Tag: resurrection

Immerse Day 12 Observations

Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1 – 16:24

  • Paul addresses the congregation on the topic of marriage, because they were apparently confused about whether or not it was sinful to be married. H assured them it was not sinful for virgins to marry.
    • He was clear that he was not commanding them one way or another (since he had not received a clear command from the Lord to do so), so he was only offering advice that they could follow or decline.
    • He acknowledged that married couples would face challenge. Scholars don’t have agreement on what this means…could be normal timeless challenges facing all couples, could be Corinth-specific challenges, or it the challenges could be related to the expectation of Christ’s impending return.
    • Because of these problems, he wasn’t recommending marriage, but he wasn’t forbidding it.
    • His priority for Christians is that they will prioritize serving the Lord. If marriage is a distraction to this priority, singleness is preferred. However, if singleness is a distraction to the priority of Jesus, marriage is preferable.
    • Those who are married should not divorce (using this priority as the rationale to do so).
  • Next, he addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols.
    • the first points made on the subject are bigger than the subject itself:
      • While knowledge is important, it is love that strengthens the church.
      • anyone who claims to know everything, actually knows very little.
      • the person who loves God is someone who God recognizes.
    • the teachings on eating idol-sacrificed food, then, are to be understood within this love/knowledge paradigm.
      • idols are not really gods.
      • There is only one God.
      • But…not all believers (?) know this. Some translations say “all people,” while others make the reference to believers or Christians. Regardless the obligation to the mature of knowledgeable Christian who knows that idols are not gods, is not governed by knowledge but by love.
        • A believer doesn’t lose anything (of spiritual value) by eating this food, but nor do they gain anything by abstaining from it as a matter of conscience or principle.
        • The new guiding principle isn’t a believer’s liberty (though it certainly exists). the guiding principle for a believer selfless consideration for others.
        • The believer must be determined to not cause any person with a more delicate conscience to stumble.
          • Applying this principle to this context means abstaining from meat (even though a believer is free to eat this type of meat), if doing so means causing a person who thinks its wrong to do this (and, in so doing, sinning).
    • Paul comments about his own God-given authority, mentioning how his own self-supported ministry should not be understood as the prescription for a church’s relationship with their spiritual leaders.
      • He told the church it was right to support the spiritual leaders.
      • His own determination to serve independently was accomplished in response the Lord’s compulsion upon him to do it this way.
      • In this regard, Paul saw himself as a servant to all people. And he was governed by the principle of selfless consideration for others.
        • To people who were under the Law (Jewish people), he conducted himself as someone who was still under the law.
        • To people who were not under the Law (Gentile people), he conducted himself as someone who was no longer under the law.
        • This others-centeredness made it possible for him to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel.
      • He compared this discipline to two athletic endeavors:
        • training to win a running race.
        • training as a boxer.
        • He was in it to win it (“It” being “seeing people trust Jesus.”)
When Rocky Is Paul, and the side of beef is others’ unbelief
  • To make his next points, Paul reminds the Corinthian Jewish believers of their ancestors who were united in their following of Moses, and illustrating that their common behavior was a baptism of sorts. He points out that their sharing in the water from the rock was a picture of Jesus.
    • From this, he reminds them of Israel’s waywardness (idolatry, pagan revelry, grumbling, etc.) This judgment against Israel was given as an example to believers now (and “now now,” too).As such, we must not put Christ to the test, the way the ancestors tested God.We must not succumb to temptation.
      • Deliverance from temptation is possible. The temptation will never be greater than what you can bear.God will always provide a way out of the temptation.Therefore, we must flee the worship of idols (an offense of our spiritual ancestors)He gives instruction to abstain from knowingly eating food sacrificed to idols, on the principle that it is food really offered to demons and to stay away from this evil. He acknowledges that this is permissible, but counters that it is still not advisable, because it isn’t beneficial. He reiterates the understated point: Don’t be concerned about your own good, but for the good of others.
      • The application of this is explained contextually with advice that if you are offered food, go ahead and eat it, but if the matter of conscience is raised, then abstain. bottom line: whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.Paul offers himself as the example in this, and tells them (and us), “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”
  • Paul moves on to matters of order.
    • This commentary will be brief on on these matters, as they address an internal conflict of the Corinthian church and reflect the cultural practices of the time. A thorough commentary is offered here, via The Gospel Coalition.
    • My focus here isn’t on the custom; rather, on the clear teaching that God is characterized by order. As such, worship directed to him should likewise be orderly. Disorderly or chaotic worship is indicative of misdirected, ineffectual worship.
    • Continuing on the topic of order requires addressing the matter of unity. God is unified with himself. So, too, must we be unified. Apparently there was disunity regarding the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper.
      • Paul recounts the history that establishes the importance of the Lord’s Supper. He admonishes the Corinthians to examine themselves before participating in the Lord’s Supper and to approach the table with a clean account before the Lord.
      • He instructs the church to wait for the congregation to participate in it together.
    • Still under the topic of order is a proper understanding of Spiritual Gifts. He explains that these gifts are bestowed by the Holy Spirit, and are not of human origin.
      • He clarifies that everyone who believes receives at least one spiritual gift.
      • The purpose of the gift is to help one another (not for personal benefit or gain).
      • There are many different gifts given to the church.
      • God alone gives and distributes the gifts.
      • He compares the peoples’ spiritual giftedness to a human body to illustrate the principles of unity, coordination, and interdependence.
      • He exhorts people to desire the gifts that will be most beneficial to others.
      • understated point: spiritual giftedness reinforces that you exist as a follower of Jesus for the purpose of serving others.
Whether or not the gray stuff is delicious, we do, in fact, live to serve.
  • This discourse on order is paused, for a reenforcing and even transformational, discourse on “a way of life that is best for all.”
    • He says that knowledge without love makes a person like a noisy gong or clanging symbol.
    • A person who can teach God’s truth authoritatively, or possessed great wisdom, or possessed unsurpassed knowledge, but didn’t have love, was useless.
    • Even a person who was excessively sacrificial, if dispossessed of love, would gain nothing for all their sacrifice.
    • Paul describes love’s attributes:
      • love is patient and kind
      • love isn’t boastful or jealous or proud or rude
      • love doesn’t demand its own way
      • love isn’t irritable, and it doesn’t keep records of wrong
      • love doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices when truth wins out
      • love never gives up, never loses hope
      • love endures through everything
    • Paul explains the preeminence of love.
      • Spiritual giftedness will eventually become obsolete.
      • Love, though, will continue forever.
      • The current expressions of spiritual giftedness are incomplete, but when the end comes (the time of perfection), these incomplete things will be useless.
      • Eventually, the incomplete things we only partially understand know will become complete and we will understand them fully. When that happens, only three things remain…faith, hope, and love. And love is the greatest of these three things.
        • This translation says these three things last forever. Most translations render this phrase as “remain” or “abide,” connoting a different idea than what is communicated by the NLT. I’m more comfortable with the other translations, because I’m of the mind that my hope will be fulfilled and my faith will one day be realized. If so, these two will come to an end. But love will remain. understated point: Love is the apex, transcendent experience (and expression of relationship).
  • With the exhortation from Paul to pursue love as the highest goal, he encourages believers to desire special spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy (or to speak forth truth for the edification of other believers).
    • attention is returned to the “sticky wicket” of the spiritual gift of tongues, mentioning that prophecy is a better gift because it benefits more people than does the gift of tongues.
    • Paul offers some descriptive guidelines for the orderly presentation/expression of tongues in the life of a congregation.
      • tongues or languages must be understandable, or else the indistinguishable words will be useless.
      • Every language of the world has meaning, but if it is unknown or unknowable, it is useless. Because of this, Paul entreats you to pursue the gifts that will most benefit others.
      • Paul reasons through this thread arriving at the same conclusion repeatedly: simple, straightforward, known articulation of God’s truth is always best.
  • Paul summarizes points on orderly worship, emphasizing that orderliness affirms God’s involvement amongst the congregation, both internally and externally (as affirmation and witness).
Has this ever happened to your worship?
  • Paul reiterates the Gospel, encouraging the audience to stand firm in the truth of what Jesus accomplished. He explained that he is who he is by God’s appointment, Jesus’ Lordship, and the Spirit’s empowerment.
  • He then reaffirms the resurrection of Jesus, refuting the false claims of those striving to deny the historicity of the event.
    • In this, he explains the resurrection as an essential doctrine of the Christian faith.
    • The resurrection of Jesus overcomes the curse that came to humanity through the first man, Adam.
    • The resurrection of Jesus affirms the promised return of Jesus. He can only return (and will return) because he was resurrected in the first place.
    • There is a strange, singular reference to “baptism for the dead.” It isn’t affirmed or criticized. It is merely acknowledged that some practice that is commonly known is practiced at the time. Paul’s point isn’t whether it is right or wrong or good or bad, but that if there were no resurrection of Jesus, then there would be no justification whatsoever for the practice.
    • Moreover, even the overall efforts of Paul would be foolhardy without the resurrection.
    • Paul moves on to addressing the question of “how” bodily resurrection will happen.
      • He uses the comparison of a seed in the ground giving way to the growth of a plant.
      • The physical. body will give way to a spiritual body.
    • With all this, Paul encourages the congregation to do all they can for the Lord, because this is always productive and useful.
Bert, reading Immerse, realizes for whom he labors…
  • Paul closes with a quick instruction on how to support the offering for the church in Jerusalem, and then with closing remarks, with final exhortations:
    • Be on guard
    • Stand firm in the faith
    • Be courageous and strong
    • Do everything with love
    • Submit to spiritual leaders with devotion and appreciation.
  • In parting, he casually mentions “If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed.” (grace and love to you in Jesus)
Even Chuck Norris takes heed to this warning.

Immerse Day 5 Observations

Immerse is an 8-week (40 day) reading campaign, Scottsdale Bible Church is reading through the New Testament together. To date, more than 3500 people are participating.

Text: Luke 19:18-24:53 (pp. 47-59)

  • Jesus proceeds to Jerusalem. He tells the disciples how to prepare and informs them exactly what to expect. It unfolds precisely as he says. These not only demonstrate his omniscience, but also validate Old Testament prophecies.
  • As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd entering the city to commemorate the Passover acclaim Jesus as Messiah, laying their coats and palm branches before him (as a sign of acknowledgement of his regal standing)
    • Lingering Pharisees tried to shut down the fanfare, admonishing Jesus to rebuke the followers from their Messianic praise.
    • Jesus replied that there was no denying who he is. All of creation testifies to the deity of Jesus.
    • Jesus wept upon seeing Jerusalem, pained over her rejection of him (and the subsequent judgment that would inevitably follow).
  • Jesus entered the Jerusalem Temple, driving out the commercial interests there.
    • He taught daily in the Temple, and the people swarmed to him.
    • The Pharisees plots turned murderous. Still, they couldn’t rightly accuse him of wrongdoing.
    • He foiled their efforts to challenge his authority, using the deft skills of logic and reason.
  • Jesus shared a provocative parable of a man (God) who leased his land to farmers (Israel). He sent servants back to the land (prophets) and the farmers beat every servant. So the man sent his cherished son (Jesus)…and the farmers killed the son to take the land for themselves.
    • He then connected the dots with prophecy, identifying himself as the rejected stone that would be the chief cornerstone (who would overcome all efforts to oppose him).
    • The Pharisees caught the teaching’s meanings, and despite worries about upsetting the masses of followers), moved forward with their plot.
  • They failed in a plot trying to pit Jesus against Rome, but Jesus responding to “loaded questions” by telling people to respect and obey their earthly authorities (as well as their divine authorities).
  • Jesus is challenged by the Sadducees using a hypothetical dealing with marriage and the resurrection. He answers authoritatively on both.
  • Then Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question they could not answer. He then warned the crowd to be on the watch for their false teachings.
  • Jesus commended the widow for her sacrificial giving, in contrast to the publicly extravagant gifts of the Pharisees that had been taken from their excesses.
  • Jesus talked extensively about the commencement of the end, and not to worry.
  • Framed by the setting of the approaching Passover Feast, The Pharisees benefited from the willingness of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus.
  • The time for Passover had arrived. Jesus told the disciples to make preparations. Again, all occurred exactly as he told them it would.
    • At the Passover meal, Jesus reiterated his impending persecution and suffering.
      • He institutes the Lord’s supper.
      • He reminds them of the servanthood imperative.
      • He tells Peter that Satan has asked permission to sift Peter and that Jesus intercedes for him.
        • He foretells Peters failure
        • He predicts Peters denial
        • He also foretells Peter’s repentance.
      • He then sets out, for the events that must take place.
  • They are greeted in the garden, where Judas identifies Jesus with the betrayer’s kiss.
    • The disciples prepare for conflict, but Jesus de-escalates it (heals the wounded Roman slave) and allows himself to be arrested (despite the lack of credible charges).
  • He is taken to the High Priest’s home. In the courtyard, Peter denies Jesus three times. Rooster crows. Peter runs away in bitterness.
  • The soldiers begin to mock and beat Jesus.
  • Under questioning, Jesus responds to accusers by attesting to his identity as the Son of God. They accuse him of blasphemy.
  • He is taken to Pontius Pilate, who finds no reason to charge him. Jesus is dispatched to Herod Antipas as a matter of protocol. Herod and his guards beat and mock Jesus, too.
    • Interestingly, Herod and Pilate become friends over this abuse of Jesus.
  • He is sent back to Pilate, who still finds no offense in him.
  • In expressing intent to release him, the Jewish leaders instead clamor for the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and accused murderer.
  • Pilate gave in to the demands of the people and sentenced Jesus to die.
  • Jesus was led to Golgotha and crucified there.
    • He was placed between two thieves.
      • One thief worshipped him.
      • The other mocked him, telling him to free himself (a fulfillment of one of his earliest prophecies at the onset of his ministry).
  • The midday sky went dark for three hours
  • At 3 PM, Jesus gave up his spirit and died.
  • The veil in the temple separating people from the Holy of Holies was torn.
  • Joseph (a wealthy, respected Jewish man) received permission to have Jesus’ body brought down before the Sabbath, and placed in his own tomb.
  • Jesus’ female followers prepared the spices and funerary ointments, and finished before the Sabbath.
  • On Sunday dawn, the women went to the tomb, and found the tomb’s entrance stone rolled away.
  • They encountered two men (angels) who announced that Jesus was alive, as he had been telling them would happen.
  • The women ran back and told the men. The men were unconvinced.
  • Peter ran to the tomb, found it empty, and was stymied.
  • Later that day, 7 miles away, Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus while two disciples were discussing all these events.
    • They didn’t recognize him at first.
    • They recounted to him everything that happened. They invited him in, and at dinner, they recognized him.
    • He proved himself to be no ghost. He ate with them.
    • He opened their mind to the Scriptures for understanding.
    • He promised the soon arrival of the Holy Spirit.
    • Jesus led them to Bethany, blessed them, then ascended to heaven.

NEXT UP: Acts!