reward

Blessed Day 15 Celebrate In Persecution

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 15:18-19
Acts 4:29-31
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Philippians 1:12-14
Romans 5:3-5

Blessed, Day 15

In the 1950s, a young missionary pilot had a passion for the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador. This tribe was suspicious of, and known to kill, all outsiders. But Jim Elliot felt called to reach them and share the Gospel. Step by step, he made inroads to reach the tribe.

Finally, he and his team built a camp not far from the Huaorani people. They made contact and even took one of the tribespeople for a plane ride. Later, a larger group of tribesmen came to the base expressing interest in the plane, instead, they turned and killed all five missionary men.

Jim’s wife, Elizabeth, and the other widows continued the work to reach the Huaorani people, despite the great danger they faced. She persisted in the belief that, as her husband was often quoted to say,

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Eventually, the women reached the entire Huaorani tribe for Christ, including those who had killed Jim and the others.

The Elliots experienced what Jesus promised would be true for all believers in this world, we will be hated and even killed (John 15:18-19, Matthew 10:22). The world rejected Jesus and attempted to end His work; we are to expect the same. So rather than being surprised and caught off-guard when we face persecution, let’s prepare ourselves so we can endure to the end.

The apostles certainly experienced persecution! But they persevered to spread the Good News. They prayed for each other, not to be removed from trouble, but to seek boldness to continue speaking the Word of God and performing miracles. As they prayed for endurance, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31)

In my own life, there have been many trials and tribulations, and my ministry team has encountered persecution. But this opposition has drawn us even closer to God! We were made stronger in our faith and able to encourage others. Looking to Jesus kept us from becoming distressed and gave us boldness in ministry.

This boldness in kingdom work comes from equipping ourselves with the armor of God. Each piece of armor, fueled by the Spirit of God, adds strength and courage to our fight. As we don our armor daily, we are prepared for battle.

Paul wrote of his many trials in his epistles:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our bodies.”
(2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

Rather than complaining about his poor treatment, Paul praised God in his suffering because it advanced the Gospel. (Philippians 1:12-14)

Yes! Because he was sent to prison, he testified not only to prison guards, but to the great leaders of the day. He would not have been allowed in their presence except to stand trial. In presenting his defense, he shared the Gospel with judges and counsels and great men, such as King Agrippa (Acts 26:1-32); Paul was even prepared to testify before Nero, who was Caesar at the time (Acts 27:4).

Paul, and other saints of old, surely experienced fear as they faced persecution and declared the Gospel to hostile leaders. Similarly, we are still human and may become fearful when confronted with opposition to the Good News. But, just as the prayers of fellow believers gave Paul courage to boldly speak the Word of God, we too can be strengthened and encouraged through prayer (Philipians 4:6-7).

We can even rejoice, not only because the Gospel is being spread, but also because of the transformation within our own spirits. As Paul explains,

 “We also rejoice in our afflictions,
because we know that affliction produces endurance,
endurance produces proven character,
and proven character produces hope.
This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

Paul’s words encourage us even today! We can rejoice because our suffering produces character and hope within us. Hallelujah! God’s love is poured out into our hearts and we are able to share His Gospel Story.

Finally, the Bible promises reward to those who persevere through trials: the crown of life!

“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Therefore, sisters, let’s endure persecution covered in the armor of God and shrouded in prayer; let’s rejoice in our suffering, ever keeping our eyes fixed on the promises of God to further the kingdom, transform our character, and bless us with the crown of life!

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Blessed Day 14 Blessed Are The Persecuted And Reviled: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Blessed Are The Reviled And Persecuted!

The Questions

1) What does Jesus mean when He talks about persecution?

2) How are we able to be glad and rejoice during times of insults and persecution?

3) What is the great reward in heaven awaiting those who suffer persecution because of Jesus?

Matthew 5:10-12

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Original Intent

1) What does Jesus mean when He talks about persecution?
The word ‘persecution’ in the Bible can refer to the idea of pursuing someone, to oppress and harass someone, and also to bring judgment or punishment. In this instance, Jesus is referring to persecution as the consequence of following Him. Jesus knew that every single person who would carry their own cross and follow Him, would eventually face some sort of persecution. If the world hated Christ, who came to die as a sin offering for them, of course the world would hate His followers as well. (John 15:18-25) All His disciples, but one, were literally persecuted to death. They were stoned, beaten, whipped, imprisoned, crucified, and beheaded. With these words, Jesus warned His followers of what would happen if they chose to follow Him. Yet, at the same time, He tells them they will be richly blessed if they continue to follow Him despite the suffering. Even better, He has a great reward for them!

2) How are we able to be glad and rejoice during times of insults and persecution?Jesus reminds the disciples here that persecution isn’t something new. The prophets who came before, suffered insult and persecution as well as they spoke truth. Let’s have a look at one example in the story of Daniel in the lions’ den. (Daniel 6) During the reign of King Darius, several men couldn’t stand that Daniel had achieved such a high position of influence with the king as a direct result of his loyalty to God. They decided to persuade the king to make a decree that would command the people to pray only to King Darius. Of course, God’s law forbids such worship (Exodus 20:3) and Daniel faithfully continued praying three times a day to God as had been his habit. The men saw this and arrested Daniel who was thrown into the lions’ den. No one believed he’d survive, but because Daniel had remained faithful to God, even in times of persecution, the Lord sent His angel and sealed the lions’ mouths. When looking at the prophets from the past, we find courage and hope. Jesus will reward His faithful people and be with them, even unto the end of the world! (Matthew 28:20)

3) What is that great reward in heaven that awaits those who suffer persecution because of Jesus?
Jesus uses the word ‘reward’ quite a few times throughout His ministry on earth. He wanted His disciples to know a reward would be waiting for them in eternity, where “real life” begins. In Matthew 16:27 we read, “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done”. It’s clear from this verse that the reward will not be received in this present life, but in the future kingdom of heaven when Jesus returns. Then, will He reward everyone according to the works they have done. In His time on earth, Jesus didn’t say much about what exactly the reward of eternity would look like, but He gave future generations more information through His beloved disciple John and his visions which are recorded in the book of Revelation.

Everyday Application

1) What does Jesus mean when He talks about persecution?
Even though it may be hard to believe that Christians could face persecution in our western culture that would even come close to a death like the first disciples experienced, it does still happen. The Church is widely persecuted in many ways the majority of western believers can’t even imagine or consider. In some countries, Christians are severely punished even for spreading the Gospel to a single person. In other countries, there are people who face being bullied and discriminated against because of their belief in the Bible, the resurrection, and the second coming of Christ. We might ask, is persecution something to fear? Is persecution a reason to turn your back from Jesus? Definitely not! Because Jesus tells us in the same sentence that those who suffer persecution for His sake are blessed, and the kingdom of heaven will be theirs. Temporary suffering will one day be exchanged for eternal reward! What a wonderful promise to cling unto!

2) How are we able to be glad and rejoice during times of insults and persecution?Feeling happy, and rejoicing in a state of suffering and persecution, doesn’t sound easy at all. How quickly do we murmur and complain if things don’t go right? Even something small! Yet, Jesus tells us ‘to be glad and rejoice’ in the midst of hardship. But how are we able to do so? Not only can we remember the prophets from the past who endured persecution, we can also look at the cross. Our own personal Saviour, the very Son of God, suffered tremendously, and this only because of your sin and mine. Jesus was crucified and died on the cross, but He conquered death! He overcame the world! (John 16:33) In this same verse, Jesus tells us, “… in Me you may have peace”. In order to be glad and rejoice during times of insult and persecution, we need only look straight to Jesus. He will bring us peace in the midst of our trials, but also strength (Philippians 4:13) to stand strong and keep going. Need some more encouragement to be glad during persecution? Remember the words of Paul, “And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

3) What is that great reward in heaven that awaits those who suffer persecution because of Jesus?
In Revelation, we find a list of several rewards that will be granted to faithful followers of Christ. Here is a list of the rewards Jesus mentions to seven specific churches:

In 2 Timothy 4:8 we also read of a crown of righteousness reserved for “all those who have loved [Jesus] appearing”. The crown of life is not only mentioned in Revelation, but also in James 1:12. In this verse, we are reminded of the trials believers will endure, the blessing that comes from these trials, and our reward, “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”. Finally, Peter mentions a crown of glory we’ll receive when our Shepherd appears. (1 Peter 5:4) Regardless of our trials, we must keep our eyes on Jesus and remember we are blessed!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Blessed Are The Reviled And Persecuted!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Blessed Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Hallel Day 12 For All Peoples: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out For All Peoples!

The Questions

1) What is the reward that is yet to come?

2) Who will receive the reward?

3) What does the water of life represent?

Revelation 22:12-17

“Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. 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, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.

Original Intent

1) What is the reward that is yet to come?
Christ’s return is a guaranteed promise. Signed, sealed and soon to be delivered; Christ will indeed return. (John 14:1-3, Revelation 22:7) With His coming, Jesus says He will reward “each person” according to their works. The phrase, “My reward is with Me”, is a direct quote from Isaiah’s Old Testament prophecy stating, “See, the Lord God comes with strength, and His power establishes His rule. His wages are with Him, and His reward accompanies Him.” (Isaiah 40:10) Christ’s promised return incites great joy for those who have trusted Him for their salvation, placing on Him the full weight of their life. In contrast, for those who have not trusted Him fully, or those who have only “appeared” to trust Him superficially, Christ’s assured return brings dreadful fear. (Matthew 7:21-23) The reward for “work” is clearly coming, but a correct understanding of “work” is critically imperative to note. Kistemaker, a New Testament theologian, underlines the correct understanding of “work” by saying, “In Scripture there are no “works of righteousness” man can accomplish on his own, “no counting of good works to outweigh bad”. The term “reward” here in this passage has NO connection with the concept “treasure in heaven”.” There are only 2 types of “reward” spoken of here. One is the earned wages of eternal separation from a loving and holy God; these wages are earned by committing sin. The other reward is the grace-gift of eternal life which is granted to all who have trusted in Christ for their salvation. The “work” here is simply an act of faith, trusting that Jesus has accomplished our victory and rescued us from eternal condemnation. Revelation 11:18 speaks into this saying, “Your wrath has come. The time has come for the dead to be judged and to give the reward to Your servants the prophets, to the saints, and to those who fear your name, both small and great, and the time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

2) Who will receive the reward?
Everyone, across all of time, will be involved in this future event. There will be no escaping the reward of Christ in that day of return, whether for eternal life or eternal judgment. There is a due wage, a reward of punishment, which will be righteously given to the wicked for their sin. They chose to trust themselves, reject the Holy God, and oppose His gift of grace. They have rightfully earned eternal separation from Him. (Hebrews 2:2, Isaiah 3:11) There is also a reward of grace, a reward of inheritance, which is the gift of eternal life, in which God, of His free grace, gives to His people freely when they choose to trust Him for their salvation. He has given them His own righteousness because they had no righteousness of their own. (Colossians 3:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21) Christ has the authority from God, as mediator to inflict vengeance on the wicked and to give eternal life to His people, both of which He will do. Because God is loving, He offers the free gift of grace to all peoples through the sacrificial work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because God is just, He will punish all who reject life and the offer of righteousness. He will not force His gift of grace on anyone, each must choose, this choosing is the “work” that determines the reward received. Consider Paul’s words from Romans, “For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:11-12) One day, when Christ returns, all choice will be removed and all peoples will indeed acknowledge Christ as sovereign ruler with all authority, but at that point, our opportunity to choose Him of our own volition, will be gone. Judgment will be present and the reward will already have come.

3) What does the water of life represent?
Throughout Scripture, a place of barrenness and unquenchable thirst is an apt description for life apart from Christ. For the woman at the well in John 4, whom Christ encountered, she came to understand that without Jesus, the source of living water, she would always experience empty thirst. A dry and thirsty land where there is no water represents very well this world, to the one who doesn’t have the constant presence of the Savior dwelling in their hearts through the Holy Spirit. He is the fountain of life, He is the living water. He is the source of our eternal hope, having raised us from death to life, spiritually speaking, as He took away our sin and gave us His righteousness. As the Israelites would have perished without the flow of water from the rock as they wandered in the barren wilderness, so does every soul perish for eternity without Christ. In our physical world, water is commonly associated with life, without water we will quickly die! Water is mentioned many times throughout the Bible in association with life, not just temporary, but eternal! “But whoever drinks from the water I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, ,the water I give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.” (John 4:14) With this living water of life, there comes a grand invitation, “COME! Let him who is thirsty (for true life), come and take the water of life freely!” (Revelation 22:17)

Everyday Application

1) What is the reward that is yet to come?
The entire chapter of Revelation 22 is phenomenal! It is the end of the Bible, and is a beautiful summation of what God has been drawing us to throughout His Word.  Having run the race of following Christ in this world for Jesus, our great reward is coming in His hand! We, who have placed our faith in Jesus, may eat of the tree of life and enter into the Holy City, the New Jerusalem! Not because we have worked hard at righteousness on our own, but because Christ has completed our work and given us His Own Righteousness in place of our sinfulness. However, there is not only one reward because there are two groups of people. Of all peoples, we are either inside the gates of the Holy City because our names are in the Book of Life as a result of trusting Christ (Revelation 3:5) OR we are outside the gates of the Holy City never to enter in, but to be in Hell for all eternity and separated from God, the author of life and love. (Matthew 18:5-9, Matthew 25:31-46) This is a very clear statement of the only two possible places we will spend in eternity, either Heaven or Hell. Christ is coming soon (verse 12), His reward is with Him to repay us whether we have chosen to trust Him or trust ourselves. He holds all authority, existing for all eternity as the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. (Matthew 28:18, Revelation 22:13) Because it is true that “salvation exists in no other name” (Acts 4:12), our opportunity to choose Christ now, at this moment, is the single most important decision we will ever make. In 10,000 years from now, Christians will still be rejoicing in knowing the eternal God of love in deeper ways. Those who rejected Him now will continue in their unfathomable suffering as they live out eternity under the full wrath of God. Where is your reward?!

2) Who will receive the reward?
Verse 14 is very descriptive and straight forward as to who the rewards are designated for, “Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter into the Holy City by the gates”. Those who have followed Jesus, those who are All in for Christ no matter the cost and whose names are written in the Book of Life, finally after running the race on earth, will find their eternal home is heaven. This is their great reward! To be with Christ! The second group of people are those who chose not to follow Christ, rejecting the offer of life and righteousness. These folks are described as being OUTSIDE the city gates, and their sinfulness and immorality is clearly described (verse 15). These sins once characterized those who have trusted Jesus for salvation too. (Ephesians 5:8, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) The only thing separating one group from the other is the precious blood of Jesus who covers all sin when we ask Him to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, 1 Peter 1:18-19) All forms of wickedness and unrighteous persons will be shut out of heaven forever. There is no middle ground! This should be a wake-up call for all of us. We’re talking about eternity, forever and ever! What side are we on? Where will we freely choose to live eternally? If we’ve already trusted Christ for our own salvation, I urge you my sister, to share this living hope with all gentles, respect, and urgency with those around you! (1 Peter 3:15)

3) What does the water of life represent?
Jesus has freely offered this living water to all peoples, and given many warnings so all would know that now is the time to choose to accept that gift of life for themselves. When Jesus calls out, “Come!”, His offer is extended to all who thirst. The promises and the rich inheritance of the freedom found only in Christ is offered to all! We all experience thirst, and dry emptiness in this life. Loss, hurt, illness, and many others, but with the living water of Christ flooding our hearts through His presence by His Holy Spirit, we are made alive, we are sustained and upheld. We are carried and preserved, and will one day, see our redemption face to face in the lovely countenance of Christ Himself as He brings His reward to us! Jesus calls us to come and freely take of the living water so we may abundantly live while serving here on earth in HIS name as we await the coming day of Christ’s magnificent and most glorious return. If we can just picture in our mind the absolute beauty of God’s restoration of Eden as depicted in the first five verses of Revelation 22, that alone should be a huge catalyst in pulling us nearer to the Father and increasing our thirst for Christ, and Christ alone! The more we drink of Him through feasting on His word in Scripture, the more we are rooted ever more firmly in truth, and encouraged to boldly share this hope of life with all those around us, calling aloud, “Come!”. The account of Revelation assures us God is in control. History is moving toward the consummation of His purposes. His plan is unfolding according to His schedule. Christ will return and win the final battle against evil and injustice. He will reign in victory forever! Believers will be rescued and live forever in the sweet presence of God. I’m in! How about you?!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with For All Peoples!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Hallel Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Ignite Day 4 The Flame: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Flame!

The Questions

1) Some of Jesus’ sayings were hard because they were hard to understand. Some were hard because they were hard to obey. And some were both. What did Jesus mean in verse 26 when He said one must ‘hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters’?

2) Did Jesus make this statement intentionally to whittle down the size of the crowd? (Notice the connection the author, Luke, makes in verses 25-26)

3) How do the two illustrations Jesus used make His point to the crowd?

4) How does the flavor of salt (verse 34) relate to the previous verses and the overall message Jesus wanted the audience to hear?

Luke 14:25-35

25 Now great crowds were traveling with him. So, he turned and said to them: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
34 Now, salt is good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty? 35 It isn’t fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”

Original Intent

1) Some of Jesus’ sayings were hard because they were hard to understand. Some were hard because they were hard to obey. And some were both. What did Jesus mean in verse 26 when He said one must ‘hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters’?
Verse 26 is set in the context of Jesus and a large crowd of followers, making the statement of Jesus even more dramatic. As always, being full of grace and truth, Jesus did not allow the circumstances to dictate His choice of words. He always knew and spoke the truth. Did it stun the crowd? Maybe they remembered He had spoken about this previously. On one occasion, Peter wondered if it was a message for everyone present. In His answer to Peter, Jesus quoted from the book of Micah, pronouncing division, not peace. (Luke 12:49-53) In the chapter before our focal passage, we find Jesus making His way to Jerusalem teaching this same message and prompting questions from the people: “So, will only a few be saved?” (Luke 13:22-23) Jesus never minced words, though He did often speak in parables. The crowd probably grasped these words much more than we do when we take this verse out of the context of Jesus’ life and ministry. They may not have completely comprehended all He meant, but they understood this was a radical call to commitment that superseded the bonds of their family relationships. Many recognized from their Hebrew Scripture the contrast between “love” and “hate” was sometimes used to communicate preference. (Genesis 29:31, Deuteronomy 21:15-17, Malachi 1:2-3)  This was not a command to an emotion of hate toward family or self. This was a call to self-denial and complete surrender, choosing Jesus above all others. The cost for them to continue to follow Jesus would be deep and wide.

2) Did Jesus make this statement intentionally to whittle down the size of the crowd? (Notice the connection the author, Luke, makes in verses 25-26)
Luke makes special note of the fact there was a multitude present. In chapter 12, he also made mention of the large crowd (Luke 12:1). Although Jesus and His disciples spent time away from the masses, when people heard He was near they usually gathered in droves. We read in the four Gospels of Jesus speaking directly to His disciples, yet much of the larger crowd was often in earshot of His teaching. The enormous crowds following Jesus frequently did so for His miracles. They saw Him heal diseases and provide for needs. Jesus used these opportunities to explain to them the necessity of sacrifice. He did not shy away from the hard truths. In fact, He made difficult and exclusionary statements, knowing the future grim consequences. Although He was popular, for the most part the crowds did not desire to obey Him, nor were they willing to surrender their lives. (John 6) They loved to marvel at the miraculous. (John 4:48) They found Jesus to be fascinating in numerous ways, but He knew their hearts were far from God. He declared His intentions to the people who were listening, and He also exposed theirs. (Luke 11:27-30) Even though He knew their ultimate rejection would bring about His death, He wept for them. (Luke 19:41-42)

3) How do the two illustrations Jesus used make His point to the crowd?
As in His previous teachings, Jesus is warning the eager multitudes that following Him is far more serious than they imagined. Contained in these illustrations are significant lessons concerning the calling of those who would choose to continue to follow Him. In His invitation (“If anyone comes to Me…”) Jesus speaks of the importance to commit fully and not shrink back, even if it leads to death (“even his own life” verse 26). It’s unclear if Jesus has specific instances in mind with these illustrations. Did He look around and observe an unfinished building? Possibly. And regarding a king going to war, was Jesus drawing from the history of the day? A few Bible scholars indicate He was likely alluding to the troubled relationship between Herod Antipas and his father-in-law. But even if this was not a specific reference, the crowd would understand the processes of kings and kingdoms. The point of Jesus’ analogy was clear. He was painting a vivid picture of what it meant to “calculate the cost”. The wise builder and the strategic warrior both take time to consider the consequences of their undertaking. Likewise, the resolve to proceed with Christ would be proven genuine and worthwhile only as there was deliberate fortitude to persevere, not simply a desire to witness miracles or be healed.

4) How does the flavor of salt (verse 34) relate to the previous verses and the overall message Jesus wanted the audience to hear?
Three Gospels record Jesus referencing “salt”. (Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50 and here in Luke 14) All these verses are similar, but each statement was spoken in a different context. From this passage, how do we understand what Jesus was saying to those listening? We can derive intent from reading and receiving Jesus’ words relative to the rest of His message. The crowd was familiar with the uses of salt. It was a common additive that served two purposes in this area of the world at that time: 1) Due to the lack of refrigeration, salt was utilized to preserve the food, specifically the meat. 2) Like today, it enhanced the flavor of food. Here in verse 34, Jesus draws from this cultural understanding to illustrate a follower’s calling to be useful for God’s purposes – in life or death. Just as salt is useless if it has no flavor or preserving element, it would be of no value for anyone to continue to be His disciple if they were half-hearted in their commitment to obedience and full surrender.

Everyday Application

1) Some of Jesus’ sayings were hard because they were hard to understand. Some were hard because they were hard to obey. And some were both. What did Jesus mean in verse 26 when He said one must ‘hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters’?
For years, well-intentioned voices have challenged Christians to “focus on the family”. Scripture is clear that families are to be a priority. Unfortunately, far too many have misunderstood, misapplied or have even ignored Jesus’ teaching regarding family relationships. Christian families can frequently fall into the trap of becoming self-absorbed. Bible teacher and author David Platt said “I want to love my family well. I want to pass the word and works of God down to the next generation. On the other hand, I see a world of urgent spiritual and physical need — unreached people, on top of physical needs. I want to leverage my life for the spread of the gospel among the nations.” Many Christians, especially in the United States, will never have to sacrifice their familial relationships to follow Christ. What often occurs, though, is an extreme focus on the immediate family, ignoring the call of Christ to be willing to die for His sake. Platt goes on to exhort us: “Lay your life before the Lord every day. Deny yourself. Cry out, ‘Lord save me from myself, save me from my dreams, my plans. Help me want to do whatever You want me to do. Help me to want to go wherever You want me to go.’” This is what Christ meant.

2) Did Jesus make this statement intentionally to whittle down the size of the crowd? (Notice the connection the author, Luke, makes in verses 25-26)
In his commentary on the book of Luke, Alexander MacLaren said “He desired every soul in that crowd for His own, and He knew the best way to attract is sometimes to repel; and that a plain statement of the painful consequences of a course will quench no genuine enthusiasm, but may turn a mere flash in the pan into a purpose that will flame through a life.” (studylight.org) It wasn’t that Jesus wanted people to stop following Him. His very presence on earth indicated His desire for all people to have a relationship with God. (1 Timothy 2:5) Jesus’ purpose in making radical statements was to stir the crowds of people to consider their motives. The coming of the kingdom of God was not what they imagined. Genuine faith would be reflected in an extreme commitment to obedience. Even now the message is clear: there’s a great cost. But the reward is greater! (Mark 10:28-31)

3) How do the two illustrations Jesus used make His point to the crowd?
Ponder yourself in this scene yet make it present day: You have been gifted an all-expense-paid life on the tropical island of your choice, complete with full-time housekeeper. You could spend your time bragging about this offer. You could dream about it constantly and make all the plans for a new life. But until you fully engage by relocating, the exotic life never becomes a reality. You can’t have both a full-time life here and a full-time life there. Many people view following Christ this way. They love the idea of eternal happiness, of eternal fulfillment, of escaping hell, and of having Jesus satisfy their needs. But they are not willing to abandon the life they have. It’s more tempting than we may realize to hold tightly to our desires, comfort, and sinful habits. Releasing them, even for a glorious eternity, takes faith and courage. Our lives may exhibit a temporary modification—attending church more often or giving of our time and money to good causes—but if we have no real desire to relinquish ownership of everything, then we are more like the crowds who followed Jesus. That cost is just too great for most. (Matthew 7:14,  John 6:66 )

4) How does the flavor of salt (verse 34) relate to the previous verses and the overall message Jesus wanted the audience to hear?
In the context of obedient discipleship, the loss of saltiness occurs when those who call themselves followers of Christ are not living for Him wholeheartedly. Jesus’ words to the crowd that day are relevant to us today. Our very reason for being in the world, as believers, is to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). The purpose for which we became followers of Jesus (Matthew 4:19) may be hindered or prevented when we choose to compromise, or settle, for what is more convenient and comfortable, rather than giving our lives to whatever will bring the most people into the kingdom of God. Becoming and remaining ‘useful salt’ happens when we maintain a life of humble obedience to Christ. When we deviate from Spirit-enthused sacrifice and submission, the distinctions between ourselves and those of the world are blurred and we allow our testimony to become empty words – useless for producing genuine life change in others. By focusing on and following Christ, even in inevitable suffering or loss, we will have opportunities to proclaim Him to all who witness our lives. (Colossians 1:24-29)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Flame!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Ignite Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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Prayer Day 14 All Of Everything: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out All Of Everything!

The Questions

1) Why don’t all versions of the Bible have the bracketed section? Is my Bible really reliable?

2) Why do end a prayer with a “doxology”? Where else do we see this modeled in Scripture? 

3) How does the “doxology” tie back to the Lord’s Prayer?

Matthew 6:13 (HCSB)

And do not bring us into temptation, 
but deliver us from the evil one. 
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.]

Original Intent

1) Why don’t all versions of the Bible have the bracketed section? Is my Bible really reliable?
This is a great question, and one that Merry did an excellent job of covering in her Journey Study yesterday. We can both acknowledge the squirmy, uncomfortable way it makes us feel to wonder, ‘what if the Bible isn’t reliable?!’, while also knowing with extreme confidence that the Scripture you and I hold in our hands is 100% trustworthy. The fact that Scripture even reveals its variances for our inspection is proof that the Lord is not afraid of our investigation. The God of the Universe is big enough to handle our doubts and misunderstandings. Editors didn’t need to edit out variations between eyewitness accounts or different authors, because only one Author’s voice counted, The Holy Spirit. Were those words in the brackets actually spoken by Jesus at the conclusion of His model prayer? Maybe. Maybe not. But the truth they hold is not only biblical, and found other places in Scripture, it anchors us and our prayers in a world of unknown. The kingdom is His. The power is His. The glory is His. He is Sovereign, my friends, and there’s no better “last word” than that one!

2) Why end a prayer with a “doxology”? Where else do we see this modeled in Scripture?
A “doxology” is defined as an oral or written praise to God and is often found at the end of prayers throughout Scripture, going back to the Old Testament all the way to the New. In fact, one of David’s most famous doxologies is extremely similar to the one found here in Matthew 6. Seriously, go look it up; you’ll be amazed! (1 Chronicles 29:11-13) It’s so similar in fact, that scholars believe it was held as a model and it became common for God’s people to verbally end their prayers with not simply an “Amen”, but with a doxology that recognized the sovereign power and authority of the God to whom they prayed. Interested in studying more doxologies in Scripture? Check out David in Psalm 41:13 or Psalm 72:18-19 along with many other Psalms. See a few of Paul’s in Romans 11:33-36, Galatians 1:5, Philippians 4:20, or Ephesians 3:20-21. The author of Hebrews includes a beautiful one in Hebrews 13:20-21. Peter records his in 2 Peter 3:18 and John’s doxology shouts of God’s glorious, eternal victory in Revelation 5:9-14.

3) How does the “doxology” tie back to the Lord’s Prayer?
The words of the doxology are beautiful enough as they are and precious in the truth they hold, but when we examine how they tie back into the model prayer, the depth and creative intricacy is truly incredible!
“Our Father” and “Your Name be honored as holy” are found at the beginning of the prayer, and at the end, these are summed up in a single word: Yours. One name, one Lord, one God of all; there is none other.
“Your kingdom come” reminds us of the un-crossable chasm that exists between God and man without Jesus’ sacrifice to bridge that gap. The prayer ends with the affirmation: Yours is the kingdom. The kingdom is God’s alone, it’s His creation, His plan for eternity, and though He has designed us to join us in His work, the work is His.
“Your will be done…” leads us into the next section that encompasses our everyday physical needs as well as our spiritual ones and is brought full circle with the phrase: Yours is the power. We pray because He holds all power and we are utterly incapable without Him. We pray because we cast ourselves entirely upon His ability and none of our own. It’s His power that supplies, His power that equips and fuels us. His alone; not ours.
Finally, we are brought to a breathless close with: Yours is the glory. Our hearts know, and gladly rejoice, in the praise that is rightfully God’s alone. His is the kingdom. His is the power. His is the glory.

Everyday Application

1) Why don’t all versions of the Bible have the bracketed section? Is my Bible really reliable?
Have you allowed yourself permission to ask the tough questions about Christianity? Whether you’re a Christ-follower or not, I encourage you to keep a list of gut-honest questions. God is big enough to defend Himself. And honestly, if He’s not, then He isn’t mighty enough to save. As I recently asked a friend of mine, “wouldn’t you rather know? For sure?”. Wouldn’t you? If we are staking our eternity on the reliability of what Scripture teaches, we have the right to question its trustworthiness. What are your questions? What makes your stomach turn with un-announced queries when you read the Bible? Sister, there are answers! Good Answers! Ask your questions, take the Lord up on His invitation to know Him better. Trust me, no, trust HIM, the reward will be sweetly worth it!

2) Why end a prayer with a “doxology”? Where else do we see this modeled in Scripture?
The Lord’s prayer begins with the intimate title of “Father” and concludes with all glory and praise being given to the Most High God of All. He is both the safe haven to cling to and the Mighty Warrior who reigns in awe and victory. Closing our prayer time with a doxology is an invitation for us to be reminded that He is God of all, we are not, and we praise Him for that! We take great comfort in knowing that the Sovereign King of Heaven loves us as a Father, cares for every broken heart, knows every hair on our head, and holds final authority over all creation. A doxology is an expression of our faith like nothing else. We are praising Him not because He needs to hear it, but because our hearts are re-focused and peace floods within us when we simply praise and adore the King of Kings. Have you ever considered how you close your prayers? Consider writing a few doxologies yourself. Study some in Scripture and take a few days to craft your own. Practice the art of praising the Lord and watch your faith grow, your peace deepen, and your relationship with the Father become richer!

3) How does the “doxology” tie back to the Lord’s Prayer?
As we slow down to examine the details of these few words in the doxology and how they tie to the Lord’s Prayer, consider how each of these phrases apply straight to your everyday life right now.
Yours – Where are you relying on something other than that One Name to satisfy and fulfill? Where are you glorifying an object or a relationship or a person above the Lord?
Yours is the kingdom – Whose kingdom do you spend your days building, the Lord’s or your own? What do your schedules and text messages and interactions with people and where you spend your money say about whose Kingdom you’re most invested in?
Yours is the power – Fearful? Worried? Overwhelmed? Tense? These are each signal flares that you’re walking away from the truth that the power is the Lord’s, not ours. When our trust is focused on our ability to perform or control, we have forgotten that the power is His, and we’ve forfeited His peace in the process.
Yours is the glory – Much will quickly be righted in our world when we consciously choose to slow down enough for praise and adoration. Consider the type of words that first form on your lips in any given situation and you’ll quickly get a gauge for the status of your heart attitude. Critical, angry, tense, annoyed, frustrated….these types of words come from a heart that insists on the glory being our own. When we begin training our hearts and tongues to first praise Jesus, giving Him the glory due Him, our hearts are made new right in the middle of our everyday lives! Try it!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with All Of Everything!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Prayer Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Inheritance Day 8
I Am His

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ephesians 1:15-23
Deuteronomy 32:4-9
Isaiah 43:1-7
Ezekiel 37:24-28  

I have a love/hate relationship with celebrations involving gifts. I love the celebrating and have so much fun planning parties, cakes, shopping for decorations, and learning exactly what will make each person feel loved and special. I live for that “ah ha!” moment of pure pleasure when the receiver opens a well planned for gift. I consider it a bonus if the recipient tears up and I feel like I won the World Series if tears are actually flowing.
But for a girl who puts a lot of self-imposed pressure on gifts, I’m floored when I have to buy for someone I either don’t know very well, or worse, I know extremely well, but they have everything!

My husband’s birthday is right next to Memorial Day weekend most years, and of course, Father’s Day is just a couple weeks after that. And then Christmas! Oh the pressure!!!
The Christmas tree is barely put away when I’m already looking for ideas on how to love on him in May and June. I’ve tried it all, sisters. From the super manly toolboxes, tools, and even swords, to the relational date coupons, massage lotion, or card games, to the playful remote control toys and stunt kites, and the romantic with overnight getaways. You know which one got the best reaction? Tea. He liked one specific kind and couldn’t find it in Kansas City. I talked to store managers all over the country to track it down and ended up having a case shipped to him straight from their headquarters. It meant so much because it told him that I knew him, I loved him, I wanted him, and, it was something he couldn’t get himself. Just buying a bottle of New Leaf tea would be satisfying, but having his wife know what he liked and search all over to find it for him, that’s something he couldn’t order from Amazon.

God is much the same way when it comes to receiving a gift.
He’s Lord of creation, Author of humanity, the God who hung the stars and spins the planets; everything is His, except for one thing, human souls.
Those are ours.
True, they were given by Him, but given at the cost that we may decide to spend what we’ve been given on ourselves rather than put it safely back in the Author’s hands in order to enjoy mutual delight.
The most precious of all creations, the pinnacle of our existence, the very best of God’s handiwork worth incomprehensibly more than everything else in all creation, and God turned it over to us entirely.

I was young, probably 7 or 8, and it was a simple thing: a kitchen spoon rest.
It was glass, exquisitely hand painted, and it had been my grandmother’s, but now it had been handed down to my mom.
And I broke it.

I saw my mom’s disappointment when she found out. I knew it had been important to her, and now there it was, in too many pieces to count, in the trash. Guilt washed over me and sat churning in the pit of my stomach. My mom didn’t yell or get upset, but I do remember her sad face and teary eyes as she cleaned up the mess.

Later when she left for work, I scoured through the trash, carefully picking up every shard, wrapping them in a towel and hiding it in my closet until I could think of a way to glue it back together.
Weeks went by and I forgot about it completely until my mom was cleaning out my closet. I can still hear her voice as she asked me what it was. I trembled with sad regret as I recalled the emotions of that day, “I saved it because I wanted to fix it and give it back to you and then I couldn’t find any glue and I didn’t have any money…” I rambled on as my voice dropped. Again with tears, but I’m pretty sure they were from a different emotional source. She hugged me and told me I was much more precious than an old spoon rest.

So the Father God tenderly creates our souls, filling it with all good things that He knows we will delight in.
Pleasure in running, cooking, working with our hands, making music, and crafting.
Fulfillment when we love others, delight when we watch another’s eyes come alive with joy, tenderness, a welcoming spirit, a compassionate heart, encouragement, generosity, and all manner of other abilities and gifts.
The loving Abba crafted each soul, designed us uniquely, making a space in each of us to long for a relationship with Him, and then relinquished His invaluable creations entirely to us as souls.
And too often, we break and abuse them, just like I did with my mother’s spoon rest.

The Lord who has everything?
He wants one thing.
He wants us.
You. He wants you.

We are His rich inheritance.

And oh the delight when we turn our souls over to Him! Rather than a loss we are giving up, it’s a fullness we find! Like running through an endless meadow of soft, luscious grass and daisies blowing in the tickling breeze, with laughter effortlessly flowing from our lips. So is our soul when we give it to our Maker.

Free.
No fear, no regrets, no judgment for all the ways we’ve abused His inheritance before now, just sheer delight.

Our true love.
Our soul’s solitary soul mate.
Found.
Completed.
Rejoiced over,
by giving the Lord of all, His Inheritance.

Curious as to how one goes about giving the Lord His inheritance of you? Email us!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Inheritance Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Inheritance!

Inheritance Day 4
His Abundance Is Waiting For You: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s
Journey Study?
Check out His Abundance Is Waiting For You!

Colossians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

The Questions

1) What does “therefore” refer to?

2) How do we “walk in him”?

3) What is “philosophy and empty deceit”?

4) What implications come with being “filled in him”?

The Findings for Intention

1) What does “therefore” refer to?
I’m glad you asked! Always have your radar up for “therefore” and go back to what was previously written for understanding. Prior to verse 8, Paul has spent a good deal of space praising God for their salvation, he shares the gospel again, and teaches deeply about the theology of Jesus being fully God and how we share in that incredibly rich inheritance! Everything he’s getting ready to say now is rooted deeply in the person of Jesus and all that we have because of Him.

2) How do we “walk in him”?
Walking in Christ (who is the “him”), is impossible without first receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Next in these verses, we see “rooted”, which means our foundation of belief. “Built up in him” refers to our growth as Christians. “Established” is all about regularly preaching the gospel to yourself. Take a look at Hebrews 13:9, which says it’s “good for the heart to be strengthened by grace”. “Abounding in thanksgiving” refers to the overflow of our lives as a result of all the other action steps before this one. Not just thankfulness to God, but sharing the gospel with others because you’re so grateful for what He has done in you. Additionally, nearly every time “thankfulness” is mentioned in the New Testament, it’s also coupled with “prayer”.

3) What is “philosophy and empty deceit”?
In contrast with the importance of everything Paul just taught about “walking in Him”, Paul warns that anything that doesn’t line up with the rich truth found in Jesus Christ, expounded through the Word of God, is empty deceit. Unlike a poured concrete foundation, ideas and philosophies that don’t reflect the truth of the Scriptures, is like a false front with no depth. It’s like walking in an attic with fiberglass insulation for flooring; it simply cannot support life.

4) What implications come with being “filled in him”?
“Fullness” here refers again to the absolute whole inheritance found in Christ. The very fullness of God dwells in the body of Jesus Christ and is made available to us everyday as Christ-followers through the living, breathing Holy Spirit! Again in contrast, Paul asks why would you trade fullness, stability, and deep assurance for empty deceit and worldly philosophies?

The Everyday Application

1) How does “therefore” affect me today?
Girl, you have been given more than you can dream possible as a co-heir with Christ Jesus! Go back and read Colossians 1-2:7 as if Paul had come to speak to your church, your small group, your family, you! Sink your teeth into the very real eternal hope that is yours because of your faith in Christ. Be reminded that what you are doing now for His kingdom, (yes, that includes dishes and meals and taking time to listen to your friends’ needs), will bear fruit as the Spirit spreads the gospel through you! God the Father is your strength, your endurance, your patience, your joy, your everything! Whatever you need for today, in this moment, and all the moments ahead of you, God has it for you. And that’s only a small piece of your inheritance!

2) How do we “walk in him”?
This is how we flesh out walking in Christ:
Receiving: You can’t live the Jesus life without Him because you don’t have the Holy Spirit to give you the power you need to grow.
Rooted: Do you know the full gospel? Are you confident in what the Scripture teaches about salvation and God and Jesus and the Spirit because you’ve read it for yourself? Does what you think you know about God, reflected in the Bible? Jump up and down on your foundation, checking what you believe for weak spots as you line it up with God’s Word.
Built Up: In what ways are we consistently seeking to grow deeper? Regular prayer and Bible time, corporate worship and teaching at church, walking in community with other believers in small group, having an accountability partner, reading books about theology, or having a prayer journal. What are you doing to grow deep and be built up?
Established: The more you are established, which is vital for every believer no matter the stage they are in, the easier you will be able to distinguish between false doctrine and true. Learn to listen and watch out for false teachings by being well established in truth!
Abounding: Summing up, “abounding” is about lifestyle faith that exhibits praise, prayer, and sharing the gospel just as Paul did in 1:3-14. Check your life against these three as a gauge for how healthy your walk with Christ is!

3) What is “philosophy and empty deceit”?
Paul strongly warns against shallow, shaky foundation, which comes through being taken captive by “empty deceit” and worldly “philosophy”. Challenge yourself to truly think about what you believe and where those beliefs come from. What do you read on Facebook or magazines or other sources that isn’t biblical truth, but you unwittingly accept it as such? Where are your shaky foundations?

4) What implications come with being “filled in him”?
If you have given your life to Jesus, His full inheritance is available to you every moment of every day. You are not held captive by empty living! Where do you need God’s fullness to wash over your life? Choose to surrender every area of your life to the fullness of Christ and lean in to God’s whole inheritance for your everyday!

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
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I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into
Inheritance Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

The Why!

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Inheritance!

Worship Day 7
Tis So Sweet: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days...are a pretty big deal at GT!

We search God's Word together, ask questions as we read, dig around to find the original intentions at the time of writing, and then make some applications to our everyday lives.
Along the way, we hope you'll pick up some new tools to study Scripture and you'll see truth in a new and accessible way!
Dig In!

The Passage

Looking for yesterday’s Journey Post? Check out ‘Tis So Sweet!

Philippians 3:7-16 English Standard Version (ESV)

 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

The Questions

1) What had Paul gained that he is so willingly counted as loss?

2) What message is Paul hoping that the Philippians receive from this passage?

3) What does Paul mean by “press on” in v.12?

4) What is the goal that Paul references in v. 14?

The Findings for Intention

1) What had Paul gained that he is so willingly counted as loss?
In the verses preceding this passage, Paul explains his life and all that he has accomplished. He is making the case that if there were ever someone who could have confidence in their accomplishments, it would be him. In that argument, he wants the reader to know it doesn’t matter what he has accomplished in his life, if he is separated from Christ it means nothing.

2) What message is Paul hoping that the Philippians receive from this passage?
Paul had every reason to boast due to his status and position. He had every reason for others to look at him as being well accomplished. The message he gives the Philippians in this passage is clear that nothing matters if Christ is not consuming his life. He wants them to understand the greatness and power that comes from trusting in Jesus. He desires for the readers of this letter to fully grasp the passion with which they pursue the gospel and lay aside worldly standards that are meaningless.

3) What does Paul mean by “press on” in v.12?
Paul states that he “press(es) on to make it his own”. The word press in that sentence means to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire. As he lives his life, he seeks, and is encouraging the Philippians, to trust so deeply that they are eagerly pursuing with every part of their being the gospel in all of its glory.

4) What is the goal that Paul references in v. 14?
Paul is running the race of life well. He is pressing into the hope that comes from knowing and trusting Jesus. He is telling the Philippians that any believer’s life must represent a constant pursuit to know God and His will. The goal of imitating Christ Himself compels the believer to know the sweetness of trusting Him.

The Everyday Application

1) What had Paul gained that he is so willingly counted as loss?
The world would have us believe that keeping up with the Joneses is all we need in this life. We need only to keep ourselves happy and we have arrived. Unfortunately, that does not line up with the truth of the gospel, or even reality. There is more, there is a hope and calling to more. There is no amount of accolades we can acquire that will earn our salvation or our righteousness. Both come only from trusting in the one true God.

2) What message is Paul hoping that the Philippians receive from this passage?
When I think of loss, suffering, and sin, I don’t think of it as a blessing, but Paul wants us to be encouraged that regardless of what we face, our hope is founded in and based upon Christ’s death and resurrection. We don’t bare the weight of our righteousness and because of that we can run the race well. We can cast off our old and be made new. We can grow and mature in our faith as we cling to what we know to be true. We can cling to the faith we have obtained from trusting Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.

3) What does Paul mean by “press on” in v.12?
Sisters be encouraged! We can, with abandon, pursue the one true God. We can press on because we have hope that God is bigger. God is bigger than whatever you are facing: marital struggles, financial issues, depression, anxiety, addiction….fill in the blank. We press on because we have obtained, and are obtaining, what God desires when we rest in Him and worship Him alone.

4) What is the goal that Paul references in v. 14?
The goal in this life is to “hold true to what we have obtained”. (v.16) Hold fast, friends, to what you know to be true. Hold fast to the hope of your calling as a princess in the Kingdom of God. Hold fast to our protector, sustainer, and provider who calls you by name and created you with thought and purpose. (Psalm 139) The goal is to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” at the end of this life. (Matthew 25:21) The aim is to mature in our faith and experience authentic worship when we trust Him with our very souls for all of eternity.

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I Can Do That!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read through it (always more than a verse or two).
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!

The Community!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

The Tools!

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources.  Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom! It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

The Why!

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus.
Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
See all past studies in Worship!