Matthew 14:1 - 15-20 Thoughts

I find it interesting how most of Jesus miracles were not done in the same way.  It was almost like Jesus was trying to make sure we couldn't find some secret formula or process to lead to God's work.  Yet, we often look for patterns and formulas, don't we.  If we just pray the right way, if we just have enough faith, if we... if we...  The problem with that kind of thinking is the focus is on WE, not Jesus.  God will do a work as He sees fit regardless.

However, the feeding of the five thousand, and later the four thousand is almost identical.  Both miracles follow the same pattern.  One one hand, I'm shocked that the disciples will later question Jesus ability to feed four thousand after seeing what He did with the five thousand.  But on the other hand, I often re-question God's provision in my life after He has shown Himself faithful over and over again.

This particular miracle follows a pattern:

1. A need is seen
2. A human solution is proposed
3. God proposes an alternate, impossible solution
4. We try to explain why this is impossible
5. God takes what we have; way too little, and makes something great
6. People are blessed
7. Disciples are blessed
8. We have more in the end than we started with at the beginning

I think Jesus did these two miracles the same way because it is truly a picture of ministry.   How often we stop at step 4 and don't give God a chance to do a miracle.

Oh God, I pray we can simply offer to you the things we have, the very things you've given to us and allow you to do a miracle.  In this way, You can receive all glory and honour.  Amen.

Matthew 14:1 - 15-20 Outline

Last week I didn't get as far as I thought I would.  So there is a bit of overlap as I re-outline the first part of chapter 14.

• Death of John the Baptist Recounted (14:1-12)
• Guilt of Herod (1-2)
• Truth from John the Baptist (3-5)
• Tricked by Family (6-7)
• Wickedness of Pride (8-12)
• Feeding the Five Thousand (13-21)
• Prayer/Compassion (13-14)
• Call of the ministry (15-16)
• Equiping the ministry (17-19)
• Blessing of the ministry (20-21)
• Walking on Water (22-33)
• Sent into the storm (22-24)
• Walking on the water (25-32)
• Worship of Jesus (33)
  Note: A clear point that Jesus is God.
• Ministry in Gennesaret (34-36)
• Dirty Hands, Clean Heart (15:1-20)
• Tradition of hand washing (1-2)
• Spirit of the law (3-6)
• Prophecy of the problem (7-9)
• Teaching of Jesus (10-14)
• Lack of understanding (15-16)
• Further teaching (17-20)

Matthew 13:24 - 14-12 Thoughts

When dealing with the parables, it is very important to keep certain things in mind:

1. The interpretation will always be in line with the rest of scripture.
2. There is a main point.  We should avoid taking the analogy too far or look for "hidden" revelations.
3. Keep with expositional constancy.  This means that when an object represents something in one parable, it will be the same in another parable.  The seed represents the word, birds are bad, the soil is our hearts, etc.
   This concept is based on Jesus' comment in Mark 4:13 after telling the parable of the sower.   He said, "And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?"

 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares is clearly explained in this chapter, but points out the idea of the church and the expected state it will become.  There will be genuine wheat producing fruit; followers of Christ, and tares (also known as darnel) followers of the wicked one; who produce no fruit.  This makes John 13:35 an important point, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  Remember, the fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal 5:22-24).

So, in light of this, it is interesting how Jesus includes two other parables in between the parable and the explanation.

Parable of the Mustard Seed
Popular interpretation of this parable is that the church will grow into a mighty tree and help many and help all.
Two very important points when looking at this parable:
1. A mustard seed naturally grows into a mustard PLANT, not a tree.

Growing into a tree is UNNATURAL growth.
2. Birds in the parable of the sower are BAD, not good.
I strongly believe this parable is a warning how the church will grow big in unnatural ways and birds (wicked one) will be dwelling there.  I wish it were not so, but so many evil and horrible things have been done in the name of Christ and by His church.

Parable of the Leaven
This again is often taught on how the church will permeate and grow throughout the world.  There are no previous parable objects we can look at, but throughout scripture, leaven is a picture of sin.  So I believe the consistent interpretation of this parable speaks of how sin will permeate the church just as leaven does in bread.

So, Lord help us to be different.  Help us to be those like the ones in the church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13), "brotherly love."  God, please forgive us for so often misrepresenting You and not speaking Your truth in love.  Amen.

Matthew 13:24 - 14-12 Outline

This section is dealing with the parable teachings of Jesus.

• Parable of the Sower (13:1-23) - Covered last week
• Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (13:24-43)
• Wheat and the Tares Parable told (24-30)
• Parable of the Mustard Seed (31-32)
• Parable of the Leaven (33)
• Reminder of why Jesus is teaching in Parables (34-35)
• Wheat and the Tares Parable explained (36-43)
• Parable of the Hidden Treasure (44)
• Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (45-46)
• Parable of the Dragnet (47-50)
• Householder's Treasure (51-52)
• Rejected at Home (53-58)
• Death of John the Baptist Recounted (14:1-12)
• Guilt of Herod (1-2)
• Truth from John the Baptist (3-5)
• Tricked by Family (6-7)
• Wickedness of Pride (8-12)

Matthew 12:33 - 13:23 Thoughts

This week has two main parts.  The first half is the closing sections dealing with the misconceptions of Jesus and His ministry.  The second half deals with the first parable, the parable of the sower.

Since I'll be dealing with parables again next week, I'll leave that out of this post and focus on the closing section of chapter 12.

I like to contemplate the heart of Jesus as he deals with the people around Him.  It would have been so easy for Him to ignore the Pharisees or simply ridicule their hard hearts.  But I see Jesus trying many ways to show them the errors of their ways with a perfect balance of truth and love.

After Jesus explained how peoples hearts are reveled by their words (v33-37), the Pharisees ask for a sign (v38).  If I were Jesus, I would have said, "Close your trap!"  I'm so glad Jesus is Jesus and not me!  Instead, Jesus gives them truth "evil and adulterous generation" but then goes back to the main issue, the Pharisees thought the were good because they were Jewish.  Jesus gave two examples of Gentiles who are better off then they are.

We too can fall into the trap thinking we are okay because we are Australian, or Calvary Chapel or Baptist or Anglican.  I go to church every week and read my bible.  But what is in our hearts?  How easy is it to see the evil in our hearts as we speak cruel words to our spouse, kids or neighbours.  I am as guilty as any of my readers.

I pray, "Jesus, help us recognise when our hearts are out of line with Yours.  Help us to repent and please fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we are more like You.  Amen."

Matthew 12:33 - 13:23 Outline

Note: This is in the middle of the section starting at verse 22.

•  The people recognise Jesus as the Messiah, but the Pharisees reject. (12:22-32)
•  Jesus deals with the illogical rejection of the Pharisees (25-30)
• Rejection of this truth, Jesus is the Messiah (God in human flesh), is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (31-32)
  Note: The Holy Spirit is the one who testifies of who Jesus is in our hearts.  When we reject His message, we blaspheme (Speak irreverently about God or sacred things).
• The Pharisees speak evil.  Jesus tells us this is a sign of what is in their heart (33-37)
• Pharisees seek a sign (12:38-45)
  Note: Jesus JUST told them to be careful with their words.  They then speak and once again question who Jesus is.
• Jesus explains the sign of Jonah (40)
• Jesus lifts up the repentance of Nineveh over the Pharisees (41)
• Jesus lifts up the the seeking of wisdom by Queen of Sheba over the Pharisees (42)
  Note: Both examples, Ninevites and Queen of Sheba were GENTILES!
• Jesus warns this wicked generation (43-45)
  Note: This is still in context with the previous section... interesting...
• Jesus puts family in perspective (46-50)
  Note: Again, this is very interesting.  As Jesus warns of a future generation in a worse spiritual than the Pharisees, He warns against lifting up Jesus family above others, including his mother Mary.

• Parable of the Sower (13:1-23)
• Jesus tells the parable (3-9)
• Jesus explains why He is using parables (10-17)
• Jesus explains the parable of the Sower (18-23)

Note: I am a firm believer in the concept of expositional constancy in the parables.  More on that next wee.

Matthew 11:20 - 12:30 Thoughts

The flow of the book of Matthew is quite amazing.  It is not, as you might think, chronological.  Matthew is working on ideas and themes, using the teachings and works of Jesus to try and convince his Jewish brothers and sisters that Jesus is the Messiah.

I don't know how a Jew truly seeking the truth and reading the book of Matthew could not be turned to Jesus.  However, in this section we are covering this week Jesus makes some amazing statements.

At the end of chapter 11, after dealing with people's misconceptions on who the Messiah was to be, he speaks out against several cities.  He warns them how much information they've been given, yet they would not turn to Jesus.  He then prays to the Father explaining that the gospel message is given to those who are not wise in their own minds.

But, the most amazing thing to me is how Matthew begins to talk about the bondage and burden of the Law and how Jesus came to give rest.  Imagine being a Jew, used to the law and strict enforcement of the law.  How freeing it would be.  Matthew then deals with an issue in chapter 12, the Sabbath.  Remember, in the Jewish mind, the Sabbath was REST!  Again, a misconception of what rest was.  Rest is not simply not doing work.  Rest can be found in Jesus. (Matthew 11:28). Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  The author of the book of Hebrews picks up on this when speaking of Jesus as our rest. (Hebrews 4:9-10)

It is interesting how we too try to go back to the law.  We try to prove ourselves or try to please God through good works and religion.  Why can't we just believe that God loves us simply because we are His kids?

I pray, "Jesus, please help us find rest in You.  Help us stop doing things in our own strength trying to please you.  We give you permission to help us, by the power of your Holy Spirit, find rest in You.  Amen."

Matthew 11:20 - 12:30 Outline

In this section, Jesus continues to deal with people who have the wrong expectation of who He is and what His ministry is.

• To much is given, much is expected (11:20-24)
• Gospel truth given to the simple (11:25-26)
• Jesus ministry to the simple (11:27-30)
• Reveal the Father (27)
• Give rest (28-30)
• Jesus deals with Sabbath misconceptions (12:1-14)
• What does it mean to 'work'? (1-8)
  Note: This is not situational ethics, it is understanding the heart of a law or principle in God's word and using the Holy Spirit's wisdom to implement it.
• Doing good deeds never takes a holiday (9-14)
  Note: The law should never be an excuse to do evil or to not do good.
• Matthew deals with more misconceptions (12:15-21)
• Jesus came to bring peace, not war.
• Jesus came to bring the message to the world, both Jew and Gentile (non-Jew).
• The people recognise Jesus as the Messiah, but the Pharisees reject. (12:22-32)
• Jesus deals with the illogical rejection of the Pharisees (25-30)
• Rejection of this truth, Jesus is the Messiah (God in human flesh), is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (31-32)
  Note: The Holy Spirit is the one who testifies of who Jesus is in our hearts.  When we reject His message, we blaspheme (Speak irreverently about God or sacred things).

Matthew 10:16 - 11::19 Thoughts

When I think about scripture and the church today, I  see two types of genuine Christians; disciples and apostles.

To call someone an apostle or to identify as an apostle might be offensive to some.  They would say, "Surely 'the twelve' were the only apostles.

Well, Jesus was called an apostle in Hebrews 3:1,those sent to preach to Israel in Luke 11:49.  Paul calls himself an apostle many times and refers to Barnabas as an apostle in 1 Cor 9 and James, Jesus' half brother an apostle in Gal 1:19.  Of course, self-appointed apostles are to be avoided (Rev 2:2).  

So what's the difference?

• Disciple - Follower of Christ.  Desiring to be more like Him.  Learning about Him.
• Apostle - Also a disciple.  Sent by Christ on a mission.  A desire to be on the "front lines" of ministry.

1 Cor 12:28-29 tells us, "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?  Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?  But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

The implication is not all are apostles, yet Paul says this is the first appointment.  Jesus commands us to "Go therefore and make disciples..."  Personally, I believe this is something we should all be involved in, yet many are satisfied with just being a follower of Jesus.

So, if I want to raise my hand and be like Isaiah when he said, "Here am I! Send me," what does that mean?

This section of scripture in Matthew helps us understand and count the cost of being an apostle for Christ.

When I first think of the idea of being an apostle for Christ, it sounds attractive.  But, reading this section of scripture brings the healthy fear of the Lord into my thinking and makes me realise, "I better not take this journey without the power of the Holy Spirit and God's grace!"

So, I pray that YOU will be called by Jesus as an apostle and by the power of the Holy Spirit do great things in Christ's name for God's glory.  Amen.

Matthew 10:16 - 11::19 Outline

Remember, this section is part of a larger outline that starts at chapter 9:35.

Jesus is ministering and going "about all the cities and villages" teaching, preaching and healing.  This led to a compassion for the work.

• 9:35-38 - Jesus has compassion for the people.
  Note: He then turns to the disciples (followers) and tells them to pray.  Prayer aligns us with Jesus, so this will give us compassion for the people.
• 10:1-4 - Jesus calls His apostles.
  Note: An apostle is simply one who is sent on a mission, being commissioned.
  Note: He calls because of His compassion for the people.
  Note: The next step after prayer is to be given the power of the Holy Spirit.
• 10:5-42 - Jesus teaches the disciples how to do the ministry.
  Note: These things are impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit.
• 10:5-15 - Where to go and how to behave in the cities
• 10:16-26 - Warnings on how difficult the ministry will be.
• 10:27-30 - Comfort in knowing our value in Christ
• 10:31-33 - Comfort knowing how Christ will identify with us when we have identified with Him.
• 10:34-39 - Warnings on how difficult the ministry will be.  This time quoting Old Testament scripture.
  Note: Matthew was writing to Jewish, Religious people.  He quotes a lot of Old Testament scripture to point out how Jesus was fulfilling prophecy.
• 10:40-42 - Jesus shows His identification with us in ministry.  Acceptance or rejection of us reflects on their attitude to Jesus, not us personally.
• 11:1-19 - Jesus deals with John the Baptist's disciples.
• 11:1-3 - Jesus is questioned, are you really the Christ, the Messiah?
• 11:4-6 - Jesus answers, not "yes or no," but tells them to "inspect the fruit."
  Note: All the 'fixes' done, blind/see, deaf/hear, etc. are what you'd expect except "the poor have the gospel preached to them."  Poverty is not a sickness, wealth can be.  Let us be careful in our giving and make sure it is always included with the gospel message.
• 11:7-15 - Jesus points out that John the Baptist was not "as expected" and neither would Jesus' ministry.
• 11:16-19 - People what Jesus to do things their way.  When Jesus doesn't, He is rejected.  People must approach Jesus as Lord, master,  His way.

2 Kings 21:19 - 22:20 Outline

Chapter 21

Reign Of Amon (19-22)

Death of Amon (23-26)

Chapter 22

Reign of Josiah (1-7)

Hilkiah Finds The Law (9-11)

Josiah Inquires of the LORD (12-14)

God's Judgement on the Idolatrous Israel (15-17)

God's Mercy on the House of Josiah (18-20)

2 Kings 20:1 - 21:18 Outline

Chapter 20

Hezekiah Told He Would Die (1-3)

God Grants Hezekiah Fifteen More Years (4-6)

Hezekiah Asks For A Sign (7-11)

King Of Babylon Shown Treasures Of Judah (12-13)

Isaiah Warns Of Babylon's Victory Over Judah (14-18)

Hezekiah Dies (19-21)

Chapter 21

Manasseh Reigns (1-2)

Evil Acts Of Manasseh (3-6)

Asherah Image Placed In The Temple (7-9)

The Lord Speaks Out Against Manasseh (10-16)

Death of Manasseh (17-18)

2 Kings 18:1 - 19:37 - Thoughts

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. (2 Kings 19:14)

Hezekiah was at the end of himself.  He had no more gold or silver to offer the king of Assyria.  He was out numbered and found no human possibility for deliverance.  God had him right where He wanted him!

Why do we seem to think of God as a "last resort" when all other options fail?  God wants to be our first option with no plan B.  Proverbs 3:5-6 say it best, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Finally, Hezekiah takes the letter from his enemy, unfolds it before the LORD in the temple and says the most amazing and heart-felt prayer. (2 Kings 19:15-19).  It was a short prayer, but consisted of three key things:

1. He acknowledged who God is to get his perspective right.
2. He asked for special attention. Lord, please pay attention to this area in my life. He recognised the attack was on God and not personal.
3. He prayed for the outcome to be for God's glory.

May we follow in Hezekiah's footsteps in this regard.  Allow us to quickly turn to Jesus for help and may we learn to pray for the right perspective and for the right motivation.

2 Kings 18:1 - 19:37 - Outline

Chapter 18

Reign of Hezekiah (1-2)

Hezekiah Reinstates Temple Worship (3-4)

God Blesses Hezekiah (5-8)

Recap Of Assyria Capturing The Northern Kingdom (9-12)

Hezekiah Pays Tribute To King Of Assyria (13-16)

Assyrian Dignitaries Come To Jerusalem (17-18)

Rabshakeh Warns Judah Not To Trust In The LORD (19-25)

Judah Leaders Try To Quiet Rabshakeh (26-27)

Rabshakeh Tries To Scare The People (28-35)

People Follow Hezekiah's Words (36-37)

Chapter 19

Hezekiah Asks Isaiah To Pray To The LORD (1-4)

The Lord Promises To Deliver Jerusalem (5-6)

Rabshakeh Sends Another Letter To Hezekiah (8-13)

Hezekiah Prays To The LORD (14-19)

God Promises To Defend Jerusalem (20-34)

God Delivers Jerusalem (35-37)

2 Kings 17:1 - 17:41 - Thoughts

They feared the LORD, yet served their own gods (2 Kings 17:33)

Proverbs 1:7 tells us that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge and Proverbs 9:10 that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.  So it is good that the people feared the LORD, right?

My "fear" (excuse the pun) is that people misunderstand what the "fear of the LORD" really is.  In 2 Kings 17, the people were fearing the LORD because He sent lions into the land and some people were being killed.  They feared for their lives and wanted to find a way to appease the LORD so He would no longer be angry.  This was a common practice for the pagan nations.  Figure out what the gods want, give it to them, then they'll return the favor with rain, good crops, protection and pleasure.

But this is not how things work with the God of the universe.  He is not impressed with our sacrifices or rituals.  He just wants us to believe Him, have faith in Him and obey His commands (Hebrews 11:6).

The fear of the LORD that is mentioned in Proverbs is a healthy reverence for who God is and His holiness.  When He gives is a mere glimpse of His holiness and our sinfulness, it should bring us to fear and trembling (Isaiah 6:1-5).  That healthy fear should drive us to want to be closer to God and to desire holiness and to be cleansed.  We will long to repent and obey the commandments of God (Romans 2:4).

Ultimately, the Assyrians failed to understand what God told the children of Israel years earlier, "To obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22).

Lord, help us to not try and do ritualistic things to please You.  May all our works be for Your glory and not because we fear You'll be angry with us otherwise.

2 Kings 17:1 - 17:41 - Outline

Chapter 17

Reign of Hoshea (1-2)

King of Assyria Takes Israel (3-6)

Reason God Allowed Israel To Fall (7-23)

Assyrians Repopulate Israel (24-26)

King of Assyria Sends a Priest Back (27-31)

Fear Of The Lord Without Service (32-41)

2 Kings 15:8 - 16:20 - Thoughts

Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test the LORD!" (Isaiah 7:12)

It may seem odd that I'd quote Isaiah while speaking on 2nd Kings, but this passage was written during this same time in history.  We get a glimpse of what was going on with Ahaz and his heart.  You see, God offered to deliver Judah from the northern kingdom and Syria, but Ahaz had another deliverer, the Assyrians.  Ahaz had made a treaty with Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria rather than turning to the true and living God.

God still delivers Judah, but Ahaz misses out on a huge blessing and Assyria begins to gain strength and will eventually cause all sorts of problems for Judah and take Israel captive.

God loves to deliver us from our troubles if we throw up our hands and turn our lives over to Him.  As long as we continue to try and make treaties with the world, God will let us try and sort things out for ourselves.  Unfortunately, all we are really doing is selling ourselves to the world and eventually becoming their captive.

Lord, please deliver me from my pride, selfishness and independence.  Help me to be dependent more and more on You as I realize that without you I can do nothing. (John 15:5)

2 Kings 15:8 - 16:20 - Outline

Chapter 15

Power Struggle in Israel (8-31)

Reign of Zechariah (8-12)

Reign of Shallum (13-15)

Reign of Menahem (16-12)

Reign of Pekahiah (23-26)

Reign of Pekah (27-31)

Reign of Jotham (32-38)

Chapter 16

Reign of Ahaz (1-4)

Syria and Israel Come Against Judah (5-6)

Ahaz Seeks Help From Assyria (7-9)

Ahaz Commands Urijah To Build Assyrian Altar (10-11)

Ahaz Makes Offerings On Pagan Altar (12-16)

Ahaz Dismantals Temple Articles (17-20)

Romans 1 - Thoughts

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

This is an obvious key verse in this chapter.  It drove Paul to sacrifice all his time for the purpose of spreading the gospel.  Paul wanted to get to Rome because it was the economic and political epicenter of the world.  From there, the gospel could be spread everywhere because of the huge influx and outflow of people throughout the world.  Yet God did not allow Paul to go to Rome right away.  God allowed Paul to write this letter to them first and thus allow us to have access to such a wonderful book.

The purpose of the book of Romans is clear from verse 16.  Paul wants us to really understand the gospel, or good news of Jesus Christ.  This good news is powerful and available to all people.  This good news is that Jesus paid the price completely and do nothing but believe in Him and the work He did for us.

I wonder if my heart is sometimes ashamed of the gospel.  I tell myself, "People don't want to hear this."  Perhaps they don't, but this is no excuse not to share.  This is truth and people love the darkness more than the light, so I shouldn't be shocked at rejection.  Yet sometimes, people respond as the Holy Spirit leads.  Their eyes are opened and their souls are saved.  Oh what a glorious day.

Romans 1 - Outline

Chapter 1

Greetings (1-7)

Paul's Desire To Go To Rome (8-15)

Not Ashamed of the Gospel (16-17)

All Know There Is A God, No Excuse (18-23)

God Allows Self Worship (24-32)