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Psalm 51:1-17 2 Samuel 11-12 Psalm 51 (ESV) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 1. What Confession Entails a. _______________ for The Past b. _______________ in The Present c. ________________ for The Future 2. Consequences of Sin 2 Samuel 12:9-10, 13-14 ESV 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me … 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” a. _______________ Consequence of Sin b. _______________ Consequence of Sin. All sin is against God. 3. What Happens When We Confess? a. Removal of the Finite Consequence _______________________ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap Gal 6:7 (ESV) b. Restoration of the Infinite Consequence ____________________ How much does God hate sin? He hates it so much that he would rather have his Son die than people do one more sin. Cover Picture: Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash

1. What is Truth? John 18:33-38 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” Truth is a statement, proposition, affirmation or judgment that accurately corresponds to reality. John 4:16-18 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” John 7:28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 2. Absolute and Relative Truth Problems with Relative Truth It is _____________. Doesn’t follow the _____________________. Equates the __________________ as truth itself. Equates belief with ____________. It is incompatible with ________________. 3. Can We Know the Truth? ___________ Truth Can Be Known ____________ Knowledge of the Truth ____________ Knowledge of the Truth 4. Relevance and Responsibility of Knowing the Truth Pertains to me _____________. Pertains to me _____________. _____________ Pertain to me. John 19: 6-11 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” 5. The Truth Revealed

Outline of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) 1. Character and Influence of a Disciple 1.1 The blessed state of a believer 5:2-12 1.2 The transformative influence of a believer 5:13-16 (Salt and light) 2. Contrast with the Secular 2.1 Prayers (6:7–13) 2.2 Worry (6:25–34) 3. Contrast with the Religious 3.1 Christian morals vs. legalistic actions (5:21–48) Anger, lust, divorce, oaths, revenge, love 3.2 Christian Devotion vs hypocritical piety (6:1–18) Giving, prayer, fasting 1. Character and Influence of a Disciple Salt Matthew 5:13 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (ESV) Light Matthew 5:14–16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV) Matthew 3:8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Ephesians 2:8–10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV) John 17:15–18 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (ESV) 2. Contrast with the Secular Matthew 6:25–34 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (ESV) 3. Contrast with the Religious Matthew 5:43–48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ESV) The Range of Reactions to Enemies Amish Mourners: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2520819/Family-Amish-schoolhouse-shooter-shares-story-forgiveness.html https://www.pennlive.com/resizer/XOx_cGoagK7cyBUu_clc_UMBGNI=/1280x0/smart/advancelocal-adapter-image-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/expo.advance.net/img/c2734d0ad5/width2048/f8c_nickel_mines7amish_school_shooting_1.jpeg

Luke 14:25-35 (ESV) 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 1. Following Christ a. Know the _______________ John 6:60-66 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? … 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (ESV) b. The Option for _______________ Acts 26:14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ (ESV) c. A Follower needs _______________ Mark 14:54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. (ESV) 2. The Cost of Discipleship a. _______________ b. _______________ Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. (ESV) Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (ESV) c. _______________ Photo by Scott Blake on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/seven-construction-workers-standing-on-white-field-x-ghf9LjrVg?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink Dagen H: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Kungsgatan_1967.jpg Arland Williams: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/plane-crashes-into-potomac

Week 1 Prerequisites to Biblical Interpretation 1. Spiritual Awakening 2. Recognition of the Inerrancy and Authority of Scripture 3. Dependence on God Types of Bible Readers (Some Very Few) Principles of Biblical Interpretation 1. Christocentric Emphasis 2. Exceptions are not the Rule. 3. Recognize the Genre. 4. Scripture Interprets Scripture. 5. Explicit Teaching vs Implicit Teaching 6. Progressive Revelation 7. Exegesis vs Eisegesis 8. Interpretation first, Application next 9. Literal vs Analogical Reading 10. Description is not Prescription. Week 2 Types of Bible Reading 1. _______________ 2. _______________ 3. _______________ Historical-Grammatical Interpretation 1. Historical-Cultural Context 2. Literary Context 3. Passage Study 4. Word Study 5. Application Homework for Week 3: Use the above outline to study the following passage: Philippians 3:12-14 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Week 3 Which Bible translation should I read? 1. Historical Tradition 2. Accuracy to Original Documents Comparison Of Byzantine And Alexandrian Families In Selected Passages 3. Translation Technique Formal vs Functional 4. Translator 5. English Language Comparison of Major English Translations Horizontal Bible Study Vertical Bible Study - Philippians 3:12-14 Notes Bible translation linear chart: https://bg3-blog.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/18110815/Bible-Translations.jpg Formal vs Functional Chart: Robert L. Thomas, How to Choose a Bible Version: An Introductory Guide to English Translations (Fearn, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 2000), 96. Comparison of Major English Translations: Adapted from:  Robert L. Thomas, How to Choose a Bible Version: An Introductory Guide to English Translations (Fearn, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 2000), 146–157.

John 8: 30-37 (NIV) 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 1. The Next Step From Belief 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. John 2:23-24 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. a. _______________ John 6: 25-26 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Later on 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” … 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. b. _______________ Luke 10:38-42 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” c. _______________ Judges 6:13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about…. 2. The Grip of Slavery 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. It's my own desire
It's my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the most Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
- Tears for Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World , 1985 a. Slaves of _______________ b. Slaves of _______________ Hush little baby, don't say a word
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the beast under your bed
In your closet, in your head
– Metallica, Enter Sandman , 1991 c. Slaves of _______________ 3. Intentional Freedom 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Response Anyone who does not believe Anyone who does not abide Anyone who is a slave to sin Cover Picture: From Shawshank Redemption, 1994 https://img.moviesrankings.com/t/p/w1280/4azlwV1nBCtJXGtZssKltv5HwjS.jpg Picture of the Pit in Caiaphas' Palace, taken on February 22, 2023

1. The _____________ of Contemporary Opinions a. Cultural Morality b. Science c. Medicine 2. The _____________ Credibility of the Bible. a. Archaeology b. Prophecy All the prophecies about Jesus 3. The _____________ Credibility of the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 4. Reading/Studying the Bible Luke 24:25-27 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Response Anyone who has not come to a relationship with the Incarnate Word. Anyone who commits to reading their Bible. Picture of Luwian writing: https://www.hittitemonuments.com/hama/hama03.jpg Picture of Hattusa: Hattusa. (2022, December 13). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hattusa Cover photo: Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

In a conversation with my children, I was trying to explain to them the privileges that come with responsibility and in doing so attempted to show them different kinds of responsibility. There are multiple levels of being responsible, I realized. Level 1: The Rebel This person blatantly does not do what they have been asked to do. A parent asks their child to come home by 9 pm and they consistently do not. A wife repeatedly asks her husband not to humiliate her in public and yet he persistently does. Level 2: The Uninformed This person also does not carry out their responsibilities, but the difference is that they don't know what their responsibilities are. This includes those that genuinely forget about a task. All infants automatically fall into this category, since they continue their embarrassing social behavior in spite of careful instruction. In this way, an Uninformed infant is better than a Rebellious adult. Level 3: The Follower This type of person follows all instructions. You tell them to take out the trash and they dutifully obey it. Many older children can fall into this group. Parents tell them what to do, and they do it. Parents breathe a sigh of relief when they have children like these, especially when their other kids are Level 1 Rebellious teenagers or Level 2 Uninformed infants. Level 4: The Motivated Even though the Follower (Level 3) listens and obeys their parents, they don’t do anything without a specific direction or command. Parents would prefer slightly more than this from their children over time. The Motivated person does what needs to be done without being told. They see a pattern of instruction and proceed to do it. They become self-motivated rather than constantly other-motivated. This is a child who is starting to become an adult. They do their schoolwork not because their parents have to tell them every single day to do it. Instead, they come home from school, recognize their responsibility, and do their tasks. Level 5: The Responsible Though the Level 4 Motivated person does their tasks without having to be reminded, they still stop at doing their task and nothing else. A Level 5 person is Responsible. They go above and beyond their own responsibilities. They are cognizant of their own tasks, but also those of someone else. Being aware, they start doing someone else’s task as well. A Motivated child who is self-motivated to take out the trash without being told, becomes Responsible when, on their way in, sees a branch of a tree fallen unfavorably and moves it out. It wasn't his responsibility, but he does it anyway. He goes above and beyond his assigned tasks. A parent, by definition, is a Responsible (Level 5) person, at least as long as they are actively parenting. Every parent hopes that their child does not only their own responsibilities without being asked but also other tasks around the house that are not specifically theirs. These levels can be seen not just in parent-child relationships but also in other facets of life. One can be a Follower employee or neighbor that does only what is being told and only on command or one can choose to be a Motivated employee (or neighbor) and do whatever needs to be done without being told, knowing what one's responsibility is. In spiritual matters too, we can have similar levels of responsibility. There can be the Rebel who staunchly refuses to do what God has told him. He knows he has to read the Bible and spend time with God but refuses to do so citing unearthly excuses. The Uninformed can disobey God out of ignorance. The Follower listens and obeys as long as they are being prodded along by people around them. Children of spiritual parents can be this way. They do spiritual things as long as they are being asked to do them. The Motivated person continues to seek God even when there is no one to encourage them. But the Responsible person (Level 5), is not only motivated to seek God and pray for themselves but, in addition, is also concerned about the spiritual condition of others. They go above and beyond their own spiritual needs and will invest their resources in the spiritual growth of someone else. It is possible, I suppose, for one person to be at different levels of responsibility at different times. We can be Responsible in parenting, a Follower at work, and a Rebel in spiritual matters. Additionally, one can be a Responsible parent one day and a Rebellious parent the next day. The goal for each person would be to be Responsible in all facets of their lives at all times.

Revelation 19:6-10 6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” 10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” Hallelujah Rev 6:10 They had cried, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Celebrating God’s justice The eternal nature of that justice Recognition of God’s sovereignty in the context of his justice 1. The Lord Reigns Who is it that reigns? Lord: The one who exercises supernatural authority over mankind. God: The one supreme supernatural being, creator and sustainer of the universe. Almighty: The one who controls all things, the omnipotent one. Whose is it that reigns? Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? Samuel 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel… Who/What does God reign over? 2. The Marriage of the Lamb a. ____________ b. ____________ Most of us find it very difficult to want “Heaven” at all – except in so far as “Heaven” means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world.
Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we do not recognise it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.
- CS Lewis, Mere Christianity c. _______________ Phil 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Emotional aspect - longing Mental aspect - constant thoughts Behavioural aspect - life adjustment Nandor Katz and Alan Moskin Response Anyone who is not prepared. Anyone who needs the reminder that Our Lord God Almighty reigns. Photo by Jeremy Wong Weddings on Unsplash

2 Kings 5:1-16 1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. Eph 6:12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 1. The Soft Voice of ____________ 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” 11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 2. The Sane Voice of ____________. 1 Cor 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. 15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused. 25 When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” “Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered. 26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow. 3. The Selfish Voice of ____________. Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Picture: Photo by Sean Foster on Unsplash

1. Accurately __________________ Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 2. Gives ______________________ 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB) 3. Gives _______________________ Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 4. The ________________ a. Manuscripts Time between the original and the earliest manuscript Number of manuscripts b. Eye-witness Accounts 2 Pet 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. How early were the eye-witness accounts of the gospels? Luke 1:1-2 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 1 Cor 15:3-7 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then he appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Gal 1:18-19 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. The Bible has sold more than 2.4 billion copies since 1816. It’s been on the best sellers’ list for the last 400 years and has been translated in over 1,500 languages. It has had a greater impact on culture, world views and individual lives than any other book. It has been responsible for wars, revolutions, and reformations. It spans over 1,500 years, written in three different languages by 44 authors, making up a total of 66 books. Once laughed at, it is now used by archaeologists to find lost civilizations—its historical accuracy is impeccable. Its predictions of future events have been fulfilled by the hundreds with shocking precision. It is the foundation for law and morality for many nations. It unveils the origins of man and his final destiny. It explores and reveals the deepest philosophical questions of humanity. It is practical, yet deeply spiritual. Simple, yet filled with eternal mysteries. Its words are able to cut into the very heart of man, often resulting in overwhelming displays of emotion, conviction, freedom, courage and self–respect. It is authoritative not only on earth, but in the heavens. Principalities and powers must bow before its command. It is a window to heaven. A biography written in God's own handwriting. A love letter. A manual for life. When heaven and earth come crashing down and the stars fall from the sky, it will be left standing solid, for it is eternal living Logos. 5. The ___________________ 1 John 3:2-3 we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. His life was perfectly holy. He never looked with lust; he never uttered a hasty, unkind, untrue or frivolous word; and he never entertained an impure thought. He was never accused by conscience, never inflamed by wrongful passion, never out of step with the will of God. … He never had to apologize for anything he did or retract a single word he said. … He lived on earth approximately 12000 days and every one of them was a marvel of holiness. From the summit of the mount of transfiguration he could have stepped straight into glory. …
John Phillips, Exploring Romans Picture of manuscript P52: From the John Rylands library in Manchester, England.

Mark 6:1-5 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[ a ] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith. 1. The Issue of Familiarity Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 2. Signs of Indifference a. Decreasing _______________ Rev 2:2-4 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. b. Decreasing _______________. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. c. Decreasing ________________. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses … 3. The Implications of Indifference Mk 6:5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 4. An Invitation ____________ Revelation 1 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” 12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Moses: Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God… Exodus 3:6 Gideon: When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” Judges 6:22 Habbakuk - I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Habakkuk 3:16 Ezekiel: This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown Ezekiel 1:27 Job: My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you, Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6 Daniel : I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless Daniel 10:7-8, 9:20 John: When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. Revelation 1:17