Daniel: A Ram, a Goat, and Two Kings - 2/28/10pm

Daniel 8:1 -In the third year of Belshazzar
Daniel 8:2-4 -Vision of a ram
Daniel 8:5-7 -A goat tramples the ram
Daniel 8:8-14 -A little horn (Antiochus Epiphanes)
Daniel 8:15-17 -Beginning of an explanation of the vision
Daniel 8:18-27 -Medo-Persia and Greece
History Recap: The Persian Empire fell to the Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander, his empire was divided up into several smaller kingdoms, each ruled by one of his generals. Two of these kingdoms, the Selucid (Syria) and Ptolemaic (Egypt) are of particular interest to us.

Daniel 10:10-14 -What will happen to Daniel’s people in the latter days
Daniel 10:15-21 -Daniel is troubled
Daniel 11:1-4 -In the first year of Darius, a vision of 4 more kings od Persia and one mighty king (Alexander) after that
Daniel 11:5-8 -The king of the south (Ptolemaic/Egyptian kingdom)
Daniel 11:9-13 -King of the south will not prevail against the king of the north (Selucid/Syrian)
Daniel 11:14-16 -Men from among your own, rulership by king of the north
Daniel 11:17-28 -Kings of the North
Daniel 11:29-39 -A king of the north and abomination of desolation: Antiochus Epiphanes
Daniel 11:40-45 -Fall of the king of the south, later defeat of the king of the north
History Recap: After the division of Alexander’s empire, the kings of the Selucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms warred against each other, with Judea trading hands several times. Eventually, Antiochus Epiphanes led the northern Selucid kingdom to victory. He also established a fortress inside Jerusalem, forbid the worship of Jehovah, instituted the worship of Zeus in the temple, and massacred Jews who rose up against him. “Epiphanes” was a name he took for himself, proclaiming himself to be the epiphany, or manifestation, of a god. All of this led to the Maccabean revolt and a short period of Jewish independence before Roman governorship.

Daniel: Four Beasts - 2/21/10pm

In the second chapter of Daniel, we are presented with a situation where the king has a dream and wants to test his advisors by having them tell him the dream and its interpretation. Only Daniel is given this ability by God, and he does so. The dream is one we are probably familiar with, and has to do with the kingdoms which were to arise.
Daniel 2:1 -A dream in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign
Daniel 2:2-3 -Nebuchadnezzar summons the wise men
Daniel 2:4-13 -The wise men have no answer, the king grows angry
Daniel 2:14-23 -Daniel and his companions pray and are given the secret
Daniel 2:24-30 -Daniel comes to the king, giving the glory to God
Daniel 2:31-35 -Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Daniel 2:36-45 -The explanation of the dream: the statue is four kingdoms
Head of Gold - Nebuchadnezzar/Babylonian Empire
Chest of silver - Medes and Persians/Persian Empire
Belly of Brass - Greek/Macedonian Empire
Legs of Iron, Mixed Feet - Roman Empire
Rock not cut with hands - Kingdom of God

In the 7th chapter of Daniel, Daniel is given a dream. This dream, like Nebuchadnezzar’s, had to do with four kingdoms and the Lord’s victory during the fourth kingdom.
Daniel 7:1 -Daniel’s dream in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign
Daniel 7:2-4 -The first beast, like a lion with eagle’s wings
Daniel 7:5 -The second beast, like a bear with ribs in its mouth
Daniel 7:6 -The third beast, like a 4-headed leopard with 4 wings
Daniel 7:7-8 -The fourth beast, different, with 10 horns and iron teeth. A little horn displaces 3 horns, speaking pompous words
Daniel 7:9-14 -The fourth beast is slain, the kingdom belongs to the Lord
Daniel 7:15-18 -The beasts are kingdoms, saints will receive the kingdom
Daniel 7:19-20 -What about the fourth beast and the little horn?
Daniel 7:21-28 -The fourth beast is a kingdom (Rome) which will rule the earth, one of the kings of which will persecute the saints for 3 ½ “times.” Then his kingdom will be removed and given to the saints.

In the book of Revelation, we see a beast that matches the fourth beast of Daniel 7 (Rome). The meaning of this passage is made more clear, having examined Daniel’s words.
Revelation 13:1-4 -The beast from the sea, possessing traits of the beasts from Daniel 7, particularly the fourth beast
Revelation 13:5-10 -The beast speaks blasphemies and persecutes the saints for 42 months (3 ½ years)
The Lord is victorious. The Lord’s prophecies have been fulfilled, save that we wait for Christ’s return. Are you prepared? Are you with the victorious Christ or against Him?

David's Great-Grandmother - 2/21/10am

Ruth 1:1-4 -Naomi and her family move to Moab
Ruth 1:5-7 -Naomi’s sons die, she decides to return from Moab
Ruth 1:8-13 -Naomi tells her daughters-in-law to stay
Ruth 1:14-22 -Ruth returns with Naomi
Ruth 2:1-3 -Ruth gleans in Boaz’s field
Ruth 2:4-14 -Boaz notices Ruth, notes her good deeds, treats her well
Ruth 2:15-18 -Ruth gleans and is protected by Boaz
Ruth 2:19-23 -Naomi encourages Ruth to continue gleaning in Boaz’s field
Ruth 3:1-5 -Naomi instructs Ruth in order to find her rest
Ruth 3:6-9 -Ruth obeys Naomi’s instructions
Ruth 3:10-13 -Boaz agrees to redeem Ruth
Ruth 3:14-18 -Boaz gives Ruth grain, who takes it to Naomi
Ruth 4:1-6 -Boaz offers the right of redemption to the closer relative
Ruth 4:7-12 -Boaz redeems Ruth
Ruth 4:13-22 -Ruth gives birth to Obed, father of Jesse, father of David

Daniel: Context 2/14/10pm

In the Days of Nebuchadnezzar (beginning 586 BC)
In his youth, Nebuchadnezzar defeated Jerusalem and carried the city’s inhabitants into captivity. This was done in accordance with God’s will as punishment for the sins of Judah.
Daniel 1:1-2 -Nebuchadnezzar captures Jerusalem
Daniel 1:3-7 -Noble young Hebrews are gathered
Daniel 1:8-14 -Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the king’s delicacies
Daniel 1:15-16 -Daniel and his friends are in better condition than the others
Daniel 1:17-21 -Daniel and his friends are blessed and given high position

In the Days of Belshazzar (ending 539BC)
Daniel remained in captivity with the rest of Israel, continuing until the reign of Belshazzar, son of Nabonidus and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. It was in Belshazzar’s reign that Babylon was defeated on the night of October 29, 539.
Daniel 5:1-4 -Belshazzar uses the temple vessels for a party
Daniel 5:5-9 -The writing on the wall
Daniel 5:10-12 -The queen remembers Daniel
Daniel 5:13-16 -Daniel asked for the interpretation
Daniel 5:17-29 -Daniel gives the interpretation and condemnation of Belshazzar
Daniel 5:30-31 -Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians

And in the Days of Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian (about 536BC)
After the Babylonian empire fell, the Medo-Persian empire (often also referred to as simply the Persian Empire) “inherited” the captive Hebrews. Daniel, as before, was granted high position into the reign of Cyrus.
Daniel 6:1-3 -Daniel given high position
Daniel 6:4-9 -Daniel is plotted against, Darius signs the law against prayer/petition to any but himself for 30 days
Daniel 6:10 -Daniel continues to pray
Daniel 6:11-13 -Daniel is reported to Darius
Daniel 6:14-17 -Darius orders Daniel to the lion’s den
Daniel 6:18-23 -Daniel is kept save from the lions
Daniel 6:24 -The conspirators are cast into the lion’s den
Daniel 6:25-27 -Darius issues a decree
Daniel 6:28 -Daniel prospered in the days of Darius and Cyrus
Ezra 1:1-4 -Cyrus ends the captivity

God Promised Abraham - 1/31/10am

Genesis 12:1-3 -God promises Abraham land, nation, and seed
Genesis 15:1-6 -God reaffirms the promise of a great nation
Genesis 15:7-21 -God reaffirms the promise of land

Nation Promise
When the Israelites leave Egypt, we see that indeed the promise to Abraham that a nation would descend from him had been fulfilled.
Exodus 1:1-14 -The multitude of the nation of Israel
Exodus 12:31-39 -The multitude of the nation of Israel
Exodus 19:3-6 -God describes the Israelites as a nation

Land Promise
In the days of Joshua, the promise of the land was fulfilled. However, we see that there is a warning: if they fail to continue to following the Lord, they will be destroyed and removed from the land. They failed, and several hundred years later, they were carried into captivity.
Joshua 11:16-23 -Joshua conquers the land as God had promised
Joshua 23:14-16 -When you have transgressed the covenant
Deuteronomy 30:11-20 -But if Israel does not obey...

Seed Promise
And of course, most importantly of all, the Seed promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and through Him we can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
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

God made promises to Abraham. God kept His promises to Abraham. He will likewise keep His promises that He has made through the Scriptures to us.
II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 -Having these promises, be cleansed

Victory and Defeat, Jericho and Ai - 1/24/10am

The Victory at Jericho
God gives Jericho to the Israelites, who do exactly as they are told. In the obedience, victory is given to them.
Joshua 6:1-5 -God gives instructions to Joshua
Joshua 6:6-11 -Joshua gives the instructions to the Israelites
Joshua 6:12-21 -The people obey, Jericho falls
Joshua 6:22-25 -Rahab and her family is spared
Joshua 6:26-27 -The curse on rebuilding Jericho

The Defeat at Ai
One person had sinned in looting Jericho. Because of his sin, victory was lost and severe consequences took place, both for Achan and for others.
Joshua 7:1 -Achan’s sin
Joshua 7:2-5 -Israel is defeated and flees at Ai
Joshua 7:6-9 -Joshua laments and cries out to God
Joshua 7:10-15 -God tells Joshua that Israel has sinned
Joshua 7:16-19 -Achan is found out
Joshua 7:20-21 -Achan confesses his sin
Joshua 7:22-26 -Achan is stoned and burned

The Victory at Ai
When Israel had chosen to once more fully obey the Lord, He again grants them victory.
Joshua 8:1-2 -The Lord tells Joshua to go and attack Ai
Joshua 8:3-8 -Joshua divides his force and prepares an ambush
Joshua 8:9-13 -Joshua marches the rest of his army towards Ai
Joshua 8:14-20 -The soldiers of Ai leave the city, which is sacked
Joshua 8:21-23 -The army of Ai is defeated
Joshua 8:24-29 -The city is destroyed, the people killed, and spoil is taken

Though Achan’s sin seemed such a small things, it cost Israel the victory, and brought about the end of his own life. If we choose to sin and not obey the Lord, even in something that seems small, we can influence others in such a way as to lose their souls, and we will ultimately have to pay the price of the second death. If, however, we do as the Lord says, we will have our victory.
Hebrews 5:5-11 -Christ, the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him

Failing to Listen - 1/17/10am

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -The Lord judges those who do not listen to Him
I Kings 22:1-5 -Ahab wants to fight Syria, asks Jehoshaphat to join him
I Kings 22:6 -Ahab asks his 400 prophets
I Kings 22:7-9 -Jehosphaphat wants to ask a prophet of God, and Micaiah is called
I Kings 22:10-14 -Zedekiah prophecies victory, Micaiah is told to say the same
I Kings 22:15-18 -Micaiah speaks the word of the Lord: Ahab will lose
I Kings 22:19-23 -Micaiah condemns the false prophets
I Kings 22:24-28 -Micaiah is imprisoned
I Kings 22:29-30 -Ahab and Jehoshaphat go to Ramoth Gilead
I Kings 22:31-40 -Ahab is killed and his army is scattered

How often do we see those who are of the same mindset as Ahab? They don’t want to hear what the Lord says, unless it happens to be in accordance with their own wishes. If the Bible says otherwise, it will be ignored. It is an attitude we must be willing to avoid. If we do not listen to what the Lord says in His scriptures, then we will be punished.

Luke 8:4-10 -Hearing they may not understand
I Thessalonians 4:3-8 -Whoever rejects this rejects God
Acts 3:11-26 -Christ, the prophet raised up by God
Romans 2:1-11 -God’s judgment, including of those who reject truth and believe a lie

Are you heeding the Word of God? Or are you ignoring it except when convenient? Are you following the pattern laid down in the Bible? Or are you rejecting God?

Jephthah - 12/20/09pm

Hebrews 11:32-34 -Jephthah among the heroes of faith
I Samuel 12:6-12 -Jephthah among those raised up by God to lead Israel

The Judges Cycle
In the second chapter of Judges, we learn of the spiritual state of Israel during the time when Jephthah lived. It was one of constant apostasy, followed by brief periods of repentance when God punished His people for their sin and unfaithfulness.
Judges 2:7-9 -The death of Joshua
Judges 2:10-15 -Israel sins and is punished by God
Judges 2:16-18 -The people cry to God, and God raises up a savior
Judges 2:19-23 -Israel sins again, and God punishes them again

Jephthah and the Ammonites
In the tenth and eleventh chapters of Judges, we are introduced to Jephthah, who is cast out of his family and then later turned to as a savior. We see his fight against the Ammonites who had been sent as punishment on unfaithful Israel.
Judges 10:6-17 -After Jair, Israel is oppressed by the Philistines and Ammonites
Judges 11:1-3 -Jephthah, son of a harlot, expelled by his brothers
Judges 11:4-11 -The people promise Jepthah will be leader if he saves them
Judges 11:12-28 -Jephthah tries diplomacy with the people of Ammon
Judges 11:29-33 -Jephthah makes a vow to God and defeats the Ammonites
Judges 11:34-40 -Jephthah’s daughter

Jephthah and the Ephraimites
In the beginning of the twelfth chapter, Jephthah struggles against the jealous Ephraimites, who were angry that Jephthah had gone to war, and succeeded, without them. Sadly, sometimes one must struggle not only those outside of God's people, but those who should be living and doing as they ought.
Judges 12:1-7 -Jephthah fights against Ephraim

On Dry Land - 12/13/09pm

Exodus 14:14 -Israel camped before the sea
Exodus 14:5-9 -Pharaoh gathered chariots to pursue Israel
Exodus 14:10-12 -The people cry out against Moses
Exodus 14:13-14 -Moses tells the people the Lord will fight for them
Exodus 14:15-18 -God instructs Moses
Exodus 14:19-20 -The pillar of cloud moved between the Egyptians and Israel
Exodus 14:21-22 -God divides the waters of the Red Sea
Exodus 14:23-25 -The Lord causes trouble for the Egyptians
Exodus 14:26-28 -The waters move back, drowning Pharaoh’s army
Exodus 14:29-31 -Israel was saved, and believed the Lord and Moses

Murmuring and Complaining
We must be careful not to murmur, complain, and cry out against God as the people did when they saw the Egyptian army coming. Such shows a lack of faith and is displeasing to God.
Jude 12-19 -These are grumblers, complainers
I Corinthians 10:1-11 -Nor complain as some of them also complained

The Lord Provides
When it looked like there was no way for them to survive, God provided a way. It was not a way that they perhaps looked for or that seemed best to the people, but God provided what was necessary.
Matthew 6:25-34 -Do not worry
Acts 8:26-29, 35-39 -In desert, God provided water for baptism

Belief is Found and Lost
The believed enough to camp where God told them, but then lost that faith. They rebuilt their faith after being saved from the Egyptian army by God, but would lose their faith again. We must be sure not to have a faith as wavering and weak as theirs!
Numbers 13:26-33 -The spies say that they land is too strong to take
Numbers 14:1-4, 11-19 -The people heed the 10 spies, angering God
John 8:30-31, 33, 39, 41, 57-79 -Those who believed tried to stone Christ

Run Away! - 11/15/09pm

I Timothy 6:6-11 -Flee these things
II Timothy 2:22 -Flee youthful lusts
I Corinthians 6:18-20 -Flee sexual immorality
Sometimes Christians do not flee sin. Perhaps it is because they assume that this is strictly something to be done mentally (which is sometimes the case). But it is also something that must be done physically. When you find yourself in a situation or around people that brings temptation, run away! Literally! Even better, think ahead and as much as possible do not allow yourself to be placed in that situation or around those people.

If you find yourself tempted by people to speak foul language, gossip, or tell obscene jokes, get away from them! If you find yourself tempted by the people you around to drink, get away from them! Or, as in the example that we are about to look at, if you are tempted towards fornication, run away! Remove yourself far from the temptation.

Genesis 39:1-23 -Joseph and Potipher’s wife
Genesis 41:1-57 -Joseph released and promoted
Genesis 42:1-7 -Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt for food
Genesis 46:1-7 -Israel moves to Egypt
It’s worth noting that because Joseph chose to flee from sin, salvation was obtained. In this case, literal salvation for his family. When we choose to flee from sin, salvation is there.

But when you flee, where do you go?
Hebrews 6:17-20 -Flee to God for refuge

Gideon: Let Baal Contend - 10/18/09pm

Hebrews 11:32-34 -Heroes of faith, including Gideon

Judges 6:11-16 -Gideon was among the least of Israel
Social standing is not a barrier to serving God: everyone can.

Judges 6:17-21 -Gideon asks for a sign as proof
Judges 6:22-27 -Gideon accepts the sign and obeys the Lord
God provides proof and evidence for many things. When we see it, we should accept it and follow it.

Judges 6:28-30 -The men seek to kill Gideon
Judges 6:31-32 -Gideon’s father speaks, and Gideon is given the name Jerubbaal
The importance of a good name/reputation: we should be known for standing for truth and contending against sin.

Judges 6:33-35 -Gideon gathers Israel to oppose the Midianites
Judges 6:36-40 -Gideon asks for, and receives, two more signs
Judges 7:1-3 -God tells Gideon he has too many men, and that the glory should obviously be the Lords. 22,000 men leave, 10,000 remain
Judges 7:4-8 -The Lord narrows down to 300 men
The glory always should go to God. God’s will will be done, even if it seems impossible.

Judges 7:9-14 -Gideon, afraid to go into the Midianite camp, hears a man telling of a dream and finds courage
Sometimes we are afraid to do as the Lord would want. We must have courage and confidence in God.

Judges 7:15-18 -The plan
Judges 7:19-22 -The Midianite are routed
Judges 7:23-25 -The Israelites pursue the Midianites and capture two princes
Consider what the Lord did for Israel! The Lord is not limited: we can have confidence that He will overcome and the He will help when we pray for it.

Judges 8:1-3 -The men of Ephraim are upset they weren’t “invited along”
Judges 8:4-9 -Gideon asks for supplies for his men, and it is not provided
Judges 8:10-17 -Gideon captures the kings of Midian and punishes those that refused to aid the Israel army
When our assistance is needed, how do we respond? Do we want to help? Do we seek excuse not to help?

Judges 8:18-21 -Zebah and Zalmunna are executed
Judges 8:22-23 -Gideon refuses to be made king
Gideon here shows proper understanding: God rules in the kingdoms of men. When Israel eventually was given the king they asked for, think of how well that went.

Judges 8:24-27 -Gideon makes a golden ephod, which serves as an idol and becomes a snare to Gideon and his house
And yet we see that Gideon takes action which results in idolatry, although not to the Baals. We must be careful not to cause others, or ourselves, to sin.

Judges 8:28-35 -Gideon dies, and Israel turns back to the Baals
And after all of Gideon’s work, people still turned back. We cannot force others to choose to follow the Lord. But like Gideon, we must work diligently.

A Corrupt Priesthood - 10/11/09pm

Malachi 1:6-8 -The vain offering of the priests
Malachi 2:1-9 -The sins of the priests

The priesthood in the days of Malachi had become corrupt. Sadly, this had often been the case for the priesthood. Let us take a few moments and consider some of the times in scripture where God’s priests had chosen to stray.

Leviticus 10:1-7 -Nadab and Abihu offer strange fire
I Samuel 2:12-25, 34 -Eli’s sinful sons
Micah 3:1-12 -The priests teach for pay
Nehemiah 13:28-31 -The defiled priesthood
Matthew 26:1-5 -The chef priests plot to kill Jesus
Matthew 27:15-26 -The chief priests ask for Jesus’ crucifixion and Barabbas’ release
Acts 26:9-13 -The priests send Paul to persecute the church

So what is the lesson in this for us?

I Peter 2:1-10 -You are a holy priesthood
Revelation 1:4-6 -You are kings and priests

Under the new covenant, all Christians are priests. All Christians have that obligation to God and to man. If we grow corrupt, if we choose not to fulfill our responsibilities, we include ourselves among those that we just read of a few minutes ago. We must each remain pure, blameless, and undefiled before God. We must serve God, we must teach, we must be dedicated and offer ourselves up as an offering to Him.

The Running Man - 10/4/09pm

Running from a Task
Jonah 1:1-2 -God gives directions to Jonah
Jonah 1:3 -Jonah chooses to flee to avoid the task God had given him
Jonah 1:4-8 -God sends a storm
Jonah 1:9-16 -Jonah is thrown overboard to quiet the storm
Jonah 1:17 -Jonah is swallowed by a great fish
I Corinthians 3:1-15 -Each has a task to carry out, one should neither be proud about or avoid theirs

Running back to God
Jonah 2:1 -Jonah prays to God
Jonah 2:2-9 -Jonah’s prayer
Jonah 2:10 -Jonah is saved from the great fish
Acts 8:18-24 -Simon is told to repent and pray

Running to Condemn
Jonah 3:1-5 -Jonah preaches Nineveh’s punishment
Jonah 3:6-9 -The people of Nineveh repent, hoping for God’s mercy
Jonah 3:10 -The Lord relents against Nineveh
Philippians 1:12-18 -Teaching done form good and wrong motives

Running from Love
Jonah 4:1-4 -Jonah is angry that the Lord relented against Nineveh
Jonah 4:5-11 -Jonah is provided an example of God’s compassion
I John 4:7-21 -God’s love, our love for Him, our love for one another

Two Kings' Pride - 9/27/09pm

Proverbs 11:2 -Pride brings disgrace, humility brings wisdom
Proverbs 16:18 -Pride goes before a fall

Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel 4:1-37 -Nebuchadnezzar is full of pride, but is humbled

Belshazzar
Daniel 5:1-31 -Belshazzar is proud, and does not humble himself

James 4:6-10 -Humble yourself
I Peter 5:1-9 -Humble yourself

God's Watchman - 9/20/09am

Ezekiel 33:1-6 -The responsibility of a watchman
Ezekiel 33:7-9 -Ezekiel made God’s watchman to Israel
Colossians 1:24-29 -Warning every man and teaching

A Watchman’s Warnings
God, through Ezekiel, warns that He “has no pleasure,” that is, He is displeased. This is a dire warning, as God’s displeasure has been made known to men in the past. Just Israel should have been striving to avoid God’s displeasure, we must as well. We must aim to be pleasing to the Lord.
Ezekiel 33:10-11 -Ezekiel is to warn that God is displeased
Numbers 11:1-3 -God is displeased and brings fire on the Israelites
II Samuel 11:26-12:15 -David displeased the Lord by sinning with Bathsheba, and God punishes David

Ezekiel warns that God will punish those who are guilty and reward those who are righteous. In this is both a warning and an encouragement. First, a warning against sin. Second, an encouragement to live upright and blameless. And just as the Lord did then, we know that we will be judged by our actions and hearts.
Ezekiel 33:12-16 -Ezekiel is to warn that God will punish the guilty but save the righteous
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -The Lord judges all by their actions
Revelation 20:11-15 -All will be judged by their actions
John 5:24-30 -Christ judges justly

A People’s Response
Ezekiel 33:17-20 -The people complain that God’s way is “unfair”
Does this sound familiar? God has made the same promise: obey and be rewarded or disobey and punished. It’s reasonable, yet many call it unfair or unloving.

Ezekiel 33:21-22 -God’s judgment on Jerusalem is carried out
Ezekiel 33:23-29 -The reason Jerusalem feel was because of their wickedness
The judgment God had promised was carried out because of the sins of the people. Though they were warned clearly and plainly, the warning was not heeded, and destruction came.

Ezekiel 33:30-33 -The people hear, but do not obey God’s will
James 1:19-27 -Be doers, not only hearers of the word, deceiving yourselves
Just as they “listened” to Ezekiel, many “listen” to God today. It is essential that we do not be like the people in that day, but rather that we hear and faithfully obey the Lord.
I Corinthians 10:1-22 -Pay attention to Israel’s poor example, follow the Lord, do not turn aside to Idolatry and sin

A Man of Perseverance - 8/30/09pm

Matthew 10:22 -He who endures to the end will be saved

Jeremiah 1:1-19 -Jeremiah introduced and called. God gives him the message to preach
Covers a period of about 40 years
Young people can serve the Lord and valuable in His work
Jeremiah was to only preach/teach what was given Him
Jeremiah was not given a message that was going to be well liked

Jeremiah 8:4-22 -God’s indictment of Judah
Judah’s false wisdom and false piety
Judah’s complacent “peace”
Judah’s idolatry
Judah will be destroyed

Jeremiah 9:1-2 -Jeremiah’s sad response
Jeremiah does not rejoice at the destruction of his people
Jeremiah often referred to as the “weeping prophet”

Jeremiah 18:11-18 -Hearing God’s word, the people plot to slander and ignore Jeremiah
The people are called to repent and are condemned for their sin
They do not like this, so plot to see that Jeremiah is not heard

Jeremiah 18:19-23 -Jeremiah prays to God
Jeremiah had said what God wanted said
Jeremiah is willing to let them be judged accordingly

Jeremiah 28:1-17 -Jeremiah contends with Hananiah
Hananiah falsely prophesied peace and safety to Jerusalem, telling the king what he wanted to hear
Jeremiah stated the will of God
Hananiah, stating what people wanted to hear, died
Jeremiah, stating what was distasteful to people but pleasing to God, lived

Jeremiah 38:1-13 -Jeremiah is thrown into a pit, rescued by
Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian
Jeremiah’s life is sought by the princes of Jerusalem, and is cast into a pit
Jeremiah is rescued by one who is not a Jew

Jeremiah 38:14-28 -Jeremiah continues to preach until Jerusalem is captured
Jeremiah did not let previous events stop him, but continued to speak what the Lord had spoken

Isaiah: The Coming Messiah - 8/23/09pm

Last week we considered some of the prophecies Isaiah made against Israel, of their sin, and of their return to come. This week we will take a brief look at some of what Isaiah had to say about the long awaited Messiah, how He could be recognized, and what would happen.

Prophecies of the Messiah
Isaiah makes several prophecies of the coming Savior. Some were regarding signs that would make it apparent who the Messiah was. Some were in regard to what the Messiah would do, or what would occur to the Savior.
Isaiah 7:13-17 -Immanuel, virgin birth
Isaiah 9:1-7 -From Galilee, names for, throne of David
Isaiah 11:1-16 -Root of Jesse
Isaiah 53:1-12 -The suffering savior

Fulfillment by the Messiah
We can read in the New Testament of the fulfillment of these prophecies. In this we find evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. In this we can have faith and trust that in following Him, we have not misplaced our hearts. We follow no lie, but the Truth.
Matthew 1:1-25 -Immanuel, virgin birth, root of Jesse fulfilled
Matthew 4:12-17 -From Galilee fulfilled
Acts 8:29-39 -Isaiah 53 refers to Jesus, the Christ

The Messiah’s Followers
Not only does Isaiah have something to say about the Messiah, but also regarding His followers: the church.
Isaiah 2:1-4 -The mountain of the Lord’s house
Hebrew 3:1-6 -We can be part of His house

Would you follow the Messiah that had been prophesied of and has now come? Would you be a part of His house?

Isaiah: Judgment of Israel - 8/16/09pm

Isaiah can be divided up in different ways. The way I usually look at this book is that Isaiah primarily has three different subjects he deals with. The first is the judgment of Israel, the second is similar and deals with God’s judgment of the nations surrounding and affecting Israel, and the third is prophecy of the Messiah. This week, let us consider God’s judgment of Israel. Next week, Lord willing, we will consider some of what Isaiah has to say about the Messiah.

Israel’s Sin
Israel and Judah, rather than following the Lord as they should, chose to sin against the Almighty and go their own way. God, through Isaiah, names some of the sin that they had committed and which had separated them from the Lord.
Isaiah 1:1-23 -Judah’s empty worship and degeneracy
Isaiah 3:13-23 -Judah’s prideful materialism
Isaiah 5:8-12 -Judah’s materialism
Isaiah 5:18-23 -Judah’s reversing of evil into good and good into evil
Isaiah 32:9-11 -Their complacency
Isaiah 59:1-8 -Their sins have separated them from God

Israel’s Punishment
For their sins, Israel was to be punished. Their cities would be laid waste, and the people would be carried off in captivity.
Isaiah 29:1-8 -Jerusalem to be destroyed
Isaiah 39:1-8 -Babylon to carry them into captivity

Israel’s Return
The Lord, being merciful, would later bring a remnant back to the land of Israel and allow Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Even when Israel has rejected God continually, we see that he offers hope should they repent.
Isaiah 10:20-27 -A remnant will return
Isaiah 26:20-27:13 -Israel is to return
Isaiah 44:24-25:7 -Through Cyrus, Judah will return from captivity

Singing the Psalms - 7/12/09pm

Colossians 3:16-17 -Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

Psalm 104:1-2 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:3-9 -God created all things
Psalm 104:10-23 -God’s continuing work
Psalm 104:24-30 -God’s concern for His creation
Psalm 104:31-33 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:34-35 -Victory of the Lord
Song # 513

Psalm 113:1-3 -Continual praise for God
Psalm 113:4-6 -The height and power of the Lord
Psalm 113:7-9 -The love of God for the lowly
Song # 601

Psalm 24:1-2 -All belongs to the Lord
Psalm 24:3-6 -Blessings for the righteous
Psalm 24:7-10 -The Lord of hosts
Song # 597

Psalm 118:1-4 -Give thanks for God’s mercy
Psalm 118:5-14 -Strength and refuge in the Lord
Psalm 118:15-18 -Salvation and chastening
Psalm 118:19-21 -Praise for God’s salvation
Psalm 118:22-24 -The rejected stone
Psalm 118:25-28 -Praise for God
Psalm 118:29 -God’s mercy
Song # 644

Christ in the Psalms - 7/5/09pm

The Lord said to my Lord
Psalm 110:1-4 -The Lord said to my Lord
Matthew 22:41-45 -Christ questions those around Him
Acts 2:29-36 -Peter gives the meaning of the passage
Hebrews 5:5-11 -A priest according to the order of Melchizadek

Prophecy of the crucifixion
Psalm 22:1-31 -Mocked,
-Pierced hands/feet
-People wagging their heads and staring
-Clothing divided and gambled for
-Thirst
-Forsaken cry
Psalm 34:20 -Bones not broken
Psalm 69:21 -Gall and vinegar offered to Him
Matthew 27:15-50 -The crucifixion

Zeal for Your house
Psalm 69:9 -Zeal for Your house
John 2:13-17 -Jesus clearing the temple

Sacrifice and offering is not desired
Psalm 40:6-8 -The Lord does not desire sacrifice and offering
Hebrews 10:1-10 -Application to Christ and the new covenant

The Rejected Stone
Psalm 118:22-24 -The stone that is rejected
I Peter 2:1-10 -Live a life based on that stone