Romans

Romans in 140 Characters

God does not favor one people because they follow rituals; believers should live by faith, not by law. Love is the fulfillment of law.

Romans 1
Paul writes to the Romans explaining that he wants to visit. Explains that God's wrath will come on those who have perverted the world.

Romans 2
Paul writes circumcision is no longer required to be save-- says that it is what a person does on the inside (not outside) that saves them.

Romans 3
Paul writes that no one is righteous in their own right, but is only made righteous through the faith that is given to them.

Romans 4
Paul explains that Abraham didn't become blessed because he believe in God; he was blessed because he had faith in God.

Romans 5
Paul continues that sin was in the world before the law; because of Adam we have sin, because of Christ we have grace.

Romans 6
Believers should count themselves dead to sin, but alive to God. We should become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 7
Paul stresses he is not saying the OT law is bad; rather he's saying it's only through Christ that we can work through the sin in our lives.

Romans 8
Paul says to live by the flesh and die; live by the Spirit and live. The Spirit helps us in weakness. Nothing can separate us from God.

Romans 9
Paul declares Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have got it because of their faith; Jewish, who are living by law, have not.

Romans 10
Paul writes that he really wants all Jewish people to believe because anyone who does will never be put to shame.

Romans 11
God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Romans 12
Paul encourages believers to be a living sacrifice, and to humble yourself--love, in action.

Romans 13
Love is the fulfillment of the law. Paul encourages all to be clothed in Christ and not to think about fulfilling desires of the flesh.

Romans 14
Paul encourages all to stop passing judgment and do what leads to peace.

Romans 15
Paul explains that it is his ambition to preach the gospel of Christ to people who have never known God (i.e. Gentiles)

Romans 16
Paul writes his farewell; encourages believers to watch out for those who cause divisions and stay away from them.

Acts of the Apostles

Acts of the Apostles in 140 Characters

Jesus taken to heaven. Apostles decide what to do next. Christians persecuted. Paul becomes a Christian & preaches Good News to world.

Acts 1
Jesus taken up in a cloud to heaven. After this, the apostles meet to decide who will replace Judas, who betrayed Jesus. They pick Matthias.

Acts 2
Holy Spirit comes & causes believers to speak in tongues during Pentecost. Peter pleads all to repent & be baptized. Believers fellowship.

Acts 3
Peter heals a paralyzed man; after the healing Peter delivers a teaching.

Acts 4
Peter & John go before Jewish leaders; leaders don't know what to do w/ them. Believers pray together & share possessions.

Acts 5
Ananias and his wife Sapphira die for lying to the Holy Spirit. Jewish leaders begin persecuting Apostles to keep the Gospel from spreading.

Acts 6
Disciples choose 7 to assist them. One of the 7 is Stephen, who Jewish leaders say is corrupting people & they look for way to kill him.

Acts 7
Stephen tells Jewish leaders their hearts & ears are uncircumcised; leaders so angry that they kill him. Saul, who became Paul, is there.

Acts 8
Saul approves of killing; he begins to persecute other believers and destroy their foundation. Apostle Philip evangelizes to an official.

Acts 9
God appears to Saul while going to Damascus to persecute believers, and becomes a Christian; Peter brings a dead woman to life.

Acts 10
God tells Peter to eat at Cornelius (a non-Jew) home; Peter is hesitant to dine with non-Jew, but realizes God doesn't favor one people.

Acts 11
Peter explains why he ate with a non-Jew; by end of his story, no one had any objections and now believed all could be granted repentance.

Acts 12
Peter is put in prison by King Herold to get the approval of Jewish leaders; an angel rescues him from his jail cell.

Acts 13
Paul (who was formally known as Saul) and Barnabas are sent off to preach the word of God.

Acts 14
Paul and Barnabas continue to go around synagogues in the Mediterranean; nearly stoned on one occasion.

Acts 15
Council started to decide if Gentiles should be circumcised. Barnabas & Paul argue that you don't. Paul & Barnabas go their separate ways.

Acts 16
Paul continues to travel and preach with Silas. They are in prison, but are released when magistrates discover they are Roman citizens.

Acts 17
Paul continues to spread the good news; some Jewish leaders try to stir up trouble to stop it.

Acts 18
Paul goes to Corinth & tries to preach to the Jews; when they become abuse he declares he will only preach to the Gentiles.

Acts 20
Paul continues to preach the gospel. People who make and sell goods for idol worship become nervous about losing business and start a riot.

Acts 21
Paul returns to Jerusalem where angry Jewish leaders want to kill him; commander of Roman Army arrested Paul before they can hurt him.

Acts 22
Paul gives testimonial to Jewish crowd; they are quiet until he says God will send him to the Gentiles; his Roman citizenship helps him.

Acts 23
Over 40 Jewish priest and elders make an oath to kill Paul; Paul is warned about this. He is transferred to another city by armed guard.

Acts 24
Paul brought on trial; to grant Jewish leaders a favor, Paul is left in jail but also given certain freedoms.

Acts 25
Paul brought on trial again; he appeals to Caesar. No one knows what they should write to Caesar, because he has did nothing wrong.

Acts 26
Paul gives his testimonial to King Agrippa; King Agrippa likes him & declares he could have been set free had he not appealed to Caesar.

Acts 27
Paul sails to Rome as a prisoner; a bad storm leaves them shipwrecked; miraculously everyone survived.

Acts 28
Paul arrives in Rome; is allowed to live by himself under guard. He calls together Jewish leaders and preaches to grounds under Roman guard.

The Gospel According to John

The Gospel of John in 140 Chapters

Jesus with God in the beginning. Says he is the light of the world. Killed for being King of the Jews. Rises from the dead.


John 1

Christ has been w/ God from the beginning. John the Baptist sent to prepare the way for Christ. John's disciples leave him to follow Jesus.

John 2

Jesus turns water to wine, and later clears the Temple of people profiting towards people making sacrifices to God. Performs many miracles.

John 3

Nicodemus asks Jesus what he means by people being born again; he explains we are born once of flesh, but must be born again of the Spirit.

John 4

Jesus tells non-Jews that the Kingdom of God belongs to them as well; heals an officials son remotely by simply saying he will live. 

John 5

Jesus heals on the Sabbath, & priest complain because Sabbath is for rest. Jesus says that God is his Father, & the priest want to kill him.

John 6

Jesus feeds 5000 w/ 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish; in the evening he walks on water and teaches about the Bread of Life.

John 7

Jesus goes to the Jewish Festival; people can't figure out how an average person is so smart. Many Jewish leaders believe he is a fake.

John 8

Leaders dispute Jesus claim that he is the light of the world. Jesus further claims that he is "I am" (or God). Priest are angered by this.

John 9

Jesus gives a blind man sight; some ministers are angry because he healed on the Sabbath. Jesus later calls them spiritually blind.

John 10

Ministers continue to question Jesus claim to be the son of God; again pick on stones to throw at him, but stop.

John 11

Man named Lazarus is sick; dies before Jesus comes to heal him. Jesus raises him from dead. Ministers hear of this &  plot to kill Jesus.

John 12

Jesus anointed and enters Jerusalem as a king--people praise him; he predicts his death. There is belief and unbelief amongst the Jews

John 13

Jesus washes the feet of his Disciples as an example of how to care for others; predicts Judas betrayal and Peter' denial.

John 14

Jesus comforts his disciples for what is about to happen; promises that if you keep God's commands the Holy Spirit is with you forever.

John 15

Jesus says that he is the vine and believers are his branches--believe in him & bear much fruit; further says the world will hate believers.

Jesus 16

Jesus gives final farewell to disciples; he promises that a time will come when their grief will turn to joy.

John 17

Jesus finals hours come and he uses the time to pray for his Disciples and all of those who believe.

John 18

Jesus is arrested. Peter denies that he knew Jesus. Leaders take him to Pilate; Pilate can't find anything to charge him with.

John 19

Pilate has Jesus beaten; calls him King of the Jews; resists killing him--priests insist. Reluctantly gives order. Crucified. Dead. Buried.

John 20

Followers of Jesus go to tomb & find that it's empty. Jesus appears to many--proclaims blessed are those who believe, but have not seen him.

John 21

Jesus appears to the disciples again, and this time performs miracles; later reinstates Peter.

The Gospel According to Luke

Luke 1
John the Baptist birth foretold; his parents are old & don't believe it. Jesus' birth foretold; his mother is virgin. John is born.

Luke 2
Jesus is born and is later presented at the temple. As a 12 year old he spends 3 days at temple courts listening & questioning ministers.

Luke 3
John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus; Jesus Baptized by John at the age of 30 and his ministry begins. Genealogy of Jesus is given.

Luke 4
Jesus tested 40 days in wilderness, & then returns home where he is rejected. Jesus goes to Gailee & amazes people w/ teachings. Heals many.

Luke 5
Jesus calls his first disciples. Later eats w/ sinners. Ministers complain that Jesus' disciples don't fast; says time to fast has not come.

Luke 6
Ministers question Jesus for healing on Holy Day, says law can be broke to save lives. Commands to love enemies and not to judge others.

Luke 7
Jesus raises a young man from the dead. John sends disciples to ask Jesus if he is one predicted--indirectly says yes + Anoints sinful Woman

Luke 8
Jesus tells parables; his mother & brothers comes to see him but says anyone who believes in God is mother & brother. Later calms a storm.

Luke 9
Jesus feeds 5000 from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish; later Jesus predicts death on 2 separate occasions, & explains cost of being a believer.

Luke 10
Jesus comes to home of Martha & Mary; Martha is distracted by cleaning; Mary simply listens to what Jesus says; Jesus praises Mary.

Luke 11
Jesus teaches Lord's prayer & later drives out demons; Minister's invite Jesus to dinner & he goes then condemned them for their wickedness.

Luke 12
Jesus tells crowd the Holy Spirit will give followers the words to say when needed. Later explains he has come to bring division not peace.

Luke 13
Jesus teaches & heals. Again, explains how hard it is for a person to get into heaven. Jesus warned that Herold is seeking to kill him.

Luke 14
Jesus challenges ministers; gives parable of a the "Great Banquet," and then he explains how hard it is to be a follower.

Luke 15
Jesus give three parables. Parable of Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, & Lost Son. All are meant to show why people should forgive.

Luke 16
Jesus gives additional parables & teachings; declares that what man values highly, God detest. Man should live by God's laws, not Earth's

Luke 17
Jesus teaches if someone sins to rebuke them; if they repent forgive them; later heals a man w/ leprosy and teaches the end is in our midst.

Luke 18
Jesus gives several parables and teachings--each one emphasizing the kingdom of God belongs to those who are humble.


Luke 19
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly; weeps over the city. Enters temple & drives out those selling things instead of treating it w/ respect.

Luke 20
Jesus' authority questioned by priest; he refuses to answer until they answer his question--they don't. Warns against listening to priest.

Luke 21
A poor woman gives Jesus 2 small coins--he calls the gift greater than others; later teaches destruction of the temple is a sign of the end.

Luke 22
Disciple Judas is paid by priest to betray Jesus; Jesus has Last Supper with disciples. Prays at Mount of Olives, then is arrested.

Luke 23
Jesus tried before Pilate & asked if he is the King of the Jews. He's sentenced to death--dies hours later; it's 3 but darkness fills Earth.

Luke 24
Jesus rises from dead. He appears before disciples--they believe, at first, they are seeing a ghost. Ascends into heaven and never dies.

The Gospel of Luke in 140 Chapters
Jesus baptized. Gives many teachings--emphasizes that what man values, God detests. Sentenced to die for teachings. Rises from Dead. Ascends

The Gospel According to Matthew

Matthew 1

Jesus is linked back to Abraham and King David. A record of Jesus' birth is given. His mother was impregnated through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 2

Magi see star & knows it means King of Jews is born. Ruler orders all boys -2 killed to protect kingdom. Magi warn Mary; she flees w/ Jesus.

Matthew 3

Man named John baptizes & prepares way for Jesus. He baptizes w/ water, but predicts 1 who will baptize with Holy Spirit. Jesus baptized.

Matthew 4

Jesus tempted by satan after fasting 40 days/nights. Jesus sends satan away, & he begins ministry. Calls 12 disciples and heals sick.

Matthew 5

Jesus outlines who God favors in "The Beatitudes." Declares he's come to fulfill law of prophets, not abolish it. Tells all to love enemies.

Beatitudes

Blessed are: poor, those who mourn, meek, those who want right, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, those persecuted for God.

Matthew 6

Jesus tells all to give to needy & pray softly where others can't hear. Says not to cling to Earthly treasures or worry over Earthly things.

Matthew 7

Jesus teaches not to judge others; says path to God can be easy to fall from, & warns of false teachers. Finishes 1st sermon; crowds amazed.

Yes, Matthew 5 to 7 were more than likely one long sermon.

Matthew 8

Jesus heals many. Tells followers to follow him is to put everything else aside. At night, calms a furious storm, & then cast out a demon.

Matthew 9

Jesus calls sinner to follow him, & says it's the sick who need a doc; heals many. Later says harvest is plentiful, but not enough workers.

Matthew 10

Jesus sends out his disciples 2x2 to drive out evil spirits and heal sick. Says cost are high to follow him, but the will be rewarded.

Matthew 11

While disciples are away, Jesus continues to preach+heal. John, whose in prison, sends disciples to ask if he's Christ. Says yes in own way.

Matthew 12

Jesus scolded for working on Sabbath by ministers; replies laws can be bent for the good. Later ministers test him, but he can't be tested.

Matthew 12

Jesus scolded for working on Sabbath by ministers; replies laws can be bent for the good. Later ministers test him, but he can't be tested.

Matthew 13

Teaches several parables to crowds; disciples admit they dont understand them. Later returns to hometown & is mocked; does no miracles here.

Matthew 14

John the Baptist beheaded; Jesus mourns & feeds 5000 in evening; after he walks on water; Disciple Peter tries to imitate walk but fails.

Matthew 15

Ministers ask why Jesus breaks tradition; answer by asking why they break God's commands. Ministers offended by this. Later he feeds 4000.

Matthew 16

Ministers tell Jesus give them sign; replies he'll give them sign of Jonah. Peter confesses Jesus is Christ, & Jesus predicts his own death.

Matthew 17

Jesus turns into bright figure & walks w/ Moses & Elijah. Later casts out demon & tells disciples pay temple tax so they dont cause trouble.

Matthew 18

The disciples ask Jesus who the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is; Jesus says, children. After gives several parables about forgiveness.

Matthew 19

Jesus is asked why Moses said divorce is okay, but he says it's not; replies it's cuz they had hard hearts. Later says his lessons are hard.

Matthew 20

Jesus gives parable & later predicts death. A disciples mom asks him 2 give her boys a good spot in heaven, says it's not for him to decide.

Matthew 21

Jesus enters Jerusalem & crowds cheer for him; he goes to temple & knocks over tables; ministers question his authority. Gives parables.

Matthew 22

Gives parables. Ministers try to trap him by asking who to pay taxes to; says pay whoever is on the coin. Gives greatest command: Love God.

Matthew 23

Jesus gives 7 woes. All woes are about the ones who claim to teach the law. Calls them hypocrites because they dont follow what they preach.

Matthew 24

Jesus finally leaves the temple & talks about end of the world. Says he can't predict the end--only point out signs. Only God knows the end.

Matthew 25

Jesus gives many parables about how hard it is to follow God, but says the reward for following is eternal life (vs. eternal punishment).

Matthew 26

Ministers meet to plot way to arrest & kill Jesus. Jesus anointed by poor woman. Disciple Judas betrays. Jesus gives communion & arrested.

Matthew 27

Judas guilty for what he did; hangs himself. Jesus tried, condemned, and mocked. Hung on cross; dies in hours. Guard ordered to watch tomb.

Matthew 28

Jesus raises. Guards report empty tomb; ministers tell them to say disciples stole body. Jesus tells disciples to make disciples of nations.

The Gospel of Matthew in 140 Chapters

Jesus linked to Abraham. Preaches many sermons & parables. Condemns ministers. Crucified. Raises from dead. Commissions disciples to preach.

Matthew 13 - Parables of Jesus (Deeper Dwellings)

I once heard someone say that a parable was an "eartlhy story with a heavenly meaning." That sounds pretty, right? But it doesn't quite answer why Jesus used them. They aren't always the easiest lessons to understand (heck, they even left his Disciples baffled). So what's the point?

First off, while parables today are a bit obsolete, back in Jesus day they probably would have been more viral then a Justin Bieber video--at least in Judaism, where they were pretty common place.

I can only give you my own rational why Jesus used them: to separate the devoted from the casual listener. Spiritually speaking there are two kinds of people; the first person is the one who finds the idea of God pretty remarkable--they're willing to believe it, but they aren't willing to be fruitful with it; they want to go to church on Sunday, take a little nap, then go home and go on living; the idea of taking something out of the sermon is nice--as long as they don't have to work for it. The second kind of person, is the one who truly wants to grow; they're willing to take something that's hard to see and think about it--to let God reveal something in their life.

Think of the last truly profound movie you saw; you walked out of the theater really thinking about what the director was trying to convey on screen, and then you look around--chances are there's at least one person shaking their head saying, "Well that was stupid." That's how I imagine these parables. People either walked away thinking about what was said, and then there's going to be another group of people say, "I don't know what all the fuss is about." There was probably also a third group who walked away pretending to think it was profound just so they'd fit in.

Ultimately, I believe he spoke parables to provoke discussion--to get people to say, "What do you think he meant?"

If you want to read all of the Parables of Jesus, there is a list below. There are 36 total. There are also a several parables not in the Bible--some might be real, others are not.

The Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
The Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43)
The Lamp under a Bushel (Matthew 5:14-15, Mark 4:21-25, Luke 8:16-18)
Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
The Friend at Night (Luke 11:5-8)
The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21)
The Wise and the Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49)
New Wine into Old Wineskins (Matthew 9:17-17, Mark 2:22-22, Luke 5:37-39)
Parable of the strong man (Matthew 12:29-29, Mark 3:27-27, Luke 11:21-22)
Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8)
The Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)
The Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, Luke 13:18-19)
The Leaven (Matthew 13:33-33, Luke 13:20-21)
Parable of the Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46)
Drawing in the Net (Matthew 13:47-50)
The Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:52-52)
Counting the Cost (Luke 14:28-33)
The Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:4-6)
The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-9)
Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
The Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)
Rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
The Master and Servant (Luke 17:7-10)
The Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-9)
Pharisees and the Publican (Luke 18:10-14)
The Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)
The Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)
The Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-41, Mark 12:1-9, Luke 20:9-16)
The Great Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 14:16-24)
The Budding Fig Tree Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, Luke 21:29-33)
The Faithful Servant (Matthew 24:42-51, Mark 13:34-37, Luke 12:35-48)
The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
The Talents or Minas (Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:12-27)
The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

Matthew 4 - Numerology (Deeper Dwelling)

Numbers are important in the Bible. I wouldn't go as far as saying there are codes and we can somehow interpret everything from who we are going to marry to what time we are going to take a #2 in the bathroom, as some people do (I'm looking at you Michael Drosnin--but if you truly believe what your book teaches, then you probably already know that.).

So how do I mean they are important? Often God uses them symbolically in the Bible. 40 is one such example. Jesus was tempted for 40 days. What else happened in the Bible with the number 40? It rained for 40 days and 40 nights, and Noah's faith was tested; children of Israel also wandered around for 40 years with Moses; Ezekiel lay on his right side for 40 days. What's the commonality there? Why is it symbolic? In each instance it's really a period of maturity--I wouldn't call it testing as much as preparing. 

And how about the 12 disciples? What's so important about the number 12? 12 comes up a lot when your talking about government in the Bible; there are 12 tribes of Israel. The temple of Solomon has the number 12 referenced too a lot; and in revelation there are 12 foundations, 12 gates, 12 pearls, 12 angels. It's actually referenced to a lot more in Revelations. So why 12 disciples, I believe it has more to do with the 12 tribes than anything else; in the Old covenant there were 12 tribes, in the New covenant there were 12 disciples--but are essentially the foundation of God's people.

If you want to know more about Numbers, check out a book on "Biblical Numerology."