Today the story picks up after Gabriel’s appearance to Mary and after the miraculous virgin conception of Jesus within Mary's womb. Elizabeth’s pregnancy is progressing, and Mary hastily leaves Nazareth for the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth. Listen in as the anticipation of the arrival of the Promised One continues to build.
 

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 10, ”Prepare Him Room”

After God's long silence, Israel, outwardly, looks like a very different people from 400 years ago. But inwardly, that same old enemy entwines himself around their hearts. The snake still deceives and enslaves many of them, and he is very much at work in the land when God sends Gabriel on a second mission to the town of Nazareth.

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 9, ”A Tale of Two Birth Announcements”

After 400 years of silence from God, after 400 years of political upheaval in the land, and after 400 years of languishing in spiritual exile, we turn the page to find faithfulness in Israel—a hopeful beginning to the next chapter of God's story!

Who is the King of Glory, Lesson 8, ”God Breaks His Silence

The Old Testament concludes with a final warning of judgment and a promise of hope, that when the day of the Lord was near, God would send “Elijah the prophet” to “turn the hearts” of his people and “prepare the way” for the Lord, “lest [he] come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction” (Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6). After those sobering words, God went silent.

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 7, ”Silence from Heaven”

Beginning with Eden and all the way through Judah’s exile, God’s story shows us that humanity’s greatest need is for God to “create…a clean heart” within them (Ps 51:10). The prophet Isaiah spoke of how God would accomplish that feat. He would send a humble, innocent servant who would willingly offer his own life and pour out his own blood in order to make many sinners righteous (Is 53:10-12).
That servant had the full human experience, suffering under the weight of the curse, enduring the attacks of enemies, and feeling as if all his work had been in vain, and yet after he had “poured out his soul to death” (53:12), God made him a king above all kings (Is 49:7) and gave him many offspring (53:10-11). That suffering servant is the King-priest from Psalm 110. It is he who sits enthroned in Heaven and waits for God to make all his enemies a footstool. (110:1).
And while he waits, his kingdom of light continues to spread into every dark corner of the earth. While he waits, “the will of the LORD shall prosper” in the “hand[s]” of his “offspring,” who like their King-priest make their lives a living sacrifice and by bearing the fruits of righteousness bring God’s salvation “to the end of the earth” (Is 53:10, Rom 12:1, Is 49:6).
As we go about the normal business of our lives this week, I am praying that God impresses a new awareness on our spirits that he now works through us to accomplish his original creative purposes of bringing blessing to every family of the earth. Praise God for the work of his servant, who has made us righteous and has blessed us with fruitfulness in all the good works God has prepared for us to do. (Eph 2:10)

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 6 ”The Slough of Despond”

Psalm 110 and the mysterious Melchizedek introduced us to the idea that humanity needs more than a king. We need a king to crush the snake and end the ancient conflict of the garden, but we also need a priest who can atone for our sins and mediate God’s blessing to us. The prophecy of Psalm 110 guarantees both in the person of the Messiah, who is a king from the line of David and a priest from the order of Melchizedek, rather than the failed order of the Levites. 
Psalm 110 places this King-Priest on the throne of Heaven where he waits for the “day of his power” when he will subdue all his enemies and usher in the new and better Eden. But while he waits, there is time for those enemies to turn, “kiss the King” and exchange their curse for his blessing.

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 5 ”More Than a King”

2 Reflections on the story so far:
1--Why does God keep retelling the same story? 
We saw it first with Adam, then Noah, with Israel in the wilderness, with Israel in the PL during the time of the judges. And now we see it even after a king from Judah sits on the throne of Israel. Why have all of these new beginnings–these Eden reboots–failed? Because the enemy within must also be crushed. Rebellion is bound up in the hearts of humanity. And these repeated stories show us just how bad the problem of sin is, because we don’t always believe it, but our greatest enemy is not the wretched curse on the world. It’s arguably not even the snake–we’ve seen his impotence in his multiple failed efforts to prevent the birth of the one who will crush him. It’s not his offspring who are the biggest threat. No, the biggest threat facing humanity is our own traitorous heart, and the desires we have–to cast off God’s cords and bonds and to make ourselves King in his place. How will the King of Glory crush this enemy–the one that is so entwined around the hearts even of his chosen nation? You’ll have to keep reading to find out. But just remember–these Eden reboots all failed because of sin. Not because of the snake–though he is crafty and he will certainly use the curse on the ground and our own evil inclinations against us–but ultimately these Eden reboots failed because of sin, the enemy within. And because we are slow to understand and believe, God keeps telling the same story.
2--Notice how many ways God repackages the story to drive home his message–that in spite of our sin, he loves us and wants to be with us.  He speaks of his love for his people like the love a Father has for his children. He speaks of his love for his people like a husband has for his wife. He speaks of his love for his people like a shepherd has for his flock. He’ll repackage this message over and over again, so that the truth of it begins to dawn on our darkened minds and we finally believe it–that God really loves us! And despite everything–the evil attempts of the snake, the multiplication of his offspring, the curse of death that hangs over us, even our own wayward hearts–despite all of this, he will send the King of Glory to crush all these enemies and deliver us from their enslaving power–so that we can be with God, joyful and glad of heart for all the prosperity he grants to his people through their great King of Glory!

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 4 ”Eden Reboot”

From Jacob’s prophecy, (Genesis 49) we learned that the King of Glory will descend from the line of Judah. We also learned that when he comes, he will not only rule Israel, but all the nations of the earth. 
From Balaam’s prophecy, (Numbers 24) we learned that when the King of Glory establishes his reign, he will bring his earth-wide blessing by not only crushing the snake, but by crushing all the snake’s offspring.

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 3 ”One King to Rule Them All”

1) Sin and Conflict abound in the new landscape outside of Eden. We see this right out of the garden where two warring lines emerge.
2) God begins to reveal a comprehensive plan to redeem all of creation. He’s not just going to crush the snake. He’s going to reverse the curse and restore Eden.

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 2 ”Heroes and Villains”

Genesis 3:14–15 taught us to look for the birth of a boy child who—through suffering—will destroy the snake, our ancient enemy who sought to undermine God’s creation and kill Adam and Eve.

Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 1”A Snake in the Garden”

Parable 1: Matthew 22:1–14 The Parable of the Wedding Guests
Context Context in Jesus’ ministry: Chief priests and Pharisees offended at parables (Matthew 21:45–46)Leaders seeking to arrest Jesus 
Crowds held Jesus to be prophet

Context in teaching: Jesus speaks again in a parable (Matthew 22:1–3a)Kingdom of heaven like a king giving a wedding feast for his son
King sends servants to call those who were invited


Crisis 1Those invited would not come (22:3b)
King sends other servants Message: See, come
ResponseSome paid no attention, went off to farm/business
Others seized, shamefully treated, killed servants


King respondsTo those murderers: anger, destruction, burning
To servants: Those invited  weren’t worthy; gather new guests

Servants gathered all they found, bad and good; wedding hall was filled

Crisis 2 King saw a man with no wedding clothes
King inquires: How did you get in without wedding garment?
Man was speechless
King responds: bind, cast into outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth

ConclusionJesus’ conclusion: Many are called; few are chosen
Pharisees response: plot to entangle

ChallengeWhat is your response to the call of Christ?
What is your confidence to enter God’s kingdom?

Parable 2: Matthew 25:1–13 The Parable of the Waiting Virgins
ContextContext in Jesus’ ministry: days prior to betrayal and crucifixion, teaching disciples about the end
Context in parable: waiting for a wedding … ten virgins meeting the bridegroomFive were foolish, no oil with their lamps
Five were wise, flasks of oil with their lamps
Delay and sleep for all


Cry to ComeReadiness revealed; all trimmed their lampsFoolish unprepared: lamps going out, presume upon the preparations of others
Wise ready: enough oil for their own lamps but not to share, place responsibility where it belongs
Foolish leave to buy oil; facade of readiness removed

Bridegroom came, those ready went in to feast, door was shut

Coming Too LateFoolish: Open to us
Bridegroom: I do not know you

Conclusion: Watch therefore
Challenge: As you wait for the King’s return, are you living in readiness?

Precious Pictures: The Parables of Christ, Lesson 7,  Weddings and Waiting (Amy Katterson, July 20, 2022)

A Parable on Stewardship ... The Parable of the Talents 
Matthew 25:14–30
Pam Larson
What does it look like to be a good and faithful servant? Watchful? Expectant? Working?
Aim: Be faithfully working while you watch and wait eagerly for the return of King Jesus
3 Scenes
Scene 1 (v14–15) before he goes

Scene 2 (v16–18) while he is away

Scene 3 (v19–30) when he returns

3 main characters
Master, King
Good and faithful servants  The faithful are rewarded and that includes JOY! (Psalm 16:11; 1 Peter 1:8)
 


Wicked and slothful servant acontrastNO commendation
NO more opportunities or responsibilities
What he has is taken away and given to the first servant
He has NO celebration
NO fruit in his life for Christ





What does a good and faithful servant look like? 
Be faithfully working* while you watch and wait eagerly for the return of King Jesus
* “faithfully working” does not mean good works you do to earn salvation … NO! But works which are the fruit that comes from faith, from trusting in Jesus. The focus is not on your level of performance but on faithfully and gratefully responding to your relationship with Jesus!
Oh friends, be faithfully working while you watch and wait … be ready, faithful, wise, prepared, and eagerly expecting his return. Be watching, waiting, working. 

Precious Pictures: The Parables of Christ, Lesson 6,  Stewardship (Pam Larson, July 13, 2022)

Parables on Prayer
The Unexpected Guest, The Unjust Judge and Widow, 
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Luke 11:5–13 and Luke 18:1–14
Lindsay Osborne
 
Pattern for Prayer  (Luke 11:1–4)
Unexpected Visitor (Luke 11:5–13)
Pray boldly because God is a good father.
Ask for the Holy Spirit, the power of the kingdom.

Unjust Judge & Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1–8)
Pray persistently because God will give justice.
Ask for justice, the coming of the kingdom.

Pharisee & Tax Collector (Luke 18: 9–14)
Pray humbly because only Jesus’s righteousness can justify.
Ask for mercy, entrance into the kingdom.

How to Receive the Kingdom  (Luke 18:16–17)
16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Precious Pictures: The Parables of Christ, Lesson 5, Prayer (Lindsay Osborne, July 5, 2022)

Parables of Preciousness
The Hidden Treasure, The Pearl of Great Price, and The Net
Matthew 13:44–50
Julia Dembeck
Aim: To find our supreme treasure in King Jesus.
Precious Treasure (v. 44–46)
By Surprise
This treasure is hidden.
This treasure is supremely valuable.

By Diligence
This treasure is found in diligence.
This treasure is supremely valuable.

Precious Treasure Application
Precious Warning (v. 47–50)
Context and Situation
Bad fish:
What is the behavior?
What is the outcome?

Good fish:
What is the behavior?
What is the outcome?

Application
Precious warning as an invitation
Precious warning as a call
Conclusion
 

Precious Pictures: The Parables of Christ, Lesson 4, Preciousness (Julia Dembeck, June 29, 2022)

Parables of the Lost and Found (Jenni Naselli)
The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son(s)
Luke 15:1–32

The first two parables.  Can you find any repeated themes?
Main Characters:
Items: 
Quantity:
Repeated words: “lost” “found” “repent” and “rejoice.” 
Reactions: 
The last parable’s themes: 
Characters Change: (vs. 11) 
Item: 
Quantity: 
Reactions: 
The last parable’s repeated words:
Lost: 
Found: 
Repent: 
Rejoice: 
Application: So how do these parables apply to us today as Christian women?
Are you lost? Repent! 
Are you found? Rejoice! 
Are you grumbling/resentful? Repent and rejoice! 
Remember: Jesus ends these three parables with, “We had to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” 

Precious Pictures: The Parables of Christ, Lesson 3, Lost & Found (Jenni Naselli, June 22, 2022)

Parable of Forgiveness: The Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21–35
Charisse Compton
 
Context: Matthew 18
Peter’s Question: v 21
Jesus’s Two-fold Answer:

77 times, v 22



Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: vv 23–34
Scene 1:
Scene 2:
Scene 3:

Jesus’s Explanation: v 35
Applications:
Humility leads to greatness.
Forgiveness is costly.
All sin is deadly.
God will seek and restore his children when they sin.

Precious Pictures: The Parables of Christ, Lesson 2, Forgiveness (Charisse Compton, June 15, 2022)

KINGDOM Seminar (Amy Katterson, May 21, 2022)

Why did Jesus speak in parables? Dr. Jared Compton unpacks Matthew 13 as we begin our summer study of the parables of Jesus.

Precious Pictures:The Parables fo Christ, Introduction, Dr. Jared Compton, June 8, 2022

Our Redeemer's Glory!
Exodus 38:21–31 and 39:32–43 and 40
1–All accomplished! It was built, finished and blessed. (Exodus 39:32, 42-43) 
2– Assemble the tent (Exodus 40:1-2) 
3– Arrange everything (Exodus 40:3-8) 
4–Anoint the furniture (Exodus 40:9-11) 
5–Anoint the priests (Exodus 40:12-15) 
6–Finally filled! (Exodus 40:34-38) 
7–Access Denied! (Exodus 40:34-35) 
8-Abiding Guide! (Exodus 40:36-38) 
The rest of the story 
Reverberations of Exodus in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life 
Exodus in light of eternity 
May the glory of Jesus, as seen in Exodus, lead you to worship!

Exodus 40, Our Redeemer’s Glory (Pam Larson, May 4, 2022)

This week we continued to study the very detailed instructions that God entrusts to Moses while up on the mountain and then the execution of those plans. We examined four aspects of how God covers, consecrates, and commissions His people:
The Priests’ Garments: Special covering to come before a holy God 

The Priests’ Consecration: Setting sinners apart for God’s service 

Atonement Money and Extravagant Supply: Each one shall give 

Workers and Rest: Spirit-enabled labor and covenant-keeping rest 

Reviewing these aspects, we traced the threads of these themes through Scripture, like the precious threads of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet woven through the priests’ holy garments: 
Purpose for the people of Israel
Pointers toward Christ
Present for us now
Promise for future fulfillment 
May these precious future promises buoy your faith and enliven your joy this week

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