part 1February 5, 2012Please turn in Bibles to Luke 21:5-19Luke 21:5-38: The “Olivet Discourse” (Also see Mark 13 and expanded version in Matthew 24-25). It’s Jesus’ greatest prophetic teaching.Vs 5-6: The Destruction of the TempleFulfilled in 70 A.D. when Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple Vs 7-8: False Teachers (ref. 2Peter 2:1-3)Primary heresy: “denying the sovereign Lord who bought them” (ref. 1John 2:18-25)App: All Eyes on JesusVs 9-11: Wars All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:8App: As world events happen with greater intensity and frequency, let themserve as reminders that God’s kingdom is coming and as opportunities toserve others. Vs 12-13: PersecutionJesus gives two encouragements: 1)We’re doing it in His name.2)“This will result in your being witnesses to them.” And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. Acts 8:1 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Philippians 1:12-14 …“Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29Vs 14-19: Steadfastness and Patient Endurance…through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2Corinthians 6:8-10What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

The Widow’s MitesJanuary 29, 2012Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 21:1-4Vs 1-4: Things Are Not Always What They SeemMite (Gr. Lepton): literally the tiny invertebrate we tend to think of. As mites were thought to be the tiniest creatures, so the coin was the smallest in circulation. Quadran 1/64 of the average working man’s daily wagesApp: Giving isn’t a comparison game. God sees more than the portion; He sees proportionately. Though this widow has been used to manipulate greater giving, this was not Jesus’ intention.“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.” Luke 20:46-47App: This is more of a lesson on caring for the poor. In this case, to “devour a widow’s house” isn’t a sin of “commission” (i.e.-breaking and entering) as much as it’s a sin of “omission” (i.e.-not taking care of the less fortunate) “…because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” Acts 6:1b Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (ref. Mark 7:6-13)Corban: dedicating one’s wealth to God (in this case themselves) and using that as an excuse not to help others.Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 (ref. 2Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-8) App: Between yourself and God, decide what you are to give, and do it humbly, always being ready to adjust along the way. What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

The Resurrection of the DeadJanuary 22, 2012Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 20:27-47Vs 27: Sadducees•Among the privileged class of their day•Only accepted first five books of the Bible (Torah) as Scriptural•Denied the resurrection of the deadVs 28-33: Our certain eternal existence (ref. Ecc. 3:11a, 1Thess. 4:13-18App: Hold on to your hope of waking up to a brand new existence Vs 34-38: Relationships at their best in the KingdomJesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Matthew 22:29/ Mark 12:24)Heaven can’t be compared with life on earth. It’s a brand new existence. People don’t marry and people don’t die. But there is one marriage in the Kingdom.“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32Marriage, this side of eternity, is a street sign that points us to what we will one day experience with Christ. Once we step into eternity the street sign will no longer be necessary.App: Be encouraged. In Christ your best is always yet to be. (ref. Rev. 21:1-4)Vs 39: When thrown a difficult questionApp: Love those people, pray for them, answer the best you can and leave the rest up to God. Vs 41-44: How can a Father’s son be His Lord? (Ref. Rev. 22:16-17)Jesus Christ is both God and man: Cristos: Jesus who is the Christ, Messiah, long expected one.App: Who do you believe Jesus is? The crowds got it, but these stubborn leaders refused to accept it. Jesus is God in the flesh. (ref. Phil. 2:5-11)Vs 46-47: A look into the heart of Jesus’ opponents (ref. John 3:16-19) What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Religion minus The Cornerstone January 15, 2012 Please turn in you Bibles to Luke 20:1-26: Vs 1-2: Prophecy of the Lamb: Tuesday the 10th of Nissan (ref. Exodus 12:3, 5, 6; 2Corinthians 1:20) App: Believe. Be encouraged in believing (ref.1Peter 1:18-21) Vs 3-16: Hearts Exposed App: Either we will be aligned with God, allowing Him to be the owner, or we will find ourselves opposing Him. Vs 17-19: The Cornerstone (ref. Acts 4:8-12) Common understanding: We neither want to trip over Jesus, by rejecting His grace, nor be crushed by Him, by defending ourselves before Him. Another thought: Will we be broken upon Jesus by accepting His grace and surrendering to Him now, or will we be crushed under Jesus by facing His judgment and defending personal goodness? Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 App: Fall upon Jesus. Allow Him to be the foundation of your life. Vs 20-26: Silencing the Opposition -If Jesus had answered no, He would have been arrested for opposing Rome. -If yes, He would have offended His Jewish following. 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established… 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Romans 13:1, 6 “…Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. Acts 4:19 1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1Timothy 2:1-4 What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

House of PrayerJanuary 08, 2012Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 19:45-48Vs 45: Praying or PreyingApp: Be about the business of ChristVs 46: House of Prayer or Den of Thieves•Den of thieves (see Jeremiah 7:11): a place where thieves hide after committing crimesApp: We mustn’t hide in our religion?•House of Prayer: a place of light (see Isaiah 56:7)5This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 1John 1:5-7Prayer = Walking in the light“21…a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:21, 23, 24Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?... 1Corinthians 6:19Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20Prayer is the place where we encounter God and God encounters usThis is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3“know” = to fully know and to be fully known”(Ref. Rev. 22:17, Gen. 5:24, Heb. 11:6, Jn. 7:37-38)CHALLENGE:1.Set a personal TIME for prayer each day this week 2.Determine a PLACE to pray this week 3.Decide at what level you will FAST this week4.Plan to JOIN US Monday through Friday What is His Spirit saying to you this morning?

When Ordinary becomes ExtraordinaryDecember 18, 2011Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 19:26-45Vs 26-28: 3 Strikes Engaged: parents made such arrangements for their kids Betrothed: legally binding arrangement that requires a divorce to end Mary wasn’t “highly favored” in the world’s eyes (see Vs 46) 1.She was from Galilee (see Matt 4:15) 2.She was from Nazareth of Galilee (ref. John 1:45-46)3.She was poor (Compare Leviticus 12:7-8 to Luke 2:22-24)App: God uses ordinary people (ref. 1Corinthians 1:27-29)A word of caution: Tendency in churches to undermine “virgin” birthTherefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:14App: We don’t have to defend God; just believe (ref. John 1-4, 14)Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13 App: Hear what the Spirit is saying: “Jesus is the hope of the world.” Vs 29-38: Why Mary was highly favoredVs 29: “Greatly Troubled”: God’s business can be radical and scary App: Trust God and let Him help with what you don’t understand Vs 38: Mary was favored because she believed App: pray this way: “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as You have said.” “ Vs 36, 39-45: The Old and the Young App: A call for the older to invest in the younger and the younger to be a blessing to the olderWhat is His Spirit saying to you this morning?

The Triumphal EntryDecember 11, 2011Please turn to Luke 19:28-44Vs 19:28-40: Earthquake-like CelebratingWhy, at this point, did Jesus allow the crowds to celebrate Him?1.To affirm His Messiah-ship: fulfillment of the prophecies2.To force the leader’s hands. He came to die on the cross and this action would put that in motion.Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation,gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;23the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.24This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.From the house of the LORD we bless you. Psalm 118:22-26App: To not fall away when God doesn’t do things in our time or our way (ref. 1Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 10:25)I would have lost heart, unless I had believedThat I would see the goodness of the LORDIn the land of the living.14Wait on the LORD;Be of good courage,And He shall strengthen your heart;Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:13-14 NKJVVs 41-44: People Celebrate while Jesus Weeps“Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14App: Believing in Jesus’ death is the way to find peace with God (ref. Micah 6:8)“Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two‘sevens.’ Daniel 9:2549 + 434 = 483 Lunar years (354 days in a year or 173, 880 days) from the day King Artaxerxes gave the command to rebuild Jerusalem (March 14, 445 B.C.) to the Triumphant Entry (April 6, 32 A.D.) (Ref. Psalm 118:24, 1Corinthians 1:20, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18)What is His Spirit saying to you this morning?