CHRIST - THE CHURCH - AND YOU
This week I had a revelation of sorts, as I pondered our homework. I have been feeling a bit removed from the deeper study of the Bible that I am accustomed to - Bible studies which involve a focus on one book or one topic. It hit me this week that our booklet, "God's Amazing Book" is not at all the kind of study I have done before. This one sweeps over the Bible like a "fly-over" - an examination of the Bible as a whole. I'm usually the last one to sort of figure these things out...most of you probably have had this understood since the first lesson. Well, once I came to this conclusion, I wanted to SEE the Bible from a bigger picture, and for me, that means visuals or charts.
We are actually looking at an entire library!
So I bombarded you all with some nice visuals, and here they are:
This one is from hornes.org:
http://www.somersworthfirstparish.org/library.htm
from parablesblog.blogspot.com
From BibleWheel.com
From scriptureman.com
From today's wrap-up talk:
THE WORD. We have this word. This history. This beautiful collection of writings. And we have Jesus. God dwelling among us - deeply personal and approachable.
How strange and yet how wonderful to call someone A WORD.
THE GOSPELS.
Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the synoptic gospels, ("syn" - together, "optic" - seeing) because they are similar, while John is quite different. Matthew, Mark and Luke have similar language, material and recordings about Christ's life
See Mt 10:22, Mk 13:13, Luke 12:17
Mathematically, 91% of Mark's gospel is included in Matthew, and 53% of Mark is included in Luke. Perhaps they relied on a common source - an oral history source, or perhaps access to a written fragment - there are many theories - but it comes down to DIVINE DIRECTION. God directed the formation of the gospels.
Matthew: was a tax collector who left his work to follow Jesus. He is called “Levi” in the books of Mark and Luke. Matthew wants to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah. He shows how Jesus's life and ministry fulfilled the OT scriptures. ¼ of his book is the spoken word of Jesus! He also bridges the OT and the NT - he referrs to the OT scriptures and prophecy more than any of the other gospels. This is the only gospel which uses the term “Church” and “Kingdom of Heaven”
Matt 5:17
Mark: mostly consisting of Peter's preachings shaped by Mark's authorship - it is simple, unadorned, emphasizing more of what Jesus DID than what he said. There is a sense of urgency as he uses "immediately" many times in his text. He was writing to a Roman audience and therefore does not mention much of the OT.
Mark 12:17
LUKE: gentile by birth, well-educated in Greek culture and a physician by profession, Luke's book is written to strengthen the faith of all believers and respond to attacks of unbelievers...his hope is that the gospel will reach every corner of the world. Luke would have been writing towards the Greeks and as a doctor noting the physical and human aspects of Jesus. He gives a universal call to all people to proclaim Jesus as the perfect Son of Man! Luke has the best Christmas story version.
Luke 12:34
JOHN: "the disciple whom Jesus loved" Knew Jewish life well and the customs, written in a way that hints at eyewitness experiences - focusing on the signs of Jesus' identity and mission. The central theme is summed up on 3:16. A book of wisdom, John writes to convince us that Jesus is the Son of God who offers eternal life. The book of John contains the I AM statements.
John 3:16
ALL FOUR books promote the GOOD NEWS!! Jesus is divine above all, our saviour and messiah.
Four ways of looking at the life of Jesus and his purpose among us.
A book probably intended for Jews, one for Romans, one perhaps for Greeks, and the John offering a truly spiritual, all encompassing gospel.
And the question remains waiting for everyone to respond to -
Will you accept him or reject him?
ACTS: perhaps written by Luke, the story presents a historical account of Christian origins and the beginnings of the Church. It describes how the church grew and spread and responded to pagan and Jewish thoughts and challenges. Basic principles of Christian life are presented in light of persecution and difficulty, with the stories of Peter and Paul taking center stage. The book bridges the life of Jesus in the Gospels to the life of the church in the letters (next week). The story begins in Jerusalem and finds the believers soon scattered and spreading the good news of Christ, the first 30 years of the Christian church! It’s like reading about the very first missionaries.
Acts 2:38
ALL FIVE: JESUS!
Jesus was living flesh, both divine and human. There is no one like him - he is MAN and he is GOD, the world was forever changed.
He was approachable, compassionate, a miracle worker and healer, a teacher and friend.
He touched the untouchables and remained silent to the accusations of Herod, while responding often in questions to the religious leader's questions.
The facts, which cannot be ignored, are:
Jesus lived sin-free
He died on the cross for our sins
He was buried
He rose again
What will WE DO with this information? I imagine, perhaps naively, that we all accept this, but how can we spread the Gospel? How can we live the Gospel? That is between you & God….
For next week, complete Study 4, pages 23-26 of our booklet.
Have a blessed week, each of you.
THANK YOU for being a part of our Bible Study, for doing your homework, for coming to class and sharing your thoughts and prayers!!
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