Epaggelia

But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Matthew, Mark 8:29 & Luke all record Jesus asking this same question about his identity (Lk. 19:18 & Mt. 16:15)  Even the gospel of John emphasizes the identity of Jesus by highlighting his 7, “I Ams” and is the only gospel that states plainly his purpose for writing based on Christ’s identity, John 20:30-31. This fundamental fact should lead us to ask “How or Why Do We Talk About The Identity of Jesus”?

1. The Most Important Person in Human History, Luke 2:1-4 & 3:1-2. It is very advantageous to be knowledgeable of Josephus, Mara bar Serapion & Tacitus writing about Jesus, and also Suetonius & Pliny the Younger writing about the first Christians.

2. The Perfect Price Paid As Our Savior, John 1:29-35

3. The Perfect Revelation of God The Father, John 12:44-50 & 14:8-11

4. The Perfect Example of Service To Follow, John 13:14-17

5. The Pre-existent Presence in Creation (Logos), John 1:14-18

6. The “I AM” (Bread, Light, Door, Shepherd, Vine, Way, Truth, Life & Resurrection)

7. The Judge, John 12:48 & Acts 10:42-43

How do we relate our own experience of Jesus to others? How has Jesus and his teachings affected our life? How do we talk about our faith in who Jesus is? 

We are witnesses of God with a testimony in our life, 1st John 5:8-11. Many believers in denominations talk about “giving their testimony”, but we don’t talk about Christ affecting our life to the same extent. If not, why not?

Are we guilty of pointing people to the Scriptures, while ignoring what Jesus has done in our life personally?

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The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Matthew 20:28 & Mark 10:45 

Why would a Ransom need to be paid for “MANY” ?

Why would Jesus make this statement in the context of serving others?

When a ransom payment is procured and accepted as payment, what does the Apostle Paul call it? See Hebrews 9:12-15 in the NIV.

R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 

Where can anyone find it? (see Romans 3:24)

When will our redemption be fully realized and shown to be glorious? (see Ephesians 4:30)

Why do you believe Christ’s blood is so unique, valuable and empowered to actually procure our redemption? (see Eph. 1:7 & Col. 1:14)

According to 2nd Timothy 2:25-26, who has taken people captive?

What should we do about this kidnapping?

What did the Apostle Paul do about it? (See Romans 10:1)

How can Christ guarantee the price of his blood will be applied to your soul forever? 

(see Ephesians 1:13-14)

When do you think you may get the opportunity to talk about “the Price” ?

Jesus says, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers (Sailors) of people” (Mark 1:17)

There are 3 different kinds of sailors, (navy, merchant & fishers)

Would you like to become a sailor? Jesus was speaking to all his followers, and he used the word “Sailor” to fish for people instead of fish. His view of fishing was to get in a boat on the water, it is typically a little more dangerous than fishing from the bank or coast. Yes, women can be Sailors too! Factually all kinds of people can sail for people, but it takes some faith to follow Jesus in this way. What kind of fishing did these sailors do from their boats?

What kind of “following” does Jesus expect from us? Read Luke 9:23-26

Jesus wants to transition disciples from a physical trade to a divine mission of gathering souls into the Kingdom, this requires using their existing patience, to “catch” hearts through the gospel of the Kingdom, rather than harvesting fish for their profit. God was to teach them how to gather souls to bless the ‘catch’ for their own blessings and salvation. Jesus first used ordinary working-class people rather than religious leaders to prove that being His kind of sailor was a spiritual job any one can achieve, even if they didn’t have specialized knowledge in religious training. Why didn’t they need a formal education in the Scriptures? See 1st Peter 5:7

Four of the 12 disciples were Sailors that knew a lot about fishing for fish, so what did one of them (Peter) say about casting? What was the only thing the apostle Paul worried about? Read and compare both passages in Philippians 4:6 & 2nd Corinthians 11:28. 

What kind of essential tool must sailors have in order to fish? Read Matthew 13:47-50.

What is the difference between this parable’s definition of the net, and how Jesus defines the fishermen? (haulers and/or gatherers, not sailors) 

It is not coincidental that Jesus performed a miracle by filling nets with fish, twice! Read Luke 5:1-11 & John 21:1-14. Do you think there is any significance to the fact of Jesus doing this at the beginning of his ministry and and also at the end?

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Christ Came to Search & Save the Lost! ~ Luke 19:10

Christ prayed for people who would believe in the message of the apostles – John 17:20-21.

Memorize two reasons he prayed for us?

1)

2)

Mark 2:17 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 

I came not to call the righteous, but _______________.

Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but _________________ to repentance. 

Do we talk to people about the need for real change or purpose in their life?

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world 

might be _____________ through him.

Can we see the need for change in our life, as that which releases us from guilt or vanity?

John 10:10 ….I came that they may have _________ and have it abundantly. 

Do we challenge the very definition of what it means to be really alive, really living?

John 18:37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to 

the __________. Everyone who is of the ___________ listens to my voice.” 

Do we talk about spiritual realities and moral truths?

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If any man has ears to hear , let him hear… Take heed what ye hear, Mark 4:23-24

Jesus recognizes that everyone needs to make an effort to listen to the truth, not just hear it. See how he rewards the Queen of Sheba for her efforts to hear God’s wisdom. Now we have someone greater for people to listen to than Solomon. Read Matthew 12:42.

Jesus also recognizes that we must help people listen and give them a message that is true and clear, See Matthew 10:26-27. How can we keep the truth up on the “rooftop” today?

Do we ever share with people that it is imperative for people to listen with intent? What does Jesus mean when he tells his disciples to “Let these words sink into your ears”? Luke 9:44.

Do we as Christians have a responsibility to help people listen with intent to learn? See Matthew 9:37-38.

When do we pray about people getting the message out into the world and into people’s hearts?

The condition of people’s hearts is very important, when they are hearing the message of the cross. This is the reason Jesus tells the parable of the sower, and is recorded in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15.  Even if we have evidence of someone being hard-hearted, should we hold back from telling them the truth?

The reason people listen is known by God, and he knows their hearts, and Jesus , pronounced a “blessing”, read Luke 11:28-29 for those who hear with a good heart.

Isn’t this blessing an important promise we should remind our visitors, or friends and family that might hear the good news?

Jesus says, “Whoever then ___________________ me before people, I will 

__________________ before my Father in heaven, but whoever ______________

Me before people, I will ___________ him also before my Father in heaven, ~ Mt. 10:32

1st Corinthians 1:18-31

Tacitus, the Roman historian, senator, orator and Consul lived from 56-120AD. Tacitus mocked Christians and wrote, “Christus…from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus…” . From 300BC to 300AD, crucifixion was used to legally torture criminals to death, it was disgusting and dishonorable to die by crucifixion. No one in the civilized world would have even wanted to wear jewelry in the shape of a cross, it was a horribly heinous way to die. The worldly minds of everyone during the 1st century of the church’s existence, could not conceive of a savior or god as being crucified, the idea denounced worldly reason. The 1st century preachers had a huge task trying to convince the world that God was in The Christ crucified as Jesus, it was either foolishness to any Roman Gentile or Greek who was educated, and an ironic stumbling block for the religious Jew. Yet God uses this message to build the church victorious and maintain it to this day!

The word of the cross is foolishness to who?

What is the word of the cross to those who are being saved?

Where does Paul cite Isaiah 29:14 to show that God nullifies the power of the high brow wisdom of the world and formally educated stoics? 

How do you think Paul expected Christians to answer, when he asked “Where is the wise? Where is the scribe?

What two things were found by those called by Christ, in the message of His crucifixion?

_______________ &  ________________  

What did God choose to confound the wise and powerful of the world?

What kind of application can modern Christians today make of Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians about the wisdom & power of God? See 2nd Corinthians 10:5

The church has no physical weapons of power, but we do have formidable strength described in Ephesians 6:13-16 & 1st Thessalonians 5:8. 

Jesus used metaphors from the battlefield to teach spiritual lessons (Luke 14:31-33), he is not powerless and neither are His people. How can Christians fight against evil to overcome it with good? See Ephesians 6:17-19, 1st Thessalonians 5:15-24

THE CORINTHIANS CHRISTIANS ORIGIN & PURPOSE OF WISDOM

2v1-3, Paul didn’t bring Christ to Corinth with lofty speech or enticing words of pithy principles, that would make a great car salesman, but instead his humility was so obvious, that he presented Christ’s message of the cross with great reverence in fear of God, to handle the whole counsel of God responsibly, so much so, that he seemed weak & trembling. However, the message itself was powerful in the Spirit. In times past, God used “weak” speakers to great effect with His message & miracles. Moses & Jeremiah are good examples, Exodus 4:10, Jeremiah 1:6-7. There are many “fair speech” preachers that can deceive innocent children and/or new believers, Romans 16:18. 

2v4, How did Paul demonstrate the power of God? His speech & message were by 

The ___________

2v5, The point & purpose of Paul proclaiming Christ was so that the ___________ of God would be trusted.

How did the gospel come to the Thessalonian Christians via Paul? See 1st Thes. 1:5

2v6-8, Wisdom comes in stages. None of us are taught the whole counsel of God overnight. 

“We speak wisdom among the ______________ “

But in 1st Cor. 3:3, Paul had a different way of handling the truth, Who was he writing to?

2v9-12, Who is it that gives us God’s wisdom?

Should we ask, and then expect to never ask again? See James 1:5

Who is the Spirit from God, referred to in v12? (See Ephesians 1:17)

2v13-14, Paul teaches that explaining spiritual things to unbelievers is very hard, maybe impossible, if they are unable to discern spiritual truths. So how was he so successful in helping unbelievers become believers with the gospel?

2v15, Does the phrase “all things” mean literally everything?

2v16, If we have the mind of Christ, does that mean we can act like spiritual “know-it-alls”?

Did Christ himself know all things? (Matthew 24:36) Yet he was proved to be the Son of God by the resurrection, Romans 1:4-5

THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIANS TRUE IDENTITY

Whether a christian lives in a 1st century pagan Greek society, or the 21st century digital western society, do we as christians have a clear understanding of how our Savior and God identifies us?

Infants, 3:1-4, Have a Father. How does Paul’s critique of the Corinthian church challenge your current level of spiritual maturity?

Servants, 3:5, 4:1-2,  Have a Master. If an Apostle can identify as a servant, how much more ought christians?

 (Galatians 6:1) Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of ____________________. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted

God’s Field, 3:6-8, Co-workers with Christ in planting & watering. How does gardening align with the metaphor of Christians being a field? 

God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have ______________ for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. (Hebrews 6:10)

God’s Building, 3:9-15, Co-workers with Christ in building. The Greek word “οἰκοδομή” (oikodomē) refers to a structure, emphasizing the church’s collective identity as a spiritual edifice built by God. The Greek word “δοκιμάσει” (dokimasei) means to test (v13) or prove, indicating that a Christian’s’ works will be evaluated for their eternal value.

The Temple, 3:16-17, Has an Owner. The Greek word “ναός” (naos) refers to the inner sanctuary, highlighting the sacredness of the church as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Do you think there is any scientific verification that exists to claim that christians are literally God’s Temple and house the Spirit of God?

God’s Wisdom, 3:18-23 & 2:16 Has a Teacher. Worldly wisdom is foolishness; true wisdom is being “fools” for Christ, recognizing all things belong to God. This causes christians to boast in God, not themselves. Paul warns against boasting in human leaders, stating, “So then, no more boasting about men!” v21, The Greek word “καυχᾶσθαι” (kauchasthai) means to boast or glory, emphasizing that glory should be given to God alone, not to human figures.

THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIAN’S ATTITUDE

4:1-2 Why does Paul use two different words for his own description in this ministry of apostleship?

Servant

Steward

Later in 4:14-17, Paul uses the picture of fatherhood in his relationship with the 

Corinthian christians as _________________ , Why?

How does viewing Elders, Deacons and/or Evangelists, Preachers and/or any Ministry Leader as “stewards” rather than “owners”  change our view of leadership?

4:5  Why is it a danger to “judge nothing before the time” ?

On The Day of the Lord, when the Lord comes, What might be our greatest motivation to see?

If we really believe God will one day ________________ us, why would we live like we need it from anyone in the world?

4:6 & 4:18 Both of these verses have something in common. What is it?

4:8, In what way were the Corinthian Christians royally rich?  (See Ephesians 1:3-6)

4:15, Can you explain what kind of “Guides” Paul was talking about, which Corinthian Christians had known?

4:20, In describing the Kingdom of God as power, how did Jesus describe it in Luke 17:20-21 ?

Can we personally apply Paul’s contrast between “fools for Christ” and the worldly definition of success to our own lives?

When the Apostle Paul arrived at Corinth, it was a Roman city with Greek origins. The population was teeming with almost every culture in the world as Corinth had two ports and shipping trade was abundant. The city was morally filthy, physically rich and spiritually heathen. Within 4 miles of Corinth was the world famous Temple to Poseidon and Corinth itself had a Pantheon of at least 4 idolatrous temples, yet God said he had children there before Paul arrived (Acts 18:10). 1st Corinthians is not actually the first letter Paul wrote to them,(5:9). But regardless of the details, he was told of the problems that plagued the Corinthian congregation. Those problems can offer us timeless solutions if we will answer his questions. It’s like medicine for a congregation in any century to prevent sin from growing in the body of Christ like a cancerous tumor. Here is a list of God’s questions for the Corinthians Christians. The first thing God did when Adam & Eve fell into sin in the Garden of Eden was to ask them questions. God’s love did not move Him to firstly rebuke, but to get them thinking straight, weigh up the gravity of their spiritual death and face the consequences of His curses upon them for their disobedience.

1st Corinthians 1:12-13 & 1:20

1st Corinthians 2:11

1st Corinthians 3:3-4

1st Corinthians 4:6-8

1st Corinthians 5:4-6 &  5:11-12

1st Corinthians 6:2-4

1st Corinthians 7:16

1st Corinthians 8:10

1st Corinthians 9:4-7

1st Corinthians 10:16-19

1st Corinthians 11:21-22

1st Corinthians 12:14-19

1st Corinthians 14:7-9

1st Corinthians 15:12 &  15:55

1st Corinthians 13 is a long rhetorical question about love, & chapter 16 is a command, a challenge, a blessing & a curse. 

Could you describe the questions in each verse mentioned above?

What two groups of people does Paul address this letter to in the first few verses of chapter 1?

___________________________    _______________________________

Considering the many different problems this congregation had, why would Paul begin his letter with “Thankfulness for Them” ?

In verses 1:5-6, what does Paul say the congregation was “enriched” in?

For who, did Paul say they were eagerly awaiting?

In the context of 1:9-10, Why do we see Unity as a necessity?

Which four names did the congregation use in a divisive way?

_______________  ___________________  _________________  ________________

Is it actually possible to be immersed in Christ’s name and yet divide Christ by the way we live?

In 1:16, why do you think Paul questions himself about who he had baptized?

Does this passage give us any wisdom on whether or not a Christian should tout a favorite preacher/teacher? Yes or No?

Which do you believe apostles had a higher priority in, a. b. or c?

a. The Gospel of Christ

b. The Baptism of Christ

c. The Word of God