Dealing with Difficulties

July 7, 2013Todays Passage:Luke 1:57-80(Please read if you have not done so)

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Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (Luke 1:56)1:57 - 80For the Lords hand was with him. (Luke 1:66b NIV)For the hand of the Lord was with him. (Luke 1:66b ESV)For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.(Luke 1:66b NASB)JHK

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7 ESV)God is not human, that he should lie (Numbers 23:19a)You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. (Joshua 23:14b)1:57 - 80JHK

Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. (I Kings 8:56)that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth (Isaiah 65:16a KJV)1:57 - 80JHK

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. (Luke 1:57)Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth(Luke 1:13b-14)1:57 - 80JHK

Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.(Luke 1:58)1:57 - 80JHK

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child(Luke 1:59a)1:57 - 80This is my covenant with you and your descendantsEvery male among you will be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision as the sign of the covenant between me and you. (Genesis 17:10-11)And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (Leviticus 12:3 ESV)JHK

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child(Luke 1:59a)1:57 - 80My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.(Genesis 17:13b-14)Designate a place outside the camp to go relieve yourself. (Deuteronomy 23:12)If an animal that you are allowed to eat dies (Leviticus 11:39a)When anyone has a defiling skin disease. (Leviticus 13:9a) Sign of the covenant. Perpetuate the nation of Israel. Symbolic of spiritual cleansing. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (I Corinthians 6:18)All sin is equally sinfulbut all sin is not equally consequential.JHK

and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah (Luke 1:59b)So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wifeand she bore a son.Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, A son has been born to Naomi. They named him Obed. (Ruth 4:13-17)1:57 - 80JHK

but his mother spoke up and said, No! He is to be called John. They said to her, There is no one among your relatives who has that name. (Luke 1:60-61)and you are to call him John.(Luke 1:13b)1:57 - 80JHK

Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. (Luke 1:62)1:57 - 80JHK

He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyones astonishment he wrote, His name is John. (Luke 1:63) (pinakidion) - writing tablet A rigid flat sheet or pad used to receive writing. Stone, clay and wood tablets are mentioned in the Bible as being used to write on.1:57 - 80

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Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God (Luke 1:64)Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the mans feet and ankles became strong. (Acts 3:7) (parachrema) - immediately Instantly; at once.So he said to the paralyzed man, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. (Luke 5:24b-25)1:57 - 80Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God (Luke 1:64)JHK

*Precisely as God had said in 1:20.And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time. (Luke 1:20)*1:57 - 80JHK

All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. (Luke 1:65)1:57 - 80Awemoves them to testify to about itPeoplewho see it filled with aweImmediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout Judea people were talking about these things. (Luke 1:64-65)JHK

Gods mighty hand is seen at work1:57 - 80The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)JHK

1:57 - 80Awemoves them to testify to about itPeoplewho see it filled with aweGods mighty hand is seen at workReturn home and tell how much God has done for you. So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:39)JHK

1:57 - 80Awemoves them to testify to about itPeoplewho see it filled with aweGods mighty hand is seen at workAs for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20)JHK

1:57 - 80Awemoves them to testify to about itPeoplewho see it filled with aweGods mighty hand is seen at workWhat motivation does Luke give for people talking about God (witnessing) to others? Commanded to by Jesus. Eager to have God help their friends/family. Filled with awe after seeing God at work.Jesus said to them, My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. (John 5:17b)JHK

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For the Lords hand was with him. (Luke 1:66b)And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it. (Exodus 7:5)1:57 - 80He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful (Joshua 4:24a)Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The Lords right hand has done mighty things! (Psalm 118:15)JHK

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. (Luke 1:67-68)The Benedictus (Latin: blessed) was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his son, John.1:57 - 80A covenant (Hebrew beriyth, Greek diatheke) is a solemn, binding agreement between two or more parties. It has promises, stipulations and provisions and must adhere to the precise terms it was enacted under. The word covenant occurs 284 times in the Old Testament and 37 times in the New Testament.What is a covenant? (beriyth) (diatheke) covenantJHK

1:57 - 80JHK treaty, agreement, promise (man to man). constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects). alliance (of friendship or marriage). covenant (divine ordinance with signs and pledges).Types of covenantsAbraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water which Abimelech's servants had seizedSo Abraham gave sheep and oxen to Abimelech and the two men made a covenantTherefore that place was called Beersheba; because there both of them swore an oath. So they made a covenant at Beersheba. (Genesis 21:25- 31)The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to say toIsrael: You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:3-6a)Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himselfAnd Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (I Samuel 18:1-4)God said to Noah, I now establish my covenant with you and with every living creature on earthNever again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a floodI have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9:8-13)Terms and concepts of a covenantMeans of Entry - What causes the covenant to be cut?Occasion of Entry When does the covenant begin?Fundamental Promise What is the primary pledge?Other Promises - What are the additional arrangements?Terms How is the covenant kept?Sign What represents the covenant made?Seal (Assurance) What verifies the covenant is cut?Duration How long does the covenant last?Guarantor Who initiates and upholds the terms?JHK(II Samuel 7:8-16)It also amplifies the Abrahamic Covenant as God promises David that his seed (physical line of descendants) would last forever. This is an agreement that Jesus, a descendant of David, will serve as king.(Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15; 17:1-14; 22:15-18)God promises that He will make Abrahams name great, his descendants numerous, and that he would be the father of many nations, who would all be blessed by his offspring.([Adamic Covenant]Genesis 1:26-30; 2:16-17; 3:15) The first part shares mans responsibility toward creation and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The second part includes the curses for the sins of Adam and Eve and also includes Gods provision for that sin.Conditional Edenic Covenant Mosaic Covenant New Covenant(Exodus 20; remainder of Torah)This includes the Decalogue and the rest of the commands of the law. The history books of the Old Testament show how Israel obeyed the law or failed to obey it.(Jeremiah 31:31-34;Matthew 26:26-29)First made with Israel and then with all mankind, it is Gods promise to forgive sins through Messiahs death. Both Jews and Gentiles can be free from the penalty of the law and be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Biblical Covenants made by GodUnconditional Noahic Covenant Abrahamic Covenant Davidic Covenant(Genesis 9:8-17)God promised to never again flood the world and destroy all life. A rainbow was given as a sign of this covenant.JHKZechariahs Bendictus is a song of praise and thanksgiving for three of Gods covenants coming to fulfillment in the events that are unfolding in Luke 1.1:76-791:69-711:72-75JHKBiblical Covenants made by GodConditional Edenic Covenant Mosaic Covenant New CovenantUnconditional Noahic Covenant Abrahamic Covenant Davidic CovenantDavidic CovenantHe has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us(Luke 1:69-71)The Lord declaresthe Lord himself will establish a house for youI will raise up your offspring to succeed youI will be his father, and he will be my sonYour house and kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. (II Samuel 7:11-16)JHKThe Lord says to my lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, Rule in the midst of your enemies! The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (Psalm 110:1-4)For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on Davids throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed himMy faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn will be exaltedI will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earthI will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure. (Psalm 89:20-29)JHKDavidic Covenantto show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (Luke 1:72-75)I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:2-3)JHKAbrahamic CovenantI will make you into a great nation,and I will bless you;I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you,and whoever curses you I will curse;and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:2-3)Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. The Lord said to him, Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, To your descendants I give this land (Genesis 15:12-18)For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! (Romans 9:3-5)You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. (John 4:22)JHKAbrahamic Covenantto enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (Luke 1:74b-75)And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)JHKNew CovenantAnd you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)JHKNew CovenantAnd you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)JHKNew CovenantAnd you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)JHKNew CovenantAnd you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)JHKNew CovenantAnd you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:76-79)JHKNew Covenantby which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:78b-79)[Jesus] went and lived in Capernaumto fulfill what was said throughIsaiah: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles - the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 4:12-17)JHKNew Covenant

Next week:The Birth and Childhood of Jesus (1)

Luke 2:1 2:8(Please read in advance)