Kingship

March 25 2012

2 Samuel, Chapters 11 – 18

Kingship:

- What are positives and negatives of having a king/leader?

- What does the Bible say about it? 1 Samuel 8:4-22.

- What was Israel’s experience with kings?

Saul:  reigned for 42 years.  Did some good things, but became inebriated with power and acted as a paranoid, jealous dictator at time trying to hold onto power.

David: David does good (2 Samuel 8:15). But then we run into the story of David and Bathsheeba.  David essentially kills Uriah.  David is an interesting character because he responds justly to Nathan’s story and recognizes his own sinfulness when called on it.

Solomon:  For all his wisdom, he had a problem with lust and allowed the women in his harem to pull him away from the Lord.

After Solomon:  the divided kingdom where there were only a few kings who did well by the Lord.  Most led Israel into idolatry and were oppressive.

- David and Solomon are some of the heroes of the Bible, and they were messed up people.  David was a man after God’s own heart, and he messed up big time – he was majorly broken.

            - what makes him a man after God’s own heart is his recognition of his sinfulness and his holding his identity strongly in the Lord.

            - David’s lesson is not one of power or greatness, but of humility and repentance.

            - read Psalm 51.

Conclusions:

The lesson we learn is that greatness is not about position but disposition.

We also learn not to give absolute trust or allegiance to anyone other than God  (Barmen Declaration)

Creeds and Confessions, cont'd: The Holy Spirit Handout!

“I believe in the Holy Spirit”

I.         The creed up to this point leaves us in absence, with Jesus leaving us

A.   John 14:18-20, 25-26

B.   The Holy Spirit is sent to us

C.   Jesus is with the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, he leads them to a mountain… Acts 1:6-11.

II.       Where does the Holy Spirit Come from?

A.   The Holy Spirit was always around

1.    Numbers 11:17-29 - The Spirit of the Lord upon Moses and given to 70 to help Moses deal with the Israelites in the wilderness

2.    Nehemiah 9:20 - The Spirit of God instructs

3.    Psalm 104:30 - God sends God’s spirit which creates - i.e. Genesis 1:2

III.      The disciples were given the “power” of the Holy Spirit so that they could be witnesses. (Acts 1:8)

A.   The Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples -

1.    Acts 2:1-4 - The Holy Spirit (in tongues of fire) appeared on all the disciples present (more than just the 12) and they began to speak in other languages

2.    And others

a)    Acts 8:15-17 - Peter and John pray that the Samarians receive the HS

b)   Acts 10:44 - Peter speaking to Cornelius: the Holy Spirit came to the gentiles who heard and they spoke in other languages

3.    This was a power not to control others, but to share with others - the power is that of God (not given to one particular person or people group) - to spread the message, sometimes even using amazing feats such as speaking in other languages, or performing miracles.

IV.    What is the Holy Spirit?

A.   The Holy Spirit is called the Advocate or Counselor - the παράκλητον

1.    The paraclete is someone who would stand by the side of someone in court and defend them, or in times of pain mourn with the bereaved, a faithful companion, even to use 12 step language a sponsor

B.   So the question is not really “what” is the Holy Spirit, but “WHO” is the Holy Spirit.

V.      Why is the Spirit “Holy”

A.   1a) it is sacred - has a special connection with God (Trinity)

B.   1b) and it is “Spirit” - the word in Greek and Hebrew means wind or breath

1.    Hebrew = ruach (ְר֣וּחַ)

2.    Greek = pneuma (πνεῦμα)

3.    This play on words in John 3:8 when Jesus is speaking with Nicodemus

a)    The Spirit has both power and freedom

C.   2) Holy = purity, perfection, sanctity, obedient

VI.    What does the Holy Spirit do?

A.   Ezekiel 36:26-27 - Put a new heart of flesh - and God’s Spirit to help us follow God’s decrees

1.    1 John 3:24 - The Spirit allows us to obey Christ’s commands

B.   Joel 2:28-29 - The day of the Lord - God’s Spirit is poured out = dreams/visions

C.   Haggai 2:4-5 - God’s Spirit remains among God’s people

D.   Matthew 10:20, Mark 13:11 - The Spirit of the Father speaks through us in our defense

E.    John 16:7, 12-15 - It is good that the Spirit comes to us - It teaches/guides us in truth

1.    Acts 1:2, Acts 15:28, 1 Corinthians 2:10

F.    Romans 8:11 - The Spirit which raised Jesus is in you

1.    Giving your bodies life - The Spirit makes God with us forever

G.   Acts 1:8 - Receive power to witness

1.    1 John 5:6-8 - The Spirit is truth and testifies to Jesus Christ

H.   John 6:63-65 - The Spirit (given by the Father) gives life and Faith

I.      1 Corinthians 12:3 - Cannot proclaim Jesus is Lord except by the Spirit

1.    1 John 4:1-6

J.     1 Corinthians 3:16 - God’s Spirit lives in the church (God’s temple)

K.    2 Corinthians 1:22 - God gives us the Spirit as a deposit/down payment - allows us to stand firm in Christ, and set’s God’s ownership of us.

L.    Galatians 4:6-7 - God sends the Spirit into our hearts, and it is by that Spirit that we can cry out ‘Abba’ Father - in this way we are sons and heirs with Christ.

M.  Ephesians 3:16 - We are strengthened by the Spirit ( to endure suffering)

1.    1 Thessalonians 1:5-7  When we are chosen by God we receive the Spirit which allows us to accept the gospel, imitate the Lord, and be joyful in the midst of suffering.

VII.   Lot’s of people think that you have to display certain/specific “fruits of the Spirit” to be a true disciple (i.e. speaking in tongues, prophesy) - although certainly some fruits of the Spirit should be seen.

A.   One cannot have faith unless by the Holy Spirit.

1.    Other fruits of the Spirit:

a)    Galatians 5:22-23 - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self-control

b)   1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 27-30 - many gifts which are given by the Spirit which make up the body of Christ.

B.   Calvin “The HS is the bond by which Christ effectually unites us to himself.” (Institutes 3.I.i)

C.   If you have faith in Christ, you’ve got the Holy Spirit, if you’ve got the Holy Spirit, you’re united with Christ.

Creeds and Confessions, continued

Continuing our study of the Apostles’ Creed...

“He descended into hell” or “He descended to the dead”

Methodists do not include this phrase when they recite the creed.

What is the underlying meaning of this phrase?  Some ideas:

- Jesus had to complete the cycle of being human, including real death.

- Jesus’ power goes beyond the realm of the physical world.

- Notice that Jesus continued his descent:  from heaven, to earth, to suffering, to dying, to the dead.

The word “hell” is from Greek = Hades;  Hebrew = Sheol both of which mean ‘the place of the dead.’ 

Gehenna is a word used in the New Testament, often translated as ‘hell’. It was named after the Gehinnom Valley outside Jerusalem.  In pre-Christian times, foreign gods were worshipped there and they sacrificed infants there (wicked and detestable).  Ancient Hebrew kings eliminated the child sacrifice and worship, and turned it into a waste dump.  So it was an actual place.

A weighty theological question: 

Is hell close to Millvale?

New Testament has an after-death description in the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

Early Christian art sometimes depicts Jesus exiting hell, triumphantly stomping on the devil, with the redeemed inhabitants of hell exiting behind him.  Scripture reference: 1 Peter 3: 18-20.

The concept of heaven and hell is incorporated into 21^st century Christian faith.  But is the reason for our faith really whether or not we are saved? 

Rob Bell’s book Love Wins,  Scot McKnight’s book The King Jesus Gospel.  Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God:  “The kingdom of God is at hand.”

“On the third day he rose again”

Why is that important to our faith? 

From Christ’s resurrection, we have hope.  Our faith isn’t based on theory or rumor, but fact, witnessed by observers who were willing to die rather than say the resurrection didn’t happen.

Creeds and Confessions, Part 3

Dec 18

Remember that the Apostles’ Creed was written to refute certain ideas from

- the gnostics.  Said the spiritual world is perfect.

- Marcion.  Said the Old Testament God is not the same as the New Testament God.  The God we see in Jesus is the true God; the creation by Yahweh is not good.

- pagan religions.  Said new gods were created through the sexual shenanigans of the gods.

Further delving into phrases from the Apostles' Creed:  

“born of the Virgin Mary”.

One of the issues in the early church was the question of Jesus’ humanity – was he a man?  The virgin birth was not the issue for the early church, but rather the issue was the birth itself: Jesus was born as a human.

Writers of the creed also are referencing Biblical women who miraculously were able to bear children (for example Sarah, Hannah).

The virgin birth is not essential to the Christian faith, but the Lordship of Jesus is essential.

“He suffered under Pontius Pilate”.

“Suffered” denotes the human element.

“Under Pontius Pilate” says that the event happened at a specific time and place.  It was a documentable event.

“Was crucified, died, and was buried.”

Crucified means tortured, humiliated, executed in the way that common criminals were executed.  Jesus was treated as a common criminal, not a respectable decent guy in their society.

“Died and was buried” reaffirms that Jesus really died.  There were other ‘gospels’ floating around that were gnostic gospels – some said Jesus did not really die.

Creeds and Confessions, Part 2

Nov 13, 2011

The Apostles’ Creed, line by line

Here again is a possibly useful link:  PC USA on Confessions

The creeds/confessions are here

We discussed the Apostle’s Creed, line by line.  Here are some of the questions we addressed:

1.  “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.”

- What was there before God, before the creation?

- What did the writers of the creed mean by 'heaven'?  Were they talking

about the sky or the place you go when you die?

 - What does it mean when it says that God is creator of the earth?  What idea or ideas do you think the writers were trying to counteract? 

2.  “I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,”

- What does "Lord" mean here - is the Lord that Larry referred to in his

sermon last week, or something else?  (Larry’s sermon noted that in the Old Testament text the uppercase Lord was used for the word ‘YHVH’, and Lord was used for other references to God.)

- What does it mean to say “Jesus is Lord”?  

3.  “who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,”

-  what does “born of the Virgin Mary” say about Jesus?  Jesus is fully human.

- Is belief in the 'virgin birth' was necessary to our belief in the 'rest of the story' I.e. Salvation through Christ etc etc

4. “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;”

- Who was Pontius Pilate?

- Who was Herod?

- By bringing Pontius Pilate into it, were the writers of the creed implying that Jesus’ life took place in history?

- Why do you think the writers of the creed wrote, "crucified, died, and was buried." ?  

- it is interesting that the creed goes from “born of the Virgin Mary” to “suffered under Pontius Pilate” – what about Jesus’ life?  

Creeds and Confessions, Part 1

Nov 6, 2011, led by Jon Draskovic

What is the purpose of the creeds and confessions?  The creeds and confessions are an expression of the essential tenets of the Presbyterian Church.

According to the class, the essential tenets of our faith are:

- sin and confession of sin

- Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior

- We are saved by grace alone (through faith)

- Trinity – God, Son, Holy Spirit

- Scripture – the Bible is the word of God

- forgiveness

- the church is a community of believers

The creeds and confessions are drawn out of scripture, which itself points to Jesus.

The creeds bring up a tension between the freedom of an individual’s conscience versus the integrity of the community’s past (as expressed in the creeds and confessions).

The creeds allow us to not have to rethink every part of the essential tenets of the faith.  We can also apply our thinking to new problems, for instance, cloning.

By contrast, what are non-essentials?

Some culturally nuanced parts of scripture – for instance, that women should cover their heads – we now consider these to be non-essential to the faith.  Another example: alcohol – some churches say NO to alcohol; others incorporate it. 

What are the creeds and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA)?

The PC USA has 10 different confessions because each emphasizes different points. For instance, the Barmen Declaration came about during Nazi Germany.

2 universal confessions:

The Apostle’s Creed (2^nd century) and the Nicene Creed (325 AD / 381 AD).

Both of these focus on the Trinity and on Jesus as the incarnation of God.

6 confessions/catechisms arose from the Protestant Reformation:

The Scots, Second Helvetic, and Westminster Confessions; and all three of our catechisms (the Heidelberg and the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms).

The most recent creeds/confessions are

Declaration of Barmen, Confession of 1967, and A Brief Statement of Faith.

Some of the themes of these confessions are:

- God’s sovereignty

- Election

- Faithful stewardship of God’s creation

- We are sinful beings

- Necessity of obedience to word of God to work for justice

Going back to the tension between the individual’s conscience and the community’s integrity, a question: What if you find you disagree with one part of a creed?

- turn to the community and discuss it

- hang on to the salvation by grace

- the creeds are the church’s statement of faith, not a personal statement of faith

- honor the struggle that comes with the faith

This might be a helpful link:  PCUSA on Confessions

The Exchanged Life, Part 2: I am complete

Oct 9, 2011

“The Exchanged Life, Part 2: I am Complete”

Bob Jamison, director of Family Guidance, Inc.

C.S. Lewis said, “It is God’s plan to populate the world with little Christs.”

Colossians 2:9-10

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Complete/Full

The Greek for full/fullness is plero’o, which means something that is complete, full, made right;  something was missing but now it is complete.

- like a fishnet full of fish.

            - like a pothole that has been filled in.

There is an obstetrician who shows the new mother the baby’s foot, and says, “This a 20-year-old’s foot.”  That is, everything is already there in the baby’s foot to make a 20-year-old’s foot.  You have as much Jesus in you as the Apostle Paul did on his best day.

In order to learn to live in a Christ-like way, there is a chipping away process.  There is old stuff clinging to you that is not Jesus.  Chipping away at the old stuff can sometimes be painful.  A lot of the chipping away happens in community.

Assignment:  read the bookmark every day.

Book recommendation:  Who I Am in Christ by Neil Anderson.