References:“I am coming soon!”  –JesusRev 3:11; Rev 22:7, 12, 20 NLTQuickly - ταχύ (takh-oo')Think of tacho-meter (speed-measurer) 1 Peter 4:7 NLT the end of the world is coming soonἐγγίζω (eng-id'-zo) to bring near, to draw or come near toRom 13:11Kairos not ChronosHigh time - ὥρα (ho'-rah) - hour

References:Jude’s letter to you!ContextAuthor: brother of James, slave (δοῦλος - doo'-los) of Jesus Christ.Jesus’ brothers didn’t put faith in Jesus until after His death and resurrectionJude writes to people who are very familiar with Hebrew sources.Purpose: Encouragement to stand for the True faith.The text:vss 1-4Consider the corrupt teachers/members of the community.παρεισέδυσαν (παρεισδύνω [par-ice-doo'-no])to enter secretly, slip in stealthily, to steal in“ungodly people have wormed their way into”“certain people have crept in unnoticed”Not their teaching, but their lifestyle/behaviorvss 5-19 - Rebellion and divine justiceIsrael’s rebellion in the wilderness - Numbers 14Rebellious angels - Genesis 6 (1 Enoch), Men of Sodom and Gomorah - Gen 19(Testament of Moses, based on Deut - Michael)Rebels who corrupt othersCain - Gen 4Balaam - Num 22-25; 31:16Korah - Num 16Selfish Sheperds - Ezk 34:2Clouds without rain - Prov 25:14Chaotic waves - Isa 57:20Recent warnings from Peter, John, Paul & Jesusvss 20-25 - Stay true to the faithFight for each other in the BodyTrust the mercy of GodLife application:Recognize counterfeitsKnow your BibleUse other resources wisely, with discernmentEncourage the weak in faithPraise God! His grace demands a whole life response

References:John’s letter to Gaius - 3 John vss. 1-15Shortest Book in BibleCounting Greek or Hebrew words, not English translation3 John - 219 words2 John - 245 wordsPhilemon - 335 wordsObabiah - 440 wordsJude - 461 wordsSimilar themes, ie. περιπατέω (per-ee-pat-eh'-o) to walk (vs 3 & 4) in TruthFlip side of coinWhere 2 John was about protecting against heresy3 John is about supporting those who teach truth, not insularly.The textvss 1-4 - GreetingGaiusvss 5-8 - hospitalityσυνεργός (soon-er-gos') - fellow laborer, coworkervss 9-10 - the bad example of prideful insularityDiotrephes - bad exampleCorrective: Heb 13:1-2, the fishvss 11-12 - encouragement for openheartedness for the whole Body of ChristDemetrius - good examplevss 13-15 - conclusion

References:John’s letter to the ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ, the chosen lady and her childrenWho might be the audience? Take an educated guess.A person?Mary, the Mother of Jesus?More likely, a highly respected nameless woman leader of a church.A church?Metaphorical - “bride of Christ” likeHer children are the parishioners.Reason for writing? - The Truth and Love!vss 1-3 - greetingvss 4-6The truth of the love commandSee John 13περιπατέω (per-ee-pat-eh'-o) to walk, make one’s way, regulate one’s life, conduct one’s selfvss 7-9 - orthodoxyThe heresy of Docetism1 Tim 3:15b-16vss 10-11 - be careful with encouragement?vss 12-13 - Conclusion and final greetingFamily?

References:Paul’s letter to Philemon vss. 1-25Context for the letterConnections to the church in CollosaeEpiphras starts a house church with PhilemonOnesimus wrongs his master, Philemon and fleesOnesimus is converted by Paul in Rome while Paul’s imprisoned therePaul sends Onesimus back to Collosae with Tychicus (Col 4:7-9)Vss. 1-7: Opening prayerRecognition & encouragementv 6: κοινωνία - (koy-nohn-ee'-ah)Vss. 8-20: Paul’s request/instructionApplication of the Koinonia principleAn ask, not commandFracturing of fellowship to unityNo more Jew/Gentile, slave/freeColossians 3:11v 17: κοινωνός - partnerv 19: a friendly reminder of the koinonia blessingVss. 21-25: Final greetingApplicationWhat is your experience of koinonia?Have you experienced the fracturing of koinonia?How would Jesus (and Paul) have you work to reconcile and recover a partnership (koinonia)Remember that this letter is the only of Paul’s letter in which he doesn’t mention Jesus death and resurrection.Remembering how Paul modeled Jesus’ work on the cross, how is your heart impacted and inspired?

References:Historical ContextThe Births of Esau and Jacob Gen 25:19-26Esau - EdomJacob - IsraelMoses and the people refused passage through EdomNumbers 20:14-21The Babylonian exileEzekiel 35:1-14Part One - vss. 1-14vss 2-9: announcementv 10: Close relatives - “brother Jacob”vss 12-14: “You should not haves”Transition - vs 15“All godless nations”ἔθνος - (eth'-nos)  גּוֹי (go'-ee)Consider possible wordplayEdom - אֱדֹםHumanity (adam) - אָדָםPart Two - vss. 16-21ConsequencesGod’s plan Recall Phil 2:9-11“And the Lord himself will be king!”Application

References:2 Timothy 3:14-17A matter of trustAll Scripture is “inspired” and USEFULπᾶς (pas) - each, every, any, all, the whole, etc.θεόπνευστος (theh-op'-nyoo-stos) - God-breathedOnly here in the NTChristian principle wise - the canon of Scriptureὠφέλιμος (o-fel'-ee-mos) - profitableTeachingRebukingCorrectingTraining in righteousnessAre there any “throwaway” verses in the Bible?The Ones - next five part podcast seriesOld Testament Book that is one chapterObadiah New Testament Books that are one chapterPhilemon (written by Paul)2 John (written by John the Elder)3 John (written by John the Elder)Jude (written by Jude, brother of James, brothers of Jesus)Focus on one thought or themeChoose one word (hmmm, maybe more than one)

References:Mark 6:45-52 - Amazement, no understanding, hardness of heartCompare ἐξίστημι with συνίημιἐξίστημι - amazed, mind-blown (v51)συνίημι (soon-ee'-ay-mee) (v52)to set or bring togetherin a hostile sense, of combatantsme & God’s Wordto put the perception with the thing perceivedto set or join together in the mindi.e. to understandThe wrestling of “understanding.”Matthew 13:1-23 - The Farmer Sowing Seedvss. 13, 14, 15, 19, 23vs. 51 - Capeesh? Got it!John 13:1-17 (particularly vss. 7 & 12)γινώσκω (ghin-oce'-ko)To know, understandLet the Spirit and God’s Word soften your heartDuke it out with Him.Believe and understand. Capeesh?

References:Authority—a definition (American Heritage Dictionary online)The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials…ἐξουσία (ex-oo-see'-ah)- power, authority (author)Mat 7:29 - 1st time in NT - end of Sermon on MountMat 8:9 - a man who understands authorityMat 9:8 - that we may know He has power and authority as GodJn 10:18 - authority to lay down His life and the power to take it up again. Etymology traces the word back to Latin “auctor,” creator; see authorJesus as author of salvationauthor and giver of lifeWill I let Him be the Author of my life, and write the story of my life according to His plot line?Song: Write My Life by Out of the Greyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNYHfMFmlxoHe holds the copyright on our livesWhen we try to take control of our own story, we are guilty of copyright infringement

References:See me. Feel me. Touch me. Heal me.Personal storiesEveryone’s need to be seen.The apple of God’s eye. The “little man” of the eye.Deuteronomy 32:10  כְּאִישׁוֹן עֵינוֹ׃ (ee-shone' ah'-yin)    KJV “as the apple of his eye”Psalm 17:8 (may I be the apple of your eye)Proverbs 7:2 (may your teachings be the apple of my eye)Jesus’ love for you and meEph 5:25-30Imagine Jesus’ love song for youA love song I wrote for my wife“Treasure”  words and music by John Bromhal©2004 Bromhaljohn Music.  All Rights ReservedWho needs you to “see” them? Be the one who sees others as Jesus sees them.

References:April Fool’s Day just this past Mon.Lot’s of people trying to prank others.I have stories…People are amazed, astounded, astonished, overwhelmed by Jesusἐξίστημι (ex-is'-tay-mee) - [prepositional prefix ek meaning out of, from, etc., and ἵστημι (his'-tay-mee) - to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set] - so to throw out of position, displaceMt 12:22-23; Mk 6:49-51; Lk 8:54-56Not in Jn’s GospelIn other words, “I thought I knew where things stood, but now I’m thrown off, my mind is blown.”Jesus’ family thought His mind was “blown” or gone.Mk 3:20-21 - “out of his mind”Paul says he may be out of his mind2 Cor 5:13-15Romans 6:1-14I’m dead! In baptism I’m joined to the death and resurrection of JesusBaptised on April 1! haha

References:Good FridayPhilippians 4:10-23v10 - φρονέω (fron-eh'-o) mindonce more likemindedness implies koinoniaConsider your squables within the Body of Christ in light of the Mind of Christ on this day.vs11-19 - the power of being “content”αὐτάρκης (ow-tar'-kace) - only here in NTThe Stoics understood autarkes to mean “the ability to be free from all wants or needs,” and they elevated it to the chief of all virtues.See Psalm 23:1 conceptually.v14 - συγκοινωνέω (soong-koy-no-neh'-o)partaker together with othersv17 - MSG: “the blessing that issues from generosity.”Heb 12:2 - for the joy… He endured the Crossvs20-23 - Blessing and greetings

References:Philippians 4:1-9v1 - JOY & the crown cast before the throne of GodRev 4:4, 10v2 - the same mind - remember 2:2, 5 ESVv3 - Yokefellow - σύζυγος (sood'-zoo-gos)Mt 11:29 “take my yoke upon you…”msg - Syzygus - as a name of someoneYoked to who? Of the same mind as who?Remember κοινωνία (koy-nohn-ee'-ah)the Book of Lifev4 - “Rejoice!” - χαίρω (chairō) not Chi Ro the symbolvs6-7 - Check out the MSGvs8-9 - Check out the MSG

References:Philippians 3:12-21v12 - καταλαμβάνω (kat-al-am-ban'-o) - possessed (NLT)to seize upon, take possession ofof a demon about to torment oneMark 9:14-29of Christ by his laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it“You don’t know how bad I am.”Dog poop thinking“I don’t. But I know how good He is that is in you. Therefore, I know how good you are when you are in Him.”v14 - the heavenly prizeThe prize - word from “the Games”Track memory - Medley relay - bronze medal at County MeetRecall pt 2 (1:30 - the struggle)What are you focused on, striving for?v17 - mark - σκοπέω (skop-eh'-o)In a negative sense - Rom 16:17Here in a positive senseWe all need examples. Be an example.v19 - earthly things - ἐπίγειος (ep-ig'-i-os)John 3 - Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemusv20 - citizens of heaven - connect to 1:27 - πολιτεύομαι (pol-it-yoo'-om-ahee)KJV - conversation (recall week 1’s koinonia(communicate))

References:Philippians 3:1-11v 1 - “rejoice!” - a divine imperative1:18; 2:17, 18; 2:28; 3:1; 4:4; 4:10Thus, the letter of “JOY”v1 - “safe,” “safeguard,” - ἀσφαλής (as-fal-ace'Consider our hope, anchor, strong and trustworthyHeb 6:19 vs2-3  - not works but gracevs4-6 - Playing the “works” game with Paulvs7-9 - learning the value of the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes everything else σκύβαλον (skoo'-bal-on)κύων (koo'-ohn) - dogβάλλω (bal'-lo) - cast outv10 - sharing κοινωνία (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) in suffering to become like Jesus in His deathMt 16:24-26

References:Philippians 2:12-30Work out your salvation  - v12κατεργάζομαι (kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee)middle voice verbs?When the subject of the verb does action unto itself, or for its own benefitfear & trembling?God is working in - v13ἐνεργέω (en-erg-eh'-o) - energyto willto workGod’s good good pleasure εὐδοκία (yoo-dok-ee'-ah)See Acts 15:25ὁμοθυμαδόν (hom-oth-oo-mad-on')Living in κοινωνία (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) - vs14-18without complaining or arguinglike light in a dark worldTwo case studiesTimothyEpaphroditus

References:Philippians 2:1-11The Jesus PrinciplePhil 2:3-4The life impact of this principleOrthodoxy - the Apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42)form v6-7 μορφή (mor-fay') & form v8 σχῆμα (skhay'-mah)The two natures of Jesus ChristFully Divine AND fully humanEcumenical Council of Chalcedon in 451v2, 5 - one mind / soulφρονέω (fron-eh'-o) mindSee Mt 16:21-23σύμψυχος (soom'-psoo-khos) same soulJames 1:8 double minded - δίψυχος (dip'-soo-khos)Remembering κοινωνία (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) v1Being of one mind and soul with Christ and His Body

References:Philippians 1:20-30Paul is hardpressed between going and stayingv20 - Not ashamed but boldπαρρησία (par-rhay-see'-ah)Acts 4:13v27 - Living as citizens of heaven - πολιτεύομαι (pol-it-yoo'-om-ahee)KJV - conversation (recall last week’s koinonia(communicate))v27 - Worthy of the gospel - ἀξίως (ax-ee'-oce)Connection to axiom, axiomaticLive in a way that is axiomatic of the Gospel of Christ (self-evident, unarguablely true)v30 - ἀγών (ag-one') - struggle, conflict1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 12:1the assembly of the Greeks at their national games

References:Philippians 1:1-19“you have been my partners…”  fellowship - v5κοινωνία (koy-nohn-ee'-ah)Acts 2:42 - the believers devoted themselves to…The Apostles’ teachingκοινωνίαThe breaking of bread (eating together including Holy Communion)PrayerPhil 2:1, 3:10Hebrews 13:15-16To do good and communicate (KJV)Forget not - ἐπιλανθάνομαι

References:1 Corinthians 13:13Faith, hope, love abide (remain - μένω)John 15:4The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope and Love by St AugustineAugustine connects these three with authentic worshipRomans 12:1Colossians 1:3-5Hebrews 6:10-121 Thessalonians 5:8