Men's Breakfast and Bible Study from January 3rd and 17th
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3: 1-2 ======
Bob Grymes’ lesson:
January 3rd
BEYOND JORDAN
After confronting the Jewish leadership during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) and declaring, “I and the Father are one,” which caused them to seek to arrest Him, “He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained” (John 10:40).
(The place where John baptized is not known. It could have been east of Jericho (Qasr-el Yahud) or further north at “Bethany beyond Jordan” [Bethabara]).
“He went on his way through towns and villages and journeying toward Jerusalem” (Luke 13:22), teaching His followers and the Apostles.
The Narrow Gate
While traveling, someone asked Him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (Luke 13:23)
He told them to strive to enter through the narrow (strait) gate which many “will seek to enter but will not be able’ (Luke 13:24).
“Strive” (agonize) as in preparing for an athletic contest.
Not straight, but “Strait” = “narrow,” “pent up” – strait jacket, strait of Gibraltar.
He also taught (and Apostles needed to know) that merely being with Him and listening to His teaching were not enough to gain salvation. A personal dedication to Him was required (Luke 13:25-30).
Warning of Herod’s intentions
After some Pharisees warned Him that Herod (Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea) sought to kill Him, Jesus dismissed the threat but, nevertheless, went on His way for His time had not yet come and His course was not yet finished. But He resolved not to return to Jerusalem until He heard them say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:35) – in about three months time.
Teaching in Parables
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Men's Breakfast and Bible Study from January 3rd and 17th
A parable is a short story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson/to convey a concept to be understood and/or a principle to be put into practice. It is from the Greek, “parabole,” meaning, “to set beside,” as in the English word “comparison” or “similitude.” In the Jewish culture of biblical times, things were explained in word pictures.
While dining at the home of a “ruler of the Pharisees,” Jesus foiled an attempt to discredit Him by healing a sick man on the Sabbath. He then taught a couple of lessons in parables that centered on dining.
The first, “The Parable of the Wedding Feast,” admonished those who would seek a place of honor by concluding, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11), an obvious comparison between the Pharisees and Himself.
It is a lesson on the importance of humility of which Jesus, Himself, is the model. The apostles needed to know that theirs were positions of service not of privilege.
The second, “The Parable of the Great Banquet,” warned that those who had been invited and refused to attend would be replaced by others and none of the invitees “shall taste my banquet” (Luke 14:24). It was a stark notice to the Pharisees who saw themselves as special and the rightful inheritors of the kingdom of God that their refusal to accept Jesus would lead to them being replaced by the very people they ignore and look down upon.
The “great banquet” is a reference to the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” that takes place in heaven (Revelation 19:6-9) and is reserved only for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And “those” will include those in the “streets and lanes of the city” (outcasts: “the poor, crippled, blind, and lame”) and those on “highways and hedges” (outside the city: Gentiles),
The Apostles, of course, were the servants that the man (Jesus) sent out to seek those who would fill the banquet table.
The Cost of Discipleship
Next, Jesus explains the terms of accepting His invitation: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). (“Hate” = Miseo (mis-seh-o) = “hate,” “detest” (love less?) (Hebrew = sane’ [saw-nay] “unloved,” as in Malachi 1:3 re: God/Jacob/Esau)
He again (Matt. 10:38, Mark 8:34) mentions bearing one’s own cross (deny self, obey God’s will, no matter what).
He provided two examples: 1) building a tower without adequate funds, 2) going to war without sufficient forces.
Lesson: Don’t follow Christ unless willing to pay the price – there is no cheap grace or free ride. 2
Men's Breakfast and Bible Study from January 3rd and 17th
Parables of Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Prodigal Son.
All three parables follow a simple theme: something was lost, then found/returned/causing rejoicing. They all refer to the same topic and describe the same fact: the sin and the salvation of man, -- the fall and the rising again. All three parables concern the restoration of lost relationships and ultimately God seeking out human beings who were lost to Him and bringing them back into a loving relationship with Him.
Each lost soul is precious to God and He will always seek its return. And, whenever one of God’s lost children return, there is joy in heaven.
The lost sheep: “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
The lost coin: “I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10)
The prodigal son (one who spends money in a reckless extravagant way): “It is fitting to celebrate and be glad for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32).
Parable of the Dishonest Manager (William Barclay, Scottish minister, Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism, and author, has termed this parable, “A Bad Man’s Good Example.”
While the manager’s actions are not commendable, valuable lessons can be learned from them.
“The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light” (Luke 16:8). Meaning, they demonstrate more concern and skill in taking care of their earthy well-being than believers do in taking care of their eternal well-being.
“Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). That is, use the things of the world (even ill- gotten gains) in generous and productive ways so that when they fail to satisfy and provide for eternal needs, you may receive your eternal reward.
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10). Faithfulness in little things is an indication of a man’s fitness for greater responsibilities.
“And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12). Faithfulness with that which is another’s will qualify one to properly handle his own things.
“No servant can serve two master, for he will either hate the one and love the other; or he will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Luke 16:13). It is impossible to serve two masters.
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Men's Breakfast and Bible Study from January 3rd and 17th
JANUARY 17th
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS (Luke 16:14-31)
The Context of the Parable
Jesus was talking to a large crowd of sinners, tax collectors, Pharisees, scribes, and his disciples.. Before telling this parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus told several other parables regarding redemption and money.
He made this point: "No servant can serve two masters; for he will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13)
“The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him” (Luke 16:14)
Jesus then said that they rationalized and defended their actions, but that God knows their hearts, and, "what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)
Jesus then made points about the permanence of the law.
He said the law was still in effect. So much so, "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to become void" (Luke 16:16-17)
He then gave an example of a part of the law that won't pass away -- that regarding divorce and adultery (Luke 16:18). Then Jesus illustrated his points about the law and money by telling a parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
Read the Parable (Luke 16:14-31)
Meaning of the Parable
Based on the context of the parable it is clear that Jesus was telling it to the Pharisees who were like the rich man. He contrasted their love of money to loving God.
He taught a reversal of conventional thought: The rich, the admired, the observers of the law = condemned. The poor, the retched, and the repugnant (in Pharisaic eyes) = saved.
In the parable, we can see how it turns out for those who love money and live well, while others remain poor and suffer. That leads the rich to love their money and neglect the important matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faith. (as seen in Matthew 23:23):
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
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Men's Breakfast and Bible Study from January 3rd and 17th
(RE: Lev. 27:30 = “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD.” [As interpreters of the law they had exaggerated it to include ordinary garden spices which the law never included])
Three points to the Parable:
1) The only place to secure your eternal destiny is here on earth before you die. Having experienced the alternative, there’s no way he would have turned down an opportunity to join Abraham and Lazarus if one existed for him. Abraham made it clear that it was impossible to cross from either area to the other.
2) The Bible contains all the facts you need to make an informed decision about eternity and is the Lord’s chosen method for bringing His children to Salvation.
3) When folks aren’t convinced by Scripture, even someone coming back from the dead will fail to persuade them, a fact the Lord Himself proved all too convincingly a short time later.
Lesson for the Apostles:
They are not to be indifferent to the plight of the poor. God loves the poor and is offended when His children neglect them.
The only thing that really matters is one’s relationship with God.
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We missed you if you missed these lessons. Hope you can join us February 7th! Looking ahead: o The Sweetheart’s Banquet is Saturday, February 14th The 2015 Sweetheart has been selected. Treasurer's report: To be reported at the next meeting. => Next Men's Bible Study is at 0800 Saturday morning February 7th.
Lift up prayers for: Larry and Margaret Jones (Bob’s friend) Ann (Bob’s sister) June (Billy Rick’s sister in law) Mitze Ricks Harry Watson Allison Crutcher (Cliff’s daughter) Tom Tracy’s job Allison Crutcher (Cliff) Dot and Melvin Simms (Cliff’s parents) Mary Carlson Bill Wilgus (Phil Wilgus’s son) Josh Vivirito. (Phil) Joe and Kathy (Phil’s son-in-law and daughter)
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Men's Breakfast and Bible Study from January 3rd and 17th
Tomianne Anderson (Jim Langnecker’s niece) Jennette Duncan (Larry Thomas) Frank Messina (Carlyle's former Brother-In-Law) Chloe and Hannah Savelle (Carlyle’s granddaughters) David and Susan Boggs (Carlyle) Sam Korng (Ed's Daughter-In-Law's friend) Hugh and Dorothy McKinny (Ed’s friends) Thad Hawkins (Ed) Ernie and Erline White Maryann Mitchell (Ernie) Jason (Harry’s son) Kim Lustrum (Ralph’s daughter-in-law) Patty Robinson (Billy R's relative) Karen Sittig S.T. Bucky Creekmore (S.T.’s nephew) Joe and Maria Gewerth Umberto Fristachi (Joe’s Brother-In-Law) Ronnie Reed (Joe’s Brother-In-Law) Scott (Joe's brother) Anthony (Joe’s Grandson) Frank and Beth Harmon (Joe) Betty Ramirez Jimmy and Velma Meads
~GOD BLESS YOU, ALL MY BROTHERS, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN! ><>
Your Brother in Christ,
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