Monday, August 22, 2016

Starting with Matthew in the New Testament

Summary of the Gospel of Matthew
This summary of the Gospel of Matthew provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.
Author
Although the first Gospel is anonymous, the early church fathers were unanimous in holding that Matthew, one of the 12 apostles, was its author. However, the results of modern critical studies -- in particular those that stress Matthew's alleged dependence on Mark for a substantial part of his Gospel -- have caused some Biblical scholars to abandon Matthean authorship. Why, they ask, would Matthew, an eyewitness to the events of our Lord's life, depend so heavily on Mark's account? The best answer seems to be that he agreed with it and wanted to show that the apostolic testimony to Christ was not divided.
Matthew, whose name means "gift of the Lord," was a tax collector who left his work to follow Jesus (9:9-13). In Mark and Luke he is called by his other name, Levi.
Date and Place of Writing
Some have argued on the basis of its Jewish characteristics that Matthew's Gospel was written in the early church period, possibly the early part of a.d. 50, when the church was largely Jewish and the gospel was preached to Jews only (Ac 11:19). However, those who have concluded that both Matthew and Luke drew extensively from Mark's Gospel date it later -- after the Gospel of Mark had been in circulation for a period of time. See essay and chart, p. 1943. Accordingly, some feel that Matthew would have been written in the late 50s or in the 60s. Others, who assume that Mark was written between 65 and 70, place Matthew in the 70s or even later. However, there is insufficient evidence to be dogmatic about either view.
The Jewish nature of Matthew's Gospel may suggest that it was written in the Holy Land, though many think it may have originated in Syrian Antioch.
Recipients
Since his Gospel was written in Greek, Matthew's readers were obviously Greek-speaking. They also seem to have been Jews. Many elements point to Jewish readership: Matthew's concern with fulfillment of the OT (he has more quotations from and allusions to the OT than any other NT author); his tracing of Jesus' descent from Abraham (1:1-17); his lack of explanation of Jewish customs (especially in contrast to Mark); his use of Jewish terminology (e.g., "kingdom of heaven," where "heaven" reveals the Jewish reverential reluctance to use the name of God; see note on 3:2); his emphasis on Jesus' role as "Son of David" (1:1; 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:30-31; 21:9,15; 22:41-45). This does not mean, however, that Matthew restricts his Gospel to Jews. He records the coming of the Magi (non-Jews) to worship the infant Jesus (2:1-12), as well as Jesus' statement that the "field is the world" (13:38). He also gives a full statement of the Great Commission (28:18-20). These passages show that, although Matthew's Gospel is Jewish, it has a universal outlook.
Purpose
Matthew's main purpose is to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah. He does this primarily by showing how Jesus in his life and ministry fulfilled the OT Scriptures. Although all the Gospel writers quote the OT, Matthew includes nine proof texts unique to his Gospel (1:22-23; 2:15; 2:17-18; 2:23;4:14-16; 8:17; 12:17-21; 13:35; 27:9-10) to drive home his basic theme: Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT predictions of the Messiah. Matthew even finds the history of God's people in the OT recapitulated in some aspects of Jesus' life (see, e.g., his quotation of Hos 11:1 in 2:15). To accomplish his purpose Matthew also emphasizes Jesus' Davidic lineage (see Recipients, p. 1945).
Structure
The way the material is arranged reveals an artistic touch. The whole Gospel is woven around five great discourses: (1) chs. 5-7; (2) ch. 10; (3) ch. 13; (4) ch. 18; (5) chs.24-25. That this is deliberate is clear from the refrain that concludes each discourse: "When Jesus had finished saying these things," or similar words (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). The narrative sections, in each case, appropriately lead up to the discourses. The Gospel has a fitting prologue (chs. 1-2) and a challenging epilogue (28:16-20).
The fivefold division may suggest that Matthew has modeled his book on the structure of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the OT). He may also be presenting the gospel as a new Torah and Jesus as a new and greater Moses.
Outline
I.                  The Birth and Early Years of Jesus (chs. 1-2)
A.    His Genealogy (1:1-17)
                       II.         The Beginnings of Jesus' Ministry (3:1 -- 4:11)
                     III.         Jesus' Ministry in Galilee (4:12 -- 14:12)
                     IV.         Jesus' Withdrawals from Galilee (14:13 -- 17:20)
                      V.         Jesus' Last Ministry in Galilee (17:22 -- 18:35)
VI.         Jesus' Ministry in Judea and Perea (chs. 19-20)
VII.         Passion Week (chs. 21-27)
VIII.         The Resurrection (ch. 28)

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Aug 22: Malaysia, Sarawak | Operation World

Aug 22: Malaysia, Sarawak | Operation World
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Sunday, August 21, 2016

36 Kenneth Hagin - How to be led by the Spirit 2

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35 Kenneth Hagin - How to be led by the Spirit 1

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Aug 21: Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah | Operation World

Aug 21: Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah | Operation World
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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Revelation 21 and 22 NLT

XV  New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem (21:1;22:5)
XVI Conclusion and Benediction (22:6-21)

Revelation 21 NLT
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 
2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 
6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 
7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. 
8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” 
9Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 
10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 
11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 
12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 
13There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 
14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 
15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 
16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 
17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). 
18The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 
19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 
20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 
21The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 
22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 
23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 
24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 
25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 
26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 
27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 22 NLT
1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 
3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 
4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 
5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 
6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon. ” 
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book. ” 
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 
9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” 
10 Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. 
11Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” 
12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 
15Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. 
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” 
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 
18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 
19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. 
20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 
21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.

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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Revelation 20 NLT


Revelation 20 NLT
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 
2He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 
3The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while. 
4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 
5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) 
6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years. 
7When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 
8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 
9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. 
10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 
12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 
13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 
14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
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Monday, August 15, 2016

Aug 15: Libya | Operation World

Aug 15: Libya | Operation World
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Revelation 19 NLT

  • Praise for the Wedding of the Lamb (19:6-10)
  • The Return of Christ (19:11-21)

Revelation 19 NLT

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. 
8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” 
10Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus. ” 
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 
12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 
13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 
14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 
15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 
16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. 
18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.” 
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. 
20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies
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Sunday, August 14, 2016

Aug 14: Liberia | Operation World

Aug 14: Liberia | Operation World
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Saturday, August 13, 2016

Aug 13: Liberia | Operation World

Aug 13: Liberia | Operation World
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Aug 13: Liberia | Operation World

Aug 13: Liberia | Operation World
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Revelation 17 thru 19:5

Babylon: The Great Prostitute (17:1;19:5)
  • Babylon Described (ch. 17)
  • The Fall of Babylon (ch. 18)
  • Praise for Babylon's Fall (19:1-5)

Revelation 17 NLT
1 One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. “Come with me,” he said, “and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters. 
2 The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.” 
3 So the angel took me in the Spirit into the wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it. 
4 The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality. 
5 A mysterious name was written on her forehead: “Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.” 
6 I could see that she was drunk—drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement.
7 “Why are you so amazed?” the angel asked. “I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns on which she sits. 
8 The beast you saw was once alive but isn’t now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction. And the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died. 
9“This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills where the woman rules. They also represent seven kings. 
10 Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief. 
11 “The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king. He is like the other seven, and he, too, is headed for destruction. 
12 The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast. 
13 They will all agree to give him their power and authority. 
14 Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” 
15Then the angel said to me, “The waters where the prostitute is ruling represent masses of people of every nation and language. 
16 The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire. 
17 For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled. 
18 And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world.”

Revelation 18 NLT
1 After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. 
2 He gave a mighty shout: “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen! She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal. 
3 For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of her passionate immorality. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her. Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich.” 
4 Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her. 
5 For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God remembers her evil deeds. 
6 Do to her as she has done to others. Double her penalty for all her evil deeds. She brewed a cup of terror for others, so brew twice as much for her. 
7 She glorified herself and lived in luxury, so match it now with torment and sorrow. She boasted in her heart, ‘I am queen on my throne. I am no helpless widow, and I have no reason to mourn.’ 
8 Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day— death and mourning and famine. She will be completely consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.” 
9 And the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains. 
10 They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for you, O Babylon, you great city! In a single moment God’s judgment came on you.” 
11 The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods. 
12 She bought great quantities of gold, silver, jewels, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; things made of fragrant thyine wood, ivory goods, and objects made of expensive wood; and bronze, iron, and marble. 
13 She also bought cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, wagons, and bodies—that is, human slaves. 
14 “The fancy things you loved so much are gone,” they cry. “All your luxuries and splendor are gone forever, never to be yours again.” 
15 The merchants who became wealthy by selling her these things will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will weep and cry out, 
16 “How terrible, how terrible for that great city! She was clothed in finest purple and scarlet linens, decked out with gold and precious stones and pearls! 
17 In a single moment all the wealth of the city is gone!” And all the captains of the merchant ships and their passengers and sailors and crews will stand at a distance.
18 They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, “Where is there another city as great as this?”
19 And they will weep and throw dust on their heads to show their grief. And they will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for that great city! The shipowners became wealthy by transporting her great wealth on the seas. In a single moment it is all gone.” 
20 Rejoice over her fate, O heaven and people of God and apostles and prophets! For at last God has judged her for your sakes. 
21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone. He threw it into the ocean and shouted, “Just like this, the great city Babylon will be thrown down with violence and will never be found again. 
22 The sound of harps, singers, flutes, and trumpets will never be heard in you again. No craftsmen and no trades will ever be found in you again. The sound of the mill will never be heard in you again. 
23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The happy voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the greatest in the world, and you deceived the nations with your sorceries. 
24 In your streets flowed the blood of the prophets and of God’s holy people and the blood of people slaughtered all over the world.”

Revelation 19 NLT
1 After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, “Praise the LORD ! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. 
2 His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants.” 
3 And again their voices rang out: “Praise the LORD ! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”
4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the LORD !” 
5 And from the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.” 
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Friday, August 12, 2016

Aug 12: Lesotho | Operation World

Aug 12: Lesotho | Operation World
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