IN CHRIST: Walking Armed for Battle 2

Matthew 1:1–2 “An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers,” [Genealogy]

Matthew 1:16 “and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.”

Matthew 1:20–21 “But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.””

Parable [Narrative; Story; Illustrative Teaching]

Luke 7:40–42 “Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He said, “Say it, teacher.” “A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?””

Luke 7.36-50. is the context for the parable. [woman (sinner) who anoints and kisses Jesus’ feet at Simon the Pharisees’ house]

The ‘points of reference’ and the ‘point:’

Creditor & two debtors…both owed (significantly differing amounts)…debts forgiven…who would be expected to ‘love the creditor more? [Those who would appear to have been in greater debt will more often than not be more obviously grateful for forgiveness.]

HISTORY [OT & NT]

“The record of events of a people.”…BOOKS= Joshua - Esther; Acts

Narrative [Story]

Descriptive [This is what happened…so you know]

1 Samuel 17. [David & Goliath]

1 Samuel 17:4 “Then a champion named Goliath, from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was nine feet, nine inches tall” [& rest of description]

1 Samuel 17:8 “He stood and shouted to the Israelite battle formations, “Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?” He asked them, “Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me.” [& remainder of challenge]

1 Samuel 17:26 “David spoke to the men who were standing with him: “What will be done for the man who kills that Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?””

1 Samuel 17:40 “Instead, he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pouch, in his shepherd’s bag. Then, with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.”

1 Samuel 17:45 “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him.”

1 Samuel 17:48–49 “When the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand in the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown to the ground.”

[Who does David represent? = David; Who/What does Goliath represent? = Goliath, a Philistine enemy of the people of God; What do the stones & their number represent? = 5 smooth stones that were lying around near David…]

Acts 5.1-11. [Ananias & Sapphira]

Acts 5:1–2 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Acts 5:3 ““Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land?”

Acts 5:5 “When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard.”

Acts 5:9 “Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.””

[So, lying to the Holy Spirit about giving (tithing) carries the death penalty…; but the SERIOUSNESS OF SIN, & rightful fear of the Lord...]

Prescriptive [This is what happened…so you know, and do]

(…well…; not really ANYTHING in the historical accounts which we find directly prescriptive to us…)

[[ESPECIALLY — Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4.9-10)… If my people (2 Chronicles 7.14)… Day of Pentecost (Acts 2.1-12)…]]

Exodus 20.1-17. [LAW section of OT Books]

Exodus 20:3 “Do not have other gods besides me.”

Exodus 20:13 “Do not murder.”

Exodus 20:16 “Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.”

[& Jesus came to fulfill, not abolish the Law & the Prophets, “you’ve heard it said, but I say”…]

PROPHECY [OT & NT]

“Call to the Truth…Repentance & Prediction”…BOOKS= Isaiah - Malachi; Revelation

Prose [Sermonic]

Micah 2.

Micah 2:1–2 “Woe to those who dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds! At morning light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. They covet fields and seize them; they also take houses. They deprive a man of his home, a person of his inheritance.”

Micah 2:3 “Therefore, the Lord says: I am now planning a disaster against this nation; you cannot free your necks from it. Then you will not walk so proudly because it will be an evil time.”

Micah 2:6 ““Quit your preaching,” they preach. “They should not preach these things; shame will not overtake us.””

Micah 2:11 “If a man comes and utters empty lies— “I will preach to you about wine and beer”— he would be just the preacher for this people!”

Micah 2:12–13 “I will indeed gather all of you, Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the middle of its pasture. It will be noisy with people. One who breaks open the way will advance before them; they will break out, pass through the city gate, and leave by it. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord as their leader.”

[Proclaiming the truth of God to the people of God = Here is the condition of God’s people…Here is what God says about it…Here is how God’s people respond…Here is what the prophet says is the preaching they deserve/want…Here is how God ultimately restores his people.]

Apocalyptic [Judgment; Symbolic/Figurative]

Revelation 6.

Revelation 6:1–2 “Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there was a white horse. Its rider held a bow; a crown was given to him, and he went out as a conqueror in order to conquer.”

Revelation 6:3–4 “When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse went out, a fiery red one, and its rider was allowed to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And a large sword was given to him.”

Revelation 6:5–6 “When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a set of scales in his hand. Then I heard something like a voice among the four living creatures say, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, but do not harm the oil and the wine.””

Revelation 6:7–8 “When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following after him. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.”

[Deeply figurative language depicting reason for and consequences of JUDGMENT]

Revelation 19.

Revelation 19:11–16 “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

[Direct and clear contrast to the ‘other’ rider of a white horse…is the true and living Lord the Righteous JUDGE]

[Apocalyptic is definitely scary…& hope (awe) inspiring!]

CONCL—

2 Timothy 3:17 “…may be complete, equipped…”

When the translation is clear…the beauty of the sword we have been given by God—inspires gratitude shown in praise and faithful living!!

…for every good work [Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”]

INVITATION:

Salvation

Trusting God…& His word…as He gave it to us

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

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