Bible Searchers: 2000
Table of Contents
Mark 10: January 2000
Great multitudes were following the Lord as He taught and healed them. When we read the Bible, the Lord is still willing to teach us if we want to learn. The Pharisees were not really willing to learn. They often tried to trap the Lord with their questions. In the matter of divorce, the Lord Jesus took them back to the beginning of creation when God made male and female.
How the Lord loved the little children! He said that we must receive the kingdom of God as a little child, or we would not enter into it. He not only touched these children, but He took them up in His arms and blessed them.
Don’t you think that the rich young man was very earnest? He came running and then kneeled before the Lord. As a boy, he was probably well-behaved, for he tried to keep the commandments. The one thing he seemed to lack was faith in the Lord Jesus. But this is the only way to receive eternal life. He went away grieved, because he chose great possessions rather than following the Lord.
As they continued on their journey to Jerusalem, the Lord was calm, but the disciples were afraid of the danger that lay ahead. The Lord said He would be put to death, and on the third day He would rise again. How soon the disciples forgot what He told them!
As they journeyed through Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimeus inquired as to why such a great crowd was passing by. The people said they were following Jesus of Nazareth. Then why did he cry out, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me”? He had God-given faith to see that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of David. He received spiritual sight first, and then the Lord gave him natural sight. Do you know what the poor beggar did that the rich young man didn’t do? He followed Jesus in the way!
1. When did God make them ____________ and female? Mark 10:___
But
2. What did Jesus say to the disciples who rebuked those that brought young ____________ to Him? Mark 10:___
But
3. Why did the man who wanted to know what to do to inherit eternal life go away ____________ ? Mark 10:___
And
4. When the Lord Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He told the twelve what would happen to Him. What did the Lord say He would do on the ____________ day after He was killed? Mark 10:___
And
5. The people said that ____________ of Nazareth was passing by. What did blind Bartimeus cry out and say? Mark 10:___
And
Why the Lord Jesus Christ Came Into the World: January 2000
If the Lord Jesus had not left His home in heaven to redeem sinful men, there would be no hope for the human race. God could not have sin in His presence, and all men are sinners. The Lord Jesus came into this world to lay down His life as a sacrifice for sin so that the sinner can be set free from judgment. Now God can righteously forgive those who trust in His Son as their Saviour. The debt we owed has been cancelled by faith in His precious blood.
The Lord Jesus said that He came “to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). On the cross He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Now God can offer salvation free “without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1) to whosoever will.
Those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour are very thankful that He came into the world. But He is coming again - not as a lowly man to serve, but as a judge (John 5:27). How sad it will be to reject Him as Saviour and then meet Him as Judge.
1. The Lord Jesus did not come to call the righteous, for “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Then who did He come to call?
Luke 5:___
2. When the Lord Jesus came the first time, it was not to judge the world but for another reason. What was it? John 12:___
3. Concerning the truth, why was Jesus born and why did He come into the world? John 18:___
4. The Son of Man did “not come to be ministered unto, but to minister” and to do what else? Matthew 20:___
5. We are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19). Can any other person redeem his brother? Psalm 49:___
Mark 11: February 2000
The Lord was getting nearer to Jerusalem. When they reached the mount of Olives, He sent two disciples to bring a colt, that was probably not tame, for the Lord to ride upon. Because “the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10) are His, He could claim the colt and tame it.
How rightly the Lord deserved the praise rendered that day by His disciples! But He didn’t stay in that religious city, because their leaders were about to reject Him completely. He returned to Bethany where Martha, Mary and Lazarus lived.
The Lord desired fruit from Israel, but under the law, they could bear no fruit for God. They had a profession - plenty of leaves on the fig tree - but no fruit. Only faith in God, not works, can produce fruit.
When Jesus began to cleanse the temple, the scribes and chief priests sought to destroy Him. They were making the house of God a den of thieves.
Peter remembered what the Lord had said about the fig tree and noticed how quickly it had withered away. It was a picture of Israel, soon to lose their place and nation and wither away. Later on, God will reverse the future of this fig tree; see Mark 13:27-29. Until then, the Lord’s disciples are exhorted to have faith in God, pray believingly and have a forgiving spirit.
Men like to bestow authority upon one another. They thought that the Lord should be subject to their authority. The chief priests, scribes and elders set themselves up to judge His authority, but He told them to first decide the source of John’s authority. They could not do it. Then how could they judge as to the source of the Lord’s authority?
1. When someone would ask the disciples why they were loosing the colt, what did the ____________ say to answer? Mark 11:___
And
2. When the Lord was hungry and came to the ____________ tree, what did He find on it? Mark 11:___
And
3. Instead of the temple being a ____________ of prayer for all nations, what had it become? Mark 11:___
And
4. What happened to the fig ____________ that the Lord had cursed?
Mark 11:___
And
5. The chief priests, scribes and elders could not tell who gave John the Baptist authority. Would the Lord Jesus tell them who gave Him His ____________ ? Mark 11:___
And
"Pure" : February 2000
We live in a very polluted world, all because of sin. Yet, the Lord wants His people to be pure. How can we do this, when there is so much contamination all around us?
The Bible says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word” (Psalm 119:9). It also says that “the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).
When Paul wrote to the Philippians (ch. 4:8), he told them to think on “whatsoever things are pure.” Also, Timothy was told that, no matter how morally dark things became, there would still be others he could fellowship with who had “a pure heart.”
When Jesus takes control of government and comes as King of kings and Lord of lords, His name shall be great among the Gentiles and incense and a pure offering will be in every place.
Remember that the Lord Jesus gave Himself for us that He might redeem us and purify us unto Himself. “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled” (Titus 1:15).
1. Besides being told to “lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins,” what else was Timothy told? 1 Timothy 5:___
2. Upon what kind of table did Abijah say the showbread was set in order?
2 Chronicles 13:___
3. With whom are we to follow righteousness, faith, charity and peace?
2 Timothy 2:___
4. What kind of offering will be offered to the Lord in every place among the Gentiles? Malachi 1:___
5. Can we tell what a child is like by what he does? Proverbs 20:___
Mark 12: March 2000
Often, when the Lord Jesus spoke in parables, people did not understand what was said, but in this chapter, they knew that the parable applied to them. Did not the owner of the vineyard have a right to receive the fruit of the vineyard? Why did the husbandmen treat his servants so badly? And above all, how wicked they were to kill his only well-beloved son!
When men heard the Lord’s words, they either confessed their sinfulness or hardened their hearts. The Pharisees and Herodians wanted to catch Him in His words. With them, there was no sign of repentance. Do you think anyone can trick the Lord? He knew their thoughts and motives, and He knows ours too! They were Israel’s leaders and were about to reject the stone whom God means to exalt to be the head of the corner.
A Christian is to be subject to the authorities of the land and render (pay) his share of taxes, or tribute, because the authorities maintain peace in the land and punish those that do evil. We are even told to pray for them “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Timothy 2:2).
Death does not end it all. There is a resurrection. Jesus said that all “shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29). We do good by receiving the Lord Jesus into our hearts as our Saviour.
The scribe who came next knew the law very well. But he did not know the grace that was in Jesus Christ. He was not far from the kingdom of God.
Not too many people would say that two mites are a lot of money. But that is all that this poor widow had! Why didn’t she cast one mite into the treasury and keep the other one for herself? Because she loved the Lord so much that, out of her want, she gave Him all that she had. Do we love the Lord that much?
1. After having sent many servants, whom did the lord of the vineyard send to receive the fruit of ____________ vineyard? Mark 12:___
Having
2. What happened to the ____________ (the Lord Jesus Christ) which the builders rejected? Mark 12:___
And
3. When the Pharisees and the Herodians asked the Lord if it was lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, to whom, beside Cæsar, did He say they should ____________ something? Mark 12:___
And
4. When ____________ answered the Sadducees about the resurrection, He said they erred in not knowing two things. What were they? Mark 12:___
And
5. Why did Jesus say that the poor widow, who was in ____________ and threw two mites into the treasury, cast in more than the rich? Mark 12:___
For
The Eye: March 2000
Of the five senses, most would agree that being able to see with our eyes is the most important. Suppose you were blind, how dark your world would be! You would also be limited in what you could do. Only the Lord Jesus had power to restore sight to the blind and He could impart this power to others.
It is by the eye that we take in so much of what is either good or bad. We can also learn faster if we are observant of all that is around us. The Bible has many verses that instruct and guard as to what our eyes should see.
People forget that “He that formed the eye, shall He not see?” Not only can we see, but so can God! He sees everything and everywhere. There is nothing that escapes His notice.
Let’s look for a few references to the eyes in Scripture.
1. Why did the writer of Psalm 119 desire that God would open his eyes?
Psalm 119:___
2. What did Eve see with her eyes concerning the fruit of the tree?
Genesis 3:___
3. All that is in the world and not of the Father can be summed up in three things. What are they? 1 John 2:___
4. Instead of beholding vanity with our eyes, what should our prayer to God be? Psalm 119:___
5. The Lord wants us to give Him our heart and what else? Proverbs 23:___
Mark 13: April 2000
Large stone buildings often impress us. In awe, the disciples called the Lord’s attention to the great buildings in Jerusalem, but He said that they would all be cast down. What we see in the world today will soon be torn down too. “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day” (Isaiah 2:11). That will be a day of judgment for the wicked and of trial for believers. The Lord will be with His own during the trial, and when they are brought before rulers and kings, the Holy Spirit will tell them what to speak. How good it is to wait on the Lord so that we can give our friends and neighbors a word from God. The Lord even tells His own where to flee. He has a hiding place for them in the mountains of Judea!
Not everyone speaks the truth today. We must see if what people say agrees with what the Bible says. The Lord warned that false Christs and false prophets would try to seduce the elect people of God. If the disciples were real and had faith in Christ, they would be preserved through those terrible days.
Many people make predictions, and they never come to pass. However, when the Lord says that something will take place, we can be sure it will come to pass. The outlook for this world is judgment before blessing. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but before then, all those that love the Lord Jesus will be caught up to be forever with Himself.
1. What did Jesus say was going to happen to all the great ____________ and buildings of the temple? Mark 13:___
And
2. Why were the disciples not to take thought beforehand, or premeditate, what they should ____________ ? Mark 13:___
But
3. When the disciples see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, to where are they told to ____________ ? Mark 13:___
But
4. What did false Christs and false ____________ hope to do by showing signs and wonders? Mark 13:___
For
5. The Lord Jesus said that heaven and ____________ shall pass away. What would not pass away? Mark 13:___
Heaven
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Better Things: April 2000
Some things are better than others. God wants us to make the right choices in life. There are so many choices that, unless we have His help, we often choose what would be harmful. We all desire the “better things” in life, but what are they? If we ask those who don’t know the Lord, they will give their opinions, which may or may not be right. To be sure as to what is best for us, we need to know what God says. He desires the very best for His children. Let’s search for the answers to the following questions and find some of the things that God calls “better.”
1. What is better than a rich man who is perverse in his ways?
Proverbs 28:___
2. Instead of burnt offerings and sacrifices and the fat of rams, what would the Lord rather have? 1 Samuel 15:___
3. Instead of putting our confidence in man, what is it better to do?
Psalm 118:___
4. What did David think of God’s loving-kindness, causing his lips to praise Him? Psalm 63:___
5. Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, were known to Naaman the leper. What did he think of them, compared to all the waters of Israel?
2 Kings 5:___
Mark 14: May 2000
In this chapter the chief priests and scribes wanted to put the Lord Jesus to death, but not on the passover day. However, when John the Baptist saw the Lord Jesus he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The Apostle Paul said that “even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Man was not going to keep the Lord from being the passover lamb.
The woman of Bethany must have really loved the Lord to use all that precious ointment on Him! She knew that the Lord was going to Jerusalem to die and wanted to anoint Him before it was too late. While able, are we willing to do something for the Lord Jesus? What she did would never be forgotten.
Judas Iscariot was a covetous man and this sin was the cause of his death. It is better to judge sin in our lives before it gets the mastery over us.
The disciples didn’t decide among themselves where would be a good place to keep the passover. They asked the Lord where to go and prepare the passover. If we are the Lord’s disciples, we should ask Him where we should “offer the sacrifice of praise to God” (Hebrews 13:15) and not decide for ourselves. After they kept the passover, the Lord took bread and told them it was a picture of His body, which was given for them. Then He took the cup and said that the fruit of the vine was a picture of His blood, which was shed for many. The disciples must have been sad as they were told of His death, but before leaving, they sang a hymn. What an example for us! Do we sing when we are sad?
Today, self-confidence is being taught everywhere. Peter was self-confident. Do you think Peter ever thought he would deny his Lord? Let’s pray that we be preserved in humility and dependence, not trusting our own hearts, for God says, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26).
We kiss someone whom we love. Judas used this sign of affection to betray the Lord Jesus. He was completely under Satan’s control. Now that they had their prisoner, they needed to charge Him with a crime. This was hard to do, for the Lord Jesus was the only perfect man who ever lived. There were many false witnesses, but they couldn’t agree. When He said that “the Son of Man” would sit “on the right hand of power” and come “in the clouds of heaven,” they charged Him with blasphemy.
Poor Peter. First he was sleeping in the garden, and then he followed the Lord afar off. Next we find him warming himself at the enemy’s fire and, finally, denying the Lord thrice (three times). Peter wept, because he really loved the Lord. Don’t we feel badly when we do things that displease our Saviour?
1. Where was Jesus when a woman came and poured the ____________ on His head? Mark 14:___
And
2. When the Lord sent two of His disciples into the city to prepare the ____________ , who were they going to meet and follow? Mark 14:___
And
3. What token did Judas Iscariot give the chief priests and the scribes and the elders to ____________ the Lord Jesus? Mark 14:___
And
4. The high priest asked the Lord Jesus, “Art thou the Christ, the __________ of the Blessed?” What glorious answer was given? Mark 14:___
And
5. After Peter denied ____________ , what did the cock do that reminded him of the Lord’s words? Mark 14:___
And
Things We Are to "Follow After" : May 2000
Before we look at some positive things that we are to follow, let us notice some negative things we are warned against following. We are told not to “follow a multitude to do evil” (Exodus 23:2), nor are we to “follow strong drink” (Isaiah 5:11), for in so doing we would certainly dishonor the Lord Jesus Christ.
What then are we to follow? The Bible tells us to “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Another scripture tells us that we are to “follow after charity [love].” The Apostle Paul wanted to “follow after” the Lord Jesus so that he could understand Him better.
Do you remember when Peter asked the Lord what it was that John was to do? The Lord told Peter, “What is that to thee? follow thou Me.” By prayer and obedience to God’s Word, we will follow after the things that are pleasing to Him.
1. What did the Apostle Paul tell a man of God to follow after?
1 Timothy 6:___
2. Although the Corinthians were to desire spiritual gifts and to prophesy, what did the Apostle want them to follow after? 1 Corinthians 14:___
3. When the Lord told Levi, “Follow Me,” what did this publican immediately do? Luke 5:___
4. A widow of at least 60 years of age was to be helped, if she had followed good works. What were they? 1 Timothy 5:___
5. Instead of being slothful, of whom are we to be followers? Hebrews 6:___
Mark 15: June 2000
We now come to the darkest page of man’s history. What an awful thing it was for man, the creature, to reject and then crucify his Creator!
Pilate could find no evil in the Lord Jesus, because He was perfect. Although they accused Him of many things, the Lord was silent and did not try to defend Himself. Pilate knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy. He should have released Jesus and had Barabbas put to death. Satan was moving all against Christ, both Jews and Gentiles.
Having mocked the Son of God, they led Him away to Golgotha (Calvary) and crucified Him. Why did they do this? Could they accuse Him of doing many evil things? Could they not find even one thing to write against Him? Evidently not. The only thing written over the cross was His title, “The King of the Jews.” Some people stood there; some passed by and spoke against Him. They said many things, mocking the silent sufferer. Do you think that if Christ had come down from the cross they would have believed on Him? Read John 12:1,10.
What strange things the people witnessed that day! At noon it became dark, there was a violent earthquake, graves were opened, and the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom.
The centurion had seen many men die, but never like this Man. He said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” Do you believe that, my dear friend? He certainly is the Son of God who became a man so that He could die for you and me. All those who receive Him as their Saviour will have their sins forgiven, because “the blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin.”
1. When the chief priests ____________ the Lord Jesus of many things, what did He do? Mark 15:___
And
2. The multitude desired Pilate to release ____________ unto them. What kind of a man was Barabbas? Mark 15:___
And
3. What was the accusation against the Lord Jesus that was ____________ over the cross? Mark 15:___
And
4. The chief priests said, “He saved others.” This was true. What else did they say in a ____________ way about Christ that was not true? Mark 15:___
Likewise
5. The ____________ was a Gentile captain over a hundred soldiers. What was his testimony when the Lord Jesus died? Mark 15:___
And
The Conscience: June 2000
When man sinned in the garden of Eden, he received a conscience, that is, the knowledge of good and evil. Everyone has a conscience. Even people who do not have a Bible know it is wrong to steal, because they have a conscience. But we need more than the conscience to know what is pleasing to God. The Apostle Paul was persecuting Christians and yet he could say, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Our conscience needs to be enlightened by the Word of God.
1. The spirit of man, or his conscience, is referred to as the candle of the Lord. What can this candle do? Proverbs 20:___
2. How is a believer in Christ to hold the mystery of the faith?
1 Timothy 3:___
3. What has the blood of Christ, who offered Himself without spot to God, done for our conscience? Hebrews 9:___
4. What does the Spirit say about the consciences of those who will depart from the faith in the latter times? 1 Timothy 4:___
5. Even though we are falsely accused and spoken of as evildoers, what kind of a conscience should we always maintain? 1 Peter 3:___
Mark 16: July 2000
What a surprise awaited the women as they approached the sepulchre early in the morning on the first day of the week! The stone was rolled away, and when they looked inside, an angel was there, but not the Lord. The angel knew that the women were looking for Jesus of Nazareth and told them that He was risen. What astonishment must have filled their hearts as they ran to carry such wonderful tidings to the disciples! But, strange to say, when Mary Magdalene told them that He was alive, they didn’t believe her. It was not until He appeared to the eleven and sat with them that they realized it was true. Now the Lord wanted them to carry the good news to all the world. The Lord enabled them to perform wonderful miracles, so that people could be sure that the gospel was true. Do you think that after the Lord went back to heaven the apostles were left alone? No; the Lord would be working with them (as with us), in all that is done for Him.
1. What ____________ of the week was it when the women came to the sepulchre? Mark 16:___
And
2. Although they sought Jesus of ____________ , which was crucified, in the sepulchre, He was not to be found where they laid Him. Why? Mark 16:___
And
3. When Mary Magdalene told the disciples that Jesus was ____________ , did they believe her? Mark 16:___
And
4. After the Lord was risen, why did He tell ____________ to go into all the world? Mark 16:___
And
5. The Lord is sitting on the right hand of God. What is He able to do while ____________ with those that He sent forth to preach everywhere?
Mark 16:___
And
"I Have Sinned" : July 2000
It is good to acknowledge our guilt before God. “For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive” (Psalm 86:5). The Bible also says that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The confession must be from the heart, because we cannot fool God with a formula of words. To say “I have sinned” and yet continue in a sinful way will not do. We read in Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whosoever confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” God delights to show mercy, but remember, He also knows “the hearts of all the children of men” (1 Kings 8:39).
Today is the day of salvation and sinners ought to seek God’s forgiveness before it is too late. Did you know that there were people in the Bible (like Judas) who said “I have sinned” but who were not forgiven? For them it was too late, or they didn’t mean what they said.
In the following questions, you will notice that they all said the same thing, but God did not forgive some, because it was not a real confession.
1. What did Judas say, to which the chief priests and elders replied, “What is that to us?” Matthew 27:___
2. After the father fell on his son’s neck and kissed him, what did the son say?
Luke 15:___
3. After the plague of locusts, no green thing remained through all the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, what did he tell them? Exodus 10:___
4. Was David forgiven when he said, “I have sinned against the Lord”?
2 Samuel 12:___
5. Achan tried to cover his sin and didn’t make confession until the lot was cast and he was found out. What did he then tell Joshua? Joshua 7:___
Luke 1: August 2000
Luke was known as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), and he often accompanied the Apostle Paul in his travels. God also used him to write the third book in the New Testament. His name means “a light,” but he tells us of One who came as “a light to lighten the Gentiles.”
About 400 years had passed since God last communicated with His people. When Zacharias saw an angel, he was troubled and fear fell upon him. However, he and his wife were godly and kept the commandments and ordinances, so joy and gladness was to fill Zacharias’s heart at the birth of John. Then the angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth where Mary lived. She was to have a child and to name Him Jesus. He was holy and to be called the Son of God.
Zacharias didn’t believe what the angel said, but Mary did. She then went to visit her cousin in the hill country of Judah. How happy these dear women were! Elisabeth blessed Mary because she believed those things that were told her from the Lord. Then Mary’s heart broke forth in praise to God her Saviour. In her song she relates the goodness of God in remembering His people Israel. He would fill the hungry among the people, and the rich who afflicted them would be sent away empty.
When John was born, the power of speech was returned to his father Zacharias, who then praised God for visiting and redeeming His people Israel. Redemption was not yet accomplished, but it certainly would be. Then he spoke of the child John, who would go before the face of the Lord and prepare the people to receive Him. John was a light in a dark place, shining among people who were sitting “in darkness and in the shadow of death.”
How thankful we should be that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
1. What does it say about Zacharias and Elisabeth concerning the ____________ and ordinances of the Lord? Luke 1:___
And
2. The same angel that appeared to Zacharias was also sent to a city of Galilee named ____________ . What was the angel’s name? Luke 1:___
And
3. Because Mary ____________ what the angel told her, what did Elisabeth say that reassured her as to the performance of these things? Luke 1:___
And
4. What did Mary say the Lord has done for the hungry and to the ____________ ? Luke 1:___
He
5. What was John going to give to those who sat in ____________ and the shadow of death? Luke 1:___
To
"At His Feet" : August 2000
It has been well said that “if we keep low, we can’t fall very far.” The following words were found in the Bible of a dear Christian:
Low at Thy feet, Lord Jesus,
This is the place for me;
There I have learned deep lessons,
Truths that have set me free!
Free from myself, Lord Jesus,
Free from the ways of men;
Chains of thought that once bound me,
Never can bind again.
None but Thyself, Lord Jesus,
Conquered this wayward will;
But for Thy love constraining,
I had been wayward still.
Blessing has always been found at the feet of the Lord Jesus. Let’s search our Bibles and find out what happened to those who took this low place.
1. The man out of whom the devils departed was now clothed and in his right mind. Where was he found sitting? Luke 8:___
2. Where did the Samaritan leper fall down and give thanks? Luke 17:___
3. Where did all the people sit down to receive God’s words?
Deuteronomy 33:___
4. A sinner woman washed the Lord’s feet with tears, wiped them with her hair, then kissed and anointed them. Where was she standing? Luke 7:___
5. Where did great multitudes bring their lame, blind, dumb, maimed and others to be healed? Matthew 15:___
Luke 2: September 2000
It has been well said, “God is behind all the scenes, and He is moving all the scenes He is behind.” In this chapter we see how God caused Caesar Augustus to make a decree so that the Lord Jesus would be born in Bethlehem of Judea instead of Nazareth, the city where Joseph and Mary were living.
What a wonderful event it was when the Lord Jesus came into this world! Was He born in a palace? No, He was born in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Although He was rich, yet He became poor and entered this world in very humble circumstances.
God sent His angel to tell the shepherds about this wonderful news. They saw a heavenly host praising God and decided to go to Bethlehem to see the cause of this great joy. Then they told others what they had seen and heard. Now they were glorifying and praising God also.
There were not many people who were waiting for the Lord Jesus to be born. This chapter mentions a man whose name was Simeon, who was just and devout and also waiting. After he saw the child Jesus, he was ready to die in peace because he had seen the One by whom God would bring salvation.
There was also a woman named Anna from the tribe of Aser. When she came into the temple that day, she gave thanks to God for coming into this world to redeem poor lost sinners.
As the child Jesus grew, it was Joseph and Mary’s custom to go to Jerusalem every year to keep the feast of the Passover. One time, when Jesus was twelve years old, he stayed behind in the temple without telling His parents. They thought He was with their relatives, but He wasn’t. Sometimes we leave the Lord behind, and we don’t realize it, and then in sorrow we turn back again. How good it is to have the Lord Jesus with us wherever we go!
1. When everyone returned to their own city to be taxed, why did Joseph leave ____________ , a city in Galilee, to go to Bethlehem in Judea?
Luke 2:___
And
2. Were the good tidings of great ____________ that the angels brought to the shepherds only for the people of Israel? Luke 2:___
And
3. What was the name of a man who lived in Jerusalem who was just and ____________ and waiting for the consolation of Israel? Luke 2:___
And
4. Anna was an eighty-four-year-old widow who likewise gave ___________ unto the Lord. To whom did she speak of the Lord? Luke 2:___
And
5. How many days did it take before Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the ____________ sitting in the midst of the doctors? Luke 2:___
And
The Wrath of Man and of God: September 2000
In the Bible there is a verse that states, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain” (Psalm 76:10). It is interesting to notice the way in which God makes man’s wrath praise Him.
Remember how Joseph’s brethren hated him and sold him into Egypt? Later God used Joseph to save the Egyptians and Joseph’s brethren from starvation. He told them, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good . . . to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20).
In the book of Esther, Haman had great wrath against the Jews. But God allowed it to result in Haman’s own destruction and then in the exaltation of the Jews he wanted to destroy.
What about the presidents and princes who sought occasion against Daniel? God used their wrath to be the very cause of their destruction by lions.
When angry men stoned Stephen, God used this event to work on the conscience of a young man named Saul. Saul was converted soon after and was mightily used of God in blessing to His people by writing inspired scripture.
But did you know that God can get angry too? The wrath of God abides on those who do not believe on the Lord Jesus. Also, God is angry with the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, and soon He will punish all those who reject His love and pardon. Although “God is love,” the day of His wrath is soon coming.
1. How did Nebuchadnezzar react when Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego said they would not serve his gods nor worship the golden image?
Daniel 3:___
2. What are the things that will bring the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience? Colossians 3:___
3. Henceforth, Naaman was going to sacrifice only to the Lord, but what was his reaction when told to wash in Jordan? 2 Kings 5:___
4. When great Babylon comes in remembrance before God, what will He give her? Revelation 16:___
5. What do those who are hypocrites in heart heap up to themselves?
Job 36:___
Luke 3: October 2000
The beginning of chapter 3 gives us details of various rulers who were living at the time when John and the Lord Jesus were beginning their public ministry.
The word of God did not come to the religious people who lived in Jerusalem, but to John who was in the wilderness. Could it be because men had no heart for God in their religious ceremonies?
Many people went out to hear John preach, and some realized they were sinners and were baptized. John told the multitude that they must show their repentance by their works. The publicans and bad people believed Him, but the chief priests and elders of the people did not. Even the soldiers demanded of John, “And what shall we do?” It is always good to do what the Word of God says!
Then one day, Jesus came to be baptized by John and something took place that had never happened before: The heaven was opened, and a voice was heard which said, “Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.” Here was one person that God could find delight in, for He was sinless.
The end of this chapter gives us the genealogy of Joseph who was descended from King David all the way back to Adam who was created by God.
1. Where did the word of ____________ come to John the son of Zacharias?
Luke 3:___
Annas
2. What warning did John give to the ____________ that came to be baptized by him? Luke 3:___
Then
3. The ____________ were told to do three things. What were they?
Luke 3:___
And
4. When the Lord Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, what did a ____________ from heaven say? Luke 3:___
And
5. God created Adam (Genesis 5:1). Because of this, how is ____________ referred to in this chapter? Luke 3:___
Which
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"The Cup" : October 2000
Besides being a vessel from which we drink, a cup has other meanings in the Bible. Sometimes a cup can contain sorrow or joy. In Egypt it was used as a means of divination (Genesis 44:5). In the garden of Gethsemane the Lord Jesus prayed, saying, “Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me.” What a bitter cup that was! Then there is “the cup of blessing” for which we give thanks. But there is also the cup of wrath for all such who have rejected “the cup of salvation.”
What a variety of cups there are! Are we not careful as to what we drink out of a cup? So we should remember that God has either blessedness for those who love Him or judgment for those who despise Him. Which cup will you drink out of? Jeremiah was told to take a cup of fury and cause all nations to drink it. Then the Lord said, “And they shall drink.” Jeremiah took the cup and made all nations to drink. Read Jeremiah 25.
1. Why is Jerusalem told to awake and to stand up? Isaiah 51:___
2. Was the cup mentioned in this psalm able to contain what was put into it?
Psalm 23:___
3. When Zebedee’s two sons said that they were able to drink of the Lord’s cup, how did He reply? Matthew 20:___
4. Of what cup is it that we ought not to drink unworthily?
1 Corinthians 11:___
5. What can every believer say as to his inheritance, his cup and his lot?
Psalm 16:___
Luke 4: November 2000
Before the Lord Jesus entered upon His public ministry, He was tested. Adam was tested in the Garden of Eden and failed. Here, the Lord was tempted for forty days in the wilderness and didn’t fail. Each time, the Lord quoted the Bible to defeat the devil. That is the only way we, too, can overcome temptation.
As a boy, the Lord Jesus was in the synagogue on the sabbath days to hear the Word of God. Perhaps your parents brought you to Sunday school so that you could learn about the Lord Jesus while you are young. If we learn to memorize verses from the Bible, we can later use them to witness to others who have never heard about God’s wonderful salvation.
The people in the synagogue wondered at the gracious words of the Lord Jesus, but they rejected Him. They were reminded that of old, God had blessing for a Gentile widow and for a Gentile leper. This made these Jewish people very angry, so that they thrust Him out of the city and tried to cast Him down over the brow of a hill.
Isn’t it strange to find a man with an unclean devil in a synagogue? And, these devils knew who the Lord Jesus was - “the Holy One of God.” And yet, God “made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
1. For how many days was Jesus ____________ by the devil in the wilderness? Luke 4:___
Being
2. When Jesus was living in Nazareth where He was ____________ up, what was His custom on the Sabbath day? Luke 4:___
And
3. After the Lord Jesus closed the book and sat down, what did all the people give ____________ to about His words? Luke 4:___
And
4. Shortly after, what did all the people intend to do when they rose up and thrust Him out of the ____________ ? Luke 4:___
And
5. What did the ____________ which came out cry out and say? Luke 4:___
Saying
“And
through
a window
in a
basket
was I
let down
by the
wall, and
escaped
his
hands.”
2 Corinthians 11:33
"Goodness" : November 2000
Have you ever heard people speak about their goodness? It is a natural thought that we are good - at least some of the time. What does the Bible mean when it says that “there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12)? When a person rejects the Lord Jesus Christ, he cannot do one good thing to please God. He tells us that “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). It is not until a sinner accepts the Lord Jesus as Saviour that he can begin to do good works before God.
On the other hand, a Christian finds that he is “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). The fruit of the Spirit is, among other things, goodness (Galatians 5:22).
A rich man called the Lord a “good master,” but he had to be reminded that there is none good but one, that is, God. Do you think this man realized that Jesus is God and that is why He was good? Some said, “He is a good man” (John 7:12), but we hope they also trusted in Him as the Son of God.
1. Some would die for a good man. What were we when Christ died for us?
Romans 5:___
2. Rather than being overcome by evil, what is a Christian to do to overcome evil? Romans 12:___
3. What trait of God is it that leads men to repentance? Romans 2:___
4. Who is to be glorified when a disciple of the Lord Jesus does good works before men? Matthew 5:___
5. The Apostle Paul learned that in him, that is, in his flesh something did not dwell. What was it? Romans 7:___
Luke 5: December 2000
The Lord will be no man’s debtor. If Simon let the Lord use his ship, he would be repaid. So many fish landed in his net that it broke. There were so many fish that, when others came to help haul them in, their ships started to sink.
In the Old Testament, Elisha never touched Naaman the leper, but in our chapter, the Lord did touch a man who was full of leprosy. Jesus did not become defiled; rather, the leper became clean. A king once said that only God could recover a man of leprosy (2 Kings 5:7). Do you know who Jesus is?
Sin is a disease that afflicts all men, but many are not aware of it. The Pharisees and doctors of the law did not think they had this sin sickness. But the Lord had the power to heal them if they were only willing.
The scribes and Pharisees did not eat with publicans and sinners, because they thought they were righteous. However, the Lord Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Another thing that the followers of the Pharisees did was fast, or not eat food for a certain period of time. It is not a happy experience to go without eating. The Lord said that the days were coming when His disciples would fast because He (the bridegroom) would be taken from them. How happy they will be when He comes again! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
1. The Lord told Simon to let down the nets, but he only let down one net. What happened to this ____________ ? Luke 5:___
And
2. Did the Lord Jesus ____________ a man who was full of leprosy?
Luke 5:___
And
3. What could the power of the Lord do for the ____________ and the doctors of the law who were sitting by? Luke 5:___
And
4. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that He did not come to __________ the righteous. Whom did He call to repentance? Luke 5:___
I
5. During what ____________ shall the disciples of the Lord fast?
Luke 5:___
But
"Put on" : December 2000
Many people put on a fair show in the flesh. King David said, “Surely every man walketh in a vain show” (Psalm 39:6). We are told, “Cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light,” and also, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:12,14). We must put off before we can put on. After David put off Saul’s armor (1 Samuel 17:39), he was able to go forth and meet the enemy. There are quite a few things that Christians are exhorted to “put on” if we are to be good soldiers for the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s open our Bibles and see if we can find some of them.
1. Above all other things, what are we to put on which is called the bond of perfectness? Colossians 3:___
2. When the Galatians were baptized unto Christ, what did they put on in an outward (a public) way? Galatians 3:___
3. What is the Christian to put on so that he may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil? Ephesians 6:___
4. The new man is created in righteousness and true holiness. What are we to do with him? Ephesians 4:___
5. When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality, what saying will be completed? 1 Corinthians 15:___