Understanding Our Identity and Context in Scripture
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound nature of the Bible and its relevance to our lives, especially focusing on the letters or epistles in the New Testament. These letters, written by apostles like Paul, Peter, James, and others, are essentially one half of a conversation, much like reading someone else's mail. They were written to specific communities facing unique challenges, and understanding them requires us to connect the content with the context. This means recognizing that these letters were written in a different time, culture, and situation, and interpreting them requires humility and a willingness to see beyond our modern perspectives.
We delved into the idea that the Bible is not just a single book but a collection of different genres and types of literature, each requiring a unique approach to fully grasp its meaning. The letters, in particular, are occasional documents, meaning they were written for specific occasions and situations. This makes interpreting them complex, as we often don't know the exact questions or problems they were addressing.
A significant part of our discussion was about the identity and role of the church. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, called to build bridges rather than fortresses. This means recognizing that no one is expendable in God's kingdom. We live in a society that often makes us feel expendable, but the truth of the gospel is that we are chosen and precious to God. This identity calls us to treat others with the same dignity and respect, seeing them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
We also touched on the importance of reading the Bible in larger chunks rather than isolated verses to avoid misinterpretation. The context of the letters, written during times of persecution and hardship, especially under Roman rule, provides a backdrop that helps us understand their deeper meanings.
Finally, we celebrated communion, remembering that through Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection, we are invited to a table where no one is expendable. This act of communion symbolizes our unity and shared identity as God's chosen people, called to live out our faith in the time between Jesus' first coming and His return.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Context is Crucial: The letters in the New Testament are like reading one half of a conversation. To fully grasp their meaning, we must connect the content with the context, recognizing the cultural, historical, and situational factors at play. This requires humility and a willingness to see beyond our modern perspectives. [28:03]
2. The Bible as a Collection of Genres: The Bible is not a single book but a collection of different types of literature, each requiring a unique approach. Understanding this helps us read and interpret the scriptures more accurately, recognizing that different sections of the Bible serve different purposes and convey different types of messages. [29:20]
3. Our Identity in Christ: We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, called to build bridges rather than fortresses. This means recognizing that no one is expendable in God's kingdom. Our identity in Christ calls us to treat others with the same dignity and respect, seeing them as brothers and sisters. [51:35]
4. Reading in Larger Chunks: To avoid misinterpretation, it's important to read the Bible in larger chunks rather than isolated verses. This helps us understand the broader context and prevents us from infusing individual verses with meanings they were not intended to convey. [45:45]
5. Living in the Time Between Times: As the church, we live in the time between Jesus' first coming and His return. This period calls us to live out our faith actively, recognizing that we are not expendable and neither is anyone else. Our mission is to build bridges, showing the love and grace of Christ to a world that often feels abandoned and alone. [57:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:13] - Introduction and Personal Stories
[24:12] - Text Message Analogy
[26:47] - Understanding Context
[28:03] - Content and Context Connection
[29:20] - Bible as a Collection of Genres
[31:19] - Scripture's Reliability
[33:04] - Reading the Letters
[35:02] - Individual vs. Community
[37:04] - Context-Specific Instructions
[39:43] - Contradictions and Context
[40:07] - Occasional Documents
[45:45] - Reading in Larger Chunks
[49:01] - Living Stones and Spiritual House
[51:35] - Chosen People and Royal Priesthood
[57:02] - Living in the Time Between Times
[01:00:27] - Building Bridges, Not Fortresses
[01:01:35] - Communion and Unity
[01:07:55] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 2:3-10 (NIV)
> "Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.' Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and, 'A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.' They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
2. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NIV)
> "And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
3. Exodus 19:5-6 (NIV)
> "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Peter 2:3-10 say about the identity of believers in Christ?
2. According to 2 Timothy 3:15-17, what are the purposes of the Holy Scriptures?
3. In Exodus 19:5-6, what does God promise to the Israelites if they obey Him fully?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of "living stones" in 1 Peter 2:3-10 help us understand our role in the church? [49:01]
2. What does it mean to be a "royal priesthood" and how does this identity impact our daily lives? [51:35]
3. How can understanding the context of the letters in the New Testament help us interpret their messages more accurately? [28:03]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea that you are not expendable in God's kingdom. How does this truth affect your self-worth and interactions with others? [57:37]
2. In what ways can you build bridges rather than fortresses in your community, as suggested by the sermon? [01:00:27]
3. How can you practice reading the Bible in larger chunks to avoid misinterpretation? What steps will you take this week to implement this practice? [45:45]
4. Think of a time when you felt like an outsider. How can you use that experience to empathize with and support others who feel the same way? [55:05]
5. Identify one person in your life who might feel expendable. What specific actions can you take to show them they are valued and loved by God? [59:19]
6. How can you live out your identity as a "royal priesthood" in your workplace or school? What specific changes can you make to reflect this calling? [51:35]
7. Reflect on the concept of living in the "time between times." How does this perspective shape your understanding of your mission as a follower of Christ? [57:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Context is Crucial
The letters in the New Testament are like reading one half of a conversation. To fully grasp their meaning, we must connect the content with the context, recognizing the cultural, historical, and situational factors at play. This requires humility and a willingness to see beyond our modern perspectives. The apostles wrote these letters to specific communities facing unique challenges, and understanding them involves recognizing the different time, culture, and situation in which they were written. This approach helps us avoid misinterpretation and allows us to see the deeper meanings intended by the authors. [28:03]
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."
Reflection: Think of a Bible passage you find challenging to understand. How can you research its historical and cultural context to gain a deeper understanding of its message today?
Day 2: The Bible as a Collection of Genres
The Bible is not a single book but a collection of different types of literature, each requiring a unique approach. Understanding this helps us read and interpret the scriptures more accurately, recognizing that different sections of the Bible serve different purposes and convey different types of messages. For example, the poetic nature of Psalms requires a different reading approach than the historical accounts in Kings or the prophetic literature in Isaiah. By appreciating these differences, we can better grasp the richness and diversity of God's Word. [29:20]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: Identify a book of the Bible you haven't read much. What genre is it, and how might understanding its literary style change the way you read it?
Day 3: Our Identity in Christ
We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, called to build bridges rather than fortresses. This means recognizing that no one is expendable in God's kingdom. Our identity in Christ calls us to treat others with the same dignity and respect, seeing them as brothers and sisters. In a world that often makes us feel expendable, the truth of the gospel is that we are chosen and precious to God. This identity should shape how we interact with others, fostering unity and love within the body of Christ. [51:35]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love. How can you see them through the lens of being chosen and precious to God, and what practical steps can you take to show them dignity and respect today?
Day 4: Reading in Larger Chunks
To avoid misinterpretation, it's important to read the Bible in larger chunks rather than isolated verses. This helps us understand the broader context and prevents us from infusing individual verses with meanings they were not intended to convey. By reading larger sections, we can see the flow of thought and the overall message the author intended. This practice can deepen our understanding and appreciation of Scripture, allowing us to see the bigger picture of God's redemptive plan. [45:45]
Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV): "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading."
Reflection: Choose a book of the Bible and commit to reading an entire chapter in one sitting. How does reading a larger section change your understanding of the text compared to reading isolated verses?
Day 5: Living in the Time Between Times
As the church, we live in the time between Jesus' first coming and His return. This period calls us to live out our faith actively, recognizing that we are not expendable and neither is anyone else. Our mission is to build bridges, showing the love and grace of Christ to a world that often feels abandoned and alone. This involves being proactive in our faith, reaching out to others, and embodying the gospel in our daily lives. [57:02]
Titus 2:11-13 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on one way you can actively live out your faith this week. How can you build a bridge to someone who feels abandoned or alone, showing them the love and grace of Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "We do not have it all figured out. But we know we are made for life with Jesus, and that's what we're kind of basing our life around. And if you want to take your next step in that, of course we want to make that available for you. That's what our prayer for everybody is, because everybody's got a next step. Whether you're curious about Jesus, or you've been following Jesus for a long time." [23:13] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We live in a society where we're constantly afraid of being treated as though we are. We live in an image conscious, image aware kind of society that says if you don't look a particular way, if you can't project a certain amount of wealth, or a certain amount of beauty, wherever it is that you go, you might be treated as though you are expendable. And one day we all know, we live in this fear that those things are gonna be taken from us or we won't be able to project all of the things that this little, this world that we live in, Southern California, Orange County kind of world, at some point, we're not gonna be able to project that anymore, and we're gonna wonder, am I expendable, because they don't have those kinds of things anymore?" [58:10] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "For Jesus' people, this is how we're supposed to live, as bridge building kinds of people. And in the first century, what you get is a model for what this meal sharing, or what this kind of community looks like. And people would sit together at a meal. What they would say is this. Whenever they would get together, this is part of the reason why Jesus was so controversial, by the Anytime someone would sit together in a meal, what they're communicating, one to the other, and one to everybody else around them, is that these people are welcome here and they're my equal." [01:00:27] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our prayer, our hope, our longing For people who often, which are all of us in here Who rely on things that often let us down Hoping that they would last forever That song and the Bible reminds us That there is only one thing that will last forever That we can rely on This cornerstone of Jesus." [01:07:55] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "To understand more fully, the most important thing we would need to do is to connect to the content that is the words that we saw with the context of what actually happened. The work to understand what's actually going on in one half of a text message conversation, and even when you have both halves of the conversation, to understand it fully, you'll need to connect the content with the context." [28:03] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Beliefs around the Bible regarding this Bible, which Christians call God's Word, vary widely. Some people would say, look, the Bible is sort of moral myths and fairy tales. Yes, there might be some sort of helpful things in there, but you really can't rely on it in the way that people might want to rely on it. Some people might say, this might be you. The Bible is really just kind of an instrument of power, propaganda. There was a guy, probably some emperor, who gathered some people together and said, this is now going to be the thing, and I've stamped my authority on it, and this is how we now know what the Bible is. So it's just a matter of sort of people control." [29:54] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "For Christians, the text is inspired authoritative word of God. You might have heard some of those terms before. But interpreting the scriptures is actually a human work and it is not necessarily infallible. Let me say it this way. You might have heard the expression that the Bible says it, you know, I believe it, that settles it. The problem is that there's something that happens between the belief and the settling, or at least the reading it and the settling of it, or the believing it, which is the interpretation of what it means." [41:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The church and the letters are written for people between times. By that, I mean this. When you look at the Bible, you have the creation of all things, this intended partnership between human beings and God, which God initiates. God then further kind of takes this relationship about how he's going to relate to the world and rescue, or to use a Bible word, redeem the whole world. He's going to do it through one particular family, Abraham and his descendants, this group of people called the Israelites. Then he'll raise up a king, a guy named David, who doesn't exactly do everything perfect. And you look at all of Israel's kings, there's like five that do an okay job. David's the best of them. He doesn't do a great job. There's a couple things he really screws up on. And out of this line of David will come this person, Jesus." [56:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The whole thing is this massive reversal. And the great sort of point of this particular passage, among other things, is that those who are chosen by God end up being rejected by human beings. And the reverse is also, too. Those rejected by human beings, at least in terms of the church, tend to be chosen by God. And what do we do with that? Briefly. The church and the letters are written for people between times." [55:32] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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