Genesis 41:1-16 -Pharaoh’s dreams
Genesis 41:17-32 -The interpretation of the dreams
We see Joseph giving the honor and glory to God for the interpretation of the dream. He recognized his own inability to do as the Pharaoh wanted, but knew that God had the power to do so. It is hard to think of this passage without recalling a similar event that occurred some time later.
Daniel 2:10-11 -No man can do as Nebuchadnezzar asked
Daniel 2:17-23 -Daniel prays to God for aid
Daniel 2:24-30 -Daniel gives credit to God
Once again we see Daniel recognizing his own lack of ability and power, but acknowledges the ability of God to do what man cannot do. What man cannot not do alone can often be accomplished with God.
I Peter 4:8-11 -Let him do it as of the ability which God gives
We all serve in some way. Let us make use of the ability which God provides and do so earnestly.
Philippians 4:11-13 -I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Psalm 28:1-9 -The Lord is the strength of the righteous
Psalm 37:39 -The Lord is the strength of the righteous
God strengthens the righteous. It is not a matter of physical strength or the ability to do superhuman or Herculean tasks or that we will never fail in anything we try. It is a matter of the granting of the endurance and ability to overcome when we would otherwise fail. God gives the peace and hope that builds strength for us to do His will.
Luke 17:18-30 -That which is impossible (salvation) of man is possible with God
Ephesians 2:1-10 -Salvation through grace
Of ourselves, salvation is impossible. Nonetheless, God has grace towards us, in that if we do as He requires, we may be saved.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
O Ye of Little Faith - 1/18/09am
Hebrews 11:1 -Faith is
Luke 12:22-30 -Will he not clothe you?
The disciples’ lack of faith resulted in worry and concern. If our faith is not what it should be, then we too will be overcome with worry and concern for the things that God can provide.
Matthew 8:24-27 -Jesus calms the storm
Once again, we see a lack of faith resulting in concern. Moreover, we see a lack of faith in the ability of God to carry out His plan and to protect His Son.
Matthew 14:22-36 -Peter tries to walk on water
Even when Peter cried out to the Lord, he was rebuked for his little faith. I daresay he showed more faith than most of us do! Nonetheless, he doubted the power of Christ. If our faith is not what it should be, we too will doubt the ability of the Lord to do as He said.
Matthew 16:1-12 -Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
The lack of faith of the disciples’ resulted in not understanding what Christ said. We must put our trust in the Lord, or we will misunderstand. We will not take heed of what is said, and we will fall.
Matthew 17:14-20 -The disciples fail to cast out a demon
The disciples’ faith was insufficient to do the will of God. If we are lacking in our faith, we too will fail to do what the Lord requires of us.
Luke 7:1-10 -The centurion’s great faith
We see here what having great faith is: look at the centurion’s complete conviction regarding the power and authority of the Lord. And we see the result is that the Lord hears him, and grants him a blessing.
Matthew 15:21-31 -The Canaanite woman’s great faith
Once again, we see that great faith is an absolute conviction: in this case that even the smallest part of Christ’s power would be enough to make her daughter whole.
Luke 17:5 -Increase our faith
Acts 16:1-5 -Churches increased in faith and grew in number
II Corinthians 10:12-16 -As your faith is increased
II Thessalonians 1:1-5 -Your faith grows exceedingly
We must strive to grow in faith. We cannot remain stagnant and of little faith. We must move beyond being of “little faith” and increase to “great faith.”
Luke 12:22-30 -Will he not clothe you?
The disciples’ lack of faith resulted in worry and concern. If our faith is not what it should be, then we too will be overcome with worry and concern for the things that God can provide.
Matthew 8:24-27 -Jesus calms the storm
Once again, we see a lack of faith resulting in concern. Moreover, we see a lack of faith in the ability of God to carry out His plan and to protect His Son.
Matthew 14:22-36 -Peter tries to walk on water
Even when Peter cried out to the Lord, he was rebuked for his little faith. I daresay he showed more faith than most of us do! Nonetheless, he doubted the power of Christ. If our faith is not what it should be, we too will doubt the ability of the Lord to do as He said.
Matthew 16:1-12 -Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
The lack of faith of the disciples’ resulted in not understanding what Christ said. We must put our trust in the Lord, or we will misunderstand. We will not take heed of what is said, and we will fall.
Matthew 17:14-20 -The disciples fail to cast out a demon
The disciples’ faith was insufficient to do the will of God. If we are lacking in our faith, we too will fail to do what the Lord requires of us.
Luke 7:1-10 -The centurion’s great faith
We see here what having great faith is: look at the centurion’s complete conviction regarding the power and authority of the Lord. And we see the result is that the Lord hears him, and grants him a blessing.
Matthew 15:21-31 -The Canaanite woman’s great faith
Once again, we see that great faith is an absolute conviction: in this case that even the smallest part of Christ’s power would be enough to make her daughter whole.
Luke 17:5 -Increase our faith
Acts 16:1-5 -Churches increased in faith and grew in number
II Corinthians 10:12-16 -As your faith is increased
II Thessalonians 1:1-5 -Your faith grows exceedingly
We must strive to grow in faith. We cannot remain stagnant and of little faith. We must move beyond being of “little faith” and increase to “great faith.”
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A "Lot" of Bad Choices - 1/11/09pm
Genesis 13:1-18 -Abraham and Lot separate, Lot chose the good land towards Sodom
Lot chose selfishly
Lot chose based on physical, earthly criteria
Genesis 14:1-17 -Lot had moved into Sodom, was captured, and then freed by Abraham
Lot chose to put physical things above spiritual by moving into Sodom
Genesis 19:1-11 -Lot lives in Sodom, offers daughters in place of visitors
Lot moves back into Sodom, again choosing earthly things
Lot chooses one wrong over another wrong
Genesis 19:12-29 -God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah
Lot chose poorly in a wife
His poor choices have left him with nothing
Genesis 19:30-38 -Lot’s daughters get him drunk and lie with him
Lot poorly raised his daughters
Lot chose to drink
II Peter 2:4-10 -Lot accounted a righteous man
For all of his bad decisions, Lot is accounted a righteous man
We all make sinful choices in our life, yet we too can repent and be accredited as righteous
Lot chose selfishly
Lot chose based on physical, earthly criteria
Genesis 14:1-17 -Lot had moved into Sodom, was captured, and then freed by Abraham
Lot chose to put physical things above spiritual by moving into Sodom
Genesis 19:1-11 -Lot lives in Sodom, offers daughters in place of visitors
Lot moves back into Sodom, again choosing earthly things
Lot chooses one wrong over another wrong
Genesis 19:12-29 -God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah
Lot chose poorly in a wife
His poor choices have left him with nothing
Genesis 19:30-38 -Lot’s daughters get him drunk and lie with him
Lot poorly raised his daughters
Lot chose to drink
II Peter 2:4-10 -Lot accounted a righteous man
For all of his bad decisions, Lot is accounted a righteous man
We all make sinful choices in our life, yet we too can repent and be accredited as righteous
The Temptation of Christ: Spotting Sin for What It Is - 1/11/09am
Luke 4:1-4 -Man does not live by bread alone
In this temptation, Satan presents Christ with a suggestion: that He turn rocks into bread. On the surface, it seems a reasonable suggestion, as there’s certainly nothing wrong with eating bread. Yet, had Christ given in, it would have been sin. It would have been a misuse of His divine power, and it would have been following the wrong priority.
Deuteronomy 8:1-5 -Man does not live by bread alone
Matthew 6:19-33 -Seek first the kingdom
Luke 4:5-8 -Worship the Lord your God
In this next temptation, Satan offers Christ a great deal, and all He has to do is worship the devil! Christ refuses. Was the world Satan’s to give? Of course not. Sin often appears to offer us more than it can actually give. It often seems more beneficial than it is in truth.
Deuteronomy 6:13-15 -Fear the Lord your God and serve Him only
Daniel 4:24-32 -The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men
Hebrews 11:24-26 -”The passing pleasures of sin”
Luke 4:9-12 -Do not tempt the Lord your God
In this third temptation, Satan tells Christ to throw himself off the temple, because God will save Him. He even quotes scripture to encourage Him. Christ refuses. We see (at least) two things here about sin. It can come along with misused scripture. And it is putting God to the test: it is a challenge against the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1-16 -Satan’s quoted verses: God’s protection of the faithful
Deuteronomy 6:16-19 -To not put the Lord your God to the test
Exodus 17:1-7 -Israel tempts God at Meribah
Luke 4:13 -Left until an opportune time
Mark 1:4-11 -Jesus’ baptism immediately before fasting in desert
We see that Satan is good at what he does. He waited to tempt Christ until he was sure Christ was hungry. When he was rebuffed, he left “for a season” and awaited further opportunities. We also see that this temptation comes immediately after Christ’s baptism. Just as he did for the Lord, he does for us: awaiting times when we are weak, looking for opportune times, and expending special effort after we flee him and obey Christ.
Genesis 4:7 -Sin is crouching at the door
I Corinthians 10:12-13 -Take heed, lest we fall
In this temptation, Satan presents Christ with a suggestion: that He turn rocks into bread. On the surface, it seems a reasonable suggestion, as there’s certainly nothing wrong with eating bread. Yet, had Christ given in, it would have been sin. It would have been a misuse of His divine power, and it would have been following the wrong priority.
Deuteronomy 8:1-5 -Man does not live by bread alone
Matthew 6:19-33 -Seek first the kingdom
Luke 4:5-8 -Worship the Lord your God
In this next temptation, Satan offers Christ a great deal, and all He has to do is worship the devil! Christ refuses. Was the world Satan’s to give? Of course not. Sin often appears to offer us more than it can actually give. It often seems more beneficial than it is in truth.
Deuteronomy 6:13-15 -Fear the Lord your God and serve Him only
Daniel 4:24-32 -The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men
Hebrews 11:24-26 -”The passing pleasures of sin”
Luke 4:9-12 -Do not tempt the Lord your God
In this third temptation, Satan tells Christ to throw himself off the temple, because God will save Him. He even quotes scripture to encourage Him. Christ refuses. We see (at least) two things here about sin. It can come along with misused scripture. And it is putting God to the test: it is a challenge against the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1-16 -Satan’s quoted verses: God’s protection of the faithful
Deuteronomy 6:16-19 -To not put the Lord your God to the test
Exodus 17:1-7 -Israel tempts God at Meribah
Luke 4:13 -Left until an opportune time
Mark 1:4-11 -Jesus’ baptism immediately before fasting in desert
We see that Satan is good at what he does. He waited to tempt Christ until he was sure Christ was hungry. When he was rebuffed, he left “for a season” and awaited further opportunities. We also see that this temptation comes immediately after Christ’s baptism. Just as he did for the Lord, he does for us: awaiting times when we are weak, looking for opportune times, and expending special effort after we flee him and obey Christ.
Genesis 4:7 -Sin is crouching at the door
I Corinthians 10:12-13 -Take heed, lest we fall
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Cain and Abel - 1/4/09pm
Genesis 4:1-16
To Be Like Cain
Jude 1-13 -Taken the way of Cain
Angry that unrighteousness isn’t accepted
How often have you seen someone grow angry over the fact that their wrong doing isn’t acceptable to God? How often have you known someone who is set in their sin and unwilling to change, angry that God has said their actions are wrong?
Mark 10:17-22 -Rich young ruler
I Corinthians 6:9-20 -Such were some of you
Anger towards brother
Cain, instead of reacting as he should have, grew unjustly angry with his brother. In his anger, he killed his brother. How often do we lose our tempers and grow angry as Cain did?
I John 3:11-15 -Love the brethren, don’t murder like Cain
Matthew 5:21-26 -Anger and murder
Romans 13:8-10 -Love instead of kill
Anger towards punishment
For his sin, Cain was punished. And even though there was mercy in that punishment, and even though it was earned, he was unhappy with the severity of it. We must accept the consequences for our actions. Instead of becoming angry over them, let us use them to spur us on to perfection.
Hebrews 12:7-13 -Endure hardship has discipline
To Be Like Abel
Proper sacrifice
Abel offered a sacrifice that was pleasing to God. Do we?
Hebrews 11:4 -Abel’s sacrifice
Romans 11:28-12:2 -Present yourself as a sacrifice
Proper example
Abel set us a proper example. He was faithful to the Lord, even to the point of death. Do we set good examples for others? Do we follow the good examples in scripture?
I Timothy 3:1-11 -Good reputation of elders, deacons, and wives
I Timothy 4:11-14 -Set a good example
I Corinthians 11:1 -Follow Paul’s example as he follows Christ
To Be Like Cain
Jude 1-13 -Taken the way of Cain
Angry that unrighteousness isn’t accepted
How often have you seen someone grow angry over the fact that their wrong doing isn’t acceptable to God? How often have you known someone who is set in their sin and unwilling to change, angry that God has said their actions are wrong?
Mark 10:17-22 -Rich young ruler
I Corinthians 6:9-20 -Such were some of you
Anger towards brother
Cain, instead of reacting as he should have, grew unjustly angry with his brother. In his anger, he killed his brother. How often do we lose our tempers and grow angry as Cain did?
I John 3:11-15 -Love the brethren, don’t murder like Cain
Matthew 5:21-26 -Anger and murder
Romans 13:8-10 -Love instead of kill
Anger towards punishment
For his sin, Cain was punished. And even though there was mercy in that punishment, and even though it was earned, he was unhappy with the severity of it. We must accept the consequences for our actions. Instead of becoming angry over them, let us use them to spur us on to perfection.
Hebrews 12:7-13 -Endure hardship has discipline
To Be Like Abel
Proper sacrifice
Abel offered a sacrifice that was pleasing to God. Do we?
Hebrews 11:4 -Abel’s sacrifice
Romans 11:28-12:2 -Present yourself as a sacrifice
Proper example
Abel set us a proper example. He was faithful to the Lord, even to the point of death. Do we set good examples for others? Do we follow the good examples in scripture?
I Timothy 3:1-11 -Good reputation of elders, deacons, and wives
I Timothy 4:11-14 -Set a good example
I Corinthians 11:1 -Follow Paul’s example as he follows Christ
The Assembly - 1/04/09am
Who?
Who is together in the assembly? Who is required to gather together, and who may enter the assembly?
Hebrews 10:24-25 -Christians
I Corinthians 14:22-23 -An unbeliever or unlearned person
What?
What are we to do in the assembly? What acts are we to engage in together?
Colossians 3:16 -Sing
Ephesians 5:19 -Sing
Acts 4:23-24 -Group prayer
I Thessalonians 5:17 -Pray without ceasing
Acts 20:7-11 -Paul preaching at Troas
I Timothy 4:13 -Public reading, preaching, and teaching
Acts 20:7 -Lord’s Supper
I Corinthians 11:17-32 -Directions for partaking of the Lord’s Supper
I Corinthians 16:1-2 -Collection for the saints
II Corinthians 9:1-9 -Cheerful giver
When?
When are we specifically told to meet? When must we gather together?
Acts 20:7 -First day of the week
Mark 16:9 -Christ rose on the first day of the week
Where?
Where can we assemble? Does the Bible teach of specific locations?
Acts 2:46-47 -Temple courts
Acts 5:12 -Solomon’s Colonnade
Acts 12:12 -House
Acts 19:9 -School of Tyrannus
Acts 20:6-8 -An upper room
Why?
Why do we assemble? What is our purpose in doing so?
Hebrews 10:24-25 -Provoke to love & good works, exhorting
Acts 13:1-2 -Worship the Lord
Invitation
Romans 12:1-2 -Offer ourselves as sacrifice as our worship
Who is together in the assembly? Who is required to gather together, and who may enter the assembly?
Hebrews 10:24-25 -Christians
I Corinthians 14:22-23 -An unbeliever or unlearned person
What?
What are we to do in the assembly? What acts are we to engage in together?
Colossians 3:16 -Sing
Ephesians 5:19 -Sing
Acts 4:23-24 -Group prayer
I Thessalonians 5:17 -Pray without ceasing
Acts 20:7-11 -Paul preaching at Troas
I Timothy 4:13 -Public reading, preaching, and teaching
Acts 20:7 -Lord’s Supper
I Corinthians 11:17-32 -Directions for partaking of the Lord’s Supper
I Corinthians 16:1-2 -Collection for the saints
II Corinthians 9:1-9 -Cheerful giver
When?
When are we specifically told to meet? When must we gather together?
Acts 20:7 -First day of the week
Mark 16:9 -Christ rose on the first day of the week
Where?
Where can we assemble? Does the Bible teach of specific locations?
Acts 2:46-47 -Temple courts
Acts 5:12 -Solomon’s Colonnade
Acts 12:12 -House
Acts 19:9 -School of Tyrannus
Acts 20:6-8 -An upper room
Why?
Why do we assemble? What is our purpose in doing so?
Hebrews 10:24-25 -Provoke to love & good works, exhorting
Acts 13:1-2 -Worship the Lord
Invitation
Romans 12:1-2 -Offer ourselves as sacrifice as our worship
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Pharoah's Question - 12/28/08pm
Exodus 5:1-2 -Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?
He is your Creator
The created exists to do the will of the creator. As the Lord is our Creator, it is imperative that we listen to what He has to say, and to what He wants us to do.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 -Remember your creator
Romans 1:18-25 -Worshipping the created rather than the Creator
Genesis 1:1-2:7 -Seven days of creation
He is your Loving Father
The Lord is our Father. We know we are to be obedient to our earthly fathers. How much more so should we obey our heavenly Father?
Ephesians 6:1-3 -Honor for earthly parents
Luke 11:11-13 -How much greater is your Heavenly Father?
John 8:38-47 -Doing the will of your father
He is your Judge
It only makes sense to listen to and obey the One who will judge us and give sentence in that last day. Disregarding what the Judge has to say is surely futile!
Hebrews 12:22-25 -God, who is judge of all
Acts 17:30-31 -God will judge through Christ
Matthew 25:31-46 -Separation of the sheep and the goats
He is your Creator
The created exists to do the will of the creator. As the Lord is our Creator, it is imperative that we listen to what He has to say, and to what He wants us to do.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 -Remember your creator
Romans 1:18-25 -Worshipping the created rather than the Creator
Genesis 1:1-2:7 -Seven days of creation
He is your Loving Father
The Lord is our Father. We know we are to be obedient to our earthly fathers. How much more so should we obey our heavenly Father?
Ephesians 6:1-3 -Honor for earthly parents
Luke 11:11-13 -How much greater is your Heavenly Father?
John 8:38-47 -Doing the will of your father
He is your Judge
It only makes sense to listen to and obey the One who will judge us and give sentence in that last day. Disregarding what the Judge has to say is surely futile!
Hebrews 12:22-25 -God, who is judge of all
Acts 17:30-31 -God will judge through Christ
Matthew 25:31-46 -Separation of the sheep and the goats
How Often? - 12/28/08am
Often we look at what we should be doing and what we should not be doing. But let us consider today how often we should be serving the Lord. How much of our time should be spent dedicated to living how we should be living? Let us look at some examples to understand the answer to this question.
…Do I pray?
How often should we be praying to God? When things are bad? When we feel we have no other option? When it’s convenient? When no one will look at us strange? Or should we offer prayer continually?
I Thessalonians 5:17 -Pray without ceasing
II Thessalonians 1:11-12 -Pray for you always
Colossians 1:1-4 -Praying for you always
Luke 18:1-8 -The benefit of constant supplication
…Do I give thanks?
Sometimes we only give thanks for “big things.” Sometimes we only give thanks to God when it’s made abundantly clear to us that we should do so. But how often should we be thanking and praising God for what He has done?
I Thessalonians 5:18 -Give thanks in all circumstances
II Thessalonians 2:13-15 -Always give thanks to God for salvation
Ephesians 5:15-21 -Always giving thanks for all things
Hebrews 13:15 -Continually offering the sacrifice of praise
…Am I ready to teach?
How often should we be ready and willing to teach? How often should we be prepared? How often should we be prepared to teach others the gospel of Christ?
I Peter 1:1-12 -Always be ready to remind you
I Peter 3:15 -Always be ready to give an answer
II Timothy 4:1-5 -Preach the word in season and out
Romans 1:15-19 -Paul is ready to preach, being unashamed
…Do I stray?
How often do we stray from the Word? How often do we stray from God? How often do we forget what we should be doing, and do what we want? How often do we leave the path we should be walking for another road?
I John 3:6-12 -One who is born of God cannot sin
I Peter 2:21-25 -You WERE like straying sheep
I Corinthians 15:34 -Stop sinning
…Do I pray?
How often should we be praying to God? When things are bad? When we feel we have no other option? When it’s convenient? When no one will look at us strange? Or should we offer prayer continually?
I Thessalonians 5:17 -Pray without ceasing
II Thessalonians 1:11-12 -Pray for you always
Colossians 1:1-4 -Praying for you always
Luke 18:1-8 -The benefit of constant supplication
…Do I give thanks?
Sometimes we only give thanks for “big things.” Sometimes we only give thanks to God when it’s made abundantly clear to us that we should do so. But how often should we be thanking and praising God for what He has done?
I Thessalonians 5:18 -Give thanks in all circumstances
II Thessalonians 2:13-15 -Always give thanks to God for salvation
Ephesians 5:15-21 -Always giving thanks for all things
Hebrews 13:15 -Continually offering the sacrifice of praise
…Am I ready to teach?
How often should we be ready and willing to teach? How often should we be prepared? How often should we be prepared to teach others the gospel of Christ?
I Peter 1:1-12 -Always be ready to remind you
I Peter 3:15 -Always be ready to give an answer
II Timothy 4:1-5 -Preach the word in season and out
Romans 1:15-19 -Paul is ready to preach, being unashamed
…Do I stray?
How often do we stray from the Word? How often do we stray from God? How often do we forget what we should be doing, and do what we want? How often do we leave the path we should be walking for another road?
I John 3:6-12 -One who is born of God cannot sin
I Peter 2:21-25 -You WERE like straying sheep
I Corinthians 15:34 -Stop sinning
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