Day by Day with  Jesus - a walk through Holy Week.

This is the first of a series of Bible Studies throughout Holy Week. The aim is to look at the scriptures of what Christ did or said on each day of the Week leading up to the Cross and the Resurrection.

It is my prayer that it will be interesting, challenging and revelatory. It is also my prayer that it will eventually reach others and to that end it is pasted below as well as saved on Facebook.

I am looking at ways of getting it posted on other Church Facebook pages in our deanery and of multi-platforming, in particular on YouTube. If I can find a way of making it more interactive I will do that as well. 

Hopefully you will find it at the link below until I can get the embed code sorted. 

You might also find the pinned post at the top interesting and possibly relevant.

All prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Every Blessing, In Jesus,

Ian.

https://www.facebook.com/gian.goodson.5/videos/267352567623058/

Acts 12 - a different Easter Sermon. Christ in you, the hope of Glory

Hallelujah! Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

This is an Easter Sermon recast as a Bible Study. Do have a go at it. There are amazing similarities between Jesus and Peter as well as differences.

The differences are explained by the fact that Peter is not the Christ and Jesus is, also most of the events in Jesus' life take place before Pentecost.

The similarities are explained by the fact that Peter is a member of the Body of Christ and the Acts 12 events take place after Pentecost.

I pray that you will be challenged and encouraged by this study.

 

Acts 12 – Christ in you, the hope of Glory.

1.  Colossians 1: 24 – 27. Who is suffering?

2. What is his hope?

3. Back to Acts 12.

Acts 12	The Gospel Story
Death of James (brother of John) at the hands of Herod Agrippa I	Matthew 14:1
Peter arrested during days of Unleavened Bread.	Matthew 26:17 ff.
Intending to bring Peter out after the Passover. Note the difference in timing.	Matthew 27:15 - 23
Four squads (of four men) to arrest one man.	Matthew 26:55
Peter between two guards.	Matthew 27:38
Church prays for Peter.	Matthew 26:40 ff.
Sentries at the door.	Matthew 27:62 - 66
Angel of the Lord and a bright light.	Matthew 28:2 -3
Peter goes to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark	Matthew 28:1
Rhoda recognises Peter’s voice.	John 20:16
She does not open the door. Peter keeps knocking.	Revelation 3:20
You are mad – to Rhoda	Luke 24:11
It is his angel.	Luke 24: 36 - 37
Peter instructs them to tell the others. Which James is Peter referring to?	Matthew 28:10
Peter departs to another place.	John 20:17;  Acts 1:9;  John 16:5 - 7
How long from Peter’s arrest to his release?	How long from Jesus’ arrest to His Resurrection?
Death of guards.	Matthew 28:11 -15
Herod Agrippa I  acclaimed as a god.	Revelation 13:8
Death of Herod Agrippa I	Revelation 19:20
Herod’s plan failed. Acts 12:24	Revelation 21 - 22

4. The similarities and the differences are all instructive. Discussion question – What can we learn from these similarities and differences?

5. There are three Powers at work in Acts 12.           

The Power of Prayer

The Power of the Cross – which is implied by the timing and also the Prison. There is an allegorical interpretation which sees the Prison as sin entrapping the soul. Can you think of a hymn which takes a similar line?

The Power of the Resurrection – Romans 8:11; Who is the Power here?

6. See also Acts 5:30 and John 2:19. Who raises Jesus in these verses?

7. What does this tell us about the nature of God?

8. What does this tell us about Peter’s relationship with God? Is it just Jesus?

9. What does all this tell us about God’s plan for our lives?

10. Can you think of any instances where this pattern or some of it has taken place in your life or of someone you know?

Testify. Discuss.    

                                                                                          © G.I.G 15.04. 2015

Additional notes.

A.  Rhoda means rose.

B. Bernice/Berenice was Agrippa’s twin sister. She acted as Queen. Gossip, repeated by the contemporary historian Josephus but not by the Bible, has acting as Agrippa’s Queen in all respects.

C. Luke, the author of Acts and inspired by the Holy Spirit, has a very understated and dry humour, quite English in many ways. In Acts 12:18 we see an example of this understatement.

D. The Herod dynasty is confusing. Below is a simplified version. The complex version carries an adult rating.

A brief introduction to the Person and Work of The Holy Spirit.

I produced this some years ago as a beginner's guide. It can be used as a basis for Bible Studies, Sermon series, overviews... the Symbols are particularly useful with children and for all-age services. You'll have to do your own research to use it properly. It is intended as a guide.

A brief introduction to the Person and Work of The Holy Spirit.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Christ’s Promises of the Holy Spirit’s coming	Luke 11:13. The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him	John 4:10-14 The promise of Living Water to the Samaritan Woman.	John 7:37 – 39 The promise of Living Water at the Temple	John 14:16-17 The Counsellor and Spirit of Truth	John 14:25-26 The Paraclete and Teacher	John 15:26-27 The Counsellor, Spirit of Truth and witness	John 16:7-11The Advocate who convinces	John16:13 – 15 Spirit of Truth and our Guide	John 20:22-23 Authority to forgive	Luke 24:49 Acts 1:8 Power from on high, power to witness.
Symbols of the Holy Spirit	Dove Luke 3:22	Oil Luke 4:18	Wind John 3:1 - 16  Acts2:2	Water John 7:37- 39	Fire Acts  2:3	Wine Acts 2:15 Eph.5:18	Seal 2 Cor. 1:22	These symbols show aspects of the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. The verses given are by way of example.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit	Words of Wisdom	Words of Knowledge	Faith	Gifts of Healing	Working of Miracles	Prophecy	Discernment of spirits	Various kinds of Tongues	Interpretation of tongues	All in 1 Cor.12:8-11
Aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit	Love	Joy	Peace	Patience Long-suffering	Kindness	Goodness	Faithfulness	Gentleness Meekness	Self-control	All in Galatians 6:22-23
Ministries of the Holy Spirit	Apostles 1 Cor.12:27ff Ephesians 4:11ff	Prophets 1 Cor.12:27ff Ephesians 4:11ff	Pastors  and       Teachers Ephesians           1 Cor.12:27ff 4:11ff.            Ephesians 4:11ff These two are linked ministries.		Evangelists Ephesians 4:11ff	Workers of miracles 1 Cor.12:27ff	Healers 1 Cor.12:27ff	Helpers 1 Cor.12:27ff	Administrators 1 Cor.12:27ff	Speakers in various kinds of tongues 1 Cor.12:27ff
Letters of the Spirit to the Churches	Ephesus I will grant to eat of the tree of life	Smyrna shall not be hurt by the second death	Pergamum Hidden manna and white stone with a new name	Thyatira Authority and power to rule; the morning star	Sardis White garments; confess name in Heaven	Philadelphia Pillar of the Temple; name of God, New City and Messiah	Laodicea To eat with Christ and to sit on his throne	All in Revelation 2 & 3. These are the rewards given to those who conquer. This is what the Holy Spirit wants to do for the Christian; the destiny He intends for the believer.
Names of the Spirit in Isaiah	Spirit of YHWH	Wisdom	Understanding	Counsel	Might	Knowledge	Fear (Awe)	All in Isa.11:2 This reveals the character and nature of the Holy Spirit.
Work of the Spirit in Isaiah	Good news to the afflicted (poor)	Bind up the broken-hearted	Proclaim liberty to the captives; Opening of prison to the bound	Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour	And the day of vengeance of our God	To comfort all who mourn	To grant a garland, the oil of gladness and a mantle of praise	All in Isa.61:1 – 3 Another aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work. This is not exclusive nor is there a choice for us about what He wants to do in the Church, except to obey or disobey.

© GIG 2009
© Ian G and The Almond Rod 2013