May I have a WORD with you?

References: “I am coming soon!”  –Jesus Rev 3:11; Rev 22:7, 12, 20 NLT Quickly - ταχύ (takh-oo') Think of tacho-meter (speed-measurer)  1 Peter 4:7 NLT the end of the world is coming soon ἐγγίζω (eng-id'-zo) to bring near, to draw or come near to Rom 13:11 Kairos not Chronos High time - ὥρα (ho'-rah) - hour

References: Jude’s letter to you! Context Author: brother of James, slave (δοῦλος - doo'-los) of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ brothers didn’t put faith in Jesus until after His death and resurrection Jude writes to people who are very familiar with Hebrew sources. Purpose: Encouragement to stand for the True faith. The text: vss 1-4 Consider the corrupt teachers/members of the community. παρεισέδυσαν...

References: John’s letter to Gaius - 3 John vss. 1-15 Shortest Book in Bible Counting Greek or Hebrew words, not English translation 3 John - 219 words 2 John - 245 words Philemon - 335 words Obabiah - 440 words Jude - 461 words Similar themes, ie. περιπατέω (per-ee-pat-eh'-o) to walk (vs 3 & 4) in Truth Flip side of coin Where 2 John was about protecting against heresy 3 John is about su...

References: John’s letter to the ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ, the chosen lady and her children Who might be the audience? Take an educated guess. A person? Mary, the Mother of Jesus? More likely, a highly respected nameless woman leader of a church. A church? Metaphorical - “bride of Christ” like Her children are the parishioners. Reason for writing? - The Truth and Love! vss 1-3 - greeting vss 4-6 The truth of...

References: Paul’s letter to Philemon vss. 1-25 Context for the letter Connections to the church in Collosae Epiphras starts a house church with Philemon Onesimus wrongs his master, Philemon and flees Onesimus is converted by Paul in Rome while Paul’s imprisoned there Paul sends Onesimus back to Collosae with Tychicus (Col 4:7-9) Vss. 1-7: Opening prayer Recognition & encouragement v 6: κοινων...

References: Historical Context The Births of Esau and Jacob Gen 25:19-26 Esau - Edom Jacob - Israel Moses and the people refused passage through Edom Numbers 20:14-21 The Babylonian exile Ezekiel 35:1-14 Part One - vss. 1-14 vss 2-9: announcement v 10: Close relatives - “brother Jacob” vss 12-14: “You should not haves” Transition - vs 15 “All godless nations” ἔθνος - (eth'-nos)  גּוֹי (go&apo...

References: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 A matter of trust All Scripture is “inspired” and USEFUL πᾶς (pas) - each, every, any, all, the whole, etc. θεόπνευστος (theh-op'-nyoo-stos) - God-breathed Only here in the NT Christian principle wise - the canon of Scripture ὠφέλιμος (o-fel'-ee-mos) - profitable Teaching Rebuking Correcting Training in righteousness Are there any “throwaway” verses in the B...

References: Mark 6:45-52 - Amazement, no understanding, hardness of heart Compare ἐξίστημι with συνίημι ἐξίστημι - amazed, mind-blown (v51) συνίημι (soon-ee'-ay-mee) (v52) to set or bring together in a hostile sense, of combatants me & God’s Word to put the perception with the thing perceived to set or join together in the mind i.e. to understand The wrestling of “understanding.” Matthew...

References: Authority—a definition (American Heritage Dictionary online) The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge. One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials… ἐξουσία (ex-oo-see'-ah)- power, authority (author) Mat 7:29 - 1st time in NT - end of Sermon on Mount Mat 8:9 - a man who understands authority Mat 9:8 -...

References: See me. Feel me. Touch me. Heal me. Personal stories Everyone’s need to be seen. The apple of God’s eye. The “little man” of the eye. Deuteronomy 32:10   כְּאִישׁוֹן עֵינוֹ׃ (ee-shone' ah'-yin)    KJV “as the apple of his eye” Psalm 17:8 (may I be the apple of your eye) Proverbs 7:2 (may your teachings be the apple of my eye) Jesus’ love for you and me Eph 5:25-30 Imagine Jes...

References: April Fool’s Day just this past Mon. Lot’s of people trying to prank others. I have stories… People are amazed, astounded, astonished, overwhelmed by Jesus ἐξίστημι (ex-is'-tay-mee) - [prepositional prefix ek meaning out of, from, etc., and ἵστημι (his'-tay-mee) - to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set] - so to throw out of position, displace Mt 12:22-23; Mk 6:49-51; L...

References: Good Friday Philippians 4:10-23 v10 - φρονέω (fron-eh'-o) mind once more likemindedness implies koinonia Consider your squables within the Body of Christ in light of the Mind of Christ on this day. vs11-19 - the power of being “content” αὐτάρκης (ow-tar'-kace) - only here in NT The Stoics understood autarkes to mean “the ability to be free from all wants or needs,” and they e...

References: Philippians 4:1-9 v1 - JOY & the crown cast before the throne of God Rev 4:4, 10 v2 - the same mind - remember 2:2, 5 ESV v3 - Yokefellow - σύζυγος (sood'-zoo-gos) Mt 11:29 “take my yoke upon you…” msg - Syzygus - as a name of someone Yoked to who? Of the same mind as who? Remember κοινωνία (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) the Book of Life v4 - “Rejoice!” - χαίρω (chairō) not Chi Ro the...

References: Philippians 3:12-21 v12 - καταλαμβάνω (kat-al-am-ban'-o) - possessed (NLT) to seize upon, take possession of of a demon about to torment one Mark 9:14-29 of Christ by his laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it “You don’t know how bad I am.” Dog poop thinking “I don’t. But I know how good He is that is in you. Therefore, I know how good you are whe...

References: Philippians 3:1-11 v 1 - “rejoice!” - a divine imperative 1:18; 2:17, 18; 2:28; 3:1; 4:4; 4:10 Thus, the letter of “JOY” v1 - “safe,” “safeguard,” - ἀσφαλής (as-fal-ace' Consider our hope, anchor, strong and trustworthy Heb 6:19  vs2-3  - not works but grace vs4-6 - Playing the “works” game with Paul vs7-9 - learning the value of the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes everything else σκ...

References: Philippians 2:12-30 Work out your salvation  - v12 κατεργάζομαι (kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee) middle voice verbs? When the subject of the verb does action unto itself, or for its own benefit fear & trembling? God is working in - v13 ἐνεργέω (en-erg-eh'-o) - energy to will to work God’s good good pleasure εὐδοκία (yoo-dok-ee'-ah) See Acts 15:25 ὁμοθυμαδόν (hom-oth-oo-mad-on&...

References: Philippians 2:1-11 The Jesus Principle Phil 2:3-4 The life impact of this principle Orthodoxy - the Apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42) form v6-7 μορφή (mor-fay') & form v8 σχῆμα (skhay'-mah) The two natures of Jesus Christ Fully Divine AND fully human Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451 v2, 5 - one mind / soul φρονέω (fron-eh'-o) mind See Mt 16:21-23 σύμψυχος (soom&ap...

References: Philippians 1:20-30 Paul is hardpressed between going and staying v20 - Not ashamed but bold παρρησία (par-rhay-see'-ah) Acts 4:13 v27 - Living as citizens of heaven - πολιτεύομαι (pol-it-yoo'-om-ahee) KJV - conversation (recall last week’s koinonia(communicate)) v27 - Worthy of the gospel - ἀξίως (ax-ee'-oce) Connection to axiom, axiomatic Live in a way that is axiomati...

References: Philippians 1:1-19 “you have been my partners…”  fellowship - v5 κοινωνία (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) Acts 2:42 - the believers devoted themselves to… The Apostles’ teaching κοινωνία The breaking of bread (eating together including Holy Communion) Prayer Phil 2:1, 3:10 Hebrews 13:15-16 To do good and communicate (KJV) Forget not - ἐπιλανθάνομαι

References: 1 Corinthians 13:13 Faith, hope, love abide (remain - μένω) John 15:4 The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope and Love by St Augustine Augustine connects these three with authentic worship Romans 12:1 Colossians 1:3-5 Hebrews 6:10-12 1 Thessalonians 5:8

References: Jesus talks about the purpose of God’s law and the prophets Matthew 5:17-18 He did not come to seek lodging in the law or to abolish the law or the prophets He came to accomplish their purpose. James 1:22-25 Intentionality Obedience The Cost of Discipleship On purpose-ness What is your life purpose? What is God’s purpose for your life? What’s the difference between the two?

References: Fourth day of creation - Genesis 1:14-19 signs and seasons, days and years Sabbath - 7th day A sign - the sun’s shadow going backwards from it’s normal progression. 2 Kings 20:8-11 Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 - chronos, kairos God ordains We have a sense of the eternal, but not complete knowledge  Leviticus 23:4 … - 7th day & 7 festivals Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks (Pen...

References: Isaiah 26:3 a hymn I remember from my youth perfect שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם  peace - Shalom shalom In Greek εἰρήνη (from which my daughter’s name comes: Erin)  Romans 8:5-6 - life and peace Romans 12:14-18 Sounds like peace-keeping, until… Matthew 5:8-10 - working for peace Relational Wisdom (rw360.org) God aware - remember God engaging - faithful Self aware - humble Self engaging - discipline...

References: Epiphany as both revelation and manifestation. “They saw (ὁράω) the star…” Mt 2:10 “They… saw (εὑρίσκω) the child…” Mt 2:11 Curiosity, wisdom & obedience Daniel 2 (v 48; 5:29) Cartoons, Truth & worship Matthew 2:1-12 The gifts Royalty Divinity Humanity Chalcedon (AD 451) and Orthodoxy Is wisdom being comfortable with mystery? In this New Year, let God be too big for your brain.

References: John 1 - λόγος - Word Genesis 1 & Psalm 33 Exodus 3:14 & John 8:58 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 24 - Jesus in the flesh, unconstrained by S/T eyes were held from knowing - v 16 eyes were opened and they knew - v 31 Jesus was made invisible - v 31 Luke 24:35-45 1 Corinthians 2:1-12