Luke 19 - Mar 4, 2012

Here's the texts and points we discussed today.

1-10 Son of Man came to rescue the lost.
11-27 Be trustworthy with whatever is entrusted you.(1)
28-40 Jesus is the Davidic King of 2 Samuel 7:12-13.(2)
41-44 Jerusalem was destroyed for rejecting the Messiah.(3)
45-48 The Temple was meant to be a spiritual sanctuary.

(1) This parable was used to counter the idea that the time of glory was immanent. (2) Zechariah 9:9. (3) This is the second time Jesus cleansed the Temple. For the cleansing that came at the beginning of Jesus' ministry see John 2:13-16.

Luke 18 - Feb 19, 2012

Here's a few points I found in Luke 18. Share your own. We got through verse 17 this Sunday. We'll continue next Sunday. Join us!

v1-8 Pray continually. Don’t give up on God.
v9-14 God opposes the proud but lifts up the humble.(1)
v15-17 People must receive the Kingdom of God like babies.(2)
v18-27 It is impossible for rich people to enter heaven.(3)
v28-30 Personal sacrifices don’t save a Christian, but they will be rewarded.(4)
v31-34 The suffering, death and resurrection of the Son of Man was foretold in the Old Testament, and pointed to by Jesus.(5)
v35-43 Spiritual and physical healing come through faith in Jesus.(6)

Footnotes: (1) 1 Peter 5:5-7 (2) Babies don’t earn. Everything they get is given to them. (3) Law mirror shows us our sin. It’s also impossible for the poor. God must open heaven and usher us in if we are to enter. (4) Colossians 3:23-24 (5) Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 (6) 2 Samuel 7:12-13 The Son of David = Descendant of David and Ruler of the Eternal Kingdom.

Luke 17

It helps me to crystallize the ideas of a section into one sentence (if possible). Below is what I came up with for Luke 17. We're got about half way through this chapter today. We'll take it up again next Sunday. Join us!

Luke 17

1-3a Death is preferable to causing someone to sin. (1)
3b-4 Rebuke sin. Respond to a change of heart with forgiveness. (2)
5-6 Faith is as powerful as that which it trusts in. (3)
7-9 Don’t expect cake and a party for doing your job. (4)
11-19 The fitting and faithful response to God’s grace is thanks and praise.
20-21 The reign of God begins in the heart.
22-24 Expect no secret return of Jesus – it will be obvious to all.
25 Jesus was rejected by His own generation.
26-30 The return of the Son of Man will be accompanied by destruction.
31-33 Have no regard for “stuff” on the Last Day.
34-36 No outward associations will matter on the last day.(5)

(1)Law. (2)Gospel. (3)Mt. 21:18 Peter asks if seven forgivenesses is enough… (4)In context: Don’t think yourself special for forgiving people. That’s your duty. (5)“Where too, Lord?” If this is the rapture, count me out.

Luke 16

Read Luke chapter 16 and think about the following take-away points this week. Compose a title for this chapter and share it during Bible Class next Sunday. Make the title catchy, and something that reminds you of the the chapter's main point.

Luke 16, Chapter Title__________________________________

1-9 Shrewdly use money to ensure your faith will grow.
10-11 Those irresponsible with earth riches won’t be trusted with heaven riches.*
12-13 Don’t use God to serve money. Use money to serve God.
14-15 What is exalted by man, is an abomination to God. **
16-17 The Gospel doesn’t void God’s law. It re-teaches God’s high standards and the steep price of the sinner’s salvation.
18 In an unscriptural divorce and remarriage, all parties are guilty of adultery.***
19-31 Miracles validate the message, but faith is created by the Word of God.

*This is God using the Law Mirror to shows our desperate need of the Savior!
**The Greek word for “abomination” comes from the idea of turning away from something because of the stench.
*** See Matthew 5:32.

The Gospel of Luke - Sep 12, 2010

We're just beginning a study of Luke's Gospel. Here's the rather "skeletal" notes I handed out before our study today. -Pastor Schaller

THE BOOK OF LUKE: background

The books of “Luke” and “Acts” indicate that they were written by the same individual. Early Christian sources tell us this individual was a man named Luke.

The writer of these books uses the terminology of a trained physician. One example is the phrase “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle”. Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25 both use the common word for needle, while Luke 18:25 uses the medical term.

The writer of Luke and Acts tends to record details that would be of particular interest to doctors. For example, he notes the length of time that people had been inflicted with their diseases (Acts 3:2, 9:33, 14:8). He also clearly distinguishes between cases of disease and demon possession (Acts 5:16, 19:12). One author points out (rather tongue in cheek) that in the case of the bleeding woman who was healed, Luke omits the detail that she had spent all her savings on doctors and yet had remained unhealed (Mark 5:26, Luke 8:46).

Before writing about Christ’s life, Luke consulted the testimony of eyewitnesses since he was not among Jesus’ first followers (Luke 1:1-4). From Colossians 4:11-15 we learn that Luke was a Gentile, a doctor, and a close friend of the apostle Paul.

In addition to writing the account of Paul’s missionary journeys, Luke also accompanied the apostle during parts of the second and third journeys. In his narrative, Luke indicates when he is with Paul by using “we” instead of “they”. On the basis of this evidence, Luke first joined Paul during his second missionary journey, at the city of Troas (Acts 16:10).

Luke was with Paul when he finally reached Rome at the end of Acts (Acts 28:16, Colossians 4:14, 18). Perhaps Luke wrote both his Gospel and Acts at this time, while his friend Paul awaited trial for two years.

Later, when Paul was imprisoned a second time at Rome, Luke alone remained with him (2 Timothy 4:11).

According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary…

· 17 of Christ’s parables are unique to Luke
· 7 miracles of Christ are unique to Luke
· The Old Testament is distinctly referenced 28 times

Judaism - Feb 14, 2010

Today our Sunday morning study group is examining what Judaism teaches. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to view or download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To VIEW the “Judaism” Bible Class handout, simply click here. To DOWNLOAD the “Judaism” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 6 - Feb 7, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to view or download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To VIEW the “Daniel 6” Bible Class handout, simply click here.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 6” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 5 - Jan 31, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning four our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 5” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Baptism - Jan 24, 2010

We know that Baptism is not something needed “in addition to” faith in Jesus in order for a person to be saved. So, what is Baptism?

Pieper says “Like the word of the Gospel, Baptism is a means imparting the remission of sins, for Scripture declares Baptism is to be used for the remission of sins…” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.264). In support of his statement, Pieper quotes the following passages.

Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16
16And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Ephesians 5:26
26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

Titus 3:4-7
4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 3:21
21There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Some have said that if Baptism is a medium through which the forgiveness won by Christ is given, why are adults who already believe baptized? The answer is this, the creating and strengthening of faith is accomplished by God, through word of the Gospel and through “water and the Word”.

We do not believe that Baptism saves apart from faith in Christ. What we believe is that Baptism is a medium through which this faith is created or strengthened.

It is beyond argument that baptism is “for the remission of sins”. It does not replace the Gospel message but is to be practiced with it. This fact is clear in Christ’s great commission,

Matthew 28:19-20
19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In a similar way, the Lord’s Supper does not replace the simple Gospel message, but is to be use with the simple Gospel.

In still other passages Baptism is shown to be more than a symbolic gesture.

1 Corinthians 12:13-15
12For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14For in fact the body is not one member but many.

Luther says it plainly, as Pieper quotes,

“The question solely is (a) whether God has commanded Baptism with water, (b) attached to it His promise of the remission of sins, and (c) thus made it a medium of the forgiveness of sins and a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.268).

Baptism saves the sinner, but not apart from faith in Christ.

INFANT BAPTISM

The Scripture clearly speaks of adults being baptized, and these adults who have come to faith in Christ already. So what of infant baptism? Does Christ command this?

First of all, we know that all infants are born sinful.

Psalm 53:5
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Secondly, we know that infants can believe. Christ blessed the little children and even infants that were brought to Him.

Mark 10:13-16
13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Luke 18:15
15Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

(Concerning the Greek word “Brephos” which is translated “infants” in the above passage. Luke 1:41, 1:44, 2:12, and 2:16 all use this same Greek word to refer to unborn children. 1 Peter 2:2 uses this word to describe children who desire milk. Acts 7:19 use the word for the newborns that Pharaoh instructed the midwives of Egypt to kill immediately upon recognition that they were boys. In 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul reminds Timothy that he has “known the Holy Scriptures” since he was a “Brephos”.)

Thirdly, Baptism is called the “circumcision of Christ” and a “putting off the body of the sins of the flesh”. The baptized are said to be “buried with Him in baptism” and raised “with Him through faith”. Thus Baptism connects one to Christ. Through it the Christian is buried and then raised to spiritual life with Christ.

Colossians 2:11-12
11In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

This connection to circumcision is significant. In the Old Testament it is infants who were circumcised (though at times also adults).

To this we also add that although Jesus does not specifically mention infants in His great commission, He also in no way ruled them out.

Matthew 28:19-20
19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In connection with this passage, we make it clear to parents desiring baptism for their newborn children that baptism is not a magical seal which then ensures a child will enter heaven. Just as any seed that is planted must be watered and cared for, so also baptized infants must also be raise to know Christ. Their faith must be nourished through childhood by continual feeding with God’s word, and the Gospel of Christ specifically.

“‘We shall therefore always be surer of fulfilling Jesus’ will if we receive the children by Baptism into the communion of the Christian Church than if we do not. Also the primitive Church, as we learn from Tertullian, had the custom of Baptizing the children, a thing they would not have done if the Apostles had denied Baptism to the children’(Dom. D. ev. Luth. K. II, 649 ff.)” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.278).

Surely we don’t want to look only to the practices of past Christians to establish a teaching. However, it is one more thing that points to the validity of infant Baptism.

One might question the sureness of an infant’s salvation. Does Baptism guarantee that an infant has saving faith in Christ Jesus? We point to the command of God: do this with water. We point to the promise if God: this is a medium of forgiveness. We point lastly to the love of God,

Ezekiel 33:11
…As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked…

1 Timothy 2:3-4
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So, we simply baptize infants and leave it in God’s hands. Our confident that once this “water and the Word” is applied we have nothing to fear for this infant is solely based on a faith in God. He cleanses sinners through the medium of Baptism.

Ephesians 5:25-27
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

For absolute clarity concerning baptism and communion, we offer the following statement:

“Simply put, though: Jesus earned the forgiveness of sins on the cross once for all – the Means of Grace deliver it. The Bible itself does not save (it’s paper and ink), but it delivers Jesus and forgiveness of sins to me. Water of itself does not save, but with the Word in baptism it delivers Jesus and forgiveness of sins to me. Bread and wine of themselves do not save, but with the Word they deliver Jesus and the forgiveness of sins to me.

For forgiveness, life and salvation, we need Jesus. Here is where you will find Him” (Pastor Bruce Naumann).

Daniel Chapter 4 - Jan 10, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 4” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".