how to use your bible 4. signpost #67: the damascus road event

HOW TO USE HOW TO USE YOUR BIBLE 4YOUR BIBLE 4

SIGNPOST #67: SIGNPOST #67: THE DAMASCUS THE DAMASCUS

ROAD EVENTROAD EVENT

SAUL BECOMES SAUL BECOMES PAULPAUL

Acts 9:1-19Acts 9:1-19• v. 2: persecuting “The Way” v. 2: persecuting “The Way”

•The Risen/Ascended Jesus meets, The Risen/Ascended Jesus meets, blinds and speaks to Saulblinds and speaks to Saul

• Ananias reluctantly heals himAnanias reluctantly heals him

• Paul re-tells, Ch. 22 & 26Paul re-tells, Ch. 22 & 26

SIGNPOST #68: SIGNPOST #68: PETER AND PETER AND CORNELIUSCORNELIUS

PETER LEAVES PETER LEAVES HIS COMFORT HIS COMFORT

ZONEZONE

Acts 10Acts 10• Cornelius - Roman centurionCornelius - Roman centurion

• Peter’s vision of clean & unclean Peter’s vision of clean & unclean animals = God is breaking down the animals = God is breaking down the division between Jews and Gentilesdivision between Jews and Gentiles

• first Gentile converts – whole first Gentile converts – whole household is baptizedhousehold is baptized

SIGNPOST #69: SIGNPOST #69: THE CHURCH AT THE CHURCH AT

ANTIOCHANTIOCH

THE NAME THE NAME “CHRISTIAN” “CHRISTIAN”

IS BORNIS BORN

Acts 11:19-26Acts 11:19-26• Jesus followers expelled from Jesus followers expelled from Jerusalem testify to JewsJerusalem testify to Jews

• Some speak to Greek “Hellenists”Some speak to Greek “Hellenists”

• Barnabas sent to check it out, Paul Barnabas sent to check it out, Paul brought inbrought in

• here the disciples first called here the disciples first called ChristiansChristians

SIGNPOST #70: SIGNPOST #70: THE JERUSALEM THE JERUSALEM

COUNCILCOUNCIL

THE MISSION THE MISSION TO THE TO THE

GENTILESGENTILES

Acts 15:1-35Acts 15:1-35• James the head of the believersJames the head of the believers

• Paul and Barnabas share how the Paul and Barnabas share how the Gentiles are coming to faithGentiles are coming to faith

• Peter stands up for them: we will be Peter stands up for them: we will be saved through grace like them (vs. 11)saved through grace like them (vs. 11)

• “ “the essentials”: no circumcision but the essentials”: no circumcision but abstain from certain foods (vs. 20, 29)abstain from certain foods (vs. 20, 29)

SIGNPOST #71: SIGNPOST #71: PAUL SPEAKS IN PAUL SPEAKS IN

ATHENSATHENS

THE THE “UNKNOWN “UNKNOWN

GOD” IS GOD” IS KNOWNKNOWN

Matthew 17:16-34Matthew 17:16-34• the Areogpagus = marketplace of ideasthe Areogpagus = marketplace of ideas

• Paul saw an altar “to the unknown Paul saw an altar “to the unknown god”…in him we live and move and god”…in him we live and move and have our being (vs. 28)have our being (vs. 28)

• using Greek thinking as a connecting using Greek thinking as a connecting point to a Hebrew-based faithpoint to a Hebrew-based faith

SIGNPOST #72: SIGNPOST #72: UNIVERSAL SINUNIVERSAL SIN

GOD’S GOD’S RIGHTEOUS RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTJUDGMENT

Romans 1:18-2:16Romans 1:18-2:16• ungodliness and wickedness aboundungodliness and wickedness abound

• God “gave them up” to face the God “gave them up” to face the consequences of their sinfulnessconsequences of their sinfulness

• by judging others you are condemnedby judging others you are condemned

• God through Jesus Christ will judge God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all (2:16)the secret thoughts of all (2:16)

SIGNPOST #73: SIGNPOST #73:

JUSTIFIED BY JUSTIFIED BY GRACEGRACE

RIGHTEOUSNESS RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES THROUGH COMES THROUGH

FAITHFAITH

Romans 3:21-31Romans 3:21-31• all have sinned and fall short of the all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Godglory of God

• now justified by grace as a giftnow justified by grace as a gift

• atonement by blood – pass over sinsatonement by blood – pass over sins

• apart from works prescribed by lawapart from works prescribed by law

SIGNPOST #74: SIGNPOST #74: INTERNAL WAR INTERNAL WAR

WITH SINWITH SIN

I DO NOT DO I DO NOT DO WHAT I WANTWHAT I WANT

Romans 7:14-25Romans 7:14-25• the psychology of sin – I am no the psychology of sin – I am no longer in control, but sinlonger in control, but sin

• another law at war with that of my another law at war with that of my mind (vs. 23) making me captivemind (vs. 23) making me captive

• who will rescue me? – Jesus Christ!who will rescue me? – Jesus Christ!

SIGNPOST #75: SIGNPOST #75: THERE IS NO THERE IS NO

CONDEMNATIONCONDEMNATION

IF GOD IS IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO FOR US, WHO

CAN BE CAN BE AGAINST US?AGAINST US?

Romans 8Romans 8• no condemnation in Christ Jesusno condemnation in Christ Jesus

• all creation set free (!)all creation set free (!)

• the Spirit intercedes for us the Spirit intercedes for us

• all things work for goodall things work for good

• we are more than conquerorswe are more than conquerors

• nothing separates us from God’s lovenothing separates us from God’s love

SIGNPOST #76: SIGNPOST #76: LIVING LIVING

SACRIFICESSACRIFICES

BE BE TRANSFORMED TRANSFORMED BY RENEWAL BY RENEWAL

OF YOUR MINDOF YOUR MIND

Romans 12Romans 12• present your bodies as living present your bodies as living sacrifices as your spiritual worshipsacrifices as your spiritual worship

• do not be conformed to this worlddo not be conformed to this world

• one body in Christ, members of each one body in Christ, members of each otherother

• overcome evil with goodovercome evil with good

SIGNPOST #77: SIGNPOST #77: BE SUBJECT TO BE SUBJECT TO AUTHORITIESAUTHORITIES

RULERS ARE RULERS ARE GOD’S GOD’S

AGENTSAGENTS

Romans 13:1-7Romans 13:1-7• all authority comes from Godall authority comes from God

• the authority “is the servant of God the authority “is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer”to execute wrath on the wrongdoer”

• … …but what about evil authorities? but what about evil authorities? (theory vs. practice) – resistance?(theory vs. practice) – resistance?

• pay taxes, live respectablypay taxes, live respectably

SIGNPOST #78: SIGNPOST #78: THE WISDOM OF THE WISDOM OF

THE CROSSTHE CROSS

WE PROCLAIM WE PROCLAIM CHRIST CHRIST

CRUCIFIEDCRUCIFIED

1 Corinthians 1:18-311 Corinthians 1:18-31• foolishness to the worldfoolishness to the world

• Christ, the power and wisdom of GodChrist, the power and wisdom of God

• God chose the foolish to shame the God chose the foolish to shame the wisewise

• if you boast, boast in the Lordif you boast, boast in the Lord

SIGNPOST #79: SIGNPOST #79: SPIRITUAL GIFTSSPIRITUAL GIFTS

YOU ARE THE YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRISTBODY OF CHRIST

1 Corinthians 121 Corinthians 12• elaboration of Romans 12:4-7elaboration of Romans 12:4-7

• one Spirit gives a variety of giftsone Spirit gives a variety of gifts

• “ “manifestation of the Spirit for the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (12:7)common good” (12:7)

• gifts are inter- connected/dependantgifts are inter- connected/dependant

SIGNPOST #80: SIGNPOST #80: THE GREATEST THE GREATEST

OF THESEOF THESE

LOVE NEVER LOVE NEVER ENDSENDS

1 Corinthians 131 Corinthians 13• the “love”/wedding chapterthe “love”/wedding chapter

• without love we’re nothingwithout love we’re nothing

• true love is eternal, “unconditional”true love is eternal, “unconditional”

• seeing in a distorted mirror vs. seeing seeing in a distorted mirror vs. seeing face-to-face; partial vs. full knowledge face-to-face; partial vs. full knowledge

SIGNPOST #81: SIGNPOST #81: TREASURE IN TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAYJARS OF CLAY

THE LIFE OF THE LIFE OF JESUS VISIBLE JESUS VISIBLE

IN USIN US

2 Corinthians 4:1-152 Corinthians 4:1-15• our gospel is veiled to the perishing our gospel is veiled to the perishing (unbelievers are blind to the truth)(unbelievers are blind to the truth)

• afflictions = “…carrying in the body afflictions = “…carrying in the body the death of Jesus”the death of Jesus”

• the one who raised Jesus will also the one who raised Jesus will also raise usraise us

SIGNPOST #82: SIGNPOST #82: A NEW A NEW

CREATIONCREATION

WE ARE WE ARE AMBASSADORS AMBASSADORS

FOR CHRISTFOR CHRIST

2 Corinthians 52 Corinthians 5• this earthly tent, vs. building from Godthis earthly tent, vs. building from God

• what is mortal “swallowed up” in lifewhat is mortal “swallowed up” in life

• we walk by faith, not by sightwe walk by faith, not by sight

• everything has become new!everything has become new!

• our ministry of reconciliationour ministry of reconciliation

• Christ made to be sin who knew no sinChrist made to be sin who knew no sin

SIGNPOST #83: SIGNPOST #83: JOYFUL JOYFUL

STEWARDSHIPSTEWARDSHIP

THE COLLECTION THE COLLECTION FOR FOR

JERUSALEM’S JERUSALEM’S POORPOOR

2 Corinthians 92 Corinthians 9• multi-church offering for poor multi-church offering for poor widows in Jerusalemwidows in Jerusalem

• the poor Macedonian church (8:3) the poor Macedonian church (8:3) was generouswas generous

• sow bountifully/reap bountifully (9:6)sow bountifully/reap bountifully (9:6)

• God loves a cheerful giver (9:7)God loves a cheerful giver (9:7)

SIGNPOST #84: SIGNPOST #84: THE THORN IN THE THORN IN

THE FLESHTHE FLESH

WHEN I AM WHEN I AM WEAK I AM WEAK I AM STRONGSTRONG

2 Corinthians 12:1-102 Corinthians 12:1-10• Paul’s “visions and revelations”Paul’s “visions and revelations”

• “ “I will not boast except of my I will not boast except of my weaknesses” weaknesses”

• thorn = messenger of Satan to keep thorn = messenger of Satan to keep me from being too elatedme from being too elated

• “ “my grace is sufficient for you”my grace is sufficient for you”

SIGNPOST #85: SIGNPOST #85: LAW AND LAW AND PROMISEPROMISE

NO LONGER NO LONGER JEW OR JEW OR GREEKGREEK

Galatians 3:19-29Galatians 3:19-29• law and promise (Gospel) work law and promise (Gospel) work together – the law was our disciplinariantogether – the law was our disciplinarian

• law works until faith comeslaw works until faith comes

• in faith we become children, clothed in in faith we become children, clothed in Christ and justifiedChrist and justified

• all of you are one in Christ Jesusall of you are one in Christ Jesus

SIGNPOST #86: SIGNPOST #86: FRUIT OF THE FRUIT OF THE

SPIRITSPIRIT

LIVE BY THE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, NOT SPIRIT, NOT

BY THE FLESHBY THE FLESH

Galatians 5:16-26Galatians 5:16-26• if you are led by the Spirit, you are not if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the lawsubject to the law

• works of the flesh – those who do them works of the flesh – those who do them will not inherit God’s kingdomwill not inherit God’s kingdom

• love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-controlcontrol

SIGNPOST #87: SIGNPOST #87: ONE LORD, ONE ONE LORD, ONE

FAITH, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISMBAPTISM

EQUIPPING EQUIPPING THE SAINTS THE SAINTS

FOR MINISTRYFOR MINISTRY

Ephesians 4:1-16Ephesians 4:1-16• live a life worthy of your callinglive a life worthy of your calling

• each of us were given graceeach of us were given grace

• gifts given for ministrygifts given for ministry

• no longer be children -- grow up no longer be children -- grow up

SIGNPOST #88: SIGNPOST #88: MUTUAL MUTUAL

SUBMISSIONSUBMISSION

MARRIAGE MARRIAGE CENTERED IN CENTERED IN

LOVELOVE

Ephesians 5:21-33Ephesians 5:21-33• be subject to one anotherbe subject to one another

• love your wives as you do your own love your wives as you do your own bodybody

• fulfill your roles for one another fulfill your roles for one another out of love and reverence for Christout of love and reverence for Christ

SIGNPOST #89: SIGNPOST #89: WHOLE ARMOR WHOLE ARMOR

OF GODOF GOD

BE STRONG IN BE STRONG IN THE LORDTHE LORD

Ephesians 6:10-20Ephesians 6:10-20• our struggle is not against flesh our struggle is not against flesh and blood but spiritual forcesand blood but spiritual forces

• belt of truth, breastplate of belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of righteousness, shoes of proclamation, shield of faith, helmet proclamation, shield of faith, helmet of salvation (the Word of God)of salvation (the Word of God)

SIGNPOST #90: SIGNPOST #90: HAVE THE MIND HAVE THE MIND

OF CHRISTOF CHRIST

……WHO EMPTIED WHO EMPTIED HIMSELFHIMSELF

Philippians 2:1-13Philippians 2:1-13• look to the interests of otherslook to the interests of others

• early “Christological” hymnearly “Christological” hymn

• Christ emptied himself…demotionsChrist emptied himself…demotions

• the great curvethe great curve

• every knee shall bow & tongue confessevery knee shall bow & tongue confess

SIGNPOST #91: SIGNPOST #91: THOSE WHO THOSE WHO HAVE DIEDHAVE DIED

WE DO NOT WE DO NOT GRIEVE AS GRIEVE AS OTHERSOTHERS

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:111 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

• God will bring with Jesus those who God will bring with Jesus those who have diedhave died

• the dead in Christ will rise firstthe dead in Christ will rise first

• we will be caught up in the cloudswe will be caught up in the clouds

• keep awake, for “the day of the Lord keep awake, for “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night”will come like a thief in the night”

SIGNPOST #92: SIGNPOST #92: FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT THE GOOD

FIGHTFIGHT

KEEP THE KEEP THE COMMANDMENTSCOMMANDMENTS

1 Timothy 6:11-161 Timothy 6:11-16• the fight of faiththe fight of faith

• the good confession that you made the good confession that you made (in the presence of many witnesses)(in the presence of many witnesses)

• the good confession Jesus made the good confession Jesus made (before Pontius Pilate)(before Pontius Pilate)

SIGNPOST #93: SIGNPOST #93: ALL SCRIPTURE ALL SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY IS INSPIRED BY

GODGOD

HOLD ON TO HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU WHAT YOU

WERE TAUGHTWERE TAUGHT

2 Timothy 3:14-172 Timothy 3:14-17• a heritage of faith passed down (1:5 – a heritage of faith passed down (1:5 – Lois and Eunice)Lois and Eunice)

• useful for teaching, reproof, useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousnesscorrection and training in righteousness

• inspired vs. inerrantinspired vs. inerrant

• for “everyone who belongs to God”for “everyone who belongs to God”

  SIGNPOST #94: SIGNPOST #94: JESUS OUR JESUS OUR

GREAT HIGH GREAT HIGH PRIESTPRIEST

TESTED AS WE TESTED AS WE ARE IN EVERY ARE IN EVERY

WAYWAY

Hebrews 4:14-5:10Hebrews 4:14-5:10• Christ is able to sympathize with Christ is able to sympathize with our weaknessesour weaknesses

• approach the throne of grace approach the throne of grace boldly – he will deal gentlyboldly – he will deal gently

• Jesus the source of eternal Jesus the source of eternal salvation for all who obey himsalvation for all who obey him

THE GREAT THE GREAT SERMON ON FAITH SERMON ON FAITH

––

HEBREWS HEBREWS

CH. 11-13CH. 11-13

CONSISTENT CONSISTENT “CLOUD” OF “CLOUD” OF WITNESSESWITNESSES

SIGNPOST #95: SIGNPOST #95: FAITH WITHOUT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEADWORKS IS DEAD

EVEN EVEN DEMONS DEMONS BELIEVEBELIEVE

James 2:14-26James 2:14-26• Luther: an “epistle of straw” Luther: an “epistle of straw”

•James, the brother of Jesus, head of James, the brother of Jesus, head of the Christian church, respected by the Christian church, respected by Christians and Jews alikeChristians and Jews alike

• tries to compensate for Paul’s tries to compensate for Paul’s emphasis on justification by faithemphasis on justification by faith

• good works still importantgood works still important

SIGNPOST #96: SIGNPOST #96: JESUS THE JESUS THE

CORNERSTONECORNERSTONE

A KINGDOM A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, A OF PRIESTS, A HOLY NATIONHOLY NATION

1 Peter 2:1-101 Peter 2:1-10• long for pure spiritual milklong for pure spiritual milk

• a living stone “that the builders a living stone “that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”rejected has become the cornerstone”

• a chosen people called to proclaim a chosen people called to proclaim the mighty acts of God the mighty acts of God

SIGNPOST #97: SIGNPOST #97: GOD IS LOVEGOD IS LOVE

WE LOVE WE LOVE BECAUSE HE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED FIRST LOVED

USUS

1 John 4:7-211 John 4:7-21• if we love God we must love each if we love God we must love each other; whoever does not love does not other; whoever does not love does not know Godknow God

• if we love one another, God lives in usif we love one another, God lives in us

• boldness on the day of judgment – boldness on the day of judgment – perfect love casts out fearperfect love casts out fear

LETTERS TO THE LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES –CHURCHES –

REVELATION REVELATION

CH. 2-3CH. 2-3

7 CHURCHES7 CHURCHES

EVALUATED EVALUATED EXHORTED EXHORTED

AND/OR AND/OR ENCOURAGEDENCOURAGED

SIGNPOST #98: SIGNPOST #98: WORSHIP IN WORSHIP IN

HEAVENHEAVEN

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, HOLYHOLY

Revelation 4-5Revelation 4-5• a vision “in the spirit” of God’s a vision “in the spirit” of God’s heavenly throne roomheavenly throne room

• the “four living creatures”the “four living creatures”

• the 24 elders cast their crownsthe 24 elders cast their crowns

• Lamb on the throne takes the scrollLamb on the throne takes the scroll

• angels & all creatures praise himangels & all creatures praise him

SIGNPOST #99: SIGNPOST #99: THE LAST THE LAST TRUMPETTRUMPET

HE SHALL REIGN HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND FOREVER AND

EVEREVER

Revelation 11:15-19Revelation 11:15-19• the kingdom has comethe kingdom has come

• “ “you have taken your great power and you have taken your great power and begun to reign”begun to reign”

• “ “the nations raged but your wrath has the nations raged but your wrath has come”come”

• chronological or parallel?chronological or parallel?

SIGNPOST #100: SIGNPOST #100: THE NEW THE NEW

JERUSALEMJERUSALEM

A NEW HEAVEN A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW AND A NEW

EARTHEARTH

Revelation 21Revelation 21• John sees the Holy City – the New John sees the Holy City – the New Jerusalem (the old one is in ruins)Jerusalem (the old one is in ruins)

• Death will be no moreDeath will be no more

• God will make all things newGod will make all things new

• no temple or sun neededno temple or sun needed

• pure and unblemishedpure and unblemished