Understanding the Gospels: Our Mission and Purpose
Summary
In this sermon, we embarked on a journey through the New Testament, specifically focusing on the first four books, the Gospels. We had the privilege of having Professor Carlton McCarthy share his wisdom and knowledge about these books. The sermon emphasized the importance of not just reading the Bible, but studying it. We discussed the different components of Bible study, which include reading the word, seeking commentary, and understanding the context. We also explored the unique perspectives each Gospel offers about Jesus, with Matthew presenting Him as the long-awaited Messiah, Mark demonstrating His service to humanity, Luke emphasizing His universal reach, and John declaring Him as the Son of God.
The sermon also highlighted the purpose of our faith and the teachings of the Gospels. We are reminded that Jesus is our Savior, offering us salvation and redemption. However, our faith doesn't stop at accepting this salvation. We are called to share this good news with others, to make disciples of all nations. This is our purpose as Christians, to become more like Jesus and to share His love with the world. We are not alone in this mission, as the Holy Spirit is our partner, doing the heavy lifting and preparing hearts to receive the Gospel.
Key Takeaways:
1. Bible study involves more than just reading the word; it requires seeking commentary, understanding context, and applying the teachings to our lives. ([02:16
2. Each Gospel offers a unique perspective of Jesus, helping us to understand His character and mission more fully. ([01:45
3. Jesus is our Savior, offering us salvation and redemption. This is a truth we can find security in. ([01:07:00
4. Our purpose as Christians is to share the good news of Jesus with others, making disciples of all nations. ([01:08:43
5. We are not alone in our mission to share the Gospel; the Holy Spirit is our partner, preparing hearts to receive the message. ([01:10:25
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28 [01:07:36
2. Isaiah 9 [07:16
3. Psalms 2 [07:46
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of Jesus being referred to as the long-awaited Messiah in Matthew?
2. How does Isaiah 9 relate to the teachings in the New Testament?
3. What prophetic verses can be found in Psalms 2 and how do they relate to the New Testament?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus as our savior, as presented in Matthew, influence our understanding of salvation?
2. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 9 enhance our understanding of the New Testament teachings?
3. How does the prophetic nature of Psalms 2 contribute to our understanding of Jesus' role in the New Testament?
Application Questions:
1. How can you apply the teachings of Jesus as our long-awaited Messiah in your daily life?
2. How can the prophecy in Isaiah 9 guide your understanding and application of the New Testament teachings?
3. How can the prophetic verses in Psalms 2 influence your perception of Jesus and your faith?
4. How can you use the understanding of Jesus as our savior to share the gospel with others?
5. How can you apply the command in Matthew 28 to make disciples in your community?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Commentary in Bible Study
Understanding the Bible requires more than just reading it; it involves seeking insights from those who have studied it before us. Commentary provides us with interpretations and perspectives that can deepen our understanding of the scriptures. This is the first step in a comprehensive Bible study process. [02:53
Bible Passage: Proverbs 15:22 - "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the use of commentary in your personal Bible study routine?
Day 2: The Significance of Historical Context in Bible Study
Understanding the historical context of the Bible is crucial in grasping its full meaning. The cultural relevance, the political climate, and the societal norms during the time the scriptures were written significantly influence how we interpret them today. [03:58
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:11 - "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come."
Reflection: How can understanding the historical context of a Bible passage change your interpretation of it?
Day 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Bible Study
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in our understanding of the Bible. As we read and reflect on the scriptures, we should lean on the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and reveal deeper truths. [05:05
Bible Passage: John 14:26 - "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Reflection: How have you experienced the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your Bible study?
Day 4: The Uniqueness of Jesus' Miracles
Jesus performed miracles in unique ways, demonstrating that God moves in diverse ways. This teaches us that there is no formula for God's intervention; He moves as He wills. [16:07
Bible Passage: John 9:6-7 - "After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 'Go,' he told him, 'wash in the Pool of Siloam' (this word means 'Sent'). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing."
Reflection: How does understanding the uniqueness of Jesus' miracles impact your faith and expectations of God?
Day 5: The Danger of Comfort
Comfort can be a threat to our faith as it can lead us to rely less on God. Sometimes, discomfort and suffering can draw us closer to God, reminding us of our need for Him. [23:16
Bible Passage: James 1:2-4 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Reflection: How has comfort affected your faith and reliance on God? How can you embrace discomfort as a means to grow in your faith?
Quotes
1. "The gospels are giving us four different paths to understanding that Jesus is the son of God and has given us four different perspectives of who he is as well. Each gospel portrays Jesus in a different way so that we can get more information about who he is and who he is for us." - 32:38
2. "It's beautiful to read with the Holy Spirit. Pray before you read and read with the Holy Spirit because you ask questions and then there's details in there. Those questions drive either a curiosity, information having you do more research, and reading the Old Testament really drives your understanding more of the New Testament." - 05:16
3. "We pray for comfort so much that we pray ourselves out of faith in him. Sometimes you need discomfort and dare I say suffering in order to get us back focused on him and leaning on him. Our comfort removes our faith sometimes and God knows that." - 22:42
4. "Comfort is the greatest threat to Christianity. We get to a place where we think that we don't need God because we can handle it ourselves. We don't want God to stretch us, we don't want to go into uncomfortable positions because we're so focused on our comfort." - 22:42
5. "We have security for us that we have salvation through Jesus but now what do we do? Now we have to tell that to everyone in the world. We've got security that we are saved, we've got direction for how to live our lives, but it's also we've got our purpose. What you are supposed to do as a Christian is go and tell other people about Jesus." - 01:06:08
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