GOSPEL – Bible Truth 4u

The Prodical Son

PROBLEMS OF THE PRODICAL
Our Lord gave three parables concerning lost things:
The lost sheep…..Stupidity (sheep are dumb)
The lost coin………Carelessness
The lost son……….Deliberate self-centered pride
It’s interesting that all were restored.
Looking at the lost son … Note that both boys were members of the same family. Both were given their portion. Put yourself in the traditions of the time. Now let’s look at the younger son:
SEVEN STEPS DOWN
15:12 SELF WILL He wanted to do his own thing (today he’d be called “a free spirit”.
He was a non-conformist, he rejected the good things, he decided he knew best.
He wasn’t about to be molded (Self Will in young usually leads to sin)
SINS OF YOUTH
Jeremiah 3:25 Shame and remorse
Psalm 25:7 Bitter memories
Job 20:11 Disease and death
15:13 SELFISHNESS Total disregard for others (What about his fathers dreams)
What about his brothers plans? 2nd step away from God – All About Me!
SEPERATION I’ll do as I please! I’ll move out. Away from authority.
Why do we think we can run away? (Remember Jonah? He tried it.) When God has His hand on you, where are you gonna hide? (Christians in sin try to hide from God).
SENSUALITY Please self. Nothing around to stop me from doing what I want!
Remember Sins of Youth. There is a price to pay … and it will be paid. These steps (sins, problems) can only lead in one direction – DOWN. Down takes us to the next step:
15:14 SPIRITUAL DESTITUTION Moral Poverty! What was the cause?
Self Will, Selfishness, Separation, Sensuality… The young man knew what was best for Him:
He didn’t want to work at home. Proverbs 19:15, 20:4
He had a love of pleasure. Proverbs 21:17
He had a love for drinking and gluttony. Proverbs 23:21
He ran with the wrong crowd. Proverbs 28:19
The troubles sin brings us into. Out of God’s will, no fellowship, it’s time to turn back, admit failure…WRONG!
15:15 SELF ABASEMENT I’ll do it myself! I’ll pay my own way. He sells himself into slavery.
How many young people today do the same thing!
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Yes, our young man is a fool, and so are believers who refuse God’s forgiveness.
All these steps lead to the final problem:
15:16 STARVATION Yes, he was hungry, for food and fellowship. But the husks of this world are deceitful (not filling), like ashes (dry), unsatisfying (tasteless), perishable (don’t last).
When you reach this place, no one cares. Friendless.
The Believer, out of God’s will soon finds himself in this same state.

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The Prodical Son Part 2

Reviewing the Son’s Problems:
SELF WILL … Give me, I want
SELFISHNESS … gathered all together
SEPERATION … took off alone
SENSUALITY … riotous living
SPIRITUAL DESTITULION … found himself lost
SELF ABASEMENT … relied on self
STARVATION … without food, friends
The story could end right here. And for many it has and does, BUT it doesn’t.
It would seem the lad had been raised in a good home. One that worshipped God. One who knew Scripture.
15:17 REALIZATION He came to himself. “What have I done”.
15:18 RESOLUTION I WILL ARISE (he knew Scripture, Knew whom he had sinned against).
15:19 REPENTANCE It begins in the heart
15:20 RETURN Need to put it into action
RECONCILIATION Note the father’s reaction. What were the father’s feelings? While the son was gone … reports came back (15:30) Rumors … Stories of his sinful son.
The father thought, “Where have I failed?”. No doubt many accusations, too strick, too many spankings, too much scripture, too much Temple … etc. The only thing Dad could hope for was PROVERBS 22:6
(today, we would add: 2 Timothy 3:6, Ephesians 6:4). Dad, Mom, raise your kids according to the Bible, not the world or it’s standards.
This lad had probably been raised knowing Proverbs 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15. Why then did he stray? Philemon 1:15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
15:21 REPENTANCE Full repentance, not only to God but to his father, whom he had wronged.
15:22 RECLOTHING The father restores his son.
15:23-24 REJOICING The son had returned and was restored.
Today it gives great joy when one is saved o restored to the presence of the Lord.
As the Lord Jesus says: Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Believers many times are like the Son, they stray from God…
for the same reasons:
SELF WILL … Give me, I want
SELFISHNESS … gathered all together
SEPERATION … took off alone
SENSUALITY … riotous living, pleasing self
And they can be reunited following these steps:
REALIZATION of their sin
RESOLUITION to remove that sin
REPENTANCE, RETURNING, RECONCILUTION

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The Prodical Son Part 3

Remember the younger brother’s problem: SELF
Remember the Father’s Forgiveness: Forget past and Rejoice
But what about the Older Brother?

Get the picture: The Father had a plan for his sons.
But the youngest rebels and leaves. The older brother stays.
Now the parable reveals two forms of sin:
Active .. the youngest son
Passive … the older son
Back to the text: Luke 15:25-27 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
The passive sin is about to surface. Luke 15:28-32
15:28 Jealousy … Anger … Hate … Pride
The father sees something wrong and goes to his elder son.
(God always comes seeking the lost, the one in sin, No man seeks God.
God seeks us. He loves Us).
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
15:29 Jealousy, Anger … “thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:”
15:30 Hate … Pride … he left I stayed and served
15:31 The father, in love, tried to console him.
15:32 It’s time to rejoice and be glad.

Which brother sinned?

Both needed to get right with their father.

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Jude 62-65 AD

Epistle of Jude — **The Lord’s Half-Brother, Jude wrote epistle to Believing Jews.**

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, (and younger half-brother of the Lord Jesus). Jude also targets Jewish Christians in danger of false teachers.

His epistle will probably play a spiritual role during the Tribulation for Jewish believers. Jude warns of false teachers and has the unusual discussion of:

angels that sinned (Jude 6, see 2 Pet 2:4)
Sodom and Gomorrha (Jude 7, see 2 Pet 2:6)
Balaam (Jude 11, see 2 Pet 2:15)

Peter probably wrote 2 Peter with the help of a scribe who may have been Jude. This type of connection between Peter and Jude would explain the sharp similarities between the two books. It would also mean that 2 Peter and Jude should be dated to essentially the same time.

When would this time be? 2 Peter 3:16 carries a reference to Paul’s letters, thereby negating the possibility of a very early date for the book. Since James was executed in 62 A.D., and no hint of such an event is in 2 Peter. It was also around 62 A.D. that Peter went to Rome. For Jude to be Peter’s scribe, both would probably need to still be in Jerusalem. The most likely date window for 2 Peter and Jude therefore narrows to around 62 A.D.

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1 Peter 62-65 AD

1 Peter - Title Graphics | Igniter Media — **The Apostle Peter’s 1st epistle to Believing Jews.**

The author of 1 Peter is Peter, the disciple (Apostle) of Jesus, written to a collection of Jewish Assemblies in Asia Minor (1 Pet 1:1). He indicates that he was an eyewitness to Christ’s suffering (1 Pet 5:1). Peter is writing from Rome, however, he feels the need to say “Babylon” for Rome. This was used also in Revelation and in later early Christian writings, and will be an important factor in dating the book. Marcus (Mark) is with Peter in Rome (1 Pet 5:13).

1 Peter is written with a background of imminent persecution ( 1 Pet 1:6, 2:12, 2:19-21, 3:13-17, 4:12-19, 5:8-10). There are two things noteworthy about these warnings of persecution. First, unlike many earlier warnings of persecution against early Jewish Christians, this time there is no indication that the Jews are involved. Second, Peter repeatedly warns his readers to be good citizens
(1 Pet 2:13), and the warnings of persecution sound as though the Jewish Christians are in a precarious position with the governing authorities, so they need to be on their best behavior. Even good behavior will not eliminate the “fiery trial” that is coming (1 Pet 4:12), but it may ease the consequences. It is believed this epistle will pay a promenade roll during the Tribulation.

Therefore, the background of 1 Peter has three conditions:

Mark (Marcus) is in Rome with Peter
There is a background of persecution, and it is coming from Roman authorities rather than the Jews
Peter feels a need to conceal the fact that he is in Rome.

Remembering that Peter was martyred around 66 A.D., the only time that fits these conditions would be at the beginning of the persecution of Jewish Christians under Nero. Nero made the Jewish Christians scapegoats for the Roman fire of July 18-19 in 64 A.D. Therefore, the best date for 1 Peter would be around 62 A.D.

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2 Peter 62-65 AD

2 Peter PowerPoint Template | New Testament Books — **The Apostle Peter’s 2nd epistle to Believing Jews.**

Having dated 1 Peter at 65 A.D., which is not long before Peter’s death, the question arises whether 2 Peter actually must follow 1 Peter in time. 2 Pet 3:1 says “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you“, and this verse is the reason 2 Peter is considered “second.” 2 Peter continues to target Jewish Christians in danger of false teachers.

In 2 Peter perhaps more than any other New Testament book, the identity of the named author has been challenged, and many scholars do not believe the apostle Peter is the author of the book. However, the author clearly is claiming to be Peter, as he identifies himself as an eyewitness to the transfiguration (2 Pet 1:16-18). Scholars point to differences in Greek writing style between 1 Peter and 2 Peter, but this may be due to Peter using different scribes to actually do the writing for each book.

2 Peter warns of false teachers and has the unusual discussion of:

angels that sinned (2 Pet 2:4, see Jude 6)
Sodom and Gomorrha (2 Pet 2:6, see Jude 7)
Balaam (2 Pet 2:15, see Jude 11)

Peter probably wrote both his letters with the help of a scribe – for 1 Peter it was apparently Sylvanus (1 Pet 5:12). With 2 Peter the scribe may have been Jude. This type of connection between Peter and Jude would explain the sharp similarities between the two books. It would also mean that 2 Peter and Jude should be dated to essentially the same time.

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James 44-49 AD

May 02 - Bible Study (Book of James) - Norwich Assembly of God — **James’ epistle to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. (Jews)**

James does not come out with a clear-cut traditional date, since the book does not mention any historical events or people other than the author in James 1:1. Although strong connections to some of the sayings of Jesus can be seen in verses like 5:12, “let your yea be yea” (compare Matthew 5:37), James was the 1^st epistle written, so has no literary dependence on Matthew or any other New Testament book. The epistle stands essentially independent from the rest of the New Testament.

The traditional understanding of authorship is that the book was penned by James, the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55) Older brother to Jude and head of the Jerusalem church. Since James was executed in 62 A.D., that would be the latest possible date for the book. Evidence for authorship by this James, as opposed to another Christian by that name or by someone writing in his name, is good. No one else but the head of the Jerusalem church could write a letter to a large audience (“the twelve tribes scattered abroad”) and call himself simply “James”, without further clarification. There are also verbal parallels between the book of James and the words of James recorded in Acts 15. Compare also Acts 15:13 with James 2:5, Acts 15:17 with James 2:7, Acts 15:29 with James 1:27.

Several things are clear from the internal evidence of the book. First, unlike many of the other books of the New Testament which seem to have been written in Rome or Asia Minor, James clearly has a setting in the land of Israel. The term “early and latter rain” (James 5:7) addresses a weather concern unique to Israel and regions closely adjacent. Verses like (James 3:11-12) fit with Israeli geography and farming culture.

The content of James is very strictly Jewish. Certainly there is no evidence of any break between Judaism and Jewish Christianity. Abraham is described as “our father” (James 2:21), with no effort made to differentiate between physical and spiritual lineage. The book has no mention of any gentiles. Likewise, there is no mention of any of the issues associated with gentile involvement in the church, such as idolatry, food offered to idols, fellowship between Jewish and gentile Christians, etc. This, as an argument from silence, would seem to date the book prior to the Jerusalem conference of 50 A.D (Acts 15). A date of around AD 48 would seem reasonable.

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Parables of Our Lord Part 4

P = Stated as a Parable in the text
M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable
E = Probably an actual Event

(E) The Two Debtors – Mark 7:41-43
Pharisees Self-righteous Reflections – Love to Christ Proportions to Grace Received
(E) The Unclean Spirit – Matthew 12:43-45 Luke 11:24-26
Scribes Demand a Miracle – Hardening power of unbelief
(E) The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30-37
The Lawyer’s Question – The Golden Rule for All
(E) The Three Loaves – Luke 11:5-8
Disciples ask lesson in prayer – Effect of importunity in prayer
(E) The True Shepherd – John 10:1-16
Pharisees reject Testimony of Miracle – Christ, the only way to God
(E) The Strait Gate – Matthew 7:13-14 Mark 13:24
Are there few that can be saved? – Difficulty of Repentance
(E) The Great Banquet – Luke 14:16-24
Pharisee’s Sabbath Dinner – Salvation Depends of Proper Response
(E) The Wedding Garment – Mark 22:10-14
Pharisees seeking to arrest Jesus – Necessity of Purity
(E) The King going to War – Luke 14:31-32
Multitudes surrounding Christ – Need of Deliberation
(E) The Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31
Derision of the Pharisees – Salvation not connected with wealth

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Parables of Our Lord Part 3

P = Stated as a Parable in the text
M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable
E = Probably an actual Event

(M) Children in the marketplace – Matthew: 11:16-17 Luke 7:32
Pharisees reject John’s baptism – Evil of a faultfinding disposition
(M) The Salt – Matthew 5:13
To the Disciples alone – Effect of Good Example
(M) The Wine Bottles – Matthew 9:17 Mark 2:22 Luke 5:37
To the Disciples of John the Baptist – The Newness of Christ’s Message
(M) The Harvest – Matthew 9:37-38 Mark 10:02
To the Disciples in Samaria – Need for true witness
(M) Two Insolvent Debtors –
Peter’s Question – Need to Forgive
(M) The Guests –
Pharisee’s Sabbath Dinner – Chief places not to be usurped
(M) The Tower – Luke 14:28-30
Multitudes surrounding Christ – Need of Deliberation
(M) The Servant’s Duty – Luke 17:7-10
Teaching the Disciples – Man’s Obedience
(M) The Man of a Journey – Mark 13:34
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(M) The Vine and Branches – John 15:1-11
The Last Supper – Disciples Bear Fruit

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Parables of Our Lord Part 2

P = Stated as a Parable in the text
M = Not stated in text but Maybe a parable
E = Probably an actual Event

(P) The Marriage – Matthew 9:15 Mark 2:19-20 Luke 5:34-35
To the Disciples of John the Baptist – Joyous response to Jesus
(P) The Patched Garment – Matthew 9:16 Mark 2:21 Luke 5:36
To the Disciples of John the Baptist – The Newness of Christ’s Message
(P) The Adversary – Matthew 5:25-26 Mark 12:58-59
Sermon on the Mount – Need of prompt repentance
(P) The Marriage Supper – Matthew 22:2-9
Pharisees seeking to arrest Jesus – Rejection of Unbelievers
(P) The Lost Sheep – Matthew 18:12-14 Luke 15:4-7
Pharisees objected to His receiving the Wicked – Christ’s joy over Sinner’s Salvation
(P) The Lost Coin – Luke 15:8-10
Pharisees objected to His receiving the Wicked – Christ’s joy over Sinner’s Salvation
(P) The Prodigal Son – Matthew 15:11-32
Pharisees objected to His receiving the Wicked – Christ’s joy over Sinner’s Salvation
(P) The Unjust Steward – Luke 16:1-9
Teaching the Disciples – Prudence in using Power and Possessions
(P) The Importunate Widow – Luke 18:1-8
Teaching the Disciples – Perseverance in Prayer
(P) The Pharisee and the Publican – Luke 18:10-14
Teaching the Self-righteous – Humility in Prayer
(P) Laborers in the Vineyard – Matthew 20:1-16
Teaching the Disciples – Attitude toward Rewards
(P) The Talents – Matthew 25:14-30 Mark 19:11-27
Teachings of End Times – Stewardship is rewarded
(P) The Wicked Husbandman – Matthew 21:33-44 Mark 12:1-12
Luke 20:9-18
Chief Priests demand His Authority – Rejection of the Jewish people
(P) The Fig Tree – Matthew 24:32-33 Mark 13:28-29 Luke 21:29-31
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) The Watching Servants – Luke 12:36-38
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) The Watching Householder – Matthew 24:43-44 Luke 12:39-40
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) Character of two Servants – Matthew 24:45-51 Luke 12:42-48
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return
(P) The Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-12
Teachings of End Times – Duty to Watch for Christ’s Return

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