Monthly Archives: January 2023

Luke 21:1-4 Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

Luke 21:1-4

(PRT) Luke 21:1-4

v. 1 Then Jesus looked up and saw those who were wealthy tossing their gifts into the offering baskets. v. 2 He also saw a certain poor widow as she dropped in two small coins worth less than a penny. v. 3 And Jesus said: “With all honesty, I can say to you that this poor widow has given more than all who have tossed in their offerings. v. 4 For what they gave was small compared to their surplus; but out of her poverty, she gave all she had to live on.

Study Notes:

v. 1 Then Jesus looked up and saw those who were wealthy tossing their gifts into the offering baskets.

Jesus had been in the Temple teaching during this last week of his ministry. No less than five times in this teaching time in the Temple, Jesus teaches on giving, generosity, and the impact of greed as opposed to generosity. This passage is a tangible illustration of what Jesus taught.

He looked  up and saw that the gifts were out of the wealthy’s excess. The “treasury” is the way giving happened in the Temple. This treasury was set up in the Courts of the Women as a place specifically for the tithes as people moved into the Temple. By the days of Jesus, there were thirteen chests with openings trumpet-shaped to catch what was thrown toward the chests as people passed by.

The picture here is Jesus with his followers sitting in the Courts of the Women opposite the chests and, right after arguing about taxes (“give to Caesar what he’s due; to God what He’s due,” Jesus looks up and begins to watch the wealthy parade by tossing their coins into the basket by way of the noisy trumpet-shaped openings. Some of the gifts are large. But all are measured from the givers’ surplus. The widow in line gives and can only scrape together to coins worth a portion of a penny; but she gives knowing that was it for her resources. She’s given all she has, not in desperation or in giving up, but in trust that God has her and He will be faithful. Marks word for “poor” indicates that she knows she has no influence, no resources to convince anyone of her station; hers was a simple station of living day-by-day.

v. 2 He also saw a certain poor widow and she was dropping in two small coins worth less than a penny.

Her two small coins were “lepta” or small copper coins used as the lowest common coinage. Most people would pass them by if they saw them on the ground. What others might discard, God can take and multiply into the grandest work or gift to the Kingdom.

v. 3 And Jesus said: “With all honesty, I can say to you that this poor widow has given more than all who have tossed in their offerings.

This must have been a shock since the greater the gift the greater the giver in this culture.  Truly, verily, in all honesty.

v. 4 For what they gave was small compared to their surplus; but out of her poverty, she gave all she had to live on.

Jesus is making a comparison here. If I have a lot and give a little bit in comparison, my offering isn’t a big as what a person gives sacrificially even though it is less for the books. God’s books are different and reflect the generosity of the heart and not the balance of the check book.

Note of importance: Jesus doesn’t condemn the rich for their giving; he lifts up the heart of sacrifice of the poor who give out of their need and not their surplus. It’s a measure of generosity.

Small Group Questions:

Luke 21:1-4

  1. Have you ever witnessed real generosity? What happened and what made it real to you?
  2. Read Luke 21:1-4. What two things does Jesus see when He looks up? Is he surprised by what He sees?
  3. Because Jesus praises the widow, do you think He is condemning the wealthy? Why or why not?
  4. How does one’s generosity reflect God’s personality and actions?
  5. This passage speaks about consistent giving (the tithe) and extravagant giving. In what ways can you personally become more generous?
  6. How can we pray for you today?

Philemon – Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Small Group Questions

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT)

vv. 1-2 Paul, imprisoned for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow servant, as well as our sister Apphia and Archippus our fellow warrior, and to the church that gathers at your home. v. 3 Grace to each of you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. v. 4 I give my God thanks always as I think of you by name in my prayers. v. 5 I keep hearing about your love and the faith that you have in relation to the Lord Jesus and among all the saints,  v. 6 and pray that your faith’s partnership might become active in understanding every good thing that we have inside us because of Christ. v. 7 Yes! We have this overflowing joy and we’re encouraged by your love. Brother, you have refreshed those set apart for God inside and out. v. 8 For this reason, I can boldly call on you with my need (though I could demand it in Christ because it is right to do.) vv. 9-10 On account of our love, I, Paul, only urge you as one who’s been around a long time and even more so as one imprisoned for the sake of Christ Jesus; I appeal to you for my child in the faith. Yes, even Onesimus, whom I have lead toward the new birth while in my shackles. v. 11 He was useless to you in the past, but now is useful both to you and to me. vv. 12-13 I have sent him back to you. This one who has my deepest affection, I have a mind to employ (to take your place here) so he can help me in prison for the sake of the Good News. v. 14 I won’t, though, without your consent; though because of your usefulness and goodness, you might be willing to allow it. v. 15 For it could be that he was separated from you for a short time as a slave, so that you could have him for all time. v. 16 Now a slave no more, but more than a slave. He is a beloved brother, to me especially. But for you? How much more, both in the flesh and in the Lord! vv. 17-18 Since, then, you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would me; and if he has hurt you or owes you anything, put it on my tab. v. 19 It’s me, Paul, who wrote this in my own handwriting. I will make good on any debt owed, even though I might say you have a debt to me for your own life. v. 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord. Assure my heart in Christ! v. 21 I’m certain of your consent to my request and know that you’ll go beyond what I’ve asked. v. 22 In the meantime, then, get the guest room ready. I hope to come to you in answer to your prayers. vv. 23-24 Epaphras, my fellow convict in Christ Jesus, says hello. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke and my fellow servants also send greetings. v. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Study Notes:

vv. 1-2 Paul, imprisoned for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow servant, as well as our sister Apphia and Archippus our fellow warrior, and to the church that gathers at your home.

Archippus is Paul’s fellow soldier in the field, battling the enemy’s work. The church is the gathered believers and they met in Philemon’s home. Any one of these three mentioned could be the shepherd of this flock that calls his home his church family.

Until the third century, there were no “church buildings.” They met in homes and businesses and used public spaces. For Colossae, there were likely multiple “churches” that made up the church in Colossae, all meeting in homes.

Three things about this letter. 1) God’s work of moving his children to Kingdom values is clear. 2) The needs of the individual believer matter. 3) Each life is meant to be the redemptive story.

v. 3 Grace to each of you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second person single as Paul considers how much each person in this house church needs God’s abiding peace and overflowing grace.

v. 4 I give my God thanks always as I think of you by name in my prayers.

Giving thanks always as well as remembering, recalling, making mention of those Paul has named earlier. Literally, it is “at all times making remembrances of you upon my prayers.”  He recalls them as he prays.

v. 5 I keep hearing about your love and the faith that you have in relation to the Lord Jesus and among all the saints, 

Multiple people have told Paul about Philemon; certainly Archippus, Onesimus, Timothy, and others.

v. 6 And pray that your faith’s partnership might become active in understanding every good thing that we have inside us because of Christ.

This phrase, partnership, is the fellowship we have together in making the things of Christ a part of our experience.

v. 7 Yes! We have this overflowing joy and we’re encouraged by your love. Brother, you have refreshed those set apart for God inside and out.

Paul had experienced this refreshing personally; who doesn’t need refreshing from the Lord inside and out.

v. 8 For this reason, I can boldly call on you with my need (though I could demand it in Christ because it is right to do.)

This verse is a bit difficult to nail down. The verse looks back on what’s already been said, therefore: Paul has great or ample confidence or boldness in Christ at his command to ask for a solution to a problem, and he could demand it as this is befitting his relationship with the church. 

vv. 9-10 On account of our love, I, Paul, only urge you as one who’s been around a long time and even more so as one imprisoned for the sake of Christ Jesus; I appeal to you for my child in the faith. Yes, even Onesimus, whom I have lead toward the new birth while in my shackles.

Paul’s appeal is based on the wisdom of his many years and his restricted life in prison as well as the fact that Onesimus, who was dead in the spirit, has come alive in Christ through Paul’s witness. He looks back to v. 5 and Philemon’s love shown practical, and he makes his case for this man’s slave.

The word for old man here can also be ambassador. Could it be that he is writing as both?

This letter is a juxtaposition of slave and prisoner/free, useless/useful, and alone/in partnership.

Luther says we are “all the Lord’s Onesimi.”

v. 11 He was useless to you in the past, but now is useful both to you and to me.

This slave’s name says he is useful but in running away, he has been useless to Philemon. This play on the name carries throughout the letter. Onesimus is useful and worth something to his owner.

vv. 12-13 I have sent him back to you. This one who has my deepest affection, I have a mind to employ (to take your place here) so he can help me in prison for the sake of the Good News.

Paul’s chains are the result of preaching the Good News; he needs help in prison and want to retain, keep from returning to his owner, and employs as his helper, his minister. A little phrase “for you me” hints to Philemon that Paul has the right to call on him to come and serve him in prison; but Onesimus will take his place.

v. 14 I won’t, though, without your consent; though because of your usefulness and goodness, you might be willing to allow it.

Paul plays on the word useful again as he hope Philemon might reconsider out of goodness (this word can mean usefulness.) I imagine that, when Philemon read this letter out loud to his gathering, they laughed at Paul’s puns and wordplay as much as they rejoiced to hear Onesimus is one of the family now. Paul’s humor is here, but his need is, too. He’s in shackles and still preaching, discipling, doing the work of the Kingdom. He needs help.

v. 15 For it could be that he was separated from you for a short time as a slave, so that you could have him for all time.

This servant was a part of the economy of slavery and was missed in the household, not just because he was not present but because his tasks were left to others. He was lost to his owner for a short time when he ran away; but he is now found to him as a brother who is willing to return and face the consequences. The relationship changed radically between slaveholder and slave because of Jesus. Both got upgrades. One is now free to serve at his work for the other who loves him like a brother.

v. 16 Now a slave no more, but more than a slave. He is a beloved brother, to me especially. But for you? How much more, both in the flesh and in the Lord!

The little phrase “how much more” is an old way for exclaiming in a great way, it’s a huge difference!

What about slavery? Scripture acknowledges that slavery is a part of the culture, but there is a progressive revelation through both words and actions that slavery is not a Kingdom value. In the OT, the people of God used slaves. In the NT, slave owners became Christians and are challenged to embrace the slave as brother. The declaration is this: neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, man nor woman – you all are one in Christ Jesus.” Slavery was universal throughout this time. But the seeds of heaven’s values were firmly planted into redeemed hearts and slavery’s days for the Christian were numbered. The communion table is the perfect symbol of this: the rich take with the poor, the male with the female, the slave with the free, the conquered with the conqueror.

vv. 17-18 Since, then, you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would me; and if he has hurt you or owes you anything, put it on my tab.

Paul may be adding this because, even though Philemon is a Christian and a leader, he may have been hurt or put out by this action, and he may have had to hire someone to take his place. Paul  is going to bat for this new Jesus-follower.

v. 19 It’s me, Paul, who wrote this in my own handwriting. I will make good on any debt owed, even though I might say you have a debt to me for your own life.

Just in case Philemon might think Onesimus conned someone into writing this, Paul assures him it’s his handwriting and he is good for the debt owed. Just a reminder, though, that Philemon is indebted to Paul for his own life in Christ. In the end, we owe much more than we can claim we are owed; we might be offended or feel the pain of what we thought we were due, but it’s all small potatoes compared to the riches we have in Jesus.

v. 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord. Assure my heart in Christ!

Paul continues his play on “useful” with another word that means this and “benefit.”  The former slave’s name, Onesimus, is the word used here and elsewhere for wordplay. Another chuckle from the crowd. Assure can mean refresh; but the previous sentences as asking for assurance that he will be kind in response to his slave’s return.

v. 21 I’m certain of your consent to my request and know that you’ll go beyond what I’ve asked.

He knows his friend but still wants assurance that he will do what he’s asked and beyond. In fact, Paul uses a word that also means “obey me.”

v. 22 In the meantime, then, get the guest room ready. I hope to come to you in answer to your prayers.

“to come to you” really means that I hope that I will be delivered and presented to you as a present, that God will carry me along to show up on your doorstep because you have asked him to. Maybe this is additional pressure (as in, “don’t make me come there”) but more likely, it’s a promise to come to renew their friendship (and, with the wordplay, enjoy an inside joke with his gathering.

vv. 23-24 Epaphras, my fellow convict in Christ Jesus, says hello. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke and my fellow servants also send greetings.

Paul ends where he starts, with relationships.

v. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

This is the most personal that Paul gets in his letters. It may be his shortest, but there is such an intimacy that shows what kind of friend he is to those he disciples.

Small Group Study Questions:

Philemon 1

  1. Have you ever “lost” a friend and he or she returned (maybe they moved away or your relationship was restored?) How did you respond to this “return?”
  2. Read vv. 1-6. The first churches were in homes (in fact, the first church buildings didn’t show up until 300 years later!) How did this benefit the church in these early years? What do these verses say church in Philemon’s home was like?
  3. What does it mean to be  generous (v. 6)? What does generosity have in common with “all good things” we have in our walk with Christ Jesus?
  4. When you hear the story of Philemon (the slave owner) and Onesimus (the slave) in this chapter, what is your main “take-away?”
  5. Philemon’s name means compassionate kindness and Onesimus means useful servant. Did they both live up to their names?
  6. Since you have become a Christ-followers, how do you live up to the name of the Savior you carry? How can we pray for you this week to help you do so?