Queen's Road Cell

 21. In 16:10-13, Jesus commends a particular character trait of a good disciple: faithful or trustworthy stewardship. Jesus spoke this parable to 'the disciples' (16:1), but the Pharisees are still in the background (16:14). This parable is difficult to interpret because Jesus appears to commend dishonesty.  The likely explanation is that the steward is commended, not for his dishonesty, but for taking resolute action in a crisis. The coming of Jesus forced people to decision. When even dishonest worldly people know how and when to take decisive action, much more should those who follow him. T. W. Manson reminds us that there is a world of difference between ‘I applaud the dishonest steward because he acted cleverly’ and ‘I applaud the clever steward because he acted dishonestly’ (Morris) The text also makes it clear that Jesus commended the steward for forward planning by buying friends with money - something intangible with something tangible. We are asked to do the same. ...

 12. According to the parables of the sheep and coin (15:3-10), how does God respond when one of His valued creatures or treasures is lost (15:4, 8)?   God actively seeks out lost sinners and brings them home. The rabbis agreed that God would welcome the penitent sinner. But it is a new idea that God is a seeking God, a God who takes the initiative.(Morris) But the safe possession of ninety-nine is no substitute for the loss of one. The shepherd happily brings the sheep home on his shoulders. There is no grumbling about carrying the animal: the shepherd is rejoicing. (Morris) The sheep is too weak to return on its own. An Eastern house would have no windows, or very small ones, so the lighting of a lamp was necessary for a close search even in the daytime The coin has no power in itself to return to its owner. 13. What does God do and how does He feel when he finds His lost one (see 15:5-7, 9-10)?  God is full of joy, and He calls everyone to rejoice with Him.  "nine...

  Responding To The Living Word (1 Peter 1:13-2:3)  Introduction 30 years ago a debate was held in Oxford University on the topic “Can we be good without God”. A Jew, Dennis Prager, engaged with an atheist philosopher, Jonathan Glover. Glover was arguing that religious beliefs were largely irrelevant things in a material, scientific world. Prager listened for a long time and then finally asked: "If you, Professor Glover, were stranded at the midnight hour in a desolate Los Angeles street and if, as you stepped out of your car with fear and trembling, you were suddenly to hear the weight of pounding footsteps behind you, and you saw ten burly young men who had just stepped out of a dwelling coming toward you, would it or would it not make a difference to you to know that they were coming from a Bible study?" The audience burst out in laughter and Glover conceded that, yes, it would make a difference.  The Word of God makes a difference in our lives. When it is faithf...

 5. The religious men were willing to set aside their rules about Sabbath work for the sake of one of their sons or animals (see 14:4). If they would do this and disallow the healing of strangers, what was wrong with their practice? The passage has similarities to 13:10ff   It showed double standards - hypocrisy. They refused to commit to an answer, because they knew they were wrong. This refusal to face their own wrong in the light of what they should have known.disqualified them from Jesus' regard. (cf. John 5:43-45: 43  I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45  Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope .) Jesus did not exclude himself from the company of His enemies - He still went whe...