The document provides an overview of the biblical parable of the wedding garment from Matthew 22:1-14. It discusses how the parable reveals that not all who profess to follow Christ are truly faithful, and how God will separate the faithful from the unfaithful. It argues that salvation rests on Christ's righteousness, not human works, so there must be a divine investigation and judgment to determine who is truly clothed in Christ's righteousness.
This is a study of how Jesus taught almost entirely by means of stories. Her told parables to illustrate his message. He is considered the greatest story teller of all time.
This sermon explores some of the rational arguments for the deity of Jesus, especially the mathematical odds that anyone could fulfill the 60 or more highly specific prophesies surrounding the Messiah's birth, life and sacrificial death.
This is a study of how Jesus taught almost entirely by means of stories. Her told parables to illustrate his message. He is considered the greatest story teller of all time.
This sermon explores some of the rational arguments for the deity of Jesus, especially the mathematical odds that anyone could fulfill the 60 or more highly specific prophesies surrounding the Messiah's birth, life and sacrificial death.
ICS Staff Devotion - Christ's Compelling CallLeigh Wong
I shared this devotional with the teachers and staff of the International Community School of Singapore on 3 August 2021. Some slides have been omitted for privacy reasons.
A verse by verse commentary on Romans chapter three, as being presented to the adult education Sunday School class. Feel free to visit us at 2728 CR 220, Middleburg FL 32068. Class begins at 9:30 AM followed by morning worship beginning at 10:45.
Lesson 01 the purpose of the sanctuary palanji lungu
THE SANCTUARY HAS DEEP TRUTHS TO REVEAL,TO UNDERSTAND IT'S PURPOSE IS IMPORTANT.THIS PRESENTATION DEALS WITH A NUMBER OF THE PURPOSES WHY GOD GAVE US THE SANCTUARY TRUTH
ICS Staff Devotion - Christ's Compelling CallLeigh Wong
I shared this devotional with the teachers and staff of the International Community School of Singapore on 3 August 2021. Some slides have been omitted for privacy reasons.
A verse by verse commentary on Romans chapter three, as being presented to the adult education Sunday School class. Feel free to visit us at 2728 CR 220, Middleburg FL 32068. Class begins at 9:30 AM followed by morning worship beginning at 10:45.
Lesson 01 the purpose of the sanctuary palanji lungu
THE SANCTUARY HAS DEEP TRUTHS TO REVEAL,TO UNDERSTAND IT'S PURPOSE IS IMPORTANT.THIS PRESENTATION DEALS WITH A NUMBER OF THE PURPOSES WHY GOD GAVE US THE SANCTUARY TRUTH
This is a study of Jesus being the Lord of the Sabbath. He made it a day in which love rather than law was the key to keeping it. The legalism of the Pharisees mad it a burden, but Jesus made it a blessing by making it a day in which doing good was permitted and promoted.
This is a study of Jesus urging His disciples to buy a sword. It has a variety of interpretations dealt with in this study. It is a problem passage and many commentaries just ignore that it exists.
1 of 13 Carson, D. A. ―Must I Learn How to Interpret the B.docxhoney725342
1 of 13
Carson, D. A. ―Must I Learn How to Interpret the Bible?‖ Modern Reformation 5:3 (May/June
1996): 18–22. Updated 2003.
MUST I LEARN HOW TO INTERPRET THE BIBLE?
by D. A. Carson
Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpretation; biblical hermeneutics is the art and
science of interpreting the Bible. At the time of the Reformation, debates over interpretation
played an enormously important role. These were debates over ―interpretation,‖ not just over
―interpretations.‖ In other words, the Reformers disagreed with their opponents not only over
what this or that passage meant, but over the nature of interpretation, the locus of authority in
interpretation, the role of the church and of the Spirit in interpretation, and much more.
During the last half century, so many developments have taken place in the realm of
hermeneutics that it would take a very long article even to sketch them in lightly. Sad to say,
nowadays many scholars are more interested in the challenges of the discipline of hermeneutics
than in the interpretation of the Bible—the very Bible that hermeneutics should help us handle
more responsibly. On the other hand, rather ironically there are still some people who think that
there is something slightly sleazy about interpretation. Without being crass enough to say so,
they secretly harbor the opinion that what others offer are interpretations, but what they
themselves offer is just what the Bible says.
Carl F. H. Henry is fond of saying that there are two kinds of presuppositionalists: those
who admit it and those who don‘t. We might adapt his analysis to our topic: There are two kinds
of practitioners of hermeneutics: those who admit it and those who don‘t. For the fact of the
matter is that every time we find something in the Bible (whether it is there or not!), we have
interpreted the Bible. There are good interpretations and there are bad interpretations; there are
faithful interpretations and there are unfaithful interpretations. But there is no escape from
interpretation.
This is not the place to lay out foundational principles, or to wrestle with the ―new
hermeneutic‖ (now becoming long in the tooth) and with ―radical hermeneutics‖ and
―postmodern hermeneutics.‖ [For more information and bibliography on these topics, and
especially their relation to postmodernism and how to respond to it, see my book The Gagging of
God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism, esp. chaps. 2 and 3 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996).] I
shall focus instead on one ―simple‖ problem, one with which every serious Bible reader is
occasionally confronted. The issue is this: What parts of the Bible are binding mandates for us,
and what parts are not?
Consider some examples. ―Greet one another with a holy kiss‖: the French do it, Arab
believers do it, but by and large we do not. Are we therefore unbiblical? Jesus tells his disciples
that they should wash one another‘s feet (John 1 ...
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
2. Key Text: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Read for This Week’s Study: Matthew 21; 22:1–14; Rev. 21:2, 9; Eccles. 12:14; Dan. 7:10; Gen. 3:9–19.
3. THE KILLING OF THE HUGONOTES IN PARIS THE NIGHT OF SAINT BARTOLOMEW INTRODUCTION: Christian history is full of dark pages. Horrible things have been done by profe- ssed followers of Christ, and, according to our understanding of pro- phecy, more evil will be done in His name before Jesus returns. This week we’ll look at a fascinating parable, a parable that reveals the painful truth that not all who profess to be followers of Christ really are. Of course, who are we to make the judgment between the faithful and the unfaithful? Who are we to behold the “mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matt. 7:3). We don’t make that judgment. But God does.
4. THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGEMENT BEGAN IN THE HEAVENS IN 1844 “The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life. But not all who profess to be Christians are true disciples. Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous. This decision must be made prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes, His reward is with Him, ‘to give every man according as his work shall be.’ Rev. 22:12.”—EGW, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 310.
5. 1. Days of Fervor THE TRIUNPHAL ENTRY OF JESUS IN JERUSALEM Matthew 21, recounting some of the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, is filled with drama, tension, and excitement. It also reveals, as the Bible often does, the fearful ability of our hearts to deceive us and the power of the evil one to blind our minds to the most obvious truths. It’s easy for us, looking back, to think, How could those leaders have been so hard, so blind, so indignant in the face of all the evidence given them by Jesus?
6. Yet, we mustn’t fool ourselves. Is there any reason to think—even as Seventh-day Adventists, living with so much light—that we are much different? Do we not, at times, show a hard and callous indifference to truth, particularly when it interferes with our pet sins and desires and worldliness? Sure, God loves us, Christ died for us, and forgiveness is available to all. But those same words could be said about the people in this chapter, as well, the ones who not only turned their backs on Jesus but worked against Him. How careful we need to be, for we deceive ourselves if we think that we can’t be deceived as well. SOLDIERS, PRIESTS, PHARISEES,SADUSIES, SCRIBS AND THE PEOPLE
7. Read through Matthew 21, which forms the background for the parable in the next chapter. While so much is happening there, what is the basic theme of the chapter? That is, if you had to write a summary of it in a few lines, what would it be? More important, what spiritual lessons can we take from it for ourselves? THE PERMANENT INVITATION OF GOD TO ACCEPT THE SALVATION TROUGH HIS SON
8. Perhaps the most fas- cinating lines in the entire chapter are the last two. No matter how hard the people’s hearts were to Jesus, something of His mes- sage must have gotten through because they knew He had been tal- king about them. It would have been one thing if they had they completely missed His point, but they hadn’t. That was the problem; they seemed to have understood it, at least well enough to want to get Jesus out of the way. How fascinating, too, that it was the people themselves, the Jewish crowds drawn to Jesus, who restrained the leaders from arresting Him then. How sad—those who should have been teachers of others were the ones who had the most to learn and, in many cases, never learned it. When they finally do, it will be too late (Rom. 14:10).
9. 2. The King’s Invitation It’s one thing to have a wedding. It’s another thing for a king to have a wedding. And to be invited to a wedding put on by a king for his own son would have been a very high honor indeed. The wedding imagery there, particularly of the son, is, of course, an obvious reference to the relationship between Jesus and His church. (Rev. 21:2, 9; Eph. 5:21–23).
10. Read Matthew 22:1–8. How does this part of the parable fit in with what we saw in the preceding chapter? What same theme appears? Notice, too, how the king made all the preparations: he arranged for the marriage, he prepared the dinner, and he had the animals slain. Indeed, the message was “all things are ready: come unto the marriage.” In the end, all that the people had to do was accept what the king offered them.
11. Notice, too, the things that caused the people to scorn the invitation. Some made light of it; that is, they just didn’t take it seriously, didn’t think it mattered, didn’t think it important. That could symbolize those today who just don’t take the claims of God seriously, who, for various reasons, never open themselves up to truth. Others “went their ways.” Jesus said that the path to salvation is narrow (Matt. 7:14);people can find all sorts of excuses to avoid and reject the invitation. For others, it was simply the lure of material things.Andfinally, while some just ignored the invitation, others actually persecuted those who gave it.Whatever the reason, they all were left out.
12. Think, too, about the words of the king, saying that those who had rejected the invitation “were not worthy.” How do we understand this, in light of the universality of all human sin and sinfulness? Are any of us really worthy to be invited to the king’s feast? In the end, as we’ll see, “worthiness” in the biblical sense comes from what Christ does for us;our worthiness is not in ourselves but in what we allow God to do for us—and in us.
13. 3. Those Who Came to the Feast With the rejection of two calls, the king now sent out another one, this time to “as many as ye shall find” (Matt. 22:9), and ordered his servants to invite them to the wedding. This time, however, the reception was different. According to the text, they went out and “gathered together all as many as they found” (Matt. 22:10).
14. IN THE DAYS OF THE HOLLY INQUISITION, THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS BY OTHER CHRISTIANS Read the rest of the parable (Matt. 22:9–14). Who came to the wedding feast? What does it mean that some who came were “both bad and good”? Have you ever noticed that some of the meanest, nastiest, and most hateful people are professed Christians? Or that some of the most judgmental, condemnatory, hypocritical, and downright evil people are those who go to church, who claim the promises of salvation, and who profess assurance of salvation?
15. This is nothing new. How do we understand, for instance, the faith of the Crusaders, so dedicated to the Lord Jesus that they pillaged and plundered their way to the Holy Land? One eyewitness reported that “our troops boiled pagan adults in cooking pots. They impaled children on spits and devoured them grilled.” How could those horrors have been done in the name of Jesus?
16. It’s easy (you may say): these people weren’t real Christians. But how do you know? How can you judge their hearts, what they were taught, what opportunities they had to know better? Might not some have later repented, claiming the same promises of forgiveness and grace that we do? What about the horrendous acts of those who turned out to be, it seems, pretty pious souls? Who are we to judge hearts? We shouldn’t judge—but God does, should, and will (Rom. 14:10; Heb. 10:30; Eccles. 12:14; Dan. 7:9, 10).Seventh-day Adventists call it the “investigative judgment,” and it is revealed in this parable.
17. What does the garment represent in the parable? Why should rejection of it be literally a matter of eternal life or death? 4. WITHOUT THE WEDDING DRESS Unless one believes in once saved always saved, then what is the problem with the idea that God, at some point in history, ultimately and finally separates the wheat from the tares (Matt. 13:24–30), the wise from the foolish(Matt. 25:1–13), the faithful from the unfaithful (Matt. 25:14–30), and those who are truly covered in His righteousness and those who aren’t(Matt. 22:1–14) from among those who have professed to follow Him, especially when some of them have done, and might still do, horrible things, maybe even in His name too?
18. THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGEMENT IS TAKING ACTION NOW Will there not be some kind of final reckoning among the true and the false who claim the same promises of salvation that we always do, especially in a religion whose basis is that you are saved by what Someone else has done for you?
19. Think it through: if salvation were purely by our works, it would be easy; just tally up our works. Either they add up or they don’t. Period. But in a faith where salvation rests on the merits of what Someone else has done for us, a faith in which the righteousness needed for salvation exists in Someone other than ourselves, the issue gets more subtle, more nuanced. Hence, a judgment by One who never makes a mistake would seem more necessary here than in a religion where works are the standard, would it not? And that is what this parable is all about—God separating the true and false from among those who have professed to follow Him. And what is the deciding factor? Whether or not they have been clothed in the wonderful garment of righteousness that Christ has freely offered to all.
20. 5. The Investigation As expressed yesterday, unless you believe that once a person is “saved” that person can never fall away, it’s hard to imagine that God wouldn’t have a final separation between those clothed in His righteousness and those who just claim to be. That’s essentially what this parable is about. Again, for a religion based not on our own works but on Someone else’s works for us (which we claim by faith), how could there not be this final divine separation?
21. Read Ecclesiastes 12:14 and 1 Corinthians 4:5 in light of Matthew 22:11. What’s the one point that they have in common, and why is that important? As Seventh-day Adventists, with our understanding of the great controversy (Rev. 12:7–9, 1 Pet. 5:8, Job 1, 2) and the interest of the entire universe in this great controversy(Dan. 7:10, 1 Cor. 4:9, Eph. 3:10), we easily can reject the argument—taken from 2 Timothy 2:19, “the Lord knoweth them that are his”—used against the idea that an investigation of works is biblical. The Lord does know those who are His, but the rest of the universe, ourselves included, don’t.
22. It’s so important that we keep the big picture in mind: the interest of the whole universe in what is going on here with sin, rebellion, salvation, and God’s plan to deal with everything in an open, just, and fair way. The very idea of a judgment of any kind presupposes some kind of investigation, does it not? Look at Genesis 3:9–19; from the first moment after sin entered, God Himself got directly involved, asking questions to answers that He already knew. Just as this “investigation” wasn’t for Himself (it helped Adam and Eve understand the gravity of what they had done), the same can be said of the investigative judgment: it doesn’t reveal anything new to God; it’s for the benefit of others.
23. Just as in this Genesis judgment, where God’s grace overruled the death sentence (see Gen. 3:15), His grace does the same for all of God’s true followers, now and in the judgment—when they need it the most!
24. FINAL REFLECTION: “But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; but it was to vindicate the character of God before the universe.”— EGW, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 68.
25. “Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man, Satan’s existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve.”—EGW, The Desire of Ages, p. 761.
26. ADAPT it!Teaching Approach Effective for SMALL GROUPS ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life? We invite you to download and study each one of the 13 lessons about Garment of Grace Slideshare.net/chucho1943