Selfism

Isaiah 14:12-15, Proverbs 25:6-7, Proverbs 27

1. What should we avoid?

Do not exalt yourself and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for the king to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

2. What phrase did the morning star repeat?

The morning star is the son of dawn which is Jesus. He came down as a low being to save us.

The self

Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 43:1-5

1. Who was the psalmist encouraging?

The psalmist was encouraging himself that at times God seems to be not present in his life, he reminded himself to put his hope on the Lord. Though he is oppressed, he will still praise and thank God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

2. Who was doing the encouraging?

God.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cross-bearing

Luke 12:13-21

1. What does life not consist of?

Be on your guard against all kinds of greed for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

1 Timothy 6:6-19

2. What should rich people do?

Those who are rich in this present world should not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Improving your service

Matthew 23:1-12

1. Why did Jesus criticise the Pharisees?

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Everything they do is done for men to see, they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

1 Peter 5:1-6

2. What does God give to the humble?

Young men should be submissive to those who are older. We should clothe ourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

The Jesus way

Matthew 20:29-34

1. Why did Jesus serve others and meet their needs?

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

"Lord," they answered, "we want our sight."

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Mark 8:1-10

2. How did this compare with the reaction of others nearby?

Jesus have compassion for these people who were following Him and that they have already been with Him three days and have nothing to eat. Thus as Jesus feeds the four thousand miraculously from little food, every ate and was satisfied.

Who is the greater?

1 Sam 16:1-13; Psalms 78:70-72

1. What qualified David to be king?

God does not consider appearance or his height. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

David shepherded the sheep with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

Acts 9:36-42

2. What made Dorcas worthy of special mention?

Dorcas was always doing good and helping the poor. When she dead and was revived, everyone believed in the Lord.

Tools of our trade

Acts 6:1-8

1. What may be the result of practical service?

The result of practical service will be of great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

James 3:13-16

2. What does true wisdom produce?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Therefore, true wisdom produces humble deeds through a good life.

The meaning of greatness

Mark 10:35-45

1. Why did Jesus come?

Jesus said that whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

James 2:1-4

2. Why should we disregard appearance?

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

No going back

Genesis 19:14-26; Luke 17:28-33

1. Why should we not look back?

When the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah to punish them for their homosexual sins, he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Numbers 11:4-6

2. What mistake did the rabble make when remembering the past?

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"

A volcanic eruption

Mark 1:1-8

1. What was John's ministry?

John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Acts 19:1-7

2. Why was it incomplete?

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Therefore, Jesus completes the ministry, not John.

The new Torah

1 John 3:11-18

1. How are we to love?

We should love one another. Do not be surprised, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 4:7-21

2. Why are we to love?

Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Jesus the revolutionary

Matthew 5:31-48

1. How did Jesus revoluntionise people's thinking?

Jesus revolutionise people's thinking in different ways.

Divorce

"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

An Eye for an Eye

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

John 4:7-9

2. What was revolutionary about Jesus' behaviour?

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans)

Jesus - violent?

Matthew 11:28-30

1. How did Jesus describe Himself?

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Jesus described Himself as gentle and humble in heart.

Matthew 26:47-56

2. How did Jesus choose the path of non-violence?

Once one of His disciples cut the enemy's ear when Jesus was captured, Jesus said "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

'Nearest and dearest'

Haggai 1:2-11

1. What was the evidence of people's wrong priorities?

The Lord said “Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

The Lord said “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

Malachi 1:6-8; Malachi 3:6-10

2. How may we despise and rob God?

We may despise God by not honouring him, not reverending him, by defiling food on His altar and gone away from His ordinances.

We may rob God in tithes and offerings. And thus God will not pour out His blessings.

'Hate' scrutinised

1 Kings 11:1-10

1. Why was Solomon unwise?

King Solomon loved many foreign women, whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.”

Solomon clung to these in love. He did not heed God's word.

For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God. Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD.

So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded.

Matthew 6:19-24

2. Why can we have only one first love?

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Intentionally shocking

Luke 14:12-23

1. How may even our generousity be self-centred?

We must be generous, not to those we can afford to treat us back, but be a blessing to the poor who cannot repay us, so we will be repaid through Christ.

2. What different types of excuse did people use?

People use different patterns of invalid excuses to avoid things intentionally.

Drawing blood

Luke 12:49-53

1. Why must Christianity produce conflict?

In these words, we hear Jesus’ great call to radical discipleship, his call to total commitment. We must fight against anything that comes in the way to our following of Christ.

Ephesians 5:22-6:4

2. How should we relate to our family?

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Can this be true?

Matthew 10:34-39

1. How did Matthew phrase Jesus' words about 'hate'?

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

The word hate is to be phrased as when one must put Christ first and hate to let other things take priority. It does not mean hate our family but hate the overtaking of God's priority.

Luke 9:57-62

2. How did Jesus explain the cost of following Him?

Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

To follow God, we must give our all, and not be half-hearted.

One hundred per cent!

Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 9:9

1. How did the disciples respond to Jesus' call?

They immediately left the boat, net and their father, arose and followed Jesus

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

2. What did Paul's suffering produce?

The life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Feed on Him

John 4:34; John 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 11:17-30

1. How can we eat and drink of Jesus?

Jesus says " If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

2. Why is the Lord's supper so important and how should we take it?

The Lord's food is to do the will of the Father who sent Him, and to finish His work.

Jesus says “Take, eat this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Examine Yourself. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

The Lord of miracles

Luke 23:1-12

1. Why did Herod want to see Jesus?

When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him.

2. How did he react when Jesus did not do what he wanted?

Then Herod questioned Jesus with many words, but Jesus answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

This is a good example of people who want the miracles of the Lord, but not the Lord of miracles.

Winning - yet winnowing

Exodus 16:13-29

1. How did the Israelites despise God's instructions for manna?

They disobeyed God's instruction that the bread should not be left overnight till next day, thus it stinked with worms the next day. However, when God told them that the extra manna from the sixth day is to be kept for the sabbath day, the Israelites insisted to gathered food while they should be resting. And on the sabbath day, the bread did not stink with worms.

Matthew 4:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6

2. What is spiritual food and drink?

Jesus says "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" when being tempted by Satan to sin.

The spiritual food and drink comes from Christ and His Word.

A cause of 'deafness'

Ezekiel 12:1-2

1. Why would the Israelites not see or hear?

The Israelites are in a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear. They chose not to see or hear.

Matthew 13:13-17

2. What would happen if people chose to understand?

But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Jesus says "Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."

The good news is...

Mark 14:3-9

1. Why may it be good for us to be broken?

The poor woman has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint Jesus' body for burial. Therefore, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.

God will see our hearts and give us credit.

John 12:23-26

2. What principle did Jesus explain?

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. A willing heart must die to himself in order for life to spring off.

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Jesus, let him follow Jesus; and where He is, there His servant will be also. If anyone serves Jesus, him My Father will honor.

Dying to live, losing to gain.

The Baptist's dilemma

Mark 6:1-3

1. What caused Jesus' neighbours to stumble?

When Jesus taught in the synagogue of his own hometown, many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him.

John 1:43-46

2. What caused Nathanael to stumble?

Philip told Nathanael that they have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

The hard teaching that came from someone they know before stumbled the people.

A trail of offence

Matthew 17:24-27

1. How did Jesus sometimes try to avoid offending people?

It is because the people around him do not know of Him as the Son of God. Thus Jesus told Peter to catch a fish and get the temple tax from the mouth of the fish.

Mark 10:17-27

2. How did Jesus go straight for the man's jugular?

When the man asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life since he has followed the commandments, Jesus replied directly, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

This is because Jesus knows how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! And the disciples upon hearing were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

Jesus, the Skandalon

Luke 4:14-30

1. What were the two opposite reactions of those who heard Jesus?

When Jesus preached in the synagogues of Galilee, He was being glorified by all.

But when Jesus preached at his hometown at Nazareth, all those in the synagogue heard about Jesus' purpose on earth, were filled with wrath and rose up and thrust Him out of the city.

2. Why did their attitude change?

No prophet is accepted in his own country.

'There is a cure'

Luke 13:10-17

1. How did the synagogue ruler stumble over Jesus' action?

Jesus healed a crippled woman on a sabbath day but indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."

The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

John 15:1-8

2. How do we become spiritually fruitful?

Remain in Christ, and He will remain in you.

No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Christ. If a man remains in Christ and Christ in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Christ you can do nothing.

If you remain in Christ and His words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to the Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be Christ's disciples.

Does Jesus offend you?

John 6:61-70; John 2:15-17

1. Why did Jesus hurt and offend people?

When Jesus realized that the temple has been changed into a marketplace, He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

Many people were offended in other occasions for they cannot accept that fact that Jesus was God. Out of carnality, they cannot accept that "the Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing" as Jesus said. No one comes to the Father through the Son.

2. Why did Peter not desert Jesus?

Many of Jesus' disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Tough sayings!

John 6:48-60

1. How did the disciples describe Jesus' teaching?

Jesus said to the disciples,

"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."

He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Many disciples thus deserted Jesus.

Acts 20:27

2. What did Paul proclaim?

Paul has not hesitated to proclaim to us the whole will of God.