INTRODUCTION: The lines are long at Disneyworld. A Fast Pass allows you to skip the long line and have direct access into the event. No waiting. No standing. Just move to the front of the line, show your Fast Pass, and walk right in. Jesus is our Fast Pass to the Father. Jesus provides the way and the means for direct access to God.  Hebrews 1-4 shows that Jesus is greater than the prophets, the angels, Adam, and Moses. The author now shows that Jesus is a better High Priest than Aaron or the other High Priests. Why was this important? Because the High Priest represents the people and offers sacrifice for sin before God. We have hope and confidence before God because Jesus is our High Priest.
 
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A HIGH PRIEST?
 
*The Jewish people were required to come before God three times a year to offer sacrifices (Deut. 16:16). The High Priest represented the people before God and offered sacrifices for them. Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. (5:1-3).
 
*The High Priest had to be chosen from among the people and he had to be appointed by God. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was (5:4)
 
JESUS IS A BETTER HIGH PRIEST THAN OTHER HIGH PRIESTS.
 
*Jesus is fully human, tested, sympathetic and yet without sin. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin (4:15).
 
*Jesus has an on-going heavenly priesthood instead of a limited earthly priesthood. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess (4:14).
 
*Jesus, the divine Son of God, was appointed by God to be king and priest. Jesus’ kingdom and priesthood last forever.
In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (5:5-6).
 
*Jesus understands our weakness and suffering and continually intercedes in prayer for us before God. During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission (5:7).
 
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF JESUS AS OUR HIGH PRIEST?
 
*Jesus identifies with and knows our needs and weaknesses (Empathy Factor). For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin (4:15).
 
*Jesus gave his life for our sins and salvation (Eternity Factor). Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek (5:8-9).
 
*Jesus provides us with direct access to God (Confidence Factor). Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (4:16).
 
Jesus provides the way and the means for direct access to God.
 
Have you entered into God’s presence through Jesus or are you still waiting in line?

   
INTRODUCTION: In Hebrews 3, the author implores us to move on with God and fulfill our destiny in Christ. There is a very real danger that we can drift away from God’s call and stray from his mission. We must make the commitment to move on with God. The writer says, “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it” (Hebrews 4:1). The Israelites failed to enter God’s rest. We need to press on and enter God’s rest. So what is this rest? What is the writer talking about? What kind of rest should we pursue? The writer defines God’s rest and gives us the way to enter it in Hebrews 4:1-13.
 
GOD’S REST EXISTS (1-9).
 
*We are called to fulfill God’s destiny for our lives. This destiny is described as God’s rest (4:1; 3:11). Continuing the theme of Psalm 95, the author uses the word rest (katapousis) which means “to give rest.”  “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).
 
*Three illustrations of rest in the Bible are used to provide the meaning of the word:

• The rest of God after his work of creation. “For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works” (4:4)
• The rest promised to the people of Israel when they entered the Promised Land (Canaan). “And again in the passage above he says, ‘They shall never enter my rest’” (4:5).
• The rest promised by David (Psalm 95) of a future rest for God’s people under the leadership of Jesus. “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God (4:8-9).

 
*The people of God need to enter into a day of rest, the Sabbath rest.
 
GOD’S DAY MOTIVATES (3-11).
 
*God’s day describes when God rested from his creative work and made the seventh day holy. This day was called the Sabbath. “For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works” (4:4)
*God’s Sabbath day did not mean God ceased from activity. He changed his type of work. He moved from creation to redemption (Gen. 3:15).  Jesus knew this and healed on the Sabbath. “So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working’” (John 5:16-17).
 
*In verse 9, the author coins a new word for “rest” (sabbatismos from the verb “to keep the Sabbath”). God’s people are to enter that rest Today. They are to fulfill their destiny by joining God in his work of salvation. “Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience,  God again set a certain day, calling it “Today”… There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God” (4:6-9).
 
*The Christian’s spiritual mission is to fulfill God’s destiny for us and God’s work of redemption for the world. We will rest from our own work and self interests and become partners with God in his work. “[For] anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience” (4:10-11).
 
*The author uses the allegorical method to define the Christian mission as rest. There have been several attempts to explain what rest and the journey of the people of God means in the Book of Hebrews. Notice the comparisons and contrasts of the journey:

• Chaos à Creation à Rest (original meaning in Genesis)
• Egypt à  Wilderness à Promised Land (Old Testament type)
• Salvation à Life’s Struggles à Heaven (traditional meaning)
• Call à Obedience/Disobedience à Destiny (Hebrew 3-4 view)
• Salvation à Carnal Living à Spirit-filled Life (1 Cor. 2-3 view)
• Grace à Works/Self-Dependence à Faith (Hebrews 3-4  view)

 
*The people of God are to move from disobedience to obedience to fulfill God’s plan of redemption for the world.
 
GOD’S WORD ENABLES (11-13).
 
*God’s Word reveals our secret sins and empowers us to do God’s will. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare...” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

   
INTRODUCTION: DC Talk asks the question, “What if I stumble? What if I fall? What if I lose my step and I make fools of us all?” This is what writer Brennan Manning means when he says, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.” The writer of Hebrews warns us that we can drift away from our commitment and can miss God’s call for our lives. He has argued that Jesus is greater than the prophets, greater than the angels, and greater than Moses. (Heb. 1-3). He tells us to fix our thoughts on Jesus since we share his calling (Heb. 3:1). We need to move on with God’s mission and fulfill our destiny. Christ was faithful to his call. Moses was faithful to his call. We need to be faithful to our call. But there is a very real danger that we can drift away from God’s call and stray from his mission. Hebrews 3:7-19 shows that we need to be alert and stay on mission.
 
WE HAVE THE CHALLENGE TO MOVE ON (3:1-12).
 
*The writer quotes Psalm 95 to urge us to get right with God and to warn us of going astray like the people of Israel did in the wilderness (3:7-11).
 
*The people failed to move on with God. Unbelief deceives us and turns us away from God.   “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” (3:12).
 
*God gives us a new opportunity and a fresh start today. “So, as the Holy Spirit says:’Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts’”(3:7-8).
 
WE NEED THE COURAGE TO MOVE ON ((3:13).
 
*Encouragement is an antidote to unbelief. We need a daily dose. We need to support one another on the journey. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (3:13).
 
*Fellowship keeps the soil of our soul soft and useful in God’s work. We need to till the soil so it won’t become hardened. Encouragement keeps us from drifting or falling into sin and error.  Small groups and the church family can keep us on track and help us discern sin’s traps.

WE MUST MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO MOVE ON ((3:14-19).
 
*Obedience does not happen by accident. We must choose to move on with God. We must choose to be faithful to the end. “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion’” (3:14-15).
 
*The writer contrasts confidence with unbelief and faithfulness with unfaithfulness. The people of Israel did not lose their salvation. They lost their mission (3:16-18).
 
*He warns that we can lose our testimony and our usefulness in God’s plan if we are not faithful to God’s call and our destiny. “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief” (3:19).
 
*We need to commit today to move on with God and complete our destiny in Christ. “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest” (Hebrews 3:1).
 
Are you still on mission with Christ? Or are you drifting away?
 
Are you encouraging others in their walk with the Lord? Or are you pulling back from fellowship with other believers?
 
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle”  Brennan Manning
 
Does your walk match your talk?

   
INTRODUCTION: Jesus radiates and represents God (Heb. 1:1-4). But Jesus also represents me. Jesus is my brother, my savior, and my High Priest (2:1-18). But someone may respond, “You say Jesus radiates God and represents humanity. How can you be certain that someone else or some other religion doesn’t represent God and humanity better?”  Maybe someone else excels over the angels too. Say, for instance, Judaism. Why don’t Moses and the Law supersede Jesus and the angels?  Good questions. People today still ask those questions. How can we be certain that Christianity is the right way and Islam or Hinduism is not? What makes Jesus superior to Krishna or Buddha or Mohammed? The writer of Hebrews would respond that Christianity is true because of who Jesus is and what he has done.
 
WHAT THREE TESTS SHOW THAT A CLAIM IS TRUE OR NOT?
 
* Is it logical? This is the test of coherence and consistency. Does this belief make sense and hold together? For example, if Barak Obama is President then Michelle Obama is the First Lady. Barak Obama is President; therefore Michelle Obama is the First Lady. However, if Hillary Clinton is President then Bill Clinton is the First Man. Hillary Clinton is President. Bill Clinton is the First Man. The argument is logical but it is not true. Hillary is not President. That is why we need another test to see if a claim is true.
 
*Is it factual? This is the test of correspondence. This test asks if a belief fits the facts of reality and human experience.   Does it correspond to the real world?  The worldview that matches the greatest number of facts with the least amount of difficulties has the highest likelihood of being a worldview which is true. For instance, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster fails this test because there is no observable match to the real world.
 
*Is it livable? This is the test of pragmatism or functional adequacy. This test asks if the belief works in real life on the street. Can this belief be practiced and lived on a daily basis? For instance, I met a Christian Science practitioner who told me that illness and disease are an illusion that can be overcome by mind over matter. I asked her if her broken foot and the crutches she had to get around on were an illusion. She said yes. Her belief was sincere but it was not livable.
 
How do Moses and Jesus measure up to the three tests for truth?

CLAIM: JESUS IS GREATER THAN MOSES.
 
*Logical Consistency: Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house (Hebrews 3:1-2).
 

• Jesus completed his calling. Moses and Jesus both were called by God. Jesus fulfilled his calling completely as Apostle and High Priest. Moses needed the aid of Aaron and Joshua.
•  Jesus had a greater calling. Both Moses and Jesus were faithful to their callings. Jesus represents God and humanity and unites the family of God. Moses worked as a member within the family of God. 

*Fits the facts of reality and human experience: Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house (Hebrews 3:3-6).
 

• Jesus is the builder of the house and therefore greater than the house and those within it. God is the Creator of everything but Jesus acts as the agent of his Creation and founder of his family (Heb. 1:2).
• Jesus is the Son over God’s house while Moses was a servant within God’s house.  Jesus has greater honor and authority than Moses.
• Moses prophesied about Jesus and Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in exact detail. The facts testify that Jesus is greater than Moses.

 
*Are the claims of Jesus livable and able to be practiced? Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus… And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory (Hebrews 3:1, 6).
 

• Jesus made us part of his family and invites us to join in his mission.
• I am forgiven, I have a restored relationship with God, and I have the power to overcome temptation all because of Jesus (Hebrews 2:17-18). Therefore, I can live with confidence and hope.

 
Christianity is true because of who Jesus is and what he has done.
 

   
INTRODUCTION: Jesus radiates and represents God. When you see Jesus, you see God in the flesh (Heb. 1:1-4). But Jesus also represents me. He is what God intended every person to be. He fulfills God’s desire and design for each one of us. He restores what humanity lost. He completes God’s purpose for his creation. Jesus paves the way for a new world to come (Heb. 2:1-9). Jesus is the perfect human who identifies with me and represents me before God. Jesus is my brother, my savior, and my High Priest. How does Jesus represent me?
 
JESUS RESTORES MY DESTINY (2:10-13).
 
*God’s purpose for mankind was that we should manage his creation and have fellowship with him. But Adam and Eve disobeyed God and their fellowship with God was broken. Sin and death entered the world and nature suffered corruption (Genesis 1-3). Our destiny was spoiled.
 
*Jesus restores what Adam and Eve lost. Jesus fulfills God’s original purpose for the human family. Jesus brings people to God through his death and resurrection. Jesus pioneers the way to complete my destiny.
 
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:10-12).
 
Jesus is my brother and fulfills God’s purpose for me.
 
JESUS RECOVERS MY DIGNITY (2:14-16).
 
*Death and sin entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:12). Adam and Eve experienced guilt, shame, separation from God and the consequences of sin. They lost their dignity and self-respect. Ultimately, they were condemned to die and live in the fear of death (Genesis 3). The Bible clearly teaches that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
 
*Jesus became flesh and blood so he could recover mankind’s lost dignity. Jesus lived his life without sin and experienced a cruel death
on the cross. Jesus conquered death and destroyed the Devil. Now we do not have to live in fear or shame or guilt. We are no longer slaves to sin, death or the Devil.
 
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants (Hebrews 2:14-16).
 
Jesus is my liberator and savior who sets me free.
 
JESUS REENFORCES MY DEVOTION TO GOD (2:17-18).
 
*Adam and Eve hid in the garden after they disobeyed God’s command. Their relationship with God, each other and nature was damaged. Somehow they needed to restore that fellowship. God said that one of Eve’s offspring would one day destroy the Devil. God then killed an animal and took the animal skins to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness. The system of blood sacrifice developed to cover or atone for sin and shame (Genesis 3).
 
*The Jewish High Priest offered a yearly sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. The Day of Atonement was a high holy day that all the people observed. A lamb was slaughtered, the blood was placed on the altar, and symbolically the sins of the people were covered and forgiven. One life was sacrificed for many so that the many could go free. Atonement means at-one-ment. The people were once again at one or at peace with God (Leviticus 16).
 
*Jesus not only offered a sacrifice to God as my High Priest. He became the Lamb of God and the perfect sacrifice to cover my sins. Jesus reconciles me to God. He reestablishes my direct access to God so I can have an unhindered devotion to God. I am forgiven, I have a restored relationship with God, and I have the power to overcome temptation all because of Jesus.
 
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18).
 
Jesus is my High Priest who reconciles me to God.
 

   
INTRODUCTION: The Shroud of Turin is a mystery. Scholars are still divided over whether it is the burial cloth of Jesus. One thing is clear, however, the image was produced by heat and light. The image was produced by an intense surge of radiation that imprinted the image of the man on the cloth. The power that raised Jesus from the dead surely could have made the image on the cloth. We do not know if the Shroud of Turin is the burial cloth of Jesus, but we do know that Jesus has risen from the dead. He is alive and continues to change the lives of people today through his resurrection power! Has the power of Jesus transformed your life? Does your life radiate Jesus? The writer of Hebrews reveals that Jesus alone is the supreme expression of God and is worthy of our allegiance and devotion.
 
THE RISEN JESUS RADIATES GOD’S GLORY (1:1-3).
 
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory…”
                                                                                 (Hebrews 1:1-3).
 
*Jesus shines with the splendor of God. Jesus is the extension of God’s core being. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory…” (Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
 
John said, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
 
*Jesus is greater than the prophets. He is the Son of God and heir to God’s kingdom. He is the Creator of the universe (1:1-2). 
 
When you see Jesus, you see the presence and the power of God.
 
THE RISEN JESUS REPRESENTS GOD’S BEING (1:3-4).
 
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of
his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs (Hebrews 1:3-4).
 
*Jesus is the living image of God. Jesus is the imprint of God’s stamp. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3).
 
“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’” (John 14:8-9).
 
*Jesus is God, the Sustainer of all things, the High Priest who cleanses from sin, and the Lord and King ascended on high over all authority and angels. (1:3-4).
 
When you see Jesus, you know who God is and what God does.
 
THE RISEN JESUS RESURRECTS YOU AND ME.
 
*We become spiritually alive in Jesus Christ when we put our faith and trust in him. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3).
 
Peter said, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
 
Paul said, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5).
 
*We are called to radiate Jesus and represent God in this world. “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).
 
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
 
Has the power of Jesus transformed your life? Does your life radiate Jesus?

   
      “What I want most of all and at all times is to honor your laws.”            Psalm 119:20 (CEV)
   
1.  BUILD ON IT!   “Everyone who hears these words of mine, and puts them into practice, is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24)
 
Unreliable Foundations
 

• POPULAR CULTURE (Exodus 23:2)

 

• TRADITION (Mark 7:8)

 

• REASON (Proverbs 16:25)

 

• EMOTION (Judges 21:25)

 
 
2.  FEED ON IT! 
 
            Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16)
 
1.  RECEIVE IT with my ears (listen)
 
2.  READ IT with my eyes
 
3.  RESEARCH IT with my hands & mouth (study)
 
4.  REFLECT ON IT with my mind
 
5.  REMEMBER IT with my heart
 
3.  LIVE BY IT!  “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
 
4.  GROW THROUGH  IT  “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”          (Psalm 119:18)
   
             1.  (Luke 8:12) The hardened soil = a closed mind
 
             Action: I must cultivate an open mind
 
             2.  (Luke 8:6, 13) The shallow soil = a superficial mind
 
             Action: I must make time for God’s Word!
 
            3.  (Luke 8:7, 14) The soil with weeds = a preoccupied mind
 
             Action: I must eliminate the distractions
 
            4.  (Luke 8:15) The good soil = a willing mind
 
             Action: Cooperate with what it says!  
 
5.   ACT ON IT!  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”      (James 1:22)
 
            Picture it!        Visualize the scene in your mind
            Pronounce it!   Emphasize each word aloud
            Paraphrase it! Write it down in your own words
            Personalize it! Put your name in the verse
            Probe it!          Ask the S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.  questions
            Pray it!            Pray the verse back to God
 
6.  TRUST IN IT!   “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
 
 NEXT STEPS
 
                        1.  Commit to stay in your Small Group Study
                        2.  Commit to stay in the Word daily.
                        3.  Sign your 40 Days in the Word Covenant
                        4.  Have a party!
                        5.  Choose your next study
 

   
INTRODUCTION: Last week we said that there are four parts to Bible Study: Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Correlation: What other verses explain it? and Application: What will I DO about it? Today we are going to focus
on Interpretation & Correlation. We will look at one of the most vivid passages of Jesus and try to interpret it correctly. Let’s look at JOHN 15:1-17 in the Bible. You may have heard: “God doesn’t expect us to be successful, just faithful.” Only half right! God expects us to be FRUITFUL! It is one of the great themes of the New Testament and the theme of this passage.
Problem Verse:
                        Vs. 6 “If anyone doesn’t remain in me, he’s like a branch that’s thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
 
SOME BASIC RULES OF INTERPRETATION
 
   1.   Consider the historical context: WHO is being spoken to?  WHY?
 
   Ch. 13 to 17 = Jesus’ final words of comfort to his disciples before his arrest.
   Vs. 11 “I’ve told you these things so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete!”
 
   2.  DEFINE THE KEY WORDS
            “Love” = mentioned 9 times “Fruit” = mentioned 9 times   
        “Fruit” & “Fruitful” = 45 times in New Testament
            What is meaning of “fruit” in this context?
 
3. INTERPRET UNCLEAR VERSES WITH CLEAR ONES!
 
   Vs. 4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 (NIV)
 

• BEARING FRUIT is produced by remaining in Christ. 

   Vs. 8 “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

• BEARING FRUIT brings glory to God.

 
Vs. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
 

• BEARING FRUIT will give me complete joy.

 
4. LOOK FOR THE MOST OBVIOUS MEANING
 
   Vs. 7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you!” 
 

• REMAINING IN CHRIST PRODUCES answered prayer.

 
   14:13 “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
 

• Answered prayer brings glory to God!

 
   16:24 “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete!”
 

• Answered prayer GIVES ME COMPLETE JOY!

 
   Vs. 16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name!”
 
                    I BEAR FRUIT BY asking in prayer.
 
 
MY PERSONAL APPLICATION
 
   “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.”  Matt. 7:24
 
 
 

   
The key to Bible Study is asking good questions.
           1. Observation: What does it say?
                                    2. Interpretation: What does it mean?
                                    3. Correlation: What other verses explain it?
                                    4. Application: What will I do about it?
 
PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30
        
KEY 1 - OBSERVATION: What does it say?
 

• Paul intended to send two men to the church

      “I hope to send you Timothy” vs.  19
      “I think it is necessary to send Epaphroditus back to you.”  vs.  25
 

• Paul endorsed them as role models who deserve honor.

            (Timothy) “I have no one else like him!”  vs.  20
             (Epaphroditus) “Welcome him...HONOR men like him.” (29)
 
What does it mean to be like these men?  What are they like? 
 

• Notice five characteristics mentioned in the passage

                vs.  20-21 “takes a genuine interest”
                vs.  22 “has proved himself”
                vs.  25 “my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier”
                vs.  26 “longs for all of you and is distressed”
                vs. 27-30 “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life”
 
KEY 2 - INTERPRETATION: What does it mean?
 
FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GODLY MAN
 
 vs.  21 “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.  For everyone else looks out for his own interests…”
 
(TEV) “genuinely cares for you … others only care about themselves”
 
(Ph) “...they are all wrapped up in their own affairs...” 

             1.  A GODLY MAN IS CARING  
 
      vs.  22 “Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” 
     
            (GW) “...you know what kind of person Timothy proved to be.”
 
            2.  A GODLY MAN IS CONSISTENT
 
vs.  25 “I send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”  (GN) “...he has worked and fought by my side”
 
            3.  A GODLY MAN IS COOPERATIVE
           
      vs.  26 “For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard           he was ill.” 
 
            4.  A GODLY MAN IS CONSIDERATE
 
      vs.27+30 “Indeed he was ill, and almost died...he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you couldn’t give me.”
 
            5.  A GODLY MAN IS COURAGEOUS (FEARLESS)
 
KEY 3 - CORRELATION: What other verses explain it?
 
            Timothy: 1 & 2 Timothy
             Epaphroditus: Ph.  4:14-18
 
   KEY 4 - APPLICATION: What will I do about it?
 
       S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. 
 
Personal Practical Possible Provable
 
SUGGESTIONS

• Honor people with these qualities.
• Which of these five characteristics will I work on this week?

   
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever thought this: “I just never get anything out of the Bible. When I read it it’s just flat out boring.  I don’t get anything out of it”?  This week we are going to examine why the Bible may seem like a closed book to you. The first week we talked about inspiration. Last week we talked about foundation. Today we are going to talk about illumination.
Brightness increases clarity. The more light you have, the more you can see. It works that way with the Bible too. We need illumination to understand it.
ILLUMINATION: Letting the Holy Spirit show me the meaning of God’s Word and how it applies to my life.
 
Before Jesus went back to heaven, he explained the Holy Spirit’s role (John 14:26; John 14:17 (NLT); John 16:15). The Apostle Paul prayed for understanding and illumination (Eph. 1:17 CEV; Eph. 1:18-19).
 
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD OPENS MY EYES?
 

1. I SEE THE SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM

“Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.”  Genesis 21:19
 

2. I SEE THE BARRIER TO MY PROGRESS

“Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord
 standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.”  Numbers 22:3
 

3. I SEE THE DEFENSE FOR WHAT IS ATTACKING ME

      “Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!”  2 Kings 6:17
 

4. I SEE HOW GOD IS WALKING WITH ME

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he
disappeared from their sight.”  Luke 24:31
 
PREPARING TO SEE WHAT GOD WANTS ME TO SEE
 

1. BEGIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  1 Cor. 2:14
 
      Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3
  

2. ASK GOD IN FAITH TO OPEN MY EYES

    “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Law!”       Ps 119:18
 
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.” James 1:5-6
 
      "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  Matt. 7:7
 
“I WILL instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I WILL counsel you and watch over you.”  Psalm 32:8 
 

3. COME WITH A HUMBLE ATTITUDE

      “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”          Psalm 25:9 
 
      “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make
      your paths straight.”           Prov. 3:5-6
 

4. CLEANSE MY HEART OF SIN AND CONFLICT

         “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matt. 5:8
 
      “Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”             1 John 2:11
 

5. COMMIT IN ADVANCE TO DO WHAT GOD SAYS

 
“Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law  and obey it with all my heart.”  Psalm 119:33-34
 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says!”      James 1:22