1-- About Jesus Christ

Thought Provoking Bible Studies About Jesus Christ and the Bible (developed by Bill Stevenson) Introduction: One of my main concerns is that most Christian churches don’t have very much Bible teaching. So I have tried to encourage many to study the Bible more and even begin home group Bible studies. Recently, I have had opportunities to share about my logical indent method of formatting Scripture with some leaders in a world-wide denomination and they thought it was good and could help the indicated Bible study revival. In the last part of August 2007, I re-organized about 140 complete and partial Bible studies for making some MS Word files of Bible studies which could be used as “springboards” for personal or group Bible studies. Hope that you will enjoy all that follows. Note: The following is about a way I have been logically formatting Scripture since September 1977. Many of my Bible study courses have it because it causes reasoning which helps for better retention. After reading the directions, try your favorite Bible chapter. The man I learned this from even did his personal letters this way. Proper Bible study is so important because it is the best way to discover "the mind of Christ" (Philippians 2) or how Jesus Christ thinks. That is the way to get to know Jesus Christ intimately which the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3 is so important. For your e-mail ministry, you can share any of my Bible studies (which are free for the asking) or even uses parts of them in counseling or for your website. But if you want to develop your own inductive Bible studies or Bible study tools, below are some advice from me. Studying and using Scripture suggestions: First in responding to any Bible verse or Scripture passage you hear in a sermon, skim the verse or passage and then check the verses before and after to make sure that was is being said really relates to the verse quoted. Sometimes after the sermon and I am at my computer, I will download any meaningful verses' passages and at least do the indent formatting to them to understand better the logic of them. If you are just typing Scripture without using Bible software to copy/paste from, be very careful and double and triple check what you have written. One letter missing or one letter added can change the meaning of a verse. For each verse, think: “Does it just tell me something I believe already or does it indicate something I should change in my life to be more Christ-like?” If it is the latter, you should copy it onto a 3 x 5 card in your own words in a commitment form. Back in 1977-78, I learned to do a special logical formatting. The above and the below are samples of it: This method of Bible study will help the formatter learn new understanding of God’s Word and can be used for inductive teaching for Bible study discussion groups and for easier memorizing of Scripture. This way of writing Scripture can be done using any translation of the Bible but please show respect in and capitalize the first letter of deity pronouns, Earth (for God’s special planet),

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Christian, and other words that indicate uniqueness (like "Bible" and "Apostle"). This will almost look sort of like the outline format with the verses or groups of verses that seem to be of equal importance indented the same positions from the left of the page. A definite paragraph should have a blank line above its first line. For producing inductive study for a Bible chapter or passage: Download the Bible chapter or passage into a MS Word document. Type the reference title above the first verse. Press the Enter key and that is where the first verse number goes. If the verse number is one digit, put a space in front of it. Then press the space bar 4 times. Be in the frame of mind as Proverbs 3:5-6 in order to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit Determine how much of the first verse should be on the first line. Most likely there will be a comma or semi-colon at the end. In most cases, you will want to get as much on each line as possible, but any equal important phrases usually should be separate lines indented the same positions from the left of the page. Continue as this page indicates. Phrases or verses which seem to be just a clarification of a word in a previous verse most likely should be indented at least 7 spaces to the right compared to the previous line, so that the next line can start as it is a continuation of the previous line. Then sometimes I will bold or/and underline important verses or phrase or/and I will insert thought provoking questions. For producing subject studies: After I sense a need (from the Holy Spirit, a sermon, a TV program, a conversation, etc.), I use a Bible software to download verses using a key word to search with. I usually have to such several times using different tense forms of a key word and synonyms of that key word. The software I usually use is from the free e-Sword downloads (usually KJV red letter edition) or from the Lockman Foundation downloads of the Amplified and NASB Bibles. Two other good sources for subject study verse references are the Naves Topical Bible and Thompson Chain Bible References.

What do the following four passages say is most important for true Christians to know? What are the best ways to obtain such? What are the results? Philippians 2:1-5 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 fulfill you my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man [or woman] on his [or her] own things, but every man [or woman] also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

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Ephesians 4:11-16 11 And He [Jesus Christ] gave some, Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of The Son Of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, Who is The Head, even Christ: 16 from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Philippians 3:7-16 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren , I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

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Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

More About Jesus Christ, 4 Units Part 1 Directions: Match the Scripture references to the names/titles of Jesus Christ. For each name/title, put the number of the correct Scripture reference in front of it. New Testament Names For the Messiah Jesus (author unknown) Abraham's Seed Advocate, Counsel for the Defense Beginning of the Creation of God Beloved Son Chief Cornerstone Chief Shepherd Firstborn Firstborn from the Dead Firstborn of all Creation God God's Mystery Good Shepherd Head Over All Things Heir of All Things Holy One Horn of Salvation I AM Immanuel [God with us] Jesus of Nazareth Judge of the living and the dead King of Israel King of Kings and Lord of Lords King of the Jews Lamb of God Light of the World Lion of Judah Living One LORD to call upon for Salvation Master [Chief, Commander] Messiah Only Begotten God Only Begotten Son Passover Lamb Prince Prince of Life Righteous One

1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) 10.) 11.) 12.) 13.) 14.) 15.) 16.) 17.) 18.) 19.) 20.) 21.) 22.) 23.) 24.) 25.) 26.) 27.) 28.) 29.) 30.) 31.) 32.) 33.) 34.) 35.) 36.)

Matthew 1:1 Matthew 1:1 Matthew 1:23, see also Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 3:17 Matthew 12:18 Matthew 23:8 Matthew 26:63 Matthew 26:64, see also Daniel 7:13 Matthew 26:71 Matthew 27:37 Mark 12:10 Mark 12:10 Mark 15:32 Luke 1:32 Luke 1:69 Luke 1:78 Luke 7:19 Luke 8:24 Luke 9:35 Luke 24:5 John 1:1 John 1:1 John 1:18 John 1:25, see also Deuteronomy 18:15 John 1:36 John 1:41 John 1:45 John 3:29 John 4:42 John 6:32 John 6:33 John 6:35 John 8:12 John 8:36 John 8:58, see also Exodus 3:14 John 10:7

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Savior of all Men Savior of the World Servant Shepherd and Guardian of our Souls Son of Abraham Son of David Son of God Son of Joseph Son of Man Son of the Father Son of the Most High Stone Sunrise from on High Teacher, literally "my great one" The Alpha and the Omega The Amen The Apostle The Author and Perfecter of Faith The Beginning and the End The Beloved The Bread of God The Bread of Life The Bread out of Heaven The Bridegroom The Bright Morning Star The Chosen One The Deliverer The Door The Expected One The Faithful And True One The Faithful Witness The First and the Last The Great High Priest The Head of the Body, the Church The Image of the Invisible God The Lamb The Last Adam The Life The Man The Mediator The Power of God The Prophet The Resurrection The Root and offspring of David The Son The True Vine The Vinedresser The Way, the Truth, and the Life The Wisdom of God The Word

37.) 38.) 39.) 40.) 41.) 42.) 43.) 44.) 45.) 46.) 47.) 48.) 49.) 50.) 51.) 52.) 53.) 54.) 55.) 56.) 57.) 58.) 59.) 60.) 61.) 62.) 63.) 64.) 65.) 66.) 67.) 68.) 69.) 70.) 71.) 72.) 73.) 74.) 75.) 76.) 77.) 78.) 79.) 80.) 81.) 82.) 83.) 84.) 85.) 86.)

John 10:11 John 11:25 John 11:25 John 14:6 John 15:1 John 15:1 John 19:5 Acts 3:14 Acts 3:14 Acts 3:15 Acts 4:27 Acts 5:31 Acts 10:42 Romans 10:9-13, see also Joel 2:32 Romans 11:26 1 Corinthians 1:24 1 Corinthians 1:24 1 Corinthians 5:7 1 Corinthians 15:45 Galatians 3:16 Ephesians 1:22 Colossians 1:15 Colossians 1:15 Colossians 1:18 Colossians 2:2 1 Timothy 2:5 1 Timothy 4:10 Hebrews 1:2 Hebrews 1:6 Hebrews 3:1 Hebrews 4:14 Hebrews 12:2 1 Peter 2:25 1 Peter 5:4 1 John 1:1 1 John 2:1 1 John 4:9 2 John 1:3 Revelation 1:5 Revelation 1:5 Revelation 19:11 Revelation 19:13 Revelation 19:16 Revelation 22:13 Revelation 22:13 Revelation 22:13 Revelation 22:16 Revelation 22:16 Revelation 3:14 Revelation 3:14

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The Word of God The Word of Life

87.) Revelation 5:5 88.) Revelation 5:12

Part 2 Directions: Determine why each of the Bible reference relates to purpose or influence in the left hand column. Jesus Christ A-Z Purposes and Influences (author unknown) atones for the soul brings us into the Covenant of Grace cleanses us from all sin delivers God's people from judgment everlasting in its value furnishes the only ground of peace with God gives us access into His presence has already obtained for us redemption imparts eternal life justifies us in the sight of God keeps us in the Holy of Holies links us to God's electing purpose makes us near to Him never needs to be offered again overcomes the power of Satan purchases us quenches the righteous wrath of God redeems us from our state of ruin speaks to God and to us of Salvation tunes the voices of the saints in holy song unites us in Christian Communion victorious over Tribulation washes us from every stain X-ian's (Christian's) hope yields the price that bought the Church zealous influencing for doing the God planned good works

1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) 10.) 11.) 12.) 13.) 14.) 15.) 16.) 17.) 18.) 19.) 20.) 21.) 22.) 23.) 24.) 25.) 26.)

Exodus 12:13 Leviticus 42:11 Matthew 26:28 John 6:54 Acts 20:28 Acts 20:28 Romans 3:25 Romans 5:9 1 Corinthians 10:16 Ephesians 1:7 Ephesians 2:13 Colossians 1:20 1 Timothy 1:1 Titus 2:14 & Ephesians 2:8-10 Hebrews 9:12 Hebrews 9:22-26 Hebrews 10:19-21 Hebrews 12:24 Hebrews 13:20 1 Peter 1:2 1 Peter 1:18-19 1 John 1:7 Revelation 1:6 Revelation 5:9 Revelation 7:14 Revelation 12:11

Part 3 Directions: The word “name” also means “character”. Look up each of the Scripture passages which have “name” in relation to Jesus Christ and determine why they are listed in the respective sections they are in. “Name” of Jesus Christ 1.) False use-- Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 21:7-8 (Matthew 24:3-5 & Mark 13:4-6); Acts 19:13-16; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17 2.) True believing-- John 1:12, 2:23, 3:18, 20:30-31, Acts 2:38, 3:6-8 & 13-16, 4:7-12 & 29-32 & 4042, 8:12, 10:42-48, 15:26, 19:1-5 & 13-20, 21:13; Romans 1:1-7, 10:8-13; Ephesians 5:18-21; Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 3:17, 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 1 John 3:23, 5:13; Revelation 3:8 & 10 3.) Assurance-- Matthew 12:14-21; John 14:26-27; John 14:12-14, 15:16, 16:23b-24; 1 John 5:10-15; Acts 10:42-43; 1 Corinthians 1:2-3, 6:11; Hebrews 1:1-4; Revelation 3:7-10

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4.) Proper use-- Mark 9:38-41 (Luke 9:49-50) Luke 10:17, 24:46-47; Acts 3:6, 4:7-10 & 16-21 & 2930, 5:26-32 & 40-42, 8:14-17, 9:20-22 & 26-31, 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, 3:6; 2 Timothy 2:19 5.) Unity-- Matthew 18:3-6 (Mark 9:37 & 42, Luke 9:46-48); Matthew 18:19-20; Acts 4:29-35, 9:2631, 15:24-29; 1 Corinthians 1:2 & 10; Philippians 2:1-11 Part 4 Directions: Interesting matching exercise: First find and list the 63 references to Jesus Christ in Philippians. Then put them in the appropriate categories in the following list. Jesus Christ in Philippians Matching Exercise Categories 1. Source of grace and peace 2. Source of thankful affection 3. Source of human faith 4. Source of spiritual power 5. Worthy to be identified with 6. Worthy for humans to know and to imitate 7. Best example of humbleness 8. Worthy of trust 9. Worthy to suffer for

10. Future world leader

Exciting New Understanding (by Bill Stevenson, March 13-15, 2005) Note:

On March 13, 2005, I heard a sermon based on some of Hebrews 12 and Luke 22. It was mostly about the Last Supper and Judas. I looked at the contexts while I was listening and discovered some things I never thought of before, even though I thought that I knew the historic happening that was being emphasized. That indicates one of the main reasons while the Bible is the most wonderful book in the world-- there is always new understanding to be gleaned if we are being Holy Spirit led in our study of it. I was going to write an essay response, but I ended up with something much different. Hope that you will want to do your own thinking about why I became very excited in reading the two passages of Scripture.

***Why did I bold (darken) certain phrases and underline certain words? Hebrews 12:1-4 “Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before (in the future) Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.

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For consider Him Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” ***For this part, imagine that you are writing a sermon or commentary about the following famous Scripture passage and insert responses to why I indent formatted the verses, bolded some phrases and underline certain words or phrases. Try to think what my new understandings were on Sunday and Monday. Luke 22:1-54 1 “And the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, drew near. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people. 3 And Satan entered into Judas, surnamed Iscariot being of the number of the Twelve. 4 And going, he talked with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. 5 And they were glad and they agreed to give him silver. 6 And he fully consented, and he sought opportunity to betray Him to them, away from the crowd. ***Why silver and why were two mentioned concerns about a possible crowd. 7 And the day of the Unleavened Bread came, when the passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so that we may eat.’ 9 And they said to Him, ‘Where do You desire that we prepare?’10 And He said to them, ‘Behold, when you have entered into the city, you will meet a man bearing a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house where he enters. 11 And you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room where I shall eat the Passover meal with My disciples?’’ 12 And he shall show you a large, furnished upper room. Prepare there.” ***In the last three verses, count how many prophecies and how many commands Jesus gave Peter and John. Also, normally, women did the water carrying. 13 And they went and found it as He had said to them. And they prepared the Passover meal. 14 And when the hour came, He and the twelve Apostles with Him reclined. 15 And He said to them, ‘With desire I have desired to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer. 16 For I say to you, I will not any more eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.’ 17 And He took the cup and gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the Kingdom of God shall come.’ ***Why wasn’t He not eating or drinking with them?

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And He took bread and gave thanks, and He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of Me.’ 20 In the same way He took the cup, after having dined, saying, ‘This cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is being poured out for you. ***What do you think the first cup represents? Read Hebrews 8, 9, and 12 before going on, in which is information about the New Covenant. 21 But, behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. ***Why one hand? What might be in the other hand? 22 And truly the Son of Man goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!’ ***Notice the verb tenses. 23 And they began to inquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing. 24 And there was also a dispute among them as to which of them seems to be greater. ***Notice there are two types of discussions, but only one of them is dealt with by Jesus: 25 And He said to them, ‘The kings of the nations exercise lordship over them. And they who exercise authority on them are called benefactors. 26 But you shall not be so: but the greater among you, let him be as the lesser, and he who governs, as one who serves. 27 For which is the greater, he who reclines, or he who serves? Is it not he who reclines? But I am among you as He Who serves. ***Do you see how Jesus teaches logically in a way to encourage reasoning? Such learning is remembered better because it is internalised, whereas learning from lectures or/and just reading is not as successful. 28 You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I appoint a kingdom to you, as My Father has appointed to Me, ***Read John 17 and then respond to what this might mean. 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’ 31 And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not. And when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.’ ***This was a surprise to me. What does the word “converted” mean? So when did Peter get truly converted? 33 And he said to Him, Lord, I am ready to go with You, both into prison and into death.’

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And He said, ‘I say to you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before you shall deny knowing Me three times.’ ***When do most roosters do their sound? Why is Simon Peter mentioned by name and none of the other disciples are? 35 And He said to them, ‘When I sent you without purse and wallet and sandals, did you lack anything?’ And they said, ‘Nothing.’ 36 And He said to them, ‘But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his wallet. And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must yet be accomplished in Me, ‘And He was reckoned among the transgressors’; for the things concerning Me have an end.’ 38 And they said, ‘Lord, behold, here are two swords. And He said to them, ‘It is enough.’ ***Why does Jesus not want any purse or wallet left in the Upper Room? Why does He want each of the Disciples have a sword with them when no violence will be involved? Why do you think that three prophesied denials had to be made after the arrest by Peter? Did he have to lose his status as a Disciple in order to be converted again? 39 And going out, according to His custom, He went to the Mount of Olives. And His disciples also followed Him. ***So He did this at least twice before. 40 And when He was at the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you do not enter into temptation.’ ***What did He mean by temptation? This was an isolation place, not in the city. 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw. And He kneeled down and prayed, 42 saying, ‘Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done. ***The third cup message in this passage. And it represents what? 43 And an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when He rose up from prayer and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping because of sorrow. 46 And He said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.’ ***Remember, Jesus lowered Himself to pray. Look at Ephesians 6:10-14 & 18-19. And again there is that word “temptation”. Why did the disciples sleep “because of sorrow”? 47 And as He was yet speaking, behold a crowd! And he who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, went before them. And he drew near Jesus to kiss Him.

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But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss? 49 And those around Him seeing what was about to occur, they said to Him, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. ***Which sword do you think was used? See John 18:10-11 to see who was involved. 51 And Jesus answered and said, ‘Let it go until now.’ And touching his ear, He healed him. 52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and commanders of the temple, and the elders, who had come to Him, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and staves? 53 When I was with you in the temple daily, you did not stretch out your hand on Me. But this is your hour, and the authority of the darkness. 54 And laying hold on Him, they led Him away and brought Him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.” ***Who took Jesus away from His disciples and left the sword-user? Many of the passion plays and Jesus movies have errors in them about this important part of the Passion Week. And again, Peter is mentioned. The third time actually. Please send me your results from this Bible study. I would like to see if we have come to the same understandings. My regular e-mail address is [email protected] . Hope that Resurrection Sunday is special for you this year.

Isaiah 53 1 Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground. He has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. And we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. 4 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

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6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his [or her] own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of My people was He stricken. 9 And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death, because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong because, He has poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Psalm 22 (formatted from the Amplified Bible translation) 1 2 3 4 5 6

MY GOD, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You answer not; and by night I am not silent {or} find no rest. But You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered]. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted (leaned on, relied on You, and were confident) and You delivered them. They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in, leaned on, {and} confidently relied on You, and were not ashamed {or} confounded {or} disappointed. But I am a worm, and no man; I am the scorn of men, and despised by the people.

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15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

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All who see me laugh at me {and} mock me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, “He trusted {and} rolled himself on the Lord, that He would deliver him. Let Him deliver him, seeing that He delights in him!” Yet You are He Who took me out of the womb; You made me hope {and} trust when I was on my mother's breasts. I was cast upon You from my very birth; from my mother's womb You have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is none to help. Many [foes like] bulls have surrounded me; strong bulls of Bashan have hedged me in. Against me they opened their mouths wide, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is softened [with anguish] {and} melted down within me. My strength is dried up like a fragment of clay pottery; [ with thirst] my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and You have brought me into the dust of death. For [like a pack of] dogs they have encompassed me; a company of evildoers has encircled me, they pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; [the evildoers] gaze at me. They part my clothing among them and cast lots for my raiment (a long, shirt-like garment, a seamless undertunic). ) But be not far from me, O Lord; O my Help, hasten to aid me! Deliver my life from the sword, my dear life [my only one] from the power of the dog [the agent of execution]. Save me from the lion's mouth; for You have answered me [kindly] from the horns of the wild oxen. I will declare Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise You. You who fear (revere and worship) the Lord, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him. Fear (revere and worship) Him, all you offspring of Israel. For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither has He hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him, He heard. My praise shall be of You in the great congregation. I will pay to Him my vows [made in the time of trouble] before them who fear (revere and worship) Him. The poor {and} afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord-they who [diligently] seek for, inquire of {and} for Him, {and} require Him [as their greatest need]. May your hearts be quickened now {and} forever! All the ends of the Earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow down {and} worship before You, For the kingship {and} the Kingdom are the Lord's, and He is the ruler over the nations.

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All the mighty ones upon Earth shall eat [in thanksgiving] and worship; all they that go down to the dust shall bow before Him, even he who cannot keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve Him; they shall tell of the Lord to the next generation. They shall come and shall declare His righteousness to a people yet to be born-that He has done it [that it is finished]! Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? (by Nick)

This quote from Jesus while on the cross served as a puzzle to me for several years. Asking random pastors and Bible students at first revealed little which made sense to me. However, years ago I heard a forgotten preacher on television explain it to my complete satisfaction. You see, when Jesus asked this question, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” in Mark 15:34, it implies that not only had God forsaken His Son but also that His divine Son didn’t understand the reason. Neither of these prospects made any sense in light of the Christian concept of the Trinity. This puzzle melts away completely when you consider the culture of first century Judea and turn to Psalm 22. There were precious few written manuscripts of Scripture (Old Testament) available to the public. Many were illiterate. That does not mean they were stupid. They memorized many important passages from the Old Testament and recited them frequently. Many at the time, especially Jewish leaders, would have immediately recognized the quote from what we now know as Psalm 22. Perhaps in His distress, He mumbled, or the clamor of the crowd may have been loud, or perhaps some were merely mocking Him when they said that maybe He was calling Elijah. Many heard clearly enough, including the Apostles present. This Psalm is about being in extreme circumstances and still maintaining that God is in control and is deserving of all our praise. This is Jesus teaching us a powerful lesson through words even as He is dying on the cross. He tells us to consider Psalm 22 while we ponder His gruesome death. The compassion and presence of mind that He demonstrated with these words is awesome to consider. He knew that God had not forsaken Him. Jesus knew why He was on the cross, that He was there to die a bodily death, and that He would resurrect Himself in three days (as the custom for counting days existed in that culture.) As the old southern gospel song says, while He was on the cross, we were on His mind. What more can I say? God’s Most Painful Moment by Greg Laurie A number of years ago I was riding my bike on the way to meet my wife for breakfast. As I came to a curb, I went to pop up onto it, but I didn't realize the little lever that holds the tire in place had been opened. So the forks went up and the wheel kept on rolling. I didn't know what had happened until the forks came down and I went face first into the ground, without time to break my fall. I basically blacked out for a few seconds. Some guy was standing there asking, “Are you all right?” Of course, it's strange that even when we're hurt, we say we're okay. I went on to meet my wife, but about two hours later, the pain started kicking in. I realized that I wasn't as fine as I'd thought. Then there are other kinds of pain that can even be worse than physical pain: the pain of rejection, the pain of betrayal, the pain of abandonment, the pain of a child saying, “I don't want to live the Christian life.” We all have felt pain. We all have felt betrayal. We all have felt hurt. And it can even feel like a knife that stabs you deep inside. I would like for us to consider what I believe was God's most painful moment, the most painful moment for our Lord when He was on this Earth. Immediately our minds race to the crucifixion. We think of the

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Roman whip, that cat of nine tails that ripped into His skin and skeletal tissues, exposing vital organs. Was that it? That was a painful moment to say the least-extremely painful. It is one of the most horrific things that a person could go through. But as bad as that was, I don't think it was God's most painful moment. Was the crucifixion itself, where spikes were pounded into His hands and His feet, where He had to press His shredded back against the cross for a gulp of air? That was horrific as well. But as bad as that was, I don't think that was His most painful moment. I believe it is found in Matthew 27: “Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani”' that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (verses 45-46). These words surprise us. They disarm us and cause us to wonder what He meant. It is hard for us as human beings to even fathom what was taking place here. To begin with, it was a fulfillment of the prophetic words of Psalm 22:1, which says, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” But these were not the delusions of a man in pain. His faith was not failing Him. I believe that as Christ hung there at this moment, He was bearing the sins of the world. He was dying as a substitute for us. To Him was imputed the guilt of all of our sins and He was suffering the necessary punishment for those sins on our behalf. And the essence of that punishment was the outpouring of God's wrath against sinners. In some mysterious way that we can never fully understand, during these awful hours on the cross, the Father was pouring out the full measure of His wrath against sin and the recipient of that wrath was His own beloved Son. God was punishing Jesus as though He had personally committed every wicked deed committed by every wicked sinner. And in doing so, He could treat and forgive those redeemed ones as if they had lived Christ's perfect life of righteousness. Jesus' words were not a cry against the Father, but to Him. It wasn't an accusation; it was an expression of dependence. He was not, in any moment, thinking that God had failed. He was simply recognizing the reality of what was happening as the sin of the world was poured upon Him-and as the Father turned His face away. Jesus was forsaken of God for a time so that we might enjoy His presence forever. He was forsaken so that we might be forgiven. If you are ever tempted to doubt God's love for you, just take a long look at the cross, and remember Jesus did all of that for you.

Commandments and Christians (compiled and formatted by Bill Stevenson) If the Ten Commandments (the summary of God’s Law) were done away with by the death of Jesus Christ, then is it ok to commit murder, do adultery, steal, bear false witness, worship other Gods, and covet? Jesus Christ never said that He came to Earth to abolish the Ten Commandments. The ordinances in Leviticus and other places in the Old Testament were nullified by what Jesus Christ did at the Cross. Look at the following statements of Jesus Christ below and write an essay about how you would teach about Justification and Sanctification. They are taken from the Lockman Foundation’s Amplified Bible. Matthew 5:17-20 “17 Do not think that I have come to do away with {or} undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with {or} undo but to complete {and} fulfill them.

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For truly I tell you, until the sky and Earth pass away {and} perish, not one smallest letter nor one little hook [identifying certain Hebrew letters] will pass from the Law until all things [it foreshadows] are accomplished. Whoever then breaks {or} does away with {or} relaxes one of the least [important] of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least [important] in the Kingdom of Heaven, but he [or she] who practices them and teaches others to do so shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness (your uprightness and your right standing with God) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

John 14:21-24 “21 [Jesus said] ‘The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him [or her] and I will let Myself be clearly seen by him [or her] and make Myself real to him [or her]’ 22 Judas, not Iscariot, asked Him, ‘Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself [make Yourself real] to us and not to the world?’ 23 Jesus answered, ‘If a person [really] loves Me, he [or she] will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him [or her], and We will come to him [or her] and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him [or her]. 24 Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe {and} obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear {and} heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me.’” John 15:10-14 “10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love {and} live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things so that My joy {and} delight may be in you, and that your joy {and} gladness may be of full measure {and} complete {and} overflowing.

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This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.”

Matthew 5:13-16 “13 You are the salt of the Earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence {and} your praiseworthy, noble, {and} good deeds and recognize {and} honor {and} praise {and} glorify your Father Who is in Heaven. [see Romans 14:17-18]

The Commandments of Jesus Christ (source unknown and resorted) Against Covetousness 1.Luke 12:15 2.Matthew 6:19 3.Matthew 6:20 4.Matthew 23:23 5.Matthew 5:42 6.Luke 11:41 7.Luke 14:12-13

Prayer 1.Luke 21:36 2.Luke 22:40-46 3.Luke 10:2 4.Luke 6:28 5.Matthew 6:6 & John 16:24-26 6.Matthew 6:9-13 7.Matthew 6:7-8

Against Hypocrisy 1.Luke 12:1 2.Luke 20:46-47 3.Matthew 23:2-3 4.John 2:16 5.Matthew 6:1-4 6.Matthew 6:5-6 7.Matthew 6:16-18

Searching the Scriptures 1.John 5:39 2.John 15:20 3.Luke 9:44 4.Luke 8:18 5.Mark 4:24 6.Matthew 16:6-12 7.Matthew 7:15-17

Meekness (Humbleness) 1.Matthew 11:29 2.Matthew 20:25 3.Mark 10:43-44 4.Matthew 23:8 5.Luke 14:8-11 6.Luke 10:20 7.Luke 17:10

Supreme Love to God 1.Mark 12:30 2.Matthew 4:10 3.John 4:23-24 4.Matthew 23:9 5.Matthew 4:7 6.Luke 12:5

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7.John 5:22-23

Faith 1.Mark 11:22 2.John 20:27 3.Luke 12:29 4.Matthew 6:25-34 5.John 14:1-27 6.Matthew 14:27 7.Mark 5:36 & Luke 12:4-7 Believe (Trust for Your Life) 1.Mark 1:5 2.John 14:1 3.John 6:28-29 4.John 14:11 5.John 10:37-38 6.John 12:36 7.Mark 11:24

4.Luke 6:27-28 5.Luke 6:35 6.Matthew 5:39-41 7.Luke 21:19 Receiving the Holy Spirit 1.John 20:22 2.Mark 7:27 3.John 7:37-38 4.John 14:15-17 5.John 16:24 & Luke 11:5-13 6.Luke 24:49 7.John 15:26

Letting Your “Light” Shine 1.Matthew 5:16 2.Luke 11:35 3.John 15:16 & 8 4.Luke 6:36 5.Mark 5:19 6.John 4:35 7.John 12:35 Our Duty to God and Others 1.Mark 12:17 2.Matthew 5:34-37 & Mark 4:22 3.Matthew 19:5-6 4.Matthew 5:25 5.Mark 9:38-40 6.Luke 10:8 7.John 6:12 8.Matthew 19:17 Our Love for Other Christians 1.John 15:12 2.Matthew 18:10-14 3.Mark 9:50 & Matthew 5:24 4.Matthew 18:15 5.Luke 17:3-4 6.John 7:24 & Matthew 7:1-5 7.Luke 6:37

The New Birth (“Born Again From Above”) 1.John 3:7 2.Matthew 23:26 3.Matthew 12:33 4.John 15:4 5.Mark 9:50 6.John 6:27 7.Luke 10:20

Our Duty to Our Neighbor” 1.Matthew 19:17-19 2.Matthew 19:18 3.Matthew 19:18 4.Matthew 19:18 5.Matthew 19:18 6.Matthew 19:19 7.Luke 6:31

Repentance (Change) 1.Matthew 4:17 & Revelation 2:5 2.Matthew 11:28 3.Matthew 6:33 4.Matthew 11:25 5.Matthew 16:24 6.Matthew 7:7 7.Luke 13:24 Following Jesus 1.John 12:26 2.Matthew 3:13-15 & 28:19 3.Luke 22:17-19 4.John 13:14-15 5.Luke 9:23 6.Matthew 11:29 7.John 15:9 Perfect Love 1.Matthew 5:48 2.Matthew 19:21 & Luke 12:33 3.Matthew 5:44 & 26:52

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Faithful Unto Death 1.Revelation 2:10 2.Revelation 3:11 3.Luke 6:23 4.Matthew 10:23 5.Matthew 10:19 6.John 6:41 7.Luke 21:28 Preaching the Gospel 1.Mark 16:15 & Matthew 10:7 2.Luke 24:46-47 3.Matthew 28:19 4.Matthew 28:20

5.Matthew 10:27 & Mark 4:22 6.John 21:15-17 7.Matthew 10:8 Wisdom 1.Matthew 10:16 2.Matthew 10:17 3.Matthew 15:12-14 4.Matthew 7:6 5.Luke 22:35-36 6.Matthew 10:11 7.Luke 9:5 & 10:10-11

The Second Coming of Christ 1.Revelation 2:25 & 3:2-3 2.Luke 12:40 3.Luke 12:35-36 4.Luke 21:34 5.Luke 17:31-32 6.Luke 21:8 & Mark 13:5-6 7.Mark 13:34-37 Final Look-ups 1.John 14:23 2.Matthew 7:21-24 3. James 1:22

Note: I have an uncompleted Bible study about Jesus Christ, more logical indent formatting of the Gospel of John, and many good articles about Him. See the File section of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christianity_Basics_Source_1/ A-- Jesus Christ, B-- God the Father, C-- Prayer, D-- The Holy Spirit, E-- Godhead, F-- Christian Salvation, G-- in relation to the Bible {including my Bible studies and Bible study courses} (If you just want to use the File section, then indicate the” only e-mail” option.

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