Jesus begins his Ministry

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        Jesus’ First Words, The Beginning of His Ministry
John 1:29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Who Jesus is --- everybody needs to know
John 1:35  The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
John 1:36  When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
Q. 1 What four things are true about Jesus from John’s remarks
1. He is the Lamb of God,  2.He then is the Son of God, He takes away the sin of the world,
 4. We are to behold him

Jesus’ first words---A question.
John 1:37  When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
John 1:38  Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"
John 1:39  "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Mat 11:28  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ]

Q.1 According to John what were Jesus’ first words to begin his ministry?
Q.2 What was so appealing about him that they would follow him?
Q.3 Why did Jesus ask his question?
Q.4 What is apparent from Jesus’ first meeting with these two men


Jesus names Peter, he also knows who you are
John 1:40  Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
John 1:41  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).
John 1:42  And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).

Psalm 139:2  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
Isaiah 65:1  "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'

Q.1 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon. Why?
Q.2 Jesus knew his name was Simon, his Father was John. How?
Q.3 What is significant about Jesus renaming Simon?
Q.4 What two mysterious things have already happened?


                                                                                                                                                                               
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What Jesus wants….. Do we really not know?
Joh 1:43  The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
Joh 1:44  Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.
Joh 1:45  Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Joh 1:46  "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.

Mic 5:2  "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."

Q.1 What do Jesus words “Follow me” imply  to Phillip?
Q.2 What is first apparent about Nathanael?
Q.3 What is significant about Nathanael’s comments?
Q.3 What does Jesus really want when he asks us “What do you want?


What Jesus knows…. Everything.
John 1:47  When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit."
John  1:48  "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
John  1:49  Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."
John  1:50  Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that."
John  1:51  He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."

Psalm 139:4  Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
139:5  You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
139:6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
139:7  Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
139:8  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
139:9  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
139:10  even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Q.1 How do you think Jesus knew Nathanael before he met him?
Q.2 What has the fig tree to do with anything?
Q.3 What is significant about Nathanael’s next comments?
Q.4 Jesus’ first words “what do you want” did he need to ask that question?
Q. 5 Then why did he ask it?


                                                                                                                           Pg.3
What Has Jesus Done?  Is there really a question?
Imitation of Christ requires meditation on Christ. If we are to know what it means to follow Christ, then we must seek to study Christ---his life and teaching and, most importantly, his death and resurrection. Therefore, if we are to imitate Christ, we need to ask a different question---not just "What would Jesus do?" but "What has Jesus done?"
Jesus has “come out” everything before this event was prophecy, or from John who was speaking out so fervently, promising the people that there was one was coming who was greater than he.
John 5:30  By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 15:4  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John15:5  "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 1:27  He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
Q.1 What changes took place in John’s life?
Q.2 What changes took place in Nathanael’s life?
Q.3 What changes took place in Simon’s life life?
Q.4 What changes took place in  our lives?
                                                  And this is only Jesus’ first day

Meditation
This coming out that Jesus is doing will, begin his ministry, Just as in our own lives, We were not always aware of Jesus, but we do now know of him. So it was with the people of his day, they had heard of him, and were anticipating a messiah, someone who could change the conditions under which they were now living. That is what Jesus can do, He can change the way we are living. In fact, This is what he has done, he has begun his life’s purpose. Jesus has changed the entire world. Once we understand what Jesus has done, we can best understand how to represent him and follow him faithfully. By focusing on what Jesus has done, we will be able to see the effects, and the changes coming in our life that Jesus can make and has made to happen in our lives. Christians often underestimate the things that Jesus can do, And what we can do through Jesus. Which when we realize what Jesus has done we  begin to see the bigger picture of God's plan to glorify himself through both the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus Christ. There is nothing we can accomplish without Him, and with Him there is nothing that cannot be accomplished

Closing Prayer
Jesus we seek you, and you ask us, “What do you want”? We say,  “where are you staying” and Jesus’ answer is, “come and you will see”  We want you, Son of God, so that we may follow you and imitate your ways. We pray that you Dear Jesus, would come into our hearts and stay there, and make us ever mindful that you really are the ruler of all of nature indeed of all things. And we ask that you be present in our lives every day and guide our every thought word and deed. And even on our last day Jesus, take us we pray for we really do want to be where you are….AMEN
                                                                                                                                         

















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Opening Prayer
Jesus our savior, and our intercessor, we pray your blessing tonight, on this study. We pray that you would put the words and their meaning into our hearts and minds,  those words that you would have us learn from this study. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight, contrary to thy will, and that all here will be subject to your guiding Spirit.
We ask your blessing on all families represented here tonight and bless all those who are in the thoughts and prayers of those who seek thee tonight.  These things we ask in your Holy name Jesus, AMEN

This is the second study in our attempt to learn from Jesus’ ministry as he lived and taught it on this earth.  It is our intention to learn the intricate and minute details of each event in his life with a teaching moment in it.  There is no word he spoke and no act he committed that is not of paramount import to any who seek Jesus and his teaching.
We also hope to integrate into this study, the teachings given to us in the prophets as they relate to each event, in Jesus’ life and work.






























                                                                                                                                                                       




                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                               

The Miracles Begin

The beginning of miracles
John 2:1  On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,
John 2:2  and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
John 2:3  When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

The occasion, was a social event and joy and merriment filled the air as would at a wedding  Jesus’ Mother was there , and  Jesus, having been invited. The location was somewhat remote. In Cana, a small and insignificant town in the Galilee, far from Jerusalem.  This was a traditional  wedding, and lasted for days
The Wine had been  consumed. Why did Jesus ‘Mother seek him in this matter? What could he do? He had shown his special abilities in some ways, but not in physical miracles.  Jesus can do all things, and surely as his mother, she knew he could take care of it. So she stated her case. The Joyous occasion was to be marred by this oversight. The wine of our joy often is exhausted before its time, The world has a way of doing that. Sometimes we want to share our joy and just at that moment, It is gone.

Q.1 Has it happened to you just when everything is going well you are presented with distress?
Q.2 And when that happens, haven’t we  always had someone to whom we could turn?
Q.3 Can you recall a time when such was the case in your life?
Q.4 Hasn’t there always been that special someone you turned to?

The significance of insignificant events
John 2:4  "Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come."
John 2:5  His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

It is pretty obvious that Jesus is surprised by this occasion, and suggests that it’s not his problem. Is Jesus demonstrating his humanness at this point. We are not given any answers as right away his mother issues instruction to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Jesus had not yet started his ministry, and perhaps he wanted to keep a low profile. What are our conclusions? Why is this occasion worth our examination?

Q.1 Are we not to be concerned with our friends distress, should we help if asked?
Q.2 Does it appear to you that  Jesus did not want to become involved, Why not?
Q.3 Jesus had not really started his ministry, maybe it was too soon, what do you think?
Q.4 Is this seemingly incidental event meaningful in Jesus’ Ministry?
Q.5 “Do whatever he tells you.” Is that good council? Does it apply to us in today’s world?

Do not trivialize anything which you would bring to God. with God all things matter.
Perhaps it is to teach us that man's extremity is God's opportunity to appear for the help and relief of his people. Then his hour is come when we are reduced to the utmost strait, and know not what to do.

















What Jesus Does
John 2:6  Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
John 2:7  Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
John 2:8  Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so,
John 2:9  and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
John 2:10  and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

Jesus begins with materials which are already there, he makes use of what is available. So typical of God to use even the plainest of vessels, used for ordinary purposes. He then issues his instruction. Plain words and easily accomplished, nothing magical or mysterious. Just water, something easily available. Then with no special words he issues his instruction “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
A very simple and easily accomplished task. As all of his miracles are, just ordinary words used in ordinary circumstances to accomplish extraordinary results. The key to this miracle is obvious, every one did as he was told and the results were accomplished. If only it were always that easy.

Q.1 Have you seen unbelievable illusions in magic acts?
Q.2 Does there always seem to be some special effect, a trick of sorts, ?
Q.3 What special effect does Jesus use in accomplishing this miracle? Is he in control?
Q.4 Why did  this miracle seem to come off without a hitch?
Q.5 Read the first phrase in verse 7. Who are the servants?
Q.6 Read the last phrase in verse 10. What is most impressive about what Jesus did?

Do we understand what Jesus has done in his first miracle? Jesus has brought God to the forefront without mention of his name. He has demonstrated the power, the love, and the compassion that seems to exude from those who are Godly, who do Godly deeds and act in Godly ways. He used not a single word or prompt which made anyone aware of the power of God in this act. God is in everything that exists, all matter, all time and all events. And what God has done in Jesus is he has saved the best for last. The least of our needs he cares for
And he will do the work of our salvation with the ease and perfection of one who is perfect
And who does perfect miracles. He has saved the best for last.  

The effect Jesus Has on others
John 2:11  What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Joh 2:12  After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Having Jesus around and being in a close relationship with him began to tell the disciples something about who he was and what he was capable of. It perhaps came as a surprise to his disciples at this the first of his miracles, and most certainly it was a surprise to the banquet master. What Jesus could do and actually did  would surprise many people in the days to come, But it did not take long for his disciples and his mother to realize what he could do.

Q.1 What is there about perfection that is so appealing?
Q.2 What is there about Jesus that is so perfect?
Q.3 What is God telling us with Jesus’ miracles?
Q.4 Will we see more of his miracles? And his healings? Will they be teaching moments?

Eph 3:9  and to bring to light what is the fellowship of the mystery which from eternity has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ;
Rev 4:11  O Lord, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and for Your will they are and were created.

Why Jeremiah

                                                                                                                                    Pg.1                                    
Psalm 69:9  for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

Why Jeremiah
Jeremiah 7:1  This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
Jeremiah 7:2  "Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and there proclaim this message: "'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD.
Who was Jeremiah? About a year after King Josiah of Judah had turned the nation toward repentance from the widespread idolatrous practices of his father and grandfather, Jeremiah’s sole purpose was to reveal the sins of the people and explain the reason for the impending disaster (destruction by the Babylonian army and captivity), Also called the "Weeping prophet",  He was one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible. Jeremiah is traditionally credited with authoring the Book of Jeremiah, 1 Kings, 2 Kings and the Book of Lamentations.  Judaism considers the Book of Jeremiah part of its canon, and regards Jeremiah as the second of the major prophets.
Q.1 What prompted Jeremiah to write these things to his people?
Q.2 What prompted God to instruct Jeremiah to write these things?
Q.3 Do we still have  prophets urging people to “Hear the word of the Lord”?

 Why Jeremiah writes
Jeremiah 7:3  This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.
Jeremiah 7:4  Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!"
No observances, professions, or supposed revelations, will profit, if men do not amend their ways and their doings. None can claim an interest in free salvation, who allow themselves in the practice of known sin, or live in the neglect of known duty. They thought that the temple they profaned would be their protection. But all who continue in sin because grace has abounded, or that grace may abound, make Christ the minister of sin; and the cross of Christ, rightly understood, forms the most effectual remedy to such poisonous sentiments. The Son of God gave himself for our transgressions, to show the excellence of the Divine law, and the evil of sin. Never let us think we may do wickedness without suffering for it.
Q.1 Why did these people continue their practices of sinful conduct?
Q.2 What was the emphasis Jeremiah was making?
Q.3 Are there people today who conduct themselves in the same manner?
Q.4 Do people really think that unjust and unrighteous conduct will not  be
    punished by God?


                                                                                                                                                         




What Jeremiah writes                                                                                                  Pg.2
Jer 7:5  If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly,
Jer 7:6  if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm,
Jer 7:7  then I will let you live in this place,in the land I gave your ancestors forever and ever
It is obvious from these pleadings by Jeremiah that the people were profaning the Temple of God by dealing unrighteously  and being unjust in their dealings with each other and those they were disposed to lead, and all the while conducting their business just as if there were no wrongs being committed
This implies that there had been much amiss in their ways and doings, many faults and errors. But it is a great instance of the favor of God to them that he gives them liberty to amend, shows them where and how they must amend, and promises to accept them upon their amendment: “I will cause you to dwell quietly and peaceably in this place, and a stop shall be put to that which threatens your expulsion.

Q.1 Why did these people continue their practices of sinful conduct?
Q.2 What was the emphasis Jeremiah was making?
Q.3 Are there people today who conduct themselves in the same manner?
Q.4 Do people really think that unjust and unrighteous conduct will not  be
    punished by God?
What God will do
 Jeremiah 7:8  But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless
 Jeremiah 7:9  "'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known,
Jeremiah 7:10  and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"--safe to do all these detestable things?
Jeremiah 7:11  Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.
Apparently the people who ruled and held court and prospered by their unjust and false deceptions were into the worship of other gods which no doubt had some appeal to them. They were committing all types of heinous crimes and adulterous acts. And in addition  they would then come to the temple and claim that they were “safe” to do all these things
They had turned the temple into a den of robbers. Believing that God would continue to favor them with his protection. Little did they know. And Jeremiah was not gaining their favor. No one who is “makin it” with dishonest and corrupt acts likes to be publicly chastised, and that was  what Jeremiah’s message was doing. And the affirmation that the temple of the Lord affords protection is a sheer delusion, so long as all God's commandments are being audaciously broken.
Q.1 What are deceptive words that are useless, vs.8 ?
Q.2 What other gods are we speaking of in vs.9?
Q.3 Who could do these things and then take solace in the House of God?
Q.4 What is God’s promise to those who do such things?
Isa 10:1  How horrible it will be for those who make unjust laws and who make oppressive regulations.
Isa 10:2  They deprive the poor of justice. They take away the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and rob orphans.
Isa 10:3  What will you do on the day you are called to account for these things, when the disaster comes from far away? Where will you run for help? Where will you leave your wealth?

What God Does

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The Miraculous works of God

Psa 77:11  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 

Psa 77:12  I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds." 

Psa 77:13  Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? 

Psa 77:14  You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

Whatever else may be forgotten, the marvelous works of the Lord Jesus in the days of old must not be forgotten, for the memory of the cross is always the handmaid for faith and the foundation of all true prayer. We will now, console and refresh ourselves with God's work of salvation in all its miraculous manifestations from the earliest times. The due remembrance of the works of God will be a powerful antidote against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God and changes not. If he begin, he will finish his work and bring forth our Strong Deliverer. Let us first give to God the glory of the great things he has done for his people, and acknowledge him, great above all comparison; and then we may take to ourselves the comfort of what he has done and encourage ourselves with it

Q.1 In Old Testament works of God, what do You best remember?

Q.2 Of the miraculous works of God, which of them is significant to you?

Q.3 Can we recall what great things God has done in our time? 

Q.4 What encouragement can we take from God’s working his miracles?

The Power and Majesty of God

1Ch 16:24  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 

Ch 16:28  Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 

1Ch 16:29  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 

1Ch 16:30  Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 

As I read the news, and watch it on television  and as God is portrayed in the news today, we treat his word as if it were some oddly interesting phenomenon. That the occasion of the miracles and wondrous works of God were some ancient historical event that just happened. Our world today seems to believe in that power which we can see, touch, taste or hear. That seems to me to be the driving force for our world today. Much like the giant Goliath in David’s day, with his loud fearsome voice, and his great strength and size, the Philistines were dreaded and feared. We respect, revere and worship that which is a viable entity that will appeal to our senses, Like the so sadly disrespectful music of the rap musicians we hear all over our world today. And we allow that to brush aside our worship and fear of God.   

Q.1 Is verse 24 applicable for our world today? Are we doing that?

Q.2 Is verse 28 applicable for our world today? Are we doing that?

Q.3 Do we consider our worship today to be in the splendor of His Holiness”

Q.4 And do we demonstrate that we fear our God?

The coming Son of God                                                                                               Pg.2

Isa 42:1  "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 

Isa 42:2  He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 

Isa 42:3  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 

Isa 42:4  he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope." 

Isa 42:23  Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come? 

Luk 9:35  A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." 

The Holy Spirit not only came, but rested upon him, and without measure. He patiently bore the contradiction of sinners. His kingdom is spiritual; he was not to appear with earthly honours. He is tender of those oppressed with doubts and fears, He will not despise them. By a long course of miracles and his resurrection, he fully showed the truth of his holy religion. By the power of his gospel and grace he fixes principles in the minds of men, which tend to make them wise and just. The most distant nations wait for his law, wait for his gospel, and shall welcome it. If we would make our calling and election sure, and have the Father delight over us for good, we must behold, hear, believe in, and obey Christ.

Q.1 What is God telling us in vs. 42:1?

Q.2 What is implied in vs. 42: 2&3?

Q.3 What is being promised in vs. 42:4

Q.4 In Isaiah 42:23, and in Luke 9:35  what is the message to us? 

Meditation

  To God be the glory, great things He hath done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life our redemption to win, And opened the life-gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice; Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice; Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory; great things He hath done. Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.

Closing Prayer

God of our salvation we are so thankful that you have included the downtrodden, the sinners and the unworthy in your offer of salvation. We are very aware of our sinful nature and ask only that we be allowed to take Jesus Christ as our savior. And in so doing, become worthy and righteous in your sight, and you as promised, will remember our sins no more. We ask that you help us in our anxious attempts to please you that we remember the words you spoke at the Baptism of Jesus”  "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." 

And Dear Jesus on our last day we want to be in paradise where you are;  Amen.

God Promises a Savior

 Opening Prayer
Jesus our savior, and our intercessor, we pray your blessing tonight, on this study. We pray that you would put the words and their meaning into our hearts and minds,  those things that you would have us learn from this study. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight, contrary to thy will, and that all here will be subject to your guiding Spirit.
We ask your blessing on all families represented here tonight and bless all those who are in the thoughts and prayers of those who seek thee tonight.  These things we ask in your Holy name Jesus, AMEN

Purpose
In this, the first study in our new series, we will attempt to present a study of prophetic scripture based on the coming of a Savior for the world, which in turn will introduce the following weeks study of  Jesus’ ministry. We will attempt to learn from Jesus’ ministry as he lived and taught it on this earth.  It is our intention to learn the intricate and minute details of each event in his life with a teaching moment in it.  There is no word he spoke and no act he committed that is not of paramount import to any who seek Jesus and his teaching. 
                             (This weeks study is taken mainly from the Prophet Isaiah,) 




                                                                                                                      Pg.1
                                           God Promises a Savior
God’s comfort

Isa 40:1  Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 
Isa 40:2  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 
This life is a warfare; saints have many enemies to engage with, sin, Satan, and the world; many battles to fight, a great fight of afflictions, and the good fight of faith: this is "accomplished", or "filled up, not that it is at an end before this life is, while that lasts there will be a continual conflict; yet all enemies are now conquered by Jesus Christ. 
Q. 1Her sin has been paid for, what does that mean?
Q. 2What is meant by “double for all her sins” “ 
Q. 3 What is implied by these words of the prophet Isaiah?

God’s intentions
Isa 40:3  A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 
Isa 35:8  And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. 
His voice was the voice of one that crieth, that published and proclaimed aloud, openly and publicly, with great eagerness and fervency, with much freedom and liberty, what he had to say; and this was done "in the wilderness", in the wilderness of Judea,
Q. 1 What was a unique feature of John the Baptist?
Q. 2What is the intended purpose of his message?
Q. 3 What is meant by“make straight in the desert, a highway for our God”?

God’s plan for his people
Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 
Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." 
It may be taken as a call to duty, and it is the same duty that we are called to, in preparation for Christ's entrance into our souls. (1.) We must get into such a frame of spirit as to receive Christ and his gospel: “Prepare you the way of the Lord; prepare yourselves for him, and let all that would be an obstruction to his entrance, make room for Christ: Make straight a highway for him.” If he prepare the end for us, we ought surely to prepare the way for him. Prepare for the Savior
Q. 1 What is meant by the statement in verse 4?
Q. 2 How is God going to do that, remove every obstacle?
Q. 3 His presence will be known, does this promise ease or difficulty ?
Q. 4 Does this mean there will be miracles?


                                                                                                                               Pg.2
God’s Promise

 Isa 40:9  You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" 
Heb 6:17  Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 
Heb 6:18  God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 
God did as it were bind himself by his oath, or lay himself under obligation, or become a surety, for the fulfillment of his purpose and promise; which shows the super-abounding grace of God, the weakness of man, and what reason the heirs of promise have to believe.
Q. 1 Does John have his work cut out for him, as the forerunner of Jesus Christ?
Q. 2 Is it then any wonder as to why he was so focused on his job?
Q. 3 Do you feel that God’s promise of a savior is strengthened by his giving an oath?
Q. 4 Does that impress you in any way, that God would make a promise under oath?

Our hope is in him
Isa 40:31  but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 
A knowledge and reverence of God, confidence in him, attendance on him, not with the body only, in public and private, but with the soul also, and with constancy, patience and quietness. The Lord is to be waited upon for the manifestations of himself, and his sworn promises. And since he has his set time to show himself again, his presence is worth waiting for. Also for the performance of his promises, which may be expected from his perfections, the nature of the promises, and their being in Christ; likewise for answers of prayer, and for the fresh discoveries of pardoning grace and mercy;
Q. 1  What would you interpret this verse from Isaiah 40:31 to mean?
Q. 2 What does the concept of this promise hold for the Christian?
Q. 3 Do we always wait in hope for the Lord, or do we sometimes become impatient?








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Our hope, His Grace and Mercy
Psa 33:18  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,  
Psa 33:20  We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 
1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous He is a God who delights in hearing prayer, and his righteous ones have his ear. He hears them while they are speaking, and will answer, and avenge his elect, who cry unto him day and night. For as he has an ear to hear their cries, he has a mighty right  arm to save them, and which is even strengthened by what follows. But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. "To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth".  "The face of the Lord" is meant the anger of the Lord. It intends, not his kind, pleasant, and loving countenance, but his anger with the unrighteous. With the former he beholds the upright, and with it he looks upon his righteous ones. But the latter is upon and against the wicked, and is dreadful and intolerable, and the consequence of it is everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, 
Rev 3:11  I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 
Rev 3:12  The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 
Q. 1 Why is it comforting to know that your sins are forgiven?
Q. 2 What of God’s intentions are most important to you?
Q. 3 Do you see God’s plan working in the world today?
Q. 4 Do you see God’s promises working in the world today?
Q. 5 As Christians, Upon what do we place our hope today? (My hope is built on nothing less) 
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Meditation
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand; 2 When darkness seems to hide his face, I rest on his unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. 3 His oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. 4 When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found, dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. And on my last and shining day may I be there with Him to stay.
Closing Prayer
Jesus you are our solid rock, all we need is the courage there on to stand. We ask nothing more than this, that you grant us the courage and the determination and strength to continue in prayer. We ask that you extend your healing power to those of us and our loved ones that are hurting. And that your love and mercy be extended to us so that on our final day we might be where you are.  Amen