Last Sunday, the plan was to start going through Matthew 20, but instead, we spent our time looking at the kingdom of Heaven. That was to sharpen our focus on the major theme in Matthew 20, the kingdom of Heaven.
As you prepare for this Sunday, remember what we learned about the kingdom of Heaven:
The kingdom of Heaven on earth has been a promise from the beginning, and that kingdom is to be universal (Gen 22:17-18/Matthew 28:18-20) and eternal (2 Samuel 7:12-16/Revelation 1:5-6)
Jesus Christ came to establish and reveal the kingdom of Heaven on earth. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17
The task of the visible church is to make the invisible kingdom visible in our midst. The two most fundamental ways the church does this are through worship and obedience.
THIS SUNDAY, we will start Matthew 20. Read through the chapter a couple of times this week.
This chapter seems like a mixed bag. It has a parable (Laborers in the Vineyard), the third and final mention from Jesus regarding his going to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and be raised, the request of the mother of James and John to Jesus regarding authority for her sons, and it finishes with Jesus healing two blind men.
This chapter tells us a lot about the Kingdom of Heaven, and we learn that the kingdom is not like our world. Three lessons coming from this chapter:
The first will be last and the last first.
The great will be servants.
The blind will see.
As you read this chapter, prayerfully meditate on these three kingdom realities.
Other Passages
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Ephesians 4:17-24
Romans 9:14-16
Questions and Meditations
What is Jesus communicating with these three realities, and how do his death and resurrection connect to them?
How have you come to experience these realities as a Christian, in your life or others?
Since we still struggle in the flesh, how are you tempted to resist these realities of the Kingdom of Heaven and uphold the earthly opposite?
Sunday School:
Week 6 of Biblical Theology Class: Eden to New Jerusalem
What is Biblical Theology? Biblical theology is the discipline of learning how to read the Bible as one story by one divine author that culminates in the person and work of Christ, so that every part of Scripture is understood in relation to the eternal work of redemption.
What is Biblical Theology?
1. Defining the Topic Week 1
2. Guardian & Guide for the Church Week 2
3. Defining the Tools Week 3
The Stories to be Told: Biblical Theology Displayed
4. Kingdom Through Covenant Week 4-5
5. Eden to New Jerusalem Week 6
6. People of God Week 7
7. Sacrifice Week 8
8. Mission Week 9
9. Idolatry Week 10
Putting the Text to Work
10. Exodus; 1 Samuel; Psalm Week 11
11. Proverbs; Isaiah; Nehemiah Week 12
12. Luke; John; Colossians Week 13
13. The Quiz Week 14
The Bible has one main theme, redemption, but it has many sub-themes that weave in and out around the main. These would be covenant, priesthood, temple, sacrifice, etc. During this study, we will understand what Biblical Theology is, how to recongize it in the scriptures, and then how to use it to study the scriptures.
Click on the hymn playlist below and fill your home and vehicle with hymns that beautifully portray the glory of Christ.
DAILY PRIVATE/FAMILY WORSHIP
Seek daily communion with God through scripture reading, prayer, and singing. Click on the resources below.
*This Week's Hymns Playlist - Spotify
*This Week's Hymns Playlist - YouTube
"I feel it is far better to begin with God—to see his face first, to get my soul near him before it is near another." - Robert Murray M'Cheyne
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