The Hole In Our Gospel - Session 2

A little over two hundred years ago, Thomas Jefferson took a pair of scissors to the four gospels and cut out all the verses that contained angels, prophecy, references to Jesus’ divinity and all the miracles, including the virgin birth and the Resurrection—then he pasted together what was left. It became known and published as “The Jefferson Bible.”

His “Bible” ends with these words: “Now, in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus. And rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.” – No resurrection. No eternal life. No hope.

Jefferson cut those verses out because he didn’t believe in them. We may not be so brazen to cut out parts of the Bible, but we may be accomplishing the same thing by ignoring some Scriptures or not taking them seriously.

 Read Matthew 25:31-46

 

Click here to review session two of the study guide

CONTEXT: Jesus, at the end of his ministry, started teaching extensively about those events that will bring to an end the world as we know it. He warned us of signs that would tell us that the unpredictable end was near. He warned us to be ready for that day, with the parable of the 10 virgins, and the parable of the talents. But then he shifts from telling parables. In this passage - Matthew 25:31-46 - some refer to it as “the parable of the sheep and the goats.” But it really is not a parable. Instead, it is a sketch of the judgment which comes with Christ’s return. The sheep and the goats are metaphors for the righteous and the wicked. But the rest seems to be a true description rather than a parable.  Even though the big picture is clear, there are two very surprising elements to see in this passage.

1. WE ARE JUDGED BY OUR WALK, NOT OUR TALK – But this does not mean that we are saved by doing good works. Salvation is “by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8), and “not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5).  So how can we be saved by grace, but judged by works?

It is as simple as this: At the final judgment, the only thing that will really matter is our relationship with Jesus. And our relationship is based on our walk with Him not our talk about Him. How we live our lives reveals what we really believe about Jesus.

2. WHAT WE DO TO “THE LEAST,” WE DO TO JESUS - Jesus takes it personally when we do or do not serve His least – just like we take it personally when people treat well or mistreat our own children.  So, who are the least? Jesus describes them in six ways. They are:

• The hungry
• The thirsty
• The stranger
• Those without clothing
• The sick
• The imprisoned

These are all examples of the least. They are people who live on the edge of survival. They are people who go unnoticed. They are powerless. They don’t have status. They can’t do anything for us. They are outsiders.

Here is the ironic thing. We go to church to find and serve God. But Jesus tells us that God is outside. To move outwards is to move towards God. God is always with the outsiders – the least.

Take Action

Think of one or two passages found in the Bible that you would rather skip over and leave behind. Reflect on reasons why you might be resistant to these passages and write those reasons down. Next, copy each passage onto separate note cards. Place them in areas that you will look at often (car dashboard, TV, purse, front door, bathroom mirror, dinner table). This week, be intentional in doing what you have been resisting. Maybe you need to love someone who is your enemy, or do something nice for someone who has hurt you, or let go of finances that you hold onto tightly. Do not engage in these acts to be seen or praised but only in obedience to God and to glorify His name. Write down your reflections throughout the week as you follow God’s lead.

Scripture for Further Study

• Matthew 5:3–10
• 2 Corinthians 9:13
• Galatians 1:6–7
• Mark 10:17–31
• 1 Corinthians 1:27
• Mark 4:1–20

To get connected to a life group in your area visit www.mbcministries.org or call 610.279.6240

The Hole In Our Gospel - Session 1

Click here to review session one of the study guide

Take Action

This week, look for ways to put your faith into action. Every day there are thousands of opportunities
to reflect God’s love. Maybe you offer to watch your neighbor’s children for the afternoon, volunteer
at a local shelter, call someone you know who needs a friend, advocate for a child in need, or donate
money to an organization that cares for the poor. The goal is to become transformed people whose
actions are a result of faith rather than trying to prove something to God or to the world. It is normal
to feel outside your comfort zone in your acts of compassion, but as you spend time with God and
trust in His love, action will begin to naturally flow out of your faith.

Why not share some of your experiences and ideas with others in your group or those who are visiting our site?  Thank you in advanced for share in order to benefit others. (Phil 2:3,4)

To get connected to a life group in your area visit www.mbcministries.org or call 610.279.6240 x307

The Hole In Our Gospel - Open House Week

Our Life Groups, are semester based small groups which focus on a particular area of transformational, relational and missional growth.  We started the year in our first semester learning to live without regrets and make everyday count for God's glory.  Our second semester introduced us to world views which encompasses they way everyone thinks about certain things and why.  Now, over the next twelve weeks Macedonia will be engaged in a curriculum that will challenge us to test if our focus is on God's mission or our own. 

Each week on our "Love in Action" blog we will post the weekly challenges and opportunities to take action that are posted in the study guides.  We invite you to take part in our Life Groups, share your thoughts about the weekly challenges or simply join us to take action.  Looking forward to reading about our great testimonies as we continue LIVING OUT our Christian lives in our communities and around the world.

To get connected to a life group in your area visit www.mbcministries.org or call 610.279.6240 x307

Wide Angle Session 6 - What Do I Do Now?

Opening Prayer - Pray that God will help you be open to what he wants to teach you through this session,

Key Verse - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 ESV)


Segment 1 Summary - God has given us two commissions: the Great Commission, to make disciples, and the Cultural Commission, to act as God's representatives in protecting and developing the world he created.  The Cultural Commission is part of the Great Commandment, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Our vocation, whatever it may be, is a calling from God to live out our worldview and bring his rule to bear in our workplace.

Segment 2 Summary - The biblical world view says that God's sovereignty influences every area of life.  It provides the foundations for economic development and justice.  Our concepts of freedom, the rule of law. and limited government come from the Bible.  Most early leaders of modern science were Christians; and only the biblical worldview provides a solid foundation for science.  The arts too are founded in Scripture and are a reflection of God's beauty and his will for creation.

Segment 3 Summary - As we seek to apply the biblical worldview to all of life, we must not try to impose it on others; instead, we should propose a better way of life to them.  We must approach our task with humility, humor and grace, always seeking to persuade, not coerce.  We should honor those who oppose us, recognizing in them the image of God, as we live out the love of God in all our relationships.  We change lives first, then culture, as we work to overcome evil with good.

Prayer Direction

• Thank God for what you have learned in this study.
• Ask God for grace and courage to share the biblical worldview with others.

Putting It Into Practice
God has called you to advanced his kingdom in all areas of life, acting as his steward and ambassador to the world around you.  The first step to fulfilling this call is to renew your commitment to reading the Bible and developing a deeper understanding of the biblical worldview.

Next, develop the habit of analyzing movies, television shows, newspapers, and even the comments of people around you, to understand their worldviews.  Then, "with gentleness and respect," propose a better way; showing people through your words and your life how things are meant to be.

Wide Angle Session 5 - What’s the Solution?

Opening Prayer - Pray that God will help you to be open to what he wants to teach you about the biblical worldview.

Key Verse - For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)


Segment 1 Summary - The world is looking for salvation in all the wrong places.  Some look for it in political power and the law.  Others believe education will solve all human problems.  For others, the solution is found in economics and material prosperity.  Still others believe that psychology will provide liberation.  But non of these supposed solutions address the underlying condition of human sinfulness.

Segment 2 Summary - The universal problem we all face is guilt.  We know we have sinned, and that is why we search for answers.  We are not made to carry guilt.  We need to surrender our lives to God so that we may be changed.  Wee need grace; something no other religion can offer.  Only Christianity, empowered by God's grace, has a worldview that results in transformed lives.

Segment 3 Summary - Redemption brings reconciliation with God and our neighbor.  reconciliation enables us to build Christian community - the church of Jesus Christ.  As his church, God calls us to be agents of reconciliation to the world, sharing the gospel through our words and our actions.  Over time, the gospel transforms us as we live out our faith.

Prayer Direction

• Thank God for the gift of Salvation.
• Thank God that in Christ we have the answers for all our needs, our relationships with others, and even answers to the broader issue of our relationships to the world around us.
• Ask God for wisdom and courage to act as agents of reconciliation wherever you are.  Pray specifically for those people in need of the gospel whom God has placed in your life.

Putting It Into Practice
Over the past few weeks, we have been looking at how worldviews shape the actions and attitudes of people.  This week, initiate at least one conversation about worldview with someone who is not involved with this study.  Seek to understand the implications of their position.

Wide Angle Session 4 - It’s a Messed-Up World

Opening Prayer - Pray that God will help you to be open to what he wants to teach you through this session.

Key Verse - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us...If we claim we have not sinned, we make [God] out to be a liar, and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:8, 10 NIV)


Segment 1 Summary - Evil is a part of the human condition, and we all contribute to it.  Our culture has rejected the idea of sin, placing the blame for the wrong in the world everywhere except on ourselves.  Although culture and our environment may influence us, they do not determine our behavior.  Once we accept responsibility for our actions, sin becomes clear.  Even though God created us good, original sin has bent our natures so that we desire the wrong things and act on those desires.

Segment 2 Summary - The biblical worldview teaches that sin entered the world because of our free will.  God made us in his image, to love him and to have a relationship with him.  However, love must be freely given if it is to be real, and so God gave us the ability to reject him.  Man chose the non-good rather than the good, and as a result our lives have been broken on all levels.  Every sin calls into doubt God's knowledge of what is best; but, because God does know what is best, sin also hurts us and the world we live in.

Segment 3 Summary - No other worldview of sin fits reality.  Only the power of Christ can change us and put us on the road to living a good life.  Therefore, those without Christ cannot consistently do good.  We are called to recognize and identify sin without being judgmental.  We need to take responsibility for our failings and accept people without approving of their wrong choices.

Prayer Direction

• Spend some time in prayers of confession of personal and corporate sins.  Thank God for the promise of forgiveness.
• Pray for people who you know are suffering.  Ask God to use you to bring them hope and relief.

Putting It Into Practice
One thing we hope to learn by studying different worldviews is how they can shape people's actions and attitudes.  As you go through the week, you will undoubtedly run into examples of sin and its effects in the world around you.  Take some time to think about the stated or implied worldview behind the choices that produce the sin:

• What does the worldview say about the value of people?
• How does the worldview fit with reality?

Wide Angle Session 3 - Where Did We Come From?

Opening Prayer - Pray that God will help you to be open to what he wants to teach you through this series.


Key Verse - Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. - Isaiah 40:28a



Summary #1 - God loves us and he made us for a purpose.  Although we cannot contemplate life without a purpose, naturalism cannot supply us with one.  According to the naturalism worldview, we are a result of random mutations and are effectively "complex slime".  Despite this, naturalism, buoyed by Darwinism, is the dominant worldview in secular society today.  Darwinism arose in an era that was moving away from biblical truth and replacing Christianity with enlightenment thought.

Summary #2 - Darwinism is so popular because it cuts out the foundations for morality and allows us to live how we want to live.  It leads to Social Darwinism, Eugenics, and other movements that deny the value of human life.  But Darwinism has significant credibility weaknesses:

• Lack of intermediate fossils
• Cambrian Explosion
• No one has successfully created a new species
• Presence of both altruism and homosexuality

Each of these illustrates the weakness of Darwinism.

Intelligent Design is a scientific alternative based on the idea that living organisms are irreducibly complex and thus could not have evolved over time.  Intelligent Design's conclusions fall in line with the biblical worldview.

Summary #3 - Evolution leaves humanity without purpose.  Camus states, "In the face of the meaninglessness of the universe, the only serious philosophical question is suicide."  Further, it requires far more faith to be an atheist since the evidence for a creator is overwhelming.  In contrast, biblical worldview tells us that we need to find our purpose and fulfill it, giving our lives value and meaning.  The biblical worldview also protects and promotes life in a way naturalism does not.

Prayer Direction - In light of the Psalms you just read, spend time in worship, praising and thanking God for creation in general and his creation of humanity (and you!) in particular.  Thanks him for your senses and the ability to enjoy and appreciate the world, and for your mind that helps you understand it.  Thank him for the meaning and purpose that our lives have because we were created in his image.


Putting It Into Practice

• Watch the media for reports on origins.  What worldview do you see underlying the reporting?
• If possible, ask teachers in your area what they are teaching about origins, both of the physical universe and of humans.  Then, ask students what they know about origins.  Are the answers the same?  If they are different, why do you think that is the case?