LHIM Weekly Bible Teaching

The birth of Jesus, recorded in Luke 2:1-20, involved Joseph and Mary journeying from Nazareth to Bethlehem, labor and delivery in a humble room for animals, angels announcing the birth to shepherds, and their subsequent visit to see the swaddled baby in a manger. Luke 2:21-40 covers Joseph and Mary’s visit to the temple (probably forty days later) when they made the necessary offerings for their firstborn son and Mary’s purification after which they received encouragement from Simeon and Anna. Luke 2:1-5 Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of a census. This enabled Mary to give birth to Jesus (in accordance with the prophecy in Micah 5:2) in the ancestral city of David, Bethlehem. Luke 2:6-7 Jesus came into the world in a humble setting with a feeding trough as his cradle. Still Mary swaddled him and made sure he was well cared for. Luke 2:8-14 Shepherding was a humble profession, and shepherds were generally poor. God chose them (of all people) to hear the birth announcement for His son. Luke 2:15-20 When the shepherds visited Mary and Joseph, they encouraged them to believe that God was truly with them. Luke 2:21-24 When the family went to the temple, they made the appropriate offerings for a firstborn son (Ex 13:12-15) and for Mary’s purification (Lev 12:2-8). Luke 2:25-40 Simeon and Anna also greatly encouraged Joseph and Mary, testifying, once again, that God was with them and that the child was destined for greatness.

A Visit from an Angel and a Song to Remember

Gabriel and Mary

Luke 1:26-38

Mary was a teenager who was of low to modest means.

Mary’s confusion was not due to unbelief but a matter of not understanding “how” it was going to happen.

Gabriel confirms the promise to Mary with the testimony of her cousin Elizabeth.

Nothing is impossible with God!

 

Elizabeth and Mary

Luke 1:39-56

Mary leaves quickly to go see Elizabeth. Joseph may or may not have accompanied her.

Elizabeth prophesies to Mary immediately upon hearing her voice. And then, Mary responds with some of the most amazing, inspired words in Scripture—The Magnificat.

Verses 46-56 are traditionally called “The Magnificat” because the Latin Vulgate begins with “Magnificat anima mea Dominum” (“My soul magnifies the Lord”).

There are easily a dozen references or allusions to the Old Testament in The Magnificat.

The post The Messiah Will Come first appeared on Living Hope.

A Visit from an Angel and a Song to Remember

Gabriel and Mary Luke 1:26-38 Mary was a teenager who was of low to modest means. Mary’s confusion was not due to unbelief but a matter of not understanding “how” it was going to happen. Gabriel confirms the promise to Mary with the testimony of her cousin Elizabeth. Nothing is impossible with God!   Elizabeth and Mary Luke 1:39-56 Mary leaves quickly to go see Elizabeth. Joseph may or may not have accompanied her. Elizabeth prophesies to Mary immediately upon hearing her voice. And then, Mary responds with some of the most amazing, inspired words in Scripture—The Magnificat. Verses 46-56 are traditionally called “The Magnificat” because the Latin Vulgate begins with “Magnificat anima mea Dominum” (“My soul magnifies the Lord”). There are easily a dozen references or allusions to the Old Testament in The Magnificat.

The Bible’s consistent focus is on planet earth. It does talk about heaven as the domain of God and His angels. Also, Jesus is there temporarily until he returns to establish God’s Kingdom. However, earth is where all the action is. It was God’s original creation, and it’s what He ultimately will restore to paradise.

Today, we’ll focus on three problems the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth will solve.

1. Effects of War:

Micah 4:1-7 The prophet pictures the last days when God will instruct and judge the nations, bringing about an unprecedented and enduring age of peace.

1. Environmental Dysfunction:

Isaiah 35:1-7 Isaiah prophesies of a time when the deserts will blossom.

Romans 8:19-22 Paul tells about the link between humanity and creation. Creation is groaning, awaiting the day when God will free it of its bondage to corruption.

1. Human Sinfulness:

Revelation 21:3-8 In the end, God Himself will come to earth and dwell with us like it was in Eden. He will wipe away our tears and make all things new. However, the wicked will suffer judgment in the second death.

This Kingdom is God’s dream. He will bring it in its time. In the meanwhile, we can live in anticipation of this magnificent hope.

The post The Kingdom will be on Earth first appeared on Living Hope.

The Bible’s consistent focus is on planet earth. It does talk about heaven as the domain of God and His angels. Also, Jesus is there temporarily until he returns to establish God’s Kingdom. However, earth is where all the action is. It was God’s original creation, and it’s what He ultimately will restore to paradise. Today, we’ll focus on three problems the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth will solve.

1. Effects of War:

Micah 4:1-7 The prophet pictures the last days when God will instruct and judge the nations, bringing about an unprecedented and enduring age of peace.

1. Environmental Dysfunction:

Isaiah 35:1-7 Isaiah prophesies of a time when the deserts will blossom. Romans 8:19-22 Paul tells about the link between humanity and creation. Creation is groaning, awaiting the day when God will free it of its bondage to corruption.

1. Human Sinfulness:

Revelation 21:3-8 In the end, God Himself will come to earth and dwell with us like it was in Eden. He will wipe away our tears and make all things new. However, the wicked will suffer judgment in the second death. This Kingdom is God’s dream. He will bring it in its time. In the meanwhile, we can live in anticipation of this magnificent hope.

In the end, the wicked and unrepentant will also rise from the dead for judgement. Those not found written in the book of life will be destroyed in the second death.

Romans 2:5-11 The principles of divine justice are revealed throughout the Scriptures. The righteous judgment of God is clear.

Psalm 89:13-14; Romans 11:33-36 Righteous and just are His judgments.

Daniel 12:2 Disgrace and everlasting contempt [abhorrence]

Matthew 25:31-34, 40-41, 46 Eternal punishment

John 5:28-29 The resurrection of judgment

Acts 24:15-16 The resurrection of the wicked

Revelation 20:1-15 Lake of fire (Jude 1:7)

Revelation 21:5-8 “The lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”

Psalm 37:18-20; 68:1-2; 73:27; 145:17-21

Romans 12:19-21; 1 Peter 2:21-23 Never take your own revenge.

The post The Wicked will be Annihilated first appeared on Living Hope.

In the end, the wicked and unrepentant will also rise from the dead for judgement. Those not found written in the book of life will be destroyed in the second death. Romans 2:5-11 The principles of divine justice are revealed throughout the Scriptures. The righteous judgment of God is clear. Psalm 89:13-14; Romans 11:33-36 Righteous and just are His judgments. Daniel 12:2 Disgrace and everlasting contempt [abhorrence] Matthew 25:31-34, 40-41, 46 Eternal punishment John 5:28-29 The resurrection of judgment Acts 24:15-16 The resurrection of the wicked Revelation 20:1-15 Lake of fire (Jude 1:7) Revelation 21:5-8 “The lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" Psalm 37:18-20; 68:1-2; 73:27; 145:17-21 Romans 12:19-21; 1 Peter 2:21-23 Never take your own revenge.

“Spiritual gifts” (Gk.charismata) = any enablement that God bestows upon believers by His grace

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The “manifestation” (or demonstration) of the spirit is a product of God’s power and grace in us, and it is given for the “common good” (i.e., for the benefit of all).

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

There are more than nine spiritual gifts. And some are better than others.

Romans 12:3-8

“Gifts that differ” – God empowers believers in different ways. The body of Christ is diverse, just as the gifts of grace that God energizes are also diverse.

1 Peter 4:10-11

We are to be stewards of God’s grace and the gifts that we receive. That means we are to use spiritual gifts in service to each other, to encourage, comfort, and strengthen the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Earnestly desire the “things of the spirit” (i.e., spiritual gifts), and specifically prophecy.

Spiritual gifts build up the church: 1) speaking in tongues with interpretation, and 2) prophesying.

The post Gifts of the Spirit are Available first appeared on Living Hope.

"Spiritual gifts" (Gk. charismata ) = any enablement that God bestows upon believers by His grace 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 The “manifestation” (or demonstration) of the spirit is a product of God’s power and grace in us, and it is given for the “common good” (i.e., for the benefit of all). 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 There are more than nine spiritual gifts. And some are better than others. Romans 12:3-8 “Gifts that differ” – God empowers believers in different ways. The body of Christ is diverse, just as the gifts of grace that God energizes are also diverse. 1 Peter 4:10-11 We are to be stewards of God’s grace and the gifts that we receive. That means we are to use spiritual gifts in service to each other, to encourage, comfort, and strengthen the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Earnestly desire the "things of the spirit" (i.e., spiritual gifts), and specifically prophecy. Spiritual gifts build up the church: 1) speaking in tongues with interpretation, and 2) prophesying.

1 Samuel 1:1-5 Hannah was probably Elkanah’s first wife. In those days, it was common to marry a second wife if the first was barren. Because Elkanah was good to Hannah, such favoritism inspired jealousy in Peninnah, his other wife.

1 Samuel 1:6-11 Peninnah provoked and irritated Hannah, which caused her to weep bitterly and cry out to God. She prayed for a child.

1 Samuel 1:12-18 I love how graceful Hannah was with Eli. He completely misread the situation. Instead of taking offense, she respectfully corrected him.

1 Samuel 1:19-20 Finally, she conceived and bore a son. After he was weaned, she brought him to live at the shrine where Eli served. As part of this, she made a thanksgiving offering (Lev 7:11-15).

1 Samuel 1:26-28; 2:18-21 Hannah gave Samuel up to serve God. After this, God enabled Hannah to have five more children. Because she was deprived of having kids for so long, she was probably extremely grateful when she had them.

Luke 17:11-13 Lepers are people who had a skin disease. As a result, the priests banished them from living in town (Lev 13:2-3; 45-46).

Luke 17:14 Jesus told the lepers to show themselves to the priests. The priest had to coordinate a detailed sequence of events to return the leper to society (Lev 14:2-32)

Luke 17:15-19 Only one turned back to thank God and Jesus. We want to be like that one who gave thanks.

The post Thank God first appeared on Living Hope.