Jesus of Nazareth
and
The Kingdom of God
(Sept 2009)
Section 1 - What is it?
Chapter 1 - God, the Father - The Kingdom - Jesus, the Son
I. God is within. God is Spirit. God is Truth.
II. What does God want?
A. To Bring the Kingdom of God to Earth
B. Loyalty - One God. One Kingdom.
III. Jesus of Nazareth
A. Jesus, the Son, becomes one with God, the Father
B. Jesus, the Son, does the will of God, the Father
C. Jesus comes to fulfill the law of God on earth
Chapter 2 - What is the Law of the Kingdom?
I. The Supreme Law
II. What is Love?
A. Humility and service
a) Humble like children
B. Do good to all
C. Do good to those most in need, without expectation of receiving back
D. Spirit of giving -
a) Give with all that you have
b) When giving, it is the spirit that counts
E. Do good to those who do bad to you/Non-violence
F. Forgiveness
G. Judgment of others
a) Don't be jealous
H. Marriage and lust
I. Be truthful
J. Be faithful even to what is least
a) Paying taxes
K. Love much, even if you sin much
L. Mercy and not sacrifice
Section 2 - What are we to do?
Chapter 3 - Believe and Repent
I. Believe in the gospel
II. Repent
III. Become born again of the Spirit
IV. God gives us the Holy Spirit = Spirit of Truth = Helper
V. Become one with Jesus and God.
Chapter 4 - Go to the Law
I. Go to the law with everything you have
II. Don't worry about your life, seek first the kingdom of God
III. Deny yourself, and come to Me
IV. Hear and do commandments - Build strong foundation
V. Actions count more than words
VI. Don't tempt the Lord, expect Him to save you
Chapter 5 - Bear Fruit, Show your light
I. Bear Fruit
A. Known by your fruits/works
B. Who much is given, more will be required
II. Show your light
Chapter 6 - Discipleship - Fisher of Men
I. Teach
II. Joy in heaven over sinners who repent. Those who are well don't need physician.
III. God's word brings division to Man's world
IV. What to expect from man
V. When teaching
Chapter 7 - Be ready
Section 3 - The Promises
Chapter 8 - Faith
I. The promise of Faith
II. Faith before works
III. No faith, no works
IV. Faith and Fasting
V. Faith and Compassion
Chapter 9 - Rewards for the Righteous
I. For those who believe in Jesus and the Father - Eternal Life
A. Bread and Water
B. Light
C. Freedom
II. For those who follow the kingdom and its righteousness
A. Peace
B. Joy
C. Protection and Glory
III. For those who keep the Commandments
A. For those who are Humble
B. For those who do good in secret
C. For those who have mercy/forgive
D. For those who give their life for the gospel's sake
E. For those who bear fruit
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Section 1 - What is it?
Chapter 1. - God, The Father - The Kingdom - Jesus, the Son
I. God is within. God is Spirit. God is Truth.
Luke 17:20,21 - The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.
John 4:23,24 - God is Spirit and must be worshiped in Spirit and truth.
Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me.
John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
John 4:32 - I have food to eat of which you do not know.
Math 4:4 - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Luke 4:4 - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Math 6:20,21 - lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
John 6:27 - Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life
Math 26:41 - The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
Mark 14:38 - The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak
Math 23:26 - first clean the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be made clean also.
John 18:36 - My kingdom is not of this world
John 8:23 - You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 17:16 - I am not of the world
Math 16:26 - what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36,37 - what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
John 17:17 - Your word is truth
John 18:37 - You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.
II. What does God want?
A. To Bring the Kingdom of God to Earth
Math 4:17 - the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Math 10:7 - As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Mark 1:15 - the kingdom of God is at hand
Math 6:9, 10 - Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Luke 11:2 - Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
John 4:35 - Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest?' Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
B. Loyalty only to God - One God. One Kingdom.
Math 4:10 - You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only you shall serve.
Luke 4:8 - You shall worship the Lord and him only you shall serve
Math 6:24 - No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 16:13 - No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Math 12:25,30 - Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.... He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
Mark 3:24 - If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Luke 11:17 - Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.
Luke 11:23 - He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Mark 9:40 - he who is not against us is on our side
Luke 9:50 - he who is not against us is on our side
Math 23:9 - Do not call anyone on earth your father, for One is your father, he who is in heaven.
III. Jesus of Nazareth
A. Jesus, the Son, becomes One with God, The Father
John 10:30 - I and My Father are one
Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
John 14:10 - Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
John 10:34-36- Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
John 17:3,6,8 - And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent... I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word... For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
John 15:10 - I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love
B. Jesus, the Son, does the will of God, the Father
Math 26:39 - Jesus to God - not as I will, but as You will.
Mark 14:36 - Jesus to God - not what I will, but what You will.
Luke 22:42 - Jesus to heavenly Father - not My will, but Yours, be done
John 4:34 - My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
John 5:19 - the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
John 5:30 - I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
John 6:33,35,37,38,40 - For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world... I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst... All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me... And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day
John 7:28,29 - I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true... I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.
John 14:31 - the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do.
John 6:57- the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father
John 8:28- When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as my Father taught me, I speak these things.
John 12:44 - He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.
C. Jesus comes to fulfill the law of God on earth
Math 5:17 - Do not think that I come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
John 17:8 - For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
John 7:16,18 - My doctrine is not mine, but Him who sent me...He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
John 12:49 - I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
John 6:45 - It is written in the prophets, 'and they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father come to Me.
John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Chapter 2 - What is the Law of the Kingdom?
I. The Supreme Law
Math 22:37-40 - ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Mark 12:29-31 - The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
Luke 10:25-28 - A lawyer tested Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly.”
John 13:34,35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have love you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 15:12 - This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:17 - These things I command you, that you love one another
II. What is Love?
A. Humility and Service
Math 5:3-5,8 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth... Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Luke 6:20-21 - Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
John 13:14,15 - After Jesus began to wash the disciples feet - If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
Math 23:11,12 - he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Math 11:11 - Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he
Mark 9:35 - If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.
Math 19:30 - many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Math 20:16 - the last will be first, and the first last
Mark 10:31 - Many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Luke 13:30 - there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.
Math 20:25-28 - You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:42-45 - You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Luke 22:25-27 - During a dispute amongst the disciples as to who would be greatest - The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors'. But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
Luke 14:8-11 - When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Math 6:1,2,4 - do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven... when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you... that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly
Luke 17:7-10 - Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'
Luke 18:10-14 - Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Math 13:31,32 - The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.
Mark 4:30-32 - To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.
Luke 13:18,19 - What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.
a) Humble like children
Math 18:3,4 - Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Math 19:14 - Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:14,15 - Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of God. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.
Luke 18:16,17 - Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.
Luke 9:48 - During a dispute amongst the disciples as to who would be greatest - Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.
Math 11:25 - I thank you Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
Luke 10:21 - I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes.
Math 21:16 - Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?
B. Do good to all
Math 7:12 - whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Luke 6:31 - And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
C. Do good to those most in need, without expectation of receiving back
Luke 10:29-37 - Parable of the Good Samaritan - Jesus in reply to the question "who is my neighbor?" - A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. "Look after him," he said, "and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have." Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Luke 14:12-14 - "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous
Math 25:35,36,40 - for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’... inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
D. Spirit of Giving -
a) Give with all that you have
Mark 12:41-44 - Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Luke 21:1-4 - And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
b) When giving, it is the spirit that counts
Math 26:6-13 - And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Mark 14:3-9 - And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
E. Do good to those who do bad to you/Non-Violence
Math 5:38-44, 46-48 - “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you... For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?... and if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? ... Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Luke 6:27-30, 32-36 - But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back... if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Math 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God
Math 26:52,53 - “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
Luke 22:51 - Jesus after one of his followers cut off a man's ear - No more of this, and healed the man's ear.
John 18:10,11 - Jesus in response to Peter cutting off the ear of a servant of the high priest who was coming to arrest Jesus - Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given to Me?
John 18:36 - Jesus to Pilate - My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place
Math 5:21,22 - You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.
F. Forgiveness
Math 18:21,22 - Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Mark 11:25 - And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him
Math 6:12 - Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
Luke 11:4 - Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us
Luke 17:3,4 - If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.
Luke 23:34 - Jesus when on the cross - Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do
G. Judgment of others
Luke 6:37 - Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Math 7:1-3,5 - Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye
Luke 6:42 - first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
John 8:3-11 - Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
a) Don't be jealous
Math 20:1-16 - For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last manthe same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
Luke 15:11-32 - Parable of the Lost Son - “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”
H. Marriage and Lust
Math 5:27, 28 - You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery'. But I say to you that whoever looks at another woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Math 5:31,32 - Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce'. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
Mark 10:4-9,11,12 - In response to questions about the legality of divorce since "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her." - Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” ... Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.
Math 19:4-9 - “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Luke 16:18 - whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
I. Be truthful
Math 5:33-37 - Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one
J. Be faithful even to what is least
Luke 16:1-12 - Parable of the Unjust Steward - “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ “Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ “So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
a) Paying taxes
Mark 12:17 - Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's
Luke 20:25 - Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
Math 22:21 - Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
K. Love much, even if you sin much
Luke 7:36-47,50 - Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven... Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
L. Mercy and not sacrifice
Math 9:13 - Jesus quoting Hosea, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice'. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
Math 12:7 - When Jesus was accused of violating the Sabbath - If you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice', you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Section 2 - What are we to do?
Chapter 3 - Believe and Repent
I. Believe in the gospel
Mark 1:15 - believe in the gospel
II. Repent
Math 4:17 - Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Mark 1:15 - The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent...
Math 6:12 - Forgive us our debts
Luke 11:4 - Forgive us our sins
III. Become born again of the Spirit
John 3:3 - Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God
John 3:5-8 - unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is Spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
John 4:23,24 - God is Spirit and must be worshiped in Spirit and truth
IV. God gives us the Holy Spirit = Spirit of Truth = Helper
John 14:16,17 - He [God] will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth
John 14:26 - the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to you remembrance all things that I said to you
John 15:26 - But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
John 16:7-11 - It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you... I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
John 16:25 - These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
John 20:22 - Receive the Holy Spirit
V. Become one with Jesus and God.
Math 12:50 - whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.
Mark 3:35 - whoever does the will of God is my brother and My sister and mother
Luke 8:21 - My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.
John 17:20-23 - do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:26 - And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.
John 14:21 - He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is He who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.
John 10:16 - there will be one flock and one shepherd
Chapter 4 - Go to the Law
I. Go to the law with everything you have
Math 13:44 - the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Math 13:45,46 - the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Luke 9:62 - No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Math 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
II. Don't worry about your life, seek first the kingdom of God
Luke 12:22-34 - do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Math 6:25-34 - Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.... Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, o you of little faith? Therefore, do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat? or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Luke 10:38-42 - Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
III. Deny yourself, and come to Me
Math 16:24-26 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:34-37 - Whoever decides to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will loose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Luke 9:23-25 - If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
Math 10:37-39 - He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Luke 14:16-34 - “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’” Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out.
John 12:24-26 - unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, him my father will honor.
Math 8:20 - Jesus to a scribe who wanted to follow him - Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
Luke 9:58 - Jesus in response to those who wanted to follow him - Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
Math 8:22 - Jesus to one of his disciples who wanted to first bury his father before following Jesus - Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.
Luke 9:60 - Jesus in response to one who wanted to follow Jesus but first bury his father - Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.
IV. Hear and do commandments - Build strong foundation
Math 7:24-25 - whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Luke 6:46-48 - Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord' and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
V. Actions count more than words
Math 21:28-31 A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not', but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir', but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?
VI. Don't tempt the Lord, expect Him to save you
Math 4:5-7 - The devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'"
Luke 4:9-12 - Then he [the devil] brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'"
Chapter 5 - Bear Fruit, Show your light
I. Bear Fruit
John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.
Luke 8:5,8,15 - A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; [some seed] fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold. [the seed] that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Math 13:3,4,8,23 - Behold a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; [some seed] fell on good ground and yielded a crop; some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty... he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Mark 4:3,4,8,20 - A sower went out to sow... as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside... [some] seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred... the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
John 15:1,2,4,5,8 - I am the true vine, and my father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit... Abide in me and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing... by this My father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.
Math 13:11,12 - it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven... for whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away
John 4:35-38 - Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
Math 25:14-30 - Parable of Talents - “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Luke 19:12-26 - Parable of the Minas - “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Mark 4:26-29 - Parable of the growing seed - The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.
Mark 4:30-32 - To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.
Math 13:31,32 - The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.
Luke 13:18,19 - What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.
A. Known by your fruits/works
Math 7:16-20 - Jesus in regard to false prophets - You will know them by their fruits... every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by your fruits you will know them.
Math 12:33,35 - Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit... A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Luke 6:43-45 - For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Math 16:27 - He will reward each according to his works.
Math 21:19 - Jesus to a fig tree with nothing on it but leaves - Let no fruit grow on you ever again.
Mark 11:14 - Jesus went to eat from a fig tree and found only leaves - Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.
John 10:37,38 - Jesus to those who did not believe in Him - If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”
John 14:11 - Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
B. Who much is given, more will be required:
Luke 12:48 - for everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required, and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
II. Show your light
Math 5:14-16 - You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Luke 11:33 - No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.
Mark 4:21-25 - Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Take head, what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Luke 8:16-18 - No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.
John 3:21 - he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
Chapter 6 - Discipleship - Fisher of Men
I. Teach
Math 4:19 - Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mark 1:17 - Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men
Luke 5:10 - from now on you will catch men
Math 5:19- Whoever does and teaches them [commandments], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Math 9:36-38 - When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then he said to his disciples - the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Luke 10:2 - The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Math 28:19,20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Luke 24:47 - Jesus to disciples after resurrected - repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Mark 16:15 - Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
John 21:15,16,17 - Jesus to disciples - Feed My lambs.... Tend my sheep... Feed My sheep
II. Joy in heaven over sinners who repent. Those who are well don't need a physician.
Luke 15:11-24 - First part of Parable of the Lost Son - Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry."
Math 18:11-14 - For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Luke 15:4-7 - What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:8-10 - “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 9:56 - the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.
Luke 19:10 - the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost
John 3:17 - for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Math 9:12,13 - Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
Mark 2:17 - Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
Luke 5:31,32 - Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
III. God's word brings division to Man's world
Math 10:34-36 - “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’
Luke 12:51-53 - Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Math 10:21 - Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
IV. What to expect from man
Math 5:10-12,13 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Luke 6:22 - Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven. For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
Math 10:17,18 - But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles
Math 10:22,23-25 - And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake... When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
John 7:7 - Jesus to his brothers who did not believe in Him - The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
John 15:18-22 - If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of this world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... but all these things they will do to you for my name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
John 16:2,3 - They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
Math 13:57 - A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.
Mark 6:4 - A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.
Luke 4:24 - no prophet is accepted in his own country
V. When teaching
Math 10:5-16,19,20,23-33 - These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet... Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves... do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you... Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven...
Luke 10:3-11 - Jesus to the 70 he had appointed - Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.
Mark 6:10, 11 - In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.
Luke 9:3-5 - Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
Luke 12:8,11,12 - whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.... Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Math 10:26,28 - do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known... and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:4-7 - And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 10:19,20 - Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
Chapter 7 - Be Ready
Math 24:42-51 - Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Math 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins - “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Mark 13:32-37 - “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Luke 12:35-44 - “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?” And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
Luke 21:34,35 - “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
John 7:6 - Jesus to His brothers - My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
Section 3 - The Promises
Chapter 8 - Faith
I. The promise of Faith
Math 7:7-11 - Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Math 17:20 - if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Mark 11:22-24 - Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Math 19:26 - with God all things are possible
Mark 10:27 - for with God all things are possible
Luke 18:27 - The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
Math 21:21,22 - if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Mark 9:23 - If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.
Luke 11:5-13 - And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Luke 17:6 - If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
John 11:40 - Jesus heals Lazarus who was dead - Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?
John 14:12-14 - he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 15:7,8 - If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.
John 16:23,24 - whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Math 6:25-34 - do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For all of these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do no worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Luke 12:22-34 - do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 8:50 - Jesus heals a dead girl, daughter of ruler of a synagogue - Do not be afraid; only believe and she will be made well.
Mark 5:36 - Jesus healed the daughter of ruler of synagogue - Do not be afraid; only believe.
John 20:29 - Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Math 18:19 - if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
II. Faith before works
Math 8:2,3 - And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Math 8:13 - Jesus heals a centurion's servant - as you have believed, so let it be done to you
Math 9:2,6 - When Jesus saw their faith - Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you... Arise take up your bed and go to your house.
Math 9:22 - Jesus heals a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years - Be of good cheer daughter, your faith has made you well.
Math 9:28,29 - Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, 'Yes Lord'. Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."
Math 15:28 - Jesus heals a woman's daughter - O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.
Mark 2:5,11 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic - Son, your sins are forgiven... arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
Mark 5:34 - Jesus after healing a woman - Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.
Mark 10:52 - Jesus heals a blind man - your faith has made you well.
Luke 5:13 - And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Luke 5:20,24 - Jesus heals a paralyzed man when he saw his faith - your sins are forgiven you... arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.
Luke 7:9 - Jesus heals a centurion's servant - I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
Math 8:10 - Jesus heals a centurion's servant - I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
Luke 7:50 - Jesus to a woman sinner - your faith has saved you. Go in peace.
Luke 8:48 - Jesus heals a woman - Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.
Luke 17:19 - Jesus heals a leaper - your faith has made you well.
Luke 18:42 - Jesus heals a blind man - your faith has made you well.
John 4:49-51 - The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”
John 11:40 - Jesus heals Lazarus who was dead - Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?
III. No faith, no works
Math 13:58 - Jesus in his own country - He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Math 14:31 - Jesus to Peter when asked to walk on water with him - O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
Mark 4:40 - Jesus calming a storm to disciples - Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?
Math 8:26 - Jesus calmed the storm and the waves - to disciples fearful in a storm - Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?
Luke 8:25- Jesus calms the storm while disciples were afraid - Where is your faith?
Math 17:20 - Jesus cured a boy the disciples couldn't - Disciples asked why they couldn't cure him - Because of your unbelief
IV. Faith and Fasting
Math 9:15 - Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Mark 2:19,20 - Jesus as to why his disciples didn't fast like the Pharisees - Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.
Luke 5:34,35 - Jesus as to why his disciples don't fast like John's disciples and the Pharisees - Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.
Math 17:20,21- Jesus cured a boy the disciples couldn't - Disciples asked why they couldn't cure him - Because of your unbelief... if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Mark 9:29 - Jesus to disciples why they couldn't heal the boy - This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.
V. Faith and Compassion
Mark 5:19 - Jesus after healing a man - Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.
Math 15:32 - Jesus' miracle of feeding the four thousand - I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me three days and have nothing to eat. And I don't want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.
Mark 8:2,3 - Jesus feeds 4000 - I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.
Mark 6:34 - Jesus feeds the 5000 people - Jesus was moved with compassion for them
Luke 7:13,14 - Jesus heals a dead person; saw his mother widow, had compassion on her - Do not weep
Chapter 9 - Rewards for the Righteous
I. For those who believe in Jesus and the Father - Eternal Life
John 3:15,16 - whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 5:24 - he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
John 6:47 - he who believes in Me has everlasting life
John 10:27-29 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
John 11:25,26 - I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
A. Bread and Water
John 6:35 - I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 4:14 - whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life
John 6:51 - I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.
John 6:54,56,58 - whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life (He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him)... this is the bread which came down from heaven... he who eats this bread will live forever.
John 7:38 - He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
B. Light
John 8:12 - I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.
Math 13:43 - the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
John 12:46 - I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
C. Freedom
Luke 4:18 - He has sent Me... to proclaim liberty to the captives... to set at liberty those who are oppressed.
John 8:31,32 - If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:34-36 - whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
II. For those who follow the kingdom and its righteousness
Math 6:33 -
to those who first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness - what you will eat, what you will drink, and what you will wear will be added on to you
Luke 12:31 -
to those who seek the kingdom of God - what you will eat, what you will drink, what you will put on will be given to you.
Math 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled
A. Peace
Math 11:28-30 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
B. Joy
John 15:11 - these things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 17:13 - these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
John 16:20-24 - Jesus to disciples that he is leaving - you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
C. Protection and Glory
John 14:1-4 - Let not your heart be troubled...In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
John 16:1 - These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
John 17:15,24 - Jesus praying to God concerning the disciples - I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one... Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.
Luke 10:19 - I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
III. For those who keep the Commandments
John 8:51 - if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death
John 14:15,16,26 - If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Luke 10:28 -
to those who follow the Law - you will live
John 14:23 - If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 15:10 - If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my father's commandments and abide in his love.
John 5:29 - and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life.
Math 5:19 -
to those who do and teach the commandments - he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven
John 15:5 - He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.
A. For those who are Humble
Math 5:3-5,8 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth... Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Luke 6:20-21 - Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Luke 18:14 - he who humbles himself will be exalted
Math 23:12 - he who humbles himself will be exalted
Luke 14:11 - he who humbles himself will be exalted
Math 18:4 - whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Math 19:30 -
to those who are last - shall be first
Mark 10:31 -
to the many who are last - shall be first
Math 20:16 - the last will be first
Math 23:11 -
to he who is your servant - shall be greatest among you
Mark 9:35 -
to he who is last of all and servant to all - shall be first
Math 20:26-28 -
to he who is servant - shall be great among you
to he who is slave - shall be first among you
Mark 10:42-45 -
to he who is slave of all - shall be first
to he who is servant - shall be great
Luke 9:48 -
to he who is least among you all - will be great
B. For those who do good in secret
Math 6:4 -
to those who do charitable deeds in secret - your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly
Math 6:6 -
to those who pray in secret - your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly
Math 6:18 -
to those who fast without appearing to be fasting - your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly
C. For those who have mercy/forgive
Math 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy
Luke 6:37,38 -
to those who forgive - forgiveness
to those who give - it will be given to you
Math 6:14 -
to those who forgive men their trespasses - your Heavenly Father will also forgive you
Luke 7:47 -
to those who love much - your sins, even if they are many, are forgiven
Math 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
D. For those who give their life for the gospel's sake
Luke 9:24 - whoever loses his life for My sake will save it
Math 5:10 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 6:22,23 - Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
Math 10:32 - whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My father who is in heaven.
Math 16:25 - whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
John 12:25 - he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life
Math 10:22 - he who endures till the end will be saved.
Math 19:29 - And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mothers or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and inherit eternal life.
Mark 10:29,30 - there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time - houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions - and in the age to come, eternal life.
Luke 18:29,30 - there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.
E. For those who bear fruit
John 15:2 - I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser... every branch that bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Math 25:29 - For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance
Luke 19:26 - to everyone who has will be given
Luke 8:18 - whoever has, to him more will be given
Math 13:11,12 - it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven... for whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance