The Sabbath / The Gospel
Leviticus 23; Hebrews 3, 4
All Scripture prepares for (dead ends and bridges) Christ’s person and work.
How does the Sabbath prepare us for Jesus’ person and work?
1. Chapter 23 gives the three national pilgrim feasts that the people were to observe.
The festal calendar of Israel taught in Leviticus (Lev. 23:1–44) is based on the three national pilgrim festivals of the people.
a. Weekly Sabbath and a holy convocation (basis of the festivals)
b. Passover (also called: Feast of Unleavened Bread)
1. The Passover celebrated the Lord’s killing the firstborn in order
to secure the escape of his people from the slavery of Egypt.
c. Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks (In the NT it is called Pentecost)
1. The purpose of this celebration is to recognize the Lord as the
provider of all crops and as the One who deserves the first fruits of all produce.
d. Feast of Booths
1. The Feast of Booths was a weeklong feast that began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It celebrates the people's salvation from Egypt. It was fitting for them to cease from work and to worship before the Lord.
2. The foundation of each feast is the Sabbath
a. The Sabbath is day of solemn rest based on the Lord’s ceasing from his
work in creation
b. verses 2, 3, 4, 7, 21, 24, 27 & 28, 35
3. Along with the Sabbath is the observance of a “holy convocation”.
a. The “holy convocation” was a public assembly for worship
Why is the Sabbath a dead end?
1. Matthew 12:1-8
a. The Sabbath is a dead end because man took the law as beginning and
ending in itself when the law was given to lead them to God for rest by
revealing their sinfulness and inability to do anything about it.
How does the Sabbath become a bridge to Christ’s person and work?
Hebrews 3 and 4
1. Jesus is greater than Moses 3:1-6
a. Moses, a servant testifies to the things that would be spoken later 3:5
b. Jesus, Messiah, is the one Moses testifies about who is the full revelation of
what Moses was testifying to 1:1-4; 3:6
2. Unbelief caused the Exodus generation of Israel to not enter the Promised Land which God refers to as “rest” 3:11, 18 (cited from Psalm 95:7-11)
a. Unbelief causes people to fall away from God 3:12
b. We must press people to run from unbelief and run to Christ and hold on
to him at all costs 3:7, 13
c. Sin should be dealt with seriously 3:13-19
1. Entering God’s “rest” is only done through belief in Christ Jesus
3. There is still a standing promise of entering God’s “rest” 4:1, 6-7
a. Psalm 95:7 is God’s beaconing call to anyone who hears his voice to repent
and believe and enter rest.
4. The promise of entering “rest” is called “Good News” 4:2
a. The “Good News” came to the Exodus Israelites just as it has to us 4:2
1. They did not believe
2. They did not enter “rest”
5. God’s Sabbath “rest” on the seventh day and ceasing from his work is connected to his “rest” offered to those who believe 4:3-5
6. Entering God’s “rest” or “Sabbath” is to cease from work as one’s basis for knowing God and being saved from the slavery of sin 4:6-10
a. Joshua’s conquest of the “Promised Land” was not “rest” 4:8
Conclusion
1. The Sabbath was never a tool to earn favor or to manipulate people with
2. The Sabbath has been built into creation as an open invitation to all who will believe to come, believe, rest from works and know God and be loved by God
3. The Sabbath is a reminder of our mandate to preach the “Good News” of God’s “Sabbath Rest” i.e. Jesus to the nations from right here in Rome, Georgia.
a. Muslim population
4. The Sabbath is a reminder to purge our belief structure from any form of legalism (belief that God is more or less pleased with me affecting my righteous standing based on what I do or do not do)
5. The Sabbath is a reminder that the Old Testament still communicates the Gospel and perhaps may be our greatest ally on the final frontier of the Great Commission (The Muslim World)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
How to read the Old Testament: The Gospel from Joshua 7
How to read the Old Testament 3
The Gospel in Joshua 7
1. All Scripture Predicts (prophecies, Messianic Psalms, etc.) Christ’s person and/or work.
2. All Scripture Prepares for (dead ends and bridges) Christ’s person and work.
3. All Scripture Reflects Christ’s person and work.
4. All Scripture Results from (boldness, access, justification) Christ’s person and work.
Joshua 7
1. There is rebellion against the Lord’s single command 7:1
Joshua 6:18
a. This is an issue of religious purification
b. All of Israel is counted guilty although one man performed the action
2. God’s anger burns toward all of the people 7:2
a. All of the people come under God’s condemnation because of Achan’s
rebellion.
1. For religious offenses the entire community is held guilty
3. Israel becomes incapable of carrying out God’s mission 7:3-5
a. They are flawed on the inside because of rebellion
b. Their actions and efforts at Ai only fail
c. The people begin to fear because something is not right
4. God’s reputation is at stake as the salvation of Israel 7:6-9
a. Israel’s (God’s by their fallen nature) enemies stand in a position to dominate
and enslave them
b. Yahweh’s reputation as their sovereign stands to be marred
5. God’s verdict is that they are devoted to destruction and he will be with them no more 7:10-12 (12)
6. God’s sentence is that the guilty must die 7:13-15
a. Rebellion against God is not allowed in the people
7. God uncovers the guilty party for everyone to see 7:16-21
8. Achan’s entire lot of family and possessions are burned and stoned
a. Because of Achan’s coveting of the items devoted to destruction because of
the religious implications of being a perversion of God, he is guilty.
b. Achan’s guilt is not confined to himself alone but to everyone who is
his immediate family
c. Even Achan’s possessions are marred by his rebellion and cannot function
normally.
9. With the purging of rebellion God turns from his anger
10. God removes their fear and blesses them with his presence and the continuation of the
mission 8:1
The Gospel from Joshua 7
1. Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s single command
2. God’s righteous anger burned toward Adam and Eve
3. Adam and Eve become incapable of carrying out God’s mission to care for the earth and multiply and fill the earth in righteousness
4. Adam and Eve’s rebellion has stained God’s reputation by believing Satan rather than God
5. God’s sentence is death for creation and warfare between God and his creatures and between creature and creature
6. The consequences of Adam’s rebellion is that everyone born to him becomes guilty of his rebellion and falls under the condemnation of God and is instantly at war with God from birth on
7. But God has concern for his reputation. So he sends the eternal Son of God to take on the guilt resulting from everyone’s rebellion who will repent and follow after the Son of God.
8. The Son of God, Jesus, takes my guilt and becomes sin and is killed by God the Father in my place.
9. If I repent and place my trust in Jesus by coming after him God turns from his anger toward me and adopts me as his son and gives me his name.
10. God removes fear, takes up residence in me by his Holy Spirit, and sends me on his mission to know him and make this story known among the nations, his mission.
The Gospel in Joshua 7
1. All Scripture Predicts (prophecies, Messianic Psalms, etc.) Christ’s person and/or work.
2. All Scripture Prepares for (dead ends and bridges) Christ’s person and work.
3. All Scripture Reflects Christ’s person and work.
4. All Scripture Results from (boldness, access, justification) Christ’s person and work.
Joshua 7
1. There is rebellion against the Lord’s single command 7:1
Joshua 6:18
a. This is an issue of religious purification
b. All of Israel is counted guilty although one man performed the action
2. God’s anger burns toward all of the people 7:2
a. All of the people come under God’s condemnation because of Achan’s
rebellion.
1. For religious offenses the entire community is held guilty
3. Israel becomes incapable of carrying out God’s mission 7:3-5
a. They are flawed on the inside because of rebellion
b. Their actions and efforts at Ai only fail
c. The people begin to fear because something is not right
4. God’s reputation is at stake as the salvation of Israel 7:6-9
a. Israel’s (God’s by their fallen nature) enemies stand in a position to dominate
and enslave them
b. Yahweh’s reputation as their sovereign stands to be marred
5. God’s verdict is that they are devoted to destruction and he will be with them no more 7:10-12 (12)
6. God’s sentence is that the guilty must die 7:13-15
a. Rebellion against God is not allowed in the people
7. God uncovers the guilty party for everyone to see 7:16-21
8. Achan’s entire lot of family and possessions are burned and stoned
a. Because of Achan’s coveting of the items devoted to destruction because of
the religious implications of being a perversion of God, he is guilty.
b. Achan’s guilt is not confined to himself alone but to everyone who is
his immediate family
c. Even Achan’s possessions are marred by his rebellion and cannot function
normally.
9. With the purging of rebellion God turns from his anger
10. God removes their fear and blesses them with his presence and the continuation of the
mission 8:1
The Gospel from Joshua 7
1. Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s single command
2. God’s righteous anger burned toward Adam and Eve
3. Adam and Eve become incapable of carrying out God’s mission to care for the earth and multiply and fill the earth in righteousness
4. Adam and Eve’s rebellion has stained God’s reputation by believing Satan rather than God
5. God’s sentence is death for creation and warfare between God and his creatures and between creature and creature
6. The consequences of Adam’s rebellion is that everyone born to him becomes guilty of his rebellion and falls under the condemnation of God and is instantly at war with God from birth on
7. But God has concern for his reputation. So he sends the eternal Son of God to take on the guilt resulting from everyone’s rebellion who will repent and follow after the Son of God.
8. The Son of God, Jesus, takes my guilt and becomes sin and is killed by God the Father in my place.
9. If I repent and place my trust in Jesus by coming after him God turns from his anger toward me and adopts me as his son and gives me his name.
10. God removes fear, takes up residence in me by his Holy Spirit, and sends me on his mission to know him and make this story known among the nations, his mission.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
How do we read the Old Testament 2: One story, one book, one conclusion
The ONE story of the Bible
The point of the story is God’s glory from the nations - Isaiah 43:7
1 comprehensive theme interwoven throughout: The story of God bringing himself glory from the nations
Introduction Genesis 1-11(approximately 70 distinct peoples in Genesis 11)
• Creation and the Fall
Body of the Story begins in Genesis 12-Revelation
• Redemption
• Two parts to the Abrahamic Covenant
o Blessings (I will bless you)
o Responsibilities (You will be a blessing; bless families of the earth; families = peoples)
Conclusion
• Consummation
o Revelation; Matthew 24
Redemption: The Abrahamic Covenant/Great Commission and Its Two Parts
Genesis 12:2-3
Two parts to the Abrahamic Covenant
• Blessings (I will bless you)
• Responsibilities (You will be a blessing; bless families of the earth; families = peoples)
Did Jesus understand the Abrahamic Covenant as a summary of the Scriptures?
Luke 24:44-49 In understanding the Scriptures Jesus gave two points
Verse 45-47 Two central themes
• Blessed: Jesus’ work on the cross in salvation
• Bless the nations: Proclaim Jesus work to the nations
Matthew 22:34-40 (Luke 10:25-37) Greatest Commandment is two (love God / love man)
• Love God with all your strength
• Love your neighbor as yourself
How are the 10 Commandments organized?
Exodus 20:1-17
• 1-4 Relationship with God
• 5-10 Relationship with Man
Does God really care about all nations?
490 times “all nations” appear in the Scripture
• 15 times “all nations” appears in the New Testament
• 475 are in the Old Testament
With the Abrahamic Covenant in mind Jesus issues the Great Commission/Church Planting
Matthew 28:18-20
4 action verbs
• Go
• Make Disciples (one word): main action verb
• Baptize = Identify with Jesus
• Teach = Obey Christ’s command
o This is the planting of the church
o Go to every distinct people group and start churches
Conclusion of the story
Revelation 5:9
God completes Genesis 12:2-3 in Revelation 5:9
• God blesses us
• God calls us to bless the nations
One story, one book, one conclusion
Matthew 24:14
• Gospel will be preached to all nations and then the end will come
• God will reach all the nations in keeping his promise to Abraham
o The nations will be blessed with the gospel
o Then the end will come
One story, one book, one conclusion
Points of Application:
We must read the entirety of the bible with this story in mind
• The bible is not a book of magical prayers and incantations
• The bible is THE manual on global evangelization
o If you want to know how to do the work “it’s in the manual”
• Seek to be transformed in thinking
We must engage the nations to be a church
• We must make disciples locally to go global
o New Christians must have the mission ingrained immediately
• We must be local and global simultaneously
o Acts 1:8 is “and” not “then”
We must view and use our resources as resources for the nations not for ourselves
• Budget with the mission in mind
• Buy with the mission in mind
The point of the story is God’s glory from the nations - Isaiah 43:7
1 comprehensive theme interwoven throughout: The story of God bringing himself glory from the nations
Introduction Genesis 1-11(approximately 70 distinct peoples in Genesis 11)
• Creation and the Fall
Body of the Story begins in Genesis 12-Revelation
• Redemption
• Two parts to the Abrahamic Covenant
o Blessings (I will bless you)
o Responsibilities (You will be a blessing; bless families of the earth; families = peoples)
Conclusion
• Consummation
o Revelation; Matthew 24
Redemption: The Abrahamic Covenant/Great Commission and Its Two Parts
Genesis 12:2-3
Two parts to the Abrahamic Covenant
• Blessings (I will bless you)
• Responsibilities (You will be a blessing; bless families of the earth; families = peoples)
Did Jesus understand the Abrahamic Covenant as a summary of the Scriptures?
Luke 24:44-49 In understanding the Scriptures Jesus gave two points
Verse 45-47 Two central themes
• Blessed: Jesus’ work on the cross in salvation
• Bless the nations: Proclaim Jesus work to the nations
Matthew 22:34-40 (Luke 10:25-37) Greatest Commandment is two (love God / love man)
• Love God with all your strength
• Love your neighbor as yourself
How are the 10 Commandments organized?
Exodus 20:1-17
• 1-4 Relationship with God
• 5-10 Relationship with Man
Does God really care about all nations?
490 times “all nations” appear in the Scripture
• 15 times “all nations” appears in the New Testament
• 475 are in the Old Testament
With the Abrahamic Covenant in mind Jesus issues the Great Commission/Church Planting
Matthew 28:18-20
4 action verbs
• Go
• Make Disciples (one word): main action verb
• Baptize = Identify with Jesus
• Teach = Obey Christ’s command
o This is the planting of the church
o Go to every distinct people group and start churches
Conclusion of the story
Revelation 5:9
God completes Genesis 12:2-3 in Revelation 5:9
• God blesses us
• God calls us to bless the nations
One story, one book, one conclusion
Matthew 24:14
• Gospel will be preached to all nations and then the end will come
• God will reach all the nations in keeping his promise to Abraham
o The nations will be blessed with the gospel
o Then the end will come
One story, one book, one conclusion
Points of Application:
We must read the entirety of the bible with this story in mind
• The bible is not a book of magical prayers and incantations
• The bible is THE manual on global evangelization
o If you want to know how to do the work “it’s in the manual”
• Seek to be transformed in thinking
We must engage the nations to be a church
• We must make disciples locally to go global
o New Christians must have the mission ingrained immediately
• We must be local and global simultaneously
o Acts 1:8 is “and” not “then”
We must view and use our resources as resources for the nations not for ourselves
• Budget with the mission in mind
• Buy with the mission in mind
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