Shalom Church (Reformed Baptist): Recent Episodes
An Appointed Day, An Ordained Judge--Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.- Acts 17-30-31---1. An Overview-------2. Appointed Day of Judgment--------3. A Righteous Judgment-------4. The Lord Jesus as the Judge-------5. Applications
Fruit Of The Spirit - Goodness---Attributes of God-- Majesty and Power - Non communicable- --Moral Excellence - communicable.---Goodness can be considered the summary of all moral excellence of God.---John Dagg summarised it in his book -Manual of Theology- this way--God's goodness, as exercised toward his creatures, is often expressed in the Scriptures by the term love. Love is distinguished as benevolence, beneficence, or complacence. Benevolence is love in intention or disposition- beneficence is love in action or conferring its benefits- and complacence is the approbation of good actions or dispositions. Goodness, exercised toward the unworthy, is called grace- toward the suffering, it is called pity or mercy--Goodness -Galatians 5-22--- agathosune---Our goodness is a directed goodness--Scriptural references- - Matthew 9-16- Psalm 4-6-7- 73-25-28- Habakkuk 3-17-19- Romans 2-4---It is what's inside that counts--Scriptural references- - Romans 7- 7-12--God's goodness extends to all but are special with His people--Scriptural references- - Matthew 5-43-48- Psalm 36-6- Acts 14-17- Psalm 16-5-6- John 17-20- Galatians 6-10---Goodness is not indulgence
Fruits Of The Spirit- 7 Observations---Recap--We have obtained great freedom- -Galatians 5-1-, rather than using this freedom to fulfil our desires or flee from it in practice, Paul tells us that we are freed to walk with the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit.---But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.- Galatians 5-22,23--We want to make 7 observations concerning the fruit of the Holy Spirit before diving in to examine each of the characters mentioned in these 2 verses----Observation 1-----Observation 2-----Observation 3-----Observation 4-----Observation 5-----Observation 6-----Observation 7-----Applications-
Freed To Produce --- Galatians 5----We have obtained great freedom- -Galatians 5-1-----What do we understand and do with that freedom------Error -1------Error -2------Error -3------So, what do we do with the freedom that Christ has given us-------My applications-
Faith That Gives Sight --- Mark 10- 46 - 52--1. INTRODUCTION--a. The purpose of the Gospels-i. John 20-30-31 - And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book- but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.---b. The authors of the Gospels-i. Human author-ii. Divine author-2 Tim 3-16a - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God-2 Pet 1-21 - for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.---c. The authorial intent of Mark 10-46-52- Bartimaeus' faith in Jesus---2. FAITH HAS AN OBJECT--a. Faith is a complete trust or confidence in someone or something---b. Bartimaeus' faith was in the right object - Jesus. He received sight.---c. The object of your faith determines the outcome of your faith---3. FAITH COMES FROM KNOWLEDGE--a. Bartimaeus knows about Jesus-i. The Son of David-ii. The Messiah-iii. The Master - Teacher-iv. The Healer---b. Blind faith is not faith. Faith grows with knowledge---4. FAITH REQUIRES ACTION--a. Bartimaeus acted on his faith-i. He banked on Jesus-ii. He asked specifically---b. Faith without action is not faith-i. James 2-17 - Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.---5. FAITH DEPENDS ON THE OBJECT--a. Errors of the Word Faith movement - -What I confess, I possess----When we pray, believing that we have already received what we are praying, God has no choice but to make our prayers come to pass. . . . It is a key to getting results as a Christian.-
Where Heads, Hearts and Hands Meet - Rom 15-22 - 16-20---1. INTRODUCTION--a. New series of sermons based on Chapter 4 of our BCOF in Apr.--b. Concluding parts of Paul's epistle to the Romans.----2. IS PAUL AN APOSTLE WITH A HEAD, A HEART AND A HAND---a. Three examples- --i. A zealous but ignorant young man.--ii. A skilful but rude hawker. --iii. A group of sympathetic but unhelpful passers-by.---b. The heart of Paul---i. Head- -- Major doctrines in the epistle of Romans.-- 14 out of 27 books in the NT.--ii. Hand--- His missionary journeys.-- Churches planted beyond Jerusalem. --iii. Heart--- For his fellow, unbelieving Jews. Rom 9-1-4-- For the redeemed people. Rom 15-22 -16-20----3. LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS FOR BELIEVERS--a. Paul values the fellowship between believers. 15-22-33--i. Paul reveals his great desire to be in Rome. v22-24--ii. Paul accounts for his delayed presence in Rome. v25-29--iii. Paul asks believers in Rome to remember him in prayer. v30-32--- Strive to meet one another.--- Strive to fill and receive each other.--- Strive to clear up potential miscommunications with one another.---b. Paul values the believers and their labours. 16-1-16--i. Paul remembers the believers who followed the Lord. --ii. Paul remembers the labours of the believers.--- Strive to remember who is who and who does what.---c. Paul values the unity among believers. 16-17-20--i. Paul urges the believers to stand against doctrinal errors. v17-18--ii. Paul commends the believers - assures them of their victory against evil. v19-20--- Strive for doctrinal excellence as a body of Christ.----4. DO PEOPLE MATTER TO YOU---a. People matter to Paul.--b. People matter to Jesus.
Living With Evil Under The Rule Of A God Who Decreed All Things ---For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.--Acts 4- 27-28---1. INTRODUCTION--a. God's decree and the problem of evil.---2. ANALYSIS--a. Minor differences compared with Acts 2-23--b. Context. Acts 4-1-30---3. LESSONS--a. God has foreordained evil. v28--i. Implications if God did not foreordain evil.--ii. Contradict the supremacy of God. 1 Chron 29-11-12--iii. Contradict the righteousness of God. Isa 3-10-11---b. Although God has foreordained evil, He is not the author of evil. --i. -against- your holy Servant Jesus. v27, John 15-25--ii. Two reinforcing references in 1 John 1-5 and Jas 1-13-15---c. God can accomplish good out of evil without contradicting His nature.--i. God overrules the evil intent of men to accomplish His holy purpose. --ii. God's nature remains unstained by evil. 1 John 1-5--iii. Christ's atonement remains a perfect atonement. Heb 10-14--5. APPLICATIONS--a. To the unbelievers.--i. Change the direction where you point your finger.--- Man is responsible for the tragedies caused by their wicked acts.--- God is not obliged to relief fallen mankind from the evil they brought into the world.--ii. Change your priorities.--- Deal with your moral evil first.----b. To the believers.--i. Take a healthy dose of realism in your Christian life. Matt 13- 24-30, 36-43 --ii. Take the Trinity survival kit with you when you suffer evil.--- Item 1- Rom 8-18 Christ will return, you will have a better future life.
Living Freely Under The Rule of A God Who Decreed All Things--Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death-Acts 2- 23---1. INTRODUCTION--a. Recap what has been covered on God's decree.---2. ANALYSIS--a. Aim - relationship between God's decree, human freedom, and responsibility.--b. Context. Acts 2-1-28--c. Grammar.--d. Intended meaning---i. It is God who brought the death of Jesus to pass. v23a--ii. It is the Jews who brought the death of Jesus to pass. v23b---3. LESSONS--a. Although God has decreed all things to come to pass, He does not violate the freedom of Man to act according to their desires.--i. The Jews acted freely according to their desires. They killed Jesus.--ii. God has endowed human will with natural liberty and power to act on choices so that it is neither forced nor inherently bound by nature to do good or evil. 1689 BCOF Chap 9 para 1--b. The freedom of Man makes them responsible for their actions.--i. Peter charged his fellow Jews for committing a wicked act.--ii. Three examples--- The fall of Adam and Eve. Gen 2-17-- The betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Luke 22-22-- The punishment of Israel through Assyria. Isa 10-5-19 -c. The greater the freedom of Man, the greater their responsibility and judgement.--i. Principle in Luke 12-48.--ii. Judgement on the Jews in Jesus' time. Matt 23-37-39--iii. Judgement on OT Israel. Deut 30-15-20, Amos 3-1-2, Dan 9-11-12---4. CLARIFICATION ON NATURAL FREEDOM AND MORAL FREEDOM-------5. APPLICATION--a. To the believers.--i. Live an attractive Christian life.-- Exercise our freedom wisely.-- Freedom that doesn't burdened our brethren.
Living Freely Under The Rule of A God Who Decreed All Things--Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death-Acts 2- 23---1. INTRODUCTION--a. Recap what has been covered on God's decree.---2. ANALYSIS--a. Aim - relationship between God's decree, human freedom, and responsibility.--b. Context. Acts 2-1-28--c. Grammar.--d. Intended meaning---i. It is God who brought the death of Jesus to pass. v23a--ii. It is the Jews who brought the death of Jesus to pass. v23b---3. LESSONS--a. Although God has decreed all things to come to pass, He does not violate the freedom of Man to act according to their desires.--i. The Jews acted freely according to their desires. They killed Jesus.--ii. God has endowed human will with natural liberty and power to act on choices so that it is neither forced nor inherently bound by nature to do good or evil. 1689 BCOF Chap 9 para 1--b. The freedom of Man makes them responsible for their actions.--i. Peter charged his fellow Jews for committing a wicked act.--ii. Three examples--- The fall of Adam and Eve. Gen 2-17-- The betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Luke 22-22-- The punishment of Israel through Assyria. Isa 10-5-19 -c. The greater the freedom of Man, the greater their responsibility and judgement.--i. Principle in Luke 12-48.--ii. Judgement on the Jews in Jesus' time. Matt 23-37-39--iii. Judgement on OT Israel. Deut 30-15-20, Amos 3-1-2, Dan 9-11-12---4. CLARIFICATION ON NATURAL FREEDOM AND MORAL FREEDOM-------5. APPLICATION--a. To the believers.--i. Live an attractive Christian life.-- Exercise our freedom wisely.-- Freedom that doesn't burdened our brethren.
The Gospel is the Power of God for Salvation--I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'-Acts 26-17-18---1. INTRODUCTION--a. The gospel is the good news from God to a fallen humanity.---2. DO YOU BELIEVE GOD HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE YOU---a. Conversion of John Newton.--b. Conversion of the apostle Paul. Acts 26-9-18---3. DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE UNDER THE POWER OF SIN---a. Man's sinful state. v18--i. Sin causes a person to live in spiritual blindness.-- Ignorant of God. Ps 14-1-- Ignorant of himself. Acts 17-30-- Ignorant of life. Eph 4-18 --ii. Sin causes a person to live in spiritual darkness.-- Spiritually dead. Rom 3-10-18-- Conforms to the world. Rom 12-2, Eph 2-2-- Consumed by his lusts. Eph 2-3--iii. Sin causes a person to live in spiritual bondage.-- Will taken captive by Satan. 2 Tim 2-26-- Mind shut out from the gospel. 2 Cor 4-3-4-- Under the power to do Satan's will. 1 John 3-8--iv. You are living in spiritual blindness, darkness and bondage. v17-----b. Your sinful state and God.--i. He has offended God. Ps 7-11-ii. He is separated from God. Isa 59-2, Eph 2-12--c. Your sinful state and Judgement Day.--i. Accountable for unbelief. Rom 14-12-ii. Punishment for unbelief. Rom 2-5-9---4. DO YOU KNOW YOU CAN BE DELIVERED FROM THE POWER OF SIN---a. Have faith in Jesus- He is your everything for your spiritual problems.--i. He is the image of the invisible God. Col 1-15, Heb 1-3, John 14-9
Praying To A God Who Decreed All Things--14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.--1 John 5-14-15---1. INTRODUCTION--a. Build our lives on a strong foundation. Luke 6-47-49--b. Focus - relationship between God's decree and prayer.---2. ANALYSIS--a. Context--i. 1 John 1-1 - 5-5-- Children of light - no fellowship with sin.-- Children of God - no love for the world, love God, love Man.-- False teachers - denies incarnation of Jesus.--ii. 1 John 5-6 - 15-- Assurance of eternal life.-- Assurance of answered prayers.---3. LESSONS --a. A Christian prays.--b. A Christian prays confidently. Basis---i. Children of God. Matt 7-9-11--ii. Jesus' name. John 14-14-15, 15-16, 16-24 - 26, 1 John 2-1, Rom 8-34, Heb 7-25--iii. Live in Obedience. 1 John 3-21-22--iv. Answered prayers. v15-- Condition - 'according to His will'. v14--4. APPLICATIONS--a. Continue to pray, even though God has decreed all things. --i. Duty of believers. Matt 12-25, Isa 45-19--ii. Beyond supplication. Job 27-10--iii. Strengthen our faith. Matt 6-11, Ps 145-16, Neh 6-14, Ps 5-4-6--b. Pray with humility since God has decreed all things.--i. Pray according to God's Word. Jas 5-16, Luke 18-1-8, Jas 1-6- BUT--ii. Prayers cannot change God's decree. 2 Sam 12-14-23-- God changes- The repentance of Nineveh. Jonah 3-- God changes- The extension of Hezekiah's life. 2 Kgs 20-1-4-- God changes- The prayer of Elijah for rain. Jas 5-17-18--iii. Answered prayers-- Prayer - ordained means
Living Under The Rule of A God Who Decreed All Things--Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,' Calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it- I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it- I will also do it.-Isa 46-10-11---1. INTRODUCTION--a. 1689 BCOF - read chap 3 on your own.---2. ANALYSIS--a. Context--i. Prophecy on the fall of Babylon. Isa 46-1-2--ii. Prophecy on the deliverance of Judah from exile and captivity under Cyrus. ---3. LESSONS --a. God plans all things from eternity.--i. God knows what will happen before it happens. v10-- Isaiah's prophetic activity -- about 740 - 687 BC-- Persians defeated Babylonians -- about 539 BC-- Cyrus issues decree, Jews return to Jerusalem -- also 539 BC -- God knows what will happen in history about 150 years ahead--- God knows Cyrus' name before he was born. Isa 44-28--ii. Known to God from eternity are all His works. Acts 15-18--iii. Immutability. Mal 3-6, Heb 6-17--b. God consults no one when He plans.--i. Independence. Note the first-person singular pronouns. --ii. Sovereignty. v10, Jer 18-6, Ps 33-11-c. God orders all things to come to pass.--i. God uses human means to carry out His plans. v11--ii. God's plans and orders are unconditional, not dependent upon the foreseeable acts of human actions.--d. God accomplishes all His plans.--i. Determination. v11, Isa 14-27, Dan 4-35--ii. The highest human authority is subject to God. 1 Chron 36-22-23, Ezra 1-1-3, Prov 21-1
Let Us Rise Up And Build--So I answered them, and said to them, -The God of heaven Himself will prosper us- therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.- -Neh. 2- 20---1. INTRODUCTION--a. Building - a term that stays with me for a large part of my life.--b. Building - a task that requires collective effort.---2. ANALYSIS--a. Grammar - plain meaning of the text is clear.--b. Context--i. Historical setting -- postexilic Judah.-- around 458 to 430 BC, reign of Persian king, Artaxerxes.--ii. Wider context -Neh 1-1 - 2-19- -- Nehemiah receives reports of the situation in Jerusalem.-- Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to lead in the rebuilding of the city's wall.--c. Bridge --Description Nehemiah's Time Today-City-temple of God Physical structure Collective body of believers, the Church-Eph 2-21, Rev 21-2-City dwellers Biological descendants of Abraham Children of Abraham saved in Christ-Gal 3-7, 29-City walls Physical structure Apostolic teachings in the written Word -Eph 2-20, Rev 21-14-City ruler Nehemiah King Jesus, Christ - Head of His Church -Luke 23-3, Col 1-18----3. LESSONS --a. Christ's Church will be tried and tested. --i. Ministry of Jesus. John 15-18-20--ii. Ministry of the apostles. See book of Acts--iii. History of the Church.--Acts 5-38-39 -And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone- for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing- but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it-lest you even be found to fight against God.---b. Christ's Church will prevail and prosper.--i. The Church of Christ will not be leaderless. Col 1-18, John 14-26
Our Great and Good Saviour - Mark 5-1-20--Introduction- Do you believe in the existence of demons----Unbelief about the existence and personality of ------ has often proved the first step to unbelief about -----.- - JC Ryle----The state of the Demon-Possessed man -v3-5---- Don't go to the devil's place.---- Don't give place to the devil.---The demons' encounter with Christ -v6-11---- The demons acknowledged Christ and feared Him. ---- How different is your faith----- How much does a soul worth-----The sad and happy ending -v14-20---- What's worth keeping for you----- A new man with a new mission
Pray for the unity of this fellowship, alertness toward the devil's attacks, our continual mortification of remaining sins, our perseverance - hope in Christ going forward to a new year, His will permitting.-SMALL PLACE, BIG PERSON -MATTHEW 2-1-6, MICAH 5-2-5a---SMALL PLACE- Bethlehem--- Bethlehem meant ------------------------------------------------------ Bethlehem known as -------------------------------------------------- Bethlehem was where Rachel ---------------------------------------- Bethlehem was where Ruth ------------------------------------------ Bethlehem was where David --------------------------------------- Bethlehem was a ------------------------------------------------ ----- Bethlehem was where ----------------------------------------------------BIG PERSON- Jesus--- Jesus is ---------------- ---MICAH 5-2 -NKJV, NIV, NASB------ Jesus is --------------- --- MATTHEW 2-2 - Where would the King of the Jews be born---ROMANS 2-28-29 - For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh- but he is a Jew who is one inwardly- and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter- whose praise is not from men but from God.----- Jesus is ----------------- ---PSALM 23, JOHN 10-11
Coincidence- Providence- -Luke 23- 26---The Incarnation Leading To Crucifixion --Stupendous was the love -Of God's eternal Son-Who left the blissful scenes above-And His imperial throne--He waded through a sea-Of overwhelming wrath-That wretched sinners such as we-Might be redeemed from death--Expiring on the cross-He Satan's empire broke-Surprise and horror seized His foes-And hell's foundation shook--From Him we grace receive-In Him all good possess-And those who on His word believe-Shall reign with Him in bliss--Hosanna to His name-Let heavenly hosts adore-But saints with pure seraphic flame-Should love and praise Him more--Samuel Howard---From that bright world where seraphs join-In songs and services divine-Where streams of purest pleasure flow-Jesus descends and dwells below--No glittering gems His robes adorn-He meets with cruelty and scorn-He loads of guilt and sorrow bears-Is bathed in sweat and blood and tears--Exposed His people long had been-To sin and wrath and endless pain-But lo He dies to set them free-Oh could I say He died for me.--Benjamin Beddome
What Is A Blessed-Happy Man- Ps. 119-1-8- ---1. A man of great character -v. 1-3---a. He is blameless---b. He defends God's testimony ---c. He seeks God earnestly.---d. He does not sin against God. ---Only Christ alone has perfectly walked in God's way, He is the only one who is blameless---'For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.' 2 Cor 5-21--'For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.' Heb 4-15---Only Jesus can fully obey God's law, and observe His testimony---'I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.' John 14-31--'And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.' John 8-29--'And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.' Phil 2-8-----Only Jesus is able to seek God with His whole heart---'I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge- and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.' John 5-30--'For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.' John 6-38----Therefore, the only one who can save us from our sin is the sinless God-man-one who is fully man, as we are, but one who is fully God, so that His payment for our sin can satisfy the infinite demands of God's justice against our sin.- -Bruce Ware----2. A man with a good conscience -v. 4-6-------3. A man with gutsy commitment -v. 7-8---a. He is one who praises God regularly
The Sin Offering -Leviticus 4--Introduction - Recap of Leviticus 1, 2 - 3--- Lev. 1-5 describes 5 different offerings the OT worshipper had to bring to approach God.--o Burnt Offering -voluntary---o Grain Offering -voluntary---o Peace Offering -voluntary---o Sin Offering -compulsory---o Trespass Offering -compulsory---- Do we need to make the same offerings as the Old Testament believer today- - -- Why 5 offerings-----1. The sin offering is different from the trespass offering--The word -sin- means -----..- ---.. ..----- or ------- -----.. .---Lev 11-44, Lev 19-2, Lev 20-7, Lev 20-26, Lev 21-8--- The sin offering focuses on ------------------------. .--- The trespass offering focuses on ---------------------. .---2 Cor. 5-21 --.made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.---Reflection- -----2. The sin offering -in the Levitical system- is for unintentional sins--Unintentional sins - Lev 4- 2, 13, 22, 27---Unintentional sins are ---------------------------. .--What about the unrepentant, deliberate, willful - presumptuous sinner---Num 15-30-36 John 8 Psa 51-16--Heb 10-26-31 Heb 10-11-12 Acts 3-19- -Reflection- ----3. The sin offering is our hope for reconciliation with God--a. The individual sins of the priest is as serious as the sins of the entire congregation--b. Sin plagues every category of people.--- --it shall be forgiven him- - if you repent of your sins - put your faith in Jesus Christ.---Reflection-
SERMON OUTLINE-GOD IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE -VI- --THE OPERATIONS AND PERSONAL RELATIONS WITHIN THE TRINITY-Gal 4-4-6-4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born-under the law,-5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.-6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying-out, -Abba, Father-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION-a. Last week - general overview of the three-in-one nature of God.-This week - operations and personal relations within the Trinity.-b. 1689 BCOF chapter 2 para 3-- the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding--- the Son is eternally begotten of the Father--- the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son--- -.. distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations.-2. ANALYSIS-a. Context-i. Believers are justified by faith in Christ, not by law compliance.-ii. Christ would have died in vain if the law could save sinners.-b. Interest-i. Operations and personal relations within the Trinity revealed through the work-of redemption.-3. RELEVANCE-a. There is subordination within the Trinity.-i. In the work of redemption, there are distinct modes of operations.-- Father -- sends. v4, 6-- Son -- born, redeem. v4, 5-- Spirit -- indwells, assures. v6-ii. In the work of redemption, there is subordination in the modes of operation.-- The Son is sent. He obeys and glorifies the Father. John 6-38, 17-1, 1 John-4-14, Phil 2-8-- The Spirit is sent by the Father and the Son. He glorifies the Father and the-Son. John 14-26, 15-26
SERMON OUTLINE--GOD IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE -V- - THE TRINITY--When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water- -and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, -and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. -And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, --This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.--Matt 3-16-17-----------------------------------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION --a. Covered - incomprehensibility of God's nature, God's creation, God's providence, and God's salvation.-b. Today - incomprehensibility of God's nature - the Trinity.-c. 1689 BCOF chapter 2 para 3.--In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided- the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding- the Son is eternally begotten of the Father- the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son- all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations- which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on Him.---2. ANALYSIS--a. Context - baptism of Jesus.-b. Comparison with Mark 1-9-11 and Luke 3-21-23. --3. RELEVANCE--a. God's triune nature is incomprehensible.-i. God exists as three distinct persons.-ii. Each person is fully God all at the same time. -- The Father is fully God. John 20-17-- The Son is fully God. John 1-1, John 20-28-- The Spirit is fully God. Acts 5-3-4 ...
GOD IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE -IV- - HIS SALVATION--Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God--How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out--Rom 11-33----1. INTRODUCTION --a. Covered - incomprehensibility of God's nature, God's creation, God's providence.--b. Today - incomprehensibility of God's salvation.----2. ANALYSIS--a. Reasons why Rom 11-33 concerns God's salvation.--i. It's in the book of Romans.---ii. It's in the context of Rom 11.----3. RELEVANCE--a. God's salvation is incomprehensible.---b. Evidence of God's incomprehensibility shown in His salvation--i. The fact that God saves. John 17-5, 24---ii. The fact that God saves sovereignly. 2 Kings 21, 2 Chron 33, Acts 9-1-19-iii. The fact that God saves generously.----4. APPLICATION--a. Believers --i. Praise and honour our God and Jesus Christ- Eph 1-3, Phil 2-9-11---ii. Submit to God's incomprehensibility and sovereignty when He applies these attributes of His directly at you.---b. Unbelievers--i. No salvation for angels. Heb 2-16-17---ii. Enter the door of salvation. Mark 2-17, 1 Tim 1-15, John 10-9
Will There Be Mercy--Psalm 130--- Introduction----- Will there be mercy where I am- -v1-2---- Depths -NKJV--o Deep water -NET--o Metaphor for life threatening danger -Ps 69-2, 14---- What is your depth------ Will there be mercy for what I have done- -v3-4---- God keeps count of sins -Mat 12-36-37---- Fear -NKJV--o With reverence, serve You -NIV--o Be honoured -NET--o Brad Hambrick - When God forgives us, he does not assume we are a -finished product.- God remains active in our life to remove the sin he forgave. Forgiveness is meant to change us, not leave us as we were. God's forgiveness is an invitation to a new way of life.----- Will there be mercy when I wait- -v5-6---- God's forgiveness is immediate -1 Jn 1-9---- Delayed experience of forgiveness--o Our grievous sin-LBCF 1689 Confession, Chapter 18 - Assurance of Grace and Salvation-True believers may in various ways have the assurance of their salvation shaken, decreased, or temporarily lost. This may happen because they neglect to preserve it or fall into some specific sin that wounds their conscience and grieves the Spirit. It may happen through some unexpected or forceful temptation or when God withdraws the light of his face and allows even those who fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light - this assurance may at the proper time be revived--o Other's sin----- God's word-Exodus 34-6-7 -And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, -The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children...
THE GOSPEL CANNOT BE SILENCED---Luke 13-31-33-31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, -Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.- -32 And He said to them, -Go, tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' -33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following- for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.---1. Introduction--- Focus on two characters - Herod Antipas and Jesus.--- The Herodians in the life of Jesus.--- Herod the Great- in the infanthood and childhood of Jesus. Matt 2-16, 19-22--- Herod Antipas- in the early part of the ministry of Jesus. Luke 3-1, 9-7-9----2. Has the pursuit of ambitions silenced your ears to the voice of the gospel---- Who is the king of the Jews---- Herod Antipas plotted to kill Jesus. v31----3. Has the pursuit of ambitions silenced your ears to the voice of God---- Who are you to speak against the king---- Herod Antipas beheaded the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist. Matt 14-1-12, Mark 6-14-29, Luke 9-9--- Herod Antipas retaliated against Jesus during Jesus' trial. Luke 23-8-11---4. Has anyone silenced the voice of the Church---- Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing---- Herod Antipas' joy in the death of Jesus was short-lived. --- Has he forgotten Jesus' words- v32,33--- The resurrected Jesus speaks---Matt 28-18-20--All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you
GOD IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE -III- - HIS PROVIDENCE--Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised--And His greatness is unsearchable.-Ps145-3----------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION --a. Covered - incomprehensibility of God's nature and God's creation.---b. Today - incomprehensibility of God's providence. ----2. ANALYSIS--a. Definition of providence - COF C5 para 1.---b. Greatness of God's providence seen through God's providential works.---c. Greatness of God seen though His providential works is unsearchable.----3. RELEVANCE--a. God's providence is incomprehensible.---b. Evidence of God's incomprehensibility shown in His providence --i. v8-9 God deals with His creation by His mercy and compassion. Gen 3-15, Hab 1-13---ii. v10-13 God orders and governs His creation by His mighty power. Ps 24-1, Isa 10-5-6--iii. v14-16 God upholds and sustains His creation by His faithfulness. Matt 6-26-29---iv. v17-20 God deals with His creation by His righteousness. ----4. APPLICATION--a. Believers--i. Exalt the name of God----ii. Speak of the greatness of God's providential works.---iii. Sing of the greatness of God with fire in our hearts.----b. Believers burdened about their needs in this life.--i. Trust what Jesus promises us in Matt 6-25-34.----c. Unbelievers--i. Make good use of your able-bodied life to know God.
GOD IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE -II- - HIS CREATION --For He spoke, and it was done--He commanded, and it stood fast.-Ps 33-9---------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION --a. Last Sunday - incomprehensibility of God's nature.--b. Today - incomprehensibility of God's creation. ----2. ANALYSIS--a. Context of Ps 33.---b. Things we learn from Ps 33-9.---c. Ps 33-9 a bridge to Gen 1.----3. RELEVANCE--a. God's creation is incomprehensible.---b. Examples of God's incomprehensibility in His creation - the things revealed.-i. God created light without the sun. --ii. God created everything in six days by His words.--iii. God set up all the laws of nature to govern His creation within the same six days.--iv. God designed everything He created within the same six days.-c. Examples of God's incomprehensibility in His creation - the things hidden.-i. Angels. 1 Tim 1-17, Col 1-16-17, Job 38-7---ii. Hell.----4. APPLICATION--a. Every created thing and being without exception - fear God- Ps 33-8---b. Anyone who does not fear God - repent- Deut 4-15-19, 24---c. Teens and young children - have faith in God- Heb 11-3, Job 38-2-18---d. Brethren going through tough times - trust in Jesus- Jer 10-12, Rom 1-20, Col 1-16, Col 2-3, Ps 33-10-22
GOD IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE -I- - HIS NATURE--The secret things belong to the Lord our God, -but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, -that we may do all the words of this law. -Deut. 29-29---1. INTRODUCTION --a. See 1689 BCOF chapter 2 paragraphs 1 - 2.----2. ANALYSIS--a. Context of Deut 29.--b. Lessons from Deut 29-29 applied to God's nature.----3. RELEVANCE--a. God has not revealed everything about Himself to us. ---b. God cannot be known completely by us.---c. What is incomprehensibility----d. Examples of God's incomprehensibility in His nature. -i. God is uncreated. Acts 17-25-ii. God is spirit. Book of Exodus-iii. God is omnipresent. Ps 139-7-10, Amos 9-2-4, Jer 23-24, John 4-21 - 24-iv. God is infinite. Job 11-7-9, Ps 145-3-v. God is three-in-one--4. APPLICATION--a. Believers -i. Keep the right distance from God. Ps 89-6-7--ii. Keep the commandments of God. Ps 131-1-3--iii. Keep the crucified Christ before you. John 15-13, Luke 18-31-33, Rom 8-32----b. Unbelievers and those seeking salvation. -i. You do not need to know God exhaustively before you could be saved.--ii. You need to know and respond to the gospel that has been revealed for salvation.
WHY DOES THE CHURCH HATE ME---- ACKNOWLEDGE THE TIMES--- The link today----- Is the link valid----- MARK 10-21 - Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, -One thing you lack- Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven- and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.------ ANSWER THE OBJECTIONS--- I am kind, thoughtful and caring. Why am I rejected-------- I am only looking for love. Why am I not allowed to-----If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, -and take up his cross, and follow Me.-MATTHEW 16-24----Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time-houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions-and in the age to come, eternal life.-MARK 10-29-30---If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word- and My Father will love him, -and We will come to him and make Our home with him.-JOHN 14-23-- I am born like that. Why can't I be myself------Jesus answered and said to him, -Most assuredly, I say to you, -unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.--JOHN 3-3-------- I don't think the Bible condemns it. Why am I controlled by traditions-----If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, -both of them have committed an abomination. -They shall surely be put to death. -Their blood shall be upon them.-LEVITICUS 20-13----9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God-
REMEMBER GEHAZI--2 KINGS 5-20-27--INTRODUCTION--- NOTE THE CONTRAST---- NOTE THE PARALLEL----1- GEHAZI HAD TREMENDOUS PRIVILEGES-----2- GEHAZI HAD A TROUBLING PATTERN --o 2 KINGS 4-27 - Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet, but Gehazi came near to push her away. But the man of God said, -Let her alone- for her soul is in deep distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me, and has not told me.----o 2 KINGS 4-31 - Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child- but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, -The child has not awakened.----o 2 KINGS 4-43 - But his servant said, -What- Shall I set this before one hundred men-------3- GEHAZI HAD AN ISSUE WITH GOD'S GOODNESS-----CONCLUSION--- I PLEA WITH YOU- EXAMINE YOURSELF----- I COMMAND YOU- KILL IT-
'G' FOR GRACE--2 KINGS 5-1-27--For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves- -it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.-EPHSIANS 2-8-9--2 KINGS 5 has the following 5 things to tell us about GRACE - GOD'S GRACE.----1- GOD'S GRACE IS FREE---- What Naaman brought with him -verse 5--Cf. 1 KINGS 16-24---- What Elisha accepted --- verse 16.---- Why Gehazi was punished -- verse 23, 27-Cf. GALATIANS 1-9 - As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.-----2- GOD'S GRACE IS POWERFUL---- Naaman's sickness -verse 3----- The little girl's faith -verse 3----- The king's despair -verse 7----- Naaman's healing -verse 14------3- GOD'S GRACE IS HUMBLING---- Elisha's treatment of Naaman -verse 10---- Elisha's instructions to Naaman -verse 10---Note its simplicity and narrowness------4- GOD'S GRACE IS SOVEREIGN---And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, -and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.-LUKE 4-27--- Why was Naaman healed------ How did Naaman get healed---Verse 2 ---In Yahweh's providence, in this story everything hangs on this little girls, on her tragic servitude. Without her, Naaman would never have been healed. People are often brought into the kingdom of God at great cost to other people.- -Dale Ralph Davis----5- GOD'S GRACE IS TRANSFORMING---- Attitude- Verses 11-12 versus verse 15, 17-18---- Belief- Verse 15-Cf. DEUTERONOMY 6-4 - Hear, O Israel- The Lord our God, the Lord is one- ---- Worship- Verse 17----- Conscience- Verse 18
OUR HIGH AND EARTHLY GOD- 2 KINGS 4-38-44--INTRODUCTION--- Think of Elijah -- what comes to your mind---- Think of Elisha -- what comes to your mind---nameless widow with her debt problem -2 KINGS 4-1-7--woman from Shunem with her challenge of death -2 KINGS 4-8-37--nameless sons of prophets facing drought -2 KINGS 4-38-41--nameless common people encountering deficiency -2 KINGS 4-42-44- -nameless sons of prophets and their difficulties -2 KINGS 6-1-7---- Purpose of the contrast----1- Lord, here am I, send me- -ISAIAH 6-8----2- Lord, though You are on high, yet You regard the lowly- -PSALM 138-6----EPISODE ONE -2 KINGS 4-38-41---- OUR LOCATION -Verses 38, 39---DEUTERONOMY 28-38-39 - You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes- for the worms shall eat them.--GENESIS 1-29 - And God said, -See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed- to you it shall be for food.----- OUR LIFE -Verse 39----- OUR LONGING--REVELATION 21-4 - . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.---- OUR LORD-EPISODE TWO -2 KINGS 4-41-44---- Our Need For Food---- OUR NEED TO LOVE---- Love God -verse 42---DEUTERONOMY 18-4-5 - The firstfruits of your grain and your new wine and your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you shall give him. For the Lord your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in the name of the Lord, him and his sons forever.
RUNNING THE RACE FOR CHRIST --'Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' -Heb.12- 1-2- --'Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize- Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly- I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.' -1 Cor. 9-24-26- --'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' -2 Tim 4-7- ---Introduction-As a child of God you are in the race whether you like it or not.------1. Proper Dieting and Discipline.-Feeding on the word of God and good books--'Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation' -1 Peter 2-2- --'For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.' -Hebrews 5-12-14-
ALL OR NOTHING-2 KINGS 4-8-37--INTRODUCTION--- Our love for buffet where we can pick and choose---- Our desire for a God where we can mix and match----TRUTH -1- YAHWEH IS NO RESPECT OF PERSONS--- This Shunamite woman versus the nameless widow -2 KINGS 4-1-7----- Why God cares for both---'You shall do no injustice in judgment. -You shall not be partial to the poor, -Nor honor the person of the mighty. -In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.-LEVITICUS 19-15---- Will you accept, bow, love and follow this God-----TRUTH -2- YAHWEH IS THE OVERFLOWING FOUNTAIN OF ALL GOOD--- The Belgic Confession Article 1- -the overflowing fountain of all good-.---- 1 TIMOTHY 6-17 - Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.---- How can we see His goodness----- What was the purpose of his birth----- Will you accept, bow, love and follow this God--TRUTH -3- YAHWEH SO MYSTERIOUSLY INCOMPREHENSIBLE--- Belgic Confession Article 1 - We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God- and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.--- Her anguish--Verse 28 - Did I ask a son of my lord- Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me'----- Her response--Verse 23, 26--Verse 28, 30---- Can you accept, bow, love and follow this God- Will you----TRUTH -4- HE HAS THE KEYS OF DEATH--- Verses 35-37---- LUKE 7-11-17
HELP OF THE HELPLESS-2 KINGS 4-1-7--INTRODUCTION--What a friend we have in Jesus,-All our sins and griefs to bear--What a privilege to carry-Everything to God in prayer--Oh, what peace we often forfeit,-Oh, what needless pain we bear,-All because we do not carry-Everything to God in prayer-- Are we weak and heavy-laden,-Cumbered with a load of care--Precious Savior, still our refuge--Take it to the Lord in prayer.-Do thy friends despise, forsake thee--Take it to the Lord in prayer--In His arms He'll take and shield thee,-Thou wilt find a solace there.--Have we trials and temptations--Is there trouble anywhere--We should never be discouraged--Take it to the Lord in prayer.-Can we find a friend so faithful,-Who will all our sorrows share--Jesus knows our every weakness--Take it to the Lord in prayer.- Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised-Thou wilt all our burdens bear--May we ever, Lord, be bringing-All to Thee in earnest prayer.-Soon in glory bright, unclouded,-There will be no need for prayer--Rapture, praise, and endless worship-Will be our sweet portion there.--Joseph Scriven, 1855---THESE 7 VERSES SPEAK OF A LADY--- SHE IS A NAMELESS LADY--- Contrast Jehoram -2 KINGS 3---- -What shall I do for you-- vs. -What have I to do with you------- HER LIFE WAS HARD--Her late husband was a prophet--Persecuted -- 1 KINGS 19-10-Hide in caves and fed little -- 1 KINGS 18-4-Will not bow their knees to Baal -- 1 KINGS 19-18-- How would life as a prophet's wife be like--- HER LIFE BECAME HARDER--Death --Debt - -Your servant feared the LORD.- -Deprivation ---What would you do, if you were her--- --- HER FAITH REMAINED HARDY
DIFFERENT PLACES, DIFFERENT LIVES, DIFFERENT OUTCOMES-2 KINGS 3--INTRODUCTION--A sea of darkness with a tiny bright spot--- Who lives where--- What makes the difference--- Why should we bother---PAY ATTENTION FIRSTLY TO MESHA--He lived in the sea of darkness--- He seized the opportunity -verses 4-5--- He tried his best -verse 26--- He chose the drastic -verse 27---Why was he there---- JEREMIAH 48-29 - We have heard the pride of Moab -He is exceedingly proud-, of his loftiness and arrogance and pride, and of the haughtiness of his heart.---- JEREMIAH 48-42 - And Moab shall be destroyed as a people, because he exalted himself against the Lord.--Could he possibly escape---- RUTH 1-16 - Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you- for wherever you go, I will go- and wherever you lodge, I will lodge- your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.---PAY ATTENTION NEXT TO JEHORAM--He lived in the tiny bright spot--- He had the word but ----------------Verse 13-Verses 6-8----- He sought the word in trouble but ------------------Verses 9-10-Verse 12 -Verse 13 cf. verse 10.--- He had the frown of God-Verses 2-3--o Not because of his group identity, but because of his personal iniquity- --o Not just the sins you forsake, but also the sins you persist in---And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required- and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.-LUKE 12-48---PAY ATTENTION FINALLY
NO CHANGE-2 KINGS 2---INTRODUCTION--Verse 1 - And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.----- ---- NO CHANGE- HE IS STILL THE GOD OF PSALM 102-27---But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.--Cf. PSALM 102-26 --o 2 KINGS 2-8---o 2 KINGS 2-14------ NO CHANGE- HE IS STILL THE GOD OF ROMANS 5-20---But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.---o Jericho -verses 18, 19-22---Cf. JOSHUA 6-26.--Cf. 1 KINGS 16-34-----NO CHANGE- HE IS STILL THE GOD OF HEBREWS 10-31---It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.--Cf. HEBREWS 10-30, HEBREWS 12-29 --o Bethel -verses 23-24---Cf. 1 KINGS 13-29---'Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, -I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins.-I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children,- destroy your livestock, and make you few in number--and your highways shall be desolate.-LEVITICUS 26-21-22---NO CHANGE - Elijah--Verse 9-----NO CHANGE -- Elisha--Verse 9-----NO CHANGE - Jesus
ISN'T GOD VERY MEAN---If there is a place called hell, how could a God of love send people there-- ---Remark -1- I believe the Bible is the Word of God-----Remark -2- I believe the Bible talks about hell--But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca-' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool-' shall be in danger of hell fire. -MATTHEW 5-22----If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you- for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. -MATTHEW 5-29----So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.- -MATTHEW 13-49-50-----If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.- -MATTHEW 18-8-9-----Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'- -MATTHEW 25-41----What Jesus believed and taught-----So what--For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, -that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.-JOHN 3-16--TRUTH -1- GOD IS LOVE AND MORE-
IS GOD MEAN--1 KINGS 22-51-53- 2 KINGS 1-1-18--WHO WAS AHAZIAH AND WHAT DID HE DO- -1 KINGS 22-51-53-----WHAT DID GOD DO IN RESPONSE----1- HE GAVE AHAZIAH A FROWN- -2 KINGS 1-1---PROVERBS 16-7 - When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.----2- HE GAVE AHAZIAH SOME PAINS- -2 KINGS 1-2---Cf. 1 KINGS 21-27-29.----3- HE GAVE AHAZIAH A SOBER MESSAGE- -2 KINGS 1-6---Cf. JONAH----4- HE GAVE AHAZIAH AN AWFUL WARNING- -2 KINGS 1-9-12---- How should we understand this confrontation----- What was the issue at stake--2 KINGS 1-3, 6 - 16-Cf. 1 KINGS 17--- Was God harsh or merciful----- If the 3rd contingent met the same fate, who is to be blamed-----5- HE GAVE AHAZIAH A FINAL WARNING- -2 KINGS 1-16---Example of the third captain -verse 13----SO WHAT WILL YOU DO-
GIVE THANKS---Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,-And into His courts with praise.-Be thankful to Him and bless His name.-PSALM 100-4---- GIVE THANKS- IT IS COMMANDED---1 THESSALONIANS 5-16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks- for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.--Cf. EPHESIANS 5-18-20, PHILIPPIANS 4-6--Verb, active, present, imperative------ GIVE THANKS- IT IS GOOD---It is good to give thanks to the Lord,-And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.-PSALM 92-1--- Thanksgiving Gives Us Joy---4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice--5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.- 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God- 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.-PHILIPPIANS 4-4-7----- Thanksgiving Gives Us Peace----- Thanksgiving Makes Us Shine---Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.-PHILIPPIANS 2-14-15----- GIVE THANKS- IT IS MISSING---Largely missing in our life because of A. C. E.--- 'A' stands for -----------------------Bless the LORD, O my soul,-And forget not all His benefits.-PSALM 103-2 --cf. verses 3-5---How can we remember---Slow Down Keep Sabbath----Take Note Take, Eat----- 'C' stands for --------------------Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks- -for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
LAMENTATIONS 3- THE LORD IS MY PORTION--Through the LORD's mercies -plural form- we are not consumed,-Because His compassions -plural form- fail not. -They are new every morning- great is Your faithfulness. --The LORD is my portion,- says my soul, -Therefore I hope in Him-- -LAMENTATIONS 3-22-24--A PATTERN--- JOB 19-25-27 - For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth- and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me- --- HABAKKUK 3-17-19 - Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines- though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food- though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls -- yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength- He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills. --- PSALM 73-25-26 - Whom have I in heaven but You- And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail- but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. --- LAMENTATIONS 3-22-24----THE CONTEXT--- Verses 1-3- non-stop troubles and perplexities-- Verse 4- physical pain and debilitating weakness-- Verses 5-9- feeling stuck and suffocated -- Verses 10-11- being mauled by bears and lions-- Verse 12- being targeted by an archer -- Verse 14- butt of all jokes and ridicules-- Verses 15-16- deeply disappointed and badly hurt-- Verses 17-18- peace, happiness, hope and confidence all gone
WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT---- Do We Blaspheme God---- Look at the mirror--REVELATION- -16-9 - And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues- and they did not repent and give Him glory.--------REVELATION- -16-11 - They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.--------REVELATION- -16-21 - And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.---------- Look at ourselves------- Why Would We Blaspheme God---- What is blaspheme------- What says the Bible----There is no fear of God before their eyes.--ROMANS- -3-18----------------------------------------backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, -boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,----ROMANS- -1-30----------------------------------------Our life's motto- ABG---- Do We Blaspheme Jesus---Why Jesus, and only Jesus---- Jesus is God----- Jesus is sinless Man---For we all stumble in many things. -If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man,- able also to bridle the whole body.-JAMES 3-2---All bore witness to Him, -and marvelled at the gracious words -which proceeded out of His mouth -LUKE 4-22---Who committed no sin, -nor was deceit found in His mouth-1 PETER 2-22---JOHN 8-46 - Which of you convicts Me of sin------ Why would we blaspheme Jesus-----And this is the condemnation, -that the light has come into the world,- and men loved darkness rather than light, -because their deeds were evil.
LAMENTATIONS- ANOTHER BIRD'S EYE VIEW-LAMENTATIONS 4-5--REVIEW-- LAMENTATIONS IS ABOUT SUFFERINGS-- LAMENTATIONS IS ABOUT SUFFERINGS DESERVED-- LAMENTATIONS IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT OUR SUFFERING SAVIOR.---LESSONS---1- TAKE TIME TO SORROW--LAMENTATIONS 1- 22 verses-LAMENTATIONS 2- 22 verses-LAMENTATIONS 3- 66 verses-LAMENTATIONS 4- 22 verses-LAMENTATIONS 5- 22 verses -a prayer---- Why alphabetical acrostic poems----- When we get real and honest- --LAMENTATIONS 4-1-10---- What are we meant to learn from this------2- SAY 'ENOUGH' TO SORROW--- Another purpose of alphabetical acrostic poems------- Another message for you and to me----- -3- TAKE SORROW TO YOUR SAVIOR--LAMENTATIONS 5 - a prayer---I- REMEMBER US, O LORD- -Verse 1---- Allusion -EXODUS 2-23-25----- A Listing -Verses 2-18----- A Lesson-----II- RESTORE US, O LORD- -Verses 18-21---- Contrast verse 18 with verse 19.--- Content of verse 19--- Cry of verse 21--- Restore--- Renew--Cf. JEREMIAH 2-2-3----CONCLUDE--Unless You have utterly rejected us, and are very angry with us--LAMENTATIONS 5-22---Christ is the answer-
LAMENTATIONS- A BIRD'S EYE VIEW-LAMENTATIONS 1-2- -INTRODUCTION--- To cry is human, but to lament is Christian.--- Lament is the honest cry of a hurting heart wrestling with the paradox of pain and the promise of God's goodness.--- Why LAMENTATIONS---- The whole counsel of God--- A word in season--Avoid PROVERBS 25-20 -Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, and like vinegar on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.---THREE THINGS ABOUT LAMENTATIONS.---1- LAMENTATIONS IS ABOUT SUFFERINGS--o Horrific and traumatic events- LAMENTATIONS 2-20-22 ---o Painful losses and flashbacks- LAMENTATIONS 1-1-LAMENTATIONS 1-4-LAMENTATIONS 1-7- --o No lack of tears, no lack of enemies, no comfort from anyone--o No word from God--Cf. LAMENTATIONS 1-9, 11, 20 - cries to God-----He who can describe your experience is He who does understand you----2- LAMENTATIONS IS ABOUT SUFFERINGS DESERVED--o Contrast between JOB and LAMENTATIONS--o Consequence of their sins.--LAMENTATIONS 1-5, 8, 18-LAMENTATIONS 2-1-9, 17---o How is this helpful and relevant- ---- You can lament even if it is not your sin--------- You can lament even if it is your sin--------3- LAMENTATIONS IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT OUR SUFFERING SAVIOR.--o Jesus, tama na po- -Jesus, please, enough-----o Will God hear----- A purpose for the Divine silence-----o Has God heard------For the Lord will not cast off forever.-LAMENTATIONS 3-31
GENESIS 4-1-16 - WHY ARE YOU ANGRY-- -INTRODUCTION--OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ANGER---1- ANGER ----------------------------Gen 4-5 - -Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.- -NKJV---Anger --- us of our ------------------------------2- ANGER ----------------Gen 4-6-7, -Why are you angry- ... If you do well, will you not be accepted---- Why did God not accept Cain's offering---- Heb 11-4,6 -by faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain-without faith it is impossible to please Him---- Mal 1-13, -You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness-' And you sneer at it,- Says the Lord of hosts. -And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick- Thus you bring an offering- Should I accept this from your hand-- Says the Lord.---- Who was Cain angry with and why- How deceptive is sinful anger------- ----3- ANGER --------------------- --- Gen 4-7, -And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you--- Eph 4-13, -Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.--- 1 Jn 3-12, -why did he murder him- Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.- ---How destructive is sinful anger--WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT ANGER----1- ------------ TO IT--- But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. -1 Cor 11-31----I believe that many Christians live in denial about their anger. They consciously experience the flare-up of negative thoughts and emotions towards someone who has displeased them, they do not identify this as anger, especially sinful anger. They focus on the other person's wrongdoing and justify their own reaction.
GOSPEL TRANSFORMATION ---- Ephesians 2-1-10--Introduction--------1. What are we before we became a Christian- v1-3--1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. -Eph 2-1-3, ESV---4 Then the serpent said to the woman, -You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.- -Gen 3- 4-5, NKJV---5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews- concerning the law, a Pharisee- 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church- concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. -Phil 3- 5-6, NKJV---And Saul agreed completely with killing him. -Acts 8-1, NET---The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. -1 Cor 2- 14, NET-------------2. How did we actually become a Christian- v4-5, 8-9--4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you are saved- -Eph 2- 4-5, ESV---8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. -Eph 2- 8-9, ESV-
YOUR TRUTH ATTITUDE IS YOUR TRUE ATTITUDE-1 KINGS 22-1-40--The entirety of Your word is truth,-And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.-PSALM 119-160---The revealed truth concerning Ahab---- 1 KINGS 20-42 - -Then he said to him, -Thus says the LORD- 'Because you have let slip out of your hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.' ------ 1 KINGS 21-19 - -You shall speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD- -Have you murdered and also taken possession--' And you shall speak to him, saying, 'Thus says the LORD- -In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.- ' ------ 1 KINGS 22-17, 24 - -Then he said, -I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.'- . . . -Therefore look- The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.-----Will it come to pass---- Despite the apparent delay--- Despite the strange means employed--- Despite the -lucky- outcome-----So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. -And they buried the king in Samaria. -Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, -and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, -according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken.-- 1 KINGS 22-37-38 --1 KINGS 22 outlines four different attitudes to truth----1- I REJECT IT---How---By surrounding himself with false prophets - verse 6.-----By shunning the true prophet - verse 8.-----By insisting on his way - verse 29.
IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT--PSALM 10---Recall the tragedy of 1 KINGS 21 -Naboth oppressed by cruel Ahab---Naboth was killed -1 KINGS 21-14--Naboth's sons were killed -2 KINGS 9-26--Naboth's vineyard was taken away -1 KINGS 21-16---What would life be like for his surviving family members after 1 KINGS 21----If Mrs. Naboth is a member of Shalom Church, -what would you say to her and do for her----How would you love her as your neighbour and your fellow church member, -6 months, 16 months, 36 months down the road----PSALM 10 is lament.--Lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust.--Lament asks- Where are you, God--If you love me, why is this happening---Lament has four movements----1- IN MY PAIN, I TURN TO GOD---PSALM 10-12-----2- IN MY PAIN, I COMPLAIN TO GOD---PSALM 10-1--EXODUS 34-6 - The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness -hesed- and truth--- -3- IN MY PAIN, I BOLDLY ASK GOD---PSALM 10-12--PSALM 10-15--Break the arm of the wicked man- -call the evildoer to account for his wickedness -that would not otherwise be found out.-NIV-------4- IN MY PAIN, I CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD---PSALM 10-16-18----But I have trusted in Your mercy--My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.-I will sing to the Lord,-Because He has dealt bountifully with me.-PSALM 13-5-6-----WHY lament----My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me--Why are You so far from helping Me,-And from the words of My groaning--O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear--And in the night season, and am not silent.-But You are holy,-Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED, -WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO--1 KINGS 21---PSALM 11-3--WHO DESTROYED THE FOUNDATION---1- Ahab -Verses 1-6, 16-29---- As someone wholly sold to evil --- verse 20, 25-26-- As someone guilty of oppression --- verse 19--What did he do- -Verses 19---How did he go about it- -Verses 4-6---What was -probably- going inside-----2- Jezebel -Verses 7-15---Her mindset- Verse 7 --Her plan- Step -1- Proclaim a fast--Step -2- Call a religious gathering--Step -3- Put the spotlight on Naboth--Step -4- Have 2 witnesses lay charges- - -NUMEBRS 35-30, DEUTERONOMY 17-6, 19-15--Step -5- Pronounce the sentence and stone Naboth-- -EXODUS 22-28, LEVITICU 24-16---Her just end- Verse 23 ----3- Leaders of Jezreel -Verses 11-14---What did they fail to do--What's the reason for their failure--What did they do--Are they guilty or innocent--What about us--WHAT THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD DO---1- Naboth -Verse 3- ---- Faithfulness--The words he said---The reason he rejected---Cf. LEVITICUS 25-23-28, NUMBERS 36-7-9--The price he paid---Cf. 1 KINGS 21-13, 2 KINGS 9-26, 1 KINGS 21-16--The person he pointed to---The comfort he received-----2- Elijah -Verses 17-29- ---- Obedience--What he was called -verse 20----Why did he go -verses 17-19----What he was expected to do -verses 27-29------4 The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven--His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.-5 The Lord tests the righteous,-But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.-6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals--Fire and brimstone and a burning wind-Shall be the portion of their cup.
THE OPPRESSED LIBERATED--EXODUS 3-7-10 -Primary text- EXODUS 1-15 -Wider Text---INTRODUCTION--- From EXODUS 3-7-10, Israel was oppressed by- ---------------------------------------- Oppression was a common phenomenon--------------------------------------------ECCLESIASTES- -4-1- -- Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun- And look- The tears of the oppressed, but they have no comforter- On the side of their oppressors there is power, but they have no comforter.---------------------------PSALM 119-34 - Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.--1 KINGS 21 -- Ahab oppressing Naboth---ISAIAH 53-7A - He was oppressed and He was afflicted.-----1- HOW DID PHARAOH OPPRESS ISRAEL- -EXODUS 1-15---ANSWER -1- BY ENSLAVING ISRAEL---EXODUS 1-9-10-EXODUS 1-11-EXODUS 1-13-14-EXODUS 1-22---ANSWER -2- BY CONFUSING ISRAEL---EXODUS 5-6-9-EXODUS 5-20-21---ANSWER -3- BY POSSESSING ISRAEL---EXODUS 14-10-12---Why Spend Time on This----The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me-To preach the gospel to the poor--He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,-To proclaim liberty to the captives-And recovery of sight to the blind,-To set at liberty those who are oppressed--To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.--LUKE 4-18-19-----2- WHY DID PHARAOH OPPRESS ISRAEL- -EXODUS 1-15---REASON -1- BECAUSE PHARAOH VIEWED HIMSELF AS 'GREATER THAN'-----REASON -2- BECAUSE PHARAOH MADE HIMSELF THE SUN---EXODUS 9-27-28 - And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, -I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.
IS HE REALLY THE ONE WHOM YOU WORSHIP---- Can you really accept this God of scandalous grace---- Do you really believe this God of unlimited power---- Will you really bow before this God of unpopular judgment-
BACK TO KINGS- CHOSEN, CALLED, AND FAITHFUL--1 KINGS 19-19-21--BACK TO KINGS--Remember- - - KINGS--1 KINGS 1 - 16-1 KINGS 17 - 2 KINGS 13-2 KINGS 14 - 25--CHOSEN, CALLED, AND FAITHFUL---CALLED--- Who was called---'El' -God- - 'yasha' -saved- - 'God Is Salvation'--Significance----- Who called Elisha- -Verse 19----- What did God call Elisha to do- -Verse 19---2 KINGS 1-8 -ESV- - They answered him, -He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.- And he said, -It is Elijah the Tishbite.---2 KINGS 2-14 -NKJV- - 14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, -Where is the Lord God of Elijah-- And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that- and Elisha crossed over.---- How did Elisha respond to God's call---Recognising God's kingship, he gave total, unreserved submission---- Verse 20--- Verse 21--- Why are we doing this---- The call to ministry--- The call to salvation---CHOSEN--Why did God call Elisha---- Not because ---------------------------------- Not because --------------------------------2 KINGS 2-23 -NKJV- - Then he went up from there to Bethel- and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, -Go up, you baldhead- Go up, you baldhead----- But because ---------------------------------1 KINGS 19-15-16 -NKJV- - 15 The Lord said to him, -Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus- and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 You shall also anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi king over Israel- and you shall anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.
THREE PS OF RESURRECTION--1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.-3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received- that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.-1 CORINTHIANS 15-1-4 -NKJV----- THE POINT OF THE RESURRECTION--o ACTS 2-24 -NIV- - But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.--o ROMANS 6-9 -NIV- - For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again- death no longer has mastery over him.--o REVELATION 1-18 -NKJV- - I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.------ THE PREDICTION OF THE RESURRECTION--1 CORINTHIANS 15-4 - and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.--o Prophecy--ISAIAH 53-8-9 -NIV- - By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested- For he was cut off from the land of the living- for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.--ISAIAH 53-10-11a -NIV-- Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the
Jesus - Our Peace-Leviticus 3 - Leviticus 7-11-21---1. INTRODUCTION - RECAP OF LEV. 1 - 2--1- Burnt Offering - Lev. 1-Christ --bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live-- - 1 Pet. 2-24--2- Grain Offering - Lev. 2--For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.- - 2 Cor. 5-21 --The burnt offering - grain offering show us how we can draw near to God on the basis of Jesus's blood - righteousness.---2. ARE YOU AT PEACE WITH GOD---Eph. 2-2-3 'in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.'--James 4-4 - -..whoever is a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God- --John 8-24 - --we will die in our sins.---3 things we learn about peace with God from the Peace Offering---1- You DO NOT offer a -peace offering- to obtain peace with God--The peace offering is a celebration of peace, not a propitiation for peace.--3 reasons for making a -peace offering-- -Lev. 7-12, 16---a. To thank God for His ---------b. After the fulfilment of a vow -c. To thank God for His deliverance----2- To obtain peace with God, you have to approach Him in the way that He has prescribed--a. Order in which the offerings were recorded -Lev. 3-- -1- Burnt Offering, -2- Grain Offering, -3- Peace Offering, -4- Sin Offering, -5- Trespass Offering--b. Order in which the offerings were observed -Lev. 6-7- 7-37--
PSALM 142 - Song For The Lonely And Suffering--Introduction------1. David's Cry to the Lord, v. 1-2--Psalm 18-1-3, Isa 41-10-------2. David's Faith seems to Crumble, v. 3-4--Mark 14-32-34,36, Matt 26-39, Heb 4-14-16, Isa 53-10-------3. David's Confidence in God was restored, v. 5-6--Psalm 121-1-2-------4. David's Fear was Conquered, v. 7------5. Conclusion - Application--Phil 3-10, Gal 6-2, John 14-6, John 3-18-
SET APART OUR BODIES FOR GOD'S GLORY--'Nor let us commit sexual immorality,-as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.' 1 Cor 10- 8--1. INTRODUCTION --a. Preaching plans for the next 3 months.----2. ANALYSIS--a. Context--i. Food offered to idols - 1 Cor 8, 9 and 10-ii. Sexual immorality - 1 Cor 5 and 6---b. Key word- 'sexual immorality'.---c. Broadening the definition of 'sexual immorality'. Lev 20-10, Heb 13-4----3. RELEVANCE--a. Sexual immorality can be committed without physical acts. Matt 5-27-28, Matt 15-19---b. Sexual immorality is not a trivial thing in God's eyes.-i. It is a sin that offends God. Matt 15-9-10-ii. It is a sin that warrants severe punishment. Num 25, Lev 20-10-21---c. Sexual immorality is not to be trifled with because our bodies are not yet perfected by Christ. Rom 7-19-23, 1 Cor 10-12---d. Sexual immorality is not to be tasted because our bodies are the properties of the Triune God. 1 Cor 6-12-20--4. APPLICATION--a. Believers - Set our bodies apart from sexual immorality.-i. Preventive. 1 Thes 4-3-5, Job 31-1, 1 Cor 6-18--ii. Detective. Rom 6-12, Rom 13-14, Matt 5-29-30--iii. Corrective. 1 Cor 6-9-11, Ezek 18-30-31--iv. Proactive. Rom 6-13---b. Unbelievers and those seeking salvation. -i. Repent of your sins of sexual immorality and the sin of unbelief. Ezek 16-30-33--ii. Flee from the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 7
SET US APART FROM THIS WORLD--Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.-As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.-And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.-John 17-17-19---1. INTRODUCTION --a. Last sermon on Chap 1 of the 1689 Baptist Confession Of Faith.----2. ANALYSIS--a. Context - prayer of Jesus before His arrest, trial and death.--b. Key words- 'sanctify', 'your word-truth'.--c. Message of Jesus.----3. RELEVANCE--Scripture is a life-long tool that God uses to set believers apart from this world.--a. Conversion-i. Set apart from this world. 1 Cor 1-2, Jude 1, Heb 2-11--ii. Set apart from this world illustrated in Acts 26-18.--b. Course Through Life-i. Live differently from this world.--ii. Connected to other believers - Christ through His Church. Eph 2-20-22--c. Conclusion of our Life. -i. Die differently from this world.---ii. Prepare for our last days by His Word. -- When will I die- Job 14-5, Isa 45-9-10--- How will I die- Rom 14-7-8, Phil 2-8--- Final battle with death. 1 Cor 15-26, Ps 23-4, 2 Tim 4-6-8, Luke 23-43----4. APPLICATION--a. Believers - Make John 17-17-19 our constant prayers for the church. --b. Unbelievers and those seeking salvation. -i. To treat the sanctified Saviour as nothing insults God. Heb 10-29--ii. Choose salvation over damnation. John 1-29
JESUS IS NOT AN ORDINARY MAN--'And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, -Do not be afraid- I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.' Rev 1-17-18--1. INTRODUCTION --a. What does the Bible tell us about Jesus-----2. ANALYSIS--Four facts Jesus reveals about Himself---a. I am the First and the Last. Rev 22-13, Isa 44-6, Isa 43-10--b. I am He who lives and was dead.--c. I am alive forevermore.--d. I have the keys of Hades and Death.----3. RELEVANCE--The Jesus who died and resurrected is not an ordinary Man---a. As a Saviour of sinners, He died as a God-Man. 1 Tim 2-5--i. Why must Jesus be God---ii. Why must Jesus be Man- Rom 5-19---b. As a Victor over sin, He lives forever as a conqueror of death.--c. As a Judge of mankind, He seals our eternal fate. John 3-35-36, 5-22, 5-30, 2 Cor 5-10, Acts 10-42, Matt 16-27--4. APPLICATION--a. Unbelievers and seekers.-i. Believe Jesus - He is the only qualified person who can save you from your sins. Acts 4-12, Mark 10-14-15--ii. Prepare to meet Jesus - He is your Judge whom you cannot avoid meeting. John 5-24, Matt 7-23, 25-4--b. Believers. -i. We affirm our faith in Jesus - Amen---ii. We overcome our fear through Jesus' assurance. Rev 1-12-16, Exod 19-6, Isa 6-5, Ezek 1-28, Matt 25-34
THE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE--'Then He said to them, -These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.- And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.' Luke 24-44-45---1. INTRODUCTION --a. How do we understand the Scriptures-----2. ANALYSIS--a. Who - Christ, apostles and disciples.-b. What - Conversation, Christ explaining the Scriptures.-c. When - Three days after Christ died. Luke 24-1-d. Where - A certain household in Jerusalem.-e. Why - To strengthen the apostles - disciples. John 20-19-20, Luke 24-38-39----3. RELEVANCE--a. A proper interpretation of Scripture fortifies our faith.--i Who is Jesus- -- People - Matt 13-54-56, Mark 6-14-16, Matt 12-22-23-- Apostles - John 1-41,45,49, Matt 14-33, John 6-69, 11-27, Matt 20-30-- Demons - Luke 4-41-- Pharisees - Matt 12-24-- JESUS interprets - Matt 11-2-6, 16-13-20, 26-63-64---ii Is Jesus the King of Israel--- Feeding the five thousand. John 6-14-15-- Entering Jerusalem. Matt 21-9, Mark 11-10, Luke 19-38, John 12-13-- JESUS interprets - John 6-15, Matt 22-21, John 18-33-37---b. A proper interpretation of Scripture fires up our fervor.--i Hearts burned within. Luke 24-32--ii Apostles - from lambs to lions. Gen 27-24, Matt 26-73-74-- Peter - Acts 2-36, 3-13-15, 4-10, 4-29-30-- Paul - Acts 13-46, 14-3, 19-8, 20-27----4. APPLICATION--a. Believers -i. Be a good student of bible interpretation.-ii. Be on good terms with the Interpreter. 1 Cor 2-10-12, 1 Thes 5-19, Eph 4-30---b. Believers who serve and are weary.
THE PURITY OF SCRIPTURE--The words of the LORD are pure words, -Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, -Purified seven times. -Ps 12-6---1. INTRODUCTION --a. Can we trust the Scriptures-----2. ANALYSIS--a. Hebrew poetry.-i Imagery - silver.--ii Parallelism - pure silver -1st-, very pure silver -2nd-.---b. 'Pure'.-i Quality of precious metals.--ii Levitical Laws - ceremonially clean or unclean.--iii Context of Ps 12.----3. RELEVANCE--a. The quality of Scripture hinges on the character of its author.--b. Scripture is true because God is truth.-i God does not lie. Num 23-19--ii Man lies. e.g. Jacob, Peter. Gen 27-24, Matt 26-73-74--c. Scripture is precious because God is condescending.-i 'condescending'. Rom 12-6 KJV--ii God, the high and lofty one, lowers Himself. Ps 113-5-6, Isa 57-15--d. Scripture is perfect because God is infallible.-i Original manuscripts are inerrant.--ii God's perfection. Deut 32-4, Ps 18-30----4. APPLICATION--a. Believers -i Love the Word of God. Ps 119-140, John 10-27, 14-23, Col 3-16--ii Trust the Word of God. Prov 30-5-- 'LORD' - Jehovah, the God who is self-existent, eternal, immutable.--iii Feed on the Word of God. 1 Pet 2-2, Acts 17-11-12, Prov 13-4, Prov 14-3--iv Speak like the Word. John 17-8, Isa 50-4--b. Unbelievers and seekers -i The grim truth - You will die in your sins. John 8-24--ii The bright truth - Jesus is the light of life. John 8-12
THE CLARITY OF SCRIPTURE--The entrance of Your words gives light- It gives understanding to the simple. -Ps 119-130---1. INTRODUCTION --a. Only trained and ordained ministers could understand Scripture-----2. ANALYSIS--a. Hebrew poetry.--i. Imagery - light.--ii. Parallelism - two phrases in a single line related in meaning.---b. 'Simple'.--i. Ps 19-7--ii. Proverbs Pair 1 - Prov 1-4, 1-22.--iii. Proverbs Pair 2 - Prov 14-15, 14-18.--iv. Proverbs Pair 3 - Prov 22-3, 27-12.----3. RELEVANCE--a. Scripture could be understood by ordinary believers.--i The baseline in Ps 119-130.--ii The presence of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2-27 ---b. Three qualifications---i. We do not discount the rigors required to understand some parts of the Bible.--- Books hard to understand.--- Books partially hard to understand.--- Passages hard to understand. E.g. Ps 137-9, Mark 13-32, Eph 1-3-4.---ii. We do not discount the role of Bible teachers. Eph 4-11-12--- OT Example - Neh 8-5-8.--- NT Example - Acts 18-24-28.--iii. We do not discount the role of Bible scholars.----4. APPLICATION--a. Believers - reshape our attitude in learning the Bible.--i. Be diligent students of the Bible. --ii. Be ambitious students of the Bible. ---b. Preachers and teachers - communicate our teachings simply and clearly. ---c. Unbelievers and seekers --i. Ps 116-6 - Be humble. The humble finds salvation. Luke 14-11, 1 Pet 5-5-6--ii. Naaman healed. 2 Kings 5-14--iii. Jesus healed. Matt 8-2-3
THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE--and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, -which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.-All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, -and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,-that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.-2 Tim. 3-15-17--1. INTRODUCTION --a. Rom 15-4 - necessity of Scripture.--b. 2 Tim 3-16a - basis of the authority of Scripture.--c. 1 Cor 2-10-12 - belief in the authority of Scripture.----2. ANALYSIS--a. Verse 16 - a third noun 'profitable' i.e., beneficial, valuable, useful.---b. Verse 16 - the qualities of Scripture.---c. Verses 15 - 17 - the impact of Scripture.----3. RELEVANCE--a. Scripture is sufficient to be our source of doctrines. --i. Numerous biblical works taught and written.--ii. Five major categories of doctrines. Ps 119-18-- Doctrine of Scripture-- Doctrine of God-- Doctrine of Original Creation-- Doctrine of Salvation-- Doctrine of God's Revealed Will-b. Scripture is sufficient to be our shield of defence.-i. Defence against doctrinal errors within and outside the church.--ii. Defence against backsliding. 2 Sam 12-7 - 9, Titus 1-13---c. Scripture is sufficient to be our standard of devotion.-i. Ten Commandments.--ii. Instructions on 'Love' - 1 Cor 13, 1 John, the cross and covenants.--iii. Instructions on 'Prayer' - Eph 6-18, 2 Thes 1-1-12.--iv. Instructions for Daily Life - Prov 15-29, 20-7, 24-16, 29-2, 13-5, 11-18, 12-5-6, 13-35, 12-26, 28-1, 11-23, 29-7, 12-10.----4. APPLICATION--a. Believers -i. Fixed our eyes on Scripture without distraction
THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE -II---But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him- Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. -Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, -that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.-1 Cor. 2-10-12---1. INTRODUCTION --a. 2 Tim 3-16a - basis of the authority of Scripture.--b. 1 Cor 2-10-12 - belief in the authority of Scripture.----2. ANALYSIS--a. Survey of 1 Cor 1-17 to 1 Cor 2-12.--i. 'them'- v10a--ii. Wisdom of God -foolish message- -message of the cross- -gospel.---b. Emphasis on the Spirit's work. v10b -12----3. RELEVANCE--a. The gospel has been revealed to mankind. Col 1-20-22, 1 John 3-4, Rom 6-23, Gal 3-13, Col 2-13, Rom 6-4 - 9.---b. The gospel must be accepted through the Spirit of God.--i. From OT to NT - The crucified Christ.-- Betrayal - Ps 41-9-John 13-18, Zech 11-12-Matt 26-15.-- Trial - Isa 53-7-Matt 27-12-14.-- Crucifixion - Num 21-9-John 3-14-15, Ps 22-16-18-Matt 27-35.-- Passover Lamb - Exod 12-3-8-1 Cor 5-17-8.-- Death - Ps 31-5-Luke 23-46---ii. From OT to NT - The risen Christ.-- Resurrection - Hos 6-1-2-Luke 24-46.----4. APPLICATION--a. Unbelievers and Seekers --i. Believe the gospel of Christ.--ii. Believe in Christ to receive the Holy Spirit. John 7-37-39---b. Believers --i. Believe this fallen world needs the gospel of Christ.--ii. Believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1-15, 2-41, 4-4.
THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE -I--- All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. -2 Tim 3-16a----1. INTRODUCTION ---2. ANALYSIS--a. Noun - 'Scripture'.--b. Adjectives - 'All', 'Inspiration'.-i. Where did Scripture come from- 2 Pet 1-21--ii. How much of Scripture is inspired---iii. What about the 27 books of the NT--- Authority of the apostles. 1 Cor 14-37, Gal 1-11-12, 1 Cor 2-13, 2 Pet 3-15-16, 2 Pet 3-2-- Authority of the early church. John 10-27--c. Text in Context - Paul to Timothy-i. Beware of evil influencers. 2 Tim 3-1-9--ii. Follow my life. 2 Tim 3-10-14--iii. Follow the Scripture. 2 Tim 3-15-17--3. RELEVANCE--a. Scripture deserves the right to rule because it comes from God.--b. Scripture demands its right to rule us because we belong to God.--4. APPLICATION--a. Christians - Submit to the Bible.-i. Submit fully. 1 Sam 15-- Jesus before His death. John 19-28-30, Ps 22-15, Ps 69-21 --ii. Submit fully when confounded. Ps 143-1 - 8, Ps 5-11, Isa 26-3--b. Unbelievers and Seekers - Submit to the Bible.-i. Submit to its threat.--ii. Submit to its promises.
THE NECESSITY OF SCRIPTURE-- For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, -that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.-Rom 15-4---1. INTRODUCTION --a. Preaching plans for 2021.--b. Preaching plans submitted to the guidance of the Spirit. ---2. ANALYSIS--a. What- - OT Scriptures.--b. Why- - For our Learning.--c. How- - Through the Patience and Comfort of OT Scriptures.--d. So What- - Christian Hope.--e. Apply - -i. Christian Liberty. Rom 15-1-3-- Broader Christian Life. Rom 15-4--ii. Christian Unity. Rom 15-5-12-- Broader Christian Life. Rom 15-13---3. RELEVANCE--a. Scripture is the Conduit of our Christian Instruction.--b. Scripture is a Companion to us in our Christian Walk.--c. Scripture is the Cornerstone of our Christian Hope. Rom 8-20-25, Heb 9-26-28, John 14-1-3.---4. APPLICATION--a. Christians - Read your Bibles- 1 Pet 2-2--b. Seekers - Read the Bible--i. Read it to know who you are.-ii. Read it to know who Jesus is. John 5-39, Luke 24-27.
Sermon on Matthew 22-34-40----Observation 1------Observation 2------Observation 3------Application 1---You shall not murder- -NKJV--Hebrew text- -Lo Ratsach-------Application 2---You shall not steal- -NKJV--Hebrew text- -Lo Tignob--------Application 3---You shall not bear false witness against your neighbours- -NKJV-
LOOKING BACK--GENESIS 47-7-10 -NKJV--7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh- and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, -How old are you-- 9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, -The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years- few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.- 10 So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh.---GENESIS 48-15-16 -NKJV--15 And he blessed Joseph, and said- -God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads- let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac- and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.----AS JACOB LOOKED BACK, WHAT DID HE SEE----1- LOOKING BACK, JACOB SAW THAT HIS LIFE WAS ------------------------------.---GENESIS 47-9 -NKKV- - The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years.--NASB- living abroad-ESV- sojourning-NET- my travels--The Hebrew word used here depicts someone who has lived an unsettled life, temporarily residing in many different places.-----HEBREWS 11-13-16 - 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
T.G.I.C.-LUKE 2-1-20---THANK GOD IT'S HISTORY---LUKE 2-1-3-------THANK GOD FOR THIS COUPLE---LUKE 2-4-7---What the angel said to Mary- The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you- therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.---What Mary said to the angel- Behold the maidservant of the Lord- Let it be to me according to your word.------What the angel said to Joseph- Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.----What Joseph did in response- Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.--THANK GOD CHRIST CAME---LUKE 2-7 - And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.--LUKE 2-8-14 --- Verse 11 - For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.--- Verse 14 - . . . Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men------THANK GOD FOR THE SHEPHERDS---LUKE 2-8--LUKE 2-15-20--- Verse 15 - . . . Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.---Cf. Verse 16 ----- Verse 17 - Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND 1 KINGS 19--1 KINGS 18-45 - 19-18--WE KNOW---WE SEE-- --Why all these running and walking- What is the purpose----WE INSIST--- The Bible must interpret the Bible.--- The text is History -Narratives---- 2 KINGS 17-5-18 -How do our text fit in---- ROMANS 11-1-6-How would it change the way we look at and interpret many things in our text--WE LEARN-- -1- WE LEARN THAT PROOF IS NOT ENOUGH.---Why Elijah ran---NKJV- And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba.--NASB-NIV- ESV- He was afraid . . .-----2- WE LEARN THAT GOD ALWAYS PITIES HIS PEOPLE.---NUMBERS 11-14-15 - I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now-if I have found favor in Your sight-and do not let me see my wretchedness----PSALM 103 - As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame- He remembers that we are dust.-----3- WE LEARN THAT GODLINESS MEANS GOD-LIKE--Verse 10, 14-----4- WE LEARN THAT GOD WILL ACHIEVE HIS PURPOSE, QUIETLY AND EFFECTIVELY--Verses 11-14--Cf. EXODUS 19-16-18 - -Cf. MATTHEW 16-18, MATTHEW 13-----What have you learnt--What will you share--What will you do-
REMEMBER ELIJAH AND REMEMBER HOW HE PRAYED-1 KINGS 18-36-46--How some may remember Elijah-- 1 KINGS 18-46 - a running man-- 1 KINGS 18-39 - an influential man-- 1 KINGS 18-36-37 - a miracle man--How the Bible remembers Elijah--17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain- and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. -18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.-JAMES 5--REMEMBER ELIJAH AND REMEMBER HOW HE PRAYED. -How did he pray----1- HE PRAYED --------------------------------- The Mount Carmel gathering -1 KINGS 18-20-24- was a prayer meeting -verse 24---- It was a prayer meeting for rain because of the severe famine in Israel then -verse 2-.--- God Himself has promised to send rain -verse 1---- So why did Elijah pray for fire- --- What is the significance for us today- ----2- HE PRAYED ------------------------------------Verse 36 - LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel . . . --To whom do you pray-----3- HE PRAYED ---------------------------------------Verse 36 - . . . let it be known this day that You are God in Israel . . .-Verse 37 - . . . that this people may know that You are the LORD God . . .--Verse 39-- -4- HE PRAYED ---------------------------------------Verse 37 -NKJV- - Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.---Verse 37 -NIV- - . . . that you are turning their hearts back again-Verse 37 -NET- - . . . that you are winning back their allegiance--Why did he pray for -no rain- earlier- -Cf. JAMES 5-17b-c---Note the urgency in his prayer-
Psalms 57 - How To Glorify God During Trial - Uncertainty---Introduction--Life is full of Uncertainty---Jim Elliott- -He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep and to gain that which he cannot lose------Background of David's life--David has been anointed by Samuel to be king --And Samuel said to Jesse, -Are all the young men here-- Then he said, -There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.- And Samuel said to Jesse, -Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.- So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, -Arise, anoint him- for this is the one-- Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers- and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. -1 Samuel 16-11-13----------6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women sang as they danced, and said----Saul has slain his thousands,-And David his ten thousands.- -I Samuel- -18-6-7------------------------Saul's attitude towards David has changed--Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him- and he said, -They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom-- So Saul eyed David from that day forward. -1 Samuel 18-8-9----Saul tries to kill David.
WHO IS THE REAL GOD AND WHAT IS HE REALLY LIKE--1 KINGS 18-20-40--- WHO IS THE REAL GOD---o Verse 21 - And Elijah came to all the people, and said, -How long will you falter between two opinions- If the Lord is God, follow Him- but if Baal, follow him.- ---o JOSHUA 24-14-15 - -Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord- And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.---JOSHUA 24-16-18 - So the people answered and said- -Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods- for the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God.----o Mindset of Israel--o Conduct of Jezebel -1 KINGS 18-4---o Attitude of Elijah -Cf. 1 KINGS 18-21- --o Position of YAHWEH---You shall have no other gods before Me.--Hear, O Israel- The Lord our God, the Lord is one----Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts- 'I am the First and I am the Last- besides Me there is no God.'---I am the Lord, and there is no other- there is no God besides Me.
B.L.A.M.E.-1 KINGS 18-1-19--- Blame---------------- Blame---------------- Blame-shift - WHY----1- Because we are moral beings----2- Because we are fallen beings----BLAME-WORTHY- AHAB OR ELIJAH---- Verse 2 --Cf. 1 KINGS 17-1 - And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, -As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.---LUKE 4-25 - But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land---- Verse 17 - Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, -Is that you, O troubler of Israel----o Past history--JOSHUA 7-25 - And Joshua said, -Why have you troubled us- The Lord will trouble you this day.- So all Israel stoned him with stones- and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.---o Future reference--LUKE 23-2, 5 - And they began to accuse Him, saying, -We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.- . . . But they were the more fierce, saying, -He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.---ACTS 25-5 - For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.-- Verse 18 - And he answered, -I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals.--o Why did Elijah pray for no rain---o What were Ahab's sins-
COSMIC WAR, LOCAL BATTLE-1 KINGS 17-17-24--INTRODUCTION -BIBLICAL, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT---- WHO are the main human characters in this event----- WHERE did this event occur----- WHY did the Bible talk about this event---o Trilogy- Event 1 -verse 1-7- -- no rain in Israel-Event 2 -verse 8-16- -- no rain in Sidon-Event 3 -verse 17-24- -- no life in Sidon---o 1 KINGS 16-31-33--- Ahab and Jezebel--- Baal, Mot and Anat---o Overarching theme- We are in the midst of a cosmic war---REVELATION 2-3--REVELATION 6--REVELATION 12-13 - Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.--REVELATION 12-17 - And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.--EPHESIANS 6-11-12 - Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.--SO WHAT--- -1- COME SEE A VERY COMMON REACTION---Verse 18 --Cf. -Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full- For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.---Cf. -Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst----Cf. -Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing----How this Zarephath widow would reason-
EVIL TIMES, ETERNAL WORD-1 KINGS 17-1-24--Theme-- -The word of the LORD- -verses 2, 5, 8, 16 and 24--- -Elijah's words- -verses 1, 15- -- -Thus says the LORD- -verse 14----Context-- 16-30 -- 16-34 -cf. JOSHUA 6-26 - Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, -Cursed be the man before the LORD who rises up and builds this city Jericho- he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.----Focus-JAMES 5-17 - Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain- and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.--The days of Elijah were evil and his times perilous. What did Elijah do in his day and age----1- HE KNEW GOD'S WORD---18 And after all this, if you do not obey Me, -then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.-19 I will break the pride of your power--I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.-20 And your strength shall be spent in vain--for your land shall not yield its produce, -nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit.-LEVITICUS 26-18-20---16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, -and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, -17 lest the LORD's anger be aroused against you, -and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, -and the land yield no produce, -and you perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you.-DEUTERONOMY 11-16-17---My response- ------------------------------------------2- HE BELIEVED GOD'S WORD----A- HE PRAYED THE WORD---JAMES 5-17 - Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain- and it did not rain on the land for ...
Jesus, Our Righteousness -Leviticus 2---Introduction--1 Pet. 2-24 - -who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins might live-.---Leviticus 1-5 describes 5 different pictures of Jesus as our offering to God--- Burnt Offering -Lev. 1- - Grain Offering -Lev. 2--- ---- Offering -Lev. 3- - Sin Offering -Lev. 4- - -------- Offering -Lev. 5----3 Questions for Leviticus 2--1. How was the grain offering different from the other offerings---A. The Grain offering is the only offering that does not involve the slaying of an animal.--------- was the main type of food that the Jews ate in those days.--The grain offering was also known as the -meal-, -food- or -meat- offering in different translations.--The grain offering was never offered on its own. It always accompanied the morning or evening Burnt offering sacrifice - there is no approach to God except by a life laid down.---B. The Grain offering was an expression of devotion - giving the best that one can give.--The Hebrew word for the grain offering is -Minchah-.---Minchah- is a gift from an inferior to a ----------- from a ---------- to a Lord.--You are invited to approach God regardless of your material circumstances in His prescribed way.---2. What was the grain offering made of---There are --- things that MUST BE present in the grain offering.-There are --- things that MUST NEVER BE present in the grain offering.--A- ---- things that MUST NEVER BE present in the grain offering.--1- There MUST BE NO Leaven -v 11a--Leaven is a symbol of ------- or ------------.--Exo. 12-15- Mark 8-15- 1 Cor. 5-6- Gal. 5-9-2- There MUST BE NO honey -v11b--Why- --------------------------------
NO CHANGE AMIDST GREAT CHANGES-1 KINGS 15-25 - 17-1--INTRODUCTION--6 minutes, 6 kings- Nadab -2 years--Baasha -24 years- -Elah -2 years- Total about 62 years-- Zimri -7 days--Omri -12 years--Ahab -22 years---1 KINGS 14-15 - For the LORD will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water. He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have made their wooden images, provoking the LORD to anger.---WHAT DON'T CHANGE----1- OUR SINS DON'T CHANGE --- THEY ARE SUPER BORING---One constant and unchanging note- -He did evil in the sight of the LORD- -15-26, 15-34, 16-7, 16-19, 16-25, 16-30---Another constant and unchanging note- -He sinned, he made Israel sinned, he provoked God to anger- -15-30, 15-34, 16-2, 16-7, 16-13, 16-19, 16-26, 16-31-34----- Bloody violence -15-27, 15-29- --- More bloody violence -16-9-10, 16-11- --- Sinful self-determination- Elah's drunkenness -16-9- and Zimri's suicide -16-18---- Open defiance towards God -16-29-34----For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.---That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.-Do not marvel that I say to you --- you must be born again--- -2- OUR GOD DOESN'T CHANGE --- HE IS STILL REIGNING---- He is still the God of Israel -15-30, 16-26, 16-33- --- He still calls Israel -My people -16-2---- He still sees and weighs everything -cf. the phrase -evil in the sight of the LORD----- He still sends His prophet -16-1, 7-
THE REAL REASON WHY WE ARE STILL AROUND-1 KINGS 14-21 - 15-24--INTRODUCTION---Nevertheless for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, -by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem.-1 KINGS 15-4---Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,-Because His compassions fail not.-They are new every morning--Great is Your faithfulness.-LAMENTATION 3-22-23---who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, -that those who practice such things are deserving of death, -not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.-ROMANS 1-32----1- REHOBOAM- THE KING WHO WAS BAD--1 KINGS 14-22 - Now Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done.--1 KINGS 14-23-24 -1- Built high places--2- Built sacred pillars--3- Constructed wooden images everywhere--4- Had male ritual prostitutes--Abominations- Cf. LEVITICUS 18-25-27 ---I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. -If he commits iniquity, -I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.-2 SAMUEL 7-14--Shameful consequence- the loss of prosperity -verses 25-28--Painful consequence- the loss of peace -verse 30-- -2- ABIJAM- THE KING WHO WASN'T ANY BETTER--15-3 - And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him- his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.-------3- ASA- THE KING WHO WAS BETTER BUT STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH--15-11 - Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did his father David---15-14 - . . . Nevertheless Asa's heart was loyal to the LORD all his days.
CAN WE FOOL GOD- -1 KINGS 14-1-20---INTRODUCTION--We live in a world of liars and we have close affinity with lies- Why---We lie to men and we lie to God- How successful will we be----From 1 KINGS 14-1-20, we can see three truths about a liar----1- A LIAR DOESN'T REALLY BELIEVE HIS OWN LIES---1 KINGS 14-1 -- a huge crisis --1 KINGS 14-1 -- Jeroboam's response. Why- --Cf. 1 KINGS 13 -- when his hand withered--So what is the ultimate reason why we lie-----2- A LIAR IS OFTEN WISE IN HIS OWN EYES- --The elaborate scheme to deceive the prophet -verses 2-4---- What's the aim--- Who's the target--- What's so funny -and silly---- Why take this route--- What's the better way---The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy-As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.--If we confess our sins,-He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins-and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.--- -3- A LIAR WILL ONLY SUCCEED IN HARDENING HIS OWN HEART---Contrast his response in 1 KINGS 13 and 1 KINGS 14 when confronted with a crisis-Isn't lying a small sin---REVELATION 21-8 - . . . all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.--JOHN 8-44 - You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.--PSALM 58-3 - The wicked are estranged from the womb- they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
HERE COMES THE EDICT--1 KINGS 13--INTRODUCTION--- Concerning Imperial Edicts---- Concerning 1 KINGS 13--o Many intriguing twists---o Many perplexing questions---o One main theme--Verse 1, 2, 5, 9, 17, 18, 20, 26 - 32----HOW JEROBOAM RESPONDED--- Loud --------------------- -Verses 1-3----- Quiet --------------------- -Verse 33----WHAT THE MAN OF GOD DID --- Initially he --------------------- -Verses 1-2, 9---Result- Verse 4----- Subsequently he --------------------- -Verses 21-22----Result- Verse 24-WHAT THE OLD PROPHET DID--- His relationship with the Word of God--o Verse 18--o Verses 20-22---- His attitude towards the Word of God- -o Verse 11, 18--o Verses 20-22, 26, 31-32---WHAT ABOUT THE LION---- Verses 24-25---WHAT ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD---- Verse 3 cf. Verse 5--- Verses 20-22 cf. verse 31--- Verse 2 cf. 2 KINGS 23-15-16 ----ACTS 17-30-31 - 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.----2 CORINTHIANS 5-10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.---JOHN 3-16, 18 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life . . . --https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-lraDXTYs260-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-2
I GUESS IT ALL COMES DOWN TO WHERE YOUR HEART IS-1 KINGS 12-25 - 13-10--INTRODUCTION--PROVERBS 4-23 - Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.--PROVERBS 3-5-8 - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding- 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes- fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.--Structure --Part 1- 1 KINGS 12-25-33-What Jeroboam did as king of Israel-Opening bracket- verse 26 --heart---Closing bracket- verse 33 --heart----Part 2- 1 KINGS 13-1-10-What Jeroboam reaped as a result of what he sowed----WHAT'S UP WITH JEROBOAM'S HEART---- What he said- Verses 26-27---- Where he said them- Verse 26---- Why he said them- Cf. 1 KINGS 11-26-40.---- What is he actually saying------- What should he do---WHAT FLOWS FROM JEROBOAM'S HEART---PSALM 56-3 - When I am afraid, I will trust in You--1 KINGS 11-37-38 - 37So I will take you, and you shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over Israel. 38Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.----1- He built cities -verse 25- - why------2- He made calves -verses 28-30- - why--------3- He created religion -verses 31-33- - why------WHAT ENDS AWAIT JEROBOAM- --1 KINGS 13-1-10--https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-B-kAz6lS-Ac-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-4
WHILE REHOBOAM IS STUPID, YAHWEH REMAINS SOVEREIGN-1 KINGS 12-1-24--INTRODUCTION--A Sharp and Dramatic Contrast---Now when all Israel saw that the king -did not listen to them,-the people answered the king, saying---What share have we in David-- We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.- To your tents, O Israel-- Now, see to your own house, O David---So Israel departed to their tents.-1 KINGS 12-16- On the eighth day he sent the people away-- and they blessed the king, -and went to their tents -joyful and glad of heart for all the good -that the LORD had done- for His servant David, -and for Israel His people.-1 KINGS 8-66---What's the reason---Your Answer- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------OUTLINE OF THE TEXT--Verses 1-15 -- The Assembly--Verses 16-24 -- The Aftermath---- Verse 15 ---- Verse 24-----EXPOSITION OF THE TEXT--- SECTION 1- THE ASSEMBLY -verses 1-15---Venue- Shechem -GENESIS 12-6-7, 33-18-20- JOSHUA 24-32, 24-1-28---Purpose- Verse 1--Verse 4----Response- Verse 13 Cf. EXODUS 5---Why- Verses 6-11----Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, -sweetness to the soul and health to the bones-.-PROVERBS 16-24----Result- Verse 16---Explanation-----Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.-ACTS 2-23------ SECTION 2- THE AFTERMATH -verses 16-20--- -1- He sends the taxman- -Verse 20---What Rehoboam did What Yahweh did----- -2- He sends the warriors- -Verses 21-24a---What YAHWEH did, and why- Cf. 1 KINGS 11-36 --https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-Iomeu-VMIYg-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-3
DIVINE COVENANTS 101--INTRODUCTION--- I KINGS- 11-36-- I KINGS- 11-13- -- I KINGS- 9-4-7-- 2 SAMUEL 7-12-16 cf. PSALM 89-3-4---WHAT IS A COVENANT---A covenant is a --------------, --------------------- commitment between two parties whereby their commitments can be summed up in -----------------, --------------------- statements, with ------------------------ to guarantee their fulfillment.----GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM -ABRAHAMIC COVENANT---- GENESIS 12-1-3---- ABC- After-Babel-Chaos -Also- AEC- -------------- and ASC- -------------------- Four Crucial Things- ---A- CANAAN -VERSE 1---Cf. Verse 7 - I will give this land to your descendants--GENESIS 15-18-21- 17-8--EXODUS 15-17--HEBREWS 11-10-----B- CHILDREN -VERSE 2---GENESIS 22-17-- -C- CROWN -VERSE 2---GENESIS 17-6 -GENESIS 22-17 -PSALM 2-8----D- CAMPS -VERSE 3------ A UC-C feature--GENESIS 15-17-GENESIS 17-9-14----GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH ISRAEL -MOSAIC COVENANT---- EXODUS 19-4-6---- Three crucial things--- -A- THE CONTEXT OF THE MOSAIC COVENANT -VERSE 4---EXODUS 2-23-25 -----B- THE CONDITIONS OF THE MOSAIC COVENANT -VERSES 5-6----NEHEMIAH 9-8 -EXODUS 1-7 --DEUTERONOMY 30-15-20-----C- THE COMPASSION OF THE MOSAIC COVENANT.--LEVITICUS 5-16b -1 KINGS 8-33-34-GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH DAVID -DAVIDIC COVENANT---- 2 SAMUEL 7-12-16--- One crucial statement- As the -----------------------, so -------------------------------- Israel was the corporate son of God -EXODUS 4-22 - Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD- -Israel is My son, My firstborn---https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-WO6uBMl2Hso-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-4-t-0s
YOU HAVE AN ADVOCATE--ZECHARIAH 3-1-5-1 JOHN 1-5 - 2-2---Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father.-1 KINGS 11-43--Question-If Solomon turned back to the LORD God Almighty before he died, how will it be like----My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.- And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.-1 JOHN 2-1---THE JUDGE--o PSALM 9-4 - For You have maintained my right and my cause- You sat on the throne judging in righteousness--o PSALM 97-2 - Clouds and darkness surround Him- righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne--o DEUTERONOMY 32-4 - He is the Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice- righteous and upright is He--o ROMANS 2-6, 11 - . . . who -will render to each one according to his deeds- . . . For there is no partiality with God--o HABAKKUK 1-13 - You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness . . . --o ROMANS 7-12 - Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good--o ROMANS 6-23 - For the wages of sin is death . . . ----THE ACCUSER--o Story of Job -JOB 1-6-12, 2-1-5---o Story of Joshua -ZECHARIAH 3-1-5---https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-8EWzTOQQVF0-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-2
YOUR REPENTANCE- FAKE OR REAL----- -9Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. -10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted- but the sorrow of the world produces death. -11For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner- What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication-- In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.--2 CORINTHIANS 7-9-11---- Paul was speaking to --------------------------- Paul talked about two ------------------------ -verse 10----- Paul affirmed that we can -------------------------------- -verse 11---o Diligence- very eager to do the right thing---o Clearing of yourselves- speaking-doing what is right to prove your commitment to God's will and show that you are for real---o Indignation- angry with yourself because of the terrible thing you have done---o Fear- fear God and offending Him---o Vehement desire- yearn deeply for to be restored to God and to be holy like Him---o Zeal- not indifferent or apathetic, but full of fervor and devotion.---o Vindication- real commitment do see justice done and wrong rectified-PHARAOH--https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-o4eLe5N6rwY-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-4
WHEN GOD FIGHTS AGAINST YOU-1 KINGS 11-9-43--INTRODUCTION--EXODUS 14-24-25 - 24 Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians.25 And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty- and the Egyptians said, -Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.---ISAIAH 63-9-10 - 9In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them- in His love and in His pity He redeemed them- and He bore them and carried them all the days of old. 10But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit- so He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them.--PROVERBS 16-7 - When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.---OPENING BRACKET -1 KINGS 11-12-13- --Cf. verse 11--YET . . . ---1- It will not be immediate -verse 12-----2- It will not be entire -verse 13-----3- It will be truly surprising--1 KINGS 11-43 - Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.--1 KINGS 14-31 - So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. His mother's name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. Then Abijam his son reigned in his place.--1 KINGS 11-1 - But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh- women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites.-HARD, HEAVY AND HORRIFYING MIDDLE -1 KINGS 11-14-40---Instance -1- Hadad -verses 14-22---Strange similarity with Moses-
HEART FAILURE-1 KINGS 11-1-13---THE SCENE PAINTED--- Verses 7-8---- Verse 6--Cf. 1 KINGS 3-10 - The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.---- Verse 5---- Verse 4 --Cf. 1 KINGS 11-2 ---- Verses 1-3--Cf. DEUTERONOMY 13-4 - You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice- you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.---Cf. 1 KINGS 3-3 - And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.----But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin- and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.-JAMES 1-14-15----THE SHOCK EXPLORED--- Recall his spiritual education---1 KINGS 3-14 - So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.--1 KINGS 6-11-13 - Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying- -Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.----Cf. 1 KINGS 8-61 - -Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.----1 KINGS 9-6-7 - But if you or your sons at all turn from following Me...
GLEANINGS FROM JOB- OUR SUFFERING AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD-SCRIPTURE READING- JOB 1-1 - JOB 2-7--Passage outline---Verses 1-5----Verses 6-12----Verses 13-22----Verse 21----Chapter 2-1-7------Observation 1- God's government-----Observation 2- Satan's philosophy-----Observation 3- Source of Job's suffering, God's sovereignty, and glory
REPENTANCE--CHANGE YOUR MIND, TURN YOUR LIFE--1 KINGS 8-46-53--INTRODUCTION--- We make thousands of choices every day. Not all of them are major and life changing. Yet every one of them has consequences. When we have made a bad choice with terrible consequences, how wonderful to have the possibility and ability to change our mind and turn back---- One assumption made by Solomon in 1 KINGS 8-46-53----1- WHAT IS REPENTANCE---Verse 47 --Verse 48 ----2- WHAT MUST HAPPEN TO ME BEFORE REPENTANCE---Verse 47 - when they come to themselves . . . -- Literal meaning- return to their heart-- Chinese translation- ---And God often used ----------------- to bring it to pass- -Yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent . . .------3- HOW DO I KNOW IF MY REPENTANCE IS GENUINE----A- I will confess with my mouth--Verse 47 - And make supplication, saying, 'We have sinned and done wrong, we have committed wickedness'.---- -B- I will confess from my heart--Verse 48 - When they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul . . . ------4- WHAT WILL I DESIRE AS A SIGN OF TRUE REPENTANCE- ---A- I Will Desire Pardon--Verse 50 - And forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You . . .------ -B- I Will Desire Mercy--Verse 50 - . . . and grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them . . . --Cf. PSALM 106-46 - He also made them to be pitied by all those that carried them captive.--https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-nJ2-QWt7P8Y-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-2
YOUR CHOICE MATTERS --- 1 KINGS 9-10--Last Lord's Day- WHAT IS GOOD--HOW IS IT GOOD--HOW TO KEEP IT GOOD---On the eighth day he sent the people away- and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the LORD had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people.- 1 KINGS 8-66--The -good- is time-limited -one day- and event-specific -Temple dedication-.--Today- 1 KINGS 9 - 10-The -good- is across-events, nation-wide and decades-long--It all had to do with one man- Solomon the king of Israel.-As the king, so the people----MANY GOOD YEARS WITH SOLOMON--1 KINGS 11-42 - And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.---1 KINGS 2-46 - . . . Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.---1 KINGS 4-25 - And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.---1 KINGS 8-66---Portrait -1-- Solomon the architect--9-10 -- The Temple and the palace.--9-15, 17-19 -- Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer, Lower Beth Horon, Baalath, Tadmor, storage cities, cities for his chariots, cities for his cavalry, and whatever he desired to build--Portrait -2-- Solomon the trader--9-26 - King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.---10-14-29 --All King Solomon's drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.
OCCUPY YOUR HOUSE, O LORD- -III- ----- 1 KINGS 8- 54-66--SCENE 4- IT IS GOOD, LORD- -VERSES 54-66-------------------------------------Verse 66 - On the eighth day he sent the people away- and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the LORD had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people.-- Connection between -i-, -ii- - -iii---i- Joy on the faces ---ii- Gladness -good- in their heart---iii- Experience of His goodness---Is it wishful thinking to long for -good----- -1- WHAT IS GOOD---PSALM 34-8 - Oh taste and see that the LORD is good- blessed is the man who trusts in Him---PSALM 119-68 - You are good, and do good- teach me Your statutes.--GENESIS 1-31 - Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.--JAMES 1-17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.--PSALM 84-11 - For the LORD God is a sun and shield- the LORD will give grace and glory- no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.--PSALM 14-1 - The fool has said in his heart, -There is no God.- They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, there is none who does good.-EXODUS 3-8 - So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey . . . --NUMBERS 14-7 --https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-XD-5PsFqew4-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-4-t-0s
Is Christ your Treasure- --Theme- Regeneration- What It Means To Be A Disciple Of Christ--2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation- 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so- 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews- concerning the law, a Pharisee- 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church- concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. -7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.--Philippians 3-2-8--Introduction------Philippians 3- 2--Paul warns of the Judaizers who want to add to the Gospel.-----Philippians 3- 3-4--Paul has every reason to have -confidence in the flesh.-----Paul has several -treasures of the flesh- to boast about, if he had wanted to.------Excursus- Bible's teaching on -treasures---'-Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal- but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' Matthew 6- 19-21--https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-AYGLU903Cvo-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-3
RACE AND GRACE---- Racism- An explicit or implicit feeling or belief or practice that values one race over other races, or devalues one race beneath others.----- Racial prejudice- You devalue me because of my skin colour, and you don't hate, renounce and seek to eliminate that racist attitude and action of yours- ----- Racist- I feel in my heart and show by my actions prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism towards you simply because of your skin colour, or because I believe my race is superior to yours.-----MIRIAM'S RACISM -NUMBERS 12---o Miriam and Aaron objected to the wedding. Why- --Verse 1----o Miriam's racism is wrong. Why- --- Verse 11---- Verse 10---- Both Miriam and Mrs. Moses were made in God's image.--GENESIS 1-27 - So God created man in His own image- in the image of God He created him- male and female He created them.----- Both Miriam and Mrs. Moses shared the same human ancestors.-- ----- Both Miriam and Mrs. Moses were sinners corrupted by the fall. --ROMANS 3-23 - All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.------- Both partiality and hatred are detestable in God's sight.--1 JOHN 3-15 - Whoever hates his brother is a murderer . . . ----JAMES 2-1 - My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.----JAMES 2-8-9 - If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, -You shall love your neighbour as yourself,- you do well- but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ----- God loved both of them as His worshippers. --Is it inter-racial marriage or inter-religious marriage----GALATIANS 3-28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek...
OCCUPY YOUR HOUSE, O LORD- -II- --- 1 KINGS 8--Scripture Read- 1 KINGS 8-14-53--SCENE 2 - THANK YOU, LORD- -VERSES 14-21---- WHAT- --Solomon standing and speaking- -Blessed be the LORD God of Israel---PSALM 100-4 - Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.---1 THESSALONIANS 5-16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks- for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.-- -- WHY---o He speaks -verse 15---o He acts -verse 15, 16---o He fulfils -verse 20--- -- SO WHAT- ----SCENE 3 - HEAR US, LORD- -VERSES 22-53---- WHO was praying---Cf. ROMANS 8-34 - HEBREWS 7-25---- WHERE was Solomon when he prayed---Verse 22 --Cf. verse 54 - And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.-REVELATION 6-9-10 --HEBREWS 13-10,----- HOW did Solomon pray---o By praising -verses 23-24---He is utterly ---------------------------Cf. EXODUS 15-11, 1 SAMUEL 2-2, 2 SAMUEL 7-22.--Specifically in this area- -------------------------------------------------------------o By pleading -verses 25-26------- FOR WHAT things did Solomon pray---Verses 31-53---How to understand the SEVEN scenarios----What was one main thing highlighted -verse 30, 34, 36, 39, 50-, and why------- WHY did Solomon pray in this way---Verse 36, 40, 43--Cf. 1 KINGS 9-3----- SO WHAT-
OCCUPY YOUR HOUSE, O LORD- -I--1 KINGS 8--Scripture Read- 1 KINGS 8-1-13--INTRODUCTION--- Solomon has finished building the Temple in the 11th year and on the 8th month -1 KINGS 6-38---- Solomon dedicated the Temple eleven months later, on the 7th month of the following year -1 KINGS 8-2---- 1 KINGS 8 divided into 4 scenes- SCENE 1 -- COME IN, LORD-- SCENE 2 -- THANK YOU, LORD-- SCENE 3 -- HEAR US, LORD- - SCENE 4 -- IT IS GOOD, LORD----SCENE 1 - COME IN, LORD---- WHAT do you see------ WHO are they------ WHY this huge assembly- ----- WHY did King Solomon summon all Israel together- -WHAT is his purpose-------- WHY call such a huge gathering just to bring a small item -the ark- to the Temple---What is the Temple-----What does the Ark symbolize--- HOW was it done---Priests and Levites -cf. DEUTERONMY 10-8, 1 CHRONICLES 15-2-----Solomon and the Israelites----Application to us today -Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. -HEBREWS 13-15-16----Sacrifice-------- HOW does this scene end------- SO WHAT- -WHY devote 13 verses to depict this scene-------CONCLUSION--Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, -I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, -that My name might be there- -but I chose David to be over My people Israel.-1 KINGS 8-16----SO WHAT MUST I DO----A Brief History of The Ark of the Covenant--In EXODUS 25-10-22, God instructed Moses to build The Ark of the Covenant...
Psalm 46 - A Christian Guide for Hope and Comfort--1- Introduction-----2- Background to the Psalm--This psalm is written as praise to God for His deliverance. It could be after--a- Jehoshaphat fought against the people Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir in 2 Chron. 20-b- The war King Hezekiah was preparing Jerusalem for an impending siege by the Assyrians led by Sennacherib, -2 Chron. 32, 2 Kings 18-19------3- God is our powerful protector, so trust in Him to deliver you-----4- God's presence is with His people, so draw near to Him------5- God is a mighty Warrior and King, so bow down and worship Him.------6- Conclusion--a- Let us be still and know that He is God. -----b- Let us be still and know that our Saviour Jesus is the mighty King and Warrior who has already gained the victory over sin and death.------c- Let us be still and appreciate this Jesus who is the King who left the throne of heaven to save sinner like you and me. ------d- Let us be still - thank Jesus, and be more appreciative of Him by doing His will.------e- Let us be still, bow down and worship this Jesus more passionately.
HEARTS OF DEVOTION - GOD DEMANDS TOTAL DEVOTION FROM US--You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, -with all your soul, and with all your strength.-Deut. 6-5---------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION --A plaque I bought with Deut. 6-5 inscribed on it.--2. SURVEY OF OUR TEXT--a. Deuteronomy-i. Emphasis. Deut. 6-5, Deut. 10-12, 30-6-ii. Occasion. Deut. 1-1 -b. Jesus. -i. Validity extended. Matt. 22-37, Mark 12-30, Luke 10-27.-ii. Priority re-affirmed. Mark 12-29-30--Jesus answered him, -The first of all the commandments is- 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.--3. THE OBJECT OF OUR LOVE --a. Love God exclusively.-i. Love no other gods. Deut. 6-4, Isa. 46-9.-ii. Love not the world. Jas. 4-4-5--b. Love God comparatively more than these.-i. Our own lives. Eph. 5-29.-ii. People in our lives. Mark 12-31.--4. THE EXPRESSION OF OUR LOVE--a. Love Jesus - Love God. John 8-42, John 5-42, John 14-15.-b. Love Man - Love God. 1 Jn. 4-21, Mark 12-31, Matt. 5-44.- -----------Practical Obedience to God's Commandments. --c. Deut. 6 comes after the review of the Ten Commandments in Deut. 5. See also Deut. 11-1 and 1 Jn. 5-3.-5. THE INTENSITY OF OUR LOVE --a. Total devotion to God energized from within our inner Man.-i. With all our heart - heart-felt love.-- With all our desires. Ps. 73-25-- With all our understanding. Ps. 119-34-- With all our minds. Ps. 139-17-18--https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-fhLu5y44t9M-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-3
HEARTS OF STONE - GOD DEALS WITH HARDENED HEARTS-- Happy is the man who is always reverent,- But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.-Prov 28-14---------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION --Recollections of my time working in a disused quarry site. ---2. CHARACTERISTICS OF A HARDENED HEART --a. A hardened heart is likened to a stone. Ezek. 36-26-b. A hardened heart is hard to break. It does not fear God. Eph. 4-18-19-c. A hardened heart is hard to penetrate. It does not believe God's Word. -Zech 7-12, Mark 3-5.-d. A hardened heart is hard to move. It does not turn to God. Exod. 32-9, 2 Chron. 36-12-13.---3. DANGERS OF A HARDENED HEART--a. God Chooses To Harden Himself Against The Hardened -i. Pharaoh before the exodus. Exod. 9-34, 14-17, 1 Sam. 6-6.-ii. Israel in the exodus. Ps. 81-11-12-iii. Judah before exile. Isa. 63-17, Acts 7-42.-iv. What about us- Rom. 1-24, 26, 28.-God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts.-God gave them up to vile passions.-God gave them over to a debased mind.--b. God Is Angry With The Hardened and He Punishes Them-i. Pharaoh before the exodus. Exod. 14-28-ii. Israel in the exodus - Ps. 95-10-11, Num. 14-29-30.-iii. Judah before exile - 2 Chron. 36-16 -iv. What about us- Rom. 2-5-9 -But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who -will render to each one according to his deeds-- eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality- but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth,
HEARTS FOR GOD'S WORD - -KEEPING THE WORD OF GOD IN TIMES OF TRIALS-- I delight to do Your will, O my God,- And Your law is within my heart.--Psalm 40-8-------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION --a. Knowing the background of hymns is beneficial.-b. Examples--i. Now Thank We All Our God - Pastor Wei's sharing at the prayer meeting.-ii. It is Well With My Soul.---2. SURVEY OF THE TEXT--a. Context of Psalm 40--i. David is going through a rough patch in his life. v 2 - -horrible pit-, -miry clay--ii. David's external problems. -- v 12a - -innumerable evils have surrounded me-.-- v 14 - 15 - -who seek to destroy my life-, -wish me evil-, -mocked me-.-iii. David's inner struggle. v12-- v 12b - heart laden with sin. -iniquities-more than the hairs of my head --- v 12c - heart weakened by problems in and out. -my heart fails me-.--b. Limitations of the sermon--i. Confine the doctrines learnt on the Word of God to the text only.-ii. Restrict the applications to seasons of trials only.- --3. DIRECT OUR HEARTS TO OBEY GOD IN TIMES OF TRIALS---I delight to do Your will, O my God---Flesh cries - Too hard to follow God- - BUT Spirit of God cries - Fight hard to obey God---a. Obedience to God amid our trials is an evidence of a Spirit-led life--i. From the life of David - further example in Ps. 44- 18, 20-21.-ii. From the apostles' writings - Paul in 2 Cor. 12- 10, Peter in 1 Pet. 4- 19.-iii. From the life of Jesus - Matt. 4- 1-11, John 4- 34, 6- 38.-b. Obedience to God amid our trials has the following benefits--i. Prevents spiritual depression. Ps. 40-12, Heb. 12-1.-ii. Promotes sanctification. Jas. 1-3-4, 2 Cor. 4-17, --Use our trials to perfect us
HEARTS OF WORSHIP ---GOD PRIZES WORSHIP OFFERED FROM OUR HEARTS----Therefore the LORD said----Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths-- And honor Me with their lips,-- But have removed their hearts far from Me,--And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.--Isa. 29-13-------------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION----A book called -Heart Work-.----2. SURVEY OF THE TEXT----a. The worship of Judah is unacceptable to God---i. Problem 1 - Corrupted worship.--ii. Problem 2 - Lip service worship.----b. Limitations of the sermon---i. Confine the doctrines learnt on worship to the text only.--ii. Restrict the applications to the corporate worship only.----3. WORSHIP GOD ARIGHT BECAUSE HE SEES OUR WORSHIP-----Therefore the LORD said-----a. God has been very particular with how He is to be worshipped since Adam's days. Gen. 4-3-5 - Cain and Abel.----b. God is impartial when He assesses our worship.--i. Saul. 1 Sam. 13-9, 13-14 Herod. Mark 8-15--ii. Priests. Mal. 1-8, Pharisees. Mark 8-15--iii. People. Isa. 1-11, 16-17 Rich and Poor. Luke 21-1-4----Take great care to prepare ourselves before we worship God on the Lord's Day-----4. WORSHIP IS TO BE GUIDED BY HIS TRUTH-----And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men-----a. We are not left in the dark concerning who He is - why we must worship God.--i. God has no equals. Ps. 86-8-10.--ii. God is the author of our life. Ps. 95-6, Matt. 4-10.--iii. God is the author of our salvation. 1 Pet. 2-4-5----b. We must choose His revealed truth to guide us in the proper worship of God.--i. Do not offer our stubborn disobedience to Him. Jer. 6-19-20, 14-12-14.
HEART OF REPENTANCE - -REPENTANCE WITH DEEP SORROW---Now, therefore,- says the LORD, -Turn to Me with all your heart,-With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.--So rend your heart, and not your garments- Return to the LORD your God,-For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness--And He relents from doing harm.-Joel 2-12-13-------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION --A young man cut my queue and said -sorry-.---2. SURVEY OF THE TEXT--a. Historical survey of this prophecy--i. Who - prophet Joel to Judah.-ii. What - God urges Judah to repent from their sin of idolatry.-iii. When - Around 830 BC, during the reign of King Joash. 2 Chron. 24-19-iv. Where - Land of Judah.-v. Why - A time of devastating judgement is coming. Joel 2-1-11--b. Repentance is relevant to everyone.---3. REPENTANCE IS THE RIGHT RESPONSE FOR OUR SINS--a. Knowing that we have offended God by our sins but refusing to repent. -b. Knowing what our sins are but refusing to repent. Jer. 17-1-c. Knowing that God has graciously given you time to repent. v.13-i. The flood in Noah's days.-ii. Israel's conquest by the Assyrians.-iii. Judah's conquest and exile by the Babylonians.-iv. The city of Nineveh in Jonah's days.--'The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah- and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.' Matt. 12-41--Do not waste God's lifeline to you--4. REPENTANCE FOR SIN MUST BE GOD-CENTERED--a. Repentance must be directed towards God. -Turn to Me-, -Return to the LORD-.-b. David's God-centered repentance in Ps. 51.-i. 51-1 - -Have mercy upon me, O God-.-ii. 51-4 - -Agai
HEART OF PURITY - -GOD WANTS US TO BE PURE IN HEART IN HIS PRESENCE-- Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD-- Or who may stand in His holy place--He who has clean hands and a pure heart,- Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,- Nor sworn deceitfully.-Ps. 24-3-4--1. INTRODUCTION --Clean environments in a food factory or a semiconductor production floor.--2. SURVEY OF THE TEXT--a. Survey the whole of Ps. 24.-i. Author - David.-ii. Occasion - David brought the ark of God to the tabernacle in Jerusalem. --b. Survey of the ark of God in the life of Israel from the days of Moses to the days of David.--3. IMPLICATIONS TO THE LIFE OF ISRAEL--a. Condescension of God - God owns the whole earth but condescends to dwell with Israel in a tent.-b. Communion with God -i. God's appointed way of approach for Israel. -- The right place - tabernacle erected by God.-- The right person - high priest and priests appointed by God.-- The right procedure - offer sacrifices prescribed by God.-ii. God's demand on worshipper - purity of life and purity of heart.--4. THE BRIDGE FROM PSALM 24 TO OUR TIMES--Ps. 24- 7-10 - The Lord Almighty Isa. 9- 6-7 - A Mighty King-Ps. 24- 3-4 - Purity in God's presence Zech. 13-9 - A Refiner and Purifier-Ps. 24 - Tabernacle of David for Israel Amos 9-11-12, Acts 15-15-16 - Tabernacle of David rebuilt for Israel and the Gentiles--JESUS CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH--5. APPLICATIONS FOR OUR TIMES--a. Application to those seeking for God.-i. Searching for God- LOOK FOR JESUS--- Christ, the temple of God. John 2-19-21, 14-9.-- Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. Matt. 1-23-- Christ, the ascended King in heaven. Acts 1-11- -ii. Get near to God- LOOK
HEART OPERATION - GOD GIVES US NEW HEARTS--Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean- -I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. -I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you- -I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. -I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, -and you will keep My judgments and do them.-Ezekiel 36-25-27----1. INTRODUCTION --A heart operation in 2010. ---2. SURVEY OF THE TEXT--a. Historical survey of this prophesy-- i. Who - prophet Ezekiel to Judah.- ii. What - God forgives Judah, Judah will undergo a major heart change towards God.- iii. When - Around year 12 into Judah's exile, around 586 BC. Ezek. 33-21- iv. Where - In the land of Babylon by the River Chebar. Ezek. 1-2- v. Why - God is jealous for His own Name. Ezek. 36-22-23---3. DOCTRINES INFERRED--a. God is the only one who can help Man - -I will-. --b. God will give Man a new heart because his infected heart is beyond repair.---4. DOCTRINES APPLIED--a. Fulfillment of prophecy- i. Partial fulfillment of this prophesy under the reign of the Persian Empire.- 516 BC - Restoring the temple in Jerusalem. Ezra 3-2-6, 3-10-11, 6-15-22.- 458 BC - Ministry under Ezra. Ezra 9-10- 445 BC - Ministry under Nehemiah. Neh. 8-10--- ii. Final fulfillment of this prophesy under the reign of the ascended Christ.- AD 33 - Ministry of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit. - John 4-5-7, Acts 2-17-18 - 33, Titus 3-5-6. Rom. 8-9 - 11.--b. To the non-Christians - Be born again by the Spirit- Prov. 1-7, Luke 11-11-13.--c. To the Christians - Live by the Spirit-