In the Old Testament
We’ll take a few minutes to look at some of the offerings that were offered in the Old Testament. We will notice several things about these sacrifices, as well as some things they all have in common.
Genesis 4:1-7 -The sacrifices of Cain and Abel
Leviticus 1:1-5 -Burnt offering from the herd
Leviticus 1:10-11 -Burnt offering from the flock
Leviticus 1:14-15 -Burnt offering of birds
Leviticus 2:1, 4, 7, 11-12 -Grain offerings
Leviticus 3:1-2 -Peace offering from the herd
Leviticus 3:6-8 -Peace offering from the flock
Leviticus 3:12-13 -Peace offering of a goat
Leviticus 4:1-7 -Sin offering
I Samuel 15:22-23 -Saul’s wrong sacrifice, Samuel’s response
Hebrews 10:1-10 -The sacrifices of the Old Law foreshadow Christ
Of the Perfect Lamb
The blood of bulls and goats could not atone for the sins of man. However, we do have a perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Ephesians 5:2 -Christ’s loving sacrifice was a pleasing aroma to God
Isaiah 53:1-12 -As a lamb he was led to the slaughter
I Peter 1:17-21 -Christ’s atoning sacrifice
Mankind had been used to offering sacrifices to God. But now we see that God made a sacrifice for man! And we see the same attributes applied to the Old Testament sacrifices applied to our Lord.
Of Ourselves
Sometimes it is difficult to make sacrifice of what we have. Yet for many things, and for many people, we are willing to make sacrifices. Parents often sacrifice for their children. We may make sacrifices for friends. But above all, we must be willing to offer ourselves as a sacrifice for God.
Romans 11:28-12:2 -Because of God’s love and our change, be a sacrifice
Luke 14:25-27 -We must be willing to give up all else to follow Christ
Philippians 3:1-11 -Paul was willing to count all as loss, for the sake of Christ
Our sacrifice, our life, should be offered to the Lord.
-It should be of our best, not what is left over.
-It should be done obediently, as He wants it, not as we want it.
-It should be appropriate and al encompassing.-It should be because He has already sacrificed for us.
We must be willing to give up the things we treasure most, if necessary. We must be willing to live a life dedicated, set apart, to His service. We must strive to be the unblemished sacrifice.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Pharisees' Leaven - 8/28/08am
Luke 12:1 -Which is hypocrisy
Leaven
Galatians 5:9 -A little leaven leavens the whole lump
I Corinthians 5:6-8 -Purge the old leaven (including hypocrisy)
Luke 13:20-21 -The kingdom is like leaven, and should fill us (no room for other leaven)
The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees
Matthew 23:1-3 -The Pharisees taught properly, acted wrongly
Matthew 23:4 -They teach to do, but do not do themselves
Matthew 23:5-12 -Doing things to be seen of men
Matthew 23:13 -They shut the kingdom against men
Matthew 23:14 -Devour widows’ houses
-Make a pretence of prayer
Matthew 23:15 -Travel to teach others, turning them to wrong way
Matthew 23:16-22 -Wrongful oaths to avoid fulfillment
Matthew 23:23-24 -Keep the parts that are clearly seen, ignore the others
Matthew 23:25-28 -Cleanse the outside, not the inside
Matthew 23:29-30 -”We wouldn’t do something like that!”
Matthew 23:31-36 -They are warned, taught, and for not repenting, they are condemned
Its Effect:
Matthew 23:13 -Shuts the kingdom against men
It prevents our own entry
I Peter 2:1-3 -Lay aside hypocrisy
Job 13:13-16 -A hypocrite can not stand before Him
Job 27:8-10 -What hope does a hypocrite have?
It prevents others from entering
Galatians 2:11-13 -Peter’s hypocrisy leads others astray
I Peter 2:11-12 -Let your works be good so others may glorify God
Leaven
Galatians 5:9 -A little leaven leavens the whole lump
I Corinthians 5:6-8 -Purge the old leaven (including hypocrisy)
Luke 13:20-21 -The kingdom is like leaven, and should fill us (no room for other leaven)
The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees
Matthew 23:1-3 -The Pharisees taught properly, acted wrongly
Matthew 23:4 -They teach to do, but do not do themselves
Matthew 23:5-12 -Doing things to be seen of men
Matthew 23:13 -They shut the kingdom against men
Matthew 23:14 -Devour widows’ houses
-Make a pretence of prayer
Matthew 23:15 -Travel to teach others, turning them to wrong way
Matthew 23:16-22 -Wrongful oaths to avoid fulfillment
Matthew 23:23-24 -Keep the parts that are clearly seen, ignore the others
Matthew 23:25-28 -Cleanse the outside, not the inside
Matthew 23:29-30 -”We wouldn’t do something like that!”
Matthew 23:31-36 -They are warned, taught, and for not repenting, they are condemned
Its Effect:
Matthew 23:13 -Shuts the kingdom against men
It prevents our own entry
I Peter 2:1-3 -Lay aside hypocrisy
Job 13:13-16 -A hypocrite can not stand before Him
Job 27:8-10 -What hope does a hypocrite have?
It prevents others from entering
Galatians 2:11-13 -Peter’s hypocrisy leads others astray
I Peter 2:11-12 -Let your works be good so others may glorify God
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Misled Monarch - 9/14/08pm
Genesis 12:10-20
What can we learn from Pharaoh?
He was deceived by lies (vv 11-15)
Much as Pharaoh was deceived, so we can be to. And being deceived can lead us into as much, and more, trouble as he received.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12 -Being deceived can result in eternal condemnation
II Timothy 4:3-4 -People will want their ears tickled and turn aside to deceptions
Colossians 3:5-11 -Do not lie to one another
He treated others well (v 16)
Pharaoh extended hospitality and saw to it that he treated others well. Even at the end, when he had justification for punishing Abram, he did not, but simply sent them on their way.
Matthew 22:34-40 -Love your neighbor
Matthew 7:12 -Do unto others…
Galatians 6:10 -Do good to all men, especially the household of faith
He had to deal with the consequences of another’s sin (vv 17-18)
Pharaoh had to deal with the consequences of another man’s sin. He was not the one who had lied, yet he had to deal with what came of it.
Genesis 3:14-19 -We have the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin
Genesis 39:6-20 -Joseph suffers from the sin of Potiphar’s wife
He took steps to correct the problem when he discovered it (vv 18-20)
When the problem became apparent, Pharaoh did not ignore it. He did what was necessary to solve it. We need to be sure to take the same approach: when it is our error, we much fix it, and when it is another’s, we work in love to help them correct it.
I Corinthians 5:1-5 -Paul took steps, the Corinthians were to take steps, the individuals involved should have taken steps
Galatians 6:1 -Restore the sinner GENTLY, watching yourself
He did not remain close to the sin, but put it away from himself (vv 18-20)
Sometimes we are tempted to remain close to what tempts us. Pharaoh did not! He put away and had no more to do with it. We should follow his example in this.
II Timothy 2:22 -FLEE youthful lusts, pursue righteousness
I Peter 4:2-4 -USED to do these things, but they no longer run with
those people
I Corinthians 6:9-11 -Such WERE some of you
I Corinthians 10:14 -FLEE idolatry
There are other lessons to be learned from the account as well.
Physical vs. spiritual thinking (vv 10-13)
Abram was thinking more about his physical condition and well being than about what was spiritually right. It is something that is easy to do, and as we can see, even this great man of God fell into this trap. We must be certain to first put our thoughts and focus on all things spiritual!
Philippians 3:18-19 -If your focus is the physical, you are an enemy of Christ
Hebrews 11:13-16 -The great people here looked to the spiritual, so
should we
Abram faced consequences for his sin (v 20)
Abram was sent away from Egypt, where he had sought relief from the famine, because of what he had caused. As he was sent away, so we will be sent from the presence of God for our sin.
Ezekiel 44:10-14 -The Levites who turned away were kept from the holy
things
Matthew 25:31-46 -The sheep and the goats
God is displeased with sin (v 17)
God does not like sin. He hates it. And, in serving Him, we are to hate it as well. We should strive to put away that which is evil, and strive to follow after what is good.
Isaiah 59:1-2 -Sin is repugnant to God, and you are separated from
Him by it
Romans 12:9 -Hate what is evil
What can we learn from Pharaoh?
He was deceived by lies (vv 11-15)
Much as Pharaoh was deceived, so we can be to. And being deceived can lead us into as much, and more, trouble as he received.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12 -Being deceived can result in eternal condemnation
II Timothy 4:3-4 -People will want their ears tickled and turn aside to deceptions
Colossians 3:5-11 -Do not lie to one another
He treated others well (v 16)
Pharaoh extended hospitality and saw to it that he treated others well. Even at the end, when he had justification for punishing Abram, he did not, but simply sent them on their way.
Matthew 22:34-40 -Love your neighbor
Matthew 7:12 -Do unto others…
Galatians 6:10 -Do good to all men, especially the household of faith
He had to deal with the consequences of another’s sin (vv 17-18)
Pharaoh had to deal with the consequences of another man’s sin. He was not the one who had lied, yet he had to deal with what came of it.
Genesis 3:14-19 -We have the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin
Genesis 39:6-20 -Joseph suffers from the sin of Potiphar’s wife
He took steps to correct the problem when he discovered it (vv 18-20)
When the problem became apparent, Pharaoh did not ignore it. He did what was necessary to solve it. We need to be sure to take the same approach: when it is our error, we much fix it, and when it is another’s, we work in love to help them correct it.
I Corinthians 5:1-5 -Paul took steps, the Corinthians were to take steps, the individuals involved should have taken steps
Galatians 6:1 -Restore the sinner GENTLY, watching yourself
He did not remain close to the sin, but put it away from himself (vv 18-20)
Sometimes we are tempted to remain close to what tempts us. Pharaoh did not! He put away and had no more to do with it. We should follow his example in this.
II Timothy 2:22 -FLEE youthful lusts, pursue righteousness
I Peter 4:2-4 -USED to do these things, but they no longer run with
those people
I Corinthians 6:9-11 -Such WERE some of you
I Corinthians 10:14 -FLEE idolatry
There are other lessons to be learned from the account as well.
Physical vs. spiritual thinking (vv 10-13)
Abram was thinking more about his physical condition and well being than about what was spiritually right. It is something that is easy to do, and as we can see, even this great man of God fell into this trap. We must be certain to first put our thoughts and focus on all things spiritual!
Philippians 3:18-19 -If your focus is the physical, you are an enemy of Christ
Hebrews 11:13-16 -The great people here looked to the spiritual, so
should we
Abram faced consequences for his sin (v 20)
Abram was sent away from Egypt, where he had sought relief from the famine, because of what he had caused. As he was sent away, so we will be sent from the presence of God for our sin.
Ezekiel 44:10-14 -The Levites who turned away were kept from the holy
things
Matthew 25:31-46 -The sheep and the goats
God is displeased with sin (v 17)
God does not like sin. He hates it. And, in serving Him, we are to hate it as well. We should strive to put away that which is evil, and strive to follow after what is good.
Isaiah 59:1-2 -Sin is repugnant to God, and you are separated from
Him by it
Romans 12:9 -Hate what is evil
A Life Without God - 9/14/08am
A life without the Lord is truly a sad thing, is it not? What is the value of a life spent on self?
A Love of self
A life of wisdom?
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 -Is grasping for the wind
We have all known people who sought worldly knowledge and wisdom. We all know people who show great intelligence. Yet, what does it get them? In the end, it amounts to nothing, does it not?
A life of pleasure?
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 -Is without profit
Again, we all know people who seem to live for having fun. How long does fun last? A few minutes? A few hours? Most of a day? Enjoying yourself is perfectly acceptable, but what is the point in living solely for your own enjoyment?
A life at work?
Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 -Is vanity
We all have seen people whose work comes first. Work is everything. Work is most important. And what does it gain them, in the long run? Not only is it less than satisfactory in this life, it does not help in eternity.
A life of prestige?
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 -Is vanity and grasping for the wind
How many people in this world seek fame and prestige? Yet, what does it profit them? How many unhappy people are there who are famous? How much does it help prepare for eternity?
A life of wealth?
Ecclesiastes 5:10-17 -Is vanity and without profit
Again, it is nice to have a little extra spending money, isn’t it? But of what permanent value is it? We bring nothing into this world, and we take nothing out of it.
A life of Christ
John 15:4-13 -Abide in Christ, commands, and love
I John 2:3-11 -We abide in Christ if we have godly love
I John 2:15-17 -The love of the world vs. godly love
I John 2:24-27 -The truth must abide in us
I John 2:28-3:9 -Avoiding sin as children of God to abide in Him
I John 3:24-4:6 -Abiding in Christ is avoiding error
I John 4:7-16 -We must love Christ first above all else to abide in Him
Consequences of each
Mark 8:34-38 -What is the profit if a man loses his own soul?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -The whole of man
A Love of self
A life of wisdom?
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 -Is grasping for the wind
We have all known people who sought worldly knowledge and wisdom. We all know people who show great intelligence. Yet, what does it get them? In the end, it amounts to nothing, does it not?
A life of pleasure?
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 -Is without profit
Again, we all know people who seem to live for having fun. How long does fun last? A few minutes? A few hours? Most of a day? Enjoying yourself is perfectly acceptable, but what is the point in living solely for your own enjoyment?
A life at work?
Ecclesiastes 4:4-8 -Is vanity
We all have seen people whose work comes first. Work is everything. Work is most important. And what does it gain them, in the long run? Not only is it less than satisfactory in this life, it does not help in eternity.
A life of prestige?
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 -Is vanity and grasping for the wind
How many people in this world seek fame and prestige? Yet, what does it profit them? How many unhappy people are there who are famous? How much does it help prepare for eternity?
A life of wealth?
Ecclesiastes 5:10-17 -Is vanity and without profit
Again, it is nice to have a little extra spending money, isn’t it? But of what permanent value is it? We bring nothing into this world, and we take nothing out of it.
A life of Christ
John 15:4-13 -Abide in Christ, commands, and love
I John 2:3-11 -We abide in Christ if we have godly love
I John 2:15-17 -The love of the world vs. godly love
I John 2:24-27 -The truth must abide in us
I John 2:28-3:9 -Avoiding sin as children of God to abide in Him
I John 3:24-4:6 -Abiding in Christ is avoiding error
I John 4:7-16 -We must love Christ first above all else to abide in Him
Consequences of each
Mark 8:34-38 -What is the profit if a man loses his own soul?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -The whole of man
Saturday, September 6, 2008
The Apostle Timothy - 9/7/08pm
Being A) a young man and B) a preacher, it is probably not all that surprising that I spend a great deal of time reading and studying Paul’s letters to Timothy. As such, I would like to spend some time discussing some of the things I have found about Timothy that might help us all to become better servants of the master.
Impact of Godly upbringing
Timothy was brought up in the Jewish faith by his mother and grandmother, as opposed to what his father believed. I’m sure it was not the easy thing for his mother to do, yet it was done. Parents, look at the results of a godly upbringing! And children, look what happens when you heed godly parents!
Acts 16:1-5 -Jewish mother, gentile father
II Timothy 1:3-5 -Sincere faith which was in his grandmother and mother
II Timothy 3:14-15 -Timothy had been taught since childhood
Acts 14:4-7 -Possibly the time when Timothy responded to gospel
Working with other Christians
Let us consider the effort Timothy put forth in working with other Christians. In Acts 16-20, he travels with Paul, and served well in the roles he filled. When he was needed, he did not make excuses: he went.
Acts 17:10-15 -Timothy is called by Paul to help him
Acts 18:5 -Timothy came (without excuse)
Colossians 1:1 -Timothy is a co-writer of the letter with Paul
I Timothy 1:18 -Paul refers to Timothy as a son
A job to do
As with all Christians, Timothy had specific works to take care of and charges to fulfill. It may not have been what he always wanted, but it’s what he needed to do. And so, he did it.
I Timothy 1:3 -Was to stay behind and teach (not the glorious job)
I Timothy 4:1-16 -The things he was to teach, and set an example in
I Thess. 1:1, 2:6 -The work of an apostle
Taught others
Timothy was to teach others. To preach in season and out of season. And we see that it was not just his peers he was called to teach, but those who under ordinary, worldly circumstances, he would not instruct.
I Timothy 5:1-2 -Including those who are older than he was
I Timothy 6:17-19 -Those wealthier than he was
Difficult doctrines
In his teaching, he, a young man, was called on to teach doctrines that are still considered difficult by many. This could not have been easy for Timothy. Remember, it was not just his peers or those younger he was teaching.
I Timothy 3:1-13 -Elders and Deacons
I Timothy 5:3-20 -Church support and benevolence
Timidity
Is it any wonder then that Timothy seems to have trouble with timidity? It seems to be something he struggled with. Yet as far as the scriptures reveal, he persevered. Even though it was not the easiest thing for him to do, he fulfilled his charge to teach!
I Corinthians 16:10-11 -Admonition to Corinthians that Timothy be without fear
II Timothy 1:5-8, 12, 16 -Admonition to Timothy to not be ashamed or timid
Sickness
Timothy was often sick. I’ve always thought that this was largely stress induced (he was, after all, apparently a reserved and shy man). And as such, I see a good deal of his willingness to serve God in this: that he would work and be concerned enough to make himself sick. And even then, would not fall back on medicinal aids to cure it, but could continue!
I Timothy 5:23 -Timothy was often sick (apparently at the stomach)
Are we so steadfast in our work for Christ? Are we willing to follow Timothy’s example and work, regardless of how easy or difficult it may be? Are we willing to do what is needed and serve wholeheartedly? Are we willing to be like Paul and encourage people who serve as Timothy did?
Impact of Godly upbringing
Timothy was brought up in the Jewish faith by his mother and grandmother, as opposed to what his father believed. I’m sure it was not the easy thing for his mother to do, yet it was done. Parents, look at the results of a godly upbringing! And children, look what happens when you heed godly parents!
Acts 16:1-5 -Jewish mother, gentile father
II Timothy 1:3-5 -Sincere faith which was in his grandmother and mother
II Timothy 3:14-15 -Timothy had been taught since childhood
Acts 14:4-7 -Possibly the time when Timothy responded to gospel
Working with other Christians
Let us consider the effort Timothy put forth in working with other Christians. In Acts 16-20, he travels with Paul, and served well in the roles he filled. When he was needed, he did not make excuses: he went.
Acts 17:10-15 -Timothy is called by Paul to help him
Acts 18:5 -Timothy came (without excuse)
Colossians 1:1 -Timothy is a co-writer of the letter with Paul
I Timothy 1:18 -Paul refers to Timothy as a son
A job to do
As with all Christians, Timothy had specific works to take care of and charges to fulfill. It may not have been what he always wanted, but it’s what he needed to do. And so, he did it.
I Timothy 1:3 -Was to stay behind and teach (not the glorious job)
I Timothy 4:1-16 -The things he was to teach, and set an example in
I Thess. 1:1, 2:6 -The work of an apostle
Taught others
Timothy was to teach others. To preach in season and out of season. And we see that it was not just his peers he was called to teach, but those who under ordinary, worldly circumstances, he would not instruct.
I Timothy 5:1-2 -Including those who are older than he was
I Timothy 6:17-19 -Those wealthier than he was
Difficult doctrines
In his teaching, he, a young man, was called on to teach doctrines that are still considered difficult by many. This could not have been easy for Timothy. Remember, it was not just his peers or those younger he was teaching.
I Timothy 3:1-13 -Elders and Deacons
I Timothy 5:3-20 -Church support and benevolence
Timidity
Is it any wonder then that Timothy seems to have trouble with timidity? It seems to be something he struggled with. Yet as far as the scriptures reveal, he persevered. Even though it was not the easiest thing for him to do, he fulfilled his charge to teach!
I Corinthians 16:10-11 -Admonition to Corinthians that Timothy be without fear
II Timothy 1:5-8, 12, 16 -Admonition to Timothy to not be ashamed or timid
Sickness
Timothy was often sick. I’ve always thought that this was largely stress induced (he was, after all, apparently a reserved and shy man). And as such, I see a good deal of his willingness to serve God in this: that he would work and be concerned enough to make himself sick. And even then, would not fall back on medicinal aids to cure it, but could continue!
I Timothy 5:23 -Timothy was often sick (apparently at the stomach)
Are we so steadfast in our work for Christ? Are we willing to follow Timothy’s example and work, regardless of how easy or difficult it may be? Are we willing to do what is needed and serve wholeheartedly? Are we willing to be like Paul and encourage people who serve as Timothy did?
The Mountain of the Lord -9/7/08am
Micah 4:1-3 -Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord
In the scripture, there is a great deal of worship, both false and true, that takes place on mountains. And these separate occasions are there for us to learn from, that we may be better able to worship and serve the Lord.
People have always gone up to high places in order to be closer to deity. Often in the Old Testament, people worship false gods or wrongly worship the Lord at “high places.”
Promises and Proofs
Let us consider the matter of the great flood. At the end of it, the Lord made a promise to man. And more than that, He provided us with a sign, a proof, of the covenant, that we may look at it and be assured.
Genesis 8:1-5 -The ark settles on Mount Ararat
Genesis 9:8-17 -The Lord promises not to destroy the earth by water
Faith
In Abraham, we see a great deal of faith and trust in the Lord. One of the more astonishing occasions takes place on Mount Moriah.
Genesis 22:1-14 -Abraham takes Isaac to Mount Moriah
Hebrews 11:17-19 -It was counted as faithfulness
Obedience
In Moses, we see examples of obedience and disobedience. We see the emphasis the Lord places on compliance with His will, and of the disaster or failing to do so.
Exodus 3:1-13 -Moses, the burning bush, Mount Horeb
Exodus 19:10-20 -Moses goes up to Mount Sinai
Power
We also see the power and might of the Lord displayed on a mountain, and in a situation that easily compares the Lord’s power with those of idols and false gods.
I Kings 18:20-29 -There is no power in false gods
I Kings 18:30-39 -God’s power is shown at Mount Carmel
Location
In the Old Testament, worship was largely confined to a specific location, whether the tabernacle or the temple. Now, we know the location does not matter.
John 4:19-24 -It is not the location that matters in worship
The rock not cut by hands that grows into a mountain
We can still, today, go up to the mountain of the Lord! Through baptism and being added to the Lord’s church, we can go up to the mountain of the Lord to be close to Him.
Daniel 2:31-36 -Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar his dream
Daniel 2:37-45 -The interpretation of the dream
Isaiah 2:1-4 -Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord
Have you gone up to the mountain of the Lord?
In the scripture, there is a great deal of worship, both false and true, that takes place on mountains. And these separate occasions are there for us to learn from, that we may be better able to worship and serve the Lord.
People have always gone up to high places in order to be closer to deity. Often in the Old Testament, people worship false gods or wrongly worship the Lord at “high places.”
Promises and Proofs
Let us consider the matter of the great flood. At the end of it, the Lord made a promise to man. And more than that, He provided us with a sign, a proof, of the covenant, that we may look at it and be assured.
Genesis 8:1-5 -The ark settles on Mount Ararat
Genesis 9:8-17 -The Lord promises not to destroy the earth by water
Faith
In Abraham, we see a great deal of faith and trust in the Lord. One of the more astonishing occasions takes place on Mount Moriah.
Genesis 22:1-14 -Abraham takes Isaac to Mount Moriah
Hebrews 11:17-19 -It was counted as faithfulness
Obedience
In Moses, we see examples of obedience and disobedience. We see the emphasis the Lord places on compliance with His will, and of the disaster or failing to do so.
Exodus 3:1-13 -Moses, the burning bush, Mount Horeb
Exodus 19:10-20 -Moses goes up to Mount Sinai
Power
We also see the power and might of the Lord displayed on a mountain, and in a situation that easily compares the Lord’s power with those of idols and false gods.
I Kings 18:20-29 -There is no power in false gods
I Kings 18:30-39 -God’s power is shown at Mount Carmel
Location
In the Old Testament, worship was largely confined to a specific location, whether the tabernacle or the temple. Now, we know the location does not matter.
John 4:19-24 -It is not the location that matters in worship
The rock not cut by hands that grows into a mountain
We can still, today, go up to the mountain of the Lord! Through baptism and being added to the Lord’s church, we can go up to the mountain of the Lord to be close to Him.
Daniel 2:31-36 -Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar his dream
Daniel 2:37-45 -The interpretation of the dream
Isaiah 2:1-4 -Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord
Have you gone up to the mountain of the Lord?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
God's Chosen People - 8/31/08pm
God Chose Abraham
Genesis 12:1-3 -God makes 3 promises to Abraham
Genesis 17:1-22 -God chose Abraham
“everlasting” is olam with the preposition le, meaning a weaker sense.
It means “for the duration” or “until the end of the current era.”
It is also used in conjunction with the Sabbath, Passover, Levitical priesthood, burnt offerings, the lamp burning in the tabernacle, circumcision, and Canaan as a possession.
Genesis 28:10-15 -Reaffirmed with Jacob, Abraham’s grandson
God Chose the Children of Israel
Exodus 19:3-6 -Israel is a chosen nation
The Covenant was Fulfilled and Completed
The Nation:
Exodus 1:1-14 -The size of the children of Israel
Exodus 12:31-39 -The size of the children of Israel
The Land:
Joshua 11:16-23 -Joshua conquers the promised land
The Seed:
Matthew 5:17 -Christ came to fulfill the covenant
Galatians 3:5-9 -Gentiles blessed through promise to Abraham
I Timothy 2:1-7 -Christ wants, and was ransom for, all men to be saved
The Covenant Had been Finished
Colossians 2:14 -Nailed to the cross
Ephesians 2:14-16 -Abolished the Old Law
Hebrews 8:13 -The Old was obsolete, and so replaced
God Chose His Church
Colossians 3:12-13 -The church is the chosen/elect of God
I Peter 2:9-11 -Christians are a chosen generation/people
I Peter 1:1-5 -For obedience, hope, inheritance, and salvation
Numbers 14:26-38 -God punishes those who refuse to enter the land
Just as those who were disobedient among God’s people in the Old Testament could not enter the promised land, so it is with us. Will you obey? Or will you be cast out as unfaithful to the Lord?
Genesis 12:1-3 -God makes 3 promises to Abraham
Genesis 17:1-22 -God chose Abraham
“everlasting” is olam with the preposition le, meaning a weaker sense.
It means “for the duration” or “until the end of the current era.”
It is also used in conjunction with the Sabbath, Passover, Levitical priesthood, burnt offerings, the lamp burning in the tabernacle, circumcision, and Canaan as a possession.
Genesis 28:10-15 -Reaffirmed with Jacob, Abraham’s grandson
God Chose the Children of Israel
Exodus 19:3-6 -Israel is a chosen nation
The Covenant was Fulfilled and Completed
The Nation:
Exodus 1:1-14 -The size of the children of Israel
Exodus 12:31-39 -The size of the children of Israel
The Land:
Joshua 11:16-23 -Joshua conquers the promised land
The Seed:
Matthew 5:17 -Christ came to fulfill the covenant
Galatians 3:5-9 -Gentiles blessed through promise to Abraham
I Timothy 2:1-7 -Christ wants, and was ransom for, all men to be saved
The Covenant Had been Finished
Colossians 2:14 -Nailed to the cross
Ephesians 2:14-16 -Abolished the Old Law
Hebrews 8:13 -The Old was obsolete, and so replaced
God Chose His Church
Colossians 3:12-13 -The church is the chosen/elect of God
I Peter 2:9-11 -Christians are a chosen generation/people
I Peter 1:1-5 -For obedience, hope, inheritance, and salvation
Numbers 14:26-38 -God punishes those who refuse to enter the land
Just as those who were disobedient among God’s people in the Old Testament could not enter the promised land, so it is with us. Will you obey? Or will you be cast out as unfaithful to the Lord?
The Love of a Just God - 8/31/08am
John 3:16 -For God so loved the world
Many people today look at the Lord’s promised punishment for sin and think that a loving God could not possibly do such a thing. And since we know that God is loving, He couldn’t do such a thing. Let us examine the nature of God’s love and of His justice.
I John 4:7-19 -God is love
Yet, does not the Lord also love His Son?
Mark 1:9-11 -God’s beloved Son
II Peter 1:16-18 -God loves His Son
If, for those of you with children, someone repeatedly abuses your child, what is the course of love? Are you more loving if you ignore the abuse out of “love” for the abuser? Or are you more loving if you take action against it? How often have we seen on the news someone who knowingly allows their child to be continually mistreated in horrific ways? And how often have you heard someone say that it was because the person was “just so loving?”
Hebrews 6:4-6 -When we sin, we crucify Christ again
It is easy, in this self-centered world, to forget about others. God does not. He remembers His only begotten son. Would we then say that God must give us rewards, even though we have abused His Son in such a way, while ignoring the love He has for His Son? Do we presume to declare that we deserve such?
God’s love, even though we are undeserving
Romans 3:23 -All have sinned and fallen short
Romans 5:6-11 -While we were still sinners, Christ died for us
Titus 2:11-15 -Salvation through grace
-Notice that grace teaches and requires godly living!
God’s love is seen in that even though we do not deserve it, we are given grace: the opportunity to have eternal life. Salvation is not a “right” we have as human beings. It is something undeserved that has been offered to us.
God is a just God, which is love for those who follow Him
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 -Wickedness instead of justice
Ecclesiastes 5:8 -Oppression of the poor and a perversion of justice
What do we have to say about betrayals of justice? Who is happy when a guilty person receives no consequences for their crimes?
Psalm 89:14 -Justice is a foundation of His throne
Isaiah 45:20-25 -The Lord is just
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 -Vengeance in recompense
His justice will be based on what we do
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 -Do as you like, God will judge what you do
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -God will bring every work into judgment
Colossians 3:23-25 -Repayment for the righteous and unrighteous
In His loving justice, there is much deserved punishment
Romans 3:8 -Their condemnation is just
Revelation 20:11-15 -Evildoers will be cast into the lake of fire
In His merciful justice, there is undeserved reward
Jude 1:21 -Keep yourself in His love, looking forward to eternal life
Revelation 21:1-7 -A new heaven and a new earth
Many people today look at the Lord’s promised punishment for sin and think that a loving God could not possibly do such a thing. And since we know that God is loving, He couldn’t do such a thing. Let us examine the nature of God’s love and of His justice.
I John 4:7-19 -God is love
Yet, does not the Lord also love His Son?
Mark 1:9-11 -God’s beloved Son
II Peter 1:16-18 -God loves His Son
If, for those of you with children, someone repeatedly abuses your child, what is the course of love? Are you more loving if you ignore the abuse out of “love” for the abuser? Or are you more loving if you take action against it? How often have we seen on the news someone who knowingly allows their child to be continually mistreated in horrific ways? And how often have you heard someone say that it was because the person was “just so loving?”
Hebrews 6:4-6 -When we sin, we crucify Christ again
It is easy, in this self-centered world, to forget about others. God does not. He remembers His only begotten son. Would we then say that God must give us rewards, even though we have abused His Son in such a way, while ignoring the love He has for His Son? Do we presume to declare that we deserve such?
God’s love, even though we are undeserving
Romans 3:23 -All have sinned and fallen short
Romans 5:6-11 -While we were still sinners, Christ died for us
Titus 2:11-15 -Salvation through grace
-Notice that grace teaches and requires godly living!
God’s love is seen in that even though we do not deserve it, we are given grace: the opportunity to have eternal life. Salvation is not a “right” we have as human beings. It is something undeserved that has been offered to us.
God is a just God, which is love for those who follow Him
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 -Wickedness instead of justice
Ecclesiastes 5:8 -Oppression of the poor and a perversion of justice
What do we have to say about betrayals of justice? Who is happy when a guilty person receives no consequences for their crimes?
Psalm 89:14 -Justice is a foundation of His throne
Isaiah 45:20-25 -The Lord is just
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 -Vengeance in recompense
His justice will be based on what we do
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 -Do as you like, God will judge what you do
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -God will bring every work into judgment
Colossians 3:23-25 -Repayment for the righteous and unrighteous
In His loving justice, there is much deserved punishment
Romans 3:8 -Their condemnation is just
Revelation 20:11-15 -Evildoers will be cast into the lake of fire
In His merciful justice, there is undeserved reward
Jude 1:21 -Keep yourself in His love, looking forward to eternal life
Revelation 21:1-7 -A new heaven and a new earth
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