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In this lesson we see how Saul was never fully aligned with God’s will and when he missed it he put on the trappings of obedience but had no heart behind it.

In today’s passage we are reminded of God’s continued desire for a covenatal relationship with the people he has called his own. We also start to see that Saul doesn’t quite get it.

In today’s lesson, we find out how Saul was introduced to his kingship and we see the stuttering start to his reign.

 

Bill’s introductory remarks are here.

The nation of Israel rejected the theocracy of Jehovah, as administered by the Judges, and wished for a king like their pagan (and confrontational) neighbors. The Lord consents but Samuel lays out a sobering warning as to what it will be like

 

Bill's introductory remarks are here.

Today’s passage describes a very low point for God’s people. They‘ve reduced him to a status so that He’s not much different than the pagans — basically a lucky charm to be brought out when you need special favor. God proves otherwise.

In this portion of 1 Samuel we see the sons of Eli and their corrupt practices contrasted with the life of Samuel who, like Jesus, "grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man". 

Bill Morris' introductory remarks are here.

 

 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 2:26). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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Bill highlights how God has used the women of the Bible to accomplish his purposes and introduces Hannah in this brief video.

 

Today's passage introduces us to Samuel, his parents, and the priests of the day. We learn that God hears the prayers of his people and that it's always appropriate to take your cares to Him.

 

Study notes are here.

Here's a link to Bill's preferatory comments.

 

Because of their disobedience in following God's commands regarding the conquest of the Promised Land, the Israelites spent over three centuries of unrest with cycles of sin, rescue, repentance and sin. This time of the Judges is wrapping up as the narrative picks up in 1st Samuel.   1st and 2nd Samuel describe the transition to the monarchy under Saul and then David.

The video shown to the class can be found here -- timestamp 44:00-56:00.

Sincere and biblically founded believers may differ on some of the time elements of this passage. But, there are many things we can agree on:

Christ's return is imminent 

Wise believers will be ready, prepared and still working for the King

 

study notes are here

This small passage has a lot to say about some topics that are very current. And, it also implies that God can give the necessary grace for living inside our circumstances.

As the ministry of Jesus moved from Galilee toward Jerusalem, the Pharisees sought to ramp up their opposition by using a thorny hot topic.

In this passage we have an account of the Transfiguration. Later verses cover a healing and a discourse on paying the temple tax

In the sobering discussion of what the Christian life is like we find hidden treasures of identity, significance, security and worth.

 

Study notes are here.

Jesus encounters Pharisees and scribes who are critical and encounters the needy who are ready to receive of his ministry.

This passage completes a roller coaster day for Jesus and his disciples. It has the happiest of endings:  the disciples recognize Jesus for who He is and worship him!

 

Study notes are here.

This miracle, the only one recorded in all four of the gospels, is marked by Jesus' compassion, his leadership, his provision, and his call to a better life via The Bread of Life.

 

Podcast study notes are here.

Here's a link about Dr. Derwin Gray's new book, The Good Life.  The link for the free chapter about peacemakers is here.

Matthew 14:1-12

Study notes are here.

[just a minute or two was inadvertently cut from the lesson]

The generation He addressed had an unusual privilege, afforded to no previous generation. The men of Nineveh … repented at the preaching of a mere man, Jonah. The Queen of the South (i.e., the Queen of Sheba; 1 Kings 10:1–13) came … to listen to the wisdom of a man, Solomon. The response of the Ninevites and of the Queen was commendable. But One greater than Jonah and Solomon (cf. Matt. 12:6) was with this generation, and instead of accepting Him, they were rejecting Him.

Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 47). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

As Matthew moves the narrative along we pick up some important themes in chapter 12: 

• Opposition to Jesus is building
• The "kingdom" is turning out differently than people might have expected
• This kingdom is moving beyond a relatively small audience in Israel; the Gentiles will also have hope.

 

Study notes are here.

After Jesus completes some instructions to his disciples, he moves to minister to the surrounding area. Not long after he learns that John the Baptist is having questions about whether he is really the Messiah. But, the doubts of John are nothing compared to the outright rejection of the gospel by the hometowns of his disciples. Rather than despair, Jesus prays with wonder and appreciation at the Father's plan. Then, the crowd is given the most amazing offer:  

Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Study notes are here.

[editor's note: audio quality is poor for this episode]

 

a YouTube from Ravi Zacharias was played prior to the lesson. The class heard from ~18:18 to ~20:37

In this lesson we meet all the disciples and we learn of the unique calling that they were given by Jesus.

 

Study notes are here.

N.T. Wright says that the above title is the answer to several questions in the scripture passage today. Matthew positions a discussion about discipleship in the Kingdom after a series of ministry snapshots. In this discussion are some "why?" questions that Jesus answers with a number of metaphors.

Following this is a story that includes two miracles -- a healing and a resurrection.  This is a new rabbi with new powers and a new "story".

Study notes are here.

In this passage of scripture, Matthew reveals a Jesus who really is "the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace." His authority over situations and his ability to bring peace to these same situations is on full display.

 

Study notes are here.

Chapter 8 of Matthew gives us vignettes of Jesus' early ministry. He offers care, compassion and healing to the outcast, the gentile, the sick and the oppressed.

Study notes are here.

The last verses of Chapter 7 wrap up the Sermon on the Mount. The crowds must have marveled as He simultaneously dismantled the prevailing religion of the day and laid the foundation for the true kingdom to come. Indeed, a kingdom that was coming.

 

Study notes are here.

Jesus tells us in these familiar verses to ask, seek and knock. These commands require initiative and, if we consider Luke’s perspective (Luke 11), persistence. Though one could consider this an invitation to ask for the frivolous, others have pointed out that our biggest risk is likely in simply not asking enough. Give God your time, your worries, your doubts and even your wants — trust Him to be a good Daddy who wants to give good gifts to you.

Jesus says "Judge not!". But what did He really mean when he said that? It's easy for us to sense when someone is doing or saying something that is different from what we think is proper. The questions are:

What are the issues?

Is it worth a response?

Where's my heart? What would be the motivation for my response?

What is my desire for the other person? For the relationship?

Shout out to Ken Sande and his teaching on Relational Wisdom for those wanting more information about preventing and resolving conflict using scriptural principles.

Study notes are here.

In this lesson, Pastor Bobby Strother of Covenant Baptist Church teaches about fasting. It's normal, it's spiritually effective at getting God's attention and "it aligns your body with your heart."

Key passages on fasting are covered:

 

FAST—The sole fast required by the law of Moses was that of the great Day of Atonement (q.v.), Lev. 23:26–32. It is called “the fast” (Acts 27:9).
The only other mention of a periodical fast in the Old Testament is in Zech. 7:1–7; 8:19, from which it appears that during their captivity the Jews observed four annual fasts.
(1.) The fast of the fourth month, kept on the seventeenth day of Tammuz, the anniversary of the capture of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans; to commemorate also the incident recorded Ex. 32:19. (Comp. Jer. 52:6, 7.)
(2.) The fast of the fifth month, kept on the ninth of Ab (comp. Num. 14:27), to commemorate the burning of the city and temple (Jer. 52:12, 13).
(3.) The fast of the seventh month, kept on the third of Tisri (comp. 2 Kings 25), the anniversary of the murder of Gedaliah (Jer. 41:1, 2).
(4.) The fast of the tenth month (comp. Jer. 52:4; Ezek. 33:21; 2 Kings 25:1), to commemorate the beginning of the siege of the holy city by Nebuchadnezzar.
There was in addition to these the fast appointed by Esther (4:16).
Public national fasts on account of sin or to supplicate divine favour were sometimes held. (1.) 1 Sam. 7:6; (2.) 2 Chr. 20:3; (3.) Jer. 36:6–10; (4.) Neh. 9:1.
There were also local fasts. (1.) Judg. 20:26; (2.) 2 Sam. 1:12; (3.) 1 Sam. 31:13; (4.) 1 Kings 21:9–12; (5.) Ezra 8:21–23: (6.) Jonah 3:5–9.
There are many instances of private occasional fasting (1 Sam. 1:7; 20:34; 2 Sam. 3:35; 12:16; 1 Kings 21:27; Ezra 10:6; Neh. 1:4; Dan. 10:2, 3). Moses fasted forty days (Ex. 24:18; 34:28), and so also did Elijah (1 Kings 19:8). Our Lord fasted forty days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2).
In the lapse of time the practice of fasting was lamentably abused (Isa. 58:4; Jer. 14:12; Zech. 7:5). Our Lord rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocritical pretences in fasting (Matt. 6:16). He himself appointed no fast. The early Christians, however, observed the ordinary fasts according to the law of their fathers (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:5).

Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Into a Pharisaical world of legal technicalities, Jesus came preaching a message that fulfilled and transcended the Mosaic law. It was a message that focused on the heart.

Study notes are here.