Daily Bible Reading Plan for the Week of April 22, 2012
Day 94:
Mark 7: 24-37
1 Cor 12:14-31
Psalm 89: 1-18
Judges 16
Day 95:
Mark 8:1-13
1 Cor 13 (The LoveChapter)
Psalm 89:19-52
Judges 17, 18
Day 96:
Mark 8: 14-21
1 Cor 14:1-25
Psalm 90
Judges 19
Day 97:
Mark 8:22-30
1 Cor 14: 26-40
Psalm 91 ( My favorite psalm)
Judges 20,21
Day 98:
Mark 8:31-38
1 Cor 15:1-28
Psalm 92
Ruth 1
The Book of Acts
A history of the Early Church
The book of Acts also called The Acts of the Apostles was written by Luke, the same author of the gospel of Luke. Both documents were adressed to a “most excellent Theophilus” who may have been a high ranking Roman government official. The book of Acts was written sometime between 61 and 64 AD. The book ends with Paul’s house arrest in Rome in 61AD. The book makes no mention of Paul’s death or Nero’s persecution nor of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This places the date of this book at least before 70 AD. Luke was a very accurate and detail oriented historian and would have included these events if they had happened at the time of writing. The book of Acts is a condesned history of the early Apostolic church, it is an eyewitnmess account of the spread fof the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The recurring theme in the book is the empowerment of the early believers from the Holy Spirit and it is this same Holy Spirit that empowers believers yet today. While being a historical narrative it also is theologically profound. We as believers do not have “blind” faith, but a FAITH that rests on the facts of history. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus are historical facts recorded by Luke in the gospel that bears his name. The book of Acts gives believers the reassurance that our faith in Christ is based on and rests on historical facts.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 In my first book[a] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
New Living Translation (NLT)
36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.
44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[a] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.
49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.
Footnotes:
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes
It is in the first cahpter of this book that is recorded Jesus ascedning into Heaven, Jesus is the prominent figure of this book. The central theme of the all the sermons, defenses, and the life of the church throughout this book is that of the Resurrected Christ. It is in this book that we meet Saul of Tarsus, and learn of his dramatic conversion experince and how he becomes the Apostle Paul, and of his missionary ecxperinces and influenc over the early church.
Outline of the Book of Acts
The apostle’s witness in Jerusalem
The Early Church’s Witness to All of Judea and Samaria
The Witness to the End of the Earth
The Triumphal Entry
The account of the triumphal entry is also found in Matt 21:1-11, Luke 19:29-38 and John 12: 12-19) We are looking at the account given in Mark 11. This is on the Sunday before Jesus death, He had come as the Messiah. For three years He had proclimed this to the nation of Israel through never ending travel and many miracles and the miracles of the twelve as well as the miracles of the sevety two. Jesus enter the Holy City amid the shouts of the people of hallelujahs and hosannas. They thought the hour of deliverance was at hand. Even at this point the people misunderstood Jesus mission was that of a spirtual kingdom, not of a political one as they supposed. They were looking for Jesus and His band to overthrow the Roman government. We see how quickly the tide of popularity can be turned in Jesus last week. He entered popular with the people, just a few days later these same people are crying out.”crucify him!” This week we will look at the events of that last week.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”
4The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.
8Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
11So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.
In biblical times when a king entered a city, if he was coming in as a conquerer he woud ride into the city on a horse. If the king was coming in peace he would choose a donkey or a colt and enter the city riding on the donkey or colt. Horse means war, a donkey or a colt means peace. Jesus came to bring peace in a way that was foretold 500 years earlier by the prophet Zechariah.
Zechariah 9:9
9Rejoice, O people of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.
As the Isralite pilgrims were making their way to the Holy City they sang Psalms, specifically Psalms 120-134. The words the crowds shouted upon Jesus entrance come from Psalm 118 And ended with verse 19 which speak about entering the temple for worship. Psalm 118 is a Messianic Psalm and the people recited this in recognition of Jesus Lordship.
New Living Translation (NLT)
1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
5In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
6The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
7Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in people.
9It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10Though hostile nations surrounded me,
I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
11Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
12They swarmed around me like bees;
they blazed against me like a crackling fire.
But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
13My enemies did their best to kill me,
but the Lord rescued me.
14The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.
15Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
16The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
17I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the Lord has done.
18The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not let me die.
19Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the Lord.
20These gates lead to the presence of the Lord,
and the godly enter there.
21I thank you for answering my prayer
and giving me victory!
22The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
23This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
24This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25Please, Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
26Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27The Lord is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
28You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!
29Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Next time we will look at Jesus cursing the fig tree and clearing the temple.
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Now we come to number three- reduce or eliminate the use of credit. In many situations it may not be feasible for a family to totally eliminate the use of credit but in each situation it is possible to reduce the use of credit. The family that is in financial bondage HAS to STOP the use of credit if they are ever to find fianancial freedom. Lets look at Proverbs 27:12
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
We see from this verse that one who proceeds in the face of future trouble is described as simpleton.
Now we come to the fourth and that is to seek God’s plan for living within the budget. Many times people think that generating extra income will help, such as the wife working- this is usally NOT the case. Most of the time the problem is caused by overspending -not insuffient income. ( The federal government is a good example of this- they do not have a revenue problem but a spending problem on a much larger scale than a family, but the prinicple is the same) Many times more income will actually compound the problem and make it worse. With the increase in income may come an increase in spending and there will be an increase in the use of credit also. ( See how this track? This is the trap the federal government is caught in- and it has gone on from both parties for decades) We need to put God’s plan for our budget into action first! How do we do that?
a. Extra Income- consider this only after correcting buying habits. Working Moms sometimes contribute little income but sacrifice much in family guidance.
b. Before purchasing an item, give God a chance to provide it-
If the purchase is in line with God’s will He may manifest Himself in our finances by providing from a totally unexpected source.
New King James Version (NKJV)
9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”
God searches over the whole world to find those who are loyal to Him and He will show just what He can do for those who are.
Good News Translation (GNT)
7 Be patient and wait for the Lord to act;
don’t be worried about those who prosper
or those who succeed in their evil plans.
We see from Psalm 37 the practice of being patient and waiting on the Lord.
Now we come to the good part and fun part of person finances God‘s way! We need to remember that how we make,save,spend, and invest our income affects the family, the church, the community and even beyond. These prinicples will work no matter if your income is small or large or somewhere inbetwee, because they ar e God’s prinicples. These plans will not make you rich quick, they may not even make you rich, not monetarily anyway. They will in time (remember -have patience in all fianancial endeavors) put your finances on solid biblical ground. The bascis are (we will look at each one in more detail as we go along)
b. Before buying an item give God a chance to provide the item.
c. Pray about every purchase- to purchase is too big or too small to pray about!
1.Put your plan in writing ! Both short term and long term goals. Short term goal would be a vacation next year a long term goal would be for retirement or for a child’s college education.
3 Commit your actions to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed.
This verse tells us how to make our plans align with God’s plans.
9 We can make our plans,
but the LORD determines our steps.
Still in Proverbs 16, verse 9 tells how to do that!
Our role is to make those plans and to let the Lord guide us. That is why there must be flexibility in the budget. The Lord will determine our steps if we let Him and follow His leading.
2.Commit God’s portion first (more on this a little later)
This is an essential element of any Christian financial plan.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
When God is honored through our wealth and the best that we are able to offer God will honor our efforts and return the blessings back to us.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
Through our giving not only is God honored but those in need are helped and both the giver and the receiver are blessed and through that help others may be brought to Christ through our example of love.
Now we pick up at number 6 in our list, remember the list? Here it is:
1.Transfer ownership to God (Proverbs 3:19, Proverbs 8:18
2.Get out of debt
3.Accept God’s direction Matt 6:31
4.Refuse Quick Decisions Pro 21:5
5.Excel in your work 1 Peter 4:11
6.Confession/Restitution Luke 19:8
7.Contentment Eph 5:5
8.Provide for family needs
9.Balanced Commitment Pro 23:4-5 James 1:11
10. Sacrifice desires
These are the ten steps to finanacial freedom. We are now at number 6 which is confession and restitution. Lets take a look at Luke 19:8
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
WOW! Did Zacchaeus ever get it!! Zacchaeus was a tax collector and it was a common practice for them to take for themselves a high percentage of what they demanded. Zacchaeus was not only a tax collector but a “chief” tax collector. Zacchaeus here not only confessed his sin of stealing but was going to make a very generous restitution! Later on in Judaism it was considered generous to give away up to 20% of one’s belongings, giving away more than that was considered dangerous, this shows that they recognized the fine line between acting on faith and being reckless. The legal restitution for extortion was also 20%. Zacchaeus was going above and beyond at giving away 50% and repaying 4x the amount that he stole. I am sure Zacchaeus found the next thing we are going to discuss by his actions- and that is contentment! Greed and covetousness are a result of DIScontentment. Greed is actually a form of lust. To be victorious over these attitudes we must seek contentment in a moderate life stlye. Lets look at Ephesians 5:5
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
The greedy person here is likened to an idolater, and is in the same category as the immoral. The warning is that a greedy person will not inherit the Kingdom of Christ and God.
Now we come to number 8 on the list- we have touched on this before and will touch on it again later. Number says to provide for family needs. If the family is going without basic needs a Christian must provide them. This may require a drastic curltailment of life style or fulfillment of wants and desires. Basic needs must be met first! The basic needs are food, clothng , and shelter. I am gong to give some homework here, a few questions then I will not give the answers but I will give where the answers can be found in the Bible. Look up the scripture references at the end and fill in the blanks.
Do you feel a family in need should own things like color televisons, computers, or two or three cars?
_________Why?________________________________
Scripture Reference:_____________________________
Do you feel they should let their needs be made known?______
Why?____________________________________________
Scripture Reference_______________________________
Should a family in debt give a tithe? ___________ Why?____________________________________________________
Scripture Reference____________________________________
Scripture References:
James 4:3
Matt 5:42
Duet 14:23
We will discuss the last two steps next time!
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On Wednesday from 9-10 pm that is Dr. Davids Bible Bootcamp and it is preceded by My Prayer Closet with Bishop Andrew Manley hosting from 8-9 pm.
We have been discussing being shackled by financial difficulties and how that can effect the family and the marriage. Now we come to the good part- the release from financial servitude! God‘s financial plan brings freedom and peace- the release from tension and worry caused by overdue bills, a clear conscinece and the sureness that God is in control once again!
For every promise that God makes to us, He has a prerequiste,and that is, that some action must be taken on our part. This action might praying, fasting , or simply believing, one or more of these actions will bring His power into focus in our lives. This action must be an act of our own free will. We must be willing to submit to God’s will and direction, we must keep in mind that God’s will is not always compatible with our desires. What are some of the steps we must take to become financially free in God’s will? Lets look and see!
We will look at these one at a time in detail but for now I want to jump ahead a little or maye it is take a step back for a moment , and talk about finanacial planning. The cornerstone of any financial plan for the family is the budget. This is the key that unlocks the door and is the map that shows you where you are at and what you need to get there. God is an orderly provider and expects the same attitude from us. The first thing to understand when setting up a budget- it is a guide- not a law set in stone- allow some flexibility in the budget. God’s wisdom may be exercised by redirecting our path. We have to have patience and be cautious in any finanacial endeaver. Avoid get rich quick schemes-stick to your plans and make no provison for hasty specualtion. Plans – we should have short range plans and long range plans. We look a bit more into the steps listed in the opening and tackle making short range plans next time and the next time too! The first step to making these plans is to write them down!This is the budget I have been hammering on! Once it is wriiten down it is a visible objective standard the sets a goal to work toward.
Read Proverbs 16:3-9
3 Commit your actions to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD has made everything for his own purposes,
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 The LORD detests the proud;
they will surely be punished.
6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.
7 When people’s lives please the LORD,
even their enemies are at peace with them.
8 Better to have little, with godliness,
than to be rich and dishonest.
9 We can make our plans,
but the LORD determines our steps.
Lets look at the first step to take to finanacial freedom:
There is no substitute or short cut for this step! Lets look at Proverbs 3:19
New Living Translation (NLT)
19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens
King James Version (KJV)
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
First, we need to define debt as I understand it from the Scriptures. A biblical condition of debt exists when ANY of the following is true:
Money, goods, or services are owed to other people with PAYMENTS PAST DUE.
The total of unsecured liablilities exceeds total assets.
Finanacial responsibilties produce ANXIETY. God will give a sense of peace when finances are handled in accordance with His will.
Evaluate every purchase BEFORE buying (Proverbs 18:15)
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Ask these questions before making a purchase:
AsI have stated before, and will again, use a written budget! And that is biblical!
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
Buy on a cash basis only!
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
And practice saving money on a regular basis- pay yourself first!
New King James Version (NKJV)
20 There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
Tune on Wednesday’s from 8-10 p.m. For My Prayer Closet with Bishop Andrew Manley hosting and for Dr. David’s Bible Boot Camp with, your,s truly hosting ! You can these programs and more here:
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Bishop Andrew will be leading in prayer and covering specific prayer requests and giving very insightful lessons on the Rosary and how to say the Rosary and he makes the valid point that is not just a “Catholic” thing! I will be talking more about personal finances the biblical way and covering some news from our our persecuted brethern. Also call your local theaters and see if they will be playing Ocotber Baby that premiers on Mar 23. For more info on this go here:
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We will pick up on our study of angels at a later date. I think now is a prudent time to focus on finances and how to handle money in a God homoring manner. Every one is talking about the recent rise in Gas prices- there are many things responsible for this, unrest in the middle east is one factor but the oil prices are largely driven by supply and demand. I don’t know about you but last spring when the gas prices hit nearly five dollars a gallon- that pretty much wiped out any savings I had. I am just beginning to revover from that and they are up again in February this time, and there are rumors of five dollars a gallon by Memorial Day. If the economy continues on its present course it is only to get worse. Granted some optimistic numbers came out last week but I think they are skewed and give a false hope and we will see revised numbers that give a totally different picture. No matter what, remember our hope is in Truth, that is Jesus, and He gives true hope to those who accept His offer of salvation. I am going to cover two things here- one a continuation of our discussion on attitude and then a practical way to set up a budget that will work for you no matter what your income is and no matter what your situation is, a budget is like a map- it will show you where you are at and how to get where you want to go. God uses money to enhance and direct out lives but satan will try to use to entangle and shackle us. We need to recognize the danger of financial bondage. Financial difficulties is probably the number one reason why marriages fail due to the stress and worry that finacial difficulties brings. Why do we have financial difficulties? It is because we have violated one or more scriptural principles. It is not always a lack of money that causes stress, an overabundance can cause stress and worry too. If there is too little – the concern is getting more- if there is an abundance the worry is about losing it. Again we see that in God’s Word is attitude that is reflected. Lets take a look at Proverbs 30:7-9- which is one of my favorite verses!
New King James Version (NKJV)
7 Two things I request of You
(Deprive me not before I die):
8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
9 Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
We can see that the danger is riches is that we might forget where those riches came from and forget about God and become content without Him, and that the danger of poverty is that we might be tempted to steal and dishonor God.
Now we move on need to define what a debt is. A debt is something that is owed that one cannot pay. In other words, it is unmet obligations. Money borrowed and repaid according to terms is not a debt but is an obligation, it bcomes a debt when that obligation cannot be met.
Lets look at Proverbs 22:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
7The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender
We see that the borrower becomes a servant or slave to the lender. When one borrows beyond his abiltiy to pay it is because of a lack of self discipline to save for the object or the inability to deny oneself a maeterial desire.
Lets look at Luke 12:15 for a moment
New King James Version (NKJV)
15And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness,for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
The fact the someone cannot meet their obligations is the result of an earlier attitudes. Fill in the blank here:
Beware of___________________________
Lets take a look at Proverbs 21:17
New King James Version (NKJV)
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Does this mean that God disallows any kind of pleasure or enjoyment?
OK Now lets get to the practical of setting up a budget. I have used most of my adult life this budget that is divided up into categories. I call it the 70-20-10 plan. Sevety percenty of income goes to living expenses, no more than twenty percent of income in debt and ten percent into a liquid savings. These per centages are based on net income aka your take home pay. That is what you have to live on.
ILiving Expenses
a.Rent or mortgage
b.Utilities:
c.electric
d.Natural Gas bill
e.Water Bill
f.Telephone/internet.cell phone
g. Groceries
h. transpotation costs
also include here gifts for birthdays and Christmas and also in this category would be clothing and laundry expenses.
Lets open tonight with the parable of the talents in keeping with our study on what the Bible says about handling the resources that God has blessed us with. To understand what God’s will is for our finances we have to understand what stewardship means. Webster defines a steward as “one who manages another’s property” We gave to understand that all the we have belongs to God and He has entrusted those resources for us to manage. I have always said that there are actually three conversions that take place when one comes to Christ- the first is of the mind, then the heart, and the last conversion is that of the wallet. This is the most important thing to understand and yet is the hardest to do- admitting that we have nothing except what God blesses us with and when we leave this earth, we leave it behind. Lets look at the parable. Wait a minute- who knows what a parable is? Simply stated it is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Ok , here is the parable of the talents followed by a few question for thought and meditation:
New King James Version (NKJV)
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
To what did Jesus equate this parable? (hint – answer is in v 14)
Why was each given a different amount? (hint- answer is in v 15)
Did the owner ask all to earn the same?
How were the two faithful servants rewarded? (hint – answer is in vss 20-2
What happened to the last? (hint answer is in vs 26-27
Does verse 29 seem fair to you? why or why not?
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Every discussion of angels brings up the subject of theophonies. That is a theological term for physical appearances of Jesus Christ in other forms before the incarnation. Jesus Christ is called either “the Lord” or “the angel of the Lord” when He appears in a theophany. An example of a theophany is found in Genesis 18.
New King James Version (NKJV)
18 Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre,[a] as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.”
They said, “Do as you have said.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.
9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”
So he said, “Here, in the tent.”
10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.[b] 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
13 And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid.
And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”
16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way.17 And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, 18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” 20 And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”
22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?”
So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”
30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
