!,vtctoi+v LEcTURES THEME: JESUS, THE CHRIST. october 23-27,1995. D! t I

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1 : - Wes Virginia School 0f Preaching!,vcoi+v LEcURES D! ocober 23-27,1995 HEME: JESUS, HE CHRS CHURCH OF CHRS Fourh Sree and Willard Avenue Moundsville, Wes Virginia 26041

2 D, Monday, Ocober 23 6:30-6:55 PM 7:00-7:30 PM 7:30-8:15 PM uesday, Ocober 24 9:00-9:50 AM 10:00-10:50 AM l1:00-11:50 AM 1:10-2:ffi PM 2:10-3:00 PM 3:10-4:00 PM 6:30-6:55 PM 7:fi)-7:30 PM 7:30-8:15 PM lvednesday, 9:00-9:50 10:00 - l0:50 11:00 - l:50 l:10-2:fi) 2:10-3:00 3:10-4:00 6:30-6:55 7:N - 7:30 7:30-8:15 WES VRGNA SCHOOL OF PREACHNG..VCORY'' LECURES ocober 23-27,199s Ocober 25 HEME: JESUS, HE CHRS Congregaional Singing he Beaiudes. Jesus Speaks oday... Lord each Us o Pray... Jesus Our Example n Suffering.... John Board...Buser Dobbs...Randy Maheny...Denon Landon Resurrecion, Hope of he World Charles Pugh Encoun rs Wih he Pharisees......Dan Kessineer he " Ams" of lohn... Bob Ed-dy he Promise of he Holy Spiri......Bren Gallagher Congregaional Singing Chris n You he Hope of Glory Brian Adkins he Virgin Birh...Buser Dobbs AM he New 8irh......Nick Deiger AM Jesus he Maser eacher......bruce Daughery AM hefallofjerusalem...,..... Emanuel Daughery PM Chris and Creaion......Richard Melson pm rhe purpose h" c;;:.::::::::::::..::.:..::.:::::::::.'.:..:..:.'... Frank Higgenboham PM he Church and "f he Kingdom...Seve Miller PM Congregaional Singing PM Couning he Cos Denver Cooper PM Resurrecion Proofs......Buser Dobbs hursday, Ocober 26 9:00-9:50 AM Wha Jesus Said Abou Hell Don Cooper 10:00-10:50 AM Quesions Jesus Asked......Brad Poe 1l:00-11:50 AM he High Prieshood of Chris......W. erry Varner l:10-2:00 PM he Second Coming Seve Sevens 2:10-3:00 PM Parable of he Sower J.D. Conlev 3:10-4:fi) PM Choosing of he Apos1es Doug Peuy 6:30-6:55 PM Congregaional Singing 7:00-7:30 PM he ransfiguraion......erry Jones 7:30-8:15 PM Ascension and Kingship...Buser Dobbs Friday, Ocober 27 9:00-9:50 AM Wha Jesus Said Abou Heaven Eddy Cooper 10:00-10:50 AM Jesus and Money... Bur Jones 1l:00-11:50 AM he Lord's Supper......D. Gene Wes 1:10-2:00 PM Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage Mark Bass 2:10-3:fi) PM Jesus and Worship..., im Nichols 3:10-4:fi) PM Miracles of Jesus......Wi11 Mongomery 6:30-6:55 PM CongregaionalSinging 7:00-7:30 PM he Grea Commission Ken Chumblev 7:30-8:15 PM JesusPrayerForUniy......BuserDobbi

3 Prcfoe he fall of 1994 marked he beginning of he Wes Virginia School of Preaching. he school is under he oversigh of he elders a he lillview errace Church of Chris in Moundsville, Wes Virginia. Emanuel Daughery serves as he direcor. All faculy members and persons responsible for he educaion and raining of he men aending Wes Virginia School of Preaching are dedicaed o eaching sound docrine, building up he body of Chris and preaching he gospel o he whole world. is our aim o "each faihful men who will each ohers also" (2 irn 2:2). be fall of l-995 marks anoher grea beginning-he firs annual Wes Virginia School of Preaching "Vicory" Lecureship. By calling hem he "Vicory" lecures we emphasize he Chrisian's vicory over self, sin, and Saan; vicfory over he world, deah, hell and he grave; vicory over all hings ha hinder our relaionship wih God and His Son. his vicory is accomplished by and hrough Chris our Savior. he aposle Paul said, " can do a hings hrough Chris which srenghens me" (Phil 4:13). hus we presen our firs lecureship wih he heme: Jesus, he Chrls. he ecures ha can be presened on he subjec of Chris are limiless. We will have hiry-four lecures by hiry preachers of he gospel. As our firs lecureship book goes ou i is hoped ha all will be impressed by he docrinal soundness of each lecure; ha here will be many hings presened o encourage, edify and exhor sains o accomplish grea hings for Chris and His church; ha ruh and only ruh will peel forh from he pulpis and classrooms wherever hese lecures are used. uanuel Daughery, Direcor 1

4 HE BEA]DES John Board When he world recalls grea eachers, ofen he names Arisole and Confucius are lised. Bu when one searches for he greaes eacher of all ime, one name sands above all else. Jesus Chris. His eaching was so maserful ha even His fierces enemies were forced o admi He was one wih grea didacic abiiiies" A he conclusion of one of His formal sermons "he muliudes were asonished a his eaching: for he augh rem as one having auroriy, and no as one of heir scribes" (ASV M. 7:2a-29). n John 7:46 he olficers repored of Jesus "Never man so spake." his grea eacher employed many differen echniques in His eaching (parables, miracles, and deba ) bu he chnique ha his lecure will concenrae upon is wha migh loosely be ermed he formal sermon. n Mahew chapers 5-7 he suden of God's word will find wha is commonly referred o as "he Sermon on he Moun." his is he firs and longes formal serrnon ofchris ha is recorded in he pages of he New esamen. is a he beginning of his sermon ha he Beaiudes are recorded. n a sudy of he Beaiudes i is imporan o poin ou ha ha which is formally ermed he Beaiudm (M 5:3-12) is by no means all of wha could be ermed a beaiude, nor is i he only place ha he Bible uses he word "blessed.' W.W. Dowling in he Bible Handbook (College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Reprin of 1887 ediion) page 309 liss four addiional Beaiudes which are found, wo in Luke 12 (verses 37 and 43) and wo in Revelaion (20:6 and 22:14). n all he Bible here are one hundred saemens ha begin wih he word "blessedi' e.g., Psalm 1:1. ndeed, as some have said. he Bible is a book of beaiudes. For he purpose of his lecure hough, concenraion will be given o he hear of he beaiudes, hose verses mos commonly refe.med o as he Beaiudes (M. 5:3-12). he sudy will be approached as follows: )an exarninaion of he word 'blessedf' ) he Beaiudes saed and discussed; and ) some pracical applicaion of he Beaiudes.. AN EXAMNAON OF HE WORD -BLESSED" Ofen he Beaiudes are referred o as he "rules for happiness." his is because he word ranslaed "blessed"in some ranslaions has also been ranslaed as 'rappy" in oher ranslaions. Bu i is unforunae ha our English word "happy" does no quie convey he idea of he Greek word makaios. Mqbarios was originally used by i.he Greeks o describe he happy sae of heir gods as opposed o he sae of man. o he early Greeks only heir gods were ruly he "blessed ones." Mafonos is used in he New esamen o describe he highes possible happinms ha man can enjoy in his world, a sae of spiriual and moral prosperiy. When one is compleely commied o he One who is ruly blessed [e.g. God, Chris ( imohy 1:11; 6:15)1 His life is indeed ruly blessed and happy.

5 Consider lre words A.. Roberson wries and quoee in Word Hcures in hz Neu esamen Vol. 1, p. 39: he Greek word here (makarioi) is an adiecive ha means happ/ which in English eymolory goes back o hap, chance, good-luck as seen in our words haply, hapless, happily, happiness. lblessedness is, of course, an inliniely higher and beer hing han mere happiness" (Weymouh)...5haking iself loose from all houghs of ouward good, i becomes he express symbol of a happiness idenffied wih pure characer. Behind i lies he clear cogrriion of sin as re founain-head of all misery, and of holiness as he final and effecual cure for every woe.' (Vincen). Jesus akea his word rappy'and pus i in J:is rich environmen. is a piy ha we have no kep le word "happy" o he high and holy plane where Jesus placed i. And consider M.H. ucker's saemen from his lecure on Mahew Chaper 5 in Grea Chapers Of he Bible 1979 ESOPM LECURES: Before furher describing he Chrisian characer a remark is in order abou he word "blessed." is ofen said ha bless d" is very similar o'happy," and ha is rue. However, here is enough difference o meri addiional commen. Happiness is from he roo word'/zop" which means 'chance." depends grealy on ouward circumsances such as maerial prosperiy, good healh, many friends and even he weaher. Blessedness is a deeper word. is an inward sae which is no alered by ouside forces. he sae of being "blessed" should be a goal of each and every follower of Chris.. HE BNAJDES SAEDAND DSCUSSED "Blessed are he poor in spiri: for h irs is he Kbrgdom of lleaven." o be poor in spiri is o have a humble spiri and o realize ha spiriually speaking, one is a pauper. hose who hink oo highly of hernselves will never be close o God because hey do no feel a need for Him. hose who are poor in spiri ruly realize he grea benefi. from placing heir enire rus in God and relying fully upon Him (Prov. 3:5-6); hey are he onec who can have happiness in his life. his beaiude is also called he "foo' beaiude because he oher beaiudes grow from one being poor in spiri. No one will ever inheri he Kingdom of Heaven who does no firs realize a grea need for and dependence upon God. "Blessed are hey ha morrrn: for hey shall be comfored-" oday someone migh ask ow can live a blessed and happy life if mourn?n Such a quesion arises ou of an ignorance of he y'pe of mourning required by Chris. Chris is no saying blessed are le pessimis, whiners, or hose who mourn over he loss of maerial possessions. Chris is no even saying blessed are hose who mourn or have sorrow because hey were caugh in a sin or have consequences o face because of ha sin. Chris is saying blessed are hose: 1) who mourn over heir own sins for ha mourning will work repenance (2 C,or.7:1O; Ps. 38:18); 2) who mourn over he sins of ohers as did Chris (Luke 19:41); and 3) who rnourn over he sulferings of ohers for ha will moivae us o ac which will be a basis of our Judgemen before Chris (Ma. 25:3L-46). hose who mourn will be comfored ry a comfor ha only God can give. Chrisian mourner's lives are God-oriened and as such receive comfor from God's grace; ndeed wha a blessing.

6 "Blessed ar he meek: for hey shall inheri he Earh" Jesus says blessed are he meek, no he weak. oo ofen oday men misundersand Meekness is no weakness bu raher is srengh brough under conrol- he Greeks used his word o describe a sallion brough under conrol or amed. magine he poenial power ha was sill wihin ha sallion bu was hen used for good. Chris declared Himself o be meek (M. 11:29) and He was a man's man. Biblically speaking one who is meek is one who has channeled his srenghs ino he service of God. Moses was he meekes man on earh (Numbers 12:3) bu was definiely no a weakling. Zephaniah 2:3 saes he meek of he earh are hose who have kep he ordinances of Jehovah. he meek will inheri he earh of which God is he owner (Ps.24:l) when hey become children of God (Gal. 3:27) and joinlheirs wih he Lord (Rom. 8:1"7). God supplies heil needs (Phil.4:19) and hey herefore eqjoy he blessing of earh more han ohers. hose who have heir emoions under conrol and submi o God will beer be able o endure he rials which hey will face in his life. "Blessed are hey ha hunger and lrirs afer righeousness: for hey shall be filled." Chris uses he wo greaes desires of man hunger and hirs o describe he way one ough o feel abou living in he ways of God. hose who wan o be happy in his life will have as heir grea s desire righeousness (Ps.42:1). Seeking happiness in livinga God-direced lifeis he only happiness ha fulfills. "Blessed are he nercifrrl: for hey shall obain mercy." Happy are hose who can exend mercy or forgiveness o ohers; God will forgive hem and ohers will also be more likely o forgive hem (M. 18:21-35). "Blessed are he pure in hear: for hey shall see God"' Happy are hose who are genuine in hear; hey are no hlay-acors" who preend o follow God on he ouside bu are from, he inside-ou, Chrisians. hey shall see God in he sense ha hey sha.ll ener ino a flellowship wih Him and experience Him more deeply han hose who are no pure in hear. he pure in hear will possess an inimacy wih God he world does no know. "Blessed are he peacemakers; for hey shall be called sons of God." Happy are hose who acively seek ways o bring abou peace. God wans us o be peacemakers no piecemakers. he body of Chris has been spli many imes over hose who did no display he spiri of Chris in sriving o bring abou peace; hey raher overjoyed Saan by breaking he congregaion of he Lord's body ino pieces. "Blessed are hey ha have been persecued for righeousness sake: for heirs is he Kingdom of Heaven." he Chrisian life if lived properly will evoke opposiion from he world. A ligh will always have an effec on darkness (M. 5:14-16). Bu even when one faces persecuion from he world he can always remember...his will be he Kinsdom of Heaven.

7 . SOME PRACCALAPPCAONS OF E BNA[JDES he Beaiudes are placed a he beginning of he firs and longes recorded sermon of Chris in he Bible. his was done by he desigrr of God. he Beaiudes describe he Chrisian characer one mus have in order o pracice he Chrisian conduc ha God demands. he progressive naure of he beaiudes shows fu's wisdom in guiding His children ino rue happiness...happiness no based upon he ouward circumsanc c ha we face bu raher happiness found in }re hear based upon he eachings of God's word (Rom. 10:17). John F. Board - John is he son of John D. & Margare Board of he Church of Chris in Cheser, WV. John was raised in Cheser WV, aended Oak Glen High School, Wes Virginia Universiy, and Freed Hardeman College. John eerved as an associae wangelis of he Oakwood Road Church of Chris, as evangelis of he Church of Chris in Yreka, California, as a eacher in he Ashl&nd School of Biblical Sudiee, Ashland, Oregon and is currenly he evangelis of he Church of Chris in Bridgepor' WV. John is married o he former Brenna S. Wiley of he Oakwood Road congregaion. hey have one daugher, Adrielle Kayleigh born June 5, { a 1

8 JESUS SPEAKS ODAY H. A. Buser" Dobbs D P. nroducion. B. Jesus is Lord oflords and King ofkings. "God, who a sundry imes and in divers manners spake in ime pas uno he fahers by he prophes, Hah in hese las days spoken uno us by,rs Son, whom he hah appoined heir of all hings, by whom also he made he worlds; Who being he brighness of y'ris glory, and he express image of his person, and upholding all hings by he word of his power, when he had by himselfpurged our sins, sa down on he righ hand of he Majesy on high; Being made so much beer han he angels, as he hah by inheriance obained a more excellen name han hey. For uno which of he angels said he a any ime, hou ar my Son, his day have begoen hee? And again, will be o him a Faher, and he shail be o me a Son? And again, when he bringeh in he firsbegouen ino he world, he saih, And ie all he angels of God worship him" (Hebrews 1 : 1-4). 1. Jesus is "heir of all hings." a. " will ell ofhe decree: Jehovah said uno me, hou ar my son: his day have begoen hee. Ask of me, and will give hee he naions for hine inheriance, and he uermos pars ofhe earh for hey possession" (Psalms 2:7-8). b. "he eemal purpose which he purposed in Chris Jesus" (Ephesians 3:10). c. "And Jesus came and spake uno hem, saying, All power is given uno me in heaven and in earh. Go ye herefore, and each all naions, bapizing hem in he name ofhe Faher, and ofhe Son, and of he Holy Ghos: eaching hem o observe all hings whasoever have commanded you: and, 1o, am wih you alway, even uno he end of he world. Amen" (Mahew 28: 8-20). d. "Le his mind be in you, which was also in Chris Jesus: Who, being in he form of God, hough i no robbery o be equal wih God: Bu made himself of no repuaion, and ook upon him he form of a servan, and was made in he likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself. and became obedien uno deah, even he deah of he cross. Wherefore God also hah highly exaled him, and given him a name which is above every name: ha a he name ofjesus every knee should bow, of hings in heaven, md hings in earh, and lfrlngs under he earh; And ha every ongue should confess ha Jesus Chris rs Lord, o he glory ofgod he Faher" (Philippians 2:5-1 1).

9 2. Jesus is creaor of all hings. hrough him God "made he worlds." 3. A 5. b. Paricularly significan is he role in creaion assigned o he /ogos, who is incamae in Jesus (John l:14) in he prologue of he Fourh Gospel. is no immediaely obvious why a man sen from God, even he Messiah of srael, should have played such a role. Ye Jesus Chris figures as he mediaor in creaion no only in John, bu also in such 'qr- books as Corinhians (8:6), Colossians ( : 15-17), and Hebrews ( :2), alhough he erm /ogos is no used. (neresingly enough, in Cor. l:24, Paul calls Chris 'he wisdom of God,' using he Creekerm sophc, menioned above, ha has close connecions wih /ogos. ) his developmen in he docrine of Chris becomes immediaely inelligible in ligh of he use of logos as God's creaing and revealing mediaor in Philo and he role played by 'wisdom' in ancien Jewish wisdom lieraure. Ye an unprecedened sep is aken by N wriers, especially he Fourh Evangelis, when i is claimed ha he one who has played his role can be idenified wih a hisoric figure, Jesus of Nazareh (Achemier, Paul J.., h.d., Harper's Bible Dicionary). 'n he beginning was he Word, and he Word was wih God, and he Word was God. he same was in he beginning wih God. All hings were made by him; and wihou him was no any hing made ha was made. n him was life; and he life was he ligh of men" (John l:l-3). Jesus is "he brighness" of he Faher's glory. a. Jesus is o Jehovah wha he sun's rays are o he sun. b. or in him dwelleh all he fulness of he Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9'. c. "He ha hah seen me hah seen he Faher" (John l4:9). Jesus is he "express image" ofjehovah's person. a. "l and my Faher are one" (John 10:30). b. Jesus, Jehovah and he Spiri are of one essence, bu differen in person and subsance. Jesus "upholds all hings by he word ofhis power." a. f he ceased o exercise his will in he suppor of he universe, i would immediaely sink ino annihilaion. b. Consider he immensiy ofhe universe and hen ponder he saggering hough ha Jesus upholds i all simply because i wills ha i should be upheld. Jesus was made purificaion for sins. a 1

10 b. "For 17 r.s no possible ha he blood ofbulls and ofgoas should ake away sins" (Hebrews 10:4). "For by one offering he hah perfeced for ever hem ha are sancified" (Hebrews 10:14). \eiher by he blood ofgoas and calves, bu by his own blood he enered in once ino he holy place, having obained eemal redempionfor us.for if he blood ofbulls and ofgoas, and he ashes ofan heifer sprinkling he unclean, sancifieh o he purifying of he flesh: How much more shall he blood of Chris, who hrough he eemal Spiri offered himself wihou spo o God, purge your conscience from dead works o serve he living God?" (Hebrews 9:12-14). "And from Jesus Cbris, who rs he faihful winess, and he firs begoen ofhe dead, and he prince ofhe kings ofhe earh. Uno him ha loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelaion 1:5). C. he auhoriy ofjesus. 1. he auhoriy ofjesus is absolue. he kingdom ofheaven exiss wherever humans bow befbre he Lamb who is a Lion and submi o him oally. his is worship in spiri and ruh.. Jesus Speaks oday. R. C. "herefore we ough o give he more earnes heed o he hings which we have heard, les a any ime we should le fiem slip. For if he word spoken by angels was sedfas, and every ransgression and disobedience received ajus recompense ofreward; How shall we cscape, if we neglec so grea salvaion; which a he firs began o be spoken by he Lord, and was confirmed uno us by hem ha heard iiz; God also bearing hem winess, boh wih signs and wonders, and wih divers miracles, and gifs of he Holy Ghos, according o his own will? ( ebrews 2: l-4). "For if we sin wilfully afer ha we have received he knowledge of he ruh, here remaineh no more sacrifice for sins, Bu a cerain fearful looking for of judgmen and fiery indignaion, which shall devour he adversaries. He ha despised Moses' law died wihou mercy under wo or hree winesses: Of how much sorer punishmen, suppose ye, shall he be hough worhy, who hah rodden under foo he Son ofgod, and hah couned he blood ofhe covenan, wherewih he was sancified, an unholy hing, and hah done despie uno he Spiri ofgrace? For we know him ha hah said, Vengeance helongeh uno me, will recompense, saih he Lord. And again,'he Lord shall judge his people.. ir a fearful hing o fall ino he hands ofhc living God" ({ebrews 10:26-31). "And saw heaven opened, and behold a whie horse; and he ha sa upon him

11 was called Faihful and rue, and in righeousness he doh judge and make war. His eyes were as a larne of fire, and on his had were many crowns; and he had a name wrien, ha no man knew, bu he himself. And he pas clohed wih a vesure dipped in blood: and his name is called he Word of God. And he armies which were inheaven followed him upon whie horses, clohed in fine linen, whie and clean. And ou of his mouh goeh a sharp sword, ha wih i he should smie he naions: and he shall rule hem wih a rod of iron: and he readeh he winepress of he fierceness and wrah of Almighy Cod. And he hah on fir vesure and on his high a name wrien, KNG OF KNGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" CRevelaion 19:l l-16). H.A. (Buser) Dobbs - Buser was born and reared in Houson, X He was educaed in Houson, having sudied a he Universiy of Houson and Souh exas College of Law. He is married o Marha DeWoody Dobbs whose moher was a Sarnes from which family carne a number ofelders and preachers. Marha's faher and grandfaher served as elders. Buser and Marha have hree children and eigh grandchildren. His faher, graadfaher and grea-grandfaher served as elders. His grea-grea grandfaher was a Gospel preacher. His mos imporan raining came from godly parens. He as spend his enire preaehing years in Houson, having begun o preach a he age of foureen. During his eenage years, he preached for he Wes End, Souh Houson, and Fairbanks (laer Wes 34h Sree) churchee in Houson. As a full ime preacher, he preached eigh years a Lyors and Majesic, seveneen years a Memorial, and he pas fifeen years, as, firs, preacher, hen elder, and hen preacher, again, a Fleewood. A presen, he is preaching, on a emporary basis, for he Klein Area church in Houson. Buser is a debaer and wrier. He is Edior of he Firm Foundaion and is giving full ime o speaking a lecureships, Gospel meeings, wriing and working wih congregaions ha have special needs (problems). 10 a fl

12 LORD EACH US O PRAY Randall F. Mahenv! ex: Luke 11:1-4 (cf. l imohy 2:1-8) General Purpose: Examine he scripure for insrucion regaxding prayer. Specific Purpose: Encourage and equip for consrucive, producive aciviy in prayer. hesis Senence: Prayer is a blessing and privilege ha can enrich man's relaionship wih God, aid in spiriual developmen, and posiively alfec he life and associaions of he believer. nrod.ucion:! A Prayer is cornrnon in virually all religions arrd is especiaily imporan in re Bible Body: 1. Undersanding of prayer corresponds o undersanding of God 2. Prayer is dialogue wih God 3. Prayer leads o more meaningful communion wih C'od 4- Prayer leads o a greaer undersanding of God's will B-?rayer is a blessing and privilege for he righeous (1 Pe. 3:12; Jas. 5:16; Psma ^.1 x, Prov. 15:29) 1. Righeous have insan access o God 2. Willfuliy disobedien and unrepenan canno expec o have prayers answered. b.e power and effeciveness of prayer - God is he moving force (Lk. 11:2) A God inends for his children o rely on him and be concerned abou all hr:mankind 1. Lk. 11:2 addresses inimae communicaion wijr he -{mighy, reverence for him, respec for his will ("...who will have a.ll men o be saved, and o come uno he knowledge of he ruh." 1 im. 2:4) 2. 7 im. 2:1-2 'irs of all" ses a high prioriy for "supplicaions, prayers, inercessions, giving of hanks" 3. Goal: "ha we may lead a quie and peaceable ife in all godliness and honesy" B. From he Old esamen -- srael was a naion esablished in prayer 1. fu heard he cries of his people, was aware of heir pligh, came down o deliver hem (Ex. 3:7-10) 2. Moses mainb.ined consan communion wih God (Ex. 3:1-4:17) hroughou he wilderness wandering, inerceded for srael's beneh (Ex. 32:11-14) 3. Prayer is prominen in he Psaims a. Psalm 6 -- for healing srengh in disress b. Psaim seek proecion and safey c. Psalm praise, express joy in fellowship wih God d. Psalm hanksgiving for deliverance and vindicaion 1l

13 D, 4. Prayer is imporan in he Prophels - Moral accounabiliy acrompanies genuine, conmunion wih God (Hos. 7:13-14; Amos 4:4-5; Mal- 1:9-11) 5. Fileen years was added o Hezekiah's life (2 Kng.20:1-7) 6. Jonah prayed and was heard ou of he belly ofa fish and was heard (Jonah 2) 7. Daily prayer was imporan o mainaining conac wih God for he Hebrew exiles (Dan. 6:10) Frorn he New esamen - Jesus' prayer life encouraged an appreciaion for prayer in his disciples (Lk. 11:1-4; cf. M. 6:9-13) 1. his prayer emphasizes how o pray, raher han wha o pray 2. Se as a conras o hypocriical, riualisic prayer (Mi. 6:5-13) a. No o impress ohers (M. 6:5) b. No long-winded aemps o manipulae God (Mi. 6:7) c. Jesus prayed long (Lk. 6:12) and repeaed himself (Mk. 74:36-42, esp. v. 39), bu wih enirely differen moive 3. Paul prayed (Ac. 20:36;2L:;1 hes. 3:9-10 "nigh and day...exceedingly") 4. Replacemen of Judas (Ac. L24-25) 5. During persecuion, for boldness (Ac. 4:23-31) 6. n preparaion for godly service (Ac. 9:40; 28:8) Oher New esamen emphasis 1. avails much (Jas. 5:16-18; Eph. 3:20-21) 2. Mus be in accord wih he will of God (1 Jn. 5:14-15) a. David (2 Sam. 12:15-23) b. Paul (2 Cor. l2:7-lq) 3. Early church coninued seadfasly (Ac.2:42) a. When Peer was in prison (Ac. 12:1-13) b. Sending evangeliss o heir work (Ac. 13:1-3) 4- Every prayer answered: 'Yes,' or 'lo,' or Wai.' he need for prayer - God is he loving benefacor upon whom we rely (Lk. 11:2) a regular and inense prayer A. Examples of Jesus' dependence upon he Faher - life 1. A he beginning of his minisry (Lk. 3:2-22) 2. He spen he enire nigh in prayer before He chose he welve aposles (Lk.6:12-16) 3. Aer feeding he 5,000 he wen o pray (M. 14:22-23) 4. For benefi of ohers presen (Jn. Ll:41'42) 5. Upon he nigh of His berayal (Jn. 17) 6. mmediaely before His arres (M. 26:36-46) 7. While being crucified, prayed a leas hree imes (ML 27:46; Lk.23:34, 46) B. Prayer is o be a par of daily life for he godly (1 hes. 5:J'7; Rom. 12:12) 1. o overcome empaions (M. 26:41) 2. Confession of fauls (Jas. 5:16) 3. Forgiveness(Ac.8;22) 4. Sudy/ruh seeking (Ac. 10:30'31; Jas. 1:5-8) 5. ribulaion (Ac. 16:25) 6. Sociey (1 im. 2:1) 7- Enemies (Lk. 6:27-24) 8. Church/brerren (Jas. 5:16) 9. Leaders (1 im. 2:2) 10. Srengh/Boldness(Eph.6:18-20)

14 11. hanksgiving(co.4:2) L2. Need (Phil. 4:6) l m. Condiions and aiudes in prayer (Lk. 11:4) A. Forgiven and forgiving (M. 6:14-15; Mk. 1f:25-26) B. Faihfully obedien -- posiive aiudes and condiions for effecive prayer 1. Humiliy (M. 6:2, 5-8; Lk 18:9-1.4) 3. Faiih (M. 2122: cf. Mk. 11:24) 4. Word mus be in us, and mus be in harrnony wih word (Jn. 15:) 5. Mus be in accord wih he will of God (l Jn. 3:22;5:14-1.5; Jas. 4:2-3; M. 26:39, 42; c. Lk. 22:42) 6. Mus be in he name of Jesus Chris (Jn. ]4L4; l6:23-241co1. 3:17; 1 im. 2:5) C. Negaive aiudes and condiions inhibi prayer 1. Hlpocriical (M. 6:5) 2. Riualisic (M. 6;7) 3. Doubful (Jas. 1:6-8) 4. Selfishness(Jas.4:2-3) 5. Corruped characer (1 Pe. 3:12) Conclusion: A Prayer makes a difference (Jas. 4:2 - problems go unr.esolved because divine help is no asked for) 1. is communion and communicaion bebween a faher and his children 2. God knows our needs, ye we mus ask 3. He is ready o answer, ye we mus persis B. he faihful are assured,l:a heir requess will be heard (1 Jn. 3:22; 5:15) C. Prayer is powerful and effecive, and has always been irnporan in God's dealings wih his people 1. srael's exodus was preceded by heir cries having been heard by God 2. Jesus' life was a consisen life of prayer 3. he aposles and he early church relied heavily on prayer in every siuaion, boh good and bad 4. Chrisians oday are o coninue insan in prayer/pray wihou ceasing D. o be assured ha our prayers will be answered by God: 1. Biblical condiions and aiudes mus be honored 2. Mus no be in a condiion of unrepenan rebellion 3. Mus accep ha God will answer in accord wih his will E. Ulimaely, a good, consisen prayer life will aid in hese ways: 1. Greaer communion wih God 2. Greaer undersanding ofhis will 3. More fruiful and producive service in he church 4. Nlore confidence, saisfacion, well-being and joy in Chrisianiy Randall F. Maheny - Randy is married o Pamela S. Maheny. One child Evan Floyd Maheny. He is a naive of Ohio and sp n eigh years in he U.S. Air Force being discharged in He received a Bachelor of ArLs in Bible from Ohio Valley College in He has been preaching he gospel since 1980: Newpor Ohio ; mission work in souhern Wes Virginia (Rainelle and Union) ; firs rip o ndia 1987; dedicaed full ime o Lord's work in ndia under he oversigh of he elders of he Washingon Sree Church of Chris, Sain Albans, Wes Virginia, 1989 o presen. He is currenly a residen of Cross Lanes, Wes Virginia. 13

15 nroducion 1. Peer 2:21 JESUS O]R EXAMPLE N SFFERNG )enon Landon 2. Example defined: 2. somehing o be imiaed; a pa rn or model: o se d good. esample. 3. an insance serving for illusraion" (American Collegp Dicionary, p 418). 3. he word exarnple in Peer 2:21 "... is from hupogrammon, accusaive singular of hupogrammos, from he preposiion hupo-, under, and gramma, o wrie; huq o wrie under; o copy, and here figuraively, a paern or model for imiaion- is a figure suggesed by he copy-book mehod of eaching penmanship" (Guy N- Woods, Peer. John. and Jude, p 78, 79). 4. Noe wha Peer says Jesus serves asi an example in, sulfering. 5. Sulfering? Why Su1fering? a. imohy 3:12 b. John 15:18-20 c. John 3:13 d. Suffering from persecuion 'goes wir he erriory.". Wha Was Jesus Exanple? A- Peer 2: Never deserved i for Jesus never sinned 2. He never praciced decei or decepion, no guile found 3. Jesus never realiaed when verbally "aacked" bu rused God for righeous judgemen B. Examples from he gospel records 1. Accused of being a gluon and winebibber, 2. Accused wih being in league wih he Devil, 3. Charged wih blaspheme of God, 4. He was blindfolded, spi on, beaen, and challenged o prophecy who was doing i 5. Roman soldiers robed Jesus wih purple, gave him a nscepern and erowrl and bowed before in mockery 6. As he hung dying hey coninued o mock and ridicule 14 J a 1

16 L f. Persecuion Wil Come For l:e Chrisian A Early church suffered from he Jews 1. he aposles, Acs 4:1ff; 5:17ff 2. Sephen Acs 6:9-8:1 3. Enire early church in Jerusalem, Acs 8:3,4 4. Paul, Acs 13:45; 14:5, Corinhians 11:20ff 5. Readers of he Hebrew Episle, Hebrews 13:3; l0:32lf 6. he hessalonians, hessalonians 1:4ff B. Sufered from he Geniles 1. Book of Revelaion 2. Corinhians 11:25 3. imo}y 4:14 4. imohy 2:8,9 5. Peer 4:1-4 C. Sulfered from false brehren 1. Corinhians 11: AcLs 15:18 Galaians 2:11ff 3. imohy 4:1-8. Resuls Of Enduring Suffering A God is glorified 1. Peer 4:12-16, B. Share in Jesus sulfering, share in his glory 1. Corinhians 1:3-? 2. Peer 4: Mahew 5: Romans 8:18 C. Perfecing of he individual 1- Hebrews 5:8,9 2. Jame \: Corinhians 4:8-18 D. A source ofjoy, Mahew 5:10-12 E. Meaphors used for su{fering 1. Chasening, Hebrews 12:5ff l5

17 2. Refining, Peer 1:6-Z 3. Pruning, John 15:lff V. 'pe Of Suffering oday A Opposiion by enemiee claiming o follow he Lord 1. Some call us a cul 2. "Campbellies" 3. Oher forms of ridicule 4. AccusaioDs of snogance, pride, excluaiveness B. Opposiion from enemiea of curren culure 1. Repressive 2. Bigoed a Of women:. b. hose wih lalernse lifeebeles" c. Singles d. Children 3. Unloving, unkiod, uncaring C. Opposiion fom wihin he b@ Conclusion 1- Marriage 2. Chrisians ouside he body of Cbris 3. Purpose of Scripurea 4. ssues of fellowship 5. Relaionship of grace, faih, and law 6. Purpose of bepism 7. Wha is pleasing o God in worship assemblieg 8. hese and many more bring slaoder, conemp, ec. 9. Our reacion should be as Jesue' was. Peen 2:21ff 1. Jesus sulfered u4iusly 2. We as chrisians will sulfer uqiusly 3. We need o endure paienly, willingly 4. Ren'ard for paience endurance far ouweighs re emporary pain 5. We can do by following his example, Peer 2:21 lo

18 Denon Landon - Denon was born and raised in Columbus, OH and was bapized by Emanuel Daugherby in March He married Jo A.nn Leach in February 1981 and hey have fow chil&en: Luke (11), Lydia (8), Mahew (5) and Joshua (2). He graduaed from Memphis School of Preaching in 1983 and received a B-A from Souhern Chrisian UniversiB (Formerly Alabama Chrisian School of Religion) in He has done locaed work a Camden, AL ( ), Bryan, OH ( ), Eas High S., Springfield OH ( ) and Warner's Chapel, Clemmons, NC (Feb presen). He has spoken on lecureships, you"r rallies and served as counselor or direcor for hree differen youh camps. 7

19 NRODUCON: HE RESURRECON O CHRS - {E HOPE OF HE WORL) Charles C. Pueh. A suden a he Unlversry of Uruguay asked Josh McDowell, "Professor McDowell, why can' you refue Chrisianiy?" McDowell answered, "For a very srmple reason. 'm unable o explarn away an even ln hisory -- he resurrecron of Jesus Chris" (More han A Carpener by Josh McDowell, p. 5l ). he resurrecron of Jesus Chns is he "Rock of Gbralar" of Chrrsian evrdence and faih. Jesus sard, jus a few hours before His deah, "A lile whrle longer and he world will see Me no more, bu you will see Me. Because hve, you wrll hve also" (John 14:19). a. "BECAUSE LVE ' b. Because of he resurrecion of Chns.. L "Who hrough Him believe in God, who rarsed Him from he dead and gave Him glory, so ha your faih and hope are in God" (1 Peer l:21). B. Many evrdences lor exlsence of God. L eleologrcal (Argumen from design) - Where here is design, here mus be a desrgner (Rom. :20). 2. Cosmoloqrcal (Argumen from cause and effec) - Every effec mus have an adequae cause (Heb.3:4). 3. Melal [Argumen from sense of oughness - moral responsibilry rn man] (Cf Rom.2:l5). 4. sblcal (Argumen from he naure of he Bible - A book whrch could only come from God proves God. 5. Chrisological (Argumen from Chns) - Canno explarn Chrrs apar from 18

20 D? c. B. B. God (Cf. John 3:2). Jesus is he greaes endence here is for God. "Declared o be he Son ofgod wih power... by he resurrecion from he dead" (Rom. 1:4). his one even, by rself, proves he deiy of Jesus. l. f his is rue everyhing else he Bible says abou Him s obviously rue. 2. f his is false. i all is false. [ SN CEU BE FORGVEN. w. v. He "was delivered for our offenses, and was raised agarn for our jusificalon" (Rom.4:25). he resurrecion had o occur for sin o be forgrven. l. f He were dead, He could no save us. How could a dead savrour save? 2. "lf Chris be no raised... ye are ye rn your sins" (l Cor. 15:17). 3. Because He is alive He can "now appear m he presence of God for us" (Heb. 9:24). HERE S AN UNCHANGEABLE PRESHOOD. A. Under he law of Moses "here were many pness, because hey were prevened by deah from coninuing. Bu He, because He coninues forever, has an nnchangeable prieshood" (Heb. 7 :23-24). B. hus He is "he same yeserday, oday and forever" (Heb. l3:8). A. B. Peer l: 3-4. he living hope of he faihful Chrisian is by he resurrecron from he dead. 1. f Chris be no risen hen "in his life only we have hope in Chns and we 19

21 VL vm B. "are of all men he mos plrable" (1 Cor. 15:19). "f Jesus is sill in he grave nohing maers. f Jesus is no in he grave nohing else maers." he drscrples came ogeher on he firs day of he week o break bread (Acs 20:7). l. he bread was ha of he Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 10:16). 2. hey ae he Lord's Supper in memory of Him (l Cor. l:24-26\. his day rs significan beeause Chris was risen on le firs day of he week (Mark l6:9). Evnny eccounreglr penson wll gn JUDGEo. A. Acs 17: B. Drvrne assurance ha we wrll be judged by Jesus ls grven by he fac ha He ls alive (2 Cor- 5:10). m CHURCH of chrs was BUL BY HM. B. He sard (Ma. 16: 18). L He would burld Hs church. 2. Deah would no preven i. He esablished i on he day of Fenecos because His soul was no lef rn (Hell KJV) - Hades, nerher did His flesh see corrupron (Acs 2:31). DK. nruupn rs essunro B, "hanks be o God which grveh us he vicory hrough our Lord Jesus Chns,, ( Cor. l5:57). he defea came hrough Adam ("ln Adam all die") bu he vlcory comes hrough Chris ("ln Chrrs shall be made alive") - Cor { 20

22 x. XL B. "herefore He rs also able o save o he uermos hose who come o God hrough [hm, srnce He ever hves o make rnercesslon for hem" (Heb. 7:25). o nercede means o lnervene beween parres wrh a view o reconcihng di fferen ces. l. We become a enmiy wih God because of sin (sa. 59:2). 2. n Jesus we have an Advocae (one who inercedes, pleads our case) wlh he Faher (l John 2:l-2). 3. 1rm.2:5. A. "Chris rs nsen from he dead,and has become he firs frurs of hose who have fallen asleep" (l Cor. 15:20). l. Frrs frurs are he frrs gahered wrh more o follow. 2. "Because hve, you will hve also" (John l4:l9). xrr No pnoelemrnrils LFEsrNcoNouBnegLElN A. Cor. 15:58. l. "herefore" 2. Because of Slg resurrecron, and because oo will be rarsed, nohlng has o conquer me ulimaely. a. Rom. 8: b. Philip.4:13. CONCLUSON: BECAUSE OF HE RESURRECON OF'CHRS: a. L c. d. here is anoher reason o beheve rn God. here rs evrdence ha proves Jesus rs he Son of God. Srn can be forgrven. here is an unchangeable prieshood. 2

23 2. h. i. j K. L Every accounable person will be judged. he church of Chris has been buil bv Chris. riumph is assured. nercession is available. Our resurrecion is guaraneed. No problem in his life is unconquerable in he Lord. "BECAUSE HE LryES'' God sen His son, hey called Him Jesus, He came o love, heal, and forgive; He lived and died o buy my pardon, An empy grave is here o prove my Savior lives. J e- here is reason for hope. f. here is remembrance of Chris every firs day of he week. Because He lives - can face omorrow, Because He lives - all fear is gone; Because know - He holds he fuure, And life is worh he living - jus because He lives. a Charles C. Pugh - Charles is a naive of Wood Couny, WV. He has sudied a Ohio Valley College, Harding Universiy, and Harding Graduae School of Religion wih graduae sudy in Philosophy of Religion and Chrisian Evidences under homas B. Warren. He is married o he former Sharron Beeson of Harrisburg, AR. and hey have hree children: Mrs. Benlamin (Mendy) Brewser, Charles V (Chip), and Nicole. He has spoken on various lecureships, preaches in several gospel meeings yearly, has published aricles in various broherhood publicaions, and has wrien numerous weekly aricles for area newspapers. He has auhored a number of Bible sudy books and has served as a parime insrucor in Bible a Ohio Valley College. Charles preached his firs sermon in luly,1967 a Lile Hocking, OH. and has served congregaions in Ohio, Mississippi, ennessee, and Wes Virginia, He is beginning his ninh year as miniser of he Bridge Sree Church of Chris in New Marinsville, WV. 22

24 ENCO]NERS WH E PHARSEES Dan Kesslnger When one reads he New esarnen, he is consanly impressed wih he opposiion o Jesus by he injluenial conemporary Jews. One does no read of '?harisees' and Sadducees" in he Old esamen ex, and one wonders of heir origin and philosophy. During he ineresamenal period of Greek dominaion, he culure of he Greeks had a long asing effec on all Jews, nojus he Hellenisic. For one, he Jews were divided, becoming wo disinc camps: he Orhodox or Hasidic (evenr.a lly he Pharisees), and he Hellen.isic, who believed faihfulness o God depended less on culure and more on he orah. Greek hough in logic and 'love of wisdon" (philosophy) enered more ino he hough and exposiion of he law among conemporary rabbis. For insance he nascen Sadducee Anigonus seems o have been in{luence by he Soic philosophy as he rejecied he aferlife, insising good should be pursued wihou consideraion of reward. was from he synagogue ha he rabbinic sysem became a real force among he Jews of Palesine. n he mids ofa world-wide crisis, he eachers in Palesine emphasized he law. n ime, hese eachers, heir inerpreaions, heir commenaries, and heir radiions became a secondary source of auhoriy for living. he synagogue a.lso became he refuge for he more conservaive sec of he Jews, as he High Prieshood became he ool of he Sadducees. From Jason onward he oflice was an appoined posiion under conrol of whaever governmen happened o conrol Palesine. he Hasidim were he "conservaives" in he ineresamenal period, supporing Maahias and Judas in heir popular reforms. As ime passed, hey and he poliical reformers seem o par ways, as he Hasidim were conen wih religious freedom. Among he various secs in Judah, division was widening. Laer, he Hasidim involved hemselves in more conroversy involving he various religious/poliical leaders of Judea. fone consan was o be found i was a hared of hings foreign. Ou ofhe Hasidim arose a group in opposiion o John and his prieshood: he Pharisees. hey began o increasingly each a sric adherence o he N'rien law. o is implicaions, and o he radiions of he elders- he arisocracy of Judah became he Sadducees. hey were supporive of he Hasmonaean Dynasy, and conrolled he council, he High Prieshood, and acceped only porions of scripure as auhoriaive. he Pharisees evenually gained a place in he governing council of he land, securing in i a majoriy over he Sadducees. was ono his confusing, divided, and dangerous sage ha our Lord sepped' n his conroversies wih he Pharisees, we find he Law illuminaed as i always should have been. Agains he dark cloali of radiion, he lamp of ruh shines he more brillianly. 23

25 n. he Borders of God's Law A he Pharis s were no perfec law keelnrs (7) {Yei hypocries, well did Eeaias propheey of you, saying, (8) his people draweh nigh uno me wih heir mouh, and honoureh me wih {heir} lips; bu heir hear is far from me. (9) Bu in vain hey do worship me, eching {for} docrines re comrnandmens of men.(m. 15:9) 1- ndeed leir hers were in error 2. here law keeping was also flawed 3. Usually he wo are conneced B. "Line Drawingf alone was no error 1. God had encouraged such knowledge (Nu. 15:32-36) 2. he spiri of Chris obliges us o avoid borders C. here is a reel sandard (2) Why do hy disciples ransgress he radiion of he elders? for hey wash no heir hands when hery ea bread. (3) Bu he answered and said udo hem, Why do ye also ransgress he commandrnen of God by your radiion? (M. 15:2-3) 1. he Law and proper inerrpreaion are he sandard 2. he Pharisees had irnproperly delineaed D. is consan and consisen 1. he Pharisees were in error because of hypocrisy MA 23:4 For hey bind heary burdens and grievous o be borne, and lay {hem} on men's shoulders; bu hey {hemselves} will no move hem wih one of heir fingers. ({.rd Woe uno you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocries! for ye are like uno whied sepulchres, which indeed appear beauifirl ouward, bu are wihin full of dead {men's} bones, and of all uncleannese. (M. 23:27) 2. hey made srange parnerships agains Jesus MAR 3:6 And he Phariseee wen forh, and sraighway ook counsel wih he Herodians aga.ins him, how hey migh desroy him. (KJV) he Cener of God's Law A. He requires puri5r of Hear 1. he Pharisees praciced 'ouward only" religion (5) Bu all heir works hey do for o be seen of men: rey make broad heir phylaceries, and enlarge he borders of heir garmens, (6) And love he uppermos rooms a feass, and he chief seas in re synagogues, (M. 23:5-6) 2- God's Law had always required'hear service z4

26 B. Jeaus denified he Cenraliy of he Law (36) Maser, which {is} he grea cornmandmen in he law? (37) Jesus mid uno him, hou shal love he Lord ry God wih all hy hear, and wih all hy soul, and wih all hy mind. (38) his is he firs and grea commandmen. (39) And he second {is} like uno i, hou shal love hy neighbour as hyself. (40) On hese wo commandmens hang all he law and he prophes. (M. 22:36-40) C. He also honored he "lesser lawsn Woe uno you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocries! for ye pay ihe of min and anise and curnmin, and have omi d he weighier {maers} of he law, judgmen, mercy, and faih: hese ough ye o have done, and no o leave he oher undone. (M. 23:23) D. Mercy found prominence in Jesus'eaching (Jno. 8:3-11). he Purpose of God's Law A. o lifi he fallen 1. he Pharisees cared lile for he blind man (Jno. 9) 2. Bu Jesus loved sinners (M. 9:11-14) Now when he Pharisee which had bidden him saw {ii, he spake wihin himself, saying his man, if he were a prophe, would have known who and wha manner of woman {his is} ha ouche}r him: for she is a sinner. (Lk. 7:39) B. o Guide his children (Lk. l5: 1-2) C. 'For our good' (12) And now, srael, wha doh he Lord hy God require of hee, bu o fear he Lord hy God, o walk in all his ways, and o love him, and o serve he Lord hy God wih all hy hear and wih all hy soul, (13) o keep he oommandmens ofhe Lord, and his saues, which command hee his day for hy good? (Deu. 10:12-13) 1. he Law was for man MAR 2:27 And he said uno hem, he sabbah was made for man, and no man for he sabbah: (KJV) 2. was lawful o do good on he Sabbah (Mk. 3:1-6) D. o provide for he penien (Lk. l8:10-fl) fv. he Consequence of Rebellion A. Hard hearedness (45) hen came he ollicers o he chief priess and Pharisees; and hey said uno hem, Why have ye no brough him? (46) he officers answered, Never man spake like his man. (47) hen answered hem he Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? (Jno.7:45-47) hey answered and said uno him, hou was alogeher born in sins, and dos hou each us? And hey cas him ou. (Jno. 9:34) 25

27 B. Hell MA 23:15 Woe uno you, scribes and Phariseee, hypocries! for ye compass sea and land o make one pro elye, and when he is madg ye make him brofold more he child of hell han youreelves. (M. 23:15) C. Sin agains Holy Spiri (M 12: 31-32) D. Blindness 1. Blind leaderg of he blind (M. 23:16) 2. Blind o widernce (Jno, 8:13-20) Dan Kessinger - Dan was born in Michigan in 1963 and has lived in Wee Virginia since 19?3. His faher, Bob Kessinger, is a gospel preacher. He graduaed from Walon High School in Roane Couny and received an A-S and B.S. in Biblical Science from Ohio Valley College. He began preaching in 1982 and his firs locaed work was a Belle, WV he same year. He served as locacd preacher a Procor, WV ( ) and a Dewey Ave., S. Marys, WV (1994-presen). He has spoken on wo lecureships, preached in several gospel meeings, conribued o religious publicaions, conduc d local V and radio programs and has been working a WYCYC since He is married o he former Mary Amy Wes and hev have one son. D.J. 26 1

28 E " AM'S' OF JON Rober D. (Bob) Eddy am high.ly honored and consider i a genuine pleasure o have been inviied o speak on l..is Firs Annual Wes Virginia School of Preaching Vicory" Lecuresh.ip. am ioally supporive of Jris school, and have promoed i since i's concepion. A deep sense of appreciaion goes ou o i's - direcor, broher Emanuel Daughery, o he faculby, o he elders of he Hillview errace Church of Chris, and all ohers who suppor his gea minisry in a financial way. bid you God's speed.! r NRODUCON: he heme of his lecureship is: "Jesus, he Chris", a g"ea subjec indeed. have been assigned he subjeci: he " AM'S" of Jesus". he phrase " Am" is found 6?8 imes in he Old and New esamens. No less han 58 imes in he book of John. wiil conline my remarks o he imes i is used by CMs in he book of John o idenify Him as he Son of God (John 10:36). hey are: em he bread of life - 6:48 am he ligh of he wodd - 8:12 am he door of he sheep - 10:7 am he good shepherd - l0:ll am he resurecion, and he life - 11:25 arn he way, he ruh, and he life- 14:6 am he rue vine - 15:1 Our lesson begins in he book of Exodus 3:10. God old Moses'Come now rherefore, and will send hee uno Pharaoh, ha hou mayes bring forh my people he children of srael ou of Eg5p. n verse 13 Moses asked of God: "... Behold, when come uno he children of srael, and shall say uno hem, he God of your fahers hah sen me uno you; and hey sha.ll say o me, Wha is his name? wha shall say uno hem? n verse 14 God gives him he name. "And God said...hus shal hou say uno he children of srael, fuy hah sen me uno.' herefore, God promised o be Nloses' companion in his mission (verse 12) and lo supply him, and he children of srael wih heir every need. he Jesus of he New esamen is he Jehovah of he Old esamen. herefore, he "l Arn's " ofjohn will illusrae how Jesus will supply our every need as he Jehovah of he Old esamen supplied lhe sraelies wih heir every need. 27

29 r. AM E BREAD OF Lr'E. (John 6:48) Shor y afer Jesus fed he 5,000 recorded in John 6:11, he muliude followed Him seeking more food. hey were no ineresed in His message, nor he applicaion. Jesus would no be saisfied unil hey learned }le lesson and l arned i well. He Uren declared: " am he bread of life' (John 6:48). n verse 49 Jesus said: 'Your fahers did ea manna in J:e wilderness, and are dead", for ha bread was no inended o give everlasing life. Bu his bread ha olfer you, i oo comeh down from heaveq and ifa man ea hereof, he will no die (verse 51). oday, Jesus is he bread of life. We are blessed wih he opporiuniy o ea hereof. His bread is spiriual and eernal. We would do well o heed he words of Chris in John 6:35: "... am he bread of life: he ra comeh o me shall no hunger, and he ha believeh on me shall never die." 2. AM E Gil OF m WORLD. (John 8:12) When he sraelies baveled from Egrp o Caruan, darkness could have been heir greaee enemy. Ligh was needed o guide hem hasily ou of Egyp o escape Pharaoh and his army. herefore, "...he Lord wen before Jrem by day in a pillar ofa cloud...and by nigh in a pillar of fire, o give hem ligh; o go by day and nighi." (Ex.13:21). n John 8:22, Jesus said: '... am he ligh of J:e world: he ha followeh me shall no walk in darkness, bu shall have he ligh of life." As he sraelics needed ligh o guide hem o safey, ligh was needed o direc he Pharisees in Jesus' day. n John 12:35 he said: "...he ha walkeh in darkness knoweh no whiher he goeh.' oday, as we havel from his earr o heaven, spiriual darkness is our greaes enemy. Ligh is needed o guide us safely o hai haven of res. he Psalmis David wroe: "hy word is a lamp uno my fee, and a ligh uno my pah." (Psalms 119:105) John wroe: "...if ye walk in he igh, as he is in he lighi, we have fellowship one wih anoher, and re blood of Jesus Chris his Son cleanseh us from ali sins." (1 John 1:7). 3. AM E DOOR OF E SEEP. (John 10:7) his parabie is based on wha is said o be he pracice of he shepherds in he eas. he differen flocks of sheep are gahered a nigh ino one common fold, he door is closed, he porer keeps re door and in he morning he shepherd comes, he porer opens he door o him, he calls his sheep by name, and he sheep know heir shepherd's voice, and follow him. (John 10:1-4). his parable shows how re sheep may en r ino he fold of God and find he care needed o proec hem from hieves and robbers. Jesus h.imself is he door ino he fold. We ener ino he fold of God by enering in or hrough Chris- Bapism is he complehng ac ha pus us rrough he door ino Chris or he church. (Ma. 28:19; Gal. 3:27; John 3:3). 28

30 4. AM E GOOD SHEPERD. (John 10:11) n he Old esamen, he relaionship beween God and His people is ofen symbolized as ha of a shepherd and his flock. he flock is always regarded as belonging o God hough he care of i may be emporarily enrused o ohers. Some of hose guardiars of he flock, such as Moses and he genuine prophes, ended he sheep wih care, and in his respee are forerunners of Chris Hiraself. n John 101, Jesus said;"...he ha enereh no by he door ino he sheepfold (KD...is a hief and a robber." Sheepfolds of ihe Eas are large enclosures opened o he sky and walled o proec he sheep. Someimes robbers, leopards, ec., climbed over no sparing he flock. Jesus is he Good Shepherd. He knows his flock (Vs. 14) and he carne from heaven o earh o give his life o save hose who would rus and follow him. (Verse 11). 5. AM E RESLJRRECON, AND E LFE. (John 11:25) Since he deah of Alel (Gen. 4:8_ man has cried: "O deah, where is hy sing? O grave, where is hy vicory?" (1 Cor. 1.5:55). Four housand years passed and we find Jesus a he omb of Lazarus. Marha and Mary had somewha rebuked him wih hese words: ',..Lord, if hou hads been here, my broher had no died". (Vs. 21). Jesus said uno her: 'hy broher shall rise again". (Vs. 23). his promise was fulfilled in verse r4. e ha was dead came forh,...jesus saih uno hem, Loose him, and le him go.' here is a resurrecion awaiing all of us- Paul wroe Bu hanks be o God, which giveh us he vicory lrough our Lord Jesus Chris". (1 Cor. 15:57). Jesus declared; '... came ha hey migh have life, and ha hey migh have i more abundanly.' (John 10:10) 6. AM Hn way, E RUH, AND E LFE. (John 14:6) n Exodus 4, verses 29 hrough 31, we find he sraelies placing heir cornplee rus in Moses and Aaron o lead hem ou of Erypian bondage. f he same quesion had been direced o Moses by he sraelies ha was direced o Jesus by homas in John 14:6 (" 'how can we know he way?), his answer would also have been, " am he way, he ru, and he life: no rnan can reach he land of Canaan bu by me". Among he mos diflicul challenges facing he early disciples of Chris was o conceive how he could be beir guide from earh o heaven, or how he could ie ogeher wo worlds' He old homas, am he way o heaven, am absolue ruh, and am life everlasing. oday, Jesus is our hope. Paul wroe: Bu would no have you o be ignoran, brehren, concerning hem which are asleep, ha ye sorrow no, even as oher which have no hop. For if we believe ha Jesus died and rose again, even so hem aiso which sleep in Jesus will God bring wih him-" (1 hess. 4:13-14) 29

31 7. AM {E RE VE. John l5:1) Ai he beginning of Chris's minisry, he augh him disciples o produce fruis. n John 15:8 he declares; lerein is rny Faher glorified, ha ye bear much frui." is imperaive ha we undersand ra Chris is he rue vine, and we are be branches. f he abides in us, and we in him, we will bring forh much frui. For wihou him we can do nohing. (John 15:8). CONCLUSON: As Chris fulfilled he needs of hose living in he firs Ceaury, he will fill our every need oday. He is he bread of life, he ligh of he world, re door o }re sheepfold, he resurrecion and life, he way, Jre rujr, he life, and he rue wine. Never le us forge he words of Jesus in John 10:10: "... am come ha hey migh have life and ha hey migh have i more abundaaly". FOONOES L- yndale Neu esamen Commenaies, he Gospel According o SL Johr 2. Gospel Advocae Comnlendries, he Gospel of John. 3. Barazs' Noes, Commenary on John. Rober D. (Bob) Eddy - Bob has been preaihing he gospel for more han 40 years and presenly preadres for he Newpor, OH Church of Chris, He has been preaching in 1953 while working a Weiron Seel Co. Weiron, WV His firs loca d work was a S. Joe, OH in 1957, and has been in locaed work since hen. He is a graduao of S. Marys High School, S. Marys, WV. He aended nigh classee a Ohio Valley College, Parkersburg, WV in he lae 60 s, Blackhawk College in Moline, L and Augrsena College in Rock sland, L in he early 70's. He is married o Pay L. fvezel) Eddy. hey have wo children and six grandchildren. J e.l From he very beginning of ime, procrealion was a par of God's eernal plan '...God said uno Jrem, Be fruiful, and muliply, and replenish (fill) he esrh.'(cen. 1:28) 30

32 CHRS AND E HOLY SPR Bren Gallagher We begin our discussion by realizing ha he Faher, Son, and Holy Spiri comprise he Godhead. he aribues ofdeif-eernaliy, omniscience, omnipoence, and omnipresence-no only apply o he Faher and Son bu also o he Holy Spiri (Heb. 9:14; 1 Cor. 2:10, 11; Mic. 3:8; Ps. 139:7). he Holy Spiri is no jus a 'forcen or '!ower" bu is a disinc member of le Godhead. here are various ways he Holy Spiri cooperaed wih and complernened Jesus during His earhly minisry. he Spiri prediced dilferen aspecs ofjesus'life and imes hrough he Old esamen prophes. he Spiri was involved in he Virgin Birh, he empaion and bapisrn of Jesus, and he working of miracles by Jesus'hands. Concerning Chris, John ells us ha "God giveh no h.e Spiri by measure uno him" (John 3:34). his lecure is concerned wih one specific aspec of he spiri's work in Jesus' minisry--he promises made in John by cluis o he aposles o send hem he Comforer. references are: he word 'Comforer^ parakleos) is used four imes by John o describe he Spiri. hose John 14:16 "And will pray he Fahcr, and he shall giue ou anoher Comforer, ha h2 may abid,e wih you for euer;" John 14:26 "Bu he Comforer, which is he Holy Ghos, whon he Faher will send in my name, he shall each you all hings, ani bing all hings o your remembrance, uhasoeuer have said' uno you-n John 15:26 "Bu wh.en he Conforer is come, whom will send uno you fom he Faher, euen he Spii of ruh, which proceedeh from he Faher, he shall esifu of me:" John 16:7 "Nevefheless el you he ruh; is erpedien for you ha go away: for if go no awd.!, he Comforer uill n come uno you; bu if depar, will send him uno,,fou.', 31

33 ncomforer" meane one who is called o anoher's side o help. Oher ranslaions of his word are 'Counselor," 'Advocae," and lelper.n From Jesus'speech in John 14-16, i is clear ha he aposles were expeced o carry on Jeaus' minisry afer He ascended o Heaven, bu hey would no be alone in heir work. he Holy spiri would be heir aide in furhering he Lord's cause. here are a leas nine hings found in John he Comforer was o do hrough he aposles. hose nine iems are: 1. each all hings (John 14:26) 2. Bring all hings o remembrance (John 14:26) 3. esify of Chris (John 15:26) 4. Reprove world ofsin (John 16:8) 5. Reprove world of righeousnees (John 16:8) 6. Reprove world ofjudgmen (John 16:8) 7. Guide ino all ruh (John 16:13) 8. Show hinge o come (John 16:13) 9. Glori$ Chris (John 16:14) As he Holy Spiri aided he aposles He waa no revealing His own will, bu he will of he Faher. Chris saes in John 16:13 ha fe Spiri "...shall no speak of himself; bu wha.soeuer hz. shall hear, ha shall he speak.' When did he Comforer arrive and begin aiding he aposlea in heir work? Shorly before His ascension o Heaven, Jesus me wih His aposles and reminded hem of John he Bapis's promise of Holy Spiri bapism. He old he aposles o remain in Jerusalem and awai he bapism ofhe Spiri (Acs 1:4,5). n Aes 2, on he day of Penecos, he Spiri came upon he aposles and hey began speaking in ongues and preaching he gospel message (Acs 2:1-40). he promise of he Comforer o help and guide he aposles was fulfilled as he gospel was aken o he firs cenury world. he Spiri enabled he aposles o perform signs which conjirmed heir message (2 Cor. L2:L2). he sermons preached and leers wrien by he aposles were no of human origin bu Spiri given (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 im. 3:16, 17). he miraculous elemen of he Spiri was no limied o he aposles. hose on whom he aposles laid hands could also obain spiriual gifs (Acs 8:18). Once he aposles died and he New esamen was compleed, miraculous spiriual gifs ceased (1 Cor. 13:9-13; Eph. 4:11-13). 32

34 is imporan o remember he promise o be "guided ino all ruh" by he Cornforer was given o he aposles. he Holy Spiri did work direcly on he aposles and hose who had spiriual gifs in he frrs cenury. oday, hough, one is "guided ino all ruh'no by a direc revelaion of he Spiri bu hrough a reading of he Spiri-produced word. he wrien word ells us all we need o know abou Jesus, ruh, sin, righeousness, judgmen and he fuure (2 Pe. 1:3; 2 irn. 3:16, 17). he wrien word claims o be complee--god's final revelaion o mankind (Heb. 1:1, 2; Jude 3). D Bren Ga.llagher - Bren is a naive of Dover, oh. He is a graduae of Freed-Hardeman universiy and Harding Universiy Graduae School of Reigion. He has done locaed work in New Maamoras, OH; Pine Grove, WV and is presenly working wih he Oakwood Road Church of Chris in Fairmon, Wv. He is married o he former Janie Higginboram and hey have hree chil&en - Ryan, Amy, and Jason. 33

35 CHRS N YOU E HOPE OF GLORY Brian C. Adkins NRODUCON 1. he ciy of Colossae. a. Ciy of Phrygia locaed in he Lycus valley on he Lycus river. b. 100 miles eas of Ephesus and l2 miles souheas of Laodicea and Hierapolis. c. Large, prosperous ciy in i's beginnings. By re ime Paul wries, Colossae is a small own and really insignifican. d. nhabians of Colossae worshipped Bacchus (god of wine) and Cybele (moher of gods). 1) he worship offered was a mixure of drunkenness and lewd orgies. 2) he priesls would become delirious as hey reeled abou and whirled around, ofen muilaing hemselves and dancing o loud horns and cymbals. 3) By hese ries, hey claimed an inimae fellowship wih he gods. 2. he C,olossian Heresy. a. Mixure of Greek, Orienal and Jewish religions. b. Overriding belief ha he flesh was exremely sinful. c. God is holy and maer is evil. 1) God would have no direc conac wih he universe. 2) Gave rise o idea ha God creaed a being who in urn crmed beings known as 'AEONS' or angelic beings who evenually creaed human beings. Chris was rnerely one of hese "AEONS". 3) Worship of angels was c.ommon and had inlluenced he church. Noe: 2:18. d. Paul deals wih he various problems. 1) he supremacy of Chris esablished - 1: ) A1l are reconciled in Chris only - L: ) Service and Hope are in Chris - 1: ) No Philosophy, bu Chris - 2: ) No Judaism, bu Chris - 2:ll-23. 6) No fleshly indulgences bu Chris - 3: ) No he old man bu he new man - 3:L2-L7. 3. A basic ouline of Colossians. a. Chaper 1 - he Preeminence of Chris Declared. b. Chaper 2 - he Preeminence of Chris Defended. c. Chaper 3,4 - he Preeminence of Chris Demonsraed. 4. Key word in Colossians -'Chris" menioned 35 imes. 5. Key verse - Col. 1: Assignnen: Col. l:27c. "Chris in you, he hope of glory." 7. Aim of lesson: Salvaion in hree erses, Pas, Presen, Fuure. a. Jas. 1:21 "...receive wih meekness he engrafed word which is able o save your souls."

36 1) James is wriing o Chrisians and ells hem how o be saved! 2) Salvaion comes o us in hree enses. We are: i) Saved (pas ense) from he PENALY of sin. ii) Saved (presen ense) from he POWER of sin. iii) Saved (fuure ense) from he POSSBLY of sin. b. Paul presens o us salvaion in hree enses in Col. 1:27. 1) Salvaion from he PENALY of sin - 'Chris in you' 2) Sa.lvaion from he POWER of sin - 'he Hope". 3) Salvaion from he POSSBLY of sin - 'of Glory".. 'CHRS N YOU- - (Salvaion in Pas ense from he PENALY of sin.) 1. {n Chris" or "n Him" is found 20 imes in Colossians. 2. How does one ge ino Chris? a. By obeying he Gospel of Chris. L) Gal.3:26-27l. Rom. 6:3-5; Jn. 3:3-5; Cor. 12:13. 2) o be "in Chris" is o be saved. Mk. 16:16; Acs. 2:38; Acs. 22:16. b. Hear - Believe - Repen - Confess - Bapism - Faihful. 3. As one eners Chris hey are saved from he PENALY of sin. a. or all have sinned and fallen shor of he glory of God." Rom. 3:23. b. *Rom. 6:7, 17 -L8, 22-23; Jas. 1:15; Heb. 2:9; im. 2:10.* c. Chris is he grea LBERAOR Jn. 8:32, 36 Jn. 5:24; Rev. 20:6. 4. o be "in Chris" is o have "Chris in You". a- Col. 1:27-1:28. Synonymous erms. Noe: Gal. 2:2O;4:19; Eph.3:17. b. "n Chris" or "n Him" found 103 imes in he New esamen. c. o have Chris in us is o have he Faher in us and he Holy Spiri in us. 1) hey all dwell in he Chrisian in he same manner. 2) Jn. 77:2O-21: Jn. 9; Eph. 5:18. 3) he Godhead dwells in he Chrisian o he exen ha God's will in{luences, moiva s and guides he Chrisian. 5. Can people see Chris in you?? a. Mk. 2:1. f Chris is in you, hen ha will be "noised abroad". b. Mk.7:24- f Chris is here, hen He is seen. f He is no seen, hen He is no here! 1) You canno hide Chris. Home, oflice, school. 2) M. 5:13. LL. A child's definiion of sal. 3) Acs. 9:2. How would Saul idenify Chrisians? Somehing noiceable abou a Chrisian. 4) Chris is no valued A ALL unless He is va.lued ABOVE AL.! 5) Acs.4:13. L 'HE HOPE' - (Salvaion in he Presen ense from he POWER of sir) r 1. Hone is rea.lized in wo realms. a. emporal realm. Rom.4:18; Jer.29: b. Eernal realm. Cor. 4:1.8; Eph. 4:4. 2. Faih gnides, Hope simulaes and culivaes paience. Ae1-s.24:15:. Rom. 8:24-25; hess. 1:3. 35

37 We should be consanly aware of he blessed hope we have in Chris. Sin has no conrol over our lives as he hope we have in Chris affecs us. Wih such a blessed hope, sin can have no power o manipulae our lives. Rom. 15:4; Col. 1:5, 23; im. 1:1; ius. 1:2; 2:13;3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 18-19; Pe. 1:3; :Jn. 3:3. 7. magine no having any hope. a. Facing serious surgery and old here is no hope. b. Soldier old ha here is no hope of seeing omorrow. c. Many who commi suicide have convinced hemselves ha hey are wihou hope. 8. f Chris is NO in you hen you are wirou HOPE. Eph. 2: n Chris and Chris in you brings a happy hope ha deah canno seal. hess. 4:13.. 'OF GLORY" - (Salvaion in he Fuure ense from he POSSBLY of sin.) 1. Sin will no and canno ener ino glory. a. Jn. 8:21; Rnv. 2l.27;22:4-L5. b. he lake of fire awais hern. Rev. 21:8. 2. Heaven is ruly a place of eernal glory. a. Rom. 8:18; 9:23. b. Cor. 4:17 - Eernal glory. 3. here we will be wih he Lord. a. Col. 3:4; Phip. 1:23; im. 3:16. b. im.2:10; Pe. 5:1,4, \Mhen wih he Savior we ener he gloryland, won' i be wonderful here? Ended he roubles and car s of he soryland, won' i be wonderful here?' CONCLUSON 1. Noice please ha wihou Chris being in us, here is no hope of glory! 2. Chris mus mean everyhing o us. a. He mus be he Source of our lives. b. He mus be he Course of our livea. c. He mu6 be he Force of our lives. 3. o Paul, Chris mean weryhing. 4. Chris mus be he crener and circumference of our livee. 5. is our prayer ha Chris is in you, Jle hope of glory. Brian C. Adkins - Brian received his educaion from he Memphis Sehool of Preaching; MSOP Graduae Prograrn; Paducah Communiy College; and Souhern Chrisian Universiy. He preached in Mississippi from He has been preaching in Bardwell, Kenucky since He and his wife (he former lacey Earls) are Jre parens of one daugher, Amanda. Brian is a naive of Puna Gorda, Florida and was reared in Columbus. Ohio..l 36

38 . nroducion. A. Necessiy of a virgin birh. E VRGN BR H. A lbuser" Dobbe 1 By decision of deiy a member of he Godhead appeared in he form of a man. a. Jesus gave up being "equal wih God" o come in human form. b. Jesus is now and has always been "in he form ofgod." c. When he was in he "form of man." he did no abandon his God form. d. Jesus was fully God while also being fully human. e. His divine and human naures are boh sressed in he New esamen. f. Sill, i was necessary for he God/man o limi some of his God aribues o be "made in all hings like uno his brehren." g. His God naure did no change, bu he limied his knowledge, power and presence during his days on earh as a human. h. God has he power o limi himself or he is no God, ha is, is no allpowerful. 2. An Almighy being could no be procreaed by naual means in he very naure of his deiy. n heaven hey neiher marry nor are hey given in marriage. a. A miracle was herefore required in he case of he coming of Jesus ino he world as a man. b. "Wherefore when he comeh ino he world, he saih, Sacrifice and offering hou wouldes no, bu a body has hou prepared me: n bum offerings and saoifices for sin hou has had no pleasure" (Hebrews l0:5). c. "Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and bum offerings and ofering for sin hou wouldes no, neiher hads pleerslure herein; which are offered by he law; hen said he, Lo, come o do hy will, O God. He akeh away he firs, ha he may esablish he second. By he which wili we are sancified hrough he offering of he body of Jesus Chris oncepr a//" (Hebrews l0:8-10). (1) his explains he saving power ofhe sacrifice on Calvary. (2) he Creaor died for he creaures' sins. (3) he blood of animals could never accomplish wha he blood of God/man was able o do.!-. B. God decided on a virgin birh as he means o bring an embodied deiy ino he l world. 37

39 L he Virgin Birh. A. Virgin birh in prophecy. l. his is such an imporan maer one would expec i o be menioned ofen in prophecy. 2. However, only once did he Old esamen foreell ofa virgin birh (unless you coun he "seed of woman" prophecy ofgenesis 3:15 o reference virgin birh.) 3. he one place in he Old esamen were he words "virgin birh" are used is saiah's prophecy o King Ahaz. 4. "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name mmanuel" (saiah 7 :14). B. Background ofhe virgin birh prophecy. 1. Ahaz was king in Judah (saiah 7:1). 2. Rezin was king ofsyria and Pekah was king of srael (saiah 7:1). 3. he kings of Syria and srael made hlreaening moves oward he king of Judah (saiah 7:6) Ahaz was errified (saiah 7:2-4). God sen saiah o assure Ahaz ha he evil plans of Rezin and Pekah o desroy Judah would fail (saiah 7:7-9). Ahaz, apparenly, inend o rely on Assyria and Egyp o rescue him (saiah 7:18-1e). 7. God warned ha Assyria and Egyp would be a bane o Judah as well as he desroyers of Syria and srael (saiah 7:20). he Sign. 1. Ahaz old o ask for a sign of God o show ha Syria and srael would no desroy Judah (saiah 7: l0). 2. Ahaz declined, possibly because he had no confidence in saiah bu rused in he power of Assyria and Egyp (saiah 7:12). a. Ahaz preended ha his respec for and fear of God caused him o refuse 38

40 D saiah's inviaion o ask for a sign. b. he implicaion ofhe conex is ha he did no believe saiah. 3. saiah responded o Ahaz's refusal o ask for a sign by saying ha a sign would be given even if i was no requesed (saiah 7: l4). a. he prophecy was ha a virgin would conceive and bear a son whose name would be mmanuel (saiah 7: l4). b. Wihin he ime i would ake for he virgin's son o know good from evil, Syria and srael would be desroyed. c. he sign o Ahaz and Judah was he unexpeced desrucion of he kingdoms of Pekah and Rezin wihin a shor ime. d. he birh of Jesus abou 600 years afer saiah promised a sign o Ahaz would no be a sign o him, since he rvould be long dead. he sign herefore canno refer o he virgin birh ofjesus. 4. he prophecy is repeaed in saiah 8:1-8 under a differen figure, which becomes a commenary on he saiah seven prophecy. D. Fulfillmen of he Virgin birh prophecy. 1. Prophecy ofen has an immediae and a long erm fulfillmen. 2. J. a. he immediae fulfillmen of he virgin birh prophecy was he desrucion of Syria and srael wihin a shor period. b. he long erm fulfillmen was he birh of Jesus, he son of Mary of Nazareh. Mahew reveals he long erm fulfillmen of he famous prophecy. a. "he angel of he Lord appeared uno him in a dream, saying, Joseph, hou son of David, fear no o ake uno hee Mary hy wife: for ha which is conceived in her is ofhe Holy Ghos. And she shall bring forh a son, and hou shal call his name JESJS: for he shall save his people from heir sins. Now all his was done, ha i migh be fulfilled which was spoken of he Lord by he prophe, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be wih child, and shall bring forh a son, and hey shall call his name Emmanuel, which being inerpreed is, God wih us. hen Joseph being raised from sleep did as he angel of he Lord had bidden him, and ook uno him his wife: And knew her no ill she had brough forh her firsbom son: and he called his name JESUS" (Mahew :20-25). b. Mahew ells us he angel said o Joseph ha he bi(h of Jesus fulfilled he prophecy oflsaiah, seeing his is he only O prophecy ha specifically menions ha "a virgin shall be wih child." he meaning of he word "virgin" as used by saiah and Mahew. 39

41 a. is unnecessary o spend ime discussing he definiion of eiher le Hebrew or he Greek word ranslaed "virgin" in saiah and Mahew because Luke gives he meaning of he word. b. An angel said o Mary, "Fear no, Mary: for hou has found favor wih God. And, behold, hou shal conceive in hy womb, and bring forh a son, and shal call his name JESUS" (Luke :30-31). c. Mary answered, "How shall his be, seeing know no a man?" (Luke l:34). (l) he virgin of saiah 7:14 was, according o his, a woman who had never known a man. Never mind argumens abou he meaning of Hebrew and Greek words. he angel announced he fulfillmen of he saiah prophecy and Mary gives he definiion of he word. hese inspired saemens give us wih a clear undersanding of wha saiah and Mahew mean by he word "virgin." (2) A virgin - a young woman who had never known a man -- was he vehicle, bu God prepared he body (Hebrews 10:5). (3) He who made he body of Adam from he dus prepared a body for he coming of he Lord. E. Explanaion delayed. l. f he claim of virgin birh had been made immediaely, i is unlikely ha i would have been acceped. a. Mahew and Luke wroe hree or four decades afer he birh of Jesus. he claim of virgin birh herefore was no made a he ime of he birh. b. he people who knew Jesus personally assumed ha he was Joseph's son. (1) "s no his he carpener's son? is no his moher called Mary? and his brehren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisers, are hey no all wih us?' (Mahew 13:55). (2) "And Jesus himself began o be abou hiry years ofage, being (as was supposed) he son ofjoseph" (Luke 3:23). c. f Mary had immediaely claimed o have conceived a child supemaurally, she would have been ridiculed and her claim rejeced, jus as a claim of virgin birh oday would be scorned. No one would believe i. (1) he people ofnazareh and all srael considered Jesus o be he naural bom son of Joseph. (2) his assumpion was allowed o preven his rejecion and especially his exclusion from he sacred confines ofhe emple in Jerusalem (See Deueronomy 23:2). (3) f he enemies of Jesus had suspeced ha he v/as no he naural bom son e.l 40

42 D ofjoseph, hey would have used his o deny him enrance ino he assembly of Jehovah. 2. he revelaion of virgin birh was delayed for several years. a. n he meanime, Jesus gave his superb eaching (docrines ha could no have come from a human source and mus herefore be from heaven), confirmed he message by miracles, rose from he dead, and ascended ino heaven. b. he gospel ofhe kingdom was preached in all he world and more han half ofhe world's populaion was convered o Jesus, and hen Mahew and Luke gave he sunning informaion ha Jesus of Nazareh was bom of a woman who had never known a man. c. he ime was dgh and he revelaion was given. he iming of he declaraion of virgin birh for Jesus was perfec. d. Jehovah placed safeguards around he deails of he birh of Jesus, bu in he fullness of ime gave he complee informaion. Noe: See biography a end of firs lecure, njesus Speaks oday". 4L

43 JESUS CRS AND HE NEW BRH (John 3:1-21) Nicholas E. Deiger. EME: he New Birh and is effec on a person. A he erm'new BRH" or BENG BORN AGAN" is misused, misundersood anq misapplied oday as well in days pas. B. Mos people are looking a ways o'look RGH" wihou,'crmpng" heir life syles. C. Many of he well know singers say ha hey are BORN AGAN CHRSANS.. D. Ye when one looks a heir life syle and he words of he music hey sing hey fall shor of he sandard ha God has se forh. E. QJESON: Can be "AN ALMOS CHRSAN. F AM BORN AGAN?" F. n his lesson we wan o discuss he New Birh under he following opics. 1. he Wha 2. he How 3. he When 4. he Why G. By doing his one should undersand wha God's Word eaches on he maer..e NEWBRH A HE WA: John 3:3-5 l. o undersand our opic we need o define some erms. a. '{EW" 1) f old you have a 'EW COA" of pain on my ruck, we could undersand his. 2) Or a new house, sui, shoes, ec. 3) he same idea is given for he word 'NEW'in our lesson. a) Webser - Recenly come ino exisence or use, differen han before. b) Vine - differen a6 in respec o ime - characer. i. Ephesians 2:5 'HE NEW MAN" - new in differing characer. ii. Colossians 3:10 Sress re fac of he believer's new experience-recenly begun and sill proceeding. 42

44 b. BRH' 1) Webser : a coming forh ofan offspring, a beginning, an origin 2) Vine - a begeing, producing, bring forh, be delivered a) Mahew 1:18 'Now he birh of Jesus was on his wise (afer his manner)" b) John 9:1 a man blind from birh. c. Nicodemus comes o Jesus wih a quesion abou he Kingdom of God and how one eners. 1) How do know his? Look a Jesus'reply. 2) NOCE: a) Jesus said in verse hree"one MUS BE BORN AGAN". b) Nicodemus ask how can a man be born again in a naural way. c) Jesus' answer o him was no anoher PHYSCAL birh bu a SPRUAL one. d) here is no an enrance ino he Kingdom of God wihou a "{ElV BRH'or we migh say a "SPRUAL BRE'. 2. As in a physical birh here mus be a concepion and a bringing forh, his is only accomplished by following God's law of procreaion, which has been since creaion, 3. he Spiriual birh also follows God's plan which was se forh on he day of Penecos. a. here mus be he planing of he seed in he hear of man- Luke 8 1) n verse 5 i says; "A sower wen ou o sow his seed " 2) n verse 11 i says: "he seed is he word' of God." b. here mus be a germinaion period and a coming forh. 1) Verses 5 and 12 eaches ha some fell on he wayside and he devil came and ook i away. 2) Verses 6 and 13 some fell on rocks and i did no have enough soil f,o maf,ure. 3) Verses 7 and 1.4 said some falls among he horns and i was soon choked ou -- bv cares ofworld. 43

45 4) When his seed falls on good ground i will produce faih. n ROMANS lo:17 So hen faih comzs by heaing, and hearing by hc word of God. a) his would be ha ground which was prepared properly prepard o receive he word. b) ha which he word could penerae and pu down a good roo srucure. c) ha which brings forh frui. c. here is a saemen made in GENESS 1:11: hzn God, soid, "* he earh bing forh grass, h.e herb ho yinlds seed, and hz frui rce he yblds frui according o is kind., whose seed. is in iself, on he earh^; and. i wos so.n 1) When one plans pure corn seed i will raise corn. 2). When one sows he'pjre ORD OF GOD" one will be "Born Agaln" as he Bible eaches. B,HEHOW: 1. is no a physical birh fmm he rnoher's womb. 2. Unden he Old law one becarne a Child of God by physical birh. 3. Under he New Law i is a birh by he Waer and he Spiri. 4. Of Waer -- a. Wha is he waer? 1) Some each i is he waer in naural birh bu, lis is no rue. 2) is ha which is found in rivers, lakes, ponds, wells and bapiseries. 3) For ha maer i is found in almos wery houee. 4) is ha which we drink, bah in, wash clohes or dishes and ha we cook wih. 5) here is nohing miraculous abou he waer herein menioned. b. Wha is he Spiri? 1) o follow wha he Holy Spiri lead Jle Aposle ino eaching and wriing. 2) n John 16:13 Jeeus said ha he Spiri would lead hem ino all rur. 3) is hen o follow he luh of God's Word on he maer of salvaion. 44

46 c. How is i applied? 1) John 3:22 John bapized in Aenon--because here was much waer here. 2) Mahew 3:13 John bapized in he River Jordan. 3) Mahew 3:16 Said ha Jesus"...wen sraighway up ou ofhe waer...' 4) Now le us urn ou aenion o he bapism of he Eunuch in Acs 8. a) Eunuch reading his Bible. b) Philip joins he Eunuch in he chario and preaches Jesus uno him. v.35-planed he seed. c) he Eunuch's hear (soil) was prepared o receive he Word i. Reading Bible ii. Asking quesions as o ha which he did no know d) here is a willingness o obey -- verse 36'...see here is waer wha hinders me from being bapfized?" e) How much waer, a jug full? fl No enough for Philip and he Eunuch o go down ino he come up ou of. verse 38. g) Enough for Philip o bury he Eunuch in Romans 6:1-5 5) is called a washing in Acs 22:16 6) Peer said in 1 Peer 3:21. is he answer ofa good conscience oward God. Obedience o he nspired Word of God- C. HE WEN: 1. When does he New Birh ake place? 2. here are some condiions se forh before he New Birh akes place. 3. Each of hese are se forh clearly in God's Word. a. Hear (undersand) he Word ofgod - Romans 10:17 b- Believe, Have faih in God * 1) Hebrews 11:6 - mpossible o please God wihou faih. 2) John 8:24 - Believe no in Chris die in sins. c. C,onfess he name of Chris being he Son of God. 1) Rornans 10:9,10 - Before men wih mouh 2) Mahew 10:32,33 - Confess before men Chris will confess before Faher. 3) Example of Eunuch Acs 8:37 45

47 d. Repen - a complee change in direcion oflife. 1) Acs 17:30 - Commanded by God. 2) 2 Corinhians 7:10 - Godly sorrow works repenance 3) Luke 3:3,5 - Wihou repenance perish e. hese ali precede bapism-neglec one and will no experience he new birh f. Bapism - he complee imrnersion in waer as we have already looked a. 4. Noice some hings ha ake place in bapism; a. Galaians 3:27 - Pu on Chris b. Romans 6:4 - Raised o walk in newness of life. c. 2 Corinhians 5:17 - n Chris a new creaure - old hings passed away all hings become new. 5. Bapism is he las condiion ha God gives o change from an alien sinner o a child ofgod. 2 Corinhians 6:17,18. D. HE WY: 1. Why does one need o experience he New Birh a- One canno have he "Spiriual Blessings of Ephesians 1:3 1) Having pas sins washd away 2) Having he blood of Chris coninually cleansing us as we repen 3) Being a Child of God ha Fellowship wih Him 4) ha mansion ha has been prepared John 14:l-4 5) ha Crown of Life 2 imohy 4:8; Revelaion 2:10 6) ha home wih God wihou sickness, pain, ears, sorrow and evil people. b. One canno go o heaven. John 3 1) Unless one is born aga.in no see Kingdom of God. John 3:3 2) Unless born of waer and Spiri no ener Kingdom of God. John 3:5. c. Wihou he New Birh one will die in heir sins and Jesus said in John 8:24: "here said o you ha you will die in your sing; for ifyou do no believe ha am He, you will die in your sins." 2. WHY! WY NO! a. Jus hink ofall ha will be missed b Jus hink of all your loved ones who have passed on, hose who were faihful o God - never see hem c. Jus hink of being ajoin heir wih Chris 46 1

48 d. Jus hink how errible hell will be 3. Why experience he'new BR" -- he benefis ouweigh wha some migh coun as loses in a life wihou Chris. rr. GoNCLUSoN: - C. Wihou - A. Wihou obedience - no New Birh B. o have he New Birh one mus be born of he waer and ofhe Spiri all is los. r r f Nicholas E. Deiger - Nick is a naive of Canfield, OH aending Sruhers Church of Chris from birh unil 1960, hen moved o Columbiana and aended Lisbon, OH Church of Chris- He aended Memphis School of Pre.aching from Februar5r 1r97O a Preached for he Sandyville, WV Church of Chris from February 19?2-Ocober 1979 and Pumpkin Cener Church of Chris a Fairview, WV 1979-presen- He is married o he former Ruh Graham for 29 years. o his union was born wo children: Nancy Lou (who a he age of 2l died from injuries ofa car acciden on July 31, 1995) and Ni.h^.e Nicholas Howard Hnworr /om (age 21). 9r\ Ha He hos has haan been nrpsi.lonf presiden of Wes Vire'inia Virginia Chrisian Youh Camn Camp for five years (co-direcor of Senior Week) having been involved in camp work for 28 years. He also works wih Pleasan Acres in worship services on Sunday and he hursday nigh Bible Sudy.

49 JESUS E MASER EACHER Bruce Daughery ex: ivlnhew 7:24-29 Purpose Saemen: Afer hearing he lesson, he learner will be encouraged o obey he word of Chris and o follow His example as a eacher. nro. is no surprise ha Jesus was he lvlaser eacher. eaching is a work associaed wih he enire Godhead. eaching was associaed wih he annoining of he Holy Spiri on Bezalel and Oholiab (Ex. 35:34)- God Himself is described as a eacher. He augh Moses (Ex. 4:15). he prophes promised a eacher o come (sa. 30:20; 54:13; Jer. 31:33). he naions were o be augh by God (sa. 2:3). No wonder Jesus assumed he ile ofeacher and performed much of His minisry as a eacher.r eaching was a prominen feaure of he minisry of Jesus (Ma. 4:23). A erea deal ofhe Gosoels consiss in eachine maerial: he Sermon on he Moun, he Parables, he Lesson on he Moun of Olives, ec. he reacion ofhe people o Jesus'eaching show ha He was he lvlaser eacher: hey were asonished - Ma. 7:28-29, 13:54. hey marveled - John 7:15, 32,,4+46. Le's examine wha is mean by eaching and noice how Jesus was he lvlaser eacher. lvhn is erchine? A. New esamen Words lor eaching:: - (didasko) o reach; o insruc. - (didake) eaching, docrine, insrucions. - (didaskalos) eacher, rabbi. - (didaskalia) eaching, docrine. - (manhano) o learn, o find ou, discover; o learn by experience. - (mahees) a disciple, learner, suden. B. New esamen synonyms for eaching:r - (paideia) raining, conecing, discipline, chasisemen (Eph.6:4; Heb. 2:5-11). 48

50 D f - (paidagogos) a slave aendan who conduced children o and from school (Gal. 3:24\. Our English erm pedagogue, is derived from his word. - (ekrepho) o nourish, rear, bring up children (Eph. 6:4; 5129). - (diermeneo) o ranslaq explain, inerpre (Lk 24:47; Cor. l4:5). - (prophees) a prophe, in he sense of proclaiming and inerpreing a divinely revealed message (Ma. l1:9; Cor. 12:28). - (poimen) o sheperd; proec, lead, love (Eph. 4:ll; John l0:16). - (paraihimi) o se forh or place beside or before, poin ou; demonsrae, enrus (Ma. 13:24; im. l:18). - (zeesis) o quesion, examine, deliberae, discuss, or debae (Acs 15:2,7; John l6:19). C. Based upon hese Bible words and synonyms for eaching, a definiion ofeaching is: he communicaive process by which a eacher leads sudens o obedience and mauriy in Chris by proclaiming, examining, demonsraing, explaining, modeling, nourishing and raining he eemal ruhs of God's word. Whv Jesus is he Mnser eacher B. Jesus is he Maser eacher Because He Knew Wha was in Man - John 2: Why secular sysems fail: hey hold o incorrec views concerning he naure of man. Behavorism and Deerminism and any heory of psychology or educaion buil upon a nauralisic view of man is inadequae. 2. Man's Naure: Physical Spiriual Jesus is he Maser eacher Because He augh People no Lessons l. Jesus noiced he individual: Nicodemus he Samarian woman Zaccheus Peer 2. eachers, do we see he needs of individuals? 14 yr. old Newlyweds Young parens hose in midlife crisis Elderlv 49

51 c. Jesus is he Maser eacher Because of His Faih in he Word of God 1. Jesus placed grea emphasis on he Scripures: " is wrien" - Ma. 4:4 "Ye do err, no knowing he Scripure" - Ma. 22:29,31 Scripure esified of Chris -John 5:39 eachers in srael didn know he Scripures - John 3:10,12 2. eachers, we need o emphasize he Scripures: he Bible is inspired - 2 im.3:16-17 he Bible is useful - Acs 20:32 D. F. Conclusion: he Bible ells us ofjesus - John 5:39: John 8:31: 47 Jesus is he Maser eacher Because He augh People in heir Everyday Siuaions l. Religion was no separaed from daily life for Jesus: He augh he common people in parables and sories drawn from daily life. He demonsraed he impac of scripure on daily life - Mark 7:l-13 He augh in conras o he Pharisees - Luke 11:46,52; Ma. 23: eachers, are we eaching for life? Chrisianiy concerns he whole of life - Ma. 22:.37-4O. Chris should make a difference in our everyday living - Luke l0: Jesus is he Maser eacher Because He augh o Reform Men According o he Will ofgod l. he imporance ofhe will in he eaching ofjesus: MaL 5:48; 7 :21-23: l9zlg22: 22:37-4O. he relaionship beween inellec and he will: nellec deals wih knowledge, informaion, facs. Will deals wih direcion, moivaion, and change for life. 2. eachers, are we calling for a submission of he will of man o he will of God? Giving informaion ha leads o a response, a decision. here is a need o lead Bible sudies and classes which are direced o he decision making process. Jesus is he Maser eacher because He Modeled wha He aush l. Jesus is our model in everyhing, including obedience: John l3l17; Heb.5: he goal ofour eaching is obedience: Ma 7 :24-27 g Rom. 2:17-21' 25 None ofhe Aposles or disciples ever used he ile "eacher" afer Chris ascended. his was ou of respec for wha Jesus augh in Mahew 23:8. Bu i was also ou of recogniion ha jus as Chris is he only salvaion (Acs 4:12), Jesus is also he only eacher. n a ime in which much worldly emphasis is given o worldly iles of "docor" and "scholar," may we ever be disciples ofjesus, he Maser eacher. J e 50

52 l. Harris, Archer, Walke, ediors, heokryical Wordbook of he Old ksomerl, Vol. 1 (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980) pp Kiel and Bromiley, ediors, heological Dicionory oj he Nev esamen,yol.2 and 4 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing, 1965) pp ; pp Bill Paerson, Growing Chri.siqn eacher, Uni 1 (Dallas: Gospel eachers Publicaions, 1980) p. 25. am indebed for much of he maerial in his lesson flrom he "Growing Chrisian eacher" course by Dr. Paerson. he educaion program and he raining ofeachers in he local congregaion can be buil up by having Dr. Paerson for a workshop. He can be reached hrough Souhern Chrisian Universiy, Mongomery, AL el. l Bruce Daughery - Bruce received a B.A in Bible from Freed-Hardeman Universiy (1981) and is currenly working oward a M.A. in Bible from Souhern Chrisian Universiy. Served wo years wih he Reynoldsburg (Ohio) Church of Chris ('81-'83). Served for 6.5 years in Cervignano, aly ('63-90). Currenly preaching for he Beville Road congregaion in Dayona Beach, 'L. and servi ng as an insrucor in he Florida School of Preaching. He i.s he son of a gospel preacher, Emanuel Daughery of illoundsville, WV., and is maried o he former Gayle Gleaon of Sockbridge, GA. hey have wo sons: Michael, age 8, and Vincen, age 5. 51

53 nroducion: he Fall of Jerusalem Mahew 24 Enanuel B. Daughery A. here are many misundersood and misapplied Scripures. 1. Verses: John 3:16 (Faih only), Romans 6:14 (Saved wholly by grace, under no law whasoever). 2. Whole chapers: Genesis 1 (heisic Evoluion, Gap heory). 3. Whole books: Jude (Acs of Aposaes, by S.Maxwell Coder doesn' believe sains can be aposae). B. oday wan o discuss one of hese misundersood, misapplied and hus pervered chapers: Mahew Denorninaional preachers by he score quoe he early verses of his chaper concerning he "wars, mmors of wars, famines, earhquakes," ec. and make hese signs applicable o he evens of his cenury predicing he Second Coming of Chris. 2. Based on hese so-called "sigrrs" he premillenialiss have aemped o predic he dae of Chris's reurn in spie of he fac ha Jesus said, "Bu of ha day and hour knoweh no man, no, no he angels of heaven, bu my l'aher only" (v.36). 3. hose holding o he Max King docrine see no division of hough in Mahew 24 and. 25 and apply all of he discussion o he Fal of Jerusalem in AD. 70 and none o he Second Coming of Chris. 4. Skepics argue ha Mahew 24 is a failed prophery; ha Jesus erroneously expeced his second coming o be very soon, and ha i would make lile difference if i were lef ou of he New esamen! (G.R. Beaslev- Murray, Jesus and he Fuure, p.ix.). 5. o hose of a reasonable mind i will be clearly shown ha Jesus is foreelling he Desrucion of Jerr.rsalem and his Second Coming and i is a fauly exegesis of his chaper o no acknowledge he verse division disinguishing hese wo evens. J )z

54 !. HE SENG A. Parallel passages are found ln Mark 13 and Luke 21. hese chapers need o be read in conjuncion wih Mahew 24 for a complee undersanding of his grea discourse. B. he conex of his chaper is irnporan. is he final week ofjesus'life on earh. is filled wih confronaions wih he Jewish hierarchy. is he culminaion of prophecies and warnings o he spiriual leaders of he Jewish naion. 1. n chaper 21 Jesus warned in he parable of he wicked husbandman: "he kingdom of God shall be aken from you and given o a naion bringing forh he fruis hereof' (v.43). 2. Chaper 22 conains he final debae wih he Herodians, Sadducees and Pharisees. 3. Chaper 23 is frlled wih woes and severe condemnaion of he scribes and Pharisees likening hem o heir unbelieving forefahers who killed he prophes, and as hey would also do o Chris and he aposles (r'v.34-35). a. n he crucifixion ofjesus hey would "fill up he measure of heir fahers" (v.32). b. For heir rebellion agains God and his Son, Jesus makes his somber saemen: "Behold yqgl house is lef uno you desolae" (v.38). c. he quesions of he disciples evidenly were promped by his saemen in verse 38. C. Some keys o inerpreaion. 1. "hese hings. he immediae conex of he evens associaed wih he fall of Jerusalem and he desrucion of he emple are brackeed by he words "hese hings" (Ma 23 :36 ; 24;2,3,6,8,33,34). 2. "his generaion." (23:36, 24:34). Wih hese wo words Jesus saes expliciiy who is o receive he woes and wrah-hs GENERAON! His conemporaries! n he life span of he people hen liwing! (See Ma 12:39,41,42). he Scholield Bible has a f<xrnoe claiming he word "generaion" means "race of people." his, of course, in an effor o apply he evens of he Fall of Jerusalem o his premillenial scheme. 3. "hose days," (24:19,22,29). Jesus was speaking of a specific period of imc 53

55 il. which perained o he people of Judaea ha would experiene he rouble and sorrrw ha would be a par of he devasaion of heir land. n conras Jesus saes in regard o his final ooming "Of ha day and hour knoweh no man, no no he angels of heaven, bu my Faher only" (24:36). 4. he cerainy of "hese hings." Marcellus Ki,k (Mahew wenyfour: An Exposiion) saes ha verse 34 is he "ime-ex" and verse 36 is he "bansiion-ex." would add J:a verse 35 is he "homise-ex" for Jesus declares he cerainy of fhese evens, ha all oher hings, including heaven and earh, may pass away, bu his words oonoerning Judaea, Jerusalem and he emple would no fail o come o pass. Hisory records he fulfillmen of ha prophecy! HE QLESONS OF HE DSCPLES (242r-Z) A No doub i seemed incredible ha he Lord could be alking abou he emple being desolae! (23:38). 1. Josephus records ha some of he sones of he emple measured 50'long 24'wide, and 16'high [cubi=18"1 (Aniquiies, xv.11.3; Russell Boaman Wha he Bi.ble Says Abou End ime, p.139). 2. Jesr:s replied 'See ye no all hese hing? verily say uno you, here shall no be lef here one sone upon anoher, ha shall no be cas down." B. As hey journeyed from he emple area o he Moun of Olives he houghs of he disciples were ruubled, and upon reaching heir desinaion hey privaely asked Jesus "ell us, when shall hese hings be? and wha shall be he sign of hy coming and of he end of he world?" 1. From Mahew's accoun i seems as if hey are asking hree quesions. Bu in all probabiliy hey are asking bu one quesion wih hr:ee faoes. 2. o Jle welve such desrucion as prediced by Jesus could only mean he end of he world. he place and imporance of Jerusalem and he emple was so fixed in he Jewish mind ha i was inconceivable ha anyhing shor of he end of he world could desroy hem. 3. Bu Jesus answer describes wo evens no jus one. He describes fuo comings, and, uo end,s of uo uorlds (Roy Deaver, For Worh Lecures, Prenilleniali.sm, rue or False, p.107). a 1 54

56 r. a. 'When shall hese hings be, and he sigrr of hy coming" refers o he desrucion of Jerusalem and he emple ha would occur in A.D. 70. his subjec is discussed in verses b. he answer o he quesion abou "he end of he world" is covered in he secion of 24:36 hrough chaper ha his is a conec undersanding of he disciples quesions and Jesus' answer will be develo@ in his lesson. HE SGNS OF E MES (24:4-351 A. General sigrrs. "ake heed ha no man deceive you" (v.4). Jesus ses ou o prepare he disciples {br he calamiy ha is o befall he naion of Judah. hey would be surjeced o a diversify of hings, bu hey should weigh hem carefully and no be deceived. 1. False Chriss (5,23). Josephus describes a number of leaders who arose, leading facions afer hem as "deceivers and imposors, under he preense of divine inspiraion fosering revoluionary changes, hey persuaded he rmrliude o ac like madmen, and led hem ou ino he deser under he belief ha God would give hem okens of deliverancn" (War. xiii. 4,5; 258,259; cf. Acs 5:34-39; 21:38). 2. Wars and rumors of wars were anoher false sign (v.6), and very poinedly he said, "Don' be roubled...he end is no ye." hrough he ages men have been duped by wars and rumors of wars as being a poren of he end of ime. Bu Jesus is saying hese are no o be relied on as signs o be heeded in ha regard. 3. Famines, earhquakes and pesilences (v.7) would come upon he people of ha generaion, bu "all hese are he beginning of sorrows" (v.8). 4. Persecuions (9-13), making he love of many o grow cold, would cause havoc among he Chrisians leading o berayal and falling away, "Bu he ha shall endure uno he end, he same shall be saved." Several New esamen books documen persecuions ha came upon he early church beween he ime ofhe crucifixion and he fall of Jerrrsalem (llebrews, 1 Peer, Acs, ec). 5. he las sisn: "And his gospel shall be preached in all he world for a winess uno all naions; and hen he end shall come" (v.14). he aposle 55

57 Paul confirms his was accomplished (Colossians 1:23). rv. HE SGN o FL,EE AND E GREA BBLJLAON (24:.15-28). A Following he admoniion o be aware of hese general sigrrs, Jesus gives a specific warning o he disciples: 'When ye herefore shall see he abominaion of desolaion. spoken of by Daniel he prophe, sand in he holy plae (whoso readeh, le him undersand:) hen le hem which be in Judaea flee ino he mounains:" (w15-16).. 1. hey arre o flee in hase no reurning o heir houses o ge provisions (w.17-18). 2. here would be special difficuly for hose wih infan children, or if i should come in he winer or on a Sabbah Day (w.19-20). B. he Aboninaion of Desolaion. Luke helps us o know wha his phrase means: '\rhen ye see Jerusalem compassed wih armies hen know ha he desolaion hereof is nigh" (Luke 21:20). 1. Jesus'reference o Daniel perains o he idolarous pracices of Aniochus Epiphanes V when afer a defea in Egry he reurned o Jerusalem and desecraed he emple, slaughering a sow on he alar (Daniel 11:31; cf 1 Maccabees 1:43ff; Josephus, Aniquiies X.v ). A similar abominaion was prophesied upon Jerrrsalem in A.D. 70 when he "people of he prince ha shall oome shall desroy he ciy and he sancuary; and he end hereof shall be wih a flood, and even uno he end shall be war; desolaions are deermined...and upon he wing of abominaions shall come one ha makeh desolae; and even uno he full end, and ha deermined, shall wrah be poured ou upon he desolae (Dan 9:26-27). R.emember he Lord's words ha promped his disourse-"behold your house is lef uno you desolae!" (Ma 23:38). 3. Josephus relaes ha he Jews had asked he l,egae Viellius no o march his army hrough he land because of he insignias honoring heir heahen gods jniquiies X\r.v3. [121' ). 4. hus, when he disciples saw he ciy of Jerusalem being surrounded by he armies of Rome wih heir idolarous banners and images hey would 56

58 ake ha as heir signal o flee. Ancien hisorians record ha hey fled o Pella, a ciy of Perea (Philip Schaff, Hisory of he Chri.sian Church, Yol 1, pp ). C. Grea?ibulaion. ' 1. his is no referring o a ye fuurc period of seven years o be experienced by hose who are lef on he earh afer he "Rapure" as in he docrine of Premillenialism. 2. Raher i refers o he unprecedened suffering befalling hose who mus suffer he siege of Jerrrsalem by he Roman legions. 3. Josephus repors ha 1,100,000 were slain and 90,000 were aien capive o Rome (War Preface [4]; V.x.5 [442]: Yl.ix ; Eusebius, Ecclesiasical Hisory 111.5). D. Repeaed Warning! 1. fuain Jesus says "Don' be fooled!" by false prophes even when i appears ha hey have God's power backing hem. 2. Seeming signs and wonders can be worked by he devil as well as by he power of God (2 hes 2:9-10; 2 Cor 11:13-15; Acs 8:9). 3- he real coming of he Son of Man is conrased o ha of he false messiahs. Hc will come as a lighning flash and be observed by all (v.27). 4. he ciy of Jerrrsalem wou.ld be as a dead carcass surrounded by he Roman legions, ie., eagles (v.28). V. SGNS N HE HEAVENS ( ) A. mrnediaely afer he ribulaion of hose days. 1. his ses he ime frame for his secion: a. "mmed.iae\" - (euheos) "sraighway, forhwih, direcly." here is no room for a ime lapse of ncarly 2,000 years in his word! (cf' he kingdom of heaven is a hand). b. mmediaely, when? "Afer hc ribuloion". Wha ribulaion? he ribulaion of "hose &4s".'fhe grea ribuloion (v'.21-22) iha came on he ciizens of Judaea and Jerusalem. he grea ribulaion conneced wih A.D. 70! c. hese ve.rses have nohing o do wih he second coming of Chris, 5l

59 bu wih hc afiermoh of Jerusalemb foll. d. Bu someone says 'Well he descripion sure sounds like he second coming of Chris!" 2. Bu wha i, "sounds like" and wha i really is may be wo differen hings! he apocalypic language used by he Lord is oommon in he O. o describe he fall of kingdoms, kings and hose in high places poliically and spiriually. See saiah 13, he downfall of he king of Babylon; saiah 34:7-8, he fall of Edom; Ezekiel 32:?-8, he lamenaion over Egp. 3. Peer, an infallible inerpreer, says ha Jcel 2:28-32 is fulfilled in he evens beginning a Penecos (Acs 2:17-21), wo hings are described: a. he oupouring of he lloly Spiri ushering in he N.. age. b. he apocaiypic language describing he end of he Jewish economy marked by he coming of he "noable day of he [.,ord." B. he sign of he Son of Man. 1. he fall of Jerrrsalem would be accompanied by "he appearance of he Son of man in heaven." his would no be he lieral presenoe of Chris bu his coming in judgen zn lpn Jerusalem and he Jewish naion.. 2. he siear would be on earh in connecion o he evens surrounding he desmcion of Jerusalem. Bu i would sigrrifv oonclusively ha Chris is reigrring in heaven.(see Premillenialism, rue or False, Mahew 24, pp ). HE PARABLE of HE FG REE (24:32-36) A. Parable and is rneaning. Jus as he ender branches and leaves of he fig ree are a sigr of summer, so a-lso do "hese hings" describe he nearness of he [,ord in judgemen upon "his generaion, " B. his generaion. How could anyhing be saed more clearly? "HS GENERA,ON SALL NO PASS, LL ALL HESE HNGS BE FULFLLED. 1. his is he line of demarcaion for he dividing of Mahew 24! he Lord and he inspired wrier Mahew says so! 2. Furhermor.e i is emphasized by he fac ha heaven and earh would pass away, bu his words (in he oonex, he desmcion of Jerusalem) SHALL NO PASS AWAY! would come o pass! would no fail o ake 58 e 1

60 D placel here would be no aleraion of God's plans! HE END OF E WORLD (24:36-61) A. "Bu of ha day and hour." 1. "hose days" described prior o his verse were days filled wih signs: false Chriss, false prophes, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earhquakes, pesilenoe, ribulaion like hey had never seen before, sains being berayed and delivered up o persecuion and deah, he love of many growing cold, spiriual leaders in high places falling as sars from heaven, he abominaion of desolaion prophesied by Daniel he prophe being fufilled before heir eyes. 2. hey were "o flee o he mounains" (v.16), here would be no need of fleeing when he end of he world comes! 3. Wheher one had a coa (v.18), wheher one was wih child (v.19), he season of he year or he day of he week (v.20)--hese hings would be immaerial if hey perain o he final coming of he [,ord and he end of he world. B. "Bu of ha day and hour knoweh no man...r'as regards o he fall of Jerrsalem here were signs, hings o obserwe, o look for, warnings o heed! Bu he day of he Lord's coming a he end of he world will have no sigrs accompanying i! 1. n his secion he general command is o "wach" (42,M'5O,25:73). 2. n he previous secion of Scripure hings were abnormal (famines, earhquakes, ec. ou of proporion o he imes). n his secion hings are going on as hey normally would-eaing and drinking, marrying giving in marriage, men working in he fields, women grinding a he mill..'wach herefore: for ye know no wha hour your Lord doh come" (v.42). Conclusion: A. Brehren and friends le us be careful sudens of he Scripures les we be deceived by false eachers who perver, misuse and abuse his grea propheic chaper. 59

61 Emanuel B. Daughery - Emaauel was born in Philippi, WV, January 12, 1939 and graduaed from Braceville High School, lumbull Co., OH. He graduaed from Memphis Sehool of Preaching in 1968 and Alabama Chrisian School of R ligion (now Souhern Chrisian Universiy) in He preached a Alkire Rd., Grove Ciy, OH from 196&1989 and S. Marys, WV from 1989 o He augh aine years a Cenral Ohio School for Preachers and eachers, Colunbus, OH and has been Direcor ofwes Vrgrla School of l\ achl.g since February He has had gospel meeings in WV, OH, L, l(y, GA FL, AJ,, VA NC and N. He was bapized in 1950 and married he forrner Judih R. Null in hey have four children: Bruce (preacher a Dayona Beach, EL), Ramona Ha5mes and Rachel Cornell (Alkire Rd., Grove Ciy, OH) and Rebecca Poe, whose hueband Bra4 preaches a Norhridge Church of Chris, Dayon, OH. hey also have seven grandchildren 60 1

62 . rnrroducrron CHRSA\D CREAON Richard D. Melson, Sr. A. Any proper sudy of Jesus he Chris mus include a discussion of His preexisence. B. he only informaion we have abou he preexisen naure of Jesus is found in he Biblehe inspired word of God. C. f we deny he pre-exisen naure of Jesus we deny Him and rejec ha which He offers - 'eernal life"- r. hesis Jesus is he cener of creaion, for wihou Him here would be no creaion and o rejec his is o rejec ha which will give you life. rrl' DrscussroN creaion: He is creaor 1. Chris- he Eernal Logos- is he acive agen in he creaion. a) Gen. 1:1; John 1:3; b) 1 Cor. 8:6 2. Chris is presen in he beginning.. a) Gen. 1:26 cf. John 8:58 3. John declaree la Jesus was he creaor a) Rev. 4:11a b) Worhy of worship because He is deiy. He creaed he world and all ha is in i. o1

63 B. Chris and Creaion: He is he Objec of Creaion 1. Jesus is no jus a par of God's eernal plan, bu He is he summaion of all he purpose of God. a) Eph. l:9-11 b) Eph. 3: is because of Him ha all hings "consis". a) Chris is he "glue". Col. l: 7 b) Heb. L:3 C, Chris and Creaion: e s Pre.eminen L. He is prooohos because He is he Creaor. a) Col. 1:15-16 b) Rev. 3:14 2. He is before a.ll hings -Col. 1:1.7. a) Prookos - firsborn - promacy, pre-eminence, prioriy no only in ime bu also in imporance. cf. Deu.21:15-17; Ex.4:22; Psalm 89:27 3. He is he mage of God a) Col. 1:15 b) 1 im. 6:15-17 cf. John 1:18 fv. Conclusion,d he maerial universe was creaed by Deiy. B. Jesus of Nazareh is deiy. C. herefore Jesus of Nazareh being deiy, creaed he rnaerial universe. D. God has provided he evidence o suppor hese prolrcsiions. J 62

64 E. f we will only believe and obey, well benefi from he work of Jesus as hecreaor' Col. 1:19-23; Heb.5:9. Richard D. Melson, Sr. - Richard was born in Buffalo, NY., December 15, 1957 and has been manied o he former Valerie Miller ofhavannah, FL for 16 years. hey have 4 children: Vicoria (11), Rachel (10), Ashley (6), and Richar4 Jr. (3). He received a B-A. in R ligion from Souhern California School of Evangelism and has done graduae sudies in heolory. He has labored in congregaion in CA" L and has been a Webser S., Dayon, OH for 9 years. He has spoken in lecureships, gospel meeings and has defended re gospe in wo public debaes. He has auhored one rac and co-auhored anoher and been involved wih oversees mission work in Jamaica, Republic of Souh Africa Lnd Czech Republic. His secular ernploymen involves Direcor of Microcompuer and Nework Sysems; formerly Corporae Manager for Comreciviy and Nework Managemen a Anioch Publishing Co, Yellow Springe, OH. OJ

65 nroducion:.. B. c. HE PURPOSE OF E CROSS L Corinhians 1:17-21 Frank Higginbolam 1. Many imes he erm 're cross of Chris' is used o represen he whole Chrisian sysem. is used his way in our ex. We mus glory only in he cross. Galaians 6:12; Galaians 6:14. Some people because of heir conduc were called 'enemies of he cross of Chris'. Philippians 3: We need o undersand Jre purpose of he cross. Why did Chris die on he cross. Wha did ha deah accomplish? Mahew 27: E CROSS OF CHRS WAS NECESSARY FOR OJR REDEMPON. Man had offended God by his sin. Genesis 3:1-6. By his ransgression of Adam, sin enered ino he world. Romans 5:12. Sin separaed man from God. saiah 59:1-2. All accounable men are guily of sin before God. Romans 3:10; Rornans 3:23. Man could no provide a perfec sacrifice for his sins and hus he was los unless God inervened. John 3:16; Romaru 5:8. fu loved ue enough o send His own Son as a perfec sacrifice for sins. 1 Peer 2:22. Chris bore our iniquiies as He died on he cross for us. saiah prediced his. saiah 53:4-6. Chris became he sin sacrifice for us so ha we migh be reconciled o God. 2 Corinhians 5:21. D. We mus conac he blood which brings abou cleansing for pas sins. his is done when we are bapized ino he deah of Chris. Romans 6:1-18. Saul was old o arise and be bapized in order o wash away his sins. Acs 22:16. E OLD \W WAS REMOVED WEN CHRS DED ON E cross Ȧ he purpose of giving he Old esamen law was o keep sin in check unii Chris provided His New Law. Galaians 3: B. was God's inenion from he beginning o remove he Old Law afer i had served is purpose. Jererniah prediced ha God would remove he Law. Jeremiah 31:31. he Hebrew wrier uses ris propheql and applies i o he removal of he Old esamen law and he giving of he New esamen law of Chris. Hebrews 8:8-13. C. was on he eross ha Chris removed he Old Law. He nailed i o his cross. Colossians 2: Many oiher passages each he removal of he Law. Galaians 3:24; Galaians 5:1; GaL 5:4.. E NEW LAW WEN NO EFFEC W' {E DEAH OF CRS ON E CROSS. A he Old esamen and he New esamen are compared o wills ha are made. hose wills can be changed as long as le person lives- When he dies, here is no furher change of he will. he New esamen wen ino effec when he 'esaor' (Chris) died Hebrews 9: his is he reason ha he 'hief on he cross' is no an example of salvaion for us oday. his accoun occurred before Chris died. he law we live under wen ino force wih he deah of Chris on he cross. An example of eslvaion for us od,av would be he conversion of,lle Eunuch (Acs 8) or he Jailer (Acs 16). 64 1

66 B. he Nevr esamen is a beer covenan. Hebrews 8:6. he Old was perfec in ha i did wha God inended i o do. he New was inended o do more for us. C. God ook away he frrs covenan in order o esablish he second covenan. is by his second covenan ha we are able o obain salvaion. Hebrews 10:9,10. V. HE PJRPOSE OF E CROSS WAS O REMOVE E DFFERENCE BEWEEN JEW A{D GENLE. A. Under he Old law he Jew was given special reamen. he were God's chosen people. he Genile was on he ouside. he Law was direccd o he Jew. Deueronomy 5:3. B. Salvaion is now open o boh Jew and Genile. Mark 16:15,16. Peer declared salvaion o all on he day of Penecos. Acs 2:39. he promise was o he Jew presen, o heir children and o hose who were afar off. (he Genile). However, i ook a vision o laer convince Peer ha he was o go o Geniles (he house of Cornelius). Acs 10:9-18. When he came he declared ha God is no respecer of p rsons bu will accep any who fear Him and will work rigbeousness. Acs10: he gospel is for all. Romans 1:16. C. Peace is made by he cross of Chris. Ephesians 2: God brings boh Jew and Genile ogeher in one body. he body is he church. He did no build wo churches, one for he Jew and anoher for he Genile. He brings boh ogeher in one body and his was accornplished by he cross, V. E CHJRCH WAS P,JRCASED BY E BLOOD OF CHRS SHED ON E CROSS. A. he church was in he mind of God in eerniy. Ephesians 3: he prophels old of he coming of he kingdom. Micah 4:l-3; saiah 2:2,3; Daniel 2:44. Jesus old of is corning during his preaching. Mark 9:1., finally came ino exis nce on he day of Penecos. Acs 2. All of his planning was useless wihou he purchase price (he blood of Chris). Paul old he Ephesian elders o ake heed o lhe church which Chris purchased wih His blood. Acs 20:28. B. n view of all ha God has done o esablish he church and in view of he purchase price, we shou.ld love he Lord and His church wih all of our hears. Mahew 6:33. We mu6 pu he kingdom firs in our lives. CONCLUSON: When we undersand he purpose of he cross of Chris, we have a greaer appreciaion of he grea scheme of redempion. o he Jews his seemed o be a sumbling block, o he Genile i seemed o be foolishness, bu o hose ofus who are saved, i is he power of God o salvaion. 1 Corinhians l:23,24. Frank Higginboham - Frank was born in New Marinwillg WV on February 21, Son of Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Higginboham- Aended public schools and was gradua d from Magnolia High School in New Marinsville. Was graduaed from Florida Chrisian College in ampa, FL. Began firs locaed work wih he Columbia Sree Church of Chris in Fairmon, WV ('53156') and hen moved o Wellsbur& WV ('5G'58) and hen o Wes Sree in Weiron, WV C58-'64) and hen o Cheser, WV ('64- ). Currenly in 31h year of work wih his congreg:aion. Radio Preaching: WEZ in New Mariinsvillg WMMN in Fairmon, WER in Weiron, and WOH in Eas Liverpool, OH. eevision Program: WSV Seubenville. Conducs 8-10 meeings per ymr. Has been speaker on Ohio Valley College Lecures 5 imes and on he Ohio Valley Lecures 21 irnes and he Greaer Kanawha Valley Lecures 8 imes. Married o he former Rose Marie King (1954). wo children: Amy Jane, manied o Bren Gallagher (Preacher a Oakwood Road Church of Chris, Fairmon, W\D; and Seven Franklin (Preacher a Glasgow, KY.). 65

67 JESUS, HE CRS HE CHJRC AND E KNGDOM Seve Miller NRODUCON: l. he church/kingdom of Jesus Chris was deliberaely purposed in he mind of God before ime began. a Eph.3:3-11. b. l-pe. l:1&20. c. Acs 20: s i possible, ha God knew Jesus would die, bu ha he did no plan ha he church would be purchased as a resul? a- Many claim ha he church of Chris was an aferhough or an accidenl b. Premillennialiss each ha "he kingdom of NdaL 3:2 was prophesied, bu he Jews rejeced Chris and he kingdom, and in is place Chris esablished he church. he kingdom was posponed unil His second coming. his means ha he Old esamen did no prophesy he church of he New esamen. o pu i anoher way, he gospel age, which is he church age since he church was crealed by he gospel (Acs 20:28), was no prophesied." (James Bales, Prophesy And Premillennialism. p. 92) c. Noice some of he idenifying marks of he false docrine of Premillennialism regarding he church and he kingdom: 1. One who eaches he failure of he Old esamen prophecies conceming Chris coming o earh o esablish he Messianic kingdorr. 2. One who makes a disincior behpeen he kingdom he prophes saw and he church ha Chris esablished on Penecos. 3. One who draws lines beween he church of Chris and he kingdom of God by slaing he former is now here, bu he laer is ye fuure. d. Premillennialism plainly denies he biblical fac ha Jesus fulfilled God's will. e. Broher Bales has conecly reasoned, 'his auhor is convinced however, hu Jesus did wha He came o do. He came o fulfill he law and he prophes, and He did. (Ma$. 5: 17-18) f he kingdom was prophesied, bu no esablishe4 "nd if he church was no prophesied, bu was esablished, Chris did no do wha He.'. ). 6. came o dq i.e. o fulfill he law and he prophes." (bil, p. l'7) As God planned he deah of Cbris for he redempion of men, so he planned he church which is he number of he redeemed. he kingdom of Ckis is spiriual, no earhly. a- While many of his disciples hoped for an "earhly kingdom," Jesus had no inen[on of esablishine such a krnedom. l. John6:15 2. Acs l;6. b. he Jews of Jesus day mizundencnd he eaching of Chris regarding he "naure" of he kingdom. 1. he kingdom is spiriual -Lk. l7:2o Unied bo<!y of believers - 1 Cor. 12: he church is he people of God - Pe. 2:9. c. John 18:36. Wha is he chwch/kingdom of Chris? Wha does he Bible say? oo e 1

68 . CHURCH,{ND KNGDOM: DEFNON OF ERMS. A. he word church refers o he relaionship which he divine insiuion susains o he rvorld - 'called ou ones. " 1. M-C. Kurfees defined he word "church," - "Composed of 'ek,' meaning 'ou,' and 'kaleo,' 'o call,' i lierally mean a called-ou assembly." (F.D. Srygley, Biographies and Sermons, p.38b) 2. n he Bible, he following designaions are found: a. 'hurch" or "churches" - MaL 16:18;2Cor.8:l;Rev. l:4;2:1,8, 12. b. "church of God" or "churches of God" - Cor. 1:1: l: 16: 1 im. 3:15. c. "churches ol'chrisf' - Rom. 16:16. d "church of he lrrd" - Acs 20:28, ASV. e. "he church" - Acs 2:47. f. "church of he firsbom" - Heb. l2' Marshall Clemen Kurfees reminds us of he confusion ha exiss in he world regarding he word "church." a- 'here is probably no religious erm more commonly used, and concerning which a greaer amoun of confusion exiss among men, han he rm "church." On acrcoun of misleading impressions made by denominaionalism, bu few persons always use i in he righ sense, almos everybody using i someimes in he wrong sense. Why is his? he Bible freely uses he erm. occurs more han one hundred imes in he New esamen, and is used wih such cleamess and simpliciv ha here is no room for misundersranding ilmong hcnie $ho have proper respec for divine auhoriy." ( bil, p. 382) B. he word "kingdom" refers o he power, vrvereigny or rule ol-god in he lives of hose who are his pcople. l. '"he word 'kingdom' appears in abou six differen conexs in he New esamen. 2. he word 'kingdom' appears 157 imes in he New esamen, and he word 'kingdoms' is found hree imes. a. Firs le word 'kingdom' is used in reference o a secular, earhly, poliical rule. Ma. 4:8. b. Second, i is used in rcference o he kingdom of srael. God rvzs he king of srael, and srael was His kinsdom. Ma. 8:12. c. hird, i is used simplv in refereice o he power or rule of God. Ma. l2:28. d. Fourh, i is used in ref'erence o he church, he special rule of God on earh oday. Man. 6: 18; John 3:5. e. Fifh, i is used in re'erence o heaven as he eemal kingdom of God. Lk. 13:28. f. Sixh, i is used of Salan's reajm of dominon. lvlal- 12:26. (Eddie Cloer. Whal s "he Church"? pp ) 3. he New eslamen presenls he following designaions. a. "kingdom" - Acs l:6; Cor. 15:24; Heb. 12:28. h. "kingdom of God" - Mk. 9:1. c. "kingd<xn of heaven" - Ma. 16:19. d. "kingdom of he son of his love"- Col. 1:13-14,ASV. c. e. "kingdom of Chris and of God" - Eph.5:5. 'he rouble wih oo many is ha hey do no undersand he meaning of he erm "kingdom" ard he erm *church." Kingdom describes he govemmen; church, he people called ou. God called ou his people; his called ou group is he church. his is wha he word 'hurch" means; a called ou people o serve fu; called ou, of course, by he goapel. Now his "called ou group" was no lef wihou a govemmen, hence he govemmen ha rules hem is his "kingdom of Chris on ol

69 David's hrone." hey are he same people, a lre same ime and boh were included in he promises and prophecies of he Old esamen." (E"R Flarper. Living ssaes. p.e). HE CH]RCH AND {E KNGDOM ARE ONE A\D E SAME NS/ON. A. denifying marks for he church and he kingdom are given by God. l. Some in he church oday speak derogamily agains "idenifying marks of he rue church." 2. Examples: Royoe Money ('he Disinciveness Of he New esamen Church." Biblical nerpreaion, pp ) Jeff Walling('he Communiy Church...of Chris." 5ls Pepperdine l-ecures, 1994), Carroll Osburn ("he denifying Marks of he Church." fe Peaceable Kingdom, pp ). 3. he Bible gives specific descripions of he church/kingdom, so man will know he church of Cbris, definiely. 4. Benjamin Franklin; Gospel preacher, was correc when he gave he following proposiions, all of which can be easily recognized. a A body, or communiy, no buil on he foundaion which God laid, is no he cornmuniy which he Lnrd calls 'ny church." b. A communiy no founded and esablished in he righ place, is no he church of Chris. c. A communiy no founded a he righ ime is no he kingdom of Chris. d. No church can be he rue church no founded by he proper persons, Chris and he aposl s. e. A kingdom wi*r any oher law han he one given by he Head of he church, is no he kingdom of Chris. (Pioneer Sermons And Addresses. pp. 2&261) B. he Bible eaches he kingdom and church are qre and he same insiuion. KNGNOM Mar. 13:19 lsu2:,2 Mic.4:l-2 Dan 2'.4 John 18:36 im.6:15 sa 2:3 lvlan. 16:19 John 3:5 Col. l:13 Ma.26:29 sa- 2:2-3 Mal.?5:31-A Cor. 15:24 NFNFYNG-V'ABK-..-CH]RCH Se d Dae Place Boundary Owner Ruler Law Keys krdon Membership Worship Glory Reward Deliverance Acs l8:8. Acs 2lG2l. l*.'24,:,47. Mk. 16:15. Man Eph Acs2:3&4'7. Ma. 16:18. Acs 2:38. Col. l:2. 1Cor. ll:2gl. Eph.3:21. Cor. 15:58. hess.4lcl7. Mahew 16:lE-19. l. A sudy of Chris and His kingdom/church would no be complee wihou a brcugh examinaion of his ex. 2. Jesus eaches ha he church of Chris and he kinedom of God are he same insiuion. 3. his passage eaches he foundaion of he churchlkingdom - 'Upon his rock " 68 e 1

70 D a- leaches he cefainy of i - " will Build my church." b. eaches he inimacy of i - "l will build mv church." c. eaches he invincibiliy of i - "he gaesbf Hades shall no overpower i. " d. eaches he auhoriy of i - " will give you he keys of he kingdom of heaven." (John F. MacArhur Jr. Ashamed Of he GospeL pp. 173-l8l). HE CHURCH AND KNGDOM N PROPHECY. A. 2 Sam.7:12-l'7: Chron. l7:ll-15. B. Dan. 2: C. lsa.2:2-3. D. J<nl2: E Mic.4:1-2. F. 7.@h. 6:12-13'" l3:1. G. Ezek.34: H. Amos 9: V. HE CHURCH AND KNGDOM N PREPARAON. A. Reliable, inspired men spoke of i as ye o come. 1. John he Bapis - Ma 3: l Jesus Chris - Ma 4:17; 3. he welve - Nda. l0:7. 4. he Seveny - Lk. l0:9. 5. h could no have exised in ime of Moses - N,a 1l:11. B. Some in Jesus' ime were sill looking and waiing for he kingdom. 1. he hief on he cross - Lk?3:42 - belorc Chr-s died. 2. Joseph of Arimahea - - Mk. 15:43 - afer Jesus died 3. hedisciples. Acs 1:6. (afer resurreclon of Jesus and before his c. D. ascenslon) - he final sage of preparaion for he kingdom - Lk 24:.&3. Come wih power - Mk. 9:1. Y. {E CHURCH AND KNGDOM ESABLSED. A. When exacly, was he kingdom/church esablished? 1. Jesus spokeof ias fuure - Ma 16:19; Acs 2:47 as presen; 2. Esablished when Holy Spiri came down - Lk.24:49: Mk.91; Acs l:8; 2:l Esablished when he nlas days" began - lsa.2:2i Joel 2:2:28; Acs 2:1G Church esablished durine Roman rule - Dan. 2:M. 5. Was o come in aposles lifeime - Ma. 16:28. B. How was he church esablished? 1. By he preaching of he gospel - Acs 2: By sinners rendering obedience o gospel - Acs 2: By God adding he forgiven obedien ones o he church - Acs 2:47. CONCLUSON 1. he church of Chris and he Kinsdom of fu are one and he same insiuion. 2. he Old esamen prophes prove he coming and esablishmen of he church on he fin Penecos afer he resurrecion of Chris. 3. Every scripure speaking of he kingdom before Acs 2 speaks of i as being in he FUURE. Every scripure speaking of he kingdom AFER Acs 2 speaks of i as 69

71 beine in EXSENCE. 4. M dbership in he hngdom of Cbris/church of Chris is essenial o salvaion! BBLOCRAPHY James D. Bales. Prophecy And Premillennialism. (Searcy, AR: James D. Bales, l97!, pp. 17, 92. wo oher excellen books were consul d in his sudy ha were wrioen by broher Bales. he Kingdom: Prophesied And Esablished (Firm Foundaion Publishing House, 195? and he Hub Of he BiDla (Shrevepor, LA: hmb r Book House, llbo). Eddie Cloer. Wha s "he Church"? (Searcy, AR: Resource Publicaions, 1993), pp Benjamin Franklin, Pioneer Sermons And AMresses, F.L. Rowe (ed.), (Cincinnai: F.L. Rowe, 192r, pp.2ffi-261. E.R. Harper. Living ssues (Odessa, X: Riggs-Myers, n.d.), pp M.C. Kurfees. Biographies And Sermons' F.D. Srygley (ed.), (Nashville: Gospel Advocae Company, 1898), pp. 3V John F. MacArhur Jr. Ashamed Of hc Gospel (Whaon: Crossway Books, 1993), pp MacArhur is he "pasor acher" of he Grace Communiy Church in Sun Valley, CA. Obviously, he does no view he New esamen Church as he Bible presens il Regarding Mahew 161&19, one can ake his main poins and develop!o show he divine imporance of he church. Seve Miller - Seve is a naive of Ganesville, OH and is presenly preaching for he Church of Chris Caaeron,_!1 WV. Seve has published aricles in Biblic al Noes, Conendinj For he Faih, Defender, Firm Foundaion, Firs cenury chisian, herefore sand,, wes virgiiia chisian a11d. world. Evangelis- He and his wife, Deanna, have hree children Briany, chelsea, and saiah. 70 1

72 COUNNG HE COS (Luke 14:25-35) Denver E. Cooper r nroducion: 1. Couning he Cos of Wha? a. Anyhing worh while coss somehing. b. Mos oday are looking o 'free load,'. c. David waned o pay his own rr'ay. (2 Sa:n. 24:24) d. n mos maers we weigh he pros and cons. (John 6:60) 2. Jesus Wans Everyone o Follow Him. Ma. 11:28-30; MaL. L6:24. a. Ou ofa sincere hear. - b. Because of who he is. John 8:32 c. Because of wha he is. 2Peer 2:2O- d. Jesus makes plain he condiions of discipleship. e. Deails in modern business deals are ofen decepive and incomplee. 3. here s A Cos o All Paricipans in he Plan of Sa.lvaion.. COS GOD! ] L. Eernal purpose. Eph.2:11, Grief caused by creaions corrupion. Gen. 6: Longsuffering.2 Pe.3:9,15; Rom. Z:8,4. 4. He gave HS ONLY SON. John 3:16 a. God's grea Love is scorned by mos. r 1). r John 4;10. COS CHRS: 2). We mus reurn his grea Love! r 1. His equaliy wih God. Phil. 2: Sacrifice unequaled. a. Populariv b. Presige c. Physical hardships d. A shameful, horrible deah ofa feon. V. COSS EVERYONE O BE A DSCPLE l. o be a disciple one mus be pardoned from SN. 2. Pardon from sin demands cerain condiions be ne. 7

73 a. Believe. John 8:32 b. Repen. Luke 13:3,5. c. Confe6s. Rom. 10:10 d. Be bapized. Mark 16:16; Acs 2:38. e. No one can please God wihou faih. Heb. 11:6. 3. Give up relaives o follow Chris... a. Some have been forced o leave home. b. Some have died doing God's will. 1) Nojus forsake hem, bu oppose anyhing evil hey do. Deu. 13: ) Asa desroyed his moher's idol. 1 Kings- 15:13. 3) Deny self. (Lose sigh of one's self and his ineress.) M.16:24; Phil.3:?-l1 4) Be prepared o carry your cross! a) (Someone said, "ake up your cross daily seems quain o a generaion which is only mildly shocked by adverisemen of a gold puer.) b) More is involved han jus normal burdens, (llness, loss of income, personal possessions) i). hese are suffered by sinners, oo,.i) Volunary endurance for ohers. Gal. 6:12-4. Choose a Maser. M. 6:24 a. CHRS OR MAMMON 1.) Men worship mammon because hey fear hey canno live wihou her favors. 2) M. 6:33. a) Obligaion, Objec, Order, Promise. ( added - addiional - 'o boo".) 3) Our gods include human science, ahleic prowess. 4) Our goddesses include; Pleasure, Physical conformaion, Sex, ec. 5) here is a cos for qualiy characer. a) Proper reamen of ohers. M.7:12. b) Humiliy. Prov. 16:18; M. 18:4. c. Service. M. 2O:27 (greaness doesn' come by having maerial hings, he highes posiion, ec.) 6) Growing spiriually. a) 1 Pe. 2:2. 72

74 b) Freeing oneself of spiriual disease. (SN) c) Sudy. 2 im. 2:1.5; Ps. 1. d) Sacrifice personal wishes for ha which pleases God in worship. e) Danger of doing more or less han ha which is accepable o God. - V. S WOR? Acs 10: Aler we've "kicked he ires", examined he srucure or weighed fuure rewards, we mus decide. 2. Ve los my friends, my posiion, my job!" a. HEAVEN cosrs!!! a. Living Chris. Pe. 1:21. b. Abiding in Chris. John 1b:6. - c. Dying in Chris. Rev. 14:13. CONCLUSON:. one CANN0 HAVE EVERYHNG, a. One can have he WORLD - Lose HEAVEN OR b. One can have HEAVEN - Lose he WORLD! Denver E. Cooper - Denver was born in Cairo, WV, April 2, 1923, reared in Parkersburg and graduaed from Parkersburg High School in He was bapized in 1937 by bro. Charlie aylor who encouraged - him o aend Freed-Hardeman College which he enered in Augus 1941 and preached his firs fulllengh sermon in Sepember He married Florence E. Smih of Sisersville, WV in March 1945 and hey celebraed 50 years ogeher March o his union was born 8 children and hey adoped one daugher. Hjs locaed work include lronon, OH (1943); Harrisville, WV (1944); Cheser, WV ( ); Philippi, WV ( ); Wes Sree, Weiron, WV ( ); orono, OH ( ); 13

75 RES]RRECON PROOFS H. A- Buser" Dobbs. nhoducion. A. he resurrecion of Jesus is decisive. l. Jesus eiher rose from he dead or he did no. a. f he rose from he dead. he is all he claimed o be. (1) "Jesus Chris our Lord, which was made ofhe seed of David according o he flesh; And declared o be he Son of God wih power, according o he spiri ofholiness, by he resunecion from he dead" (Romans 1:3-4). (2) he resurrecion proves or disproves his claims. b. fhe did no "presen himself o be alive by many infallible proofs" afer he was dead, hen he is an imposer. 2. he Chrisian sysem ums on he quesion of he resurrecion. B. he resurrecion ofjesus can be esed. 1. f i passes he es, i is rue. 2. f i does no pass he es, i is false.. Claims For and Agains he Resurrecion of Jesus From he dead. A. ems of agreemen. 1. Jesus lived. a. A few misguided souls claim ha no such person as Jesus ever lived, bu he vas majoriy ofcredible winesses say he did live. (1) he gospel wriers, Mahew, Mark, Luke and John, are he mos credible winesses of Jesus' life. (2) Philo and Josephus are he second mos credible winesses ofjesus life. (3) All hisory records he fac ha Jesus lived a abou he ime ascribed o him in he Bible. No firs cenury hisorian denies ha he lived. b. he evidence ha Jesus lived is overwhelmine and undeniable.

76 2. Jesus was crucified.? a. he fac ofhe deah ofjesus is well aesed by boh secular and sacred wriers. b. he claim of his crucifixion was made by Mahew, Mark, Luke and John wihin 40 years of he even and during he lifeime of many who would have had firshand (eyewiness) knowledge of his execuion by Roman auhoriies, bu a Jewish insisence. c. No person of he ime dispued he repored crucifixion. 3. he body ofjesus was buried. a. nformaion abou he burial was given by friends of Jesus as hey wroe his biography. b. he burial is confirmed by wriers in he second cenury. Many of hese wriers were personally acquained wih he aposles and would have had he repor ofeyewinesses o he burial. c. Again, his was no dispued. 4. On he moming of he hird day he body was missing. a. he friends of Jesus said ha he rose from he dead. b. he enemies ofjesus said he bodv was solen. ( l) he winesses ofhe hef ofhe body were he Roman soldiers on guard a he omb where he body was placed afer he crucifixion. (2) he soldiers claim o have been asleep when he body ofsolen. (3) frue, how could hey have known wha happened o he body? (4) Such esimony would be laughed ou ofany cour, including he cour of public opinion. B. PosiionofhefiiendsofJesus. l. Moreover, brehren, declare uno you he gospel which preached uno you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye sand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory wha preached uno you, unless ye have believed in vain. For delivered uno you firs ofall ha which also received, how ha Chris died for our sins according o he scripures; And ha he was buried, and ha he rose again he hird day according o he scripures: And ha he was seen of Cephas, hen ofhe welve: Afer ha, he was seen of above five hundred brehren a once; of whom he greaer par remain uno his presen, bu some are fallen asleep. Afer ha, he was seen of James; hen ofall he aposles. And las ofall he was seen of me also. as ofone bom ou of due ime" (l Corinhians l5: -8). 75

77 2. he winesses could no have been misaken a. hey knew him well before his deah. (l) hey ae and drank wih him, walked and alked wih him prior o his deah. (2) he disciples were slow o believe in he resunecion. b. hey were inimaely associaed wih him afer his resurrecion. (l) hey ae and drank wih him, walked and alked wih him, and exarrined his crucifixion wounds afer he alleged resurrecion. (2) heir slowness o believe he was risen denies a conspiracy o deceive. c. f he winesses lied, hey knew hey lied. hey could no have been misaken as o he resurrecion. 3. he winesses did no bear false winess o he world abou he resurrecion of Jesus. a. Hundreds ofpeople were involved as winesses (above 500 a once on one occasion). No one winess recaned. b. heir esimony was no impeached by heir conemporaries. (l) hey did no wai many years before claiming a resunecion. (2) hey began immediaely o say ha Jesus was risen from he dead. (3) he claim of he resurrecion was firs made in Jerusalem, he place of he crucifixion and i was made o he very people who could have repudiaed he claim if i had been false. Every earhly ineres hey had was jeopardized by heir claim ofa resurrecion. hey were persecued for heir claim, bu sealed heir esimony of he resurrecion wih heir blood. (1) "Are hey Hebrews? so arz. Are hey sraelies? so am. Are hey le seed of Abraham? so aml. Are hey minisers of Chris? ( speak as a fool) am more; in labors nore abundan, in sripes above measure, in prisons more frequen! in deahs of. Of he Jews five imes received fory rfripes save one. hrice was beaen wih rods, once was soned, brice suffered shipwreck, a nigh and a day have been in he deep;.n joumeyings ofeq rz perils ofwaers, rz perils ofrobbers, in perils by mine own courymeq in perils by he heahen, rz perils in he ciy, in perils in he wildemess, rz perils in he se4 in perils among false brehren; n weariness and painfulness, in wachings ofe4 in hunger and 76 J a

78 hirs, in fasings ofen, in cold and nakedness" (2 Corinhians 1:23-31). (2) Similar sufferings o hose ofpaul were endured by all he aposles. e. Counless housands boldly and confidenly endured indescribable agony, orure, and deah because ofheir beliefha Jesus rose from he dead. 4. Would a sane person endure such hings for somehing he knew o be wrong? a. Millions have died for a false cause, bu few have died for a cause hey knew o be false. b. When so large a number suffer so compleely and so grandly, i mus be conceded hey were possessed ofa powerful convicion. hey believed fully in he ruh ofhe resurrecion ofjesus, oherwise so many would no have paid so grea a price for heir esimony. c. fhey lied, hey knew hey lied; bu hey could no have lied in view ofhe price hey paid for heir claim ha Jesus rose from he dead. d. We are compelled o he conclusion ha Jesus, afer he was dead, "showed himself o be alive" again "by many infallible proofs." C. he resurrecion of Jesus from he dead is he bes and mos fully esablished fac in all of hisory. 1. "Paul, a servan ofjesus Chris, called o be an aposle, separaed uno he gospel ofgod, which he promised afore hrough his prophes in he holy scripures, conceming his Son, who was born ofhe seed of David according o he flesh, who was declared o be he Son of God wih power, according o he spiri of holiness, by he resurrecion from le dead; even Jesus Chris ow Lord" (Romans l:1-4). 2. "Bu we would no have you ignoran, brehren, concerning hem ha fall asleep; ha ye sonow no, even as he res, who have no hope. For if we believe ha Jesus died and rose again, even so hem also ha are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring wih him. For his we say uno you by he word of he Lord, ha we ha are alive, ha are lef uno he coming of he Lord, shall in no wise precede hem ha are fallen asleep. For he Lord himself shall descend from heaven, wih a shou, wih he voice of he archangel, and wih he rump ofgod: and he dead in Chris shall rise firs; len we ha are alive, ha are lef, shall ogeher wih hem be caugh up in he clouds, o mee he Lord in he air: and so shall we ever be wih he Lord. Wherefore comfor one anoher wih hese words" (1 hessalonians 3:13-18). Noe: See biography a end of firs lecure, 'Jesus Speaks oday"'

79 WA JESUS SAD ABOU HELL Donald R. Cooper nroducion: A No a pleasan subjec o hink abou. 1. Perhaps ha is he reason why here is less preaching on he subjec now han rn he pas. 2. Unpleasan as i may be, souls mus be warned abou he realiy of hell and he duraion of punishmen. B. Many do no believe in Hell. 1. Universaliss do no. Comforing as i migh seem, we should no rely on heir false eachings on he subjec- 2. Modernies, Uniarians and many oher denominaionaliss do no- 3. Many professed Chrisians, by heir acions, ofen leave he impression ha hey are no sure abou he subjec. 4. However, jus because we rejec he plain eaching of he scripures, or choose o ignore he clear warnings, does no change he ruh bou he maer. 5. No only doee Chris each us he way o heaven (John 6:68), bu He also warrx us of hell (Mahew 10:28).. s here A Place of Punishmen Afer Deah? Jesus Says Yes! A Le us learn from he rich man (Luke 16:19-31)- 1. He had been abundanly blessed in his life. 2. His wealh did no spare him from deah. 3. Awakened in Hades and lifing his eyes found himself in ormens (vs. 23). B. Le us also learn from he negligen ones descrih by Jesus in Mahew allowed.. Jesus Describes lell 1. hey had he same opporuniy as he Slessed'ofverse 34, bu refused o serve. 2. hus, Jrey were sen away, cursed, ino werlasing fire (Hel) o spend eerniy wih he devil and his angels (vs 41). 3. here hey would sulfer everlasing punishmen, no excuses acceped, no reprieve A. A place of consciousness (Luke 16:23). 1. he rich man was aware of his sunounding (bid-). 2. He su{fered from }re hea (vs. 24) 7A

80 3. He was able o remember his former life (vs 25) and was painfully aware of his brehren and desired o send hem warning (vs 28). B. A place of pain (Mahew 25:30). 1. When people suffer grea and severe pain hey weep and gri heir eeh. C. A place of fire (Mahew 25:41). 1. 'Furnace of fire" (mahew 13:42). 2. ',ake of fire" (Revelaion 20:10). 3. Unquenchable (Mark 9:44,45). D. A place of darkness (Mahew 25:30). 1. Peer also describes i in his manner (2 Peber 2:4). 2. Jude also (Jude 13). 3. Hell is a place of "black" darkness. 4. is a place of "ouer" darkness. his would suggm ha hell is a place far removed from he source of ligh, which is God (James 1:5; l John 1:5). E. A place of no res (Revelaion 14:11). 1. Even in his life, when roubles and rials come, we are graned periods of res and reiaxaion. No so in hell. F. A place of no hope (Luke 16:26). 1. No 'lieh a he end of he unnel".. How Long Will Hell Las? A. orever and e.ver" (Revelaion 14:10,11). B. Everlasingly (Mahew 25:46). * Xi'*"*-:. 1. sn' i srange ha we speak so fondly of "everlasing" life, bu are so inclined o rejec he idea of'everlasing" punishmen? 1. hose who obey no he gospel of our Lord Jesus Chris (2 hessalonians 1:7-9). 2. hose who become unfaihful o he Lord (2 Peer 2:L4-22,:. 3. Hell will be made up of he mos repulsive people imaginable (Revelaion 21:8; Ephesians 5:1-?). 4. Also, hose who profess o love God b u do no heir brehren (1 John 3:14,15). 5. he Devil and his angels (Mahew 25:14). V. Jesus Provides A Way of Escape A " am he way, he ruh, and be life..." (John 14:6). 1. He warns ha we should have due resdec for Saan (Mahew 10:28). 79

81 2. o be acceped by Chris a he judgmen, one mus do he will of His Faher in heaven (Mahew 7:21). 3. o do oherwise is o be rejeced, urned away by Chris (vss.22,23). Conclusion A. We have been sullicienly warned abou Hell by Chris, His aposles and oher holy wriers. 1. -f he righeous scarcely be saved..." (1 Peer 4:18). 2. "A fearful hing..." (Hebrews 10:31). 3.'Knowing he errox of he Lord..." (2 Corinhians 5:11). B. f we are los eernally, whom shall we blame? Donald R. Cooper - Don was born and reared in Parkersburg, WV, he second son ofjesse R. and Sarah Cooper and aended Freed-Hardeman Universiy. He has been preaching he gospel for fory hree years. Don and his wife, Jan, were married March 7, 1954 and have four children and five grandchildlen. hey began full ime evangelism in Washingon, PA. March 14, 1954 and have served churches full ime in MD, OH and WV including he Hillview errace chulch in Moundsville, home of We6 Virginia School of PreachinC,, Q ). hey are presenly in reir elevenh year wih he church a Wadsworh, OH. Don has preached in gospel meeings, lecureships, radio and elevision and wrien for periodicals, ec. He served as an insrucor a Cenral Ohio School for Preachers and eacher in Columbus, OH. He was one of he founders of Norhwesern Ohio Chrisian Youh Camp and direced camp one week each year for several years. He also served in an advisory capaciy o Mid- Wesern Children s Home during is early exisence and has been acively involved in many broherhood endeavors. 80

82 QUESONS JESUS ASED Brad Poe While explaining his minisry o he Colossians, Paul reminded hem ha God 'hilled o make known" o hern he mysery (Col. 1:2?, NASB). God did no reveal he mysery because He was required o do so by he consrains ofjusice or because he Colossians had earned he righ o see i. He revealed i ou of His merciful will. God only communicaes wih us because He wans o no because we deserve o hear Him. Nohing can be said abou "Quesions Jesus Asked" ha brings more o bear upon us han he obvious: Jesus asked quesions. God communicaed wih man. he Rheorical Quesion Ordinarily, Jesus asked a quesion for is effec and no in expecaion of an anrswer. Seven ou of every ien quesions asked by Jesus were rheorical. When Jesus asked a quesion, He was no rying o obain informaion bu make a poin. Consider he implicaions of hese quesions: f he sai have los his savour, wherewih shall i be saled/" (Ma. 5:13) 'Can he children of he bridechamber mourn, as long as he bridegroom is wih hem?' (Ma.9:15) "f Saan cas ou Saan, he is divided agains himself; how shall his kingdom sand?" (ra. 12:26) Usua.lly, Jesus asked quesions--no o learn--bu o each A Quesion Fily Asked 'A word fily spoken is like apples of gold in picures of silver", he proverb says (25:11). here is more o alking han knowing wha o say. One mus know when o say i. Consider how hese hree quesions "fi" he circumsances/ "Bu Whom Sav Ye ha Am?" Caesarea Phillipi is abou as far norh as Jesus ever ravelled. he Pharisees and heir scribes were rying o bully Him. He had jus reached he high waer mark in His populariy during he Galilean minisry. And many disciples were desering Him. 8i

83 Up o his poin, Jesus worked o provoke he quesion of His ideniy wih rniracles. Afer Caesarea, he subsance of His minisry shifed from miracles o eaching. Jesus menioned His evenual suffering before Caesarea (cf. Ma. 9:15; J"0:38; e.al.) bu His references o he passion were obscure and indirec. A Caesarea, Jesus 'bas saing he maer plainly" (Mark. 8:32, NASB). Aad afer Caesarea, Jesus spen less ime wih he crowds in public and more ime wih His disciples in privae. Clearly, he Spiri presens Caesarea as a urning poin in Jesus' minisry. During he rerea a Caesarea, Jesus asked His disciples, 'Whom do men say ha he Son of Man am?". His inen was no o consul wih His "pollsers" regarding public opinion. Bu o se up he nex quesion aimed a solidifying His ideniy in he minds of he welve: 'su whom say ye ha am?" (Ma. 16:15). Usually, Peer's impulsiveness go him in rouble. his ime i go him a blessing. He replied, "hou ar he Chris, he Son of he living God." (Ma.16:16). "Will Ye Also Go Awav?" Firs he crowd waned Him o heal heir sick. hen, hey waned o crown Him king. Now, hey wan breakfas (John 6:1,2; l5l 22-25\. Jesus fed he 5,000 miraculously for he purpose of producing a hunger in hem for Him. Bu i only produced a hunger for more barley bread. Jesus warns hem abou heir puny spiriual appeie: -abor no for he mea which perisheh; bu for ha mea which endureh uno everlasing life.' (John 6:27). Jesus could have fed hem breakfas or le hem crown Him king. Bu Jesus did no ailor His mission o he'yel-need" expecaions of he crowds. God had already dicaed His agenda. Afer he 'sread Of Life" discourse, many disciples lef (John 6:66). Bu Jesus did no apologize for, or adus His eaching. Raher, He urned o he 12 and asked, Will ye also go away?". o which Peer answered,,ord, o whom shall we go? hou has he words of eernal life.' (John 6:68). "Where Are hose 'hing Accusers?" People were always bringing ohers o Jesus. Bu his woman was differen. She was no brough o be helped bu o be hur. "Caugh in he very ac of adulery", he scribes and Pharisees charged. 'Wha shall we do wih her, Jesus?". f Jesus said o sone her, He would offend Rome. f He said no o sone her He would olfend Moses. So Jesus replied, from a sooped posiion, 'e ha is wirou sin among you, le him frrs cas a sone a her." (John 8:7). 82

84 he men lef one by one bu he woman sayed. was no her choice o go here. was her choice o say. She was dragged here by he ough hands of a mob bu she was kep here by he ender hand of God. Sraighening up, Jesus asked, 'Woman, where are hose hine accusers; hah no man condemned hee? She said, No man, Lord- And Jesus said uno her, Neiher do condemn hee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:10,11). "he Quesion Jesus Asked he Mos" Enrapmen was he aim of he crowd of Sadducees who presened Jesus wih heir concoced quesion: "herefore in he resurrecion whose wife will she be of he seven?" (Mark 12:23). wo rheorical quesions cany he weigh of Jesus' response: "Do ye no herefore err, because ye know no he Scripures, neiher he power of God?" and 'lave ye no read in he book of Moses...?" (Mak 12:24,26\. On seven oher differen occasions, Jesus asked similar quesions o expose he Jewish religious rulers' ignorance of he Scripures (Ma. 12:3,4; 7l:5,19;21:42; Mark 11:17; John 3:10; 10:34-36). Sone misakenly conclude ha Jesus ook he religious rulers o ask for being oo exacing in heir approach o Scripure. Bu Jesus never chasised hem for docrinal precision. He chasised heir lack of docrinal precision. hey were 'legaliss', no because hey loved and defended he ruh (hey didn') bu because hey sough o supplan he ruh wih heir own radiions (Ma. 15:6). Relying upon he wrien Word, Jesus marked ou precise poins ofdocrine regarding he naure of God and he resurrecion on his occasion. He used he 'book of Moses" o disinguish beween he correc eaching on he subjec revealed by he Scripures and he incorrec eaching held by he Sadducees. Wih his quesion, 'lave ye no read?" (which He repeaed ofen), Jesus championed he careful reading and correc handline of he wrien Word. Conclusion Like he life He lived, he quesions Jesus asked help us o come o grips wih he frivoliy and peiness ha oo of,en characerizes our own lifesyle and conversaion- Brad Poe - Brad is a naive of Jackson, Ohio. n 1989, he graduaed from Ohio Valley College wih a B.A. in Bible. Currenly, he is he miniser for Norhridge Church of Chris in Dayon, Ohio. His wife's name is Rebecca and he has wo daughers, Sydney and Lauren. 83

85 NRODUCON: E GH PRMSHOOD OF JESUS W. err5r Vamer L Persecuion caused some Jewish Chrisians o aposaize. 2. Persecuion prduced anguish. a. "Why should we no reurn o Judaism?' b. Paul's reply: "We have Chris, he Grea High Pries, ". CHRS. HE GREA HGH PRES A. Chris is "a grea high pries" (Heb. 414) who funcions nover he house of God' (Heb. i0:21; im. 3:15). l. "Grea" (megan) emphasizes superioriy, greaness. 2. Jesus "made purificaion olsins' (Heb. l:3). B. His greaness se forh:. Jesw' Relaion o Man (Heb.2:17-18). a. He was a "paraker of flesh and blood. (Heb. 2:14). b. He was "made like uno His brehren' (Heb. 2:17). c. He was emped by sin "in all hings" and yielded o none (Heb. 4:15-16). d. He is "a merciful and faihful high pries" (Heb. 2:17). e. He discharges His role: (1) Faihfuly ro cod (Heb. 3:2, 6). (2) Faihfuly for maa (Heb. 2:7; ol.23;l Jon 2:2). f. He is 'able" (Heb. 2: 18) o help us in lil-e. 2. Jesus' Relaion o Moses (Heb. 3:1-6). a. Jesus is suoerior o Moses as: (1) "he Aposle and High Pries of our confession" (Heb. 3: 1). (2) "A Son over His house, whose house we are" (Heb. 3:6). (3) Jesus was more glorious han Moses (Heb. 3:2). 84 a 1

86 3. Jesns' hrone of Grace (Heb.4:14-16). a. Our "grea high pries' (Heb. 4:14) has His "hrone of grace" (Hcb. 4:16). b. "hrone of grace" implics: ( l) "Kingship and High Pries" (cf. Zech. 6:12-13). (2) "Draw near wih... gracc o help us" (Heb.4:16).. CHRS, HE QU,A,LFED HGH PRES A. Man Minisering On Behalf Of Man (Hcb. 5:1-3). 1. n Judaism he high pries represened men "in hings peraining o God" (Heb. 5:1). 2. Jesus, as high pries, is superior o Aaron. a. Jesus is Dciy and became flesh (John 1:1-3, l4). b. Moses was a servan, prophe and lawgiver in fleshly, naional srael. Chris is he Son, Servan, Prophe and l.awgiver in spiriual srael (Heb. 3:4-6)- b. Jesus was he Lamb of God (John l:29,36). 3. he high pries enlered he Holy of Holics wice "once a year" (Heb. 9:7;5:3; L-ev. l6:l l ). 4. Chris "enercd in once for all" (Heb. 9: 12) and 'sa down on he righ hand of God (Heb. 10: 12); hereby, "perfeced for ever hem ha are sancilicd" (Heb.! l0: l4). He could do so becausc: a. He is changeless (Heb.7:'24-25). b. He is consecraed (Heb.7:26). c. He is compassionae (Heb. 4:.14-16).? B. Divine Appoinmen (Heb. 5:4-lO). l his is he quesion of "he auhoriy of God"--"No man akeh he honor uno himself" (Heb. 5:4). 2. Aaron was "appoined" high pries by God (Ex. 28;*v.8; Num. 16:40; 18: l- 7). 3. Jesus is High Pries by "divine appoinmcn" (Heb. 5:5-6). a. He is Merciful and Sympaheic (Heb. 5:7). 85

87 b. He was obedien in spiri (Heb. 5:8-9). c. He was named High Pries afer Melchizedek (Heb. 5: l0).. CHRS, HGH PRES OVER HE HOUSE OF GOD A. Jesus is he "grea high pries over he house of God" (Heb. 10:21). he "house of church of he living Gol" (l im. 3:15). B. Consider His role: l. Wha He Has Done. a. He is he lanb of God (John l:29, 36; Heb. 9:12, l4). b. He is our Raruom (l Cor. 6:.19-2O:. Peer 1:17-19). c. He is our Prop iiion (Heb. 2: 17; John 2:2; 4:9-O). d. He is our Reco nciler (Eph.2:13,16: Cor. 5: 18-19). 2. Wha He s Doing. a. He is our Mediaor (l im. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 12:24). b. He is our nlercessor (Heb. 7:25:'8:33-34:'9:Vl). c. He is our Saviour (Heb. 5:8-9;9:22; Acs 2:38). 3. he Grea High Pries Over he House Of God. a. he church is His body (Col. 1:18; Acc 20:28). b. he church is he eernal purpose of God (Eph. 3:11). c. he churchprovides saley for rdeemed man (Heb.2:14; Gen. 3: 15; 49:10). d. he church is he dwelling place of God (Eph. 2:22). e. he church is he kingdom (Col. 1:13). f. he church is ruled over by King "esrer (l im. 6:15) and semed by His high prieshood (Z.e,h. 6:12-13: Heb. 8:4). g. he church is lhe "royal prieshood" (l Peer 2:9). 86 a 1

88 D CONCLUSON ear a page in Hebrews, and i drips wih he blood of Jesus he High Pries Jesus idenifies Himself wih man, redeemed man as a man and represens man o God as our High Riesr Wha a High Pries for believers! l.e us never rejec Him, nor urn from Him! L-e us hank God for Him!? W. erry Varner - erry received his educaion a Abilene Chrisian Universiy; Waynesburg CoLlege: Wes Libery Sae eachers co1ffi w""i vi"ernia S?e College; Naional Chrisi'ian Universiy; and Alabarna Graduae s"rroor or neligi"on He beg; preaching in 1961 a Shadyside, oh and has preached for churches in Dunbar, wv and'nor C"r,i" aa Dayon, OH, prior o moving o-marieia in 1978' He is curren y in is seveneenh year a Harmar Hi congregaion inl'er-ieia' OH-'. He has spoken on "*".o,i" r**"uhips hroughou he broherhood and paricipaes in eacher raining schools o.r.."gul" L."i* g" r"" auhored four books and wries regularly for Firm Found.aion and. herefore Sand, of which he is owner and edior. He speaks on a daily radio program in Mariea, which is he oldes coninuous radio prograrn of brehren in Ohio' erry is mar ed o " o.-." Lru, c"""ison and hey have four children and five grandchildren 87

89 "E SECOND COMNG OF CHRS' Seve Sevens When one sudies abou he coming of Jesus i sparks conroversy and curiosiy. When men debaed he firs coming of Jesus as he Messiah mos missed he mark by a mile because hey looked for an earhly, miliary kingdom ha would dispel Roman rule and resore srael o world prominence- A grea deal of he religious world repeas hisory by looking for His second coming o be for he purpose ofrefurbishing his old maerial world and ruling over i for a housand years from he ciy of Jerusalem. My, ha has a faniliar ring o i. On he one exreme here are hose who argue ha he second coming ofjesus is already hisory having occuned in 70 AD. On he oher end are hose "doom and gloom" preachers who see in every even of he daily 6:00 o'clock news he sure signs Jesus will ouch down a any momen. Add o all his he 'end of he millennium' menaliy ha heighens concerns over he reun of Chris a he end of every 1000 years (only 4 years and 2 monhs o go from his dae) and you have he ingrediens for uer confusion, desperaion, and resignaion in rying o undersand he second coming of Chris. Le us sudy some age old quesions abou he reurn of our Lord.. 'lvhere is he promise of his coming?' (2 Peer 3:4). "So Chris was once offered o bear he sine of many; and uno hem ha look for him shall he appear he second ime (emphasis mine, SS) wihou sin uno salvaion." (Hebrews 9:28). 1. "And if go and prepare a place for you, will come agai4. (emphasis mine, SS) and receive you uno myself, ha where am, here ye may be also.(john 14:3) 2. Jesus approaches he subjec of his second coming in he four naraivee of he Gospel on several occasions. Mos of hose are given wihin a few days of his deah. 3. Jesus promised o reurn and given he fac His word is always rue, He willl 88

90 B. Jesus'reurn is necessary o deal wih oher associacd evens. 1. Resrrr.recion of he dead and ransformaion of he living. (John 5:28,29; 2 imohy 4:1). 2. Recompenee of every person for heir works wheher evil or good. (John 5:22', Acs 17:31; 2 Corinhians 5:10). 3. Ruin of his old physical world. (2 Peer 3:3-12) 4. f Jesus is no coming again hen: a. Every grave is forever sealed. b. Man is consigned o a mora-[, emporal exisence. his life is as good as i ges. c. Spiriual and eernal maers are irrelevan and uer foolishness- C. However, His coming is assured by he inspired wriings of he New esamen. 1. Mahew accens wacmulness and readiness a he Znd coming of Jesus. (Mahew 24:42-25:46). 2. Mark sresses he unknowableness of he ime and he suddenness of his reurn. (Mark 13:32-37) Luke in his gospel accoun emphasizes sewardship in he ligh of Jesus' comins amin. (Luke l9: John affirms living in righeousness and puriy because Jesus will reurn. (1 John 2:8-3:B). 5. Peer accenuaes endurance and seadfasness hrough rials and sufferings in preparaion for he second coming. (l Peer 1:7,13;4:13; 2 Peier 3:3-12). 6. Paul, in he leers o hessalonica, aaches he aspec of comfor o our Lord reurning for us. (1 hessalonians 4:18:5:11; 2 hessalonians 2:17) 7. James sresses he impor[ance of paience in waiing for Jesus,o come agai n. (James 5: 7,8). 8. Jude presses he poin of accounabiliv o he Lord upon his reurn. (Jude 1: 14'15). 89

91 D. he second coming of Chris is cerain! 1. is as cerain as His ascension ino heaven. (Acs 1:11: John l4:3). a. 'his same Jesus... in like manner." b. Same characer, qualiy, and sandard. 2. is as cerain as he judgmen. a. Final judgmen and he second coming are linked ogeher. (Marew 25: 3L - 46;. 2 hessalonians 1:6-10). b. Final judgmen is as sure as deah. (Hebrews 9:27). c. herefore, he second coming is as cerain as deah. 'Wha manner of persons ough ye o be...?" (2 Peer 3: 11,1.2). A We canno live any kind of life we please if we ruly believe Jesus is coming again. B. he uesday of he las week before His crucifixion was a long and demanding day. Quesions and answers, quesions and no answers, and parables. 1. 'sy wha auhoriy?"; Parable of he wo Sons; Parable of he Wicked Husbandmen; Parable of he Wedding Garmen; "s i lawful o give ribue unio Caesar, or no?"; 'n he resurecion, whose wife shall she be?"; \4rhich is he grea commandmen in he law?"; "f David hen call him Lord, how is he his son?" 5[oe uno you scribes, Pharisees, and hypocries.-."; "here shall no, be lef here one sone upon anoher, ha shall no be hrown down." 2. On he M. of Olives lae ha uesday our Lord answered he disciples' quesions abou he desrucion of Jerusalem, and he sign of his coming and of he end of he world. (Mahew 24:3). a. No man knoweh he day or hour when he Son of Man is coming. (v.36). b. Our Lord hen speaks hree familiar parables. Each one is aimed a eaching us abou he kind of people we should be in view of he Lord's reurn. { 90

92 CONCLUSON: Percepion (Wachful) (Mahew 24: 45-5L) Parable of he Faihful and Wise Servan. Preparaion (Readiness) (Mahew 25: - l3) Parable of he en Virgins. 3. Producion (Serving and Working) (Mahew 25:. L4-30) Parable of he aiens 1. Hisory will no simply run is course, bu under he guidance of God his universe will conp o an end ha fulfills His purpose. 2. Jusice will be dispensed. Evil will be punished and faihfulness will be blessed. 3. Every soul should make i imperaive o obey he will of God. 4. Every Chrisian should wach for and work in anicipaion of he cerain reurn of helord Jesus Chris. 'Even so. Come Lord Jesus.' (Revelaion 22:20). Amen. Seve Sevens - Seve was born on November 26, 1954, in Barrackville, WV. He preached his frrs Gospel Sermon a he age ofnine in Daybrook, WV. He began eaching a mid-week Bible Class regularly a he age of eleven a he Dewey Avenue Church of Chris in S. Marys, WV He was bapized by his faher, Earl Sevens, on Janu ary 22, L967, a he age of welve. A age fifeen he was preaching on a regllar basis wih he congregaions a Sancho, Long Valley, New Freepor, and Pine Grove (Hebron, WV). He was able o keep hese appoinmens because his moher drove him unil he was old enough o drive himself. He has worked wih he Lord's church in Wes Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kenucky. He is presenly locaed wih he Church of Chris in Hundred, WV and is in his fifeenh year here. He is married o he former Karen Barnhar of New Freepor, PA and fu has blessed hern wi four children - Rebecca, Melissa, Jonahan, and Sephanie 9

93 PARABLE OF HE SOWER NRODUCON:. o<: Ma. 13:1-23. Regarding he e:d: John Darrell J.D.) Conley his parable of our Lord serves a wo-fold purpose. A. provides encouragemen o he sower (eacher). Some seed will ake roo and flourish. sa. 55:11 B. eaches he responsibiliy of hearing properly, (lisening and acing upon ha which was heard) he sower is responsible o sow, bu he hearer is reeponsible o hear.. Since all children of God are o be sowers of he seed, le us examine our divine obligaion. DSCUSSON: he Sower Mus.... Go Ou and Sow Vs.3 A Unlike earhly crops i is always ime o sow for ha which is spiriual. No excuge or reason no o. B. Disciples were o go under limied commission, (Ma. 10:6) C. We are o go under he Grea Commission. (Ma. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16) D. No maer wha he reurn is, grea or small, we are o 'Always be abounding in he work of he Lord". (1 Cor. 15:58). Sow he Seed A he Seed is he Word of fu" (Lk. 8:11) B. No enough jus o have he seed; i rnus be sown. 1. o have a harves he seed mus be sown. 2. Where no seed has been sown here can be no harves. (l Pepll :22,23; Col. 1:5-6) 3. Many who won' sow he s ed wonder why he church doesn' grow. 4. akes work for lere o be a harvesl C- he Harves also depends upon he kind of seed sown- 1. Seed reproduces afer is kind (Gen. 1:11; Gal. 6:7,8) 2. n order o produee Chrieians he pure seed mus be sown. We mus ao conaminae he seed wih he dochines and whirns of nen" { 92 "

94 3. Amoun of harves is proporionae o amoun of seed sown. (2 Cor. 9:6) Le us abound in our sowins.. Prepare he Soil A o be successful in sowing, he soil (hears and minds of men and women) mus be recepive of he seed. 1. Hard soils need sunshine and rain, love and goodness. 2. Weeds, sumps and underbrush (denominaionalism, and selfish opinions mus be rooed up. (Ma. 1b:13) B. he soil is he hear of man. Vs he hear is man's inellec, and emoions. (Rom. 10:9,10; 6:16,12; MaL.22:37) 2. he hear is o be kep and guarded diligenly. (Prov. 4:23) 3. We are wha our hear hinks (Prov. 2B:Z) 4. Since his is he case we are responsible. (James 4:8; Acs 8:21,22) fv. Be Prepared for Differen ;ryes of Soil. Noice here are four kinds, hree of hem will no produce. he Sower mus be aware of his as he goes ou and sows. A knowledge ofhis ruh will help he sower no o be aken by surprise and hus quickly discouraged. f we plan and wa r, God Will give he increase. (1 Cor. 3:6) A. Wayside B. Sony 1. his represens hose wih a hard hear. his soil is predominan in he world oday. he seed is sown bu i lies exposed; unable o penerae and ake roo. 2. he word never ges under he surface of heir houghs. 3, he seed is here. i has been sown. bu Saan removes i before i can germinaie. 1. Represens a hear wih a hin layex of rice soil, bu underneah i is a bed of sone. 2. his hear belongs o hose who are impulsive, ye have no srong convicions, such as he Galaians. (Gal. 5:7; 1:6,7) 3. A person who has no roo in himself. Vs A hear ha is conviced is a hear ha is rooed and grounded in love. (Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:23) 93

95 C. horny 1. Sadly his condiion of he hear describ s many in he Lord's church oday. D. cood 2. he seed akes roo, he plan comes up and flourishes for awhile bu hen worldliness creeps in and chokes ou he life. 3. is never able o bear he frui ha i ough. 4. May we be reminded we canno serve God and mammon. (Ma. 6:24; im. 6:10; James L:13-16; Col. 3:2) 1. his is he soil (hear) he sower is searching for. Alhough i is no as pleniful as he ohers i is he mos conducive for spiriua-l growh. 2. he seed sprang up, and brough forh frui, no only ha bu i increased. 3. his is he good and hones hear. 4. his is he hear we mus srive o locae. V. No ake he Blame For hose Yho Wll No Hear. A Our job is o sow he seed. B. We are no responsible for he soil ino which ha seed rnay fall. C. Our job is o sow, heirs is o hear. We mus no blame owselves if he majoriy refuse o lisen. Again we have been old ha only one soil is bes for he desired resuls. D. Le us be more concerned wih he conen of he message, and less wih he mehod of deliver. For i is he Gospel of Chris ha is he power of God uno salvaion. (Rom. 1:16) CONCLUSON: As Sowers Le Us llemember:. Go ou and sow. Sow he Seed (he Word of God). Prepare he soil as bes we may V. Be aware of he differen kinds of soil V. No blame ourselves for hose who will no hear. As his parable eaches, many, if no mos, will no hear. And as we go ou and abundanly sow le us consanly ask ourselves rris sobering quesion 'lmha kind of soil is my hear?" John Darell (J.D.) Conley - J.D. was born in E Paso, X in 1959, he son, grajrdson, and son-in-law of faihful gospel preachers, Darrell Conley, F.F. Conley, and Denver Cooper. He and his wife, Denise, have one daugher. J.D. abended Freed-Hardeman Universiy, majoring in Bible, and is a 1993 graduae of he Brown rail School of Preaching in For Worh, K He preached his firs gospel sermon a he age of fifeen, has servd a8 a deacon, song leader, Bible class eacher and assisan preacher in local congregaions before beginning full-ime work in Sp,encer, WV in Prior o ha he spen 12 years working for fire sprinkler companies in New Orleans and San Anonio. 94

96 DSCUSSON; HE RA,NSFGURAON erry Jones EX: Mahew 17:1-13; Mark 9: 2-13; Luke 9:28-36 NRODUCON: A he ransfiguraion of Jesus was preceded by wo sigrrifrcan evens: 1. Peer's confession (M. 16:13-18). 2. Jesus' informing he disciples of is deah and resurrecion (M. 16:21). B- he ransfiguraion mus be seen as a significan even which exals Jesus as supreme auhoriy wih he divine approval of God Himself.. PLACE OF PRAYER (M. 1?:1; Lk.9:28). A. Purpose of he journey. 1. Luke alone clarifies ha Jesus' purpose for climbing he mounain was so ha He could spend some ime in prayer (Lk. 9:28). 2. his was no he only ime ha Jesus chose a quie place for prayer (.ML L4: :36; Lk. 6:12). B. People wih Jesus. 1. Jesus chose Peer, James, and.ohn o accompany Him on his journey (M. 17:1). 2. his rio was ofen seleced by Jesus o be wih Him (Mk. 5:37; M- 26:37). C. Place of he journey. 1 Each of he synopic wriers record ha heir desinaion was a "high mounain-" 2. he mos logical and mos commonly agreed upon place in quesion seems o be M. Hermon. a) M. Hermon was cerainly a "high mounain" wih an elevaion of approximaely 9200 fee. b) Hermon was also in he viciniy of Caesarea Philippi. 95

97 . PANORAMC PHENOMENON (M. 17:2). 1. ransfigured" comes from he Greek word meamorphoo, meaning "o change ino anoher form." [he Zondervan Picorial Bible Dicionary]. 2. he ransfiguraion resuled in vigible physical changes ha ook place in he body of Jesus which could be winessed by he aposles. B. Descripion of he ransfiguraion. 1. His clohing was radian (M. 17:21 Mk. 9:3: Lk. 9:29). 2. His counenance was alered (Lk. 9:29) [i.e., "his face did shine as he sun" - M. L7:21. m. PAR OF PROP{ES (M. 17:3). A Recoglizing he prophesl. Moses - Had died cenuries before and had been buried by God in an unrnarked grave (Deu.34:5-6). 2. Elijah - Had been aken o heaven in a whirlwind (2 fus. 2:11). B. Reason for heir presence- 1. o discuss Jesus' exodus (Lk. 9:31). 2. o declare Jesus' exalaion (Lk. 9:35). V. PEER'S PRONOLJNCEMEN (M. l7:4). A Reverence shown - "Lord... if hou wil." B. Ridiculous suggesion - "le us make here lrree abernacles." v. PROCLAMAON OF PREEMNENCE (M. u:5)..d Peer inerruped. B.Presence of he cloud. C. Preeminence saed. V. PROSRAON OF E APOSLES (M. r?:6-8). A he men hernbling (6). B. he Maser's ouch (7-8). ol rl A. Defining he erm. 96

98 vrr. pr,jblrcrzrng prohrbrred (M. lz:e)..d Descending he slope. 1. is uncerain how long hey were on he mounain. 2. Even Luke's saemen, "on he nex day, when hey were come down from he hill" (9:37) is no helpful because we are no old how much ime elapsed prior o heir descen. B. Demanding silence. L. Jesus charged hese hree eyewinesses of he ransfiguraion "ha hey should ell no man wha hings hey had seen" (Mk. 9:9) ill aler His resunecion. 2. his would be he disciples' firs es as o wheher hey were ready o "hear ye him" (M. l7:5). a) hey passed he es "and old no man in hose days any ofhose hings which hey had seen" (Lk. 9:36). b) Ohers whom Jesus had ordered o silence rarely obeyed (Mk. 1:40-45). r vlr. PONDERNG HE PROPHECY (M. r?:o.r3) A Analyzing he saying (Mk. 9:10). B.Asking he Savior (M. 17:10). C.Answering he scribes (M. L7:lL-12). D.Apprehending he saying (M. 17:13). CONCLUSON: A his exraordinar5r even provided assurance of he auhoriy of Chris, as well as, he resurrecion, boh His and ours. B. he only way for one o have hope in he resurrecion is o obey Chris (Heb. 5:8-9).! - erry G. Jones - erry was born in Parkersburg, WV and was raised in oll Gae, WV. He is he son of Glenn and Linda Jones. He married Melinda S. Hilvers on Augus 10, hey now have wo sons: Ausin (Agp 9) and Quinin (Age 6). He is a 1986 graduae of Eas ennessee School of Preaching in Knoxville, N. He is scheduled o receive he B.A. degree from Ohio Vallery College in May He worked wih he church in Mounain Ciy, N from 1986 o He hen moved o Pennsboro, WV where he has been preaching o he pres n. 97

99 . nroducion. ASCENSON AND CNGSilP H. A Buser" Dobbs A. God's kingdom is infinie * wihou beginning or end. 1. he kingdom ofgod exised when Adam was creaed. 2. God's kingdom will oulas he ages. B. God promised o se up an indesrucible kingdom on earh. 1. When srael blessed his sons, he said "he sceper shall no depar from Judah, nor a lawgiver from beween his fee, unil Shiloh come; and uno him shall he gahering ofhe people be" (Gen.49:10). 2. "A Psalm of David. he LORD said uno my Lord, Si hou a my righ hand, unil make hine enemies hy foosool. he LORD shall send he rod of hy srengh ou of Zion: rule hou in he mids ofhine enemies. hy people shall be willing in he day of hy power, in he beauies of holiness from he womb of he moming: hou has he dew of hy youh. he LORD hah swom, and will no repen, hou ar a pries for ever afer he order of 10: 1-4). 3. "For uno us a child is bom, uno us a son is given: and he govemmen shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderfirl, Counselor, he mighy God, he everlasing Faher, he Prince ofpeace. Ofhe increase ofhis govemmen and peace here shali be no end, upon he hrone of David, and upon his kingdom, o order i, and o esablish i wih judgmen and wih jusice from henceforh even for ever. he zeal of he LORD of hoss will perform his" (sa. 9:6-7). 4. "And in he days of hese kings shall he God of heaven se up a kingdom, which shall never be desroyed: and he kingdom shall no be lef o oher people, bu i shall break in pieces and consume all hese kingdoms, and i shail sand for 2:44). 5. he promise o se up an ageless kingdom on earh does no miigae agains he everlasing kingdom ofgod in heaven, bu confirms i. is an earhly phase of a spiriual kingdom.. he Kingdom Comes. 98 J i

100 !? b? he Kingdom Comes... Page 2 A. he kingdom announced.. John he bapis declared ha he expeced and hoped-for kingdom was "a hand" (Ma. 3:2). 2. Jesus repeaed he message (Ma. 4:17; Mark :15). 3. Jesus said he kingdom was presen in his minisry: "f cas ou devils by he Spiri of God, hen he kingdom of God is come unlo you" (Ma. 12:28). a. he unseen, eernal kingdom of God is always here. b. Anyime he awesome power of God is displayed he kingdom is affirmed. c. Jesus affirms ha kingdom by supemaural power demonsraed in casing ou demons and oher miracles. d. Jesus speaks no ofhe promised earhly phase ofhe kingdom, bu ofhe everlasing and eve-presen kingdom ofhe Almighy. 4. Jesus augh his disciples o pray "hy kingdom come" (Ma.6:10). a. he kingdom had no come in he sense of Daniel 2:44. b. had no come in he sense Jesus and John augh he people o look for i since i was a hand. B. he kingdom was o come wih powcr and in he lifeime of some who were conemporary wih Jesus while he was on earh in human form. 1. "And he [Jesus] said uno hcm, Verily say uno you, ha here be some of hem ha sand here, which shall no ase of deah, ill hey have seen he kingdom of God come wih powcr" (Mark 9:1). 2. Jesus promised ha his disciples would receive "power when he Holy Spiri is come upon you" (Acs 1:8). 3. he aposles received he promised Spiri on he firs Penecos afcr he resurrecion of Jesus (Acs 2:l-4). 4. herefore, when he power came in he oupouring ofhe Spiri upon hc aposles (unil i filled he house where hcy were), he power came. When he power came he kingdom came because he kingdom was o come wih 99

101 he Kingdom Comes... Page 3 power. Jesus said, You will see he kingdom come wih power. C. Jesus wen from earh o heaven o receive a kingdom. l. 3. ^ 5.. he Earhly Phase ofa Heavenly Kingdom Exiss. A. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords ( im.6:15; Rev. 19:16). l. 2. J. n one of his parables, Jesus said a cerain nobleman wen ino a far counry o receive a kingdom and have received i, he reumed o judge, o reward, and o punish (Luke 19:12,15). he nobleman wen away o receive a kingdom. Daniel foresaw a ime when one "like uno a son of man" would come o he "ancien of days (Jehovah)" o receive "everlasing dorninion, glory, and a kingdom ha "would never be 7:13-14). he coronaion ofjesus in heaven is porrayed in Revelaion 5: l-14. Jesus wen from earh o heaven o be given a imeless kingdom. His ascension, repored by Luke a he end of he his gospel and he beginning ofhe book of Acs, was necessary o his coronaion and o his mighy inercession. A king rules over a kingdom Jesus compared his kingdom o: a. A man who sowed good seed (Luke 8:1, 5-15). b. A grain of musard seed (Ma. l3:3 1). c. Leaven (Luke 13:20-21). d. reasure (Mal 13:44). e. Pearl (Ma. 13:45). f. Ne(Ma. 13:4748). g. Householder (Ma. 13:52). h. A king who made a marriage feas for his son (Ma. 22:1-14). i. en virgins (Ma.25:1-12). Jesus said many hings abou his kingdom. 100

102 ?? he Kingdom Comes... Page 4 a. My kingdom is no of his world (John 18:36). b. Children ofhe kingdom (Ma. 8:12). c. Rich people have difficuly enering he kingdom (Ma. 19:23). d. Keys of he kingdom (Ma. 16:19). e. Good news ofhe kingdom (Luke 8:1). f. Myseries of he kingdom (Ma. l3:l l). g. Does no consis in mea and drink (Rom. 14:17). B. People on earh can be in he kingdom. 1. Paul said ha God had ranslaed some "ino he kinedom of his dear son" (Col. 1:13). 2. We are receiving a kingdom ha canno be moved (Heb. 12:28). C. Obedience necessary o enrance ino he kingdom.. Obedience brings God's blessing and enrance ino he kingdom (Ma. 7:21-29\. 2. Jesus saves hose who obey him (Heb. 5:9). 3. Flesh and blood canno ener he heavenly phase ofgod's eemal kingdom (l Cor. l5:50). 4. hose who have faihfully served he Lord in he earhly phase ofhe kingdom will ener he heavenly phase of ha kingdom when hey die and a he resurrecion (l Cor. l5:49). Noe: See biogaphy a end of firs lecure,'jesus Speaks oday"' 10r

103 WHA JESUS AUG ABOU HEAVEN Eddie Cooper NR,ODUCON: n he eachinge ofjeaus, we ca-ano miss he emphasis he places on he life beyond boh for sains and sinners. When dealing wih he hope of heaven or he fear of hell, i is apparen ha boh of heee were real o him, for he spoke ofen of hejoy and blessedness of he redeemed and of he unhappy fae of hose who die los. s a maer of fac, he would se one agains he oher (M. 7:2L-27). Jesus augh 'ha his world is no he only abode for humans. He would ofen refer o re life o come (M. 5:12). He emphasized ha his world is o be used o care for he soul, (M 6:2b-JB) build up he kingdom, (M. 5:13-20) and prepa.re for eerniy, wih each person reaping wha is sown here.. JESUS SPO(E OF HEAVEN AS A REALY! A. Jesus was familiar, as was Job, ha he Faher's home had spacious dwelling places and is vaul reeed upon pillars (Job 26:11), and was divided by he firmamen from he waers and he world beneah (Gen 1:8; Prov. 8;27). B. Jesus spoke wih he auhoriy of heaven beceuse He had been here. 1. Furher, i is no rue o refer o he oher side of deah as an undiscovered counry, from which no raveler has reurned. a. Jesus came from heaven o pu away our sins by His deah and be buried in he omb. Bu, he did no rernain dead. b. He arose and app ared o His disciples as he raveler who had reurned o declare he realiy and glories of heaven. C. he errn HEAVEN occurs well over one hundred imes in }e four gospel accouns and in he majoriy of referenccs he word came from he lips of Jesus. 1. From he language he used, we gaher he knew ha heaven was he eernal dwelling place ofhe Faler from which Jesus, as he eernsl Son, descended and from whence he Holy Spiri is received and which i6 also he everlasing abode of he redeemed. 2. Jus as God spoke of he emple a Jerusalem as his earhly dwelling place (John 2:16), so he could also say,'leaven is my hrone'(acs 7:49).. JESUS AUG HA EAVEN S A PLACE! A Among he fascinaing conrass.e6us employed in his eachings is he one which he urged his disciples no o lay up reasure 'upon earh' bu 5n heaven' (M. 6:19,20). 1. Aliough a very angible place, 'earh' is insecure and lleeing...(m. 24:35) bu heaven is permanen and eernal. ro2

104 B. Jesus us d phrases during his personal minisry ha prove heaven o be a place: 1. "Our Faher in heaven"..--(john 3:12) 2. 'lowers ha are in heaven"...(mk. 13:25) 3. "he angels of heaven"...(mk. 13:32) 4. 'bread from hmven'...(john 6:31,32) 5. "sinned agains heaven"...(lk. 15:18) C. Aihough in he majoriy of references o heaven, symbols are used, hey are figures of ruh. 1. o some ofhe ancien sains, he Faher's home was a heavenly counry ofwhich God is he heavenly Faher...(Heb. 1l:16; Lk. 11:13) D. A wonderful feaure of our ulimae presence in heaven will be he fac ha we are here because of he express wish of he Savior himself- (John 17:24) 1. hese precious houghs were upperrnos in he mind of Paul when he wroe ha he momen he was absen from his body he would 'be a home'wih he Lord (2 Cor. 5:1-6,8). 2. Such a hope of he.aven was no based upon naural insinc or desire, or even on he compleion ofan obviously incornplee life here, bu upon he auhoriy ofjesus. a. Paul, who was immersed in he eachings of he Lord he dearly loved and sacrifrrcially served, clung o his explici affirmaion...(john 14:2) b. Bu he did ell us all we need o know abou heaven and how o reach here, and such is sufficien for faih o res upon. c. His presence here is is chief blessedness. E. Heaven is a new order, made ready for hem who have prepared for i' 1. Jesus will reurn o receive His own ino ha glorious abode prepared by he Faher "from he foundaion of he world." (M. 25:34) 2. We prepare ourselves by obedience o he glorious gospel and remaining faihful uno deah. (Mk. 16:15,16; Rev. 2:10). JESUS AUGH WA CONS'UES EAVEN! A, Apar from heaven being he eernal abode of he riniy, of he angelic hoss, and of he redeemed of he earh, here are cerain discernible feaures as o wha kind of sphere i is, apar from being he place we ener a deah. 1. s amosphere is one of pures joy. (Lk. 12:36,37; 15:7,10) r03