Matthew 13:10

His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

 

From Background Notes [BN] for January 5^th & 6^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

From this explanation we learn of Jesus’ intentionality within the parable form. Clearly, parables invite questions. When Jesus uses the words, “He who has hears, let him hear,” he is inviting dialogue with the parable.

Matthew 11:28 NLT

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Psalm 103:1-2 NLT

A psalm of David.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Luke 2:28-32 NLT

“Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!””

Matthew 13:10

His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

From Background Notes [BN] for January 5^th & 6^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

From this explanation we learn of Jesus’ intentionality within the parable form. Clearly, parables invite questions. When Jesus uses the words, “He who has hears, let him hear,” he is inviting dialogue with the parable.

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen

From Background Notes [BN] for December 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

John 14:1

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

From Background Notes [BN] for December 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

And peace —shalom — from the hand of Jesus promises to alleviate the trouble and the fear. The Greek word ēreinē has this underlying meaning of “calming, quieting,” and fits nicely into the present context.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it

From Background Notes [BN] for December 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

When Paul begins with the phrase “God himself” (Greek: autos … theos), he lays stress on the identity of God as the peace-maker. Literally, the Greek reads, “Now He, the God of peace, may he sanctify you wholly…”

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

From Background Notes [BN] for December 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

For contemporary readers, the word “peace” evokes images of doves and olive branches, the kind of thing activists might put on t-shirts or placards.

Matthew 10:34

Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

From Background Notes [BN] for December 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Those words from the lips of Jesus might strike us as an odd vocational statement from the person we call “Prince of Peace.”

Proverbs 21:3

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Proverbs 20:5

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 18:2

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.

Matthew 10:34

Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

From Background Notes [BN] for December 22nd & 23rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Those words from the lips of Jesus might strike us as an odd vocational statement from the person we call “Prince of Peace.”

John 16:27

“… the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God”

From Background Notes [BN] for December 8^th & 9^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Using the material from John’s Gospel as the basis, we summarize Jesus’ central understanding of his relationship to God as Father. Jesus comes into the world as a human so that the he might reveal the true nature of God as the Everlasting Father.

John 17:11

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.

From Background Notes [BN] for December 8^th & 9^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

In John 17 we have Jesus’ longest prayer. Often called the “High Priestly Prayer,” Jesus reveals the most intimate moments between himself and the Father as he prays for:

John 1:18

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known

From Background Notes [BN] for December 8^th & 9^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Jesus, as the Word-become-flesh, has a unique relationship to God: He is the Son “at the Father’s side.”

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

From Background Notes [BN] for December 8^th & 9^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The first part of this passage makes distinctions between the Word and God; between logos and theos. It also shows the essential unity of Word and God. We have the Word with God, and then we have the Word indentified with God.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

From Background Notes [BN] for December 8^th & 9^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

So, isn’t saying that Jesus is the Everlasting Father “confound the persons” because it confuses Father with Son?