LESSON : It Still Matters (The Bible).

It Still Matters.

The relevance of God's Word.

Lesson by Tony Thomas

Jesus said:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." [Mat 5:17-20 KJV]

The connection between the Old and New Testaments.

The phrase “it is written” occurs 26 times in the gospels and a total of 63 times in the New Testament. The New Testament makes reference to “the scriptures” (meaning the Old Testament) 21 times, and there are many direct and indirect quotes throughout the New Testament.¹

Question: Does the Old Testament (Covenant) predict the New?²

Question: Does Jesus address the coming of a “New Testament”? ³

Question: How did other New Testament writers see the difference between the Testaments?⁴ Are they competing or complementary?

Question: Why is the New Testament necessary?⁵

The value and function of the Old Testament.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [2Ti 2:15-19 KJV]

Question: Should Christians study the Old Testament? Why or why not.⁶

Question: Who is the “author” of the Bible?

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” [2 Peter 1:20,21KJV]

Question: What is the function of the Old Testament, in New Testament times?⁷

The value and function of the New Testament.

Question: Did the New Testament writers recognize that scripture was being written in their time?

Case Study: Peter commenting on Paul

Even though Peter and Paul had distinct ministries that on at least one occasion brought them into conflict⁸, Peter regards Paul's writings to be “scripture”. He writes:

15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. - 2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV

Case Study: Paul's quotation of “scripture”.

In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul makes a quotation from “scripture” that borrows from both the writings of Moses and the Luke's Gospel.

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn⁹. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.¹⁰ - 1 Timothy 5:18 KJV

Question: Did Jesus indicate that the Apostles would receive special Divine instruction after his departure?

26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. - John 14:26 KJV

Question: How does one gain “greatness” in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Refer back to Matthew 5:19).

To continue to the next lesson, click HERE.

Endnotes:

1In the KJV. Specific wording in other versions may vary, but the idea is the same.

2 Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6-8.

3Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1Corinthians 11:25

42 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 9:15

5Hebrews 10:1

6John 5:39, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:15

7Romans 16:25,26; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

8Galatians 2:12-14

9Deuteronomy 25:4

10Luke 10:7

Redemptive scars...

 In early April 2006 Amy Hawkins was home with her two young sons in Hendersonville, TN.  A F3  tornado tore through their neighborhood and hit her house. She had gone to the basement  and was covering her two sons with her body. The tornado tore her house apart and broke apart the blocks of the basement. She suffered a punctured lung and a broken back. Amy Hawkins is paralyzed and scarred for life, but she saved the lives of her two young sons.

Amy’s family and community rightly considers her a hero.

The hard truth is that in this life everyone gets scarred. Moments after your birth, someone tied and cut your umbilical cord. When that little stub attached to your belly fell off, you were left with a scar.

The funny thing about scars is that identical injuries can be either marks of shame or a badge of honor, it all depends on how you gained the scar. Amy Hawkins scars mark her as a hero, but someone who obtained those same injuries from some careless or irresponsible act (such as drunk driving) would be seen in a far less favorable light.

I notice in the Bible that God is in the habit of leaving his mark on his people.
*Jacob wrestled with the angel of God and suffered a hip injury that left him limping for the rest of his life.
*The Jews, as a mark of God's covenant, were given the rite of circumcision.
*The New Testament tells us that Christians have a "circumcision of the heart".
*And yet future, in the book of Revelation, we find that there are 144,000 of the Jewish people who carry the seal of God in their foreheads.

Now lets look at Jesus.

The wounds Jesus received during his trial and crucifixion were generally considered wounds of shame. His was the death of a common criminal, but because he died for others his marks of shame became marks of glory…
Jesus returned to heaven different than when he left…

Throughout the Bible we see glimpses into the heavens. The description we always read is that of a gloriously perfect place. When we get to Revelation chapter five, however, we see that heaven's greatest glory, is a glorious imperfection.We see the rising of The Lamb that was slain. The wounds make him worthy to open the book and to act as judge.  When the scarred, wounded, resurrected Lamb rises to his feet, the deafening worship of an unimaginable multitude ensues. He stands, not in the glory of perfect beauty, but as a gloriously scarred redeemer.

I don't know what kind of scars you may carry. Perhaps they are emotional. Perhaps they are physical. Hopefully they are redemptive. Maybe you were scarred fighting for your country. Possibly you bear scars that were forced upon you through no fault of your own. Maybe you bear the scars of a past foolishness.

I have no idea what your scars are, but I can tell you there are scars about which you can brag. Those would be the scars of Jesus. He suffered shame, humiliation and death to save your soul from an eternity without God. The Apostle Paul said, "But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…"

If you don't know him today as your Savior, may I please urge you to take that step toward him? He loves you so much he was willing to die in your place. You can trust him with your life.

May God's face shine upon you today!