Episode 24S40 Reading the New Testament ( 10/13/2024 written by Dr. Kip Wehrman)
I hope you had a chance to listen to the song Gratitude before we get started today. If you missed there is a link on the posting for this message on our website.
We have real problem today focusing on what is wrong or bad instead of what is good in our lives. A spirit of gratitude to God will change your entire outlook on your life. Thank God for everything. Even the things that seem bad. Look for the little things that show God is providing for you. God cares for you. And hopefully we will recognize how good God is. How much He has given us. The sacrifice He has made for us. We must live our lives in gratitude to Jesus for what he has done for us.
I hope you are doing well today. I hope you read your homework.
Did you define Mercy? What is Mery? Mercy is used in more than 250 verses in the Bible. The word translated mercy in the New Testament comes from the Greek word Eleeo (el-eh-eh-o) which means pity or to show pity. In the old testament Psalms David uses the Hebrew word “chana” which means to be gracious or show favor. This is very much like our homework word last week grace. When we see the word mercy in the scriptures, we should think of getting something we do not deserve from God. God is showing us favor even thought we are not worthy.
Let’s read our Scripture James Chapter 2.
But before we read, we should always think about the context,
We know who wrote this letter and to who because it says James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Most people believe this was James the half-brother of Jesus and to Jewish Christians in the Roman empire Most historians believe this is one of the earliest New Testament writings maybe as early as AD40 or even earlier.
The main theme is Genuine Faith and what is looks like to be a follower of Jesus.
James 2 (TCB) 1Mga kapatid, bilang mga mananampalataya ng dakila nating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, dapat wala kayong pinapaboran.
James 2 (NIV). 1My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
2Halimbawa, dumating sa inyong pagtitipon ang isang mayaman na may gintong singsing at nakasuot ng mamahaling damit, at dumating din ang isang mahirap na punit-punit naman ang damit.
2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.
3Kung aasikasuhin nʼyo nang mabuti ang nakasuot ng mamahaling damit at bibigyan ng upuan, samantalang ang mahirap ay patatayuin na lang ninyo o pauupuin sa sahig,
3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”
4hindi baʼt may pinapaboran kayo ayon sa masama ninyong pag-iisip?
4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Makinig kayo, mga minamahal kong kapatid: Hindi baʼt pinili ng Dios ang mga mahihirap sa mundong ito upang maging mayaman sa pananampalataya, at maging tagapagmana ng kahariang ipinangako niya sa mga nagmamahal sa kanya?
5Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6Ngunit minamaliit nʼyo naman ang mga mahihirap. Hindi baʼt ang mga mayayaman ang nagpapahirap at nagpaparatang sa inyo?
6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7Hindi baʼt sila ang nanlalait sa marangal na pangalan ni Jesu-Cristo, at sa pangalang ito kayo nakilala?
7Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8Pero kung sinusunod nʼyo ang utos ng Hari sa Kasulatan, na nagsasabi, “Mahalin mo ang iyong kapwa, gaya ng pagmamahal mo sa iyong sarili,” mabuti ang ginagawa ninyo.
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
9Ngunit kung may pinapaboran kayo, nagkakasala kayo at ayon sa Kautusan dapat kayong parusahan, dahil nilabag nʼyo ang utos na ito.
9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
10Ang tumutupad sa buong Kautusan pero lumabag sa isa sa mga ito ay lumabag na rin sa buong Kautusan.
10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
11Sapagkat ang Dios na nag-utos, “Huwag kang mangangalunya,” ay nagsabi ring, “Huwag kang papatay.” Hindi ka nga nangangalunya, pero pumapatay ka naman, nilalabag mo pa rin ang Kautusan.
11For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12Kaya mag-ingat kayo sa pananalita at gawa nʼyo, dahil ang Kautusan na nagpalaya sa inyo ang siya ring hahatol sa inyo.
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom
13Walang awang hahatulan ng Dios ang hindi marunong maawa; pero ang maawain sa kapwa ay hindi kailangang matakot sa oras ng paghatol.
13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
14Mga kapatid, ano bang mapapala ng isang tao kung sabihin niyang mayroon siyang pananampalataya, pero wala naman siyang mabuting gawa? Maliligtas ba siya ng ganyang pananampalataya?
14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
15Halimbawa, walang maisuot at walang makain ang isang kapatid,
15Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
16at sasabihan mo, “Pagpalain ka ng Dios at hindi ka sana ginawin at magutom,” pero hindi mo naman siya binigyan ng kailangan niya, may nagawa ba itong mabuti?
16If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
17Ganito rin naman ang pananampalataya; kung hindi ito kinakikitaan ng mabuting gawa, wala itong kabuluhan.
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18Kung talagang may magsasabi, “May pananampalataya ako, at ikaw naman ay may mabuting gawa.” Ito naman ang isasagot ko, paano ko makikita ang pananampalataya mo kung wala ka namang mabuting gawa? Ipapakita ko sa iyo na may pananampalataya ako sa pamamagitan ng mabuti kong gawa.
18But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
19Naniniwala ka na may iisang Dios? Mabuti iyan! Pero kahit ang masasamang espiritu man ay naniniwala rin, at nanginginig pa nga sa takot.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20Ikaw na walang pang-unawa, gusto mo bang patunayan ko na walang kabuluhan ang pananampalataya kung walang mabuting gawa?
20You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
21Hindi baʼt itinuring na matuwid ng Dios ang ninuno nating si Abraham dahil sa mabuti niyang gawa nang ihandog niya sa altar ang anak niyang si Isaac?
21Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22Makikita mo na ang pananampalataya niyaʼy may kasamang mabuting gawa. Naipakita na tunay ang pananampalataya niya sa pamamagitan ng mabuting gawa.
22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23Natupad ang sinasabi ng Kasulatan, “Sumampalataya si Abraham sa Dios, at dahil dito, itinuring siyang matuwid. Tinawag pa nga siyang kaibigan ng Dios.”
23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
24Dito nʼyo makikita na itinuturing na matuwid ng Dios ang tao dahil sa mabuti nitong gawa at hindi dahil sa pananampalataya lamang.
24You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25Ganoon din si Rahab, ang babaeng bayaran. Itinuring siyang matuwid dahil itinago niya ang mga espiya ng mga Israelita at itinuro ang ibang daan para makatakas sila.
25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
26Kung paanong patay ang katawang walang espiritu, patay din ang pananampalataya kung walang mabuting gawa.
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Our focus verses this week were, James 2:12-14 (NIV) 12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Temptation is real. We all know this. We face temptations to do things we know are wrong all the time. And sadly, we fail these tests often. But we have to keep trying to do what is right. When we fail, say God I failed forgive me and we can count on God’s mercy for those of us that repent (turn back to what is right and stop doing what is wrong). Don’t blame God for your situation, God cannot do evil. James says most of our failures are because of our own evil desires which entice us to do wrong. But for the times it is not our fault, James tells us that if we can resist that temptation or endure that trial, then we will know that we truly trust God. God rewards those who trust Him with the crown of life, that’s salvation and eternal life my friends.
Let’s Pray.
So, the Bible is designed to help us know God. God has revealed his Character to us in the Bible. God’s great mercy toward us is in display throughout the Bible..
Today we are going to learn how to read the New Testament. The New Testament is a continuation of the Old Testament Story focused on Jesus. But the New Testament is very different than the Old Testament in many ways. The first 4 books in the New Testament are the four Gospels accounts of the life of Jesus, followed by the Acts of the Apostles which is a historical narrative, then a group of letters.
First let’s learn about reading the Gospels? Play VIDEO How to Read the Gospels (5+m)
I think we often over “Religious-ize” the word gospel. It’s good news. The books in the Bible we call gospels are literally the story of the good news about Jesus.
Every time we hear the word gospel in our Bible, it is the good news about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. It’s good news.
There are four books we call gospels. Matthew, mark, Luke and John. Matthew, Mark and Luke are often called the synoptic gospels because they are so similar. John is written a little differently. But all tell the story of Jesus. The good news of Jesus for the whole world. You and me and everyone else.
We need treat these as what they are, ancient biographies of Jesus. They are a mix of historical narrative and theological teachings. All woven together in a particular way to make a particular point about Jesus.
Next how should read and understand the parables that Jesus uses to teach in the gospels? Play VIDEO Parables of Jesus(5+m)
I know Parables used to really confuse me. Why tell a story? Why not just tell us what you want us to know. I’m an engineer. Straight talk to the point
It turns out my way is not the most effective way to learn. Stories are. A Story allows us to see the scene in our mind which conveys much more than just the words. We get to experience the Teaching while we are hearing the teaching. We are supposed to use our imagination. However, we need to imagine the scene for the story as Jesus is telling it. In the 1st century. So, there are many cultural and historical themes and images that will help us better understand what and why Jesus is telling a particular story. And God is very gracious (Mercy) to us to give us explanations in the Bible. Especially most of the parables that start, “the kingdom of God is like”. If we read further in the story, typically the disciples ask what it means and Jesus tells us so we don’t need to guess.
These stories are meant to cause of to have a strong reaction. An emotional reaction. When you read these stories pay attention to how they make you feel, then use that emotion as a marker to impress the moral of the story on your mind.
In short a parable is a short story usually with a moral or principle we need to learn. But be careful not all parables are moralistic, some have deeper significance so don’t just look for the moral, instead identify the main point and how we can apply the main point in our lives as well as how Jesus expected His listener to respond.
There is a lot more we can learn about parables but for now I hope you understand what they are, why Jesus uses them and how we can use the wisdom of Jesus in our lives.
Next how should we view the letters. We are reading some else’s mail after all. I’m sorry the letters were not written to us. So how should we read these New Testament Letters? We need to understand the context.
First the Historical Content Play VIDEO NT Letters Historical Content (6+m)
I love these videos. Tim and John are the best. So yeah. We are essentially reading somebody’s mail.
So we better try to understand the background they have so we can understand what the letter means and says. The things not written but essential to understanding. These are the context. The historical and cultural contexts. Who wrote the letter and who did they send it to. Why did they write the letter. Remember letters in the ancient world were not common and very expensive. So the contents are very important. The what. What did the author think was so important that a letter was needed. Most of this kind of context can be found. There is a lot of Christian Scholarship and Historical Scholarship available to fill in these gaps in our understandings. It helps a lot. Takes time and effort but it is worth it.
The danger is if we read the letters from our point of view in the modern world, we can completely miss the point of the letter. Sometimes the direct application can be completely wrong and out of context. This has given rise to some sadly unbiblical doctrines. Remember first our understanding must be consistent with what the understanding would have been for the original audience. Once we clearly understand that, then we can begin to draw applications in our lives.
I want to watch one last video about the literary content and genius of the New Testament letters. Let’s look at the New Testament Letter literary content Play VIDEO NT Letters Literary Content (5+m)
I know this seems like a lot of information but it is so helpful. If you really want to know what the Bible is telling you, then this effort is worth.
Letter or any communication follows a flow and form within the logistics required in an era. Letters were expected to be a certain way in the 1st century and these letters are no different. This helps us to see the different parts of the letter, so we can be sure to interpret them properly. Pus the introduction and conclusion of these letters gives us critical information to build our contextual background.
The Bible is unlike any other book ever written but it is like a lot of other writings all wrapped up into the greatest story ever told. The story of God. The story of Jesus.
Don’t forget if you do have questions, you would like discussed email me at questions@punla.org.
Let’s close and pray.
Let me leave you with this. I love the Bible. I am not a reader. In fact, I did not learn to read until I was about 12 years old. Reading is a struggle for me. But it did not stop me from getting to doctorate degrees. I have never read a book for please in my life, except the Bible. The Bible refreshes me. The Bible challenges my intellect. The Bible challenges my imagination. The Bible is an amazing gift. If I can love to read this book, then everyone should love this book. What a gift from God.
Don’t get discouraged. The Bible is a lifetime learning experience. I wish I had put more effort into reading it earlier in my life. Yes, It takes time and effort but you will be rewarded for your efforts. There are great resources to help you. The BibleProject is one I highly recommend. If you watch their videos, you will become a better Bible reader as they open up the Bible and it’s meaning to us with engaging animation and excellent Bible theology.
One last thing. Studying the Bible is fun. It is full of discoveries that challenge our intellect and it can be read by anyone. The smartest scholar and the young child can all read this book and learn. We learn something every time we read. You can own your faith. You can read and understand the Bible. I know you can. You do not have to rely on people to tell you what it says, you can discover the truth for yourselves. Make your faith, your faith. And we are here to help you
Remember If you want to see any of these videos again, go to BibleProject.com and look under the watch tab for How to read the Bible series.
Don’t forget to do your homework for next week. Read 1 Peter Chapter 1 with a focus on 1 Peter 1:16 and Define Holy. See you next week.
Before we end. I want you to watch the music video by Rich Mullins. You may not know Rich Mullins, He died before most of you were born. His songs cut you to the heart. The recording is not the greatest but listen to what Rich says before he starts singing. I think you will be blessed by this message. The song is titled step by step.
