A Few Big Picture BIBLE Verses

New Christians, especially those who come to Christ on their own, often ask for a list of recommended BIBLE verses. I would like to offer a list of a few of my favorite verses that can help new Christians start to get an overview of the BIBLE.

This verse list is meant to do two things:

1) Help people see that the Old Testament (OT) is tied to the New Testament (NT), by showing how the OT points to JESUS. (The examples given are OT and NT verses that relate to each other.)

2) Show that even though the NT is an extension of the OT, it overrides (supersedes) the OT in many respects. (Something that many people misunderstand or willfully ignore; especially atheists and false christians, when they take BIBLE verses out of context to support their faulty opinions. Such people often try to mislead others using OT verses that are no longer in effect according to the teachings of JESUS in the NT.) I suggest reading / studying these verses in a plain language BIBLE like the ESV or NIV (2011 Version).

(OT) Exodus 20 – The 10 commandments. These are the basic rules of right and wrong given by GOD directly to Moses after the Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt. Our modern moral values are based on the 10 Commandments. Memorize them – they are the baseline for your salvation. (Oddly, most Christians can't name the 10 Commandments – try it. It wasn’t until I realized that I couldn’t name them off the top of my head that I determined to memorize them.) (NT) Matthew 19:16-28 -JESUS and the rich young ruler. Jesus explained to a young man what he needed to do for salvation. JESUS gives the man a short version of the 10 Commandments and goes on to explain that to ensure salvation you have to dedicate every aspect of your life to JESUS. For this particular guy, JESUS told him (in answer to his question) that if the man was willing to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, he would have great rewards in heaven. The rich guy wasn’t quite willing to give up his money to become a fully dedicated disciple. JESUS used the encounter to show the disciples that being rich, like the Pharisees, wasn’t necessarily the same as being blessed or righteous.

(OT) Deuteronomy 31-32 - The Song of Moses (Specifically, Deut 32:1-20). As a new Christian, you won’t necessarily understand this right away, but this is a prophecy given to Moses by GOD about history of the Israelites. Every line relates to something that had either already happened in the BIBLE timeline or that would happen after Moses. It is a picture or a foreshadowing of the relationship that believers (including Christians) will have with GOD throughout the ages – rebelling and then seeking forgiveness. (The OT is a book of examples for future believers.) This speech tells us that GOD is not only a GOD of mercy – as taught by the modern church - but that HE is also a GOD of judgement. (NT) Acts 7 – Stephen’s Speech to the Rulers – Steven gives an amazing speech just before he is executed for being a follower of JESUS. He recounts the history of the Jews from Abraham to Moses, telling how JESUS relates to Moses and reproaches (condemns) the Jews for rejecting the prophets throughout their history; ultimately rejecting JESUS, their messiah.

(OT) 1 Kings 8 - Solomon’s Prayer Dedicating the first Temple. Solomon dedicates the 1st Temple with a prayer that mirrors Moses' Song, in that it prophetically shows how the relationship between GOD and the chosen people (the Hebrews) worked and that ultimately giving the same opportunity for salvation to the other people in the world (the gentiles) was always GOD's ultimate plan (Verses 41-43). (NT) Matthew 10:5-8 - JESUS sends the disciples out to the lost sheep of Israel. Acts 9, (Specifically Acts 9:15 and 22:21) Paul sent to the gentiles. JESUS converts Paul (a former Pharisee) and instructs him, to go and preach Christianity to the gentiles.

(OT) Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 - Isaiah and Psalms on JESUS. Isaiah 53 is the so-called forbidden chapter, because it is apparently not read in Jewish synagogues. It is considered controversial in that it obviously seems to be about JESUS. Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 give a prophetic outline of the life and suffering of JESUS and are striking examples of how JESUS was foretold in the Old Testament. The entire OT points to JESUS like a thousand arrows heading towards the same target. (NT) Mat 27:27-56 – The actual events of JESUS on the cross. JESUS on the cross uses the same words as the OT to show that HE was fulfilling the scripture.

(NT) Matthew 5-7 – The Sermon on the Mount (Including the Beatitudes). JESUS explains the New Testament and shows how it refines and fulfills the OT; with JESUS being the final perfect blood sacrifice. JESUS fulfilled the Law of the OT as the only “man” who was ever able to satisfy the law by living a sinless life. (See these two blog posts that show how you can get further understanding of a BIBLE verse by looking up specific words. In this case, the key words in Mat 5, verses 1-12. It's fairly easy using BIBLE software.) (OT) OT verses that relate to The sermon on the Mount; in addition to Exodus 20 here are just few: Exo_19:3, Eze_36:22-38, Psa_1:1, Psa_119:1-2, Psa_37:11, Jer_29:13, Isa_29:13, Deu_30:19

(NT) Matthew 25 - Parables of the Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the Great White Throne Judgement. A parable is a simple story that illustrates a greater point. JESUS gives three different parables that serve as warnings to the endtime church to be ready for the day of judgment:

1) The foolish virgins symbolize Christians who are not spiritually ready for the rapture; the wise virgins are those who remain spiritually ready as a way of life. 

2) The servant who only gained one talent. The servant symbolizes a Christian who does not create any spiritual fruit (starting with themselves) with the gifts GOD had given them.  

3) In the final parable, people who were Christlike are welcomed into heaven and those who were not, are sent to eternal fire. 

(NT) Mat_7:23, Jas_2:14-26, Mat_16:27, Rom_2:16, 2Co_5:10, Revelation 20:11-15

Teach Us How to Pray... Use the LORD's Prayer as an Outline

New Christians often ask about learning to pray. JESUS’ original disciples asked him the same thing: “…Lord, TEACH US TO PRAY…” Luk 11:1 JESUS told them to pray like this:

“… Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil (one).” Luk 11:1 / Mat 6:9

Known as the LORD’s prayer, people often recite it by wrote (word for word), without thinking too much about what it means. We have all done it; some of us have done it for most of our lives. But like many other things in the BIBLE, it has a deeper meaning. Once you realize that every line has a purpose, you can start to use the Lord’s Prayer as an outline or structure for every prayer you pray - just add your individual needs and concerns to each line. Let’s look at the LORD’s prayer, line by line.

First, the basic function of each line:

1. Giving respect to GOD.

2. Agreeing to do HIS will.

3. Asking and thanking GOD (in advance) for supplying our needs.

4. Asking for forgiveness (repentance) and acknowledging the need to forgive others.

5. Asking for continual deliverance from our desire to sin.

1.      Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

GOD the creator is actually our father – you are related to GOD.  We respect GOD’s NAME. “Hallowed” means to make holy, consecrate, sanctify. Holy means to set apart, or to respect above common every-day ideas and things. This is a reminder of the 3rd Commandment, “you shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain.” Ex 20:7 The entire Book of Job is a lesson about people not understanding how great GOD is. Although he was a righteous man who greatly respected GOD, even Job didn’t respect GOD enough. GOD had to remind Job that HE MADE EVERYTHING in the universe and Job was just one of HIS creations, to do with whatever HE wanted. Like us, Job did not have the capacity to understand GOD's plan or that he (Job), like everyone else in the Old Testament, was being used by GOD as an example for all time.

2. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

This is both a statement of fact and our agreement to that fact. GOD will reestablish HIS rule over the earth (satan’s rule is temporary for our testing). GOD’s will was, is, and will be done, and we (Christians) agree to obey GOD’s will as our part of the contract. Doing our own will is actually idolatry – following our own will is acting as our own god.

3. Give us day-by-day our daily bread.

Asking and thanking GOD for our daily needs. The key scripture: …seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (everything you need to live) will be added to you. Mat 6:33 The things that prayer is not: A shopping list of material things you want GOD to give you. There is a difference between what you need and what you want. It is typical of human nature that people who are rich and self-satisfied tend to ignore GOD because they think they don’t need any help. See Prosperity Gospel A list of demands and complaints. Some people act as though GOD is their servant and outrageously present lists of commands that they expect GOD to fulfill. Requests to make other people do things that you think they should do. Praying with a mind to manipulate others is witchcraft. Yes, pray for GOD to help / bless other people but not for them to do your will, ie, make Bob marry Susan or tell so-and-so to give me their house, etc.

4. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

The debts mentioned symbolize sins. You have to forgive others in order to be eligible for GOD’s forgiveness. The importance of this verse cannot be overstated. This isn’t a transaction where you grudgingly forgive people who have sinned against you. Your proper and sincere Christlike attitude should be to forgive out of love, realizing that JESUS loves and forgives them just as much as you want HIM to love and forgive you. This can be tied to JESUS’ parable about the unforgiving servant. Mat 18:21 The servant owed a huge amount of money to his employer, he begged and the employer mercifully cancelled the debt. Afterwards, the servant refused to forgive a guy who owed him a small debt. When the boss heard about it, he reinstated the wicked servant’s original debt and had him put in debtor's prison because he had not appreciated the mercy he received enough to forgive someone else. (A picture of losing one’s salvation.) For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Mt 6:14

5. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil (one).

This is a hard verse because according to scripture, GOD does not tempt anyone to do evil.  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Jas 1:13 So why is JESUS telling us to pray to not be “brought or led into” temptation? I think this means that we should plead with GOD to help us avoid the destructive testing (chastisement) that would result from pursuing our own sinful thoughts (lusts). As long as we resist temptation, we remain under GOD’s protection. Like Adam and Eve, willful sin gives the devil legal permission to attack and destroy us.

The Sermon on the Mount Part 2

Matthew, Chapters 5-7 are known as the "Sermon on the Mount". Matthew 5 was discussed in the previous post.

In Matthew 6 and 7, JESUS continues HIS outline of the practice of true Christianity. Here is an expanded translation of these verses in modern English.

In reading Matthew 5-7, one can get a quick overview of the meaning of the New Testament that can be shared with others to show that their understanding of Christianity may be based on extra-biblical doctrines promoted by church denominations, as opposed to what the BIBLE actually says. 

Mat 6
1-4	Charity. If you publicize your charity and good works to get praise from other people, you lose your reward from GOD.
6-15	Praying in secret on your own is real – as opposed to just praying with a church group because it is expected of you. Repetitive prayers, as in Catholicism, are related to paganism. The Lord’s Prayer. JESUS taught us the elements of talking to GOD in outline form. It is not necessarily to be repeated verbatim as ritual – many people know the words but have never considered what they mean.
16-18	Fasting. It is a desire for respect from others (your self-righteousness) to let people know that you are fasting. If you do it in secret, between you and GOD, it is a righteous sacrifice – bearing your cross.
19-24	Warning against placing your faith in materialism. If you are dedicated to some aspect of sinfulness – it stains your soul, in its entirety. You can’t serve GOD and be dedicated to the acquisition of money at the same time – it is one or the other. (American culture is definitely all about the love of money.)
25-34	Believers, don’t worry about what is going to happen in the near future – trust GOD for the things you need – it is part of the covenant, the New Testament contract, that GOD will look out for you if you obey.
Mat 7
1-6	Don’t hypocritically judge others; it is a way to damnation. It is spiritually dangerous and often unprofitable to try to force the WORD on groups of worldly people who hate righteousness.
7-11	Sincerely ask GOD for spiritual understanding and it will be given to you.
12-14	The golden rule – the greatest commandment – treat others the way you expect to be treated. Narrow is the way – you have to obey exactly – partial obedience is the broad way (road) to hell. King Saul was the famous Old testament case of partial obedience based on following his own will. He was rejected by GOD and a new king, David, was put in his place.
15-20	The characteristics (the fruit) of false christians and christian leaders - if these church leaders aren’t producing Christlikeness in their followers and in their own lives (maintaining a generally spotless reputation) – they are probably false Christians - wolves.
21-23	Great White Throne Judgement. Even christians, if they do not obey (follow the narrow way), will be cast into hell. This is what the BIBLE says - as opposed to the modern church teaching of “Once Saved Always Saved”.
24-27	Build your christian walk on the rock (the WORDs of JESUS). People are often symbolized in the BIBLE as the sands of the sea.   If you build your version of Christianity on man’s doctrine – a foundation of sand - your house (your spiritual life and ultimate salvation) will be washed away / destroyed in the time of tribulation (the storm).
28-29	The people who heard JESUS spiritually recognized that HE was authoritative (speaking as GOD) in giving the outline of the New Testament.