Hebrews 4:1-11 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

A Rest for God’s People!

General idea: God is great and we are to proclaim His most spectacular wonder and partake of His blessings. His rest is open and available to us who know and trust Him; His rest, the eternity of Heaven, is our great reward now and forevermore. At such a magnitude, we should tremble in awe and wonder—even fear that we may miss it. We will fail so much and miss His plan and rest if we are so prideful we never receive Him as Savior and Lord. For His good news is He offers us this plan, and there is no better plan! He has prepared a place for you! You are His and He wants you! But we have to believe and in trust Him; if not, we have no place in God’s Kingdom now or in eternity. Christianity comes with a catch—an obligation or an entrance fee so to speak, and it is so simple people reject it, and so hard others can’t stand it. Yes, our grace is free without works or effort on our part, but it requires our belief in Christ to receive Him and His work in our lives. Being a Christian is all about Christ, Who He is and what He has done; it is not about you or me, other than we respond in faith and resound His love by living a life of gratitude for Him which is our rest of comfort now, until one day we enter His eternal rest. This has been promised to us, spoken by the prophets, written down in the Scriptures, and lived out by our Lord. This rest is not just about eternity; it is trusting in Him for our lives now, so we are fruitful now. Life that has no worry or strife as our hope and life are working by and in Him. We can rest in Him now and in eternity! So let us listen carefully to Christ, hear His voice, and obey His call and precepts!

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=42129&columnid=3803

Hebrews 3:7-19 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

Learning from Failure!

General idea: A call of the Holy Spirit is given; a warning is proclaimed that we must listen to the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to turn our backs on His precepts or usurp our will over His. This is what the pious, fraudulent people of Israel had done to anger God. They rebelled and disrespected and distrusted God as Lord, Sovereign of their lives as He led them from slavery into the Promised Land. They saw incredible, unprecedented miracles yet hid their hearts from God and wanted their way over His right way. God was angry with them and justly so. We do the same when we refuse to listen, risking the loss of what He has for us. We are called to be introspective, to look within our hearts and make sure there is no transgression or plan that is contrary to God’s way and call. We are also called to help one another, to be accountable, to heed Christ and not disobey, so none of us is deceived by our pride or the problems of others. These people heard His voice and knew His will, yet they rebelled and disobeyed. What they got for their efforts of rebellion was death. They did not taste His goodness and blessings; they traded their pride in for disaster when they could have had it better than they could ever have imagined! All they needed to do was be faithful, look to Him as their lead, and enter His rest.

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=41860&columnid=3803

Hebrews 3:1-6 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

“Jesus is Greater than Moses!”

General idea: Jesus Christ is God and thus He is greater than the ones who paved the way of faith to the peoples. Moses was the supreme of all prophets, whereas Christ is Lord over all. Moses led the house of Israel, but Christ built it. Jesus is not just a messenger, He is the Message; He is not just our priest; rather, He is The High Priest. He walked this earth to show us who He is and what we can be in Him. He showed us faithfulness; we can show Him our faith too. Likewise, Moses, who walked in faith and trusted in God, modeled a Way for the Jews and all peoples of earth. He was entrusted to lead the house of Israel and so he did by conviction and action. He was the giver of God’s law and precepts and deserves our reverence and respect. But, Christ is greater than all, including Moses. For He created Moses and all that there is. Moses is the house and Christ is the builder of that house. Moses was a servant of God whereas Christ is God. Moses was a walking, living illustration of how God works and that He requires from us faith and obedience. Thus, as Moses did and as Christ demonstrated, we too are to remain faithful and true in God, through Christ, by the Way of the Spirit. Seek His truth, consider His precepts, and walk in His ways by trust. Be filled with courage and confidence because of who you are in Him.

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=41628&columnid=3803

Hebrews 2:12-18 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

“Jesus our Compassionate God!”

General idea: Jesus Christ is our Creator, LORD; He calls us His brothers and sisters and asks us to trust Him. He is our Redeemer and High Priest and is the One who makes us holy. He goes from the Suffering Messiah to the Deliverer. He shows and bestows compassion beyond measure. We are in a family relationship, totally functional and blessed as we share the same Father God Almighty, the Maker of the Heavens and earth, and He is not ashamed of us. Jesus declares the wonders and glory of His Name and shows us how to praise God among the peoples. It is all about our trust in Him, demonstrated by Jesus as He became one of us, flesh and blood, taking in humanity to be our Savior and example. He broke the power of death and the devil and gave us life eternal and a life worth living. He is our Deliverer so we are no longer slaves to sin or too meaningless; we have no fear of the devil or fear of death. He is our Help and our Hope that no mere angel could ever give. In His humanity, He was able to identify with us and show us authentic mercy and an example of faith. Since He has gone through it all, including great suffering, He is far more able to be a help in our trials and temptations.

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=40459&columnid=3803

Hebrews 2:5-11 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

“Jesus Founds our Salvation!”

General idea: Jesus Christ is the founder of our salvation and authors our faith. He is totally Divine and He became Human too. Thus, we are not controlled or answerable to angels or created things for our faith, only to God, the Sovereign of the universe. It is all about Christ as Lord, who we ought to think right of. He is no mere man or a subordinate being of some sort, He is not governed or subjected to anything or anyone, yet He humbled Himself to be as our example and our Savior crowned with Glory and honor as He walked this earth. It is He Who holds all authority in the universe. There is nothing that is left out of His knowledge and control. Whereas our knowledge and experience including the sum knowledge of all humanity and to come has no equal with our Lord’s. We can’t see the big picture or what will come or how things work together, but He does. We do not see the inner workings of the universe or how things happen or made, only a mere glimpse is what we have, where He has it all. We have Jesus, we must see Jesus who is our all in all and who tasted death on our behalf. He is the ultimate act of grace that He made by sacrifice of Himself for us. He who made everything and for what everything was made for, also made Himself for us. Through undeserved suffering The Most Perfect Sovereign Being, He who was only One fit to do this, founds our salvation and authors our faith. His Work alone, His holiness alone, Who now calls us His children!

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=40467&columnid=3803

Hebrews 2:1-4 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

“Listen to Christ!”

General idea: Jesus Christ is supremely greater than all. Thus, we are called to fervently listen, know, and carefully apply what we are taught from the Word as well as from other godly sources. The Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ is an imperative reality. If we do not hear it, we will not know it, and then we cannot apply it; the result will be our drifting away from His precepts and call. Thus, we will miss the vital knowledge and the opportunities He has for us. God uses various ways to deliver His Truth—from angels to His written Word, and through the Word of the Son. His Word is valuable beyond measure and the truth for our lives. We must also be aware of the cost of disobedience, because missing His message means we miss Him and His call and His opportunities. Our call includes not letting good knowledge and opportunities waste away. Even though our salvation is secured, as Christians we should never be indifferent to His precepts and call. God’s message is true, it has been verified, and it stands the test of time and scrutiny, even shown true by miracles.

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=38977&columnid=3803

Hebrews 1:5-14 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

“The Sonship of Christ!”

General idea: Jesus Christ is greater than everything! He is greater than angels, and so are His Name, His role, and His purpose. These has been given by God for Him and presented to us. Jesus is the Son and the eternal Sovereign God; God wants the entire universe to recognize Christ’s sonship and LORDSHIP and rule. In fact, angels too must recognize and worship Jesus as LORD. Angels of various categories and responsibilities all must know and see the Son as Royal, God eternal. He who made the universe made you and me, runs all things, and knows all things; His love is inexhaustible and His holiness indescribable. He has always existed and will always endure forever, yet all other things will eventually fade. His enemies—those who hate God and everything that is good—will be judged and will be humiliated. Yet, angels are servants of God, messengers to worship Him and care for Him and show Him to others, and even serve us. They are important and precious, sent from God to us; but they are not God nor do they hold any of His attributes.

Contexts and Background: This passage in Hebrews sets up an eloquent and carefully crafted case for the clear indication of the infinite deity, superiority, and supremacy of Jesus Christ as the eternal, Holy God, all of which is also documented by the Old Testament. In addition, Jesus is infinitely superior to any created being or entity. This argument uses various verses quoted from the Septuagint (first century Greek translation of the Old Testament most recognizable to the early church and Jews) using key words, such as Son, in order to link the thoughts from the coming Messiah to the revelation and resurrection of Christ Himself, a then common Jewish exegetical technique. These quotes come mostly from Psalm 2:7 and the Old Testament passage 2 Samuel 7:14. Then the “author,” inspired by the Holy Spirit, is using rhetorical questions to prove Christ’s coming and His Supremacy (worshiped by angels) to a misguided church that thought angels were supreme and Christ was also an angel of some sort or at least not as authoritative (Deut. 32:43; 2 Sam. 7:14; Psalm 2:7; 97:7; Acts 13:33).

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=38764&columnid=3803

Hebrews 1:1-4 Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

Jesus is Supreme!

General idea: God’s best is saved for last; His spoken Word is through His Son to us. This passage brings an important theme that God works and wants to speak to us. He is fully God, one with the Father, and He is most far greater to all! Jesus Christ is Excelsior par excellence LORD, the surpassing greatness of all that is or ever will be! Who is Jesus to you? How does this hold up to who He is in reality as revealed in the Scriptures? Is Jesus the central figure in your life as He is the central figure in the entire universe? Jesus is the Ultimate, He is God’s Son, He is the Heir of all things, and He is Supreme! It is imperative we know who Jesus is in our last days, as He is the One, the Promise, and our Savior. Jesus created the world and holds all things together, whose imprint is in all things and radiates God’s Glory, presence, and Awe. He sits at God’s right hand and controls the universe. He is also the One spoken of by the prophets, who came to save and take away our sins. Jesus is Supreme and even superior to any created thing, including angels.

Contexts: The Epistle of Hebrews introduces two major themes; one is the divinity of Christ. He is supreme over all—over traditions, Law, and all that was created, including angels. He is the Ultimate Word of God! Jesus is the heir of all things. He is incarnate, He made the universe, and He is the radiance of God's glory and sustains all things. In so doing, He is able to give us redemption and purify us from our sins (Mark 16:19; Eph 1:20; Col 1:15-20; 3:1; 1 Pet. 3:22). This passage also introduces a second major theme; God is the One who speaks (Heb. 2:2-3; 4:12; 6:5; 11:3; 12:25). He is a God of promise and fact, He has an inheritance and an Inheritor and a role for us. The audience was a Church that was confused about the role of Christ and angels and which was superior. They tried to compromise His status to appease pagans and Jews. This passage is in a classic, formal Jewish style similar to the opening of “Ecclesiasticus, “a popular apocrypha Jewish wisdom book (deuterocanonical) written in a high language style.

More here: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=38568&columnid=3803

What is the Main Goal of Bible Study?

DON’T JUST INTERPRET IT, BUT APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE!!!

John 3:5, 30; Gal 2:20-21; Phil. 3:10!

Unfortunately a lot of Christians think that all we have to do is read the Bible, and do what it says, and there is nothing to interpret. Or they will react against the educated “professional” Christian who is a teacher, scholar or pastor. They see that person taking the Bible away from them, and wrapping it in confusion. They do not want the Bible to be some kind of obscure book they cannot understand. But what they are in fact doing is reading the Bible without any understanding and making excuses for it and it is very doubtful they are doing what it says! (Of course some scholar’s love to wrap things in confusion!)

Some Christians have no problems with interpretation, it is the application and obedience that they have trouble with. We tend to understand the precepts of the Bible so well that we will rationalize them away, such as “do everything without complaining or arguing” (Phil. 2:14). Thus we complain and argue all the time.

The primary goal of interpretation is to find the “plain meaning” of the Bible!

REMEMBER: BE SURE TO INCORPORATE WHAT YOU KNOW INTO YOUR LIFE!!!

More here: The Main Goal of Bible Study

What are the Different Approaches to Studying Scripture ?

Here are Some Definitions on the various ways we can read and know God’s Word, the Bible. Some of these methods of Bible Study are very Biblical, beneficial and good and while others are harmful and lead to false teaching.

We, at Into Thy Word, are geared toward challenging you to learn how to better understand and study the Bible! We seek to teach people to use logic, induction, reasoning, and good inductive and deductive principles by examining the particulars, facts, and essence of a text first before making any conclusions. Thus, we can lead a mature, meaningful, fruitful, character driven life for Christ’s glory!

More Methods: Approaches to Studying Scripture

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How to Memorize Scripture

Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-21; Psalm 63: 1-8; 119: 9, 11, 72; Matthew 4:4; Philippians 3:10; Col. 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21-25; 1 Peter 2:2; 3:15

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Nothing in our Christian life is as important or compares to the value of learning God's Word and then incorporating His precepts into our lives. Thus, memorizing a passage of Scripture is an essential way not only to know His Word, but to know and grow in our Lord and Savior. Yet, many Christians have neglected, even negated this discipline, including me on occasions. We desire the quick way; give me the easiest shortest plan to be a Christian. I am only interested in what is convenient, easy and hassle free. We want something to do that takes little to no work and then we may decide to do it, if we feel like it. Yet, memorizing the Scriptures takes our time, effort, and work; thus, we usually just will not do it. But, consider this: does not God, who saved us and provides for us deserve our best? Doesn’t He deserve our best attention and mindset, things we give to others that are so much less important and even fleeing? It is my endeavor here to help persuade you of the importance and veracity of memorizing Scripture, and some tips I have learned over the years to help you do it.

Why We Tend Not to Memorize Scripture

I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 119:8

We can come up with all kinds of reasons why we should not or need not memorize Scripture. Perhaps, you are saying or thinking, “I can’t because I have a bad memory," or "I just do not have time;" "I have tried this before and I could not do it," or “why should I?”, or “I am not a pastor or in leadership.” Someone told me once, “I do not need to because Jesus told me I do not have to.” I can tell you that I do have a bad memory, and I certainly do not have the time while I pastor, travel, run an international ministry, and then there is my precious new baby. And, I can also certainty tell you that Jesus would never, ever tell you something that contradicts His Word. We are called by God Himself, even commanded to learn, know, ponder on, and memorize Scripture (Josh 1:8; Psalm 1; 15; Is. 8:12; 1 Peter 3: 13-22; 4:12)!

Yet, we tend to not do what He has called—even commanded us to do! We are struggle with this working out of our salvation as described in Philippians 2. We need to work on what hinders us from Christ. I am naturally a lazy person and I would much rather read a “readers digest” version of something—to just get the crux of the matter and move on to something more fun, or just sit and do nothing but watch a movie or read a magazine. Yet, God has called me to pastor and research, which takes much more effort, time, and work than I naturally desire to do. Thus, I have had to learn to discipline myself, practice it, and learn to stick with it, even when I would rather be doing something less intensive or more fun. Because I want to grow in Christ and share with others what I am learning, I have had to learn it first. And, that is what a pastor should be doing, even when we would rather play golf or go fishing (which we can do too, just not all of the time). I had to learn the importance of my call and respond to Christ with my best efforts, my obedience out of love and gratitude so I could be my best and follow His lead.

The effort to memorize Scripture is something all Christians should be doing. It takes time and hard work, but we are to do this with our best efforts and our obedience out of love and gratitude for Who He is and what He has done for us. But, this is not to be a labor of pain or a work of strife that we dread; rather, it is a wondrous and glorious journey because we are getting to know Him more deeply! The memorization of Scripture is not something that engrosses us; it is not something that we do all of the time, or even a majority of our devotional life. Our study, devotional reading, and prayer should take the “lions share” of our efforts, but memorizing must have its place and be a part of our Christian life and walk. It can also be adventurous and fun!

Why We are Called to Memorize Scripture

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34

God calls us to have His Words and promises written in our hearts! The way to spiritual maturity and the glory of our reward is not in finding shortcuts, but exercising temperance and commitment through learning, experience, and overcoming adversities. It is a long and difficult process (Acts 14:22; Rom. 2:7). The question is, How can you make memorizing Scripture a reality in your life? See what God Himself has to say; read any or all of these passages below, and in prayer, go over them and match them to these bullet points and ask Him how you are doing with this. By the way, here is the first set of Bible memorization verses for you to practice from:

Deut. 6:4-9; 11:18-21; Josh 1:8; Psalm 37:31; 63: 1-8; 119: 9-11, 72; 105, Prov. 6:20-22; Matt. 4:1-11; John 4:24; 15:7; 17:17; Acts 18:28; 20:32; Rom 12:1-2; Phil. 3:10; 4:6-7; Eph. 4:14; 5:17; Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 5:11; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; Heb. 4:12; James 1:21-25; 1 Pet. 2:2; 3:15

The primary reason we memorize Scripture is because we are called and commanded to learn God's Word so we can learn more about Him, what He has done, and what we can do to lead a great Christian life. We are called to meditate on His Word. Have you responded to this call?

· Knowing God’s Word helps us be better at studying the Bible.
· Knowing God’s Word helps fabricate and shape our spiritual growth.
· Knowing God’s Word helps us experience and worship God.
· Knowing God’s Word helps us know and respond to His precepts and call.
· Knowing God’s Word helps us realize that God’s Word transforms our minds to think in His ways and live our life better in Him.
· Knowing God’s Word makes it easier for the Holy Spirit to more powerfully guide us!
· Knowing God’s Word stimulates our intimacy and prayer life with Him.
· Knowing God’s Word gives us useful, effective, and effectual knowledge of the Bible.
· Knowing God’s Word gives us practical wisdom, guidance, and knowledge for life!
· Knowing God’s Word helps God use us more and more powerfully.
· Knowing God’s Word helps us in the sharing of our faith.
· Knowing God’s Word gives us success in dealing with sin and temptations.
· Knowing God’s Word gives us confidence in witnessing.
· Knowing God’s Word equips us to be able to help guide others.
· Knowing God’s Word helps encourage the spiritual growth in others lives.
· Knowing God’s Word helps us to overcome life’s problems and obstacles.
· Knowing God’s Word helps us be content and at peace.
· Knowing God’s Word helps us to discern false teachings.

Have you responded to His call?

The Basic Plan

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9

The “nitty-gritty” for ease in memorizing is to simply select a short passage—a verse or two. Pray, read it, and then read the chapter in an easy-to-understand translation to see it in context. Then re-read your passage at least ten times in the translation you are using, such as the KJV, NASB, NKJV, RSV, NIV or the ESV. Then, write it out on a small card and re-read it at least ten times. Put it away for a few hours or a day, then pick up the card and re-read it aloud several times. You should have it memorized after a week! It does take a little effort, but it is not as hard as most people think. There is no reason to dread or stress in order to know God’s Word.

The simple basic plan:

Select a short passage to memorize.
Pray over it.
Read it.
Read the chapter to know its context.
Re-read the passage at least ten times.
Write it out on a small card.
Go over your card at least ten times, reading it out loud.
Put it away and in a few hours or a day, pick up the card and re-read it several times. In a few days, you should have it memorized!

The Big Tip

Now, to make it even easier and more fun, do the above and also use a recording device such as a tape recorder, MP3 recorder, or a smart parrot. This is what I do because I have a terrible memory and learning disabilities I have had to overcome. So, for me, this was the worst of the worst of my stress and dread, but I learned to do it and have fun doing it. By the way, this is a phenomenal memorizing method for any literature, notes, text, readings, etc. Read it, record it, and then play it back anywhere you are—while driving, at the mall, or wherever. You can do this with your notes, study material, information you have to memorize, even terms and words for science, a foreign language, or math formulas. I have found this one of the best ways to study, and it works!

Tools, Steps, and Tips to Help you Memorize Scripture

Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:12

Start with the proper approach—that of prayer and reverence before our Holy God. Have an honest desire to know Him more fully and with a good attitude based on growing in Christ rather than seeking just what you want. Our minds must be clear and childlike before Him, because, when you read His Word, you are standing before the face of God—the Holy God! So, adjust to a good attitude and reverence for God and His Word. It is simply not enough to know what you want to do—you have to know the right way to do it. It is like following directions to build something like a model; when we use the directions, we build it right. When we throw them away, we get it wrong and our efforts are wasted. If we do not have the right approach and attitude, we do not get much out of God’s Word, because our will gets in the way of His!

First: Pray

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10

This is the essential, first step to always, always starting anything—especially the memorization of Scripture and communication with God! Ask God to open your eyes so you can be confident and be able to do this with ease, passion, and impact (Psalm 119:18).

· Pray and ask God to help you memorize; ask Him for the confidence and perseverance to do so.
· Ask Him for His blessing and be positive that He will enable you to do it.
· To grow in Christ, we must desire to be with Him and to learn from Him. (Phil. 3:10; 1 John 1 :3-4)
· Prayer engages us with Christ and helps us in our best efforts,
· True obedience comes out of our love and gratitude for who He is and what He has done.
· Have confidence that Christ is working in you!

Second: Select

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:16

Choose a short passage—a verse or two that you wish to memorize. Either start with our recommendations below or with what your pastor or mentor suggests.

· If this seems too much, then begin with one of the simple, one-verse passages.
· Choose a verse that speaks to and/or touches you.
· Never consider this as a chore or burdensome; it is our joy to know our Lord more!
· The point is to do it. Do not jump into large passages or tough passages; get to know the basic passages in the Gospels or Psalms first!
· Discover what our Lord has to say to you!
· Think Big - Think Smart, not small or with an "I can’t’ or "I have to"’ attitude; rather have a will to do it - our identity is in Christ.
· Remember the context! See the whole picture of what is going on. The reason most people do not get it is because they do not get in it!
· Set aside time and be consistent; try at least 5-10 minutes a day to practice your Bible memory.
· You can easily memorize one to two passages a week.
· Do not be overwhelmed! Yes, memorization looks ominous and un-climbable, but you have to just start. Just as when putting together a big puzzle—start with what you recognize, do it one piece at a time, and then one day it will be done!
· Keep in mind why you are doing this! Read Psalm 119 and do a study on verses 9-16.
· Remember, we are called to memorize Scripture!

Third: Read it

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15

Read the verse that you have selected and then read the book and chapter to know its context. Then, read the verses, verse-by-verse in order, and write down what you see and learn. Then, you will be amazed at how much more you will pick up!

· Remember to read the verse in its context.
· Study the passage first to better understand what you are memorizing and to increase your understanding of what the verse means. Do not assume anything; do the research and study. Many Christians think they know something when in fact they do not, or at least not well enough.
· Read your passage in another translation or a paraphrase. If you do not know what something means, look it up in a good commentary or Bible Dictionary.
· State the reference of the passage before and after, such as John 3:16.
· Make sure to say the passage accurately.

Forth: Re-read

With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. Psalm119:13

Commit your verse to memory by reading and rereading it. It is best to read the passage you want to memorize at least ten times in your translation of choice. If you are using the King James (this is great to do and my personal favorite for memorization), don’t forget to also read it in a translation you can understand with more clarity.

· Read and review it; say it out loud several times.
· Then, read the passage several times a day for one week. Then slow it down and read it once or twice a day for a week; then, to keep it memorized recite it once a month.
· Make a prayer out of the verse; pray to God, incorporating the verse and its precepts into your prayer.
· Meditate on the passage—this means to reflect and ponder on it.
· Do an Inductive study on it.
· Break the verse down into its natural phrases; comas are your clue, and do a section at a time.
· Emphasize with your voice the key words. Try to stress certain words and phrases with different pitch and tones of our voice, like actors and public readers do.
· Study at times when your biological clock is active, i.e. if you are a morning person, study in the morning more than in the evening. (Take your temperature every hour on the hour throughout the day and chart it. Do this 2 or 3 times in a week; chart the times your temperature is highest and study hardest at those times.)
· Think positively and affirm yourself. A negative attitude will get you just that...a negative response from Scripture and a disconnection from what God is seeking to teach you and use you in others’ lives as well. A positive attitude will also help you achieve what Christ has for you and others in your life, too.
· Use memorizing techniques like making up stories to help you remember, or tie what you are learning to something else that you know as a synonym.
· While you read, say it out in a loud voice!
· Imagine yourself as a participant—as if it is your story or as if you are there.
· Let God speak to you; the main goal is to know our Lord better, not just to gain more knowledge!
· Try to create a jingle or write a song!

Fifth: Write it Out

I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. Psalm 119:31

Write out your verse on a small index card or flash card along with the passage reference. Then, use your card as a memory tool to look at, and re-read it at least 10 times. Put it away for a few hours, then pick up the card and re-read it aloud several times.

· How to review with 3x5 cards: study in short periods, i.e. five to 10 minutes at a time, and then go on to something else. Then, do it again for five to 10 minutes and so on. (The human mind has a short attention learning span.) Take breaks, carry cards around with you, and do this at different times throughout the day.
· Studying for five to 10 minute segments 10 times a day is much more efficient than studying for four hours at a time, and you will grasp it better!
· Read the card quietly to yourself several times and also aloud; review—spending the time and repetition is your key to success.
· Carry some of the cards you have done with you when you go places for practice and review.
· You can also write out your passage several times on a note pad. Repetitive writing helps the words sink deeper into your mind.
· You can also write verses down on “post-it” notes and stick them in prominent places were you will see them often, such as your bathroom mirror, computer monitor, desk top, refrigerator door…not on your car or where you should not be distracted (This is my wife’s favorite way to do it)!
· Make sure the passage is written down accurately.
· On the card, you can also write down the category, such as a promise, a command, or a fruit, etc.
· Organize your cards into categories such as in chronological order or in topics such as Holiness, Salvation, God's Character, Sovereignty, Faith, Assurance, etc.

Sixth: Record the Passage,

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. Psalm 119:27

Take the passage you decided to memorize and after you have written it down, then read your passage into a voice recorder, and play it back over and over. You can use a “walkman” or “Pod” device so you can do this while you are shopping, driving, or just about anywhere (just not during church).

· Use a recording device such as a tape recorder, MP3 recorder, or electronic digital voice recorder.
· For synergy to memorize faster and better, combine the audio and your reading together!
· This works and it works great!

Seventh: Persevere

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. Psalm 119:14

Be persistent, and set goals in your endeavors to memorize God’s Word. Once you have a good plan and discipline, stick to it, and do not give up. At the same time, be realistic and do not set goals that you cannot accomplish. (2 Peter 3:16).

· Apply the verse to your life; if His Word is not changing, transforming, and affecting you, seek why by asking Him. Memorization does us no good unless we are doing something with it. We are to submit and apply His Word, not just know it.
· Use an accountability partner with whom you can confer.
· An accountability partner can help in two ways—to check you and keep you steady on the journey and also to quiz you on your verses.
· Remember to keep it up; if you do not use it, you will eventually lose it.
· Keep track and arrange your Bible memorization cards in categories. Keep the cards you are currently working on together for daily review. Once you know a passage on your card, place it in a separate pile, so you can review once a month, and keep the ones you do not know well separated from the others so you can review them more often. You can also have a pile you can put together to do at a future date.

Now, you should have a verse memorized! Don’t expect instant success; it takes time. For slow learners like me, it may take a month; for others, a week. Remember, it does take effort, but not as much effort or hard work as most people might think. There is no reason to dread or be stressed as you attempt to memorize God’s most precious Word!

If this still seems overwhelming, take heart, you can do it. A lot of information is given; just do “the basic plan” at first. Once you have it down, look over the rest of the tools and tips and use these useful principles to develop your method. Also, try to start with baby steps—take on one short passage and engage it for 10 minutes a day for a month. Then, in the second month, increase it to 2 passages and 15 minutes, the third month, 3 passages and 20 minutes, and so on. Your goal is to spend at least one hour a day in devotions, Bible reading, prayer, and Scripture memory—free from distractions and a wandering mind. If this is too much and your mind wanders, just remember to break the time up throughout the day—one-third in the in the morning, such as your reading, then one-third memorizing during the midday, and the last one-third, such as your devotions or study, before bed. And, in each section, pray.

The key to memorization is this: STUDY! REVIEW! and PERSEVERE! Repetition is the best way to engrave the verses into your mind. If you do the above steps, bit by bit, then more and more, you will be on your way to a more distinctive, purposeful, and productive Christian life filled with His power and Spirit!

What Do I Memorize?

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2

Start with these passages: Deut. 6:4-9; 11:18-21; Josh. 1:8; Psalm 37:31; 63:1-8; 119: 9-11, 72, 105; Prov. 6:20-22; Matt. 4:1-11; John 4:24; 15:7; 17:17; Acts 18:28; 20:32; Rom 12:1-2; Phil. 3:10; 4:6-7; Eph. 4:14; 5:17; Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 2:13; 5:11; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; Heb. 4:12; James 1:21-25; 1 Pet. 2:2; 3:15.

Here is a guide I used when I was on Staff with Campus Crusade in the 80s:

Scripture Memory Verses

Christ-Centered
New Creation
2 Cor. 5:17
Col. 2:6
Col. 2:9,10
Christ Centered
John 15:5
Phil. 1:6
Gal. 2:20
Word Centered
Matt. 4:4
Acts 20:32
Col. 3:16
Prayer Centered
John 16:24
Matt. 21:22
1 John 5:14,15
Obedience
John 14:21
John 15:10,14
Heb. 5:8
Witnessing
1 John 1:3
Acts 1:8
1 Pet. 3:15

Salvation
Fact of Sin
Rom. 3:23
John 3:19
Rom. 3:12
Penalty of Sin
Rom. 6:23
Heb. 9:27
Rom. 5:12
Penalty Paid
Rom. 5:8
1 Pet. 3:18
1 Cor. 15:3,4
Salvation a Gift
Eph. 2:8,9
Rom. 3:24
Titus 3:5
Must Receive
John 1:12
Rev. 3:20
Rom. 10:9,10
Assurance
1 John 5:11,12
John 5:24
1 John 5:13

Lord's Promises
Forgiveness
1 John 1:9
Eph. 1:7
1 John 2:1,2
Comfort
1 Pet. 5:7
2 Cor. 1:3,4
Matt. 11:28
Victory
1 Cor. 10:13
1 John 5:4,5
2 Cor. 2:14
Rewards
1 Cor. 15:58
2 Cor. 5:10
2 Tim. 4:8
Inheritance
Rom. 8:16,17
1 Pet. 1:3,4
Titus 3:7
Second Coming
1 Thess. 4:16,17
Titus 2:12,13
John 14:2,3

Commands
Follow Christ
Luke 9:23
1 John 2:6
1 Pet 2:21
Separate from World
2 Cor. 6:17,18
Rom. 12:2
1 John 2:15,16
Strong in Temptation
Jam. 1:12
1 Cor. 16:13
1 Pet. 1:6,7
Endure Suffering
Phil 1:29
1 Pet. 4:12,13
Heb. 12:3
Spiritual Warfare
Eph. 6:10,11
1 Tim. 6:11,12
2 Tim. 2:3,4
Go
John 20:21
2 Cor. 5:19,20
Mark 16:15

Spiritual Fruit
Love
John 13:34,35
1 John 3:23
Gal. 5:22,23
Joy
John 15:11
Phil. 4:4
2 Cor. 6:10
Peace
John 14:27
John 16:33
Phil. 4:6,7
Patience
Heb. 10:36
James 1:2-4
1 Pet. 2:20
Faith
Acts 27:25
Heb. 11:6
Rom. 4:20,21
Humility
Phil. 2:3,4
Matt. 20:26,27
1 Pet. 5:5,6

God's Word
Inspiration
2 Tim. 3:16
2 Pet. 1:20,21
1 Thess. 2:13
Read It
Rev. 1:3
1 Tim. 4:13
Deut. 17:19
Study It
Acts 17:11
2 Tim. 2:15
Ps. 119:9,11
Love It
Ps. 138:2
Jer. 15:16
Job 23:12
Meditate on It
Ps. 1:2,3
Josh. 1:8
Ps. 119:148
Hear It
Rom. 10:17
James 1:22
Luke 11:28

From: Campus Crusade for Christ International

Are you Ready? What is Stopping You?

Peter, in his first epistle, was seeking to pastor his people so they could make sound decisions and not be afraid of those who hated God and came against them (1 Pet. 3:15-17). The key to doing this is to make a firm, ongoing, and deep commitment to know Christ and His Word. This is necessary for us to not just be prepared, but to stay ahead of what is coming. We are the ambassadors of Christ and are called to show, through our lifestyle and words, that He is The Lord and Savior. We may come across hostile people who hate God and will hate us for being in Him; even so, we are still to operate with respect and gentleness. The only true way to grow and know this is to grow and know Him (Psalm 56:4; Luke 12:4-7; Rom. 8:31-39; 2 Cor. 5:20)!

The call to know His Word is the call to know Him, to be better in our Christian life, and to do something with what He has given us. This is also a crucial aspect in apologetics, which is the act of giving a defense such as a lawyer defends his client. We should know about our faith, and with our best efforts and abilities, share it with others, and even use words when necessary! A good Christian should know about the Bible and faith, and practice it, not only to grow, but also to share it with other people. We do not need to know all of the answers (I certainly do not), but we should know where to get the info and then get back to them. We are always to share with maturity of character even when others combat us. And, to have His Word in our Heart is power upon power to make this all happen. Our faith will eventually undermine those who are against us. Our apologetic ("answer"), when we recite our verses to others, is always to be given with love, consideration, and tact—never in degrading terms.

Peter was trying to get his people to trust Christ further and thus have more patience when times got tough. Having God’s Word in our hearts and minds forms us, and makes us stronger and better when life and people come against us. We are called to surrender to His authority and precepts, allowing Him to be God, and allowing Him to lead and shape us. We can show the love of Christ by also loving his Word and being dedicated to knowing as much as we can.


Let Us Be Doers of His Mighty Word!

Check out some passages that tell us that discipleship and mentoring are not an option, but a command: Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 6:1-10; Mark 1:35 – 2:12. We must follow out of obedience, and mentor in a multigenerational lifestyle, caring for the total person. This will move us from just playing church to really being a church.


© 1984, 2006 R. J. Krejcir Ph.D., Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.org

Matthew 1: 18-25

Immanuel God is with Us

General Idea: Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus is of One who is different from any human being who ever has or ever will exist. A person is normally conceived by two human parents who are born in sin and without divine intervention. Christ was not just born; He came into our world as a man—as a baby, no less! He was brought into this world as any baby would be, with the extreme exception that Mary did not have normal sexual relations to conceive Him! Jesus was conceived by the Spirit, He was pre-existent, and He was sinless. He has the title and name of Immanuel, meaning “God with us,” inferring that He is our salvation. For us, this means that Jesus is with us, because as God, He was, and is able to take our sins upon Himself and appease God’s wrath because of our sin. He is “God with us,” because He walked, lived, worked, and existed in all aspects as any human ever has. He became identified as one of us while still remaining God, the Creator of us! Jesus is both God and man; He is not a hybrid like Hercules, nor a percentage of one over the other; He is fully God and fully human. He was birthed into history and into this world, yet, He was not from it!

Context: Jews, at the time of Christ, thought a royal king would come to save them; that is why they accused Him of blasphemy. Even though they knew the Scriptures, they refused to accept the Word or Him, and held to their presumptions instead! People will accept a human Jesus, but not a divine Jesus—the same problem we have today, both in our presumptions and our acceptance of truth!

This passage is also about the humanity and struggles of Jesus’ human mother and adoptive father. A scandalous beginning and great struggle for a new marriage and family, it fulfilled prophecy even while countering cultural ideals. Mary was dealing with personal shame and at the same time the wonders of giving birth—the birth of our Lord, no less. Joseph was dealing with family and cultural dishonor, but decided to obey God and trust in Him, not his cultural peer pressure. This passage is also a picture of how God provides us with opportunities and situations to better ourselves, but we may not see them because we are either not looking or we are so consumed by our past experiences, expectations, or hurts that we refuse to look or strive.

Word Meanings and Commentary:

1. Mary: A virtuous and wondrous women to be chosen for this extreme of tasks. She was perhaps between twelve and fourteen years old; Joseph was much older—at least between eighteen to over forty years old. Their marriage was almost certainly prearranged through their parents, as was the custom. (For more information see theological note below.) Matthew places the focus on Joseph for his Gospel, while Luke focuses on Mary.
a. Pledged to be married: Engagement in first century Judaism was as binding as a marriage, hence the words here of husband and wife, as they were pledged to each other, perhaps from a family agreement or barter. The couple would not have had sexual relations without great scandal and shame as well as the loss of family property and cultural rights. It is unlikely that they would ever have been alone together (Deut. 22:24).
b. Joseph: Little is known about Joseph other than his occupation of being a carpenter, his character as being just and wise, and as one who trusted in God. Joseph is clearly shown to us in this passage as a great and honorable man by his affectionate consideration for Mary and reverence for God. God picked him to be Jesus’ “step-father!” Joseph went with Mary to Bethlehem; he was there when Jesus came into this world (Luke 2:4-16), and when Jesus was presented at the Temple (Luke 2:33). He was the head of a family that included Jesus plus up to seven other sons and daughters (sorry Catholics, this is what the Word says: Matt. 13:55-56)! He also took Jesus and Mary to Egypt and back to Nazareth, and worked as a carpenter.
c. Mary deserved to be divorced from her engagement, perhaps even the death penalty by public stoning, or at the very least, to be publicly shamed for being pregnant before the final marriage and without Joseph’s aid (Deut. 22:23-24).
d. The language of Matthew suggests Joseph died before Jesus began His public ministry (Matt. 13:54-57). John suggests that Joseph was alive, but again does not outright say it in John 6:42. Matthew does not absolutely tell us this, but why else would Jesus put His mother in the care of John if Joseph were not around (John 19:26-27)?

2. Found to be with child through the Holy Spirit: This refers to what is called the “Virgin Birth.” Jesus’ birth was an unprecedented miracle! This is vital to our faith and practice and the understanding of the Gospel (Matt. 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-56; 2:4-7; John 1:1-9). If Jesus is God, then He could not have been born as a normal baby by a mother who was younger than He! He could not have been comparable to “normal” babies. Thus, He was not merely born, but came into this world though the birth canal as His passage of choosing (Matt. 28:20; Is. 7:14; John 18:37; 1 Pet. 1:19).
a. If Jesus had a human father, then the Bible is untrustworthy, there would be no reason for His supernatural life, and He would have no ability to save us!
b. Without the “Virgin Birth” we have no deity, no miracles, and no salvation. Thus, this is an essential doctrine, and if the Bible and Christ are true, the Virgin Birth must be true also! Otherwise, He could never have conquered death and Satan, or have taken our place of suffering and death.
i. Liberal thinking rejects the Virgin Birth, because liberal thinking is that there were a lot of Virgin Birth myths floating around, so Matthew must have just incorporated one of them. Of course, there are a lot of fakes, because Satan is the great deceiver and will go out of his way to make counterfeits even the Caesar’s Virgin Birth stories to prove his godhood. (Of course, they all really died but did not come back!)
ii. Fifty-six (56%) percent of seminary students (Barna.org) reject the Virgin Birth! Never base your theology on a majority vote or opinion! Always look to Him and His Word!
iii. People may reject the Virgin Birth and/or Christ Himself, but this does not negate who He is, His Nature, or His office! By His Resurrection from the dead, He proved true to His Name. Wrong thinking will always be proven wrong!
c. Righteous man: Referred to being zealous in keeping the law. This also meant he obeyed God beyond commonsense, and is a role model for us all!
d. Divorce her quietly: Joseph was willing to bear ridicule from his family and village. He could have signed the “legal papers” or made an announcement at the town’s gate to the elders (Deut 22:23-24).
e. A dream: The phrase refers to a practice that God sometimes uses to speak to people, and was used to convince Joseph to keep his vows to Mary and trust in God during this time (Gen. 37:5-11; Dan. 1:17; 2:19-45; Luke 1: 26-35).
f. Son of David: This is a title for Jesus, referring to His being the Messiah (Is. 11:1-3; Jer. 23:1-6; Matt. 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30-31; Luke 18:38).

3. The name Jesus means “Yahweh is Salvation,” as in God is salvation, our Savior’s Name to be! This was a common name, which was a declension of Joshua. For Jesus, this was a title of His office and Nature over and above a name to be called. It had extra significance because God intervened and gave this name, when the family lineage was usually used to give a person a name with a meaning behind it (Jer. 23:5-6; Matt. 2:6; 15-23; 7:21-23; 28:19-20)
a. His birth and name were foretold centuries beforehand! (Is. 7:14; 9:6; 42:8)
b. In contrast, as Joshua led the nation of Israel into the “promised land” of Israel/Canaan, Jesus leads the people of God into the Promised Land of Salvation and eternity.
c. He will save His people from their sins: This is His “office,” meaning salvation and faith will be through Jesus Christ as God now gives humanity a new Covenant (Jer. 31:31-37). We are saved from the consequences of sin, the wrath of God, and our guilt by His blood interceding on our behalf (Matt. 1:21; John 3:16-17; Rom. 5:8-9; 8:1-2,12-14; 1 Thess. 1:9-10; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:24-25; Rev. 7:13-17)
d. Fulfill: Matthew uses this term twelve times to make the point that this is the Messiah, then proves that he has indeed fulfilled the Old Testament requirements (Matt:1:22; 2:15, 23; 3:15; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 27:9). The events of Jesus’ life, death, Lordship, and Salvation in the New Testament were predicted in accurate details and are a powerful testimony and proof for the infallibility of the Bible by its exactness.
e. Through the prophet: Controversies arise from the Isaiah passages, as many liberal scholars assume it alludes to Isaiah’s son or perhaps Hezekiah’s. However, none of Isaiah’s sons had this name, and Hezekiah predates this passage and prophecy. Other good scholarship points out that this would be for an unborn king or a theme that will liberate Israel after the captivity. These may be true, but often Hebrew prophecy has double meanings—one for the time in which it was written, but in addition, points to a future fulfillment as the books of Daniel and Revelation attest to. The bottom-line is that God used this prediction of Isaiah, so it means what it means; Jesus was predestined, He is here, and He is with us.
f. Immanuel: Meaning “God with us” (Is. 7:14; 9:6; 10:21; 11:1; Matt. 1:23). His Name is also His nature; God is with us, for He is God indeed (John 1:1-3,14; 4:9-10; 8:56-59; 17:5; Rom. 1:3-4; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:17; 2:9; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:17-18).
g. Jesus was born into the world, yet was not from it. That is, He did not come from it (since He created it), nor is He corrupted by it, lest He be corrupted by sin. Jesus Christ is God incarnate!
i. Jesus must also be born/formed into you (John 3:7; Gal. 2:20; 4:19)!
ii. Have you allowed Jesus into all aspects of your life? Are you surrendered and poured out to be His Bethlehem?
iii. For Him to be in you, you must yield all of your rights and will to Him!
iv. Then Christ can use you to “form” others around you. We cannot do the work of God unless we are the people of God, as Christ is formed in us!
h. When Joseph woke up: This involves more than just awakening from a sleep, but engaging in the call and responsibility that God has given and being obedient, trusting, and loving (Luke 2:1-7; Col. 4:14).
i. He had no union with her until she gave birth: Another point Matthew uses to make his point (Luke 1:26-35).

Thoughts and Applications:

Jesus is Transcendent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, and Omnipotent. Although He is Sovereign, at the same time, He tells us that He is Immanuel, which means “God is with us." This describes God in the most powerful and profound language the Jews have and/or that we have: God, THE God who walks besides us and holds us. His name, Immanuel, is also His attribute and nature, for He is God and is fully able to save us by substituting Himself in our place, living a sinless life, and taking God’s wrath upon Himself so we would not be lost forever. He is a God who indeed carries us through both the trials of life and through our jubilations, too (Isaiah 7:14; Psalm 24:7-8; Prov. 1; Matt. 1:23; John 1:1-3,14; 4:9-10; 8:56-59; 17:5; Rom. 1:3-4; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:17-18).

In Matthew 22: 42, Jesus asks “Who do you say I am?” is answer to us is Immanuel which also means that Christ was birthed in history; by so doing, He must also be birthed into you and evident in you! His Immanuel means He is touching you, discipling you so He is fully engaged in your heart and mind, and so He is Supreme in you, too. Your transformation and Fruit are the evidences of Christ carrying you. For Him to carry you, He must be evident in you!

The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study):

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of
my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?

Additional Questions:

1. What was your father like? What qualities did you inherent from him?

2. How does the birth of the Lord impact you, considering the way He came in to this world as a helpless baby? How is Jesus Supreme in you? How do you know it and show it?

3. What do you think of Joseph’s character, and his reaction to Mary’s pregnancy? How does God provide you with opportunities and situations to better yourself? What gets in the way of your seeing them? What about our habits of not looking or being so consumed by past experiences, expectations, and/or hurts that we refuse to strive in our faith?

4. Joseph was willing to bear ridicule from his family and village because of Mary. He could have put her away, but he did not. Why?

5. The Bible does not have much more to say about Joseph; so, what do you think his relationship with Jesus might have been like?

6. When someone says the name of Jesus, what comes to your mind? How does it feel when someone uses it in vain as a swear word?

7. Are you ready to receive the reality of who Jesus is? How did Joseph decide to obey God and trust in Him rather than in his cultural peer pressure? What does this mean for you?

8. Would you have a strong foundation for your faith and hope? How did Mary and Joseph deal with their scandalous beginning and struggles while countering some of their cultural ideals?

9. What do you need to do to keep in constant view of your Savior's name IMMANUEL (God with us) and JESUS (God is Savior)?

10. How have you experienced Jesus as IMMANUEL in your life?

11. Having become flesh, God understands our human plight, so we can never say to Him, but Lord you do not understand…. So, how can this affect your prayer life?

12. Are you willing to obey Jesus as the One who was "God with us", and through whom "God is Savior?”

13. His Name is also His nature (“God is with us" Matt. 1:23). How can this fact empower you further in your spiritual growth? What about your interpersonal relationships?

14. Jesus saved us. That means He substituted Himself in our place, lived a sinless life, and took God’s wrath upon Himself so we would not be lost forever. Has this hit you in your realization of what Christ went through for you—the magnitude and depth of His life and suffering that was given for you?

15. Why is the Virgin Birth important?

16. Why would people, especially pastors, deny the Virgin Birth?

17. If you deny the Virgin Birth, how do you reconcile forgiveness of sins and His atonement for you?

18. Jesus was born into the world yet was not from it. What does this mean for your salvation?

19. Have you allowed Jesus into all aspects of your life? Are you surrendered and poured out to be His Bethlehem?

20. For Christ to be in you, you must yield all of your rights and will to Him. So, how can you start to implement this more fully in your life? What can you do to be better at knowing and showing that Jesus is supreme in you?


Theology Thought:

Mary, Mary quite contrary: Very little is said of Mary in the Scriptures; thus, many people draw from extra sources to fill in the gaps. These sources come from tradition and proclamations, but are not rooted in any historical account of the time—and certainly not in Scripture. Such traditions include that Mary was born without sin so she could conceive a sinless Son, that she was a perpetual virgin and thus had no other children, and so forth. She is so revered by some that they believe they can pray to her and she will give their prayers to Jesus, neutering His position as sole Redeemer and bridge between the Father’s wrath and our sin. These traditions have snowballed to the point that some are calling Mary “co-redemptress,” that she is able to bear our sins in conjunction with her Son, Christ. There have been many high level discussions in the Catholic Church regarding this, but fortunately, clearer thinking has prevailed—so far.

So, what does the Word of God say about Mary? We know the birth account of Jesus in Matthew and Luke and how she was chosen of God and told by the Angel Gabriel that she was to bear God’s Son. She nurtured and raised Jesus; she had other sons and daughters, which would disprove any other views of her virginity. (Of course, the other response is that the brothers and sisters were Joseph’s kids from a previous marriage; perhaps people watch too many sitcoms on TV!) The language in Greek makes it very clear that they were Mary’s and Joseph’s kids. You would have to do massive Scripture slaughter to say otherwise (first born Son means more are to come, or else the Greek would have the equivalent of “Only Son”! Luke 2:7), but such thinking puts tradition on par with the Word of God, so the arguments just end up going in circles.) Mary was there during Jesus Ministry, at His crucifixion, and was a leader in the early church.

So, does she deserve our adoration? Yes, she does, as she was blessed of women and queen of mothers, deserving our respect and honor; we are to admire her, because after all, she was the mother of our Savior! And no, we are not to worship, pray to, or consider her anything other than a great woman who was most blessed. Just consider her anxiety (and the faith to overcome it) from angelic visitations, being pregnant without relationships, the family and possibly public ridicule, then to see her Son die the most heinous death conceivable. All too often as an overreaction, Protestant groups have “thrown the baby out with the bath water,” as a reaction to Mary; we tend to ignore her all together, but this is wrong thinking, too. (Matt. 1-3; 12:46; 13:55-56; Mark 3:31; 6:3; Luke 1-2; 8:19; John 19:25-27; Acts 1:4)

Do not take me wrong; I am not Catholic “bashing.” Many, many Catholics are dear brothers and sisters in the Lord and they are a legitimate Christian denomination that is holding with the core essential doctrines of faith to which we all believe and adhere. I have visited Catholic parishes that preached the Word and were as solid as could be considering their over-zealous and unbiblical traditions; on the other hand, I have visited and consulted protestant churches that I felt I had to cry out, run—do not walk to the nearest exit! Make no mistake; I will always decisively disagree with any view from any source that contradicts Scripture!

Mary is certainty the most blessed of women, but, obeying the Word of God is even more of a blessing! Most Christians, especially Catholics, forget that Jesus had an earthly family, too (Matt. 13:55).

(For more information on the Virgin Birth, see our December 2001 article on the Incarnation! The Incarnation of Christ )


Online Bible Study originally for the week of May 13, 2002

© 2002, revised 2006 R.J. Krejcir Ph.D. Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.com

Matthew 1:1-17

The King has Come!

General Idea: The Genealogy of Jesus Christ that births our King!

Matthew starts his gospel with a seemingly dry and boring discourse to which we may say, “What’s up with this string of names?” We do not even give a thought or a glance to what personal or ecclesiastical benefit can be had here or what spiritual insight can be gleaned. However, this is a list of people—people like us who testify to how God works through the ages, through various people and through circumstances. This even tells us how God redeems and works with and through not only the people we may expect Him to, but also the unlikely people we would perhaps never consider as worthy. Jesus comes from an incredible line of diverse people, such as Patriarchs and kings whom we might expect; in addition, listed beside Him are righteous people as well as those who were improbable, dubious, and even wicked, such as captives, the obscure, and the insignificant—even traders, prisoners, adulterers, murderers, and harlots.

This is a pedigree seemingly unfit for a champion K-9, yet fit for the Ultimate LORD, Savior, and King of the Universe. It is a testimony and a testament of how God keeps His great promises, and shows Christ’s right to the Kingship of the world through the lineage of David. Jesus is the King! And, the King has arrived! Spurgeon gives this passage and Book of Matthew the title, “The King Has Come,” to which we must respond, my God and my King! This is the anticipation from the very beginnings of God’s introduction into humanity, through Adam and Eve’s failure and sin, and God’s promises to bring redemption through their descendants—a Savior to save us from our fall into sin. Here is that list (Gen. 3).

1. Matthew is the only one of the four Gospels that begins with the genealogy of Jesus. A key point for us is that God made promises—and God keeps His promises!
a. Genealogy / Generation means “origin” also it can mean history and record (Gen. 2:4; 5:1).
b. Jesus the King, who was also the son of David and of Abraham, fulfilled that promise! Abraham is the one whom God used to initiate His promise and plant His seed. It was a linage of faith from the Patriarchs and their descendants, birthing a nation that was to honor the One, True, Sovereign God. Judaism was meant to show who God was and how all can know Him through the priesthood, law, the faith of obedience, and the heart. It was a call to show the carnal world His Way by faith and obedience, and finally bringing The Way—Christ, as Savior and Lord (Gen 12:1-3).
c. Matthew starts his Gospel with the same phrase as Genesis 2:4, a hallmark to grab the attention of his Jewish audience.
d. Some may consider this passage dry and arduous; however, 2 Tim. 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture is profitable:
i. It is profitable for doctrine!
ii. It is profitable for instruction in righteousness!
iii. Thus, we have great things to learn, even from this seemingly obscure passage.

2. Why does Matthew begin with this genealogy? Mainly, because Matthew wrote for the Jews; so, this genealogy is of paramount importance to convince Jews that Jesus has the right to be and, in fact, is the Messiah, the promised King, and Deliverer. Since Mark wrote for the Romans, Luke wrote for the Greeks, and John wrote for the world and the new church, they did not need to do that (Gen. 5, 10, 1 Chron. 1-9).
a. The father of / Begot/ beget, a verb that means as modern translators have stated, the father of.
b. Matthew’s aim was to show how Jesus fulfilled Jewish prophecy (Matt. 1:22-23; 2:4-6,14-15,17-18,23)
c. The Messiah had to be a descendant of Abraham (Gen 22:18)
d. The Messiah had to be a descendant of David (Isa. 11:1-2)
e. If Jesus had not been a descendant of David, He could not have been the Messiah!

3. This passage, written in the Greek, is in a poetic and metrical form. The genealogy is divided into three sections of fourteen names each, covering over 2000 years in a rich, rhythmic sequence, perhaps for easy memorization (1:17)
a. Generations means an age or period not always a literal 40 year period or equal periods of time or a timeline of a persons life, hence the time discrepancy.
b. Abraham to David is 1000 years
c. David to the Babylonian captivity is 400 years
d. Babylonian captivity to Jesus is 600 years.
e. Jesus' “legal” right to David’s throne is established.
f. It is very unusual that women are mentioned! This would be the start of liberation, how God uses unlikely people, and the relationship of Christ to stained and sinful humanity.
i. Tamar, a “pretend” harlot who represented Judas’s failure through sin and incest. That tells us Christ is the friend of sinners, giving us hope and redemption!
ii. Rahab, a prostitute, one God would use even though society threw her away.
iii. Ruth, who was of unclean Gentile blood, but whose lineage birthed David, showing that God s a friend of the humble, poor, and obscure, and He favors faith over pedigree.
iv. Ruth, a non-Jew, who was under a curse (“Moab,” Duet. 23:3-5) and who “corrupted” the royal blood line with Gentile blood.
v. David, the favored king, whose heart was after His, but who sinned grievously and suffered the consequences, and how God accepted his repentance.
vi. Bathsheba, an adulteress who fell to sin, but who received the great promise to be in the lineage of the Messiah (2 Sam 11)!
vii. A lineage of faithful kings of character, all of whom struggled with sin, unfaithfulness to God and country, and were not perfect, as well as those who were as bad as can be—even unspeakably evil.
viii. A lineage of the forgotten, those whose contributions have been lost, those who made no contribution, prisoners and captives, the poor and the ordinary that shows us that God does not forget; we can either be prisoners of sin or liberated with hope; Christ gives us the key.

4. There are several theories regarding the difference between the genealogies of Luke and Matthew. The prevailing Evangelical view is that Matthew shows Joseph’s lineage, and Luke shows Mary’s, descending from David through his son Nathan. The “problem” is that Luke starts with Joseph, who is the adoptive parent and Jesus inherited his “physical” heritage. The reality is that both sets of genealogies are “gap” genealogies that only show a survey of key individuals to make the point that Jesus is descended from David and has the right to the throne. Matthew’s point is that Jesus is Jewish and has the “legal” right to be Messiah.
a. Luke goes back to Adam (Luke 3:23-38), while Matthew comes through Solomon and goes to Abraham. This suggests that there are “gaps” between the names, or that they are abridged, especially when you take into account the time passages versus the life spans. Only principle names were used, and that is why they are different. Obviously, not all of the names of people could be used. Such omissions were the normal practice in Jewish genealogies as minor figures were deleted to make room for established, essential connections.
b. The most likely scenario is that Matthew does not give direct ancestors, but rather the names of those who are “legally” in line to the throne, while Luke gives direct ancestry names. Both start with David. One is from the “flesh” while the other is from the “legal.”
c. Salvation is not by birth or lineage; it is by what God has done and by the faith He gives that we receive; Christ had to intervene in history and in us personally.

What can we learn today from an obscure list of ancient names, of which only a few may be familiar? These names are all born of promise and purpose, with mixed character and maturity, who struggled with carnality and life. None of these people were perfect; even David was an adulterer and murderer. All of them made both good and bad decisions, struggling with following their own will or being surrendered over to God. Some glorified God and some lived to themselves, just as we do personally and collectively as people today. Even Christian leaders and pastors have the same standards and call to be of faith and to obey. God works it all out for His glory as stated in Romans, chapter eight. God is indeed a friend to all who will call Him Lord. He is a friend to sinners, the obscure, the poor, and the friendless—His hand is always reaching out. Perhaps, this passage is a small glance into the mystery and wonder of God’s Grace and incarnation, and how He intercedes and loves. It all points us to Christ, the One who saved us and the One whom we worship and trust as Lord over all—with our lives too!

Take this key point to heart and into the streets of your life: God is the God of promises. God made promises, and God keeps His promises! This means for you too! We all have hope beyond all hope, reason, and purpose! We have faith that is deeper and wider than we could ever imagine, a gift that we did not earn or deserve. Jesus the King, who was also the son of David and the son of Abraham, fulfilled that promise and demonstrated this faith! In addition, when you accepted Him, you became part of the promise and faith fulfilled.

Faith is not inherited! We cannot get it from our parents or our church, even though our lineage may be passed down for generations. Faith is personal and relational to Christ for each individual person who is in community with the Church, and it is to be real! As parents, we are responsible for bringing our children up in His light and character, but we are also responsible for receiving His grace and modeling His faith!

· We can have the faith and confidence that God does keep His word!
· We can trust Him with all of our needs, worries, and problems, even if we do not understand what God is doing!
· God transcends time. Therefore, when we are going though trials and tribulations, He is there—before, during, and after—carrying us through! Likewise, we can emulate Christ by keeping our promises to our faith, and our behaviors toward others around us!
· We are reminded of God's mercy!

Jesus is the ultimate humbler; He humbled Himself by taking on the likeness of a mere man; He was still also fully God when He came to this earth. He is God, Messiah, the Lord who was foretold and who has come, our Lord, our Savior and the King (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:9-18)!

The Essential Inductive Questions (for more Inductive questions see Inductive Bible Study):

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?

Additional Questions:

1. Have you ever researched your family tree? How far back can you trace your family? What does knowing your family history tell you about whom you are? What did your family pass on to you (consider genetics, behaviors, culture, etc.)?

2. Who were the significant spiritual people who influenced your faith and journey with Christ? What did they pass on to you?

3. Does this passage seem dry and boring? Why?

4. Why does Matthew begin with the genealogy of Jesus? Why is it important?

5. How can knowing the stories behind the people in this genealogy—all of the adventures, faith, struggles, and such—inspire you?

6. How does knowing that God works through diverse people, regardless of wealth, culture, or position, give you hope and assurance?

7. How assured are you that Christ will keep His great promises? How does this help you keep promises, and trust in Him and His promises?

8. Matthew shows Christ’s right to the Kingship of the world. Does He have this right in you? What have you done with His Kingship-Lordship in you?

9. Before reading this study, did you see or consider that there are great things to learn even from this seemingly obscure passage? How can this help motivate your Bible reading?

10. How important to your faith is Jesus’ “legal” right to be the Messiah?

11. What do you think about the role of women in a culture that considered them lower than farm animals, and that even harlots and an adulteress are used in the royal line? How does this give you more faith?

12. What can be learned today from an obscure list of ancient names, of which only a few may be familiar?

13. How can this passage help you know that God makes promises and God keeps His promises through all generations?

14. Can you trust Him with all of your needs, worries, and problems, even if you do not understand what is going on?

15. God transcends time. Therefore, when we are going though trials and tribulations, He is there—before, during, and after—carrying us through. How does this give you hope in times of distress?

16. What reminds you of God's mercy? Why can’t faith be inherited?

17. How have you been reminded of God's mercy? How can you witness and take in the promise o have hope beyond hope, and a reason and purpose for your life?

18. How can you emulate Christ by keeping your promises to your faith and your behaviors/characters to others around you?

19. Jesus is the ultimate humbler: He humbled Himself by taking on the likeness of a mere man; He was still also fully God when He came to this earth. Knowing this, how can you live your life with an attitude of humility?

20. Read Phil. 2:5-8. How will your life, your actions, and your behaviors be changed with this passage rooted in your mind and heart?


“Wonder suppressing all wonders; the Word by whom all things were made, was Himself made flesh, and dwelt among us!” (Spurgeon)


Theology Thought

See our article on the The Names of Jesus!

Online Bible Study originally for the week of May 6, 2002

Welcome to our first adventure into the Gospel of Matthew! Make sure you read our background material: Matthew Background Material! It will make your study more insightful.


© 2002, revised 2006 R.J. Krejcir Ph.D. Into Thy Word Ministries www.intothyword.org

THE MAIN GOAL OF BIBLE STUDY By Richard Krejcir

Into Thy Word -

DON’T JUST INTERPRET IT, BUT APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE!!!

Unfortunately a lot of Christians think that all we have to do is read the Bible, and do what it says, and there is nothing to interpret. Or they will react against the educated “professional” Christian who is a teacher, scholar or pastor. They see that person taking the Bible away from them, and wrapping it in confusion. They do not want the Bible to be some kind of obscure book they cannot understand. But what they are in fact doing is reading the Bible without any understanding and making excuses for it and it is very doubtful they are doing what it says! (Of course some scholar’s love to wrap things in confusion!)

· Some Christians have no problems with interpretation, it is the application and obedience that they have trouble with. We tend to understand the precepts of the Bible so well that we will rationalize them away, such as “do everything without complaining or arguing” (Phil. 2:14). Thus we complain and argue all the time.

· The primary goal of interpretation is to find the “plain meaning” of the Bible!

REMEMBER: BE SURE TO INCORPORATE WHAT YOU KNOW INTO YOUR LIFE!!!

There are too many people in the world who just do not get it! Just as the Pharisees asked Jesus for a miracle after He fed over 4,000 people! Just as some crazy guy was screaming at the airport ticket person to get on his flight after they announced the airport is closed due to fog. Just as so many Christians sit in their pews every Sunday and do nothing for the Lord; they just do not get it! (Mark 8)

One of the great things about the Bible is it is honest with the characters that it portrays. If we were to write such a book, would we explain our weakness and stupidity, or how great we are? The Bible reveals the good, the bad, and the ugly, and it will with us too!

“You search the scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me” (John 5:39)

The question is do we get it? Since the Bible is God’s authoritative Word, we no doubt will spend more time in it! Are we prepared to allow the Word of God to get in us and make changes and to transform and renew our minds for His glory? (Romans 12)

· If the Bible is not where you place your trust, then where is your trust and where will it lead you?

· We cannot have the Words of Jesus without the Bible!

· The Bible is the chariot that carries the voice of God!

We as the people of God who have been saved from our sins by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ have a call, a mandate: to preserve His Word, and to proclaim His Word. We must remain steadfast in this call to our individual selves, as well as our neighbor.

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? (Heb. 2:1-3)

Excerpt from the book, ‘Into Thy Word’

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Matthew 4:23-25

D. Christ the Traveler and Healer (4:23-25)

General Idea: This passage summaries Jesus teaching and touching ministry to the people, which sets us up for the Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord traveled all through Capernaum and Galilee teaching, ministering, healing the multitudes, and training His disciples. He did not wait for people to come to Him; He was the Itinerant preacher going to the people, where they were. Making the ultimate act of humility as God incarnate lowering Himself on so many levels on so many occasions from becoming one of us and then seeking us! He was moved by compassion to minister to the physical needs of the people. He did not merely address the metaphysical and spiritual without being there physically, getting His hands dirty. He was face to face with our depravity and hopeless needy state, a people who mostly sought Him for what they could get from Him, uninterested in things eternal only in the now, only interested in His service and not His salvation. Seeking the free gifts and not the Gift Giver! Yet, He persevered to the cross for the ungrateful stiff neck people we are!

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Matthew 4:18-22

C. Becoming Fishers of Men (4:18-22)

General Idea: An uncommonly incredible, strange, and insightful person approached a small group of young fishermen working in their family fishing business to challenge them to make a life changing decision. They were in wonder of this Man’s teaching, and the miracle of the fish as recorded by Luke that was performed for them. Their substance and living depended on fishing. They provided a much needed and vital food to their region—fish--which they caught with nets suspended from the back of their boats. The floats and weights that spread out the nets to catch as many as possible as they rowed in the Sea of Galilee, was done much the same as fishing boats operate today. Then the fish were dried, cured with salt or pickled to preserve them, and then sold. They were perhaps in a business that provided them with a much higher standard of living than many other people around them. A call was extended to them and a response was given, a call without irresistible pressure, yet with passion and conviction. “Follow me.” That call was unprecedented in their culture and understanding. Normally a student would seek out a teacher, a Rabbi. A Rabbi would never seek students, as it was a pride issue. Jesus broke the pride and arrogance to model that we are to be seekers of disciples and not just wait for them to come to us. We are to challenge each other to leave our comfort zone and enter the realm of His worship and service.

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Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus begins His public ministry (4:12-17)
General Idea: The backdrop is the area of Nazareth, which people thought for centuries was a small agricultural village. Recent archeology digs have found it actually to have been a large city 20 miles from Capernaum, which too has been found to be much larger than previously thought. It seems the Herods had built a very large city hub at both places, which were also “motel” centers for Gentile travelers. It was this area that Jesus had spent the past 30 years of His earthly life experiencing humanity, all that man is, does, goes through, and can become. Then, He fulfilled His duty in baptism, and the Triune God acknowledged and endorsed who He is and what He will do. Then, Jesus defeated Satan in round one, and now set out on a journey to Galilee to invade Satan’s territory. It is here that our Lord embarked on His mission to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. This was after John the Baptist’s ministry ended due to his arrest (see Matthew 3:1-11 theological note).

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Matthew 4:1-11

B. “The Temptation Of Jesus” (3:13-17; also in Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
General Idea: Jesus is led out into the desert to be tempted by Satan with the destiny of His creation and humanity at stake. During this time, He fasted and remained true and loyal to who He was and to His mission to come. Satan pulls out all of his efforts and abilities in a futile attempt to convince Jesus to serve him. In so doing, Jesus would receive greater honor and glory faster by having more control. The problem is that Jesus was already fully God, thus had total sovereignty, glory, and control. Satan based his attack on what he thought would be Jesus’ greatest weakness, His humanity. However, Satan failed, as Christ, using His humanity and not His divinity as identification and model for us, defeated Satan’s attack through Scripture, the Spirit, prayer, and obedience.

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Matthew 3:13-17

B. “The Baptism Of Jesus”(3:13-17)

General Idea: By the river Jordan a strange and apoplectic figure named John the Baptist proclaiming repentance prepares for the coming Messiah. This event served as the climax to John’s ministry, and the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The setting is the area frequented by major Biblical events. This was the area were Abraham built alters to God, and where Jacob saw the ladder to Heaven. Just to the south is where the once fertile valley and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and destroyed, were nothing grows even today. Just to the east is the mountain Nebo where God shows Moses the land and the future of Israel, where also he dies and is berried. This was the spot where the waters dived for Joshua on Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land and just to the west was Jericho, which walls fell down. This is where birds fed Elijah and where the chariots of God carried him away to Heaven. And this is the spot where Jesus was facing His 40 day temptation and then goes to a bewildered John to be baptized!

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Matthew 3:1 -12

A. “Preparing The Way Of The Lord” (3:1-12) (Also in Mark 1:1-11; Luke 3:1-22; John 3:22-36)

General Idea: A man goes out to baptize and preach the coming of the Lord, to “prepare ye the path.” Obedience, willingness to go all out in faith, and a willingness to endure extreme persecution for the Lord characterized John the Baptist. He was the road builder laying the path for the Lord. He removed the rocks of sin by tearing them up and exposing them, without fear of reprisal by the arrogant and prideful hypocrites. He was indeed extreme, and was needed to show a corrupt religious system its errors and point to the truly Righteous Messiah. I wonder if such a person would be welcomed in a church today? Such extreme commitment is considered foolish amongst the world, and even with many Christians. We may not be called to eat bugs and curse pious frauds, but we are called to obedience, in our heart, mind, and actions! In addition, this does take an extreme stand! Have you heard His call? Have you responded to it? Have you made a stand?

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Matthew 2:13-23

B. Fight and Flight: Jesus, “The Early Years” (2:13-23)

General Idea: Jesus always invokes a response, if not in this life, then, in the life to come, from every person who has ever lived. We either accept Him or reject Him; we will fight against Him, or devote our lives to please Him. Herod had the incredible opportunity to be one of the first people to give such a response; however, he chose fear and deception as his appropriate reaction to the newborn King. The response we give will echo for eternity, so, make sure it is the correct one! Responses also have consequences for us, as well as those around us. For Joseph and his family, it meant fleeing to a foreign land, away from family, friends, and work, all that he knew. It required great faith and trust twice, once to flee, and then to come back.

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Matthew 2:1-12

A. The Real Living Nativity:

General Idea: This passage depicted for many centuries to countless people the classic Christmas scene. Wise men guided by a star sought out the new King. An uproar occurs that causes Joseph to flee with his new wife and child far away from his home, work, relationships and family. All because Christ is God incarnate and demands a response from His creation. So we all respond to Him in various ways. The response to Christ’s birth in 5 BC: The universe responded with a star, the gentiles responded with honor, and the Jewish rulers responded by trying to kill Him. How do you respond?

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Matthew 1: 18-25

B. Immanuel God is with us: Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus
General Idea: Christ is born as a man, as a baby no less! He was brought into this world as any baby would be, with the extreme exception that Mary did not have normal sexual relations to conceive Him! Jesus was conceived by the Spirit, and He was preexistent and sinless. Immanuel, God with us, is our salvation, because as God He was and is able to take our sins upon Himself and appease God’s wrath because of our Sin. He is God with us, because He walked lived, worked and existed in all aspects as any human has ever lived and existed, He became identified as one of us, while still remaining God the Creator of us! Jesus is both God and man, not a hybrid like Hercules, not a percentage of one over the other, but Fully God and fully a human being. He is birthed into history, into this world, yet is not from it!

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Matthew 1:1-17

A. The Genealogy Of Jesus Christ

General Idea: Matthew starts his gospel with a seemingly dry and boring discourse. However, this testifies how God works though the ages and though various and even unlikely people, such as Patriarchs, kings to captives, the obscure and insignificant, and even harlots. He keeps His great promises, and shows Christ’s right to the Kingship of the world through the lineage of David. Jesus is the King! This is the anticipation from Gen. 3--a Savior to save us from our fall into sin.

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