Irmela

Jesus' teaching is not Universalism, so it cannot be accepted as being correct. Sorry...... This should read as follows ....... Jesus' teaching is not Universalism, so Universalism cannot be accepted as being correct.

1. What sources does Luke use as he prepares his Gospel? Luke mentions that there are other writers who have already gathered material of what had taken place among them. These were gathered from eye-witness who were also ministers of the Word (not just spectators). Some of his material is similar to Matthew and Mark but there are also accounts which have no parallels in the Synoptic Gospels. 2. What does it mean to be a 'servant of the Word'? What does such a servant do? How does such a servant act? What is the 'Word' he serves? One who is a helper or an assistant in a sub-ordinate capacity is known to be a 'servant of the Word'. The word is the Gospel message. Examples are the Apostles who were termed officials or servants of Christ and also John Mark who went as an assistant to Paul and Barnabas. 3. What makes Luke an especially good narrator of Jesus' life? How has he prepared for this task? (1:3) Luke was an assistant to Paul and was no stranger to the eye-witnesses. [Above all, he was a physician, who in that capacity would have been used to 'fising-out' details so as to accurately prescribe the correct medication or treatment for the ailment in question.] In the capacity described above he was thus used to obtain more detail from the eye-witnesses than another who would write about the same account. He mentions that he searched out all things closely and traced accurately the course from the highest to the minutest detail from the very first, so making sure his account was authentic. He also writes the account historically or orderly. 4. Is there any way to find 'certainty' about the Christian faith? How certain is the Gospel of Luke? What is the certainty we seek? Why do we seek certainty? The Gospels were written when the eye-witnesses were still alive. Luke makes it clear that his account of the Teacher (Rabbi) Prophet and Lord, who lived in first century Palestine is historically accurate and has been researched and written in an orderly fashion. We seek certainty because we do not want to 'fall' and follow something false.

Matthew 7:24-27 Does Jesus require obedience of His disciples? Yes! He sure does. Matthew 15:14 confirms.... You are My friends (friends are people who share what you will do, what will happen etc, with). Confirmed by John 14:15... I will call you my friends because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. ... In verse 14b ... IF YOU KEEP ON DOING THE THINGS WHICH I COMMAND YOU. Is there a kind of true Christian who believes, but does not obey? A true Christian who believes will definitely obey. Should it happen that he fails to do so, he will be miserable and unhappy until he examines himself and brings to light the sin and confesses it and then continues walking in obedience. How do you justify Jesus' requirements of obedience with Paul's teaching that salvation is a gift, not of works, lest anyone should boast? (Eph 2:8-10) Obediece will not get you saved, it is still by grace that we are saved. It is because of the grace that we desire to be obedient. Thus the works part is not there for the boasting, but for obedience upon which follows a deep piece and satisfaction

We are to receive and welcome the Word in a humble/gentle/modest spirit and let it take root in our hearts. Then we are to be doers of that same Word. External worship is expressed in outward acts. If our reasoning is contrary to the Word, we will end up 'hearing' the Word only and not 'doing' the Word, but will be doing what our reasoning has ended up guiding us to do. It does not end by hearing .... the doing portion also involves keeping ourselves unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. The Name of Yahusha (Jesus) is powerful

What kinds of "fruit" might be clues to a false prophet? Everything contrary to Gal 5: 22-23 ... love, joy (gladness) peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control ... which are the "fruit of the (Holy) Spirit. Gal 5:29-21 reveals the "fruits"of the flesh ... immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions) party spirit (sects with peculiar opinions/heresies) envy, drunkenness, carousing ... Thus clues to the bad fruit are : dominant character flaws (fruits of the flesh mentioned above) strange and somewhat perverted teachings actions and attitudes that don't conform to what you expect of a Christian leader hypocrisy .... teaching one thing and living another way. destroying the unity of the "flock"

If Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate and the narrow road to life is to be believed, what change would this make in how you conduct your life? I need to ecamine my life daily and live as Jesus did, no matter the hardship, knowing He is with me. My conduct needs to please Him, not the world. What difference would it make to how you witness to your neighbours? The neighbours need to see that I live for Jesus, in my walk as well as my talk, only then will the weeitness have any affect. How might it affect your acceptance of universalism? Jesus' teaching is not Universalism, so it cannot be accepted as being correct.

In what way does the "Golden Rule" capsulize the msg of the law and the prophets? This seems like a different "summary" of the law and the prophets than Jesus indicated in Mth 22:37-39. How are they the same? How are they different? The message of the Law and the Prophets in a nutshell is ultimately LOVE. The Golden Rule is to show love. If you do to the next one what you wld have them do to you, that is being caring and in plain language showing love. In Mth we are told to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts (this being the 1st commandment). Before we can do to others what we wld have them do to us, we wld need to put this into practice. This Love wld need to be part and parcel of us already, only then wld we be able to fulfil the 'Golden Rule'. They are the same in that both are selfless. In Mth we are to see to our relationship with God first, then our relationship with our neighbour. They are different in that the GR only deals with our relationship with our neighbour.

God is a loving Father and knows what is best for us. God gives good gifts to us which are not always "wrapped" as we desire but as He sees is for our good. We can and should trust Him explicitly and not be afraid to ask Him, not my will but Thine be done then also give Him the glory. The cynical view would be that He does not care about our desirrs and needs, which is totally false. It is not He that is causing all the wars and bad stuff to happen in the world around us. These are (as a consequence of) because of sins (could be past or present). A positive understanding of God is important because otherwise we are too scared to ask Him anything, just in case something negative happens.

To know and acknowledge our need and be persistent in our petition of getting that need met. (Maybe that crusted-up eyes be opened and stopped ears be unstopped and stony hearts be replaced with hearts of flesh or healing of someone or whatever) It is the same .... Ask and keep on asking .... Seek and keep on seeking ..... Knock and keep on knocking Pray and don't give up

1.1 What do the words "ask", "seek", "knock" have in common. They indicate desire that would be met. 1.2 What distinguishes them from each other? Ask is a simple petition. The answer is not so simple ... could be yes, no, not yet. But we are still to ask and expect an answer. James 4:2 ... You do not have because you do not ask. Seek indicates a search for something. Matth 6:33 Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, then all these things will be given you. .......... DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR SEARCH. Seeking is a maturing and a sifting process. With the seeking comes a promise. .......... In Is 55:6 we read SEEK THE LORD while HE may be found, CALL UPON HIM while He is near. Knock is to strike a surface noisily to attract attention. This is either for doors (opportunities) to be opened or be re-opened. We are to continue knocking until God opens the opportunity He has in mind. 1.3 Does one word convey more intensity than another? All three should be of the same intensity until an answer is received. 1.4 What is the significance of the present, continuous, imperitive tense of these verbs? It is a continuous action, it does not stop.

4.1 In Jesus day, what did dogs and pigs have in common? Both dogs and pigs were looked down upon in Jesus' day. They were unclean in the eyes of the Jews. Dogs being scavengers i.e. eating decaying flesh ... which was totally fround upon .... and pigs scrounging around in the dirt, the flesh totally taken to be unclean ... not kept by Jews at all. Both were outsiders. 4.2 What would holy food and pearls have in common? Holy food and pearls were highly prized. 4.3 In what kind of circumstances did believers turn away from a continued sharing of the Gospel? When the Gospel was openly shared with and discussed with the people of a certain place and they did not receive it; when they opposed, abused and reviled the believers; when the Gospel was rejected outright; then the believers walked out and shook the dust from off their feet. .... They stopped declaring the Gospel to those who continually slandered and discredited it. 4.4 To what kind of people did they continue their witness? To those who received and accepted the Gospel with joy. Those who were receptive and hungry for hope.

3.1 What about this parable is humorous? I see it as a fantastic picture. When there is a beam of timber in your own eye -you can see nothing - so what exactly do you then recognize as a small particle in someone else's eye? 3.2 Why do you think Jesus compares a speck of sawdust with a plank or beam? Sawdust is a small particle of a plank or beam. Both represent sin. Sin remains sin. It is anything and everything that separates you from God. Hidden sin and obvious/blatant sin .... all of it is SIN. 3.3 What does the speck represent? Semi-hidden sin in a brother's life. Maybe sin that you are aware of in their lives, that is sort of hidden ... but still hurting his/her reputation as a believer 3.4 What does the plank represent? Obvious sin in your own life. 3.5 According to this parable, when is it okay to remove a speck? When you have seen to and removed the "log" {the disturbancee, the hindrance, (in plain English), the sin} in your own eye (life) by confession and repentance, and the person is willing for you to help, only then is it okay to remove a speck. 3.6 When is it not okay? When you yourself are still struggling or stumbling over the self-same sin.

2.1. According to Matthew's account, what is our fate if we measure out big heaps of judgement with a critical spirit? We will be judged in the same way. 2.2. According to Luke's account, how can measiring be both positive and negative? If you use a positive measure you too will be meaured in a similar way but if you measure in a negative derogatory way, know for sure your deeds and attitudes will be measured in that way also. 2.3. What should we measure out instead of judgementalism? Mercy, love and kindness, forgiveness and understanding. At the same time watch out for compromise.

1.1 Have you caught yourself severely critisizing other Christians behind their backs - or to their faces? Yes, unfortunately. Sooner in my mind tham verbally and invariably the same problem that was criticized or looked on with disdain, was later found in my own life. Now when I see something, I tend to pray about it sooner than criticize about it. 1.2 What is the attitude that underlies censoriousness? I guess worry or anxiety that that same or similar defect or sin prevalent in my life or character will come to the fore before long. 1.3 How can the psychological concept of "projection" motivate harsh judgement? Our judgemental attitude may reflect our own sin more that our bothers' sin, so in condemning him we are affirming our own self-condemnation and self-loathing. 1.4 Why must Christians show love in the face of a brother's or sister's failings? Love (not compromise) and not condemnation can win a person back and restore them on the right path after repentance. Love can bring about repentance. (sometimes I guess it is tough love)

I guess one can see it as humour. I think Jesus is putting the point accross that we need to look at "one day at a time". Each day's worries (happenings) are sufficient for that particular day. Tomorrow's will be sufficient for tomorrow. The command is DO NOT WORRY (BE ANXIOUS) about tomorrow. DO NOT WORRY!!!!!

4.1 What is the command in this verse? To seek/desire first and foremost His Kingdom i.e His Rule and also to desire or to possess His Righteousness. In Matthew 5:48 the Amplified Translation states, ... grow into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character ... (our priority must be God first). We are to thirst for this that it takes our everything to do and be so. It is not a self-achieved righteousness but the fruit of Christ's righteousness imputed to us, by faith in Christ. 4.2 How must our seeking God differ from our seeking of food and clothing, according to this verse? To seek God must be first and foremost in our lives. Searching for the wrong thing first will **** us, it will pre-occupy us that we forget about God. 4.3 What is the promise found in this verse? The promise is that the temporal things which we need, will then be added to us as well. (Put plainly, our needs will be met or provided.)

Yes, for rich and poor alike, the desire for money does **** a person.

A treasure is something you hold onto and do not discard. You share it (if it is knowledge of something, or something you have learned). A treasure (which can be possessions, jobs, houses, family) can become an idol and in the Old Testament already we are warned to not have or serve other gods (idols). So I do believe that Jesus is speaking specifically. If we do have possessions, jobs, houses, family etc., do not place them above God.

Why does Jesus mention the 'pagans' or 'Gentiles' in verse 32? The pagans and the Gentiles were the ones different from the Jews. His audience was Jews (mainly). They were ( Their belief was) distinct from pagans and Gentiles. By worrying the Jews were acting the same as these unbelievers. What point is He making? Jesus is pointing out that by acting like pagans and Gentiles, they are proving that they are not relying on God. How should a Christian differ from a Gentile, according to Jesus' teaching in this passage? A Christian should rest (relax) in God's promises and leave the dealing of his needs in God's hands. What emotional and faith effect does the phrase ' your heavenly Father knows that you need them', have in your life? It brings great relief to know that it is all in His hands and He knows far better how and when to provide for my needs.

How many times in this passage does the phrase "do not worry", "do not be anxious", or "take no thought" occur? Three times direct .... verse 25 .... stop being perpetually uneasy about your life ... ...... verse 31 ...... do not worry and be anxious ... ...... verse 34 ... do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow ... Then it also poses questions as to the worthlessness of worry verse 27 ....... which of you by worrying can add one unit of measure to his stature or to the span of his life? (in other words you cannot grow bigger or taller or live longer, by worrying) verse 28 ....... why should you be anxious about clothes? .... In what way does excessive worry border on sin? Worry robs us of peace and joy and it is unbelief in disguise. Are worry and trust exact opposites? Yes, they are

He takes care of us. He sees us. We are important to Him and need not worry.

He does take care of us. He sees us. We are important to Him. We need not worry. Should the inevitable happen. .... eg. a humanly-speaking, untimely death, He is with us even there. When as a teenager, I experienced loss of our family (parents, and a brother and sister) I know that God fufilled HIS PROMISE and that HE WAS WITH EACH ONE OF US. Not only with me but that He was with our loved ones as they left this temporary abode. So also I do believe He knows of each of His Creatures that are suffering and those that are not. The main point is DO NOT WORRY OR FEAR OF BEING ALONE .... HE CARES AND IS WITH US

Yes, the desire for money can **** a person. I remember years ago when teaching little ones Sunday School, finding a lovely picture of a camel loaded with things and trying to go through a narrow opening. Shoving and pulling helped nothing. Only when at last everything was unloaded from the camel (even the hat to keep him burning from the sun) could he go through the opening. The beautiful 'smile' on the camel's face when everything was off and he could freely go through the opening, has remained with me. I guess when 'money has you' it is very much like that. You are damned to remain bound and not free, as Jesus would have you be.

Jesus makes it sound like you cannot seek God and wealth simultaneously. Does He really mean this? Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? I do feel it is literal. The verse refers to 'serving' two masters. You cannot serve two masters who are so totally opposed to each other. Mammon is materialism and worldly gain. Depending on money means not depending on God. Wealthy people can serve God, if they handle their wealth in such a way as to show that GOD and not money/wealth is their treasure. They share and are givers ... they are content with what they have and do not feverishly desire more.

3.1According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven?" Giving alms to the needy, praying in private and fasting. Good works with a pure heart for God alone. These are actually acts of love toward God. 1Corinthians 3:8-15 summed up says ..... We are workers with and for God and it does not matter which part of the work we do - planting or watering - it all needs to be done. Ultimately in the end, what "stands" will be rewarded, i.e. what was done for Christ. 3.2 What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions? Earthly possessions are left behind when we walk over into eternity. We cannot take them with us. Whereas what we do for Christ gets 'sent on before' .... that is the treasure stored up in heaven. 3.3Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven? In Eph 2:8 we read "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Thus we know it is grace alone and nothing that we do, which will get us saved. Yet, here we learn of being rewarded for what we do. The difference is, we do not earn our way into heaven but God graciously bestows blessings/rewards onto us, for that which we do for Him. He ows no man anything ..... it is because of grace alone.