The heavens and earth proclaim God’s glory to the world. The sun is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. God’s law is perfect and trustworthy. It brings joy and are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. By keeping God’s law, there is great reward. Keep me from sinning.
Questions for Psalm 19
1 ) The law refreshes the soul, is trustworhty, and makes us wise. The law gives us joy and light. His decrees are frim and righteous. They are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. There is great reward in keeping them.
2 ) God’s Word is good and guides us. It keeps us from sinning. It comforts and commands. It is good. My experience is indescribable because all that I have is from Him and all that I do is for Him.
Conclusions to Wordgo Study of Wisdom Psalm 19
Great Scripture! I love how we are reminded that God speaks to us through His creation. We often think we have to “hear” an audible sound from God. Instead, all we have to do is look around, and He is there. God’s law is perfect, even when we don’t like what it says. His Word is more precious that gold. We need to cling to that in our darkest moments of life. Contact me today!
On Sunday after Jesus’s death, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to Jesus’s tomb. There was an earthquake and and angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled away the stone. He looked like lightning and wore white clothes. The guards were afraid, shook, and became like dead men.
The angel addressed the women, telling them that Jesus has risen like he said he would. He is not there. He tells them to come inside and see the empty tomb then to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and is going to Galilee.
The women did as they were told, afraid but full of joy. Jesus met them on their way to the disciples. They clasped his feet and worshipped him. They he told them to go to his brothers and go to Galilee where they will see him.
The women went to report to the disciples. Some of the guards went to report to the chief priests what had happened. The chief priests, wanting to hide this news, bribed the soldiers to lie and say that during the night, the disciples came and took the body. They offered to protect the soldiers from consequences of falling asleep.
SUMMARY OF 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-19
Paul is telling the Corinthians that they are saved by the Gospel. Christ died for our sins. He was raised on the third day. He appeared before the disciples, 500 people at the same time, James, and him. The dead rise again because Christ rose from the grave. If Christ had not risen, they you are still in sin.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 4: Matthew 28:1-15 with 1 Corinthians 15:1-19
9) The argument that Paul makes that if Jesus did not rise from the grave, then our faith is worthless. Jesus’s resurrection is the crux of our religion, and Paul makes a great logical argument here.
10)
John 10:17-18: Jesus willingly laid down his life for us, and he rose with his own authority.
Acts 2:31 with Psalm 16:10: Christ’s body did not decay nor was it in the grave.
Acts 17:30-31: There will be a judgment day with the proof being Jesus’s resurrection.
Romans 6:4: With Christ’s resurrection, we live a new life, as we were baptized with Christ in death.
Ephesians 1:18-23: We have God’s power because he rose Christ from the grave and placed him ruler over everything.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: Those who have died believing Jesus will rise again.
1 Peter 1:3-6: God has given us birth through a living hope and an eternal inheritance because of the resurrection of Christ.
11a) Jesus’s willingness to die for us. Unfathomable to me.
b) It’s helpful when times are tough and the world is turbulent to have hope in him.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 4: Matthew 28:1-15 with 1 Corinthians 15:1-19
If you get nothing else from the study of Matthew, get this: Christ died for you, and with faith, you will have eternal life.
Great read!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 29, Day 4: Matthew 28:1-15 with 1 Corinthians 15:1-19
Matthew 28:1-15
The women were headed to properly prepare Jesus’s body for burial since Jewish law forbade people from touching dead bodies.
Matthew is the only Gospel to record the earthquake. Bible scholars think the angel prompted the earthquake as he rolled the stone.
Jesus was the first one to be resurrected. Elijah 1 Kings 17:17-24) and Lazarus (John 11:38-44) were brought back from the dead in their old bodies. Resurrection entails getting a new body.
Jesus is risen. He reigns in heaven. There is no tomb of Jesus to go and visit here on earth.
The women should not have been surprised as Jesus said this is what would happen.
Note that Jesus had passed through the stone barrier John 20:19. The stone was only rolled away so others could see and testify to Jesus’s resurrection.
These women saw Jesus’s body go into the tomb and now they say it missing.
Jesus’s resurrection proves God accepted Jesus as a substitute for us.
Note that women were chosen to be the first to tell of Jesus’s resurrection.
King James has “rejoice” as “all hail,” which was a normal Greek greeting.
Fun Fact: this is the first time Jesus calls his disciples “brothers.”
If the guards were asleep, how would they know it was the disciples who stole the body? Obviously, the chief priests aren’t as smart as they think they are. It would have been a loud noise to roll away the stone. There’s no way all those guards would have slept through that.
All of the lies about the denial of Jesus’s resurrection is just that — lies.
1 Corinthians 15:1-19
You must receive the gospel (“good news”) that Paul received from Christ himself.
Christ died
Christ died for our sins
He was buried
Jesus rose again
He rose again on the third day
Jesus was seen by Cephas
Jesus was seen by the twelve
He was seen by over 500 brethren
He was seen by James
Christ was seen by the apostles
He was seen by Paul
“According to the Scriptures”, meaning Jesus’s death fulfilled prophesy.
Paul calls himself the least, and by the grace of God, he is a new man who labored for Christ.
The first-century Corinthians denied our/their resurrection, not Jesus’s.
Jesus hung for three hours in this darkness. At the ninth hour, Jesus cries out to God, asking why He has forsaken him. Some who were there thought Jesus was crying for Elijah. They immediately ran to get a sponge and put wine vinegar on it. These people offered it to Jesus to drink. They waited to see if Elijah would come and save him. Jesus cried out again and then died. At that moment, the curtain in the temple was torn in two, the earth shook and the rocks split. Tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who were dead came to life. They came out of their tombs and appeared to many people after Jesus’s resurrection.
Those who were there with Jesus when he died, including the Roman centurion believed he was the Son of God. Many women were there who had followed Jesus from Galilee. These included Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zedebee’s sons.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 28, Day 4: Matthew 27:45-56
8 ) Isaiah 13:9-10 tells us that the day of the Lord is coming to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within. Acts 2:20 says the darkness will foreshadow the coming of the Lord.
9) This was the first time God had ever been separated from Jesus as he bore our sins on the cross. It must have been agonizing for both. Plus, Jesus is in physical pain and spiritual pain.
10a) At that moment, the curtain in the temple was torn in two, the earth shook and the rocks split. Tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who were dead came to life. They came out of their tombs and appeared to many people after Jesus’s resurrection.
b) When the curtain tore upon Jesus’s death, we all immediately had access to God. There would be no need for a priest to be the only one who could be with God. The earth shook and the rocks split signify Jesus will come again. Those were were raised signify their ascension to heaven and Jesus’s power to conquer death.
11a) Fear
b) Many women were there who had followed Jesus from Galilee. These included Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zedebee’s sons. God’s inclusion of everyone in his plan for redemption.
12) Every action has a price we must pay and the cost can be severe. We are to try to walk like Jesus, repent of our sins, and be truly grateful Christ stood in our place.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 28, Day 4: Matthew 27:45-56
So many people sugar coat Christ’s death, not thinking about the reality of death — the pain, the agony, the suffering that Christ endured for us. If we had any idea how much Christ suffered for our sins, we’d all be on our knees.
Just for fun!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 28, Day 4: Matthew 27:45-56
An unusual darkness descended from noon to 3 pm. It is estimated that Jesus hung on the cross for 9 hours, beginning around 9 am. This showed how the entire world was in agony as Jesus was dying.
People come out of the darkness into light. In this moment, the entire world was black as Jesus was dying.
Fun Fact: This is the only time it is recorded that Jesus cried out to God without calling him “Father.”
Jesus quotes Psalm 22, as his fulfillment of the prophecy.
For the first time, Jesus is separate from God. You get the sense that that’s all that truly matters. Is that what truly matters to you, too? Yet, God was still with Jesus since they are irrevocably tied together.
Jesus was separated from God so we never have to be.
Jesus dreaded the spiritual suffering of the cross, when he took upon his own shoulders the sin of the world. This cup was what Jesus had a hard time bearing (Luke 22:39-46, Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15) or God’s righteous wrath.
Those who heard Jesus mistakenly thought he was calling down Elijah.
With one word, “telelestai” meaning “it is finished” in Greek, Jesus paid the price for our sin and saved us for all of eternity.
Note that Jesus had to choose to give up his life. Since he was not a sinner, he could not die like the rest of us. (John 10:17-18)
When the curtain tore upon Jesus’s death, we all immediately had access to God. There would be no need for a priest to be the only one who could be with God.
The earth cried out in agony at Jesus’s death even if man did not.
Jesus was the only person who willingly gave up his life. Humans have no choice; we all die.
Earthquakes frequently represent God’s judgment in the Bible. Note that those who came out of the grave did so on the day Jesus was resurrected, not at this moment. This is the only Gospel that records this event so this is all that we know about it.
The Roman centurion noted the uniqueness of Jesus’s death. Women came, as did all social classes and faiths. All sinners were there; all sinners were saved.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 5: Review Matthew 24 and 25
12) We need to be prepared for Jesus’s return at any time. We do that by continually pursuing God’s will for our lives and spreading the love of Jesus, too.
13) The things we do for others is really things we do for Jesus. This is profound for me. I just hadn’t thought of it before. It helps me to be more generous and helpful when needed.
14) Matthew 24:13 “he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” This gives me strength in the bad times to stand firm. Matthew 25:21: “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” This offers me hope that I will continue to be blessed in my life. Matthew 25:29: “Everyone who has will be given more.” Again, encouraging me when I want things in life.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 5: Review Matthew 24 and 25
I thoroughly enjoyed reading these chapters of Matthew. Jesus teaching the disciples is like him teaching me. It reminds me to use my talents for the greater good.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 5: Review Matthew 24 and 25
Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Virgins. He tells his disciples that the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five were foolish and forgot to take oil with them for their lamps. Five were wise and took oil in jars. All of them fell asleep waiting on the bridegroom. When the bridegroom arrived, all woke up. The foolish ones asked for oil, and the wise ones told them to buy your own.
The foolish ones left to buy oil. When they did, the bridegroom came and only took the virgins who were ready to the wedding banquet. The bridegroom refused the late comers when they arrived. Thus, be ready because you don’t know when the bridegroom will come.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 2: Matthew 25:1-13
3a) They were the same except the wise virgins prepared ahead of time for what they would need; the foolish ones did not.
b) Wise virgins are Christians and are prepared for Jesus’s Second Coming; foolish ones are non-Christians or Christians who are not prepared for Jesus’s return.
4a)
Matthew 7:24-27: You must be prepared by laying a firm foundation to survive life’s storms.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8: You must be alert and self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: God himself will sanctify you through and through. May your spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless for Jesus’s coming.
b)
John 3:5-8: No one can enter the kingdom of heaven unless he has the Holy Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, and the spirit gives birth to spirit. You must be born again.
Romans 8:9: The Spirit of God lives inside of you and controls you. You belong to Christ if you have the Spirit of Christ.
Ephesians 1:13-14: When you heard the word of truth and believed, you were marked with a seal, the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance until the redemption.
5) It assures me because I am ready, and because of that, I will be taken to the banquet.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 2: Matthew 25:1-13
I love the picture of Jesus as our bridegroom. Weddings are such festive and happy occasions that it brings me joy to think of this when he takes me.
Great kids’ read as Easter is fast approaching!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 25, Day 2: Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus is still on the Mount of Olives teaching his disciples. Matthew 24 ended with a warning to be ready for Jesus’s Second Coming, and here we see the same theme.
In Jewish tradition of the times, a bride got engaged, went through a betroyal, or a wedding ceremony, and then got married about a year later at an unexpected time. Usually, there were about 10 bridesmaids who went forth to meet the bridegroom with lamps. He usually arrived at night to pick her up, hence the need for the lamps.
Jesus is presenting the idea as himself as the bridegroom as an extension of God since God is pictured as the bridegroom in the Old Testament, and Israel as the bride (Isaiah 54:4-5; 62:5; Jeremiah 2:2; Hosea 1-3,)
Five were prepared for the bridegroom; five were not. Note that the five that were not prepared appeared to be so, but, in reality, they were not, which is many people today.
The torches were most likely a wooden staff with a dish at the top with a cloth soaked in oil to light it.
We see oil as an emblem of the Holy Spirit in Zechariah 4:1-7).
Oil was an important trade good in ancient times, being used for many uses, from healing (Luke 10:34) to fuel and as perfume. The Holy Spirit heals, fuels us, and cleanses us to be with God.
If you don’t have oil, you don’t have light. If you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you don’t have Jesus.
The bridegroom rejected the bridesmaids, saying strongly he does not know them. Once the door is shut, it will never reopen.
The bridegroom is clearly Jesus here. The lamp and oil signify readiness and preparation. We don’t know when Jesus will return to earth.
Message: Be ready, or you won’t enter the kingdom of heaven. It’s that simple.
You know summer is near when the twigs and leaves of a fig tree get tender and come out. This generation won’t pass away until all of these things have happened. Jesus’s words won’t pass away.
Only God knows when the Second Coming will be. When the Son comes again, life will be normal as it was in the days of Noah before the flood. People ate, drank, and got married as normal. Some will be taken; others won’t.
Jesus says to keep watch because no one knows what day he will come, and he will come at an hour no one expects. It’s good for the faithful and wise servant to be taking care of the master’s household until he returns. If he is wicked, however, and beats his fellow servants and hang out with drunkards, he will be cut to pieces when the master returns and assigned a place amongst the hypocrites with weeping and gnashing of teeth.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 5: Matthew 24:32-51
10) This generation won’t pass away until all of these things have happened. Jesus’s words won’t pass away.
11a) When the Son comes again, life will be normal as it was in the days of Noah before the flood. People ate, drank, and got married as normal. In Noah’s day, people were so wicked God destroyed them.
b) Only God knows when the Second Coming will be.
12) The man did not watch his house as he should, so thieves snuck in. We need to be watchful so we are not lost when Jesus comes.
13) We must keep the faith and God’s commands, so that we are ready when Jesus comes because no one knows when that will be. We are to be faithful and serve.
14) Just be mindful that Jesus is always watching, that this earth is temporary and not my home, that I belong elsewhere, and remind myself periodically that Jesus is coming again soon.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 5: Matthew 24:32-51
I didn’t remember that only God knows when Jesus will return. This is encouraging since none of us know, so it’s best to treat every day as if Jesus will appear.
Great reminder!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 5: Matthew 24:32-51
The fig tree grows abundantly in Isreal and is mentioned many times in the Old Testament as a symbol of abundance. We see in Jeremiah 24:1-10 and Hosea 9:10, figs or fig trees represent Israel. The Luke version of this story Luke 21:29-31: shows clearly that the fig tree is used a sign that the kingdom of God is near.
When these signs appear, so will Jesus:
Catastrophes
Abomination of desolation
Israel will flee
Tribulation and cosmic disturbances
The generation is the generation that sees these signs. Some Bible scholars believe that “generation” really means race and refers to the Jews, meaning they will survive to the end. No one knows which generation it will be.
Many are confused by how Jesus’s coming cannot be known since only God knows it, yest Daniel says it will be exactly 1,290 days after the abomination of desolation (Daniel 12:11).
The days of Noah were marked by evil, violence, and demons, which is why God destroyed humanity and decided to start over.(Genesis 6:1-5).
Again, how can people go on living with such evil all around them?
Bible scholar William Barclay on this passage: “It is in two sections and they seem to contradict each other. The first (verses 32-35) seem to indicate that, as a man can tell by the signs of nature when summer is on the way, so he can tell by the signs of the world when the Second Coming is on the way. The second section (verses 36-41) says quite definitely that no one knows the time of the Second Coming, not the angels, not even Jesus himself, but only God; and that it will come upon men with the suddenness of a rainstorm out of a blue sky.”
This dicotomy is explained by knowing that there are two second comings here: the rapture (where all believers will be caught up and meet the Lord in the air. The bodies of the dead will be resurrected, and all believers, living and dead, will be glorified) and then the Second Coming (where Jesus will set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful).
While we wait for Jesus, we must wait for his coming, be faithful, and we’ll be rewarded when he comes. The evil servant is not ready, instead not attending to God’s business, mistreating others, and indulging in the pleasures of this world.
Jesus warns the disciples to not believe these false Christs. The coming of the Son of Man will be visible. The sun will be darkened, the moon won’t shine, the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will shake. The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. The Son of Man will come on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. His angels will sound a trumpet, and he will gather the elect.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 4: Matthew 24:27-31
8a) The coming of the Son of Man will be visible. The sun will be darkened, the moon won’t shine, the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will shake. The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. The Son of Man will come on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. His angels will sound a trumpet, and he will gather the elect.
b)
Zechariah 12:10: The House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will grieve for Jesus and mourn him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: The Lord will come down from heaven with a loud command wtih the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, those who are sill alive will be caught up together with him in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.
Revelation 1:7: Jesus will come with the clouds and everyone will see him, even those who pierced him and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
9) It’s encourging to know that Jesus will come and that there is life not full of calamity like now. It gives me hope.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 4: Matthew 24:27-31
The events in Matthew 24 have not yet been fulfilled. It’s good to know the signs so we can be ready.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 4: Matthew 24:27-31
After pronouncing the Seven Woes on the Pharisees, Jesus exits the temple and tells his disciples that the temple will be destroyed. When Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked him when will the temple be destroyed, what will be the sign of his coming, and what will be the sign of the end of the age. Jesus warns them to watch out for those who come in his name but are not him. Wars will happen, and nations will be pitted against nations. There will be famines and earthquakes.
They will be handed over, persecuted, and put to death because of him. They will be hated. Many will turn away from Christ and many false prophets will appear. Those who stand firm in the face of wickedness will be saved. The Gospel will be preached to the whole world and then the end will come.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 2: Matthew 24:1-14
3a) “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
b) The disciples asked Jesus when will the temple be destroyed, what will be the sign of his coming, and what will be the sign of the end of the age.
4a) “Watch out that no one deceives you.” God sent Jesus, but the false prophets are from the devil. He is a liar.
b) Jesus warns them to watch out for those who come in his name but are not him. Wars will happen, and nations will be pitted against nations and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes. They (the disciples) will be handed over, persecuted, and put to death because of him. They will be hated. Many will turn away from Christ and many false prophets will appear.
c) All of them: wars, nations against each other, famines, earthquakes, death, false prophets, and those turning from Christ.
5) Christ is coming, and it could be any time, so we need to be ready by preparing our hearts.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 2: Matthew 24:1-14
I like how Jesus doesn’t hold anything back, nor does he sugarcoat what is about to happen to him and to them. Honesty is always the best policy.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 24, Day 2: Matthew 24:1-14
Jesus never again returns to the temple, nor will he ever debate the Pharisees and leaders again. He is departing in finality.
The temple was the center of life for every Jew in Jerusalem. It was begun by Zerubbabel and Ezra (Ezra 6:15) and expanded by Herod. People swore by it (Matthew 23:16), and speaking against is was considered blasphemy. (Acts 6:13). Incredibly, the temple was expanded and finished in 63 AD — a mere 7 years before it would be destroyed forever.
The temple was burned in 70 AD, melting all of the precious gold. The Romans wanted the gold, so they dismantled the entire temple to retrieve it.
The Olivet Discourse
Jesus has made his way to the Mount of Olives now. The disciples want to know more about Jesus’s prediction. They most likely thought the End Times would be when the temple fell. They were wrong.
Bible scholars debate why Jesus was not clear here and just told the disciples (and us) when the End Times would come. Some speculate it’s to confound the devil; others say it’s so we will always be ready for Jesus’s return. All we know is that he will return.
Biblical prophecy often contains a near-term event coupled with one that is further away.
Satan is the father of lies, and he will be very active at the End Times. False prophets will appear, too.
Jesus mentions things that will occur (wars, famines, earthquakes, etc), but they are not THE sign of the End Times, but they are a sign of the End Times coming.
Jesus now talks about the period after he ascends to heaven but before he comes again. Here:
The disciples will be persecuted
There will be many false prophets who will deceive many
Wickedness will continue to increase in the world
Natural disasters, famines, and earthquakes (signs of God’s judgment) will intensify
The Gospel will be preached to the entire world. Nothing will prevent the Word of God from being known before the End Times
Jesus’s disciples don’t even fully understand Jesus’s first coming, so they must be insanely confused here.
Fun Fact: The Olivet Discourse is Jesus’s last major teaching recorded before his death.
Jesus says that many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. To illustrate this point, Jesus tells the Parable of the Workers. Here, he hires men throughout the day to work in his vineyard. At the end of the day, he pays them all the same wages even though some worked more hours than others. The man said he can do what he wants with his money and he shouldn’t be envious because he is generous.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 2: Matthew 19:30-20:16
3a) Here, he hires men throughout the day to work in his vineyard. At the end of the day, he pays them all the same wages even though some worked more hours than others. The man said he can do what he wants with his money and he shouldn’t be envious because he is generous.
b) God’s manner of rewarding is not man’s idea or practice of rewarding.
c) In the same manner, God can do what He wants and bless others as He sees fit. God is always fair, but He can be more than fair as He pleases.
d) Some are privileged to receive the Gospel early in life; others come later in life. However, all are equal before God and all get into heaven no matter how long they have been a Christian.
4) Opposite when everyone is out for themselves and to be the first. Ultimately, God rewards, not man.
5) Every day of my life. By waking up every morning, breathing, and doing the work He has set before me.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 2: Matthew 19:30-20:16
Great lesson for all of us. Think of how many disappointments we have because we expect something, and it doesn’t happen. Here, Jesus says clearly to expect the unexpected from God.
Great read or listen!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 2: Matthew 19:30-20:16
Note Jesus frequently uses the relationship between employees and employers in his teachings.
Jesus is still answering Peter’s question from Matthew 19:27 about what the disciples will receive.
The marketplace was where men went who were looking for work for the day. They often carried tools with them. This would have been at dawn most likely.
The landowner represents God, and the vineyard illustrates His kingdom. The workers are those who responded to God’s call. They can join at any time.
The hiring times of the landowner would have been 9 am, noon, and about 5 pm. The landowner was surprised to find idle men since he had plenty of work for them.
Note the first hires were promised a denarius for the day (the going wage at the time). He promised the others to pay them what was right.
Since these are day laborers, they are paid every day.
The Landowner’s Absolute Right
Most people would have been mad to receive the same pay. But that was because they expected more. The landowner paid what he promised them, and paid the others out of generosity.
The landowner said he could do whatever he wished with his money.
This phrase was frequently used to describe an envious man.
God may not reward you as you expect Him to. And He will reward others in unexpected ways out of His generosity and absolute authority to do so, not out of what they deserve.
This is grace, pure and simple. God is more than fair.
God does not treat anyone unfairly, but He does reward some who may seem less deserving in our eyes.
Eternal heaven is our ultimate reward; there are other rewards, however.
Take away: You can’t calculate the grace of God. It is what it is.
If your brother sins against you, confront him. If he will not listen, take witnesses. If that fails, take it to the church. If that fails, treat him as a pagan or tax collector. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Where two or more people congregate in Jesus’s name, God and Jesus will be there, too.
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 19, Day 4: Matthew 18:15-20
10a) If your brother sins against you, confront him. If he will not listen, take witnesses. If that fails, take it to the church. If that fails, treat him as a pagan or tax collector.
b) It gives the parties involved time to work things out. It also provides different perspectives that can help, too.
c) Confronting others is never fun, no matter what it’s about. It’s easier to let things simmer than to work them out. This is when the problem grows and becomes bigger. Here, Jesus says to work out your problems promptly.
11a) When it affects you.
b) The right attitude involves taking everything to God and having others come alongside to support and guide you. The ultimate goal is forgiveness and moving on with your life to do God’s purpose, not to be bogged down in anger and bitterness.
12) To handle disputes and those who offended others. Whatever their decision they made (so long as it’s two or more and they are gathered in Jesus’s name) is binding. It shows the process Christians are to go through to handle disputes.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 19, Day 4: Matthew 18:15-20
I like the simplicity of this arrangement. It’s much better than just not talking to those who have offended you or resorting to suing people and legal action.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 19, Day 4: Matthew 18:15-20
Steps to Solving Disputes
When someone offends you, you must go to them first. Gossiping is not the way to go. However, this does not mean you go to people with every little sin. Just those that bother you tremendously.
If someone does not listen, two or three witnesses must try to help.
If step 2 does not work, then the entire church becomes involved. Then, they are to be refused fellowship with other Christians. (1 Corinthians 5:1-8) Still, they must be treated with love and compassion like everyone else.
If this process of working out disagreements is followed, then whatever the result is on earth is the result in heaven, too.
If two or more agree, it will be done. Gathering in Jesus’s name is most important.
Jesus has made his way to the Mount of Olives now. The disciples want to know more about Jesus’s prediction. They most likely thought the End Times would be when the temple fell. They were wrong.
