Chapter 1 : Salvation we Possess - Suffering and Prophecy
Chapter 2 : Spiritual Growth in our Progress - Suffering and Pattern
Chapter 3 : Submission and our Priorities - Suffering and Purpose
Chapter 4 : Suffering and Patience - Suffering and Power
Chapter 5 : Service we Practice - Suffering and Proclamation

Matthew 5-7 - The Kingdom in manifesto
Matthew 8-9 - The Kingdom in the midst
Matthew 13 - The Kingdom in mystery
Matthew 17 - The Kingdom in miniature
Matthew 24-25 - The Kingdom in manifestation

Updated 1 Apr 2010

"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Genesis 28:12-15

1. God's Provision - Behold a ladder, from earth up to heaven (John 14:6)
2. God's Protection - Behold the angels of God, from heaven to earth (Hebrews 1:14)
3. God's Person - Behold, the Lord stood above it, the Son of God in heaven (John 1:18)
4. God's Presence - Behold, I am with thee, heaven upon earth (Hebrews 13:5)

"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9

It is not the privilege of three - Peter, James and John
nor the presence of two - Moses and Elijah
but the pre-eminence of One - the Beloved Son
by the proclamation of God, the Father

A. God is Light (Chapter 1-2)
B. God is Love (Chapter 3-4)
C. God is Life (Chapter 5)

A. He is righteous (1 John 2:29), walk in light
B. He is pure (1 John 3:3), walk in love
C. He is the true God (1 John 5:20 DARBY), walk as children of God, possessors of eternal life.

A. The Fellowship in Light
B. The Function of Love
C. The Fullness of Life

"Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever?" 2 Chronicles 20:7

"But thou, Israel, art My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend." Isaiah 41:8

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God." James 2:23

2 Chronicles 20:7 - The region of Abraham's possession - his land
Isaiah 41:8 - The race of Abraham's posterity - his nation
James 2:23 - The righteousness of Abraham's position - his sacrifice

Read Part 1, Part 2.

"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." Luke 10:30-35

What it takes for the Good Samaritan to help:
1. His sight
2. His sympathy
3. His steps
4. His supply
5. His strength
6. His seat
7. His schedule
8. His substance
9. His security

"... the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4

This is a significant verse and is quoted thrice in the New Testament
1. Romans 1:17 - The emphasis here is on "the just".
2. Hebrews 10:38 - The emphasis here is on "shall live".
3. Galatians 3:11 - The emphasis here is on "by faith".

"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16

Preach
A full Gospel - Christ and nothing less
A plain Gospel - Christ and nothing more
A pure Gospel - Christ and nothing else

Necessity
1. The command above (Mark 16:15)
2. The cry below (Luke 16:27)
3. The call without (Acts 16:9)
4. The compassion within (Acts 17:16)

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8

Speak of it - This book of the law ... out of thy mouth
Study it - thou shalt meditate therein day and night
Submit to it - thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein
Strive after it - then thou shalt make thy way prosperous
Succeed in it - then thou shalt have good success

"This man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." Hebrews 10:12

1. Suffering of Death (Hebrews 2:9, 1 Peter 3:18)
- Condemnation in His sacrifice
- It is vicarious

2. Severity of Blood (Hebrews 9:22)
- Cost of His sacrifice
- It is virtuous

3. Shame of the Cross (Hebrews 12:2)
- Contradiction to His sacrifice
- It is vile

4. Sorrow of the Tree (1 Peter 2:24)
- Curse of His sacrifice
- It is violent

Edited 16 January 2010

Read Part 1.

"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." Luke 10:30-35

Attitudes of Men toward Fellow-men
1. Lawless (thieves)
What's mine is mine and what's thine is mine if I can get it.

2. Legalistic (priest and Levite)
What's mine is mine and what's thine is thine if you can keep it.

3. Lawful (inn keeper)
What's thine is thine and what's mine is thine if you can pay for it.

4. Liberal (good Samaritan)
What's thine is thine and what's mine is thine if you need it.