The Living Word

Bible study on the set readings widely used by various churches and chapels and a weekly storytelling video. Also at www.medium.com/the-living-word and https://thelivingword.substack.com

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Archives for November 2020

Dec 6: It’s Good News!

November 25, 2020 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Image credit: Habib Ayaode on Unsplash.com

Theme: Announcing the Good News that is ours in Jesus

The Living Word is a non-denominational Bible study based on the Revised Common Lectionary readings for Sunday, December 6 (Advent 2) common to many denominations. It gives no regard to the liturgical preferences of different traditions, but follows the Bible’s progressive revelation from OT through to NT pre-resurrection, and NT post-resurrection, from which a theme emerges. It’s best to read each passage as a whole first, and let the Holy Spirit begin to speak to you, before reflecting further with the help of the commentary and application notes. Published a week ahead so you can get familiar with the word before hearing it read and preached in a church setting. New International Version (NIV). There’s a PDF print edition on a link at the end which you can print for your own use or for a church bulletin.

OT: Isaiah 40:1-11 — The word comes to announce the good news that the glory of the Lord will be revealed

OT: Isaiah 40:1-11 verse by verse

NT gospel: Mark 1:1-8 — John calls people to repent and prepare for the One to follow who will baptise with the Holy Spirit

NT gospel: Mark 1:1-8 verse by verse

NT letter: 2 Peter 3:8-15 — God stays His judgment with great patience, not wanting any to perish but come to repentance and new life

NT letter: 2 Peter 3:8-15 verse by verse

And also read: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

See also this week’s linked article exploring the theme that emerges from these readings: Explaining… Why the Good News is good


Isaiah 40:1-11 — Good news of just rule for God’s people

A prophecy speaking through the exile to resettlement and the coming of the Messiah

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

“Comfort, comfort” — double imperative for emphasis: this is good news.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem” — like many prophecies, extending beyond one time and event. “Jerusalem” looks a century ahead to the exile made inevitable by the unrepentant sin of the people and their “hard service” in Babylon. But God’s ultimate purpose is the good news of a route of grace back to Him.

3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

“A voice” — the first of three voices of hope explaining the “comfort” of v.1 and identified with John the Baptist in all four of the gospels

• For further study read Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:1-13; Luke 3:4; John 1:23

4 “Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

“Rough ground… level” — goes with “prepare the way… a highway for our God”, v.3.

5 “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

“The glory of the Lord will be revealed” — Yahweh, the LORD, could not be seen but His presence could, like the luminous cloud in the tabernacle that Moses was unable to enter, and at the transfiguration of Jesus, Exodus 40:35, Matt. 17:1-3.

6-8 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures for ever.”

“All people are like grass” — the second voice of hope is that all human powers and institutions apart from God are unsustainable. The power of Assyria and Babylon will only ‘flower’ for a time before withering. Quoted in part in 1 Peter 1:24-25.

“Breath of the Lord” — equally, Spirit of the Lord, KJV.

“The word of our God endures” — the divine plan is not seasonal, Isaiah 55:11. Jesus the Son of God fulfils the word, Matt. 5:17, 18, is the Word, John 1:1-18, and lives forever.

• For further study, see Isaiah 8:10; Psalm 119:89.

9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

“Lift up your voice” — this reliable, enduring good news calls for the most public announcement. The exiles are to return to their towns in Judah, where the Messiah will appear.

10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and He rules with a mighty arm. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.

“His reward…and… recompense” — His delivered people, His flock (v.11) are His reward, Isaiah 62:11-12.

11 He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.

“He tends His flock” — qualifies “rules with a mighty arm”, v.10. This is a just, caring kind of rule, see Ezekiel 34: 11, 15-16 (OT, Nov. 22).

Reflection

SUMMARY  Isaiah prophesies a new era for Israel under a powerful but caring Messiah. God’s compassion and purpose will be seen in the exiles returning to Judah where they will encounter “the Lord [who] comes with power, and… tends His flock like a shepherd.” This announces both the one who will “in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord” — John the Baptist — and also the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Son of God.

APPLICATION  This is a message of hope and encouragement for God’s people, as much now as the first hearers centuries before Christ. God is speaking words of grace: the “hard service” (v.2) has been done and His love and mercy will override the judgment. Unlike the nation of Israel, we have a ‘fast track’ to be made right with God through Jesus. This passage sets out very important principle. With God, there is always a way back, through a repentant turning to meet Him in a new attitude. The Good News is that Jesus has made an uncomplicated way for us to do that.

QUESTION  What obstacles on our road need to be cleared, for God to come and show His glory?


Mark 1:1-8 — John calls people to repent and have a new start

His message was about the One to follow him who would baptise with the Holy Spirit

1-3 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send My messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way — a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ “

“The good news about Jesus the Messiah” — headline for Mark’s story of the good news about Jesus, or gospel.

“The Messiah” — Messiah, or Greek christos, means anointed and is often translated Christ.

“Written in Isaiah the prophet” — gives the main and earliest source, but this is a combined quotation, Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1.

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

“John… appeared in the wilderness” — John means “the Lord is gracious” and the wilderness was the infertile region west of the Dead Sea. In Scripture, wilderness symbolises spiritual retreat and testing.

“Repentance” — turning, meaning an intentional shift from sin to righteousness. It was shocking to Jews to be called to repent and once again become the true people of God, as in Exodus 19. But John was in tune with historic prophets e.g. Hosea 3:4-5.

5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan.

“They were baptised by him” — John was so identified with the message of repentance baptism that he was called John the Baptist, v.4.

6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

“Camel’s hair… leather belt” — it was a widespread Jewish tradition that Elijah would return and prepare God’s people for the Lord’s return, from Malachi 3:1, 4:5, and John dressed like him. He was not pretending to be Elijah but showing that he stood in Elijah’s ministry tradition.

7-8 And this was his message: “After me comes the One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptise you with water, but He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.”

“Baptise you with the Holy Spirit” — “with” can also be “in”. This promise, foretold by several of the OT prophets, is recorded in each of the gospels and repeated at the beginning of Acts. The NT letters present the different perspective of the post-resurrection life of the Spirit in the Early Church following Pentecost.

• For further study, read Isaiah 32:15, 44:3; Ezek 11:18-19, 37:14, 39:29; Joel 2:28,29; Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5.

Reflection

SUMMARY  John was the last of the line of OT prophets and Jesus said that there was no one greater of his time. He was unique in a couple of ways: he was himself foretold by Isaiah and Malachi; and he was chosen to be the prepare the way of the Lord and point people to Him. He adopted the style and dress of a ‘wilderness prophet’ like Elijah. He also had a distinctive style of ministry, exhorting hearers to repent and be baptised. They were to turn from their sin and independence and to show their new commitment to God by entering the water in baptism.

APPLICATION  Before the gospel writer John tells us about the Good News, he tells us how it works. It is all about Jesus, the ‘Anointed One’ or Messiah, who will baptise [drench us] not just with water but with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God and He is holy; He empowers us to live differently, showing others the character of God. We are to hold the values of heaven, while engaging with a world which is selfish and independent. And this is how we do it – by turning to Jesus and asking to be empowered by the Spirit of Jesus.

QUESTION  As a regular church/chapel attender for much of my life, is this call to repent and re-commit to God for me?


2 Peter 3:8-15 — God rows back on judgment till we turn to Him

He is patient, not wanting any to perish, but come to repentance

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

“A day is like a thousand years” — God stands apart from the human concept of chronological time.

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

“The Lord is not slow” — what seems to us like delay is evidence of God’s exceptional kindness and patience. Some may be waiting for God, while God is delaying judgment and waiting for them.

“Not wanting anyone to perish” — this does not teach that all will be saved (universalism). It does teach God’s desire for all to repent, turn to Him in faith and be saved. We are partners with Him, helping people to do this.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

“Everything… will be laid bare” — apocalyptic language attempts to describe something beyond words. Christ’s resurrection body is part of the evidence that God desires to renew, v.13, not destroy, what is marred by sin. There will be total exposure, with nowhere to hide.

11-12 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

“Everything will be destroyed” — Peter’s attempted description is not for our information, but to give urgency to our holding the priorities and values of “holy and godly lives” when Jesus returns.

13 But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

“A new heaven and a new earth” — Christians hold the hope that God is going to vindicate Himself and re-create an eternal dwelling place for His people. This hope does not depend on our works but His promise.

• For further study, read Isaiah 65:17, 66:22; Revelation 21:1–22:5.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.

“Spotless, blameless and at peace with Him” — we cannot earn salvation by our works but living in assurance of salvation through faith, Romans 5:1, will result in spotless character and blameless reputation, like Christ, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 Peter 2:10b-22.

15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him.

“Just as our dear brother Paul wrote” — a picture of the unity of purpose and teaching that defined their relationship, also seen in Paul’s letters and in Acts.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Our worldview is about today, tomorrow, next week — and God’s is eternal. A time is coming when everything of man will receive a fiery purification. The language used is ‘destruction’. God, in His love, desires our salvation so much He waits and waits. But he cannot countenance rebellious or independent attitudes. When Jesus comes again, He wants to find us “spotless, blameless and at peace with Him”.

APPLICATION  So, how do we keep right with God? Just over 500 years ago, Martin Luther, a Saxon monk and university teacher who knew all about being correctly religious, was studying the book of Romans and found there, that he had been heading down the wrong road. Righteousness with God did not come by our effort but by faith in Jesus. “It is a righteousness that is by faith, from first to last”, Romans 1:16-17 . So to be found right with God, when the Day of the Lord comes, is by having close faith relationship with Him, and the Holy Spirit helps us to live like this.

QUESTION  Can it be that simple? Why is it that we feel more comfortable engaged in practices and actions that amount to earning favour with God?

PRAYER  Thank You, Father, for giving us this insight and reminder of the Good News that is for us.
Thank You for giving us Jesus, for salvation through faith in Him and new life that comes from that salvation.
Help me to live empowered for holiness by Your Holy Spirit, ready for Your return, and playing my part in Your mission of reaching others, that they might turn and come to You in repentance. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.


Download a PDF of the print edition which copies on A4 paper to form a 4pp A5 Bible-size folder. Permission to copy for personal use or for including with church bulletins.

TLW48B-Dec-6-final-BookletDownload

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Filed Under: Advent to Christmas, Year B

Nov. 29 (Advent): Raising our expectation

November 18, 2020 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Image credit: Karsten Wurth on Unsplash

The Living Word Bible Study for Advent Sunday, November 29 (TLW47B) taken from the Revised Common Lectionary and using the New International Version (NIV) with occasional references to others.. It’s a Bible study — so presented in the Bible order to draw out the progressive revelation between OT, NT gospel (pre-resurrection) and NT letter (post-resurrection), and the theme that emerges. Published a week early to allow study of the passages during the week before hearing them read and preached in a Sunday service. We recommend you read the whole passage as it stands, allowing it. to speak to you, before digging deeper with the verse by verse commentary.

Theme: Raising our expectation of the Lord’s presence as we wait

OT: Isaiah 64:1-9 — An appeal to God by those willing to be moulded by Him like potter’s clay

Isaiah reading verse by verse

NT gospel: Mark 13:24-37 — Keep watch for Christ’s return, paying attention to the signs of the spiritual season

Mark reading verse by verse

NT letter: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 — We all need to be using our spiritual gifts to further the Lord’s mission as we wait for Him

1 Corinthians reading verse by verse

And also read: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

See also article linked to this post ‘Understanding… How we raise our expectation’


Isaiah 64:1-9 — An appeal by those who gladly do right

Followers of God’s ways are compliant, like clay shaped by the potter

1 Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before You!

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down” — Isaiah sees the heavens like a curtain to be torn apart and appeals to Yahweh to reveal Himself in dramatic action to challenge the attitudes of His people.

• For further study see Exodus 19:16-18; Isaiah 51:6; Psalm 18:9, Psalm 144:5.

2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make Your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before You!

“Make Your name known” — God’s name stands for His nature in Hebrew thought.

3 For when You did awesome things that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled before You.

4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

“No eye has seen” — a version of this verse is quoted by Paul in 1 Cor. 2:9.

“Those who wait for Him” — this waiting for God is active, attentive and expectant, not passive. Compare Isaiah 30:18.

5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, You were angry. How then can we be saved?

“Come to the help” — when Israel and Judah continued to forget God’s ways and abandon the framework of the covenant, first the northern kingdom of Israel would fall to Assyria, followed by the fall of Judah and Jerusalem and further exile and dispersion.

6 All of us have become like one who is unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

“Righteous acts like filthy rags” — sin and guilt have left Israel carrying out a parody of their rituals in their soiled and disgusting state.

“Like a leaf … [in] the wind” — a picture of how sin leaves us as easily blown away as chaff, Isaiah 17:13, 40:24, Psalm 1:4

 7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of You for You have hidden Your face from us and have given us over to our sins.

“No one calls on your name” — Calling on His name is calling on His compassionate and gracious character, Exodus 34:5-7. The response to difficulty the Lord looks for is fervent repentant prayer, 2 Chronicles 7:14. 

8 Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.

“We are the clay” — recalls Isaiah 29:16. The clay is not to attempt to define the pot that is made by the potter, Isaiah 29:16, Isaiah 45:9; Jeremiah 18:6.

9 Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all Your people.

“Look on us, we pray” — recalling the promise that the Lord will turn from His anger, Isaiah 54:7-8. The appeal to the Lord to “act on behalf of those who wait for Him” and “come to the help of those who…do right, who remember your ways” is the theme of hope, the confident expectation based on the Lord’s covenant mercy.

Reflection

SUMMARY Isaiah appeals to Yahweh to become a dramatic and visible presence as He did before calling Moses up the mountain at Sinai, Exodus 19. He pleads with God to come to the help of those who keep His ways and do what is right, while recognising the way the nation has lapsed into sin. It is faithlessness and lack of prayer which has invoked the Lord’s anger. The appeal is based on a pledge of submission, like clay in the potter’s hand.

• They have failed to keep alive the memories of what the Lord has done among them;

• They have continued to sin against His ways, even while seeing the Lord come to the help of righteous people;

• Their prayer life, and their whole relationship with the Lord, has collapsed

APPLICATION In our secular and largely unbelieving culture, appealing to “make Your name known” is a good basis for a biblical prayer for God to make known again His love, His justice – and His holiness. These are common failings, for us now as well as then. They are all causes of faith malaise – and without faith we cannot please the Lord, Hebrews 11:6.

QUESTION From this passage, what is Advent about? See verses 2 and 4 and 7.


Mark 13:24-37 — Keep watch for Christ’s return at any time

Faith is needed, not speculation, and attention to the signs of the spiritual season

24-25 “But in those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

“In those days” — an OT expression of the Messianic age.

“The sun will be darkened” —  the prophecy Jesus quotes was initially against Babylon but clearly looks ahead more generally, “I will punish the world for its evil”, Isaiah 13:10-11. The “day of the Lord” was God’s day of reckoning which often combined short-term consequences with the prospect of the end-time judgment to come.

26-27 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.

“The Son of Man coming in clouds” — fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy in a way visible to all, Daniel 7:13-14.

“Lesson from the fig tree” —which reveals the different seasons; the changing spiritual ‘seasons’ also show signs.

29-30 “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

“This generation… until all these things have happened” — the siege and destruction of Jerusalem occurred less than 40 years later – within a generation. The Early Church saw this as more far-reaching, and exhorted members to live with an expectation of the imminent return of the Lord. Elsewhere, “this evil generation” is all those remaining until Christ returns to establish his kingdom, Matt. 12:45; Luke 11:29.

31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

“Never pass away” — the word endures – 1 Peter 1:23-25

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

“Only the Father” – on earth Jesus lived by faith, and warns us to do likewise and not speculate.

33 “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

• For further study see 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:18; James 5:8-9 (also Rom. 13:12; 1 Cor. 7:29; Phil. 4:5; Heb. 10:25; Rev. 22:20).

34-35 “It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back — whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

“Like a man going away” — a parable unique to Mark

“The one at the door” — the doorkeeper was to remain alert at all times for any sign of the master returning. Living in the expectation that the return of Jesus (parousia) is at hand is difficult in a science-aware age which values what is evidence-based. But this was not a mistake on the part of Jesus, or a misunderstanding by the Early Church. Ever since Jesus was born in Bethlehem, we have been living in the Last Days. 

36-37 “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”

Reflection

SUMMARY  Jesus reminds us that His words will always endure, but everything else is to be regarded as temporary. He will return and it will be a shaking encounter as never before. We are to live in daily expectation of it, even nearly 2,000 years later. Here is clear teaching to remember Jesus as if He has only just gone, and to live in the urgency of His coming again at any time despite history demanding a more reasoned explanation.

APPLICATION  There have been frequent encounters and renewals by the Lord through history. There’s the Reformation of the 1500s that brought biblical literacy. Then, the First Great Awakening of the 1700s that brought to prominence Whitefield and Wesley and Charles Simeon. A century later ushered in the Second Great Awakening. This was a time of pastors and revivalists gathering (and converting) thousands. Church attendance grew sharply and many churches were built in both affluent areas and slums. The Welsh Revival of 1904-5 was closely followed by the wor ldwide Pentecostal Revival that followed in 1907. Pentecostal churches are growing the fastest and are now the most numerous worldwide. We might mention the transformation of mainstream churches in charismatic renewal that started in the 1960s. There have also been significant local revivals in the UK, like the Hebrides Revival of the early 1950s. Recently Cwm Bran, Wales, saw a local outpouring. These are examples of where God has come in response to the prayer and praise of His faithful people. These are the lessons of the fig tree and the preparation of all who will hear His call.

QUESTION What does keeping watch involve, for us personally? What does it mean for us as a group or congregation?


1 Corinthians 1:3-9 — Equipped by the Lord to wait expectantly

We need to be using all our spiritual enabling to pursue the Lord’s mission

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Grace and peace” — not just a traditional greeting but a calling-down of God’s goodness: the undeserved blessing from the kindness of God that is His grace; and the well-being and contentedness that the Holy Spirit gives on our response to the Good News.

4 I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus.

“Thank my God for you — Paul honours the church fellowship and its gifts, not as his but as the Lord’s. Compare Romans 1:8

5 For in him you have been enriched in every way — with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge —

“All kinds of speech” — Corinth prized oratorical skill and Corinthians exalted spiritual gifts of speech and revelation. 

6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.

“Confirming” — used in legal documents in the sense of guaranteeing. Paul and companions had preached the gospel to Corinth, they had accepted it and their changed lives and growing in spiritual gifts (v.5, v.7) confirmed it. 

7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

“As you eagerly wait…” — active, expectant waiting. “To be revealed” – similar language is used in 1 Thess. 1:7

8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Keep you firm” is the same word as “confirm” in v.6. “The day” is the Day of the Lord, “the end” is the soon-anticipated end of the age.

9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

“God is faithful” — and can be trusted to do what He has said He will do, including “keep you firm to the end”, v.8 above. Waiting with anticipation is an exercise is developing faith.

• For further study on God’s faithfulness, 1 Cor.10:13; Deut. 7:9; 1 Thess. 5:24.

Reflection

SUMMARY The church in Corinth is keenly waiting for the Lord Jesus to be revealed, in His visible return. Meanwhile they were celebrating their changed lives with a growing experience of the gifts of the Spirit. Together this was creating an experience of the Lord’s presence and a sense of anticipation which was attracting others.

APPLICATION Corinth had a high level of expectation, both of the Lord’s presence among them and His return. That is a challenge to many of our present-day church congregations with their desire that this week’s service will be the same as the last. Spiritual gifts and participation were part of ‘Corinth’s expectation culture’ — and should be part of ours, so that the Lord will find us ‘growing and going’ — not managing a decline.

QUESTION To what extent is today’s church ‘enriched’ and ‘not lacking in any spiritual gift’? How can we encourage the discovery and use of speaking and revelatory gifts mentioned here?

PRAYER Lord Jesus, You have told us to watch for signs of Your return and to be spiritually active and engaged in our waiting. We recognise our poverty of spiritual riches. We are sorry for our low expectation of seeing You at work among us in each others’ spiritual gifts. Stir us up to a higher expectation of encountering You, and to humble ourselves and pray for a new turning to You before You come. Amen.


PRINT EDITION  Download a PDF that prints on A4 paper to make a 4pp A4 Bible-sized folder. Permission granted to copy for personal use or church bulletins.

TLW47B final Nov 29 – BookletDownload

Filed Under: Advent to Christmas, Year B

Nov. 22: Experiencing God

November 11, 2020 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Knowing about God must grow into a personal experience of Him

Dawn sky. Image credit: Ian Greig

The Living Word for Sunday, November 22, 2020 (TLW46A)

‘Knowing about God must grow into experiencing God’

Linked article: Explaining… How we experience God

A Bible study based on the set readings used by many churches of various denominations (Revised Common Lectionary) following the progressive revelation from OT to NT gospel account and then NT letter.
We recommend you read the Bible passage as it stands first and allow the Holy Spirit to begin speaking to you, before digging deeper with the verse to verse commentary and reflection notes. Published a good week in advance to allow reflection during the week before hearing the word read and preached on Sunday. You’ll find a couple of links where you can download a PDF of the print edition with permission to copy for your own use or a church bulletin.


READINGS for November 22 (Year A)

OT: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 — The scattered exiles will find their land again with a divine leader whose rule brings justic
OT verse by verse

NT gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 — At the end time Jesus teaches there will be a separation and a judgment
NT gospel verse by verse

NT letter: Ephesians 1:15-23 — How coming to faith in Jesus begins a process of growing confidence and empowerment
NT letter verse by verse

And also: Psalm 95:1-7a, Psalm 10



Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 — The Good Shepherd will lead with justice

The scattered exiles will return to their land and receive a divine leader

11-12 For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “I myself will search for My sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after My sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

 “Scattered on a day of clouds” — the dark day of judgment, Ezekiel 30:1–5; Zeph. 1:15, when they were taken away in exile.

13 “I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.

“Bring them out… from the countries” — gather those dispersed to Assyria and Babylon.

14 “I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.

“Lie down in good grazing land” — restored to the mountains of Israel, the centre of the land promised to the patriarchs. See Psalm 23.

15 “I myself will tend My sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD.

“I Myself will tend My sheep” — by contrast with the abusive leaders whose attitudes had resulted in the exile, Ezekiel 34:1-4. But compare vv.23-24.

16 “I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.”

“Shepherd with justice” — including justice against those who gained from oppressing others.

20 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: “See, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

21-22 “Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save My flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another.

23 “I will place over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.

“One shepherd, My servant David” — or like David, and of his line (also v.24). Clearly fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

• For further study see Psalm 89:3-4, 20, 29; Jeremiah 23:5-6. 

24 “I the LORD will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken.”

“I… will be their God… My servant David will be prince among them” — seems to contradict v.15, “I… will tend My sheep”. This foretells the divine/human nature of the Messiah; in John 10:11-18 Jesus the “good shepherd” reveals Himself both as the Davidic Messiah, here, and the incarnate God of Israel, v.15.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Ezekiel was a prophet of the exile times. His words brought a perspective on that failure and God’s purpose for Israel after it. The earlier part of the prophecy highlighted the cause: “Should not shepherds take care of the flock…you have ruled them harshly… so they were scattered because there was no shepherd”, Ezek. 34:2-5. But God’s rescue plan would resettle them to multiply again on “the mountain heights of Israel… their grazing land”. New leadership would come through an anointed descendant of King David, a messianic leader, who would fulfil both divine and human shepherding roles.

APPLICATION  We know the “one shepherd” v.23, the Good Shepherd Jesus, and His church is where He calls His sheep to Him and tends them. Church leaders have a variety of denominational titles, but their call is to be pastors — His assistant shepherds — and all spiritual gifts and leadership skills should bring His pastoral encouragement and care.

QUESTION  What or who does God want to bring back to Himself, in our time?


Matthew 25:31-46 — The glory and judgment of Jesus’ second coming


At the end time Jesus teaches there will be a separation and a judgment

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.

“When the Son of Man comes” — a Messianic title alluding to Daniel 7:13-14 where the Son of Man is a heavenly figure given authority, glory and sovereign power by God in the end times.

32 “All the nations will be gathered before Him, andeparate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats

“All the nations” — Gentiles as well as Jews.

“Shepherd separates the sheep” — Palestinian sheep and goats often grazed together, but the less obedient goats were of a different nature and needed to be separated at times.

33 “He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
“The sheep on His right” — the place of honour for believers, the obedient sheep.

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35-36 ” ‘For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.’

“Take your inheritance… for I was hungry…” — not salvation by works, but salvation that produces works revealing a person’s right relationship with God through Christ.

37-39 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’

41-43 “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not he45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’

“You did not do for Me” — the focus here is within the fellowship of believers (v.40) but elsewhere the Bible teaches helping people of all persuasions.

• For further study, read Proverbs 19:17, Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 6:10.

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

“Eternal punishment… eternal life” — either this judgment happens before the millennial kingdom of Christ starts on earth, or it closes the earthly age, Rev. 20:11-13. Christians agree on the most important point: judgment will come.

Reflection

SUMMARY  The clear teaching of Jesus is that there will be an end time and a judgment, when He will return in glory, to include His own “sheep” who follow Him. He will exclude “the goats”, the independent-minded people who know about Jesus, but have resisted His claim on their lives as Saviour and as Lord. We can have a mental assent to who Jesus is, yet not belong to Him or have a life changed by Him. Those by repentance and faith have become His disciples, will have lives marked by His compassion for others.

APPLICATION  A casual reading might give the impression that good works lead to salvation, but the Bible is clear this is not God’s way. In James 2:14-26 there’s a teaching about the necessity of good works, but the passage as a whole makes clear that what James is saying, is what Jesus is saying: the proof of faith is a changed life that becomes fruitful. The good works, which are commendable, do not *lead* to faith or salvation, but *result* from faith and salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. The Bible is crystal clear that salvation cannot be earned, because that would deny God’s grace in making it an unmerited free gift.

QUESTION Social action in the world, and pastoral care within the fellowship are both important. What is the emphasis of this teaching?


Ephesians 1:15-23 — How the Holy Spirit opens our spiritual eyes

Coming to faith In Jesus begins a process of growing confidence and empowerment

15-16 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 

“Ever since I heard” — Paul had lived in Ephesus, but wrote with the multiplying churches of the region in mind.

“Your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love” — genuine personal faith always results in a changed life, evidenced by a new love for others.

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.

“Spirit of wisdom and revelation” — the focus of the prayer is a request for a deeper experience of God and insight into His working and purposes. Wisdom is knowing how to apply divine truth to everyday life.

“Know Him better” — not know about Him, but know and experience Him personally.

18-19 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.

“Eyes of your heart” — inner awareness.

“Know the hope to which He has called you” — spiritual confidence. The Holy Spirit grows in believers an inner witness of who Jesus is, His supreme Lordship — and His return.

19-21 That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

“That power is the same” — Paul ramps up reinforcing terms to demonstrate that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and set Him in supreme authority, is the power available to the believer who is joined spiritually to the resurrected Christ.

“Far above all all rule and authority… and every name… invoked” — many in Ephesus called on the name of Artemis as the Queen of Heaven, among other demonic names and powers. Christ’s power transcends all rivals.

• For further study, read Acts 19:23-41; Eph. 4:8; Col. 2:15; 1 Peter 3:19-22.

22 And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

“Placed all things under His feet” — from Psalm 8:5-6. Hebrews 2:6-9 also applies this to Christ.

“The church… the fullness of Him” — should show the world a picture of of life under God’s kingdom authority and justice.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Paul is writing to believers in an expanding group of churches around Ephesus, people who have intentionally chosen Jesus as their Lord and had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. The apostle is praying for their experience of Him to continue to deepen. They need the growing revelation of how the power and authority of the Lord totally eclipses the demonic strongholds over their region — and their lives. Jesus is their Lord, they are His body and through prayer and praise, they have His power because they know Him.

APPLICATION  A church congregation is declining if it is not growing, and the powers of darkness are either able to stifle growth and life — or we are active in Christ’s authority to assert His kingdom rule. The early church was more aware than us of the unseen spiritual realm. Through knowing Jesus better and better, they could exercise their faith to bring good, and curb evil. Our more comfortable existence deludes us into thinking we don’t need this, but in our unbelieving world, we need that deeper, personal, more real experience of Jesus to bring His good order and reach others.

QUESTION  How aware are we of Christ’s power working through us, the church? What is the priority of the church prayer meeting?

PRAYER  Lord Jesus, we are sorry that we have often tried to institutionalise the vital personal choice to trust You, and we have not exhorted one another to grow deeper in the experience of knowing You.
Help us to follow Your way by being shepherds and encouragers of one another. May Your love so fill us, that it overflows in meeting the needs of those around us, especially those who have nothing to offer us in return.
And may we grow in revelation of divine truth, and wisdom in applying it, confidently showing Your light and Your love to the confused world around us. For Your glory, Lord, we pray. Amen.


LINK  You can download a PDF of the print edition, using the link below. This prints on A4 paper to make a 4pp A5 folder. Permission to copy granted for personal use or for church bulletins (c) 2020 Living Word Publications.

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  • About…
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  • About TLW print edition
  • Explaining…
    • Explaining… Christmas: the call to worship
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    • Understanding… The danger in our complacency
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  • Understanding…
    • Understanding… Holiness and the Great Commandment
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Welcome to The Living Word

You get a lot more out of the Sunday service readings if they are already speaking to you. TLW is about reading and re-reading these Scriptures with some commentary to bring out what is hidden and make connections with cross references. This is different from liturgy because it is a Bible study, putting the Bible passages in sequence from OT, through the NT gospel era, and then through the lens of the post-resurrection, early church in the power of the Spirit. Enabling this progressive revelation points to a theme.  The translation used is the readable and widely-used 2011 edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible. Commentary is drawn from a wide range of sources and is Bible-centric and theologically neutral. As we read and reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to help us hear God through His word during the week, we prepare ourselves to hear afresh and receive the Sunday sermon in church or chapel.

For convenience, use the ‘Subscribe’ box below to receive a short email with the Bible passage and notes for each weekday (and that’s all!).

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A little about me and my vision for The Living Word

I live in the Marches, a green and beautiful expanse of hills between England and Wales where churches and chapels share duty to the Christian faithful in every valley, and churchgoing is still part of the community life. However, there are few Bibles to be seen in these buildings, and home-based groups for fellowship and Bible study are rare.

I want to encourage Sunday worshippers in churches and chapels to enjoy reading the Bible during the week, to get used to hearing God for themselves through His word, and to be  spiritually prepared for the message they will hear on Sunday from the lectionary readings they all share. It is no substitute for meeting and worshipping together, nor for Holy Spirit-inspired preaching. It supports both by encouraging the personal growth of church and chapel members of any denomination. It offers faith encouragement for those no longer able to, or no longer wanting to take part in, formal physical church.

My background is not in churches that use the lectionary and I bring a breadth of tradition and spiritual understanding to the writing.  I have pastored a number of churches and been involved in a variety of other missional initiatives with a ‘kingdom of God’ agenda.

As well as The Living Word and its weekly video I also post regularly on www.freshbread.today and www.thelivingword.substack.com with a podcast as well as video and written content. There is also a Facebook page at fb.com/TLWbiblestudy

Revd Ian Greig BD (Hons), DPS

SEE ALSO other Living Word Publications

Substack newsletter and podcast (free subscription) — audio podcast, video and written content all in one place

Fresh Bread Today — the freshest bake, with a bit of a tang, unpackaged and uncut. His word to live by, today.

Believe the Good News – finding the good news and encouragement all through the Bible

GLOW – God’s Love Over Weobley, encouraging prayer and spiritual fellowship. With a local flavour for this NW Herefordshire village.

 

 

 

 

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