The Will Of God

I'm In. Now What?

Resurrection Day

The Hope Of Peter

Mary: A Woman Of Distilled Faith

Mary Magdalene

What is the meaning of “Magdalene”?
Likely derived from her native city, Magdala on West bank of Sea of Galilee
Mary Magdalene was likely a leader among women.

Why do we believe this to be so?

Mostly due to fact that her name is mentioned more often than most and usually first.
From what did Jesus deliver Mary Magdalene?

Luke 8:1-3 “Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
Mary is the first one to see Christ resurrected.

Do we have the faith of Mary Magdalene?

Mary stayed close to Jesus, even when things seemed hopeless.

Judas Iscariot

What do we know about Judas Iscariot?
His Father was Simon Iscariot (Jn. 6:71). One popular understanding of this name is a reference to his hometown (“man of Kerioth”).
His role with the 12- He was the group’s treasurer
How he betrayed Jesus -- with a kiss (a normal, cultural sign of respect & friendship).
What is the likely history of “Easter”?

Easter- is a non-Biblical word. The name is likely drawn from Eastre, dawn goddess of fertility, to whom sacrifices were offered in April. This pagan festival gave way to the Christian celebration of Christ’s resurrection. As a society transitions, or the church gains power, festivals kept dates & general celebration, but infused new meanings into them. That’s why the celebration of the resurrection also involves chocolate bunnies, egg hunts, and pastel colors. This date was firmly in place by around 150 AD.

What is the presumed motive for Judas’ betrayal?

“Jesus’ consistent refusal to make His mission political, and His open declaration at the feast of Bethany that His death was imminent, may have spurred Judas to action. If he could not be assured of a prominent place in the coming Messianic kingdom, he could at least profit by disposing of Jesus to His enemies. Disillusionment, the frustration of his expectations, and greed as John indicates, plus a definite Satanic influence prompted his treachery. (Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. 3, p.732)

When people are disillusioned, they either turn from, or turn on, Jesus.

When Christ was condemned, what was Judas’ response?

Matthew 27:3-5 “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That's your responsibility. So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”

How did Judas Iscariot die?

Matthew 27:3-5 “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That's your responsibility. So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”

Acts 1:18-19 “With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.”

These passages are complimentary, not contradictory. Judas likely hung himself on a precipice overlooking the valley of Hinnom. Either the branch, or rope, broke (then or later). The body would have finally fallen into rocky terrain.

You can still look at the terrain of this area; from the bottom there are rocky terraces 25-40 feet in height and almost perpendicular. Trees still grow around ledges. There are plenty of jagged rocks on the way down. (McDowell- A Ready Defense)

Am I like Judas?

What do I need to keep in mind?

Let’s not fool ourselves regarding our goodness. Christ redefined sin. You heard, do not murder (angry); you heard no adultery (lust). No mistake. We need Christ!

Matthew 10:40-42

The Line In The Sand

The Line in the Sand
Read Matthew 10:32-39

The Jews had expected Christ to reign as a physical king. What is often the expectation of people seeking Christ in our day?

The mistake of Jews in Jesus’ day was the expectation of a physical king. The mistake of our day is to expect Jesus will make everything right. Suddenly life will make sense, relationships will smooth out, true peace. Stepping to Christ means crossing a line. He is an adversary on the playground of this world, who’s drawn a line in the sand. To step across that line, you don’t just step to Christ, you also step away from others. You’ll know you’ve stepped to Christ, if they know you’ve stepped to Christ.

In the context of this passage, what does it mean that God doesn’t violate His own rules?

God doesn’t violate his rules. Kids still living under authority of their parents still need to honor their parents. A husband who feels called to missions, but who's wife is not on board, stays put. You made a covenant vow to her and God.

The Line in the Sand – The Supremacy of Christ

We are not called to hate our families. We are called to allow Christ to reign supreme in everything. vs.37-39

What is the point of carrying our cross?


v.38 Only one reason you’re carrying a cross. You know where you’re headed. That’s the idea, especially in light of this chapter. Persecution is part of the package. Some of these guys, it seems, would follow Christ in crucifixion.

To me, this is one of the greatest proofs of the resurrection. I’m not carrying a cross ten feet if Jesus didn’t get up from the dead. Other than Judas Iscariot, none of the disciples turned. And these were largely uneducated, simple men with nothing to gain.

I like what William MacDonald says, “our temptation is to hug our life.” But, this is the greatest waste of a life—to spend it in the gratification of self. “The greatest use of a life is to spend it in the service of Christ.” Whoever hands their life over to Christ will receive it back, as it should be. It’s like handing over a puzzle. He’s the only one that can put the pieces together for you.

There was probably a difference in the way the disciples processed this before, then after, the crucifixion.

We are not called to die, but to live with abandon!

Not a call to die. In Christ, you’re already dead.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Great soldiers are focused on their mission, not the preservation of their own lives. Focus on preservation of life; owned by fear.

The person dragging around a cross only has one destination.

What does it look like when you start to embrace this?

Mark 8:34-38 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.”
Either live for self, or live for Christ.
How am I living with abandon?
No one can answer that question for you. But, you need to answer that question, or you might find your life, and lose everything.

God's Love

Read Matthew 10:24-31
1. Looking Like the One we Love.

What does the name Beelzebub mean?

Literally Lord of dung or filth. (Maybe a reference to Satan himself, or another lesser demon)

What is Jesus teaching us by his comment on Beelzebub?

Here’s the contrast - If they’ve called the Master of the House the Dung Master, then what about those who live in the house?

Some have probably wondered, “If I’m a Christian, how can I be treated like this?” The answer is in the treatment of Christ.

2. Speaking of the One we Love

What has been “concealed” and “hidden” that will now be made known (Matt. 10:26)?

Jesus words to his disciples haven’t been secretive, but haven’t all been public. It’s time to go big with this message. We may fear because many don’t agree. They laugh and mock. Nobody wants to feel small. Jesus says, that’s a temporary feeling. One day, no one will laugh.

Church meetings are outworking of this command. Jesus wanted his message in large public arenas. The Disciples expected to have a larger, more public ministry than Jesus. In Acts 2, 3000 were saved in large public gathering.

What does it mean to fear God?

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

This is healthy fear. Think “awesome respect.” Bigger than standing at the foot of Everest or standing on edge of Grand Canyon.

Dad is incredibly loving, AND he’s strict. Don’t break his rules. The rules are to provide and protect.

3. Adored by the One we Love

We think sparrows are fairly worthless, but God values each one. He even keeps track of the hairs on your head. The comparative value of us vs. sparrows & hairs is exponential. We are of incredible value to God.

Some tend to think God only cares about “big” things or “big” people, & wouldn’t care about me.

This passage teaches that God loves us and we should boldly tell others about God’s love.

So if you came here concerned today, wondering about God’s love for you, you need to be reminded that for those in Christ, God loves you very much. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. Don’t worry, be happy.