Jesus and the New Covenant

1. Covenant- agreement, or a coming together.

2. Old Testament- old covenant

3. New testament- new covenant

4. The prophets predicted a change in covenants (by God’s inspired word)- Jeremiah 31:31

5. Jesus is and established a new covenant

   1. Luke 22:20

   2. Hebrews 9:15

   3. Hebrews 8:13- old law is not in effect

   4. Hebrews 8:6-8

6. When did this new covenant take place?

   1. At the cross

      1. Matthew 5:17- “fulfill”- complete or finish

      2. John 19:30- “it is finished”- make an end

         1. Jesus means that his work on earth is finished and the old covenant is completed

7. Matthew 5:17-18

   1. Abolish the Law- meaning that Jesus had not come to abolish, set aside, or destroy the old law

   2. To fulfill them- Jesus gave the old law it’s full meaning. He came to complete it once and for all.

8. If the old law is still in effect, then we have to go to a Levitical priest, make animal sacrifices, and observe the Sabbath and all feast days. However, we don’t have to do those things anymore. Why? Because Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 4:14) and he was the ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12).

9. Christ died to end the old law- Galatians 2:21

10. Romans 7:6- “But now we have been released from the Law”

11. Jesus forgives our sins, no need for animal sacrifices to cover them

    1. 1 John 1:9

    2. Acts 3:19

12. Ephesians 2:15- “He has abolished the law…”

13. Old covenant v.s. new covenant

    1. Clean/unclean food – Food does not defile man- Matthew 15:11

    2. Circumcision- Doesn’t matter- 1 Corinthians 7:17-20

    3. Feast days- Doesn’t matter- Romans 14:5

    4. Sabbath- Doesn’t matter- Jeremiah 31:31

    5. Animal sacrifices- Christ was our sacrifice- Hebrews 10:18

14. Hebrews 8:13 makes it clear that the old covenant is no longer in affect.

Jude

The Book of Jude

1:1-4 The author is Jude, a brother of James, The “men” mentioned here were probably false prophets.

1:5-7 The angels who fell away have been bound by chains.

1:8-10 These godless men slander, yet even Michael, as he was fighting the devil over the body of Moses, did not slander. Since these men do slander, they cannot be from God.

1:11- Three Old Testament examples of the kind of people Jude is warning against.

1:12-13 There are six graphic metaphors in these verses.

1:14 A prophecy from Enoch. “holy ones”- angels

1:15-16 “ungodly”- repeated 4 times for emphasis.

1:17-21 “last times”- The time we’re in now. We must hold firm to our faith.

1:22-25 A warning to save the lost. Conclusion

Jesus’ Birth

Jesus’ Birth

• • Luke 1:5- “of the course of Abijah”

• • Luke 1:23- “were accomplished”

• • Luke 1:24- “Elizabeth conceived”
    • These verses describe John’s conception

• • First month was Nisan (March-April), which would place Zacharias the priest in the 10th week of the year.
    • This means Zacharias served beginning on the second Sabbath of the third month, Sivan (May-June)

• According to Luke 1:23, Zacharias’ days of ministration were accomplished. Meaning that this would place John’s conception at the end of Sivan (June).

• • Luke 1:26- “sixth month” – sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

• • Luke 1:27- Jesus was conceived
    • This would place Jesus’ conception in the month of Kislev (Nov-Dec).

• • Elizabeth’s pregnancy lasted 9 months.
    • Luke 1:56- “3 months” – Elizabeth had already been with child 6 months.

• • Since John was conceived at the end of June, his birth probably occurred in the month of Nisan (April).

• • Since Mary was already 3 months into her pregnancy, travel 6 months down from Nisan and we land in the month of Tishri (Sept-Oct).

• Therefore, Jesus’ birth took place in either September or October

Conception of John: End of Sivan (June)

Birth of John: Nisan (April-May)

Conception of Jesus: Kislev (Nov-Dec)

Birth of Jesus: Tishri (Sept-Oct)

Loneliness

Sometimes we feel lonely. The feeling of loneliness can be overwhelming and can have detrimental impacts on our lives. When loved one’s pass on, or friends betray us, loneliness can take its course on us. There is a feeling of emptiness in our hearts when we feel lonely. As Christians, we should never feel alone. Why? Because God tells us that He is always with us. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” God is always with us. Even in life’s darkest times, God is still beside us. We know this because in Psalm 23:4 it says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” No matter what, God is with us. This is a very comforting feeling, knowing that we are never alone. So even if we feel lonely in this physical world, we know that we are never truly alone because God is with us always.

God’s Promises

When you:

Feel Guilty-Psalm 130:3-4/Romans 8:1-3

Feel Despair-Psalm 119:116/Hebrews 10:35

Are Disappointed-Psalm 22:4-5/Matthew 19:26

Are Persecuted-Matthew 5:10-12

Are Anxious-Mathew 6:25-27

Are Sick-Psalm 23:4/James 5:14-15

Are Impatient-Psalm 27:13-14

Are Confused-Psalm 32:8/James 1:2-4, 13-14

Are Weak-Psalm 72:13/Romans 8:26

Are Afraid-Psalm 4:8/Hebrews 13:6

Obey-Matthew 16:27:James 1:25

The Book of Philippians

1:1-2 Introduction to saints at Philippi. Paul and Timothy writers.

1:3-6 Paul is thankful not only for their receiving of the gospel, but their active work for and in the gospel.

1:7-11 Paul prays for their purity and fruit.

1:12-14 Paul’s imprisonment has further advanced the gospel, and inspiring others to speak about it.

1:15-18 No matter why it is preached, Paul rejoices because it is being preached.

1:19-20 Paul is confident that he will receive that reward in heaven.

1:21-26 What Paul is trying to say is that dying and living for Christ is a tossup. If he dies, he goes to Christ and the Father. If he lives, he preaches about Jesus.

1:27-30 Standing up for Jesus shows opposition their fate.

Chapter 2

2:1-4 urges them to be like Christ in the same love and humbleness.

2:5-11 Should follow his humbleness and obedience, then everyone will worship him.

2:12-13 When Paul is no longer on this earth, their work shall continue.

2:14-18 Paul is not boasting about himself, but about Christ and what he has done through him.

2:19-24 Paul plans to send Timothy to them to help him, and he hopes he can get out soon.

2:25-30 Epaphroditus was sick and almost died for the sake of Christ. Paul wants to send him as well, and they should honor and welcome him.

Chapter 3

3:1- “safeguard”- so they keep remembering who they are, what they’re supposed to do.

3:2-3 Warning to watch out for evil “dogs”.

3:4-6 Because of the things listed in vv. 5-6, Paul says he has more reasons to put confidence in the flesh.

3:7-11 But those things were loss for Christ, knowing that Christ is better than what he had.

3:12-13 He wants what Christ wants for him. Paul no longer focuses on the past but presses on toward the goal.

3:14-16 Press on toward the heavenly goal; everlasting life.. V.16- we can only live up to the truth we know.

3:17-21 He warns of those who are enemies of Christ. “stomach”- their “god” because they only want their own appetite or desires.

But Paul reminds them of their goal.

Chapter 4

4:1- Closing statements for Ch. 3.

4:2-3 Eudoia and Syntyche have a conflict and Paul hopes that the Philippians will help him.

4:4-9 Exhortation to remind them of things most important.

4:10-13 Paul wants them to be thankful for their gifts.

4:14-20 There were the only church who helped Paul when he needed it most. He thanks them for everything.

4:21-23 Conclusion of letter.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is something that almost everyone goes through at some point during their lifetime. Whether you’re a child, adolescent, or an adult, peer pressure can happen at any of these stages. It is no doubt a hard thing to deal with, when pressured by your peers. The threats, the “what if’s” of not doing what someone wants you to do. The mocking that follows if you don’t do what they are pressuring you with. But let’s set something straight. Not all peer pressure is bad. Sometimes peers can influence your decision on something good, that will better your life in some way. But today, we’re going to focus on the negative side of peer pressure, and how to deal with it. So let’s look at the bible and see what it has to say about dealing with peer pressure.

The negative peer pressure we deal with is considered a temptation. If we are being pressured into doing something that is not biblical, it is a temptation. Well, Paul has some things to say about temptations. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says this, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Whatever it is you are being tempted by, it is nothing man hasn’t been tempted by before. But Paul says, with the temptation, he will provide a way to escape. Whether it is by just saying “no”, or by other means, there is always a way out of the darkness. If we were to “give in” to the pressure, our desire to please men is stronger than our desire to please God. Galatians 1:10 says this, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” We cannot be a servant of Christ, if we are trying to please men. Now if we do “give in” then we should ask for God’s help in our life to make us stronger against the temptations that face us.

Proverbs 1:8-19, Solomon here is telling his son to stay away from the enticement of sinners. He tells him to not follow their ways. We should follow what Solomon says here temptation about how to avoid it.

We must also look at the one’s we hang around with. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Basically Solomon says we become who we spend time with. If we spend time with the wise, we will learn from them and become wise. If we spend time with fools, we will eventually become one. So we have to examine who we are hanging around with. Negative peer pressure can be avoided sometimes, if we don’t spend our time with those who might pressure us with negative things. We must be careful about these things.

So, just know that all peer pressure is not necessarily negative. It can be positive, but we must be aware of the pressure that is tempting us to do evil. It is easy to give in, but the path to evil is easy too.       

Cliques and Mocking

Let’s have a little bible discussion about some topics that teenagers deal with almost on a daily basis. The two topics we will talk about today are cliques, and making fun of people. These are two things that are very easy to do and to follow in other people’s footsteps when they do it. First let’s talk about cliques and friendships.

Cliques are everywhere. In the schools, in the workplaces, stores, they are everywhere. Sometimes we don’t even realize them. But are cliques good? Are they something we as Christians should be involved in? Well not necessarily, but it is good to have friends to count on. But we must be careful not to always follow everything the peers in our cliques do. Let’s look at a couple of verses. 1 Corinthians says this, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” Now specifically here, Paul is talking about church divisions. But we can just as easily apply this verse to cliques that we make. Cliques are usually thought of in a negative sense. They only include the people they want and shut out the one’s they don’t. But Paul says here that there must be no dividing among us. We should not “close the doors” if you will, on those who want to be apart of something. It is better if we are not involved in cliques, that way everyone is welcome into our life. Now a group of friends is fine, we should have friends, but we must be aware of those situation in which we shut out others.

Now making fun of people. It is something we all know is wrong and it hurts when someone does it to us. But sometimes we do it and we don’t even realize it. It takes a lot of time and self-examination to realize that you might be making fun of someone. Listen to the conversations you have with people. Afterwards think about, if at any time, did you make fun of someone? Did something you say might have hurt them in any way? We must be careful about the words we say. Ephesians 4:29 says this, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Paul says only encouraging things should come out of our mouth. The things we say should only encourage and build one another up. Not slander them, and make them feel they are worth nothing. James 3:9-12 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” We curse people with the same tongue that we praise God with. We cannot do this. If we praise God, only encouragement and blessing should come out of our mouths.

Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We must always be careful not to conform to what the world says or do. If someone is making fun of someone or not allowing them into a group, be the one to stand out. We were made to be different and if we don’t do the things the world does and do God’s will, we will be different and stand out.     

Acts

The Book of Acts

1:1-11 Luke introduces Jesus ascending into heaven, and tells Theophilus these things.

1:12-14 “They” is men of Galilee. (Sabbath day walk). “women”- apostles wives.

1:15-26 (Scripture- Luke 24:27,45-47). Prayed that God may help them pick an apostle for apostolic ministry. They casted lots and they picked Matthias instead of Barsabbas. Judas suicide in the field of Akeldoma.

2:1-13 They refers to as apostles being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.

2:14-47 Peter addresses the crowd telling them they need to be baptized in Christ’s name and be saved.

2:42-47 Tells what the people did after they were baptized.

3:1-10 The story of the crippled man.

3:11-26 Peter speaks to the witnesses and tells them they need to follow Christ.

4:1-7 Peter and John were put in jail, but many believed what they said about Christ.

4:8-22 Told the elders and teachers about Jesus. They eventually let them go because they did not know how to punish them.

4:23-31 When Peter and John got back to their people prayed to God thanking him for what he had done through them. (Ground shook) Their prayer was answered.

4:32-36 Believers sharing possessions.

5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira, Ananias kept part of the money but made it look like he gave it all away. He sinned and when Peter told Ananias this he fell and died. So did Sapphira.

5:12-16 The apostles performed many miracles in Solomon’s Colonnade- (porch) enclosing the outer court. Healed all who came.

5:17-42 The apostles were thrown into jail and an angel came and saved them, then they started to preach again and a Pharisee gave the people a speech and had the apostles flogged. Then they let them go and they still went and preached the good news.

6:1-7 The apostles took seven men to teach the ministry of Jesus- Stephen, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas.

6:8-15 Men began to argue with Stephen, they spread rumors of him.

7:1-53 Speech to the Sanhedrin, history of Moses, and how they are not obeying the Word of God.

7:54-60 Stephen was stoned.

8:1-3 The church at Jerusalem scattered except the apostles. Buried Stephen. Saul was killing Christians.

8:4-8 Philip went to Samaria and preached the Word of Christ.

8:9-25 Simon the Sorcerer thought he could get the Holy Spirit by paying the apostles money but he couldn’t.

8:26-40 Philip baptized an Ethiopian Eunuch.

9:1-3 Saul was making threats against the disciples, he asked for letters from the high priest so he could find anyone who belongs to the Way, and he would take them to prison.

9:4-9 Saul heard Jesus, and Jesus said “go into the city and you will be told what to do”. Saul was blind

9:10-19 Jesus told Ananias to go and place his hands on Saul and restore his sight. Saul was baptized.

9:19-22 Saul gave speeches with the disciples in Damascus and the people were astonished and confused because he had come to imprison everyone and now he’s teaching the Word of God.

9:23-31 Disciples kept watch over Saul but, meanwhile the people wanted to kill him.

9:32-43 Aeneas and Dorcas are healed.

10:1-8 An angel of the Lord came to Cornelius and told him to send men to Joppa and bring back a man called Peter. (Simon)

10:9-23 Peter has a vision from God then the men found him and told him why they were sent there.

10:24-48 Peter’s speech to Cornelius.

11:1-18 Peter recalled the things that happened before with Cornelius and all leading up to his baptism.

11:19-30 Spirit falls on the Gentiles.

12:1-5 King Herod had James (brother of John) put to death because he belonged to the church, he also wanted Peter seized, so he put him in prison. He was guarded by four squads of four soldiers each.

12:6-10 The night before Peter’s trial an angel appeared and brought him out of prison and when they came to the iron gate that leads to the city it opened for them by itself. They passed one street and the angel left them.

12:11-19 When Peter had realized what had happened, he went to the house of Mary (mother of John) and he told everyone how the angel came and saved him. Then he left for another place.

12:20-25 When Herod was giving his speech the people shouted “this is a voice of a God not a man.” Then an angel struck him down and the worms ate him and he died.

13:1-3 First Missionary Journey- The prophets were worshiping, then the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart from me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them.” then they set off.

13:4-12 They went to Seleucia, to Cyprus, Salamis, Paphos. At Paphos they met Elymas the sorcerer and Paul told him that he was a child of the devil and immediately mist and darkness came over him and he became blind. Then he believed.

13:13-14 They went to Perga in Pamphylia, John left and went to Jerusalem. Then they went to Pisidian in Antioch.

13:15-41 Paul and Barnabas speak to the people in Antioch about the Sabbath and God and the Good News about Jesus.

13:42-45 More people invited Paul and Barnabas to speak more. Next Sabbath day the whole city gathered. The Jews were jealous and talked abusively against Paul.

13:46-48 Paul spoke to them again.

13:49-52 The word spread and they went to Iconium.

14:1-7 Paul and Barnabas go to Iconium, many believed but the Jews who didn’t stirred up the Gentiles, and the city was divided. So they left.

14:8-18 In Lystra Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man. Then the people worshiped them. Paul they called Hermes, and Barnabas they called Zeus. Paul told them that they are only men but it didn’t work. Then some Jews came in and stoned Paul but he lived.

14:21 Then they went and preached at Derbe, then returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.

14:22-25 They appointed elders at the churches. Then they went to Pamphylia, then Perga, then Attalia.

14:26-28 Then they went to Antioch and stayed there, and told them all God had done through them.

-End of First Missionary Journey.

15:1-21 Apostles met with council at Jerusalem and disputed about a certain question. The question was could the circumcision of Moses’ law still save you?

15:22-35 Some men went with Paul and Barnabas from the churches in Antioch.

15:36-41 Paul and Barnabas split up and Barnabas took John(Mark) and went to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and went to Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches there.

16:1-5 They came to Derbe then to Lystra where they met Timothy. And Paul took him along with them.

16:6-10 They went to Phrygia and Galatia then to Troas. Paul had a vision of a man begging him to come to Macedonia so they left.

16:11-15 They sailed to Samothrace , then Neapolis then Philippi. Then on the Sabbath, Lydia and her family got baptized.

16:16-40 They met a girl who could tell the future and Paul drove the evil Spirit out of her. When the owners realized what had happened they took him to the magistrates and was flogged, then thrown into prison. That night there was a violent earthquake and the prison doors flew open and the guard couldn’t believe what happened then he was baptized with his family. Then the magistrates escorted them out of the prison. Then Paul and Silas went to Lydia’s house and encouraged the brothers there.

17:1-9 They passed through Amphipolis, Apollonia, and then came to Thessalonica. Paul spoke to the people there, but the Jews were jealous and started a riot against Paul and Silas and the city was thrown into turmoil.

17:10-15 They went to Berea, but the Jews went there too, stirring up the crowd. The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Paul went into Athens and waited for Silas and Timothy to meet him there.

17:16-34 Paul goes to Athens and as he is looking at their religious objects, he finds an alter that says “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD”. So he preaches to them about this “UNKNOWN GOD” which is the true and living God. Some sneered but others believed and followed Paul. Among the followers were Dionysius and a women named Damaris.

18:1-4 Paul went to Corinth and met a Jew named Aquila with his wife Priscilla. Since he was a tent maker just as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

18:5-8 Silas and Timothy come back from Macedonia. Then Paul devotes himself to preaching. But when the Jews opposed Paul he shook out his clothes in protest and said he will now go to the Gentiles. Then he left the synagogue and went to Titius Justus’ house and many Corinthians were baptized.

18:9-17 Jesus spoke to Paul in a vision and told him he would not be harmed. Then the Jews made a united attack on Paul and took him to court. But the proconsul did not make a case for them. Paul got away safely just as Jesus had said.

18:18-23 Paul had his hair cut off at Cenchrea and then left for Ephesus. There he left Priscilla and Aquila and went to Caesarea and went to Jerusalem, then to Antioch. Then he went to the regions of Galatia and Phrygia.

– End of Second Missionary Journey

18:24-28 A Jew named Apollos came and he was a learned man and knew a lot about the Scriptures, but he only knew about the baptism of John. So, Priscilla and Aquila explained to him the Way of God more adequately. When he went to Achaia he was a big help and he spoke to the Jews proving from Scripture that Jesus was the Christ.

19:1-7 Paul baptized 12 disciples at Ephesus into the baptism of the Lord Jesus. Because before they were baptized into John’s baptism. And they received the Holy Spirit.

19:8-12 Paul preached in the synagogue but they rejected The Way so he left and took the disciples with him. God did many miracles through Paul. The Jews and Greeks throughout Asia heard the Gospel.

19:13-20 Some Jews were invoking the name of the Lord and they were trying to drive out demons like Jesus and Paul but they could not, and the evil spirit overpowered them. When this became known to the people in Ephesus, they saw the power of the Lord and they held Jesus in high honor.

19:21-22 Paul went to Jerusalem. He sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia.

19:23-41 There was a riot in Ephesus about the way. Demetrius was causing a riot about their goddess Artemis and how Paul was convincing them to obey his God. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd but the disciples did not let him. Then the city clerk quieted crowd and spoke to them. Then he dismissed the assembly.

20:1-6 After that Paul went to Macedonia and Greece. Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus went and waited for Luke and the others at Troas. Then they sailed to Philippi.

20:7-12 They went to Troas and Paul raised Eutychus from the dead. Then he spoke to the people, broke bread and ate it, and left.

20:14-17 He went to Assos the Mitylene. Then they went to Chios, then to Samos, then Trogyllium. Then to Miletus. From Miletus he sent to Ephesus.

20:18-38 Paul talked to the elders in Ephesus about their jobs as elders, and after he was finished speaking they wept and accompanied him to this ship.

21:1-6 They sailed to Cos. Next to Rhodes and then to Patara. Then they found a ship and sailed to Syria. They landed at Tyre, they stayed there seven days. The disciples urged them not to go on to Jerusalem. But they continued on.

21:7-16 They landed at Ptolemais, then to Caesarea where they stayed with Philip. Then a prophet named Agabus took Paul’s belt and told him he would die by his belt. Luke and the others urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but he made up his mind that he was going. Then some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied Paul and the others.

– End of Third Missionary Journey

21:17-26 Paul arrives at Jerusalem and tells James and all the elders what God has done among them. And Paul also purified two men with himself so that everyone would know that there is no truth in the reports about Paul.

21:27-36 The Jews saw Paul at the temple and stirred up the crowd and seized him. Then the commander of the Roman troops took Paul from them and arrested him.

21:37-22:21 Paul speaks to the crowd in Aramaic telling telling them how he became a christian and everything after.

22:22-30 As he was about to be flogged they realized that he was a Roman citizen and they released him calling in the chief priests and the Sanhedrin.

23:1-11 Paul was having conversations with the Sadducees and Pharisees and they found nothing wrong with him. The following night, the Lord spoke to Paul.

23:12-22 The Jews form a plot to kill Paul. When Paul hears of it he tells a centurion to take his sister’s son before the commander and report these things to him.

23:23-35 The commander writes a letter to Governor Felix, and the soldiers took Paul to Caesarea and delivered him to Felix.

24:1-21 Tertullus make his case to Felix as well as Paul.

24:22-27 Paul spoke with Felix and his wife about Jesus privately. Since he had not made a decision about Paul, he left him in prison, only to be succeeded by Porcius Festus.

25:1-12 Festus went down to Caesarea to have Paul brought before him, after they both said their cases. Paul ordered that he be tried by Caesar. So Festus declared that he will be tried before Caesar.

25:13-22 Festus tells King Agrippa all about Paul, and Agrippa is eager to hear Paul in court.

25:23-27 Festus tells the audience and Agrippa that he hopes that Agrippa can find charges against Paul. (Because you can not send a prisoner to Caesar without having an explicit report and charges already made on the prisoner.) And Festus had no charges.

26:1-32 Paul displays his case to Agrippa telling him everything about the riots, how he became a christian, everything. Festus interrupts during his speech but afterwards, Agrippa tells Festus that there is nothing Paul deserves death for. And tells him that if he had not appealed to Caesar, he would have been set free.

27:1-12 They sailed to Italy, Paul was handed over to Julius of the Imperial Regiment and they set sail bringing along with them Aristarchus. The next day they landed at Sidon then went to Myra in Lycia. There they got on a ship heading for Italy. They finally arrived at Cnidus, then sailed to the lee of Crete. Then to Fair Havens, they decided then to sail on to a harbor in Crete called Phoenix and winter in there.

27:13-26 A big storm came upon them while sailing to Crete called the “northeaster” and it nearly destroyed the boat and the storm raged for many days, they unloaded much of their cargo to keep the ship a float. Paul encouraged them and told them that they will be saved.

27:27-44 On the Adriatic Sea they sensed they were near land and measured the depth of the water. Just before dawn Paul encouraged them to eat. Then they got ready to go ashore but the ship struck a sandbar and it split into pieces. The centurion spared Paul’s life.

28:1-10 They landed on the island of Malta. Paul was bit by a viper but it did not harm him. He also healed Publius’ father of Dysentery. (Dysentery – inflammation of the intestines.)

28:11-16 Three months later they went to Syracuse, the to Rhegium, then to Puteoli. Paul was encouraged by the men there and came to Rome.

28:17-31 Paul called together the crowd and preached to them. They wanted to hear him more then he spoke to them again; some believed others did not. Paul stayed there 2 years boldly preaching of the kingdom of God and of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians

The Book of Ephesians

Written by Paul to the saints in Ephesus.

1:4 “Chose us”- before creation, to be holy and blameless.

1:7-8 The Crucifixion

1:9 “Mystery of his will”- God knew we weren’t supposed to know everything about the bible.

1:10 “Put under one head”- One day everyone will worship God.

1:12-14 “We”- The Ephesians were also included in Christ. 

1:16 Paul thanks the Ephesians for their love and faith.

1:17-18 Asks Lord to give them wisdom and revelation

1:19 He wants them to know of his great power.

1:20-21 He compares that power to when he exerted that power to raise Christ.

1:22 Paul is trying to point out that God is the ruler over everything.

1:23 The church is his fullness.

2:1 They “were” dead in their sins.

2:2 Don’t follow the world- the spirit is the devil.

2:3 Recalling when they used to follow the devil. “it’s”- is the devil because he is a created thing, not a human being.

2:4-10 Jesus saved us by his mercy and grace. God planned everything before the creation.

2:11-13 Uncircumcised- Jew/ Circumcised- Gentiles.

2:14-18 Talking about Jesus

2:19-22 The building being constructed is an example of the growth of the church and of our spirits. “Joined together”- is like a church congregation.

3:1 Paul was a prisoner of Christ, because he was physically in jail for obeying Christ. 

3:2-4 The “mystery” of revelation is God’s secret plan for Christ.

3:5 Paul is saying no one has heard of the “mystery” of Christ before his generation.

3:6 Jews and non-Jews will come together in one body.

3:7-9 With God’s grace Paul became a servant and spread the Good News.

3:10-11 Through the church the rulers of the heavenly realm will know God’s wisdom, which has so many forms.

3:12-13 Our faith in Christ will allow us to come before him and come without fear.

3:14-21 Paul says a prayer for the Ephesians.

4:1-3 He is telling them some things to live by. “Unity”- between each other and Christ.

4:4-8 Giving reasons to “one”, and grace has been given to us.

4:9-13 He made us to be somebody, until we unite we will not fulfill God’s law.

4:14-17 If we unite we will be strong and great things will happen to them.

4:18-24 Paul says to get away from the culture of the Gentiles for their way is evil.

4:25-32 A list of things they should not do.

5:1-7 Paul is telling them to live like God.

5:8-14 Paul is telling them to live as children of light and not of darkness or in darkness.

5:15-21 Be wise on how you should live.

5:22-33 Wives submit to your husbands, husbands love your wives.

6:1-4 Children obey your parents, and fathers bring your children up in the instruction of the Lord.

6:5-9 Slaves obey your masters. Masters treat your slaves in the same way. (Fair)

6:10-18 Paul is telling them to stand firm and to put on the full armor of God.

6:19-24 Pray for Paul. Tychicus will tell them everything.

Galatians 

The Book of Galatians

Chapter 1

1:1-5 Introduction, Paul is the author of this letter. Written to the churches in Galatia.

1:6-10 Paul is stunned that the Galatian churches have already fallen away, and turned to a different gospel.

1:11-24 He tells them the Gospel he preached to them is not man-made. He then reviews his life, (conversion, and missionary journeys.)

Chapter 2

2:1-2 Fourteen years after his conversion Paul took Barnabas and Titus to Jerusalem. He received a message from God to  go there and preach the Gospel.

2:3 Titus was not going against old practices, even though he was a Greek.

2:4-5 “false brothers”- Judaizers who followed old law (Acts 15:5). The “freedom” is the freedom of sins we have in Christ.

2:6-10 God judges the heart. he made his point known to those Gentile leaders. Paul compares himself to Peter and his ministry.

2:11-14 Peter was in the wrong because he went against what was right, when the Jews entered.

2:15-21 This is a speech given by Paul to Peter about his actions.

Chapter 3

3:1-9 Paul is giving the Galatians a self-examination lecture. He asks them questions to remind them of Christ and the Spirit. Abraham example of faith.

3:10-14 Compares the Law to the new faith. The Law is no more, faith is what we are justified by.

3:15-18 The promises of God were for Abraham and his seed.

3:19-25 The Law was added for our transgressions until Jesus came.

3:26-4:7 We are all one in the body of Christ.

Chapter 4

4:8-20 Paul sheds some concern and some encouragement for the Galatians, to not fall away and be like him.

4:21-31 Paul uses Hagar and Sarah to demonstrate the two covenants, old and new. Hagar is old. Sarah is the new and free.

Chapter 5

5:1-12 Under the old Law there was no freedom. Under Christ we are now free from sin.

5:13-15 Paul tells the Galatians that they were called to be free.

5:16-21 If we live by the Spirit, we will not desire the sinful nature Satan puts around us.

5:22-26 Living by the Spirit crushes desires that are sinful.

Chapter 6

6:1-10 We should restore those that are lost. But be careful not to be deceived, and do good to all.

6:11-18 It doesn’t matter what you are; circumcised or uncircumcised. What matters is that we are a new creation in Christ by baptism.