Saturday, May 30, 2009

Righteous Before God - 5/31/09pm

Job 25:1-6 -How can a man be righteous before God?
In the book of Job, Bildad asks several rhetorical questions. Let us look at one of them: how can a man be righteous before God? Let us turn to the book of Romans, where we will look at some passages that teach us how we can, in fact, stand righteous before God.

All have sinned and made themselves unrighteous
Romans 3:1-8 -The unrighteousness of the Jews
Romans 3:9-20 -The unrighteousness also of the gentiles
Romans 3:21-31 -All are unrighteous, so Christ served as a propitiation through faith

The Lord has given us opportunity to become righteous
Romans 5:1-11 -By faith we have hope through Christ
Romans 5:12-21 -Through Christ, we can have life

So how do we become righteous?
Romans 6:1-14 -We must put sin to death in ourselves, putting on Christ
Romans 6:15-23 -Slaves to sin to slaves of God, and the consequences
Romans 12:1-2 -Present selves as a sacrifice to God
Romans 12:9-16 -Instructions for righteous living

Remember Romans 6:3-9, where we are told we must die to sin and put on Christ through baptism, and then, as we have seen, we must live a life dedicated not to sin, but to Christ. If we truly follow the Lord, we can stand righteous before Him in the last day.

The Seed and the Soil - 5/31/09am

Matthew 13:1-9 -The parable of the sower
Matthew 13:18-23 -The parable of the sower explained

The Wayside
The wayside are those whose hearts are hardened into not understanding the word of God. It is not that the gospel is too difficult to understand, but rather that people do not want to understand.
Matthew 13:10-17 -The reason for Christ using parables
John 8:37-47 -Those that oppose Christ do not understand

The Stony Ground
These are the people who respond to the gospel, yet do not allow it to take root in their lives. Instead, their faith remains shallow, and when troubling times or persecution comes, they fall away.
Mark 14:43-50 -The disciples leave Christ
Daniel 3:14-25 -Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego
Daniel 6:10-23 -Daniel persecuted, yet continues praying
II Timothy 4:10 -Demas has forsaken Paul

The Thorns
These are people who, once again, receive the gospel. Yet, the Lord never becomes their first priority, and so their faith takes a back seat to the cares, concerns, and riches of this world.
Mark 10:17-22 -The rich young ruler
Matthew 8:18-22 -Following Christ must be put above all else

The Good Soil
The good soil are those people who receive the word of God, and allow it to take root and grow in them. These are the people who dedicate themselves in the Lord’s service, and produce fruit which is in keeping with Christ.
Galatians 5:22-26 -The fruit of the Spirit
Matthew 7:15-20 -By their fruit you shall know them

So which soil are you? What fruit are you producing?

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Two Women in Esther - 5/24/09pm

Esther 1:1-22 -Vashti refuses to come before the king, loses her position
Two possible and probable reasons for her refusal:
-Lack of submission
-Modesty (I lean towards this reason being the one)
Esther 2:1-18 -Esther is chosen to replace Vashti as queen

In the end of this chapter, Mordecai discovers a plot against the king.

Esther 3:1-15 -The king allows Haman to order the destruction of the Jews

Esther 4:1-17 -Esther does as Mordecai says, and agrees to go to the king

Esther 5:1-9 -Esther goes to the king, invites the king and Haman

In the next chapter or so, the king discovers that Mordecai had not been rewarded for uncovering the plot against him. He asks Haman what a reward should be for someone who has pleased him. Haman, thinking the king wants to reward him, answers extravagantly. When Mordecai is rewarded, Haman is very upset.

Esther 7:1-10 -Esther tells the king what Haman had done, Haman is killed

Esther 8:1-17 -The king permits the Jews to defend themselves

Something New - 5/24/09am

A New Doctrine
When Christ began His teaching, men marveled at this new, authoritative teaching. It is this new doctrine which we follow today.
Mark 1:21-28 -A new doctrine taught by Christ
Acts 17:16-33 -The new doctrine taught by Paul

A New Covenant
This new covenant is a better one. One that is superior in every way, although it came at a cost.
Matthew 26:26-30 -Christ’s blood of the new covenant
Hebrews 8:6-13 -The old covenant passed away
Hebrews 9:11-22 -The blood of Christ was necessary for the new covenant

A New Man
In following in this new covenant and teaching, we must put away what we once were, and put on the new man.
Colossians 3:1-11 -Put off the old man, put on the new man
John 3:1-7 -You must be born again
I Peter 1:22-25 -Born again of incorruptible seed

A New Command
Having put on the new man, we must abide in Christ, following the new command which the Lord has given us.
John 13:34-35 -Love as Christ loves
Matthew 5:38-48 -Love you neighbor and your enemy
John 15:4-14 -Love as Christ loves

A New Heaven and Earth
If we follow the Lord faithfully, we can look forward to a new heaven and a new earth: an existence far superior to what we experience in this life.
II Peter 3:1-14 -Looking for a new heaven and earth

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Repentant Idolater - 5/17/09am

II Chronicles 33:1-20
What can we learn from Manasseh?

He was an idolater (vv 2-7)
Though we do not bow down before carved or sculpted images, how often do we elevate something in our life to a higher status than God?
Deuteronomy 5:7 -Do not make or worship idols
Colossians 3:5-11 -Greed/covetousness, which is idolatry

He committed murder (v 6)
While we may not have ever killed someone, Christ has some interesting things to say about murder, unrighteous anger, and how they will be judged.
Exodus 10:13 -Do not murder
Matthew 5:21-22 -Unrighteous anger is condemned

He failed to properly head his family (v 6)
To say that Manasseh failed to in a guiding leadership role in his family is gross understatement. Yet we must remember that there are proper roles for each member of the family to fulfill.
Ephesians 5:25-6:4 -Fathers, mothers, and children
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go

He was an evil influence on others (vv 9, 16-17)
We must be careful not to walk in the way of Manasseh, and lead others into sin. We must remember that we have an influence on others, and be careful of the example we set. Likewise, we must be careful not to allow others to influence us for evil!
I Corinthians 10:32-33 -Do not cause anyone to stumble
I Corinthians 15:33 -Bad company corrupts good morals

He was punished by God for his sin (vv 10-11)
As Manasseh was punished for his evil, so we too, if we follow in his way, will be punished by God. Manasseh’s punishment was temporal, ours will be eternal.
Revelation 20:11-15 -Judgment according to deeds
Galatians 5:19-21 -These will not reach heaven

He returned to God, and was accepted (vv 12-16)
Manasseh repented of what he had done, and turned back to God. When he did so, God forgave him and accepted his repentance. So it is with us. If we truly turn to God, it does not matter what sins we have committed in the past, they will no longer be held against us.II Corinthians 7:10 -Godly sorrow brings repentance, leading to
salvation
Luke 5:30-32 -Christ came to bring sinners to repentance
I Timothy 1:15-17 -Paul, chief of sinners, repented and was
accepted by God

There are other lessons we can learn from the account as well

Children do not always follow after their parents (v 3)
Manasseh’s father, Hezekiah, had served God well. Yet Manasseh did not turn out that way. It serves as a reminder that just because we serve God and strive to teach our children to do so, we each much make our own decisions.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 -The word must be with us constantly, and we
must strive to impress its importance on our
children
Genesis 4:1-12 -Adam and Eve had two sons who were very
Different
Proverbs 22:6 -Bring up a child in the way he should go is a
general statement

A person’s reputation and influence can outlast their actions (II Kings 21:17)
Manasseh repented and turned back to God. Yet he is still recorded as the worst king to ever rule of Judah. So too, we can be remembered for the wrong we have done. We must strive to do good instead!
Acts 9:10-16 -Ananias remarks on what Paul had been doing
against the church
Acts 9:19b-22 -The people are leery of Paul after his conversion

Saturday, May 9, 2009

How Much? - 5/10/09am

Mark 12:28-34 -The greatest commandment
We are commanded to the love the Lord not just a little, but with the totality of our being.
I Corinthians 16:22 -If someone does not love the Lord...
John 14:15 -If you love Christ, obey
I John 5:1-13 -Love for God is faithful obedience, and it is not grievous, because of the promise of eternal life
II John 6 -Love is walking in His commandments
Philippians 2:5-8 -Be like Christ, who was obedient unto death
Luke 22:39-42 -Not my will, but God’s

So how much do we truly love the Lord? It’s easy enough to say that we love Him a great deal, but is that reflected in our lives? Do we truly love Him fervently and zealously? Or are we looking for the bare minimum we think we can do and still manage to squeeze into heaven?
Matthew 6:31-34 -Seek first the kingdom of God
John 2:13-17 -Jesus was consumed with zeal

Also consider the reasons why we should give so much to the Lord. It’s not because He’s greedy, it’s because He is duly owed everything that we are.
Genesis 1:26-31 -God creates man
John 3:1-21 -God’s love in providing salvation to man

Consider some of these examples. Do we have the love for God to follow in them?
Acts 2:46-47 -Daily gathering together
Nehemiah 8:1-12 -The people stand to hear the word, weep, send food


II Chronicles 12:13-14 -Rehoboam did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord

Our Speech - 5/10/09pm

II Chronicles 18:12-16 -Micaiah speaks what the Lord says
James 3:3-12 -The tongue, used for both good and evil
Bad Speech
Gossip/Slander
II Corinthians 12:20-21 -Gossip is listed among other sins
I Peter 2:1 -Rid yourself of slander
I John 1:9-10 -Diotrophes, who is gossiping about apostles

Crude jokes
Ephesians 5:3-7 -Shouldn’t be coarse jesting

Foul language
Ephesians 5:4 -No obscenity, foolish talk
Ephesians 4:29 -No corrupt talk

Lying
Ephesians 2:25 -Put away lying
I Timothy 4:1-5 -Those who depart from the faith, lying hypocritically

Good Speech
Seasoned with Salt
Colossians 4:5-6 -Walk wisely, with speech seasoned with salt

Praising God
Acts 2:46-47 -The early church praised God regularly
Hebrews 13:12-16 -Continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God
Acts 16:22-26 -Paul and Silas pray and sing praises to God in prison

Giving Thanks
Philippians 4:6 -Pray with thanksgiving
Philemon 4 -Paul thanks God for Philemon
John 11:41-44 -Jesus thanks the Father for hearing Him

Prayer
I Thessalonians 5:17 -Pray without ceasing
James 5:13-18 -Circumstances in which to pray

Teaching
Matthew 28:18-20 -God unto all the world, teaching and baptizing
I Peter 3:15 -Always be ready to give an answer with meekness and fear
II Timothy 2:23-26 -Meekly instruct those that oppose, avoiding foolish discussion

Saturday, May 2, 2009

The King Who Was Almost Good - 4/26/09pm

II Kings 9:1-13 -Jehu anointed, told to destroy Ahab’s family

Destruction of Ahab’s Family
Jehu was told to destroy Ahab’s family. And we see that he set out to do so. While other passages imply that he perhaps did so for his own reasons, or in the wrong way, he began to do so according to what he had been commanded.
II Kings 9:14-16 -Jehu conspires against Joram
II Kings 9:17-26 -Jehu kills Joram, Ahab’s son
II Kings 9:27-29 -Jehu kills Ahaziah of Judah, grandson of Ahab
II Kings 9:30-37 -Jehu sees to Jezebel’s death
II Kings 10:1-8 -Jehu sees to the deaths of Ahab’s sons
II Kings 10:9-11 -Jehu declares Jezreel to be guiltless in their deaths
II Kings 10:12-14 -Jehu kills Ahaziah’s brothers
II Kings 10:15-17 -Jehu kills the rest of Ahab’s family

Destruction of Baal Worship
We see that, unlike prior kings of Israel, he took steps towards ridding the land of the worship of Baal.
II Kings 10:18-24 -Jehu assembles the leaders of Baal worship
II Kings 10:25-28 -Jehu destroys the worship of Baal in Israel

Jehu’s Failure
And yet, we see that Jehu failed to tear down the golden calves that had been set up in Dan and Bethel by Jeroboam. He failed to seek the Lord wholeheartedly.
II Kings 10:29-31 -Jehu kept the golden calves
II Kings 10:32-36 -Jehu’s death

Will we be an “almost”
Just as Jehu was “almost” a good king, and just as Moses “almost” was permitted to enter the promised land, we can be an “almost.” We may be almost saved. We might almost be admitted to heaven. We might almost obey Christ. “Almost” is not enough.
Acts 2:24-29 -Agrippa was almost persuaded
Matthew 19:16-22 -Rich young ruler, who almost had eternal life

The Lord's Supper - 4/26/09am

Luke 22:14-23 -Christ institutes the Lord’s Supper
Christ instated the Lord’s Supper, and we see that the feast of unleavened bread and Passover served as a foreshadowing of this. And we see that the bread used when Christ established this memorial was unleavened.
Exodus 12:14-20 -The feast of unleavened bread

We see that the Lord’s Supper is instituted on the basis of Christ’s body and blood. And that this was the beginning of the new covenant.
Mark 14:22-26 -The blood of the new covenant
Matthew 5:17 -Christ is the fulfillment of the law and prophets
Hebrews 8:1-13 -The new covenant is a better covenant
Matthew 26:26-30 -The blood was shed for the remission of sins

We also see that the first day of the week was the day established for us to partake of the Lord’s Supper. The first day of the week, the same day of Christ’s resurrection, is the proper time to remember Christ. And we see this contrasted with common meals, which were done often by various Christians.
Acts 20:7 -First day of the week
Acts 2:46-47 -Other sort of breaking bread

In his letter to Corinth, Paul gave instructions for partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
I Corinthians 11:17-22 -The Corinthians had not been properly partaking
I Corinthians 11:23-26 -The origin of the Lord’s Supper
I Corinthians 11:17-33 -The proper manner of partaking
Done communally
I Corinthians 10:14-22 -A communion/unity/fellowship/sharing with Christ
Worthy manner
Judge self
Not to fill the belly
In remembrance of Christ
Proclaim the Lord’s death
I Corinthians 15:1-19 -The primary importance of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection
I Thessalonians 4:13-16 -The Lord will return