The Italian Memorandum

“…they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”

(2 Peter 1:8)

What is meant by Christian development? 2 Peter 1:8 suggests that Christian development may be (and should be) measured along the lines of being effective and fruitful. To lack the qualities that result in this development is a critical problem (see 2 Peter 1:8-11).

1. Christian development means, first, becoming a Christian (2 Peter 1:1,2).
2. Christian development involves aspiring to the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4).
3. Christian development necessitates pursuing certain qualities (2 Peter 1:5-15).

a. Faith – virtue (1:5)
b. virtue – knowledge (1:5b)
c. knowledge – self-control (1:6)
d. self-control – steadfastness (1:6b)
e. steadfastness – godliness (1:6c)
f. godliness – brotherly affection (1:7)
g. brotherly affection – love (1:7b)

The apostle’s list of qualities activates an effective and fruitful lifestyle (2 Peter 3:18). The word produces our thinking; our thinking produces our emotions; our emotions produce our decisions; our decisions produce our actions; our actions produce our habits; our habits produce our character; and, our character produces our destiny. Life in the overflow.

– Robert M. Housby

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and he who humbles himself will be honored”

(Luke 14:11)

Introduction: The marriage feast of Luke 14:7-11, speaks of places of honor. But, is this mere social etiquette? Americans will almost certainly have trouble with this passage.

I. Honor and the predicament of entitlement

A. Who could possibly feel entitled? (14:1,7)
B. What is meant by entitled?

II. A parable for today…

A. Based upon observation (v. 7)

B. Assumption (v. 8) ________________ (see 14:24)

C. Power is in the word of the ___________ (v. 9,10)

D. Mere social etiquette?!

Conclusion: Our honor derives from His honor (John 12:26). Redemption must be seen as based upon the absolute value of Christ. Christ is “precious,” by virtue of his blood (1 Peter 2:4,6; 1:19). We are “precious,” therefore, as a result of his honorable status (1 Peter 2:7).

“…the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”

(2 Timothy 3:15)

We believe that the Bible has an overarching message. While certainly kingdom is a major doctrine, along with covenant; promise; and salvation, perhaps it is the coming of Messiah which holds all of these together (John 5:39; Luke 24:44-47). The Messiah is Hebrew for “the Christ” (John 1:41). To make the message yours’, several biblical concepts become important.

Torah – The essential ideas behind torah are: teaching, law and direction. Torah, while often identified with the first five books, involves more than a quantity of scrolls, however. Guidance seems dominant.

Mitzvah – This Hebrew term is translated along the lines of commandment. We recognize the Jewish ceremony of Bar-Mitzvah, when a male becomes a son of the commandment in Judaism (Bat-Mitzvah for girls).

Torah and mitzvah enable the sons of God to live for Him—guided specifically by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14). Jesus, himself, seems to be using these two Jewish concepts in his final plea for his disciples in Matthew 28:20—“ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Make the message yours’ today. His presence is conditioned upon these two directives.

-Robert M. Housby

“…they were watching him carefully”

(Luke 14:1)

Introduction: It is through this Sabbath controversy that we learn about the very basics of religion and even ourselves. This passage exposes certain crucial matters:

I. Two Maladies (14:1,2)

A. _____________________

B. _____________________

II. A Study in Contrasts (14:3-6)

A. He __________ They ___________ (v.1)

B. He __________ They ___________ (vv. 3,4)

C. He __________ They ___________ (vv. 5,6)

Conclusion: There is a silence in this controversy (vv. 4, 6). It is the silence of reluctance to respond, and regret without remorse. This controversy continues among those absorbed in the self-centered lifestyle.

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”

(James 2:24)

Neil Postman, in his book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, uses the expression—“Low Information to Action Ratio,” to denote questionable Christian commitment. In other words, L.I.A.R. occurs when our knowledge of Christianity is greater than our follow-through.

James puts this in perspective in James 2:14-26. Notice how James arranges his theological material into 5 questions:

2:14 “What good is it…?”

2:14 b “Can that faith save…?”

2:15-16 “What good is that [failure to respond to needs]…?”

2:20 “Do you want to be shown…that faith apart from works is useless?”

2:21 “Was not Abraham… justified by works?”

Abraham and James have played their part on the stage of the drama of the most holy faith. Now, it’s your chance. If not now, when?

-Robert M. Housby

agenda – 1. things to be done.

(Webster’s New Universal Dictionary, p. 35)

“… today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow…”

(Luke 13:32,33)

Introduction: Luke 13:31-35 is about today and tomorrow in the life of Christ. But, there is a strategy here also for living redemptive lives. It is the way of the Master and his followers—an agenda that honors the truth of Psalm 118:26.

I. Is there agenda in this text?

A. _____________ tried to force an agenda (v. 31)
B. Jesus replies with his own ___________ (v. 32)
C. Note Jesus’ agenda:

1. ______________________________ (v. 32)
2. ______________________________ (v. 33)
3. _______________________________ (v.35)

II. How will having a 13:35 agenda help me?

(3 Benefits)

_____________, _____________, ______________

Conclusion: Do you honor the truth of Psalm 118:26/Luke 13:35? Who determines your agenda?

“Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

(Amos 4:12)

Now the bright morning star, Day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.
Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth and warm desire,
Woods and groves are of thy dressing
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

(John Milton, On May Morning, 1629-30?)

Milton expressed of the month of May, “And [we] welcome thee and wish thee long.” Have you ever felt that way about something that you wished would never end?

But, isn’t it true that blessings can sometimes turn into complacency about the Lord and His church (see Amos 3:1,2)? “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1). So, Amos 4:12, “Prepare to meet your God,” is ultimately about the inevitable (see Eccl. 12:5,7,14). Yes, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).

So, on this May morning, “Seek the Lord and live” (Amos 5:6)!

-Robert M. Housby