3 Jan 13: The Visit of the Magi and Paul Declares the Power of the Gospel

3 Jan 13: The Visit of the Magi and Paul Declares the Power of the Gospel

**Read Matthew 2:1-12 and Romans 1:16-17
Prayer: Father God, bless us Lord and send your Holy Spirit upon us to guide us in our studies.  Bless those who seek your word and open the hearts of others who are lost.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

I. The Visit of the Magi

-Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the Magi's visit of Jesus Christ more known as the "three Kings".   These "kings" were not really royalty but wise men who study the heavens and the stars.  It is also not written in the scriptures that there were three of them but it is through tradition that was passed around that the Magi's were Melchior, Caspar  and Balthazar.  When they reached Judeah, they went to King Herod to ask for this "King of the Jews".  They had followed the star all the way from the east to give praise and gifts to the messiah.  King Herod was alarmed and troubled so he consulted with his religious leaders and scribes about the prophecy.  He learned that it is written in Micah 5:2 that a ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem.  After learning this, he instructed the Magis to look for this "King" and report to him once they find him.  In 2:9-11, the Magis found Jesus and presented him with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When we think of this event, we always see the "Nativity Scene" where the baby Jesus is lying on the manger beside Joseph and Mary with the "Three Kings" presenting him gifts.  Contrary to popular belief, Jesus probably was 1-2 years old already when they saw him because of the time it takes to travel in those days.  He was probably walking already and running around just like any other kid.  After the visit, the Magis returned home by taking a different route because of the warning they received in their dream not to tell Herod because of his wicked plans.  We can see the faith that the Magi's had in the "King".  They traveled thousands of miles just by following a star without knowing where they'll be going and when they'll get there.  When they found him, they responded with joy, worship, and gifts.  Nowadays, it is God that is searching for us.  We wait for God to give us proof of His existence and to present us with gifts for us to accept him.  If we are wise just like the Magis, we would look for Him and put our trust in Him for if you seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be blessed.

II. Paul Declares the Power of the Gospel

- In Romans 1:16-17  Paul continues his letter to Rome by telling them that he is not ashamed of the gospel or "good news" of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  This was said because the Jews did not accept Jesus as their messiah and they were ashamed of their confidence and were still waiting for the another messiah to come.  Paul then wrote about God's power to forgive people and to deliver them from sin and death.  He mentioned salvation to the Jew first because of them being God's people, Jesus came from them, they had God's law and his temple.  And next, the gospel will be delivered to the Greek which meant to every one that were not Jews or simply the world.  1:17 reminded us that God is just and holy and the only method of deliverance from condemnation or sin, is by faith in the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ; and not by any works or good deeds of men (Ephesians 2:8-9).  We just need to have faith in God and accept that Jesus Christ is our savior and he was born, he died, and was risen to save us from our sins.

III. Proverbs for Today/1;10-19

10 My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
11 If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood;
Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,[a]
And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
We shall fill our houses with spoil;
14 Cast in your lot among us,
Let us all have one purse”—
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;
16 For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely, in vain the net is spread
In the sight of any bird;
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners.

IV. Old Testament Readings:
Genesis 5-7 and Psalm 3:1-8

Prayer: Father God, we thank you for giving us hope and your love.  We know that we don't deserve all the blessing but because you are a loving Father, you have fulfilled your promises to us.  Father, we ask that you continue to bless us and give us the drive that we will seek your Word so we may have a relationship with you.  Continue to provide for us, heal us, prosper us, and forgive our sins.  We love you, we honor, you, and we worship you.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

2 Jan 13: Christ Born of Mary and Paul's Desire to Visit Rome

(2 Jan 13) Christ Born of Mary and Paul's Desire to Visit Rome

**Read Matthew 1:18-25 and Romans 1:8-15

Prayer: Father God, we ask for your Holy Spirit to guide us with this Bible study.  Give us guidance so we can discern the true meaning of your Word. in Jesus' Name.  Amen.

I. Christ Born of Mary
- Matthew 1:18-25 tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Mary's immaculate conception of the Holy Spirit was a suprise for Joseph and he struggled to accept her.  In early Israel, if you were found to be pregnant by someone other than your husband, you will be sentenced to death by stoning.  Because of this, Joseph was scared and actually was thinking of divorcing Mary quietly and going far away.  The law of Moses actually gave husbands the power of divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1) but it is only if they find their wife "unclean" thus by committing adultery.  But after considering this, an angel appeared in his dream to give him a message.  The word angel literally means "messenger" of God.  Dreams were also a common way of getting the message of God to the ancient prophets (Genesis 20:3; Genesis 30:1, Genesis 30:11, Genesis 30:24; Genesis 37:5; Genesis 41:1; 1 Kings 3:5; Daniel 7:1; Job 4:13-15) .  In 1:20, the angel called Joseph, "son of David" to remind him that he was a descendant of David and to prepare him for the birth of the messiah.  The angel continued by telling Joseph that "what is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit".  This is to encourage Joseph that Mary has not committed and wrongdoing but she is carrying the son of God (Isiah 7:14) who will deliver us from our sins.

II.  Paul's Desire to Visit Rome
-Romans 1:8-15; God works in His own mysterious way.  Paul had prayed to God to go to Rome.  He wanted to share the Gospel to the non-Jews and his prayers were answered.  What people might not know is how he got to Rome.  He was persecuted, jailed, carried in a ship chained as a prisoner, shipwrecked, landed on an island then bit by a poisonous snake, and survived all with the protection of God to complete his mission and share the gospel.  In 1:14, he mentioned that he is a debtor to both Greeks and Non-Greeks.  This is just to say that he has an obligation to preach the gospel and minister to all to whom it was possible, to the wise or unwise (believers or non-believers), etc.  This ended with Paul sharing that he is not ashamed of the gospel or the "good news" even after the Jews casting him out and and persecuting him because of his faith and Paul is ready to minister to to share the message of Salvation.  Sometimes we as Christians are ashamed and we hide our Christianity.  People make fun of us, ridicule us, and persecute us but it is said in the Holy Bible that if you are true Christians, you will be persecuted because of your faith (1 Peter 4:12-19).  Jesus also mentioned this in John 15:18-20 ¹⁸ “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also".

But do not worry, because we are God's people and He promised that “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Jeremiah 20:11)

III. Proverbs for Today/1:7-9

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
 8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.

IV. Old Testament Readings:
Genesis 3-4 and Psalm 2:1-12

Prayer: Father God, we thank you for sending your only begotten Son to us for eventhough we were sinners, you sacrficed your Son for our sins.  We pray that you give us  encouragement for we our in a world where being a Christian is frowned upon.  Give us strength that we can overcome all the persecution that is thrown against us.  Bless us Lord and forgive our sins.  In Jesus' Name. Amen

1 Jan 13: The Genealogy of Jesus and The Good News About Jesus Christ

(1 Jan 13) The Genealogy of Jesus and The Good News About Jesus Christ

Prayer:  Father God, as we start this new year, we proclaim that we our a new creation in Christ, Jesus.  May you bless us and continue to provide for us.  Guide us through your Holy Spirit and provide us the way to be your follower.  Forgive our sins and cleanse our souls.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

 **Read Matthew 1:1-17 and Romans 1:1-7

I. The Geneology of Jesus
- Matthew 1:1-17 lists the ancestors of Jesus naming 46 people who lived in a lifespan of 2000 years.  From Abraham to King David, Josiah to Jacob, and Joseph to Jesus Christ.  Many probably skipped this chapter because they think it is "useless" or "boring" but we have to see what is written here.  Matthew wrote Jesus' descendants as a proof of Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies below:

A. Jeremiah 23:5
⁽⁵“ Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,
“ That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. )

- The messiah would be a descendant of King David

B. Genesis 49:10
(¹⁰ The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

- Jacob told his son, Judah, that his descendants would be rulers and that one of his descendants will be an ultimate ruler.  This is a reference to Jesus Christ who is King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords.

II.  The Good News About Jesus Christ
Romans 1:1-7 is the salutation of a letter from the apostle Paul to the Romans.  In 1:1, Paul talks about him being a bondservant, apostle, and separated to the gospel of God.  He did this to show his  devotion and commitment to Jesus Christ and God.  Paul also mentioned himself as an "apostle" to clarify his position written in Galatians 1:1 (¹ "Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),").  Apostles are chosen by God and was given a gift to share the gospel, minister; and together formed the foundation of the church with Christ himself as the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20).   1:2-6 speaks of the promise of God to send his son Jesus Christ who will die for our sins and rise again and will give all nations grace and salvation.  Finally, 1:7 shows who this letter is for (God's people of Rome and all the saints-all Christians were called Saints in the New Testament) and his prayer for grace for them from God and Jesus Christ. The grace signifies all blessings and gifts that Jesus has purchased by dying on the cross.

III. Proverbs for Today/1:1-6

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

IV. Old Testament Reading:
Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 1:1-6

Prayer: Father God, you are truly The Almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth.  We thank you for this new year, this new day, and new life.  We honor you, praise you, and worship you.  We pray for blessings and forgiveness of our sins.  Open our eyes, ears, and hearts so we can see, hear, and feel your promises and love.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.
Amen.

Knowing God and Salvation

Christianity is not a religion, it is a direct relationship with God.  There is a wrong misconception in the world that as long as we are good citizens and we do good things to other people that we will be saved and will inherit the kingdom of God but it is actually only by the grace of God through faith that we are saved  ("8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9).

God loved us even though we were sinners and we were unworthy of his love and mercy ("For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God-Rom 3:23 ); that he sent Jesus Christ to save us from our sins ("16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3;16)

Jesus died for you and you can be saved just by asking Him for forgiveness from your sins and accepting him as your savior.  It does not matter what you have done in the past, just repent and He will forgive you.  (“17Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." -Mark 2:17)

You can start by saying this prayer:
"Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I know the truth is that I have sinned by my own choice, and I am the one responsible for it. I know that I have earned punishment from You, and that the fair punishment would be death. Jesus, I believe that You died in my place. Forgive me for my sin. I cannot cover or take my sin away, I am relying totally and only on You. You are the only one who can save me. I reject my sin, I turn away from it, I repent. Come into my life, take away my sin, and show me how to live my life in a way that is right and pleasing to You." (http://www.calvaryaurora.org/how-to-know-god/)