Week 11

Mon 07 Jul 2008	Genesis 40-43
Tue 08 Jul 2008	1Samuel 1-5
Wed 09 Jul 2008	Psalms 30-32
Thu 10 Jul 2008	Job 21-22
Fri 11 Jul 2008	Isaiah 56-61
Sat 12 Jul 2008	Mark 1-2
Sun 13 Jul 2008	1Corinthians 5-6

Week 10

This week is Matthew 26-28, Jesus went away to pray and find his disciples were sleeping when he return.
Jesus told them to “watch and pray” so not to fall into temptation. Because the spirit is willing but the body is weak. This reminds us as Christian we are strangers and aliens on this earth and this ‘’earth” represent sins and temptations. Many times we know what is right to do but in the end we choose to do the opposite. So why would this happen? - that is because our body is weak!! If we do not stay awake and pray, we will be more prone to temptation.

1 Corinthians 3-4

• I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (3:6-7) Paul clarified to the Corinthian church who is the head of church, who was responsible for driving the church.
• Another analogy on buildings: or we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. (v9-10)
• The foundation being Jesus Christ (v11)
• Your foundation is revealed on Judgment Day. Do you have christ or just earthly material? (v13-15)
• We are God's temple (v16-17)

• As Christians we should be trustworthy stewards (4:1-2)
• We are rich already if all we have is God's word. (v6-8)

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

-- 1 Corinthians 4:6

• We are only to take whatever is in the bible, nothing more.

Matthew 26-28

a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?

-- Matthew 26:7-8

• We often think that things may be done in other ways for better utilisation. The apostles thought it could help others while Jesus here tells us that the woman who poured the perfume is not wrong because she had her priorities with the Lord.
• Betrayal by Judas (v14-16)
• Communion (v26-28)

Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."

-- Matthew 26:31-32

• Foretells that the apostles' heart won't be strong. Peter thinks he is better (v33) but Jesus goes into more detail for his denial of Christ.
• Jesus suffering badly. (v38-39) For God the son to experience such pressure of taking all sin of the world must be too great to comprehend
• God's will be done (v39, 42)
• He could have asked for backup but for God's will, he allowed them to seize him. (v53)
• Peter's betrayal (v69-75)

• A King who should be exalted actually gets mocked to full extent. If he was slightly tempted, the whole plan for salvation could have failed (27:26-35)
• The temple is torn down (v51)
• The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (v52-53)
• They secured the tomb as much as they can to ensure this is true about Jesus' resurrection (v63-66)

Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you. (28:7) as promised in 26:32
And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. (v17) Some had stronger faith than others
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

-- Matthew 28:18-20

Isaiah 51-55

• Reminds us who our foundation should be set on (51:1) and reminds up that God provides in the past (v2)

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations."

-- Isaiah 51:7- 8

• Reveals Jesus bearing our transgressions (53:1-5)
• Describes us as lost sheep (v6)

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

-- Isaiah 55:2-3

• We often waste our time, effort and money doing things that are not beneficial to ourselves. We should listen to our Lord.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

-- Isaiah 55:8-9

• We may sometimes not comprehend God's actions when we are going through grief, but we should trust that what he has for us are more meaningful than what we can imagine.