South City Reformed Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
South City Reformed Baptist Church
The Storm at Sea | Acts 27:1-44 The Lord Jesus, when He was on earth, on a number of occasions, taught His disciples not let their hearts be troubled. (Matthew 6:25, John 14:1, 27)God clearly wants us to be a people who have peace even when the storm rages about us and everyone else is panicking.We need to learn from Paul's posture in this story, how he handled troubles well.----------------------------------------------------------------------How to be at rest amidst the raging storm? How did Paul show his faithfulness in the face of danger?I. Seriousness of the storm- It is worth noticing how many details we are given in this account and the degree of passion with which they are presented.- Note the major problems of this journey—starting at the worst time of the year and also note how the journey took a lot longer, extending into winter.- Paul warned of the danger but they did not heed him.- The met with chaos and felt so nervous that they could not eat.- After days of putting all their skills to use, all hope of being saved was abandoned.I I. Paul’s Source of Peace- Paul urged them to take heart for there would be no loss of lives.(a) He knew his God was with him - an angel appeared to him and gave him a message, but there was nothing told him that he didn't already know. He knew his God is for him and with him and that God intends good for him. We also need to know and believe and apply this knowledge. We must practice our faith all the more in times of uncertainty.(b) He knew to whom he belonged - Paul knew there was a God over all these things, who had special interest in him and had responsibility for him. God owned him and was protective of him. If we think and believe it of our earthly parents who fail, all the more we should of our Heavenly Father who is perfect, who has never once failed to rescue His Bride, His people, His church. Trusting your God as your Father doesn't mean that we will not go through storms. It just means that it will all work out for our good in the end. Trusting in God doesn't mean that we do nothing to help ourselves. When He ordains an end, He also ordains means. Both will not be thwarted.(c) He knew whom he is serving - He knew no storm was going to take him out until he had finished every part of God's plan. John Bycroft often wonders why he still continues to be alive. It is obvious that he still has things to learn, prayers to pray, and encouragements to give, even like he encouraged South City last week. And the Lord will call Him home, just as He will call us, when our purpose is done.III God’s Peace on Display- God made a promise to Paul and to the unbelievers who were with him to spare their lives.- This was not because of their great skills but because Paul was in the boat with them.- This is an analogy of how salvation works: The only reason we are saved is because Jesus is with us.Is Jesus Christ in your boat with you? If He is, then that is why you are saved and will be saved. If not, accept the salvation offered you in Christ, to turn from your sin and unto God.
Glory to Him Who Loves Us(Rev. 1:4-8)Ps. Andre BayThank God for this day of your church's 10th anniversary!Couple of questions...What makes you come back week after week to worship the Lord Jesus? This question can only be answered when we know what worship and church really are.How does the Bible describe a church? A body...the Bride...citizens of a kingdom...Now we go to the Book of Revelation where Jesus sent His message to the seven churches of Asia, through John.As a soldier whose goal is to be steadfast and to annihilate the enemy, so are we. We wage war, not with swords, missiles or guns, but with righteousness and truth. We eventually receive a reward - a crown - which we will constantly lay down before our Lord Jesus because we know that it is He who has won this battle.This is not a kingdom that comes to an end, rather one that will last for eternity. We are subjects of an Eternal King.Important truths about our battalion:I. What you have in Jesus (v. 4)- We have GRACE and PEACE from the almighty, eternal Father.- It is a greeting from the Spirit - we have the Father, and the Spirit! (Isaiah 11:2).- A greeting, also, from the Word incarnate, Jesus Christ -- (a) the Prophet/Faithful Witness, (b) the First Born of the dead/High Priest, (c) the Sovereign Ruler.- This is Who we worship!II. Who you are in Jesus (v. 5-6)- We are loved by an immutable God -- from eternity past up to this day!- We are freed from the slavery of sin and the condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1).- He made us a kingdom and priests/mediators of God (1 Peter 2:5, 9-10).III. What we can look forward to in Jesus (v. 7-8)- As we worship the Lord, let us know that He is the King who is coming back!- He will appear on the clouds and the whole world will know and bow down before Him.- He is the pierced King (the slain Lamb) who will return.Are we looking forward to this, brethren?Today, know that we are loved in Christ and that we have hope and a message to proclaim until He comes back.Glory to Him who loves us!
Destined for Glory (1 Peter 1:1-5)Many people have a low or even faulty view of salvation, often centered on their needs. However, Reformed people, believe that salvation is planned by God from eternity past for His glory! - God has absolute sovereignty over salvation- It is a Trinitarian work- It points us to the Doctrines of GraceTime and again, believers face persecution and tribulation. How do we encourage them in the Lord? What Peter did with early believers was to remind them of their salvation. I. The origin of salvation- The doctrine of election is found in verse 1- We should approach this doctrine with all humility admitting that we don't know everything about it- Election took place before the foundation of the world (from eternity past)- Election is according to the foreknowledge of the Father (the Reformed view is that God "knew" His elect in an intimate way since the foundation of the world. His "foreknowledge" refers to God's predetermination and not to God's reactions to what He sees when He looks down the corridors of time.- How do you know that you're one of the elect? Verse 2 says it clearly when it refers to the "sanctification" (a set apart life) of the elect.II. The experience of salvation- Those whom the Father elected are saved in time- verse 3 says, "it is God who caused them to be born again" (monergistic salvation).III. The hope of salvation- ". . . born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."- The resurrection is the assurance of our hope - Christ Himself, our eternal inheritance - God also preserves us for this inheritance (presevervation/perseverance of saints)- Believers are kept through faith - ours is a living and saving faithBrethren, one day, we will be raised to a perfect life - with perfect love, joy and fellowship with God.Do you have this hope in you? Turn to God, repent and receive eternal life - a life destined for glory!
Paul Before Festus And Agrippa Acts 25-26- We are deep within the last portion of Acts focusing on the life of Paul and on his trial.- There is so much to learn from his example, going though trials yet keeping his eyes on Christ.- There are many things that Paul could be worried about during this phase in his life, but he only had one concern, which was Christ and His gospel - The most important questions anybody could ever ask are (i) Who is Christ? & (ii) Do you know Him? Anything and everything else is insignificant in comparison.- We will see how well Paul brings these two questions to bear while forcefully, clearly and powerfully presenting the gospel before the king and the governor.- The last encounter with Felix seemed to have gone well however he still didn't release Paul.- Paul was held in the prison for two years.- This duration of time must have been very frustrating, yet Paul trusted in the Lord's timing.- Festus made Paul an offer to go back to Jerusalem for a trial.- Paul was aware of the situation that he was in, yet he committed himself to more years in prison and for the gospel.- We then go to Paul's defense before Agrippa who was the grandson of Herod the Great, who was with Bernice, his sister, lover and aunt.- We see here the great depravity of these people and we are reminded of this irony --- how such sinful men are judges of the righteous. This shouldn't be and will not last forever.- Paul shares the testimony of his conversion with forceful urgency and tender compassion (the same way that Jesus had spoken to him).- The Lord Jesus calls with urgency yet tenderly and with love because it is a life-and-death matter that we hear the gospel. - "It is hard for you to kick against the goads" - Paul said this to press upon Agrippa and Festus that we are all causing suffering to ourselves when we try to get away from something that's actually good for us.- This call for Paul is the same call with which the Lord calls you. Why do you resist?- Imagine you can have God in your life - to be forgiven of all your sin, to have Him as your Father.- Festus' response was not unexpected but the sadder response was that of Agrippa - who seemed to have had a sense that what Paul was saying was true but fell short of coming to Christ.- To be almost a Christian is to not be a Christian at all.It's doesn't matter if you're almost forgiven if you're not forgiven at all.Who is Jesus? Do you know Him? You must deal with these questions.
The Tragic Case of Felix | Acts 24:1-27- Tragic stories like Job's, the nation of Israel, the evil kings of old, always come to mind when talking about the greatest tragedies in history- However, most of them resulted in repentance and salvation- The true tragedies of Scriptures are those that started in ease and prosperity and lead to damnation (e.g. Judas, king Herod, the Pharaoh, king Saul, king Ahaz, etc)- Now, we come to another tragic story -- the story of Felix, who heard the Gospel message from Paul, but remained unconverted- This may be the greatest tragedy in the book of Acts- Let us be well warned by his case. Let's not be satisfied with being so close to the kingdom of God but that we are IN the kingdom of God!Outline: I. The Jewish Case Against Paul- The Jews (accusers) came prepared, scheming, saying hypocritical things to the Roman governor Felix.- The grave accusations they gave: He was stirring up riots . . . He was a leader of a sect . . . He was profaning the temple.- (Pastor Ian discussed in passing about the missing verse 7 in ESV. KJV/NKJV translations have them. So, are the conspiracy theories true about our Bible being not credible? No, textual variances are actually very normal and an innocent part of transmission of the text.)II. Paul's Defence- The accusations were well refuted by Paul in verse 11-16.- He took the opportunity to tell them that the Way he was preaching was backed by the Law and the Prophets, and instead accused them of being sectarian.- The Bible is more concerned about being spiritual Jews than about being ethnic Jews.- The true spiritual Israel are those who believe in Christ.III. Felix's Response - Felix was alarmed by these things.- Paul must have been thrilled at the possibility of him being convicted.- However, Felix's conviction did not lead him to repentance.- Conviction doesn't mean conversion.- We may be sorry for our sins and fearful of the consequences of it and yet remain uncoverted and unsaved (2 Cor. 7:10).Felix had an opportunity to hear the message of salvation directly from the lips of Paul. For God to give us the message of salvation that we might be saved is of His grace and a tremendous gift. Yet many people waste the opportunity.We too have been presented the Way of salvation. What will our story be - a tragedy or glory?
Do all for the glory of God | Esther 9&10Last time, we saw that king Ahasuerus gave Esther and Mordecai the permission to draft an edict that would effectively cancel the effects of the previous edict. Mordecai’s new edict was sealed and sent out to the 127 provinces of the empire. The new edict prescribed a measure-for-measure retaliation. It was not merely self-defence, but neither was it a license for indiscriminate slaughter.Today, we will look at Chapters 9 and 10 under three headings.1. Engaging in Holy war with the enemy (Esther 9:1-19)The war—of the Jews with the enemies of the Jews—on the 13th day of Adar was a strange war because neither side was illegal. Both sides had the law of Persia on their side and had the authority to kill the other group. The Jews were not the aggressors. They had not initiated the war. They were threatened with annihilation, and they were acting in self-defence.Haman may have been the supreme enemy, but he wasn’t the only one. For evil to flourish there must also be people who are open to its destructive charms. The task is to challenge those seduced by it and break its charms through the gospel.On that day, the Jews gained mastery over their enemies. Instead of joyful celebration of the deliverance, we encounter the bitterness of judgment. Have Esther and Mordecai become tyrants in their own right? Has absolute power corrupted absolutely?When Ahaseurus hears about the death toll, he invites Esther to make one more request. She asks the king for one more day for the Jews to carry out the edict. She wants more bloodshed. She wants to hang the bodies of the sons of Haman. We may find Esther’s request morally troubling and unbecoming of a woman. Many bible scholars conclude that Esther is carrying on holy war. The author says three times that the Jews “did not lay their hands on the plunder (Vs.10,15,16) even though Mordecai’s edict permitted it. The spectacular victory at Jericho was followed by the humiliating defeat at Ai because of Achan’s sin. Similarly, Saul was disqualified as Israel’s king because he spared King Agag and plundered the best of the enemy’s possessions.Haman the Agagite was in fact a descendant of Agag, and Esther and Mordecai have unfinished business against him. So, when Esther asks for a second day to chase down those who sided with Haman the Agagite in the lower city of Susa, she is not asking out of blood lust or venom; she is asking for permission to do what Saul failed to see through to the end. Moreover the 300 remaining aggressors in Susa would have remained a threat. Even the gruesome act of publicly displaying the bodies of Haman’s sons was part of ancient warfare. (Josh 8:29; 10:26; 1 Sam 31:1-13).For us living under the new covenant, the coming of Jesus has changed everything. We may not fight physical battles with our enemies; but our spiritual battles are just as real; our struggle is not against flesh and blood . . . (Eph 6:12) . . . The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds . . . (2 Cor 10:3-5). As with holy war, in this spiritual battle, there is to be no mercy. No truce can be made in our battle against sin.Esther waged the holy war against the backdrop of King Saul’s failure, but our war against sin is waged in the light of the victory of King Jesus on the cross (Col 2:15). We struggle constantly with the flesh, with our own remaining corruption, but we do not doubt the final outcome. We know that the victory has already been won on the cross. So do not give up. Fight on.2. Remembering God’s mercies regularly (Esther 9:20-31)Purim is a two-day celebration on 14th and 15th of the month of Adar. The word ‘Purim’ comes from the word ‘Pur” which means ‘lot’. It was God who determined the lot of His people in Persia back then, and it is God determines the lot of His people today. At Purim, the Jews remembered their relief from their enemies. Every week, we remember Jesus and the saving rest we have because of His death and resurrection. Brothers and Sisters please do not take the gathering on the Lord’s day lightly. 3. Living for God’s glory (Esther 9:32 – 10:3)The book of Esther ends by turning our attention to Esther and Mordecai, through whom redemption was brought to those who were living under the shadow of death. Esther confirms Mordecai’s decree. She is now acting like the queen she has grown to become. And then in 10:1 to 3 we focus on Mordecai, his high honour and privilege, his great popularity among the Jews for, he “sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.”As we come to the end of this book, we notice how Esther and Mordecai have changed. It matters little how you begin. It is how you end that matters most. Here Mordecai and Esther stand strong and tall in the end. It is amazing that God uses people who seem weak and even useless and transforms them.In closing, though the book of Esther ends on a positive note, it does not offer any suggestion of a spiritual transformation in the hearts and lives of the Jews in Persia, nor even, for that matter, in Esther and Mordecai. The book portrays God’s providential care over His people despite their spiritual condition. He cares far more for His people than His people will ever know. He cares about them even when they have little or no interest in Him.
Paul Under PersecutionActs 22:17-23:35- We are halfway through Paul's address to the Jews in Jerusalem (giving his testimony)- In Matthew 10:16-22 Jesus gives instruction about how to deal with persecution. This is perfectly displayed in Paul's testimony. - Christians today are still persecuted around the world and in desperate need to be "innocent as doves" and "wise as serpents."Three important lessons we learn from Matthew Chapter 10:66-22 that we see in Paul’s example.1. We are going to be hated - The motivation of their hatred of Paul is their "racism"—believing that the Gentiles do not have direct access to God except through Jewish traditions.- They are enraged by Paul's statement that he is sent to the Gentiles also.- Hatred of another person because they look different from you is sinful.- The solution to this problem is the gospel of Christ—believing that everybody is made in the image of God and that everyone is sinful and equally in need of God.- There is no justification for racism in the Christian worldview.- We are the salt of the earth—the reason we need to be engaged in the world, gleaning from the wisdom of our fathers in faith.2. We must be wise in how we navigate the situation- Paul is a citizen of Rome, and it is wrong to mistreat a Roman citizen- He invoked his Roman citizenship for self-protection.- He also sided with the Pharisees (believers of the resurrection) because he wanted to witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.- He managed to preach to some Roman authorities by using the Roman system well.- Every good thing in this worldly system can be used (when done carefully) to advance the kingdom of God.3. Remember that Christ is with us- Paul's source of joy, courage, and resolve as he goes through these difficult times is the presence of the Lord with him.- "The Lord stood by him..." (Acts 23:11)- Christ wants to tell Paul that what he is experiencing is not random and he is not alone.We may not see Christ physically stand by us. Nevertheless, we know that this is also true for us. Whatever trial we are in, there is purpose for it and Christ is with us; we are never alone."And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)If we would but grasp how much He cares, we would be at ease in all circumstances. Take courage. Persevere. Don't give up.Christ is worth serving to the ends of the earth.
Why Wait?Acts 22:16- Clearly Paul was now aware that the One he was persecuting was alive and risen from the dead. Then why did Ananias ask Paul, "Why wait?"?It may be because Paul may have been considering waiting—and this could have been for bad reasons or because of a deep sense of his own sin, which was preventing him from coming; or it could have been because he was weighing up the high cost of conversion.- Why did Paul bring this up here, in this telling of his testimony, when that question was not mentioned in Acts 9 and 26. Obviously, he wanted his audience to ponder over it.- Let us reflect on this question ourselves, "Why wait?"- One of the problems with people being raised in the Baptist church is knowing when the appropriate time to be baptised is. The answer is 'when you have become a believer.' But then, when do we become believers?Three bad reasons that may cause us to not want to be baptised: 1. Feeling unworthy - Remember the man he was before this: he was Saul of Tarsus—wrathful, violent, persecutor of the church, murderer of Christians, a liar, a servant of Satan, an anti-Christ, and a blasphemer.- How beautiful and incredibly gracious of Ananias to have said these words to Paul—that there's no reason for him to wait.- The Lord is able to wash away his great sins!- If you think you are unworthy to be forgiven of your sins, you are correct! Yet, that is no reason to not call on Jesus' name. In fact, that is the reason you should do it! You must have your sins washed away.- If you think you are doing well by yourself, you are a fool! Tonight, your life may be required of you!- Being unworthy, we may feel that coming to God and being forgiven is stealing His undeserved grace. This grace, though, is a free gift for you who believe, and it has been made possible through Christ.- Yet, it will be wrong for you to assume that because it's a free gift, that God doesn't demand something of you. God demands faith from you.- We might doubt the genuineness of our faith, because we feel like our knowledge of our salvation is shallow.- Saving faith is not perfect faith, saving repentance is not perfect repentance. Then how much faith and repentance is enough. Enough, if it causes us to come to Christ for forgiveness (John 6:35-37).2. Feeling unschooled/untaught- It's not completely wrong to consider this especially for young people, as sufficient maturity is needed to credibly confess Christ.- Given the quick transition from being an enemy of the church to being its champion, Paul was very well educated in things that undermine Christianity, but not educated in the gospel. Yet this was no reason for him not to get baptised.3. Feeling unprepared - Paul was told just how much he was to suffer for the sake of the Name, but he did not need to be cowed down by it- Worrying about missing out on some experiences you are longing for and hanging on to your reputation, family, friends, and comforts. These may be hindering you from coming to Christ.- Young people, if you are weighing up the pros and cons, there's no comparison between the value of the kingdom of God and the good things of this world (see Matthew 13:44-47 Parable of the Hidden Treasure).ONE good reason to be baptised.- Baptism is not an invitation, it is a command.Why wait?Time is running out.Do not delay.Come to Christ, trust and believe in Him.
Mighty Testimony | Acts 22:1-16 How useful is your testimony about your salvation by Jesus Christ?Is it persuasive? Does it cause people to be stirred? If not, why not?You are a sinner saved by grace and were on the same road (the road to hell) where Paul got saved. Did you know what happened then? A dead man came to life! Your testimony may not be as stark as his, but the power of your testimony is not about the contrast between who you are now and who you were, but rather the contrast between who you are and the world around you. Your testimony is mighty because you have been saved by a mighty Saviour!----------------------------------------------------------------------Five aspects of Paul’s testimonyI. His Courage- Imagine you have come back to your hometown and you've gone to the temple and the angry mob has grabbed you and is shouting all kinds of accusations, determined to kill you. If it were us, we would have ran home and shut the door behind us! But that's not what Paul did. With courage, he presented his testimony to them.- We too need courage to share the Gospel, the testimony of God's salvation in our lives- Sharing our personal testimony is a practical way of sharing the gospel, being less confrontational. - There is a direct correlation between your confidence in the Gospel to save and your willingness to share the Gospel to the unsaved.II. His Kindness- Kindness and courage should go together, but most of the time they do not. Courage sometimes comes with disrespect and rashness.- Paul's courage came with respect and kindness; he called them "brothers" and he even referred to some of them as "fathers". - Paul wanted to get the message across with respect and honour and do his best to remove the barriers between them in gentleness.III. His Contextualisation- This is more than speaking a language that they can understand; it is also about conducting one's self in a way that people can relate. - How much can we look like the world and still be holy? We can be like the world in every way except where the world breaks God's law.IV. His Changed Life- One of the reasons that personal testimonies are powerful is because it is a hard thing to argue against.- If they can clearly see within your own life that somethingradical has really taken place. This was what made Paul's testimony credible (the church's greatest enemy became the church's greatest champion!)- Ask yourself whether your life looks more like the world or more like Christ.- A good reason to hate your sin is this that it gives the world a reason to discredit your God's power to save.V. His Core Message- If you are a Christian, then not only has Christ appeared to you on that road but Christ has also appointed you from eternity past to be a witness to the ends of the world, to everyone and everything you have come to know and see.- Paul's testimony is dramatic in many ways, but in many ways, it is as dramatic as your testimony is.- We will look further into this in the weeks ahead.
Short message for our Baptismal Evening Service. Pastor Ian spoke of the correlation between the symbolism of baptism and the days of Noah. The water symbolises the wrath of God. Just as Noah and everyone in the Ark were rescued from the flood, baptism symbolises our rescue from the wrath of God through Christ (our Ark) upon whom it was poured out when He died on the cross.
How many of us really understand the term salvation? We cannot afford to be wrong on this doctrine. Salvation has three aspects: •Justification, • SANCTIFICATION - the focus of this sermon, and • GlorificationSanctification always follows justification (fruit). The difference between justification and sanctification (J. MacArthur)-Justification • declares believers righteous • occurs outside sinners •is an event-Sanctification • imparts righteousness to believers personally and practically • eternal and changes the believers state •is a processWhile the two are distinct, they are inseparable. You can't say you are united in Christ but you're living a carnal life. Sanctification is becoming Christ-like as purposed by God. Sanctification is predetermined by God from eternity past (Romans 8:28-30). "Work out" your salvation does not mean that we work to earn our salvation but to continually work out what we already have—our salvation—and to "press on" towards the goal of Christlikeness. The same God who created and sustains the universe takes residence in us, powerful, and constantly at work in us.Do we think God will fail to accomplish this? Not a chance! Do we have the assurance of salvation? We work out our salvation by going to the very source of our salvation—Jesus. We come into His presence with a spirit of reverence and awe.
We are going to look at chapter 8 under four headings.I. From Disgrace to Honour (Esther 8: 1,2,15)At the beginning of the day, Mordecai had been a nobody. But now he was recognized as the one who had saved the king’s life, and he was the prime minister, wearing royal robes and a crown and the king’s signet ring.By nature, we are all like Mordecai, we are like the Jews languishing under a death sentence, condemned to die because of our own rebellion against the King of kings.But then through the gospel, when we trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ, there is deliverance, there is redemption. We are transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. From being under condemnation, we become joint heirs with Christ. From children of wrath to Sons of God. All that can happen in a day.II. From Cowardice to Courage (Esther 8: 3-6)The Esther who out of fear had previously kept her Jewish identity hidden from the king was now not afraid to die. Now we see an Esther who is concerned, not for her own well-being, but for the plight of her people.Didn’t Jesus say, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” A new Esther has arrived.As New Testament believers we have the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit. He transforms every part of our being.III. From Death to Life (Esther 8: 7-14)The king could not revoke the edict written in his name and sealed with his ring. But he gave Esther the permission to draft another edict, one that would effectively cancel the effects of the first edict.Esther and Mordecai wasted no time. They drafted a counter-edict. They could not overturn Haman’s edict, but they could level the playing field.The first decree was a decree of death. The instruction was to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, and to plunder their goods. The counter-decree allowed the Jews to defend themselves and preserve their lives. The two decrees stand side by side. There has been a reversal in what was in store for them. Death could now be reversed and they could have life.God pronounced the decree of death in the Garden of Eden against humanity. God’s decree cannot be revoked. Therefore, God himself issued a counter-decree of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. His counter-decree necessitated the incarnation of his Son and the Son’s death on the cross. We were meant to die but God turned it around and gave us life.Remember, although the counter-decree provided the way of escape it did not automatically spare them all. The people had to proactively take steps to protect themselves, or they would perish. If they had decided not to act on the opportunity they were given, they would have died. We too must obey God’s call and accept the way of deliverance that God has provided. If we do not, we will perish.IV. From Mourning to Celebration (Esther 8: 15-17)Mordecai coming out from the king’s presence in royal robes was a tangible evidence of the deliverance God was providing. The Jews identified themselves with Mordecai who was their deliverer and rejoiced. We as New Testament believers can identify ourselves with Jesus Christ who as our Saviour ascended into heaven and sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of God. We can identify with Jesus and rejoice in His exaltation.The Jewish community that had responded to the first edict with four kinds of distress— mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing (4:3) —now responded to the second with four kinds of delight: "light and gladness and joy and honour" (Esth. 8:16). What a reversal!From the Bible we come to believe that God governs the world, that everything happens by His ordering. Everything He does, He does for a purpose; and everything, including struggles and trials, will ultimately work for the good of those who are called according to His purpose, those who love Him because He first loved them.
Dealing with False Accusations Acts 21:15-22:2- We are walking with Paul in his epic journey, focusing on the details and gleaning wisdom and instruction.- We gain encouragement as we learn that God is guiding His people in their life journey.- Paul is in transition in his ministry - from a free man to a prisoner.- In this leg of his journey, his arrival in Jerusalem, we see him encounter accusations and persecutionsPaul dealt with false accusations that:1. He was preaching against the law2. He was defiling the temple3. He was an Egyptian assassinPaul dealt with false accusations from believers differently from when false accusations came from unbelievers. I. When false accusations came from BELIEVERS:- While he expected false accusations from unbelievers, he would have found accusations from believers to be more painful.- There were myriads of Jews who embraced Jesus as Messiah. While this was wonderful news to Paul, this great success brought with the problem that some of the zealous Jewish believers accused Paul, saying that he was preaching against the law.- He certainly taught that circumcision was not required anymore. But he did not teach against all Jewish customs, traditions and missions (e.g. Nazirite vow, feasts, Sabbath, etc.)- But it would not have been morally or theologically wrong had he taught against those things, because sacrifices, feasts, the temple had all been fulfilled in Christ- Paul's motivation was to preserve the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace and to preserve the conscience of the weaker brother- In times of conflict, are we willing to think about how to preserve unity and peace with our brothers? II. When false accusations came from UNBELIEVERS:- His response was not to defend himself but to find opportunity to preach the gospel.- He gave them his testimony - how Christ is Lord and what this Lord had done in his life - When you look at Christ and what He did for you and how much it was necessary to forgive you of your sins, then the accusations become so irrelevant because you were so much worse than what you are accused of.- God's saving grace is what matters above all.
Discerning the will of God | Acts 21:1-14 | Ian Goodman- We come to a passage that is difficult to preach on.- Details seem insignificant (travel plans, ship routes).- Luke loves details that are worth mentioning, helps the narrative to escape the rhythm of myth.- The next eight chapters are like this, and these travel narratives are more relevant than they may seem to be.- Lessons, instructions, and encouragements from here are applicable to everybody who is on a journey with God.- Different voices were telling Paul to go in different directions.----------------------------------------------------------------------How did God guide Paul? How did God guide the early church? How does God guide us today?I. How to discern the will of God- It is plain that one of the issues that this text is dealing with is the difficulty in discerning the will of God.- (Pastor Ian had a comment in passing about the role of women in ministry (in relation to the unmarried daughters of Philip who prophesied). According to him, there is definitely encouragement for women to partake in ministry but not to the point of becoming pastors/elders).- Agabus gave a prophecy about Paul going to experience hardships in Jerusalem.- We need to harmonise what the Holy Spirit is saying, if it seems to be conflicting. - The Holy Spirit was actually preparing Paul for the persecution he would encounter in Jerusalem, rather than telling Paul not to go.- Bias and personal feelings/desire play a significant role in our wanting to believe what God wants us to do.- Today we don't have prophets, but we have revelation through the Scriptures.- We have to read very carefully, listen with a great deal of humility, and set aside our biases.II. How to stand firm in the will of God- Paul was not at all uncertain about what the Spirit was saying. He had been led by the Spirit many times before.- Paul also knew what would happen to him.- Nothing that Agabus said changed his mind.- He knew the reason the people were telling him not to go was biased because of their love for him.- We are to be reminded that it is not actually the voice of others, or even our own voice, that matters, but God's.- We are to stand on God's will even to the point of death.- When standing on the Word, don't stop reading carefully and listening humbly.III. How to submit to the will of God- Since Paul, in spite of knowing all the hardships he would encounter, could not be persuaded, in verse 14 they said, "Let the will of the Lord be done"- They all knew that the will of the Lord was not second best. Accepting the will of the Lord is the most optimistic thing we will ever do.How can we genuinely pray "Let Your will be done," and not see it as a second-best thing to be resigned to?First, we need to change our view of who God is. (God is sovereign, faithful and good to His people.)Second, we need to have a right view of ourselves. (How valuable we are to our God)Then, we will be free to hand it all over to Him.Matthew 6:25-27: "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
PAUL'S FINAL INSTRUCTIONSActs 20:17-38- Paul knew his time with the Ephesians was short.- Paul gave final instructions and exhortations on how to go forward - to endure and to remain faithful to Christ even after he is gone.- We ought to take these exhortations seriously - whether as elders or the church as a whole.- This is applicable to all those who seek to be useful in building others up in faith.1. Paul's EXAMPLE in ministryA. Humility - This doesn't come naturally for us.- Acknowledging that all giftings, successes are from God.- Paul perhaps had more things to boast about, and yet his example is one of humility. B. Tears- His is a ministry that is characterised by tears.- A minister is supposed to be emotionally invested in his ministry (i.e. empathy).- His is a heart that is burdened to care for others.C. Teaching- Necessity of teaching and preaching as pillars of the church is undisputed.- Apart from his care for people, his motivation in being steadfast in teaching was to not be guilty of people's blood (for not warning them enough) Eze. 3:20-21.2. Paul's INSTRUCTIONS for ministry (v. 28-32)A. Pay careful attention to yourselves- The first thing that he tells them to do is to mind their own soul.- An encouragement to prioritise feeding one's self on the Word.B. Pay careful attention to the flock- To care for the church of God because it was purchased at the highest price (Christ's blood).- Recognising the infinite value of what God has done for the church's redemption.C. Pay careful attention to God and the word of His grace.- The place that Paul wants to leave them at was not just with the sense of responsibility but with the word of His grace.- Every Christian that was ever saved was saved not by a good pastor or teacher but by the pouring of God's grace.
PAUL'S HEART ON DISPLAYActs 20:1-16- We took a break from the book of Acts and delved into the book of Isaiah for a few weeks. Now we are back in Acts, resuming with chapter 20.- Extended narrative text describing a period in Paul's life, where he is going from place to place doing mission work.- We focus on the heart of Paul for missions - his tenderness and heart for people- He is the "chief of sinners" according to himself but also encourages us to "imitate him' in many things including the following:I. Encouraging people- There had been a riot in Ephesus, and he could have left, but he stayed, spending much time speaking and preaching to people: this shows his desire to encourage them as best as he could.- After Ephesus, he departed for Macedonia and there he committed himself to the encouragement of the believers- How many of us would take those risks in order to encourage our brethren? - Biblical encouragement is not the same as worldly encouragement. Many people, even church leaders, are very good at the latter rather than the former.- Biblical encouragement is not telling people they're good and things are fine, but that Christ is good and we should cling to Him.- Paul had a bold heart, willing to set aside his own life to build others up. In verse 24 he says, "But I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."II. Fellowshipping with people- Paul's team seems to have drastically increased (8 names mentioned)- Paul was unmarried, academic, isolated most of the time. We can deduce from Vs 13 that he might have been an introvert. People are becoming more and more introverted and lonely, but sadly, many make this an excuse to keep from fellowshipping with others- We see in Paul his heart for people, even if that wouldn't come as something natural for him.III. Tenderness and care for people- motivations for raising this boy >> the same reason for all resurrections in the Bible. It was mostly never for people who died. It was for their beloved ones. - we see it in the way that he raises this boy from the dead. He goes down and beams over this boy and got him into his arms and literally hugged him into lifeCould we learn a bit of tenderheartedness from Paul?How many times did Paul speak of the church as his beloved - who he longed and cared for?He would bestow tough love but was also able to write 1 Corinthians 13.Do you love the people around you and do they know you love them?As Christ has been tender towards us, let us be tender towards our brethren.Perhaps this is an area we can grow in - so that the world can know that we are Christians.
- His anointing by the Holy Spirit is a subject that is underestimated and overlooked.- Without it, the Gospel would not have existed, nor would Christ's ministry have taken place.- It has been said that the Holy Spirit is the "Cinderella of the Ball". But the recovery of the subject is essential to the growth of the church - We should remember the title 'Christ' that belonged to Jesus, and this title meant 'the Anointed One.' ----------------------------------------------------------------------I. The Anointing of Old Testament believers- the prophets- the kings- the priests**Anointing with oil was a sign of the anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, for the task/ministry at hand.II. The Anointing of Christ- He would be the True Prophet, King and Priest- Previous anointed ones were recipients of temporal, partial and measured anointing. Jesus received an eternal, full and measureless anointing.- He would not fail and grow weak, for the Spirit would never leave HimSeven instances where Jesus is "anointed":a. Incarnation b. Baptismc. After being brought back from the wilderness d. Ministrye. Deathf. Resurrectiong. His continuing work at the right hand of the FatherIII. The Anointing of His People- Every part of Christ's anointing has a spiritual fulfilment in us.- Our new birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection is the extension of the anointing of Jesus.- Our union with Christ from God's perspective is dependent on the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9, 15)May we never trivialise or marginalise the person of the Holy Spirit. He is God. He is given to men that men may be saved. Praise God!
PARAGRAPH 1Those whom God effectually calls, he also freely justifies,1 not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous;2 not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone;3 not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ's active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole righteousness by faith,4 which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God.51 Rom. 3:24, 8:302 Rom. 4:5–8, Eph. 1:73 1 Cor. 1:30–31, Rom. 5:17–194 Phil. 3:8–9; Eph. 2:8–105 John 1:12, Rom. 5:17—PARAGRAPH 2Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification;6 yet is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.76 Rom. 3:287 Gal.5:6, James 2:17,22,26—PARAGRAPH 3Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those who are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due to them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in their behalf;8 yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them,9 their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.108 Heb. 10:14; 1 Pet. 1:18–19; Isa. 53:5–69 Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:2110 Rom. 3:26; Eph. 1:6–7, 2:7—PARAGRAPH 4God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect,11 and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again for their justification;12 nevertheless, they are not justified personally, until the Holy Spirit in time does actually apply Christ to them.1311 Gal. 3:8, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Tim. 2:612 Rom. 4:2513 Col. 1:21–22, Titus 3:4–7—PARAGRAPH 5God continues to forgive the sins of those that are justified,14 and although they can never fall from the state of justification,15 yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure;16 and in that condition they usually do not have the light of his countenance restored to them, until they humble themselves, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.1714 Matt. 6:12, 1 John 1:7,915 John 10:2816 Ps. 89:31–3317 Ps. 32:5, Ps. 51, Matt. 26:75—PARAGRAPH 6The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.1818 Gal. 3:9; Rom. 4:22–24
PARAGRAPH 1Those whom God effectually calls, he also freely justifies,1 not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous;2 not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone;3 not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ's active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole righteousness by faith,4 which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God.51 Rom. 3:24, 8:302 Rom. 4:5–8, Eph. 1:73 1 Cor. 1:30–31, Rom. 5:17–194 Phil. 3:8–9; Eph. 2:8–105 John 1:12, Rom. 5:17—PARAGRAPH 2Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification;6 yet is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.76 Rom. 3:287 Gal.5:6, James 2:17,22,26—PARAGRAPH 3Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those who are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due to them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in their behalf;8 yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them,9 their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.108 Heb. 10:14; 1 Pet. 1:18–19; Isa. 53:5–69 Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:2110 Rom. 3:26; Eph. 1:6–7, 2:7—PARAGRAPH 4God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect,11 and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again for their justification;12 nevertheless, they are not justified personally, until the Holy Spirit in time does actually apply Christ to them.1311 Gal. 3:8, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Tim. 2:612 Rom. 4:2513 Col. 1:21–22, Titus 3:4–7—PARAGRAPH 5God continues to forgive the sins of those that are justified,14 and although they can never fall from the state of justification,15 yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure;16 and in that condition they usually do not have the light of his countenance restored to them, until they humble themselves, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.1714 Matt. 6:12, 1 John 1:7,915 John 10:2816 Ps. 89:31–3317 Ps. 32:5, Ps. 51, Matt. 26:75—PARAGRAPH 6The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.1818 Gal. 3:9; Rom. 4:22–24
The Gospel According to IsaiahIsaiah 53:7-12- the most explicit, glorious, lengthy, detailed and precious prophecy of Jesus Christ- like a ring which sets forth the jewel, like frame which sets forth the masterpiece- main events of the gospel presented to us, in perfect flow (the gospel according to Isaiah, written around 700 years before Christ)- purpose: that we would simply see Christ more clearly and therefore love Him moreI. His trial (v. 7)- a look into the mindset and response of Christ going through the trial - silent, submissive - He was not stunned into silence. He knew what He was about to go through- it was not ignorance, but rather obedience- there were many factors that almost made the trial illegitimate which Jesus could have pointed out in order to counter it- His silence is shocking because it is not how we would respond under the same circumstance II. His death (v. 😎- people didn't understand the significance of His dying on the cross. It was a very lonely occasion to Him- Jesus died for our sins. We have been saved to the utmost- there is danger in forgetting it. We say it so often that it sort of dies due to familiarity III. His burial (v. 9)- they would have left Him in the grave to rot and die but that was not what happened. He was buried and placed in a tomb owned by a wealthy man- he would have been left on the tree to be mocked and despised by the passersby, but "God would not let His body see corruption"IV. His resurrection (v. 10-11a)- why was He raised from the dead? Many things can be true answers. But according to Isaiah 53, it was so that He might enjoy His offspring, enjoy and be satisfied by the results of His work- if your heart is not moved by the fact that Jesus was raised in order to joy in you, nothing else will doV. His exultation (v. 12)- a reward for what He's done VI. His intercession (v. 12)- we need to realise that we worship Christ not only for what He's done but for what He is still doing - interceding for us- we thank Him not only for His past graces but also for what He's doing now on behalf of His people 1 John 2:1Romans 8:34Hebrews 27:23- the reason that we can call God our Father is because we have Christ as our Brother, our High Priest, pleading on our behalf - joyfully, continually, forever."Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
PARAGRAPH 1Those whom God effectually calls, he also freely justifies,1 not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous;2 not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone;3 not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ's active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole righteousness by faith,4 which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God.51 Rom. 3:24, 8:302 Rom. 4:5–8, Eph. 1:73 1 Cor. 1:30–31, Rom. 5:17–194 Phil. 3:8–9; Eph. 2:8–105 John 1:12, Rom. 5:17—PARAGRAPH 2Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification;6 yet is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.76 Rom. 3:287 Gal.5:6, James 2:17,22,26—PARAGRAPH 3Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those who are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due to them, make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice in their behalf;8 yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them, and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not for anything in them,9 their justification is only of free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.108 Heb. 10:14; 1 Pet. 1:18–19; Isa. 53:5–69 Rom. 8:32; 2 Cor. 5:2110 Rom. 3:26; Eph. 1:6–7, 2:7—PARAGRAPH 4God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect,11 and Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again for their justification;12 nevertheless, they are not justified personally, until the Holy Spirit in time does actually apply Christ to them.1311 Gal. 3:8, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Tim. 2:612 Rom. 4:2513 Col. 1:21–22, Titus 3:4–7—PARAGRAPH 5God continues to forgive the sins of those that are justified,14 and although they can never fall from the state of justification,15 yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure;16 and in that condition they usually do not have the light of his countenance restored to them, until they humble themselves, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.1714 Matt. 6:12, 1 John 1:7,915 John 10:2816 Ps. 89:31–3317 Ps. 32:5, Ps. 51, Matt. 26:75—PARAGRAPH 6The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the New Testament.1818 Gal. 3:9; Rom. 4:22–24
Astonishing Servant | Isaiah 52:13- 53:6- A book rich with references to the person of Jesus Christ- now we come to an essential doctrine - the atonement of our sin (upon Him was our chastisement that bought us peace)- A privileged passage - quoted at least seven times in the New Testament- This is the build-up of all other servant passages in the book, the climax----------------------------------------------------------------------I. His astonishing triumph (Ch52 Vs 13-15)- Talking about so great and profound suffering of Christ that people will even wonder if this is human- Supposed to stir up certain emotions in us - discomfort, shock and shame- The point of this description is to give us a sense of the severity of sin which put Christ "there"- That we be even more astonished that in this state "shall He sprinkle many nations".II. His misunderstood humiliation (Ch53 Vs 1-3)- Isaiah turns to speak about those who don't believe (Luke 12:38-40)- He was expected to be one that would fail (not kingly, weak, unimpressive)- The reason people thought this about Jesus was not because of anything lacking in Christ, but because of sin. III. His substitutionary suffering (Ch53 Vs 4-6)- "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:4)- People thought He deserved all the punishment He received. They misunderstood why He was killed - not because He was evil, rather, because He bore in His body our griefs and sorrows.- "All we like sheep," which are stupid to wander, but precious to the Shepherd.We have wandered awayWe deserved punishment*The chastisement fell on ChristWe should never forget the amazement for the cross of Christ nor be shocked at how "absurd" it may sound to the human mind.So, how should we respond? We know how all others responded. The earth started shaking, the sun stopped shining, dead people started to rise, kings' mouths were shut. What about us?He was counted as a sin so that we may be presented pure before the Father. That is astonishing!
Human Evil and Divine Justice (Esther 7:1-10)Just as Caiaphas, an enemy of Jesus, prophesied truth without even knowing it, Haman’s friends spoke truth when they said, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” (Esther 6:13). This is how Chapter 6 ended.Esther 7:1-2Now the king was asking her the third time, when even second chances in life are often rare. But Esther needed courage to face Ahasuerus who could be unstable. Esther had a dangerous and delicate task before her. She had to tell him that his handpicked Prime Minister was rotten to the core. She has to accuse Haman without incriminating the king who had put his seal on Haman’s murderous decree against the Jews. She in effect would be telling the king to reverse the decree that he had signed, that too a decree that stood to benefit the royal treasury. This was going to be a great a great embarrassment for the king. And she has to tell the king about her Jewishness, which she had kept hidden.Esther 7:3-7Esther chose her words carefully when she answered the king. Her reply was structured to be parallel to his question. “Grant me my life—this is my wish and spare my people—this is my request.” The king was probably shocked to hear her say, “Grant me my life.” Esther went on to give him the reason for her petition—that she and her people had been sold to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. It would be difficult for the king to grant her request, because the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be altered. So, it was extremely important that Esther make it clear to the king that nothing but absolute necessity had induced her to give him so much trouble. The terms destroy, kill and annihilate are the exact words in Haman’s edict (3:13) but Esther does not mention the name of Haman nor the fact that it was the king himself who sold her people for ten thousand talents of silver. Esther used a tactic similar to what Nathan the prophet used when confronting David regarding his sin. Esther pointed the king’s anger at a nameless perpetrator and when his anger was aroused, she unveiled Haman, the target for his anger, saying “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Esther delivered the knockout punch. It is probable that at this point, the king made the connection between the decree he had recently signed and Esther’s plight. Esther’s words were an eye-opener for Haman too. Only then did he realize that Esther was a Jew. Haman was terrified. The author wants his readers to know that Haman who condemned the Jews to death, cringes in fear not only before the king, but also before the Queen of Persia, a Jewess, who he had inadvertently conspired to kill.Esther 7:8-10The angry king went from the banquet room into the garden. He was likely most troubled by what this would all mean for his own reputation. He had been fooled into giving his consent to a wicked decree, and he would not be able to punish Haman without admitting his own role in the fiasco. Moreover, the law of the Medes and Persians could not be revoked. Haman stayed behind with Esther, knowing that Esther was his only chance, and he would beg her to intercede with the king for his life. As per Near-Eastern harem laws, he should have left the Queen when the king left the room. As he approached the queen, he fell on her couch. The king “just happened” to return to the room as Haman was falling. Haman had sealed his own fate! We have seen many coincidences in the story of Esther. Can so many coincidences be accidental. Like a subtle signpost, these coincidences point to an invisible hand at work, orchestrating every event to accomplish His purposes. Haman’s falling gave the king precisely the excuse he needed to eliminate Haman without making any reference to the edict. By saying, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” the king made the fall an attempted assault and reason enough to condemn Haman to death. Harbona the eunuch informed the king about the 50-cubits-high gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai the Jew who had saved the king’s life. This piece of unsolicited information led the king to say, “Hang him.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows he himself had built twenty-four hours earlier to execute Mordecai.ConclusionHuman evil, wherever it occurs and for whatever motivation, always sets itself against God, because God is the definition of goodness and righteousness. Divine justice inevitably means the destruction of evil. While Haman was constructing a gallows of colossal size, thinking it was for Mordecai, it turned out to be his own. Haman boasted to his friends of being honoured by being invited alone to the queen’s banquet, not realizing the truth that it was an invitation to his own execution. On the final judgment day when the truth is revealed, the condemned will finally realize that they have no one to blame but themselves. Be careful. Your heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick. The Lord GOD, does not want anyone to perish. He is patient. He wants all to come to repentance. When Jesus invited people to follow Him, they offered excuses—all about being busy with the cares of this world. One said ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.The Lord’s answer to them and to those who are sitting here is that we should not let excuses deprive us of the most important thing in life: the salvation of our souls. Don’t put it off. Now is the “acceptable time”, and this very day is the “day of salvation”. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.
PARAGRAPH 3Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit;10 who works when, and where, and how He pleases;11 so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.10 John 3:3,5–611 John 3:8
Trusting God In The Darkness | Isaiah 50:1-11 - Augustine says, “In the Old Testament the New is concealed, in the New the Old is revealed.”- A question has come up since the last servant song (Ch 49). The people of God are beginning to doubt the covenant God has with them. "Has God forgotten about us?" (Isa 49:14)- God answers, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. (Isa 49:15-16)- He reassures His people of His covenant-keeping faithfulness (Isa 50:1)a. Divorce - was there any proof of God's abandonment? They were still His wife.b. Slavery - He didn't sell them. They were still His people.- Their estrangement was caused by their infidelity and iniquities- He had saved them in the past over and over. They proved to be infidels but He didn't abandon them. What does the Servant do?I. The Servant's sustaining words (Vs 4-5)- In Isa 49, we read how God prepared Christ to give words to sustain us.- Remember the story in John 11 about Lazarus being raised to life again. Martha approached Christ and said to Him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Christ responded, "Your brother will rise again... I am the resurrection and the life... And whoever believes in me, though He dies, yet shall he live." (v. 23, 25)Mary said the same thing to Jesus as Martha had said, but Jesus knew that she needed a different word. She needed an emotional presence, someone to weep with her. Both were truth. He still does this today. He tells you the truth when you want an answer and He can empathise with you in your grief.II. The Servant's trust and courage (Vs 6-9)- He could face all the spitting, flogging, strikes, like a flint because He trusted in the Father. - Jesus pressed on ahead towards the cross with such zeal that the disciples were terrified. He did because He knew that the Father helps Him. - Christians should be one of the bravest people in the world, because our God is our help.III. God's way with those who walk in darkness (Vs 10-11)- If there was ever a verse worth memorising, this should be one of those. - Jesus has a perfect instruction for us in the midst of darkness.Do we trust His voice? If we do, we will win.We, too, can be courageous and set our face like flint in the face of troubles.There is a warning to those who would ignore the light of God and walk with their own torch. They will lie down in torment."Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." (Isaiah 50:10)
PARAGRAPH 1Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call,1 by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;2 enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God;3 taking away their heart of stone, and giving to them a heart of flesh;4 renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;5 yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.61 Rom. 8:30, 11:7; Eph. 1:10–11; 2 Thess. 2:13–142 Eph. 2:1–63 Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:17–184 Ezek. 36:265 Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:196 Ps. 110:3; Cant. 1:4
Isaiah 49:1-7- a song of the Messiah 700 years before His arrival- about the globalisation of His salvation (from the Israel to the world)- skipped chapters are largely to do with the prophecy on the restoration of Israel and the fall of Babylon (last chapter preached on was ch.42)- source of tremendous comfort and proof of the accuracy of the Scripture- Ch.49 prophesies the coming of the True Servant of God - Jesus ChristI. The preparation of the servant - it is not uncommon to assume that Christ, in His human ministry, wouldn't need any preparation. However, His human capacity required preparation- He needed to grow mentally, physically (as accounted for in the Gospels)- v. 2 says, "He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away."- what was He being sharpened and polished for? So that He could be the "True Israel of God" (recalling that ch. 42 "Israel the Servant" was not the literal Israel, but Christ); that He might be the One to accomplish the things that Israel was not able to do.- read Hosea 11:1 (type and shadow of the Christ) - when we come to Christ, we become part of the spiritual Israel (Israel is a typological Kingdom of God)II. The frustration of the servant - v. 4 says, "But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God."- think about Christ's choicest disciples; one of them betrayed Him and some abandoned Him. And on the cross, He experienced that greatest abandonment.- though His immediate experience signals vanity and failure, Christ's faith was in God.- His reward and right is in the Lord. He is the ultimate example of great endurance.- It is God that determines our success.III. The salvation of the servant - v.5-6 says, And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him- for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength- he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." - Israel's salvation is too light and small for the greater glorious thing that Christ was going to do. Hence, Christ is made king over the whole world.- the reason we are saved is because the glory and weightiness of Christ's worth calls for it- this also suggests the reason we will never be able to exhaust the infinite grace and mercy of God- our sins may be great but His love and grace are greaterIV. The exaltation of the servant - v. 7 says, "Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."- God's response to the Messiah's song- Kings don't rise when regular people walk into a room. When Christ walks into the world again, kings and princes will fall prostrate before Him. - Christ has come to your life. Is Christ not worthy of your standing and falling prostrate before Him?
PARAGRAPH 1Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call,1 by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;2 enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God;3 taking away their heart of stone, and giving to them a heart of flesh;4 renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;5 yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.61 Rom. 8:30, 11:7; Eph. 1:10–11; 2 Thess. 2:13–142 Eph. 2:1–63 Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:17–184 Ezek. 36:265 Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:196 Ps. 110:3; Cant. 1:4—PARAGRAPH 2This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the creature,7 being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit;8 he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, and that by no less power than that which raised up Christ from the dead.97 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:88 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:5; John 5:259 Eph. 1:19–20—PARAGRAPH 3Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit;10 who works when, and where, and how He pleases;11 so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.10 John 3:3,5–611 John 3:8—PARAGRAPH 4Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit,12 yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:13 much less can men that do not receive the Christian religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law of that religion they do profess.1412 Matt. 22:14, 13:20–21; Heb. 6:4–513 John 6:44–45,65; 1 John 2:24–2514 Acts 4:12; John 4:22, 17:3
A SLEEPLESS NIGHT (Esther 5:14-613)Mordecai’s indifference to Haman had deflated Haman; his joy turned to wrath. The thought that Mordecai would die after 11 months along with the other Jews of the kingdom no longer satisfied Haman.Esther 5:14Haman’s wife Zeresh and his friends, knowing that the only way Haman was going to be satisfied was if he could kill Mordecai, encouraged him to have Mordecai publicly hanged on a tall gallows built for this purpose. Haman accepted their advice; he would kill Mordecai and then go to Queen Esther’s second feast. While all this was happening, neither Mordecai nor Esther had any idea about the imminent danger to Mordecai’s life. At the first feast, by deciding to delay her plea by a day, Esther had unwittingly given Haman time to devise a plan to execute Mordecai. And now, when the preparations for Mordecai’s execution were being made, Esther was oblivious to it. Mordecai was unaware that he had but a few hours to live. What miracle can deliver him now? God was going to save His people by His providence.Esther 6:1-3On that night the king could not sleep. What kept the king awake that night? There was no apparent reason, except God’s sovereign purpose to deliver His people. This is the pivotal verse in the story. The bible says sleep is a gift from God (Psalm 127:2). But on that night God kept the king awake. God’s providence also directed the king’s eyes to the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles. Isn’t it surprising that when he, as a king, had a variety of entertainment to choose from, he chose to read the government records? While the king was reading the chronicles, Haman was preparing the gallows for Mordecai. The king came to the part that had the story of Mordecai’s loyalty to the king. What finger guided him to this story? This was the hour for the deliverance and exaltation of Mordecai, and the finger of God pointed to the record of Mordecai’s service. With this seemingly insignificant event—a sleepless night—the tables begin to turn, and reversals begin to happen. Beneath the surface of human decisions and a myriad ordinary, even meaningless, actions is an unseen and uncontrollable power at work that can be neither explained nor thwarted.Esther 6:4-11When the king came to know that Mordecai had not been rewarded, he wanted to discuss this with someone. As the saying goes ‘the early bird catches the worm’. Haman was in the court before anyone else to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai. He may have thought that he was lucky to be called in to see the king so early. The Bible states: Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! (Mal 2:1). How ironic that Haman himself was asked what should be done to the man whom the king delights to honour. What Haman didn’t realize was that the king had left out the crucial piece of information, the name of the person, who was to be honoured, just as Haman himself had left out the crucial information about the identity of a ‘certain people’ to be destroyed when he brought the issue before the king in Chapter 3. Haman assumed that he was the one the king intended to honour. His strange answer as to what was to be done to the man the king wanted to honour showed that he did not want wealth, power, or a promotion—he had all these. All he wanted was to be treated like the king in public. Haman is singled out to attend on Mordecai whom he hated from the bottom of his heart. In a reversal of fortunes, the worm got the early bird. Before God destroyed Haman, He was making a fool of him, filling his cup with gall and vinegar. As The Psalmist writes The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. (Psalm 37:12-13). Is there such a thing as coincidence or chance? Can we ever be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Does God control everything to the minutest detail—the people we meet, the places we visit, and the particular times involved? The Bible teaches that God is not only sovereign in controlling all things at all times, but He is actually programming and guiding events in accordance with His eternal purposes. Ephesians 1:11 says that He “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” This is what we refer to as the Providence of God. When the procession with Haman leading Mordecai passed through the city square, Mordecai might have seen the gallows towering over the city wall and might have wondered what it was for. Mordecai had a narrow escape from death. Mordecai had no hand whatsoever in his own deliverance, God alone rescued Mordecai. Mordecai is a picture of every sinner saved by God’s grace. We contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin that made it necessary. Whether it is insomnia or the reading of a specific book, nothing in life is too small or insignificant for God to use for his purposes. God’s care and His protection for His children seldom come by mighty miracles. Esther 6:12-13At the end of the day, Mordecai went back to the king’s gate virtually unaffected by the day’s events. Haman went home mourning, expecting his wife and his friends to comfort him, but they turned out to be miserable comforters. They said, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” Haman was given little time to reflect on his foolish ways. It seems the words of doom had barely been spoken by friends and his wife when the king’s servants had come to escort Haman to the banquet. His doom was imminent. This passage poses a serious warning to those who are not willing to bow the knee before God. Haman seemed to have it all: fame, wealth, position and honour. Yet in the space of less than twenty-four hours, he was disgraced and dead. Unlike Haman we may still have time to turn around. Where can we turn to avoid such a terrible end? There is only one place to go, and that is to turn to Jesus Christ. As John wrote “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
PARAGRAPH 1Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call,1 by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;2 enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God;3 taking away their heart of stone, and giving to them a heart of flesh;4 renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;5 yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.61 Rom. 8:30, 11:7; Eph. 1:10–11; 2 Thess. 2:13–142 Eph. 2:1–63 Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:17–184 Ezek. 36:265 Deut. 30:6; Ezek. 36:27; Eph. 1:196 Ps. 110:3; Cant. 1:4—PARAGRAPH 2This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or agency in the creature,7 being wholly passive therein, being dead in sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit;8 he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, and that by no less power than that which raised up Christ from the dead.97 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:88 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:5; John 5:259 Eph. 1:19–20—PARAGRAPH 3Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit;10 who works when, and where, and how He pleases;11 so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.10 John 3:3,5–611 John 3:8—PARAGRAPH 4Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit,12 yet not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved:13 much less can men that do not receive the Christian religion be saved; be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and the law of that religion they do profess.1412 Matt. 22:14, 13:20–21; Heb. 6:4–513 John 6:44–45,65; 1 John 2:24–2514 Acts 4:12; John 4:22, 17:3
Isaiah 42:1-4- We are building up toward the end of this series dealing with a particular Individual known to us as the Servant of the Lord.- paid less and less attention to the Israel and it's need for reformation and more and more to this particular Individual.- this Servant will fulfil the covenant obligation of Israel and save His people. - focus on His pastoral heart and power which is like no other's - passion for the weak and down-trodden, broken and needy- this is the Lord we are told to behold - both gentle and lowly and almighty in power; both Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty GodI. The identity of the servant (v.1)- who is this Servant of the Lord? There are some who understand this servant as the nation Israel.However, this Servant is clearly put forward as an individual, a Messiah that was to come, who will: bring forth justice to the nations, not grow faint and be discouraged, have no deceit found in His mouth,find the bruised reeds and not break them- this Servant is unlike the idols which we are not encouraged to behold or if we should, we should behold with indignation. - we behold this Servant because the Father beholds Him. II. The authority of the servant (v.2)- when a king would conquer a city, he would impose new rules or religion. The servants of this king will go out and cry aloud the news. However, this new King will not to come and raise His voice in the streets. - there will be no show of forced authority that comes through active promotion but authority that will come through quiet effective word.- people will notice a characteristic which cannot be replicated by any other human voice, because in Him is the very voice of God. III. The tenderness of the servant - one of the most pastoral verses in the whole of the Old Testament - He speaks with tenderness and love to these "bruised and broken reeds". - if there is even a tiny flame in each of us, Christ will not put it out - this ought to be of tremendous encouragement to us. - He comes to shield us and fan the fire in us.IV. The strength of the servant- Because Christ is not bruised and faint that He is able to strengthen those who are bruised and faintly burning.- the danger of compassionate people is that they lack power and competency. However, Christ has both compassion and power to help.- He is our perfect Saviour.Behold our Christ!
Comfort For God's People Isaiah 40:1-11- we live with such great comfort nowadays, but it seems like we haven't been the most uncomfortable until now - with our own body, families, etc.- spiritually speaking, we lost track of the source of our discomfort (our sin) and comfort (the Word of God).- this chapter's intention is to speak words of comfort to God's people. - an odd timing for comforting words.Previous chapter, Ch. 39, talks about the coming judgement - prophecy of the Babylonian invasion and Israel's exile.- there is "comfort" that is to come and He wants us to hear of them.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Four words of comfort:I. Sin is pardoned (v2)- basis for all other comforts. - if you are at peace with God, then you will receive the comfort of God.- "...she has received from the Lord's hand double for her sins" => meaning, because forgiveness has come, it is for us a "double comfort/blessing".II. God is coming (v3-5)- the most recognisable portion of the text as we find in the gospel John's claim that he is the "one crying in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord..."- as Israel has suffered from one evil king to another, they are now promised a Great King who will be for them.- when Christ comes the second time, everyone will bow down before Him and behold is glory as King. If we seriously hold that in our minds, we will find comfort. - Question to ponder: how much of God's coming affect our daily lives?III. His word is sure (v6-8)- how do we know that these things will take place? His word is sure and true!- The is no greater certainty than the word of God. - there are things so wonderful in the Bible that are impossible to believe except God says they will happen.- Would you let the word of God comfort your soul? It is the only thing that will stand forever. If you look elsewhere, they will just fail and falter.IV. He will shepherd his people (v9-11)- He brings with Him rewards, recompense, strong arm, justice. - Do you feel isolated, weak, scattered, foolish, wounded? He is coming to tend, gather, carry and gently lead His flock.- Psalms 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
PARAGRAPH 1It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man;1 the prophet,2 priest,3 and king;4 head and savior of the church,5 the heir of all things,6 and judge of the world;7 unto whom He did from all eternity give a people to be His seed and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.81 Isa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1:19–20 2 Acts 3:223 Heb. 5:5–64 Ps. 2:6; Luke 1:335 Eph. 1:22–236 Heb. 1:27 Acts 17:318 Isa. 53:10; John 17:6; Rom. 8:30—PARAGRAPH 2The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and equal with Him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things He has made, did, when the fullness of time was complete, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it,9 yet without sin;10 being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowing her; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures;11 so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.129 John 1:14; Gal. 4;410 Rom. 8:3; Heb. 2:14,16–17, 4:1511 Matt. 1:22–2312 Luke 1:27,31,35; Rom. 9:5; 1 Tim. 2:5—PARAGRAPH 3The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure,13 having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;14 in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell,15 to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled,16 and full of grace and truth,17 He might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety;18 which office He took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by His Father;19 who also put all power and judgement in His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same.2013 Ps. 45:7; Acts 10:38; John 3:3414 Col. 2:315 Col. 1:1916 Heb. 7:2617 John 1:1418 Heb. 7:2219 Heb. 5:520 John 5:22,27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36—PARAGRAPH 4This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake,21 which that He might discharge He was made under the law,22 and did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have born and suffered,23 being made sin and a curse for us;24 enduring most grievous sorrows in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body;25 was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption:26 on the third day He arose from the dead27 with the same body in which He suffered,28 with which He also ascended into heaven,29 and there sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession,30 and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.3121 Ps. 40:7–8; Heb. 10:5–10; John 10:1822 Gal 4:4; Matt. 3:1523 Gal. 3:13; Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 3:1824 2 Cor. 5:2125 Matt. 26:37,38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:4626 Acts 13:3727 1 Cor. 15:3–428 John 20:25,2729 Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9–1130 Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:2431 Acts 10:42; Rom. 14:9–10; Acts 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:4—PARAGRAPH 5The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God, has fully satisfied the justice of God,32 procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father has given unto Him.3332 Heb. 9:14, 10:14; Rom. 3:25–2632 John 17:2; Heb. 9:15—PARAGRAPH 6Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ until after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpent's head;34 and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,35 being the same yesterday, and today and for ever.3634 1 Cor. 4:10; Heb. 4:2; 1 Pet. 1:10–1135 Rev. 13:836 Heb. 13:8—PARAGRAPH 7Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.3737 John 3:13; Acts 20:28—PARAGRAPH 8To all those for whom Christ has obtained eternal redemption, He does certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them;38 uniting them to Himself by His Spirit, revealing to them, in and by His Word, the mystery of salvation, persuading them to believe and obey,39 governing their hearts by His Word and Spirit,40 and overcoming all their enemies by His almighty power and wisdom,41 in such manner and ways as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free and absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.4238 John 6:37, 10:15–16, 17:9; Rom. 5:1039 John 17:6; Eph. 1:9; 1 John 5:2040 Rom. 8:9,1441 Ps. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25–2642 John 3:8; Eph. 1:8—PARAGRAPH 9This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from Him to any other.4343 1 Tim. 2:5—PARAGRAPH 10This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office;44 and in respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of our services, we need His priestly office to reconcile us and present us acceptable unto God;45 and in respect to our averseness and utter inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our spiritual adversaries, we need His kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to His heavenly kingdom.4644 John 1:1845 Col. 1:21; Gal. 5:1746 John 16:8; Ps. 110:3; Luke 1:74–75
Reading: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12Text: Isaiah 53:10-11- Written over 700 years before Christ fulfills the prophecies.- Isaiah speaks with all these details of what Christ will be, His ministry and what He will do for us.- We will focus on a couple of verses"Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11, ESV)What is the real meaning of the death of Christ?- Many churches focus on these things when talking about Christ's death on the cross - His innocence, His suffering & pain, His love for sinners, etc.These are all true but fall short of the real reason He died.- The suffering of Christ is imposed on Him by the Father. This may be shocking to hear for some but nevertheless the truth. The crucifixion is an act of God."It is the will of the Lord to crush Him..."Proverbs 17:15 says, "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD."This is where the tension comes because we know that we are all sinners who have been justified and, Christ, the innocent, has been condemned.But it is this: Christ stood on behalf of a sinful people taking the wrath of the Father that was to be poured on them. On the other hand, we stand in Christ who was innocent and sinless. There has been a transfer (imputation) and justice has been perfectly served.God wanted to save sinners but He also is a just and righteous God. He cannot wink at sin nor sweep it under the rug. How did He show justice and mercy? It is by Jesus' sacrifice.Romans 3:23:26 says, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."- the pain of the cross is not the main reason for Christ's sorrow. He is the man of sorrows because He comes under the wrath of God. Christ on the cross saved us from God Himself (and His punishment).Romans 5:8-10, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.'What is the true meaning of the resurrection?- the main point of resurrection is that Christ may receive His reward that He earned by His obedience.Philippians 2:8 says, "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth"- what Christ's reward is YOU. The ones He has given His righteousness to, the ones He saved, the ones He reconciled to the Father are YOU. Look upon the One who endured great suffering and worship Him.
PARAGRAPH 1It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man;1 the prophet,2 priest,3 and king;4 head and savior of the church,5 the heir of all things,6 and judge of the world;7 unto whom He did from all eternity give a people to be His seed and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.81 Isa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1:19–20 2 Acts 3:223 Heb. 5:5–64 Ps. 2:6; Luke 1:335 Eph. 1:22–236 Heb. 1:27 Acts 17:318 Isa. 53:10; John 17:6; Rom. 8:30—PARAGRAPH 2The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and equal with Him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things He has made, did, when the fullness of time was complete, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it,9 yet without sin;10 being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowing her; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures;11 so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man.129 John 1:14; Gal. 4;410 Rom. 8:3; Heb. 2:14,16–17, 4:1511 Matt. 1:22–2312 Luke 1:27,31,35; Rom. 9:5; 1 Tim. 2:5—PARAGRAPH 3The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit above measure,13 having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;14 in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell,15 to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled,16 and full of grace and truth,17 He might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety;18 which office He took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by His Father;19 who also put all power and judgement in His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same.2013 Ps. 45:7; Acts 10:38; John 3:3414 Col. 2:315 Col. 1:1916 Heb. 7:2617 John 1:1418 Heb. 7:2219 Heb. 5:520 John 5:22,27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36—PARAGRAPH 4This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake,21 which that He might discharge He was made under the law,22 and did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have born and suffered,23 being made sin and a curse for us;24 enduring most grievous sorrows in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body;25 was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption:26 on the third day He arose from the dead27 with the same body in which He suffered,28 with which He also ascended into heaven,29 and there sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession,30 and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.3121 Ps. 40:7–8; Heb. 10:5–10; John 10:1822 Gal 4:4; Matt. 3:1523 Gal. 3:13; Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 3:1824 2 Cor. 5:2125 Matt. 26:37,38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:4626 Acts 13:3727 1 Cor. 15:3–428 John 20:25,2729 Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9–1130 Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:2431 Acts 10:42; Rom. 14:9–10; Acts 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:4—PARAGRAPH 5The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God, has fully satisfied the justice of God,32 procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father has given unto Him.3332 Heb. 9:14, 10:14; Rom. 3:25–2632 John 17:2; Heb. 9:15
Everyone's heart is in the hand of the Lord:Esther 5:1-13Esther spent three days fasting and preparing for this day. Fasting in the Bible is a means of expressing your dependence upon God. Though she fasted for three days, no angel was sent to assure her of success in her mission and no other sign was given to her. On the third day, Esther decided to go to the king. When she did, King Ahasuerus extended the golden scepter to her as a sign of welcome. God made Ahasuerus do that. The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will (Prov. 21:1)When the king asked Esther what her request was, she only gives him and Haman an invitation to a feast. It looks like a golden opportunity lost. The Bible does not tell us why Esther invited Haman to the feast.During the feast, the king asked about her request again, promising to give her even half of his kingdom. Again Esther let the opportunity go and invited the king and Haman for another feast. The Bible does not tell us why Esther delayed asking her request. It appears she was given wisdom from above.Any number of things could have gone wrong in the interval between the two feasts. But, the God who had been at work through her feeble faith and moral compromises was working now through her boldness and shrewdness. In the intervening period between the two feasts, Mordecai would be saved from death and honoured, while God would cause Haman great disappointment, and shame.Like Esther, we may not know what awaits us or exactly how things will turn out. Just because we do not see God’s providence with our eyes, does not mean that we cannot trust it.Haman was proud to have been invited to the feasts, but his happiness turned to anger when Mordecai did not respect him. When Hamen went home, he recounted everything to his wife and friends.When Esther, Ahasuerus, Haman and Mordecai nudged each other, they reacted according to their own desires and temperaments. They were not compelled to act contrary to their wills. They were at times sinful, proud and foolish. God’s sovereignty operates in such a way that their freedom and responsibility to act are not compromised, yet at the same time they did exactly what God had decreed and the end result is exactly what God had purposed from the beginning.We have seen so far that Esther had a change of heart, when God pushed her into a situation where there was no other way out. We also notice that Ahasuerus had a change of heart in a different way. Though He was a proud and ruthless man who had not called for Esther for many days, he extended his sceptre when Esther entered his court and seemed willing to do whatever Esther asked of him. God had intervened in his life too.However we do not see any change in Haman. He continued to be a very proud man. He was filled with rage. Human life was nothing to him. He had no qualms about sentencing a whole race to death. Left to our own devices, we too would be like Haman going from bad to worse. Psalm 81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Romans 1:24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.Why didn’t God change Haman’s heart? What God told Moses and what is repeated by Paul in Romans 9:15,16 is that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. God's mercy is absolutely independent of whether someone deserves it or not, because nobody deserves it. We do not know why God chooses to show mercy to some and not to others. The mystery is not that God has mercy upon some and not on others but that He has mercy upon anybody at all, and especially that He has mercy upon us.
Isaiah 11:1-10In this part of Isaiah, there is explosion of details in the prophecies of the coming Messiah the Christ, especially to do with His earthly ministry and His Davidic kingdom and the seemingly utopian state of it.Amidst the gloom of the then times, Isaiah is preoccupied with Christ and the things of Him:I. His coming promiseV1. There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. (Isaiah 11:1, ESV)All the other descendants of David were called the sons of David. Why "stump of Jesse" not stump of David?This Saviour is not going to be another son of David, but another David. David is by far the greatest king of Israel. And this coming King is going to be the greater David.Stump - the bottom part of a tree left projecting from the ground after most of the trunk has fallen or been cut down. (Oxford)But why stump? It is a "shoot' that will come out of the stump of Jesse and will bear much fruit.V.10 is a change of tone - from being a shoot to being the root. Meaning, this Saviour is the very root of Jesse, as much as He is the shoot - similar to His declaration of being the Alpha and Omega.II. His work described V2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. We need a king like this. We have had lots of kings or rulers who did possess one or two but not the others. But our King is the One who possesses them all!V3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, The One who delights in the fear of the Lord. How can fear motivate delight? What really is this fear of the Lord that Isaiah was saying?Proverbs 14:26, In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,Psalms 2:1, Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.Exodus 20:20, Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”Being afraid of God's wrath and the fear of the Lord are different things. According to Michael Reeves' book "Rejoice and Tremble", the word "fear" invokes love and reverence not fear of punishment. "Fear" is by far the most trembling, intense emotion that humans experience. Fearing the Lord is not some casual reverence or respect. Christ delighted in the trembling love and respect that was owed to the Lord.Do we know how grand, majestic and big our God is? If we should have just a hint of how unfathomably big He is and that He is for us, we will tremble and rejoice with love for Him!III. His kingdom establishedV6-9, The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. This is the result of Messiah's ministry. The curse on the nature will be undone, paradise is restored. How this will happen? "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters covers the sea."When this will happen? The controversial question as Christians have different views. Regardless, we all believe that this day will happen. IV. Banner raisedV.10, In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples-of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.Banner is not so much something that Jesus holds up, but that the Banner is Jesus himself.Someday, He will be lifted up. We come to this Banner and inquire of it and find rest for ourselves!
PARAGRAPH 1God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil.11 Matt. 17:12; James 1:14; Deut. 30:19—PARAGRAPH 2Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God,2 but yet was unstable, so that he might fall from it.32 Eccles. 7:293 Gen. 3:6—PARAGRAPH 3Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation;4 so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin,5 is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.64 Rom. 5:6, 8:75 Eph. 2:1,56 Titus 3:3–5; John 6:44—PARAGRAPH 4When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin,7 and by His grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good;8 yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruptions, he does not perfectly, nor only will, that which is good, but does also will that which is evil.97 Col. 1:13; John 8:368 Phil. 2:139 Rom. 7:15,18–19,21,23—PARAGRAPH 5This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone in the state of glory only.1010 Eph. 4:13
PARAGRAPH 3In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit,27 of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided:28 the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;29 the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son;30 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.27 1 John 5:7; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:1428 Exod. 3:14; John 14:11; I Cor. 8:629 John 1:14,1830 John 15:26; Gal. 4:6
Heb 3: 1- 1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
"Therefore, holy brethren.." During the time Hebrews was written, the Church was under great considerable amount of persecution. For Christian sufferings are necessary path to defeat the devil. In the text, the author addressed the Christians, "holy brethren". They are holy not because of their righteous disposition nor they are better than the others. They were not set apart due to their ethnicity but by the Lord Jesus. Jesus is God's last resort. last revelation of God and the fulfillment of God's seed.
If Abraham is known as the father of all nations, Moses was recognised to be the founder and architect of God's people. Moses committed himself to God. In Hebrews 11 says,
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
Moses shown unshakeable obedience to God. He was meek and humble. When others were growling and complaining of their plight, Moses's faithfulness to God and God's direction, pulled him though.
BUT JESUS CHRIST was counted more glory than Moses v3.
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our profession. He endured the suffering to bear our sins. Jesus said in John 6:38, "38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." In John 8:29, "The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
Are you being the means to bring the promise of the Redeemer?
1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Partakers of a heavenly calling The reason why we are set apart. We are called to conform in the image of God's Son. We are called to demonstrate obedience, show meekness and humility, We are called to consider Christ - to witness of what God has done to His Son.
Under the power of this world, the evil one is real and formidable, and persecution is around, we are in constant subject to the residue of our sinful nature.
To the persecuted Christian, do you go to counselling or do you move away from suffering?
CONSIDER CHRIST!
The faith given to us is not a mindless mechanical of inevitability. Place the Law of God in your heart. Jesus came to aid our needs, ALL our needs. He is faithful. We may look at Israel but never forget that God is our Builder. The nature of God's kingdom is built around Christ's Kingdom whose Jesus is the Builder. Revelation 7:10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
HOPE in HIM.
In the midst of suffering, we have to boast because we belong to the Christ's Kingdom. Psalm 145:13, Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.
WHOM SHALL I FEAR?
Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Acts 14:1-18
- First missionary journey recorded (chapters 13-14)
- The journey included one city trying to stone the apostles, the other trying to worship them like gods. Such amazing contrast in their responses - to one and the same message!
- Now we should ask why this story is accounted in the Bible: a. It progresses the story in an important way b. It is giving introduction and accreditation to Paul as an apostle who preaches the gospel of God. c. We see challenges and triumphs that we will continue to see in the future and so be encouraged.
Challenges and the apostles' responses:
- The apostles' response to the opposition
- In the previous city, they were attacking their preaching, in this city they attack their person and character.
It is our character that people look at. The way we live our lives also shares the Gospel. This is something that every Christian should remember.
Paul knew about this. Hence, we find Paul at times defending his self, giving himself credibility because he knew there's a connection between character and the message.
- "...So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands." (Acts 14:3)
It isn't necessarily the case that a struggling ministry is a failing ministry. The essence of success in mission and ministry is faithfulness.
- "...they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country" (Acts 14:6)
Even fleeing or leaving doesn't always mean failure too. It can mean redirection and blessing.
- The apostles' response to the people trying to worship them as gods.
"And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker." (Acts 14:11-12)
Paul and Barnabas were horrified and frustrated at the people's worship of them because their highest ambition was to glorify God and their greatest fear was that they might steal some of that glory for themselves.
We wonder how many of preachers can say that nowadays?
- They didn't try to accommodate the people's worldview. There is not a compromise nor change in their preaching of the Word.
“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. (Acts 14:15)
All of creation screams of the goodness of God. When we speak to people about God, we wouldn't even need to share the most intricate of apologetics but to lead them into acknowledging God and their sinfulness and need of Him.
The Gospel is powerful and sufficient and we ought to put our confidence in it.
PARAGRAPH 1
The Lord our God is but one only living and true God;1 whose subsistence is in and of Himself,2 infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself;3 a most pure spirit,4 invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto;5 who is immutable,6 immense,7 eternal,8 incomprehensible, almighty,9 every way infinite, most holy,10 most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will,11 for His own glory;12 most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him,13 and withal most just and terrible in His judgments,14 hating all sin,15 and who will by no means clear the guilty.16
1 1 Cor. 8:4,6; Deut. 6:4 2 Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12 3 Exod. 3:14 4 John 4:24 5 1 Tim. 1:17; Deut. 4:15–16 6 Mal. 3:6 7 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23 8 Ps. 90:2 9 Gen. 17:1 10 Isa. 6:3 11 Ps. 115:3; Isa. 46:10 12 Prov. 16:4; Rom. 11:36 13 Exod. 34:6–7; Heb. 11:6 14 Neh. 9:32–33 15 Ps. 5:5–6 16 Exod. 34:7; Nahum 1:2–3
— PARAGRAPH 2
God, having all life,17 glory,18 goodness,19 blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them,20 but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things,21 and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases;22 in His sight all things are open and manifest,23 His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain;24 He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works,25 and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship,26 service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them.
17 John 5:26 18 Ps. 148:13 19 Ps. 119:68 20 Job 22:2–3 21 Rom. 11:34-36 22 Dan. 4:25,34–35 23 Heb. 4:13 24 Ezek. 11:5; Acts 15:18 25 Ps. 145:17 26 Rev. 5:12-14
Acts 13:42-52
Last week, we dealt with Paul's first recorded sermon where he spoke of the same message he preached everywhere else - justification by faith alone.
Today, we are looking at the response of the people to this message, which is the same responses that he had everywhere he went.
- They got saved - an understatement of a lifetime.
How did it happen? There was no single miracle happened in this passage. There was just Paul preaching the Word. And Paul was not a very good preacher, as confessed by himself. It was the Word of the Lord - the message of salvation - that set fire among the hearts of people.
Remember the Parable of the Seed? That is how the gospel is spread. The seed is thrown and grows on its own. In the same way, we ought to have confidence in the Word of God - to grow and bear fruit on its own. This is the initial reason.
There is a bigger reason. Verse 48 has given us the answer. "As many as were appointed to eternal life believed." That is basically talking about the 'doctrine of election'. People responded as such because God did His work of regeneration in their hearts first and they thus placed their faith in Christ. (See John 6:44, John 3:3, 'Regeneration precedes faith')
Now Pastor Ian, corrects himself when he said there was no miracle in this passage, for something greater than physical healing took place here, that is the miracle of regeneration.
- They got angry There were people who believed but there were also those who refused to do so. The main reason they were objecting to Paul's message - the issue was that through this message the Gentiles were being saved.
During these times, the only way that the Gentiles were to be saved was to subject themselves to the Law of Moses, to be circumcised, etc. But the trajectory of the expansion of the kingdom of God changed when the Jews continuously rejected God.
The worst judgment on a nation is to no longer hear the Gospel - its warning and all. A terrifying thing.
People are being "given over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done." (Romans 1:28)
Heed the warning. Seek the Lord while He may still be found.
PARAGRAPH 1
The Lord our God is but one only living and true God;1 whose subsistence is in and of Himself,2 infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself;3 a most pure spirit,4 invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto;5 who is immutable,6 immense,7 eternal,8 incomprehensible, almighty,9 every way infinite, most holy,10 most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will,11 for His own glory;12 most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him,13 and withal most just and terrible in His judgments,14 hating all sin,15 and who will by no means clear the guilty.16
1 1 Cor. 8:4,6; Deut. 6:4 2 Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12 3 Exod. 3:14 4 John 4:24 5 1 Tim. 1:17; Deut. 4:15–16 6 Mal. 3:6 7 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. 23:23 8 Ps. 90:2 9 Gen. 17:1 10 Isa. 6:3 11 Ps. 115:3; Isa. 46:10 12 Prov. 16:4; Rom. 11:36 13 Exod. 34:6–7; Heb. 11:6 14 Neh. 9:32–33 15 Ps. 5:5–6 16 Exod. 34:7; Nahum 1:2–3
— PARAGRAPH 2
God, having all life,17 glory,18 goodness,19 blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them,20 but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things,21 and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases;22 in His sight all things are open and manifest,23 His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain;24 He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works,25 and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship,26 service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them.
17 John 5:26 18 Ps. 148:13 19 Ps. 119:68 20 Job 22:2–3 21 Rom. 11:34-36 22 Dan. 4:25,34–35 23 Heb. 4:13 24 Ezek. 11:5; Acts 15:18 25 Ps. 145:17 26 Rev. 5:12-14
— PARAGRAPH 3
In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit,27 of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided:28 the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;29 the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son;30 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.
27 1 John 5:7; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14 28 Exod. 3:14; John 14:11; I Cor. 8:6 29 John 1:14,18 30 John 15:26; Gal. 4:6
The Keeping Power of God Jude 1:24-25
Some of us know of this doxology by heart and it has, indeed, blessed the church for centuries.
The early verses of the book of Jude are about the 'robbing power' of Satan but now we focus on the 'keeping power' of God. (*Perseverance of the saints, John 10:28, Philippinians 1:6)
Without God's keeping power, we will all apostasize. Consider Satan's power and how we will fare against him without God's sustaining providence.
Now, the ultimate point of the text is worship, doxology and God's glory, an explosion of praise for what God has done and promised.
This shouldn't lead us to a place of conceit or complacency but of worship.
*If one is truly saved, by God's grace and power, you will persevere to the end. No true believer will fall away.
But some people pervert this doctrine to justify antinomianism. So the real questions are below:
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Kept from what? It is not that heaven is kept open for us (regardless of our actions) but the promise is to keep us from 'stumbling' (apostasy). God's keeping power causes us to be warned of the danger that can wreak havoc to our souls and enables us to move away from it. Those who fall away never really had it. (Matthew 7:21-23)
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Kept by whom? It's God the Father who will keep us. This is the work of the Father in our salvation. The Father is just as invested in our salvation and perseverance as the Son and the Spirit. The love of the Father puts Jesus there as our Mediator, as the Atonement for our sins. It is the love of the Father that He sent the Holy Spirit to be our seal.
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Kept for what?
- For our good "With great joy"- in this life, we don't really know what great joy is. In heaven, we will be blameless, sinless. The will be no more veil hindering us from seeing God's glory. That is joy, perfect joy!
- For His glory
Hidden Reefs and Waterless Clouds Jude 1:12-16
Ps. Ian gave us a quick refresher of the past weeks' sermons/study given on the book of Jude.
Now we come to verses 12-16.
3 things to describe the false teachers and believers: 1. Their worth a. Hidden reefs at your love feasts - be wary of these false believers who gather around the Lord's Table along with God's people but are not taking it in a worthy manner (1 Cor. 11:27) b. Sheperds feeding themselves - what should be sheperds doing? Feeding the sheep! These false teachers, instead, are using their positions to gain for themselves! c. Waterless clouds - they are utterly useless and worthless. All they deliver is to obscure the sun. They promise every benefit but is all talk. Blown by the wind - they change their theology in the direction of culture. d. Fruitless trees - worthless, pointless, and judged. e. Wild waves casting up the foam of their own shame - false believers exuding pride and conceit but are only casting up their shame. f. Wandering stars - if you follow them, you will be lost!
(The one we are being called to follow - Christ, is the very opposite of these people a. He is Rock - firm foundation b. The Good Sheperd that lays down His life c. Spring of Living Water d. The True Vine e. Declares "be silent" to the raging waves f. Bright Morning Star)
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Their end Judgment is coming on these false teachers and believers, those who would abuse the precious Bride of Christ.
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Their joy (lack thereof) - to us it may seem that they are one of the happiest people in the world by following after all their desires and coveting, But Jude described them in verse 16 as "grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage."
2 things that every Christian should meditate on everyday: - Christ has died for my sin - Christ is returning in glory
How much does the Second Coming of Christ impact your everyday life?
To close the sermon, Pastor Ian read Jude 1:17-25.
The Lord Jesus Is Superior Over the Angels Hebrews 1:4
There is a word that we have to listen to, a word mediated by the angels, given to us by His Son who made the world, the radiance of God's glory and the One who upholds all things in His hands, the incarnate Son.
"The creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope, that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Romans 8:20-21
All things have been give to His hands. And everything depended on the obedience of the man Jesus. He is the Last Adam.
"I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalms 40:8)
How superior is He? - Psalm 2, to which of the angels did He ever say, "You are my son, today I have begotten You." - Galatians 4:4, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law..." the Infinite God becoming a man is beyond our comprehension. It is utter humility on the part of our God. - 2 Samuel 7:12-14, "When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." The promise to David was messianic. It would be obvious to any sensible reader of the Bible that Nathan was not talking about Solomon, but referring instead to the One greater than Solomon! - Isaiah 53:5, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." - Hebrews 1:7-8, Angels are superior over men but they are created beings. On the other hand, v. 8 says about the Son, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” - Colossians 1:16-17, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." - Psalms 110:1, "The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.""
Clearly the Lord Jesus occupies a place higher than the angels. He surpasses them by far and they worship Him. And we, also, are called to worship this God-man who sits on the throne of absolute authority, before whom all knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord - all that is in heaven and on earth!
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17:5
Indeed, let us listen to Him!
Quite a number of our members were unable to come due to ill health, so we pray for their healing. While we miss Pastor Ian and the family, we hope that they are enjoying their well-deserved break. While the children were in Sunday School, we listened to R.C. Sproul’s talk entitled ‘False Assurance’ also from his series ‘Assurance of Salvation’. During the morning service, Philip preached from Psalm 19. __________________________ GOD'S REVELATION AND MAN'S RESPONSE (PSALM 19) This Psalm is talking about how God reveals himself through two primary ways and what man’s response to it ought to be. We will divide this psalm into three distinct sections. 1. GOD’S REVELATION THROUGH THE WORLD (vs 1 to 6) When David looked up at the starry sky and at the vastness of space, and the sun each morning, he saw the hand of God and was moved to write this psalm, which combines beautiful poetry with profound theology. We see abundant evidence of God’s glory (weight/worth) by looking at His creation. God never ceases to give a revelation of Himself through His creation. As apostle Paul put it, God did not leave himself without witness (Acts 14:17). The purpose of creation is to shout the glory of God. The revelation is continuous. The revelation is abundant. The revelation is without words. The revelation is universal. But what about those who don’t know? Paul's reply to this question can be found in Rom 1:20, where he explains that there isn’t anybody who doesn’t know. The message is not hidden. It is clearly seen, being understood. As Paul put it, they “suppress the truth by their wickedness.” The evidence is there. The problem is that people do not want to submit to God as Lord. In the middle of verse 4 there is a change of focus from the whole creation to the sun, which also reveals God’s glory, power, and wisdom to the whole earth. One does not have to listen for words, because the effect of the sun is evident, as “nothing is hidden from its heat.”
- GOD’S REVELATION THROUGH THE WORD (vs 7 to 11) The subject from God’s general and natural revelation through creation to His special revelation through His Word. While natural revelation declares a good deal about the power and majesty of God, it cannot communicate the details that specific revelation reveals. In verses 1 to 6 David uses the name God, or El in Hebrew, once in verse 1. But in verses 7 to 10, he uses the name Yahweh six times. In verses 7 to 9 we come across six nouns or names for God’s word, followed by six adjectives which describe the quality of God’s word which are then followed by six verbs which describe the functions of God’s word. First let us note the nouns: law, statutes, precepts, commands, fear, and decrees. Next we will look at the adjectives that describe the quality of God’s law and the verbs that describe the function of God’s law. First, David says the law of the LORD is perfect. No matter what their spiritual condition might be, the law of the LORD shows them how they may be restored to a right relation with God. Second, David says the statutes of the LORD are trustworthy. By living according to the stipulations of the Bible, the law of God, the simple may become wise; but without the Scriptures, there can be no godly wisdom. Third, David says the precepts of the LORD are right. They are spot on. Living out the plan of God will bring joy, while living in rebellion will lead to sadness and insecurity. Fourth, David says the commands of the LORD are radiant. God’s commands give light. They give people spiritual understanding and guide them in making right choices. Like Psalm 119:105. Fifth, David says the fear of the LORD is pure. Some translation have, the fear of the LORD is clean. I prefer the word clean. In the Levitical rituals, anything that was contaminated or corrupted through defilement in the world outside the sanctuary was labelled unclean and therefore not permitted in the presence of God. The law of God produces in us a reverential fear and awe, which is not polluted or perverted in way and therefore acceptable in the presence of God. And this reverential fear never goes out of date and endures forever. Finally, David says the decrees of the LORD are firm. God’s standards are not relative and shifting. This is the firm rock upon which we can stand on (Matt 7:24). How desirable is God’s word to you? Is it more precious than gold and sweeter than honey? The Hebrew word translated precious is the word from which we get the word covet. What David expects of you is that you have a Holy coveting for the word of God and that a pure lust for His word should consume you. As David reflected on the enjoyment of the word of the LORD he also reflected on its impact in his life. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Vs11). The ultimate purpose of God’s revelation through the word is for the world to know Jesus. John 5:39 The scriptures do lead to eternal life. But they do so by pointing people to Jesus. John 20:31.
THE BELIEVER’S RESPONSE TO THE REVELATION (Vs 12-14) David’s response to God’s revelation was to face his own sin and call out to God for His help in overcoming it, mentioning two types of sin: Hidden faults and wilful sins. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. These are unintentional, hidden, or inadvertent faults. Since he knows he cannot detect them, he prays for God to clear him of secret and or hidden sins. He also prays to God to withhold him from wilful or deliberate or pre-meditated sins. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. If David was cleared of secret sins and withheld from committing wilful sins, he says, he would then be blameless before God and would not come to the point of committing great transgression. From hidden faults to wilful sins to great transgression. We also see a possibility that a believer can commit such sin. David brings the psalm to a close with a prayer. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. David is aware that his sin lies deeper than his outward actions. Heb 4:12 God’s word searches our innermost being. David addresses the LORD as my Rock and my Redeemer—the solid foundation of his life, his security and safety and strength.
We saw that God’s glory is on display in the splendour of creation. But God’s name is most truly glorified when God’s people devote themselves to studying God’s word and allow it to direct every area of their lives.
GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH THE SON (Hebrews 1:1-3)
LONG AGO, AT MANY TIMES AND IN MANY WAYS, GOD SPOKE TO OUR FATHERS BY THE PROPHETS : Amos wrote, “A Lion has roared.” God has spoken. God spoke over a long period, and a variety of people heard Him. The message was always true and consistent, but always incomplete. That incompleteness made people search and enquire. The promise was there. But it had to be fulfilled. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son: The original text does not have the definite article and so the line reads ‘but in these last days he has spoken to us by A Son,’ but the identity of that Son is very clear. It was Jesus. The readers of this letter seem to be wavering in their faith. So the writer of Hebrews encourages them, telling them that the God who had spoken to them through the prophets has now spoken to them through the Son Jesus.
WHOM HE APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS: What Adam lost by carelessly listening to Satan, God placed in the hands of Jesus, the Second Adam. Like the little boy who bought the yacht that he had been his, we belong to Jesus twice over—He made us and He bought us. Adam and Eve lost a world through sin. But our Lord Jesus bought and redeemed creation. Not only has He inherited it all, but He is the very Creator.
THROUGH WHOM ALSO HE CREATED THE WORLD: We are not talking about an ordinary man but about the Creator of the universe. Jesus created everything. (Col 1:16) God spoke and nothing became something. Stars and planets, light and order, life and beauty appeared.
HE IS THE RADIANCE OF THE GLORY OF GOD: He is the brightness of God’s glory. Our eyes cannot bear the brightness of the Sun, but we can see its reflection. Moses’ face was so bright when he came down from the mountain; even the reflected glory of God was too much to bear. We do not see God’s glory with our physical eyes like Peter James and John saw on the mount, but we can see the essence. Benjamin Hanby wrote: “'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story! / 'Tis the Lord, the King of glory! / At his feet we humbly fall, / crown him, crown him, Lord of all!”
AND THE.EXACT IMPRINT OF HIS NATURE: He is the exact representation of God’s nature. The coin is the exact copy of the pattern in the mould. Jesus being the image does not point to being a copy but that He is the EXACT representation. Paul writes about the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Have you seen the glory of God in Christ? Jesus said: He who has seen Me has seen the Father. The character of God was in Jesus. Charles Wesley put it this way: “The incarnate Deity, Our God contracted to a span, Incomprehensibly made man”.
AND HE UPHOLDS THE UNIVERSE BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER: He upholds all things by the word of His power. Have you ever wondered how things stay together. What makes iron hard, and what makes water stay together? What gives life to things? Why am I me? The power behind this universe is not an impersonal force like in the Star Wars movie. This Power is a Friend of those who love Him. For in Him we live and move and exist. The aeroplanes in which we fly do not drop off the sky, because God holds all things. Not one sparrow falls to the ground unless God allows it. The hairs of your head are numbered. This truth is foundational. We have confidence. The Psalmist says: Oh Lord, you have searched me. You understand my thought from afar. You know all my ways. Even before I speak you know what I am going to say. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Who can understand such a God who knows everything about us. Even what we would hide from others, He knows. Like Isaiah, we must say Woe is me, for I am undone.
AFTER MAKING PURIFICATION FOR SINS: Jesus knew that He had authority to lay His life down and take it up again. Jesus took our sins upon Himself, because He chose to do it and because He loved us so much. It was His choice to love those who the Father gave to Him. Jesus emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and died on a cross. What a loving Jesus, who allowed Himself to be put to shame for us! Do you love Jesus? Can you say with joy that the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free? Charles Wesley wrote: “Amazing love, how can it be that Thou my God should’st die for me.” Jesus cried out: It is finished. What had finished?
HE SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MAJESTY ON HIGH: The payment was made in full. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Have you bowed your knee to Him who is the Lord of Glory? On the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. They represent the Old Testament, how God had spoken in the past, but then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” This is how God has spoken to us now—through His Son Jesus.
Jude 1:9-11
We have been working through the examples from the past illustrating seven Old Testament deeds by false believers. Jude is sounding an alarm for the church to heed, to enable us to identify and flee from them.
Now we come to verses 9-11 which tell of four more illustrations:
- The dispute between archangel Michael and Satan (over the body of Moses)
- what is he talking about?
- why is Jude saying this?
Michael is deferring to the authority of God. This is in contrast to the false believers who are relying on their own authorities and dreams.
Many scholars think Jude is referring to the book "The Assumptions of Moses" which is believed to contain an account of the burial of Moses and also quoting from the book of Enoch.
However it is very unlikely that that book was authoritative/inspired like the Bible. So why did he quote from it in the first place?
4 possible options: a. He is merely using it for illustration b. He is quoting it because people believed the story c. We need to accept this story as true. However this doesn't mean that we must accept that all of the stories in this book ("The Assumptions of Moses") and the book of Enoch are inspired. (According to Augustine) d. Jude is actually not quoting from the ("The Assumptions...") book, rather what Jude is referencing is Zechariah 3. The "body of Moses" may not be referring to the literal body of Moses but "the Law of Moses". (John Gill commentary)
This option seems to fit the best. These false of believers are perverting the grace of God into sin, the gospel into sensuality and they are destroyed by it.
""Unreasoning animals" is the perfect description for our current generation. We live in a time of utter madness." (Ps. Ian)
What is the solution to this? It is to contend for the faith... to contend for the gospel...
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The way of Cain Cain sinned and killed his brother. He engaged in false worship. False believers today are engaging in false worship and killing their brothers!
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Balaam's error Numbers 22 onwards have the story of Balaam cursing the people of God for money! He also led the people into idolatry.
False teachers today are engaged in perverting the gospel and leading the people astray and most of them are found extorting money from the church.
- Kohra's rebellion Numbers 16:16-35 The warning Moses gave to the people at Kohra's rebellion is "get away from them".
One of the common things that hinders us from fleeing from the false believers is the thought that God will save us regardless. The truth is we can't stand beside the unbelievers. Heed these warnings!
Contend for the faith. Cling to our Saviour.
Remember God's WarningsJude 1:5:8Almost no one wants to sound the alarm but in reality, they remind us of the potential threat at hand. Jude has sounded a loud warning - not out of spite or hatred but out of concern and love for the brethren.Jude knew the need for us to be kept reminded because forgetfulness is real even among Christians. We need to be constantly topped up, hence, the importance of daily study of the Word.Jude warns us of the perversion that the false believers commit:1. The unbelief of the Exodus (v. 5)The same way that the 10 spies (who gave negative report) wanted to lead the people back to Egypt, these false believers want to lead God's people back to the world and its sensualities.These people weren't destroyed for their immorality or fear but for their unbelief in God.2. The unrest of the angels (v. 6)There has been debate as to what this is referring to:a. Fall of Satan and demons prior to the temptation in the garden of Edenb. What happened in Gen. 6 - angels procreating with human beingsThe first one is the more likely option.These angels were given some authority but stepped outside the boundaries that the Lord had set. Those who commit the same will suffer the same punishment that these rebellious angels were saved for on the judgment day.3. The unnatural conduct of Sodom & Gomorrah (v. 7)Reference Genesis 19These apostates indulge themselves in sexual immorality.The warning is to not set aside God's law nor go against what the Lord has set as natural.We are to reject our inclinations, dreams, thoughts, ambitions that are contrary to the Word of God.If you want to avoid eternal fire and chains, then you will contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.
Outline- A. God’s silence—Habakkuk’s first question (1:2-4)- B. God’s unexpected answers—God’s response (1:5-11)- C. God’s unusual instruments—Habakkuk’s second question (1:12-2:1)- D. God’s control of history—God’s response (2:2-20)- E. The prayer of Habakkuk—Habakkuk’s prayer (3:1-19)
A Call To ContendJude 1:3-4"Call to arms" - the call that Jude calls us- it means "to be battle-ready", watchful and vigilant for the enemy is near (or actually has already broken into the church).- external struggle has always challenged the church, but internal apostasy is fatal.- Jude's a hero for he was willing to stand as a watchman, go on issuing a serious warning to believers, uncaring if he becomes unpopular.3 things to do with the job that we are given - that is, to CONTEND:1. Right attitudeJude calls us to look inwardly before outwardly.* Two overriding attitudesa. Love - Jude is not motivated by hate but by love for God and the brethrenb. Reluctance - we are to remember that he didn't want to write this letter. We know that God is abounding in steadfast love and slow to anger and Jude properly reflected this attitude2. Right objectiveHis goal is to call the church to contend for their faith that he finds it instead necessary to write this book for a warning.Are we willing to fight for our faith to the point of death?3. Recognition of the opponentsa. These people have crept in unnoticed by us, but nevertheless noticed by Godb. These people walk into churches that easily accept them (on their way to apostasy themselves)c. These people have long been designated for condemnationd. The nature of their sin- sin of legalism - adding works to grace- sin of license (antinomianism) - taking the grace of the Lord as a license to sin.Believe in God. Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
The Letter Jude Never Wanted To WriteJude 1:1-25*This week's sermon focused on the first two verses of the epistle- This book is mainly about Jude calling out the apostates within the church. He cited no less than 8 examples from the Bible and other extrabiblical Jewish literatures, identified some false believers from days past and the judgment that befell them.- He wants us to see the seriousness of the threats these apostates pose to the church and how we should deal with them even now.- External threat is always there but the internal one is the more dangerous.- So evil and far more treacherous for the "wolves in sheep's clothing" to come in and pervert the gospel inside the church because the church is supposed to be a place where the people of God grow in the knowledge, rest and grace of the Lord. Hence, Jude dealing with it very bluntly.How to deal with these threats?- There should be a balance between the attacks to be made against the ravenous wolves and showing mercies on those who who have stumbled.- We should remember that however appropriate it is to get rid of the "snake" during a wedding party, that Christ saw the snake before we did. Christ will keep those who are His.Main outline of the sermon:1. Jude's greetingJude was not actually his real name. He was Judas but the name was rather stained. So he may have found it more effective to shorten his name when his motive was to call out apostasy.We might perceive him as high and mighty and judgmental but he was actually a very humble man.By describing himself as "a servant of Jesus and brother of James" (James being a brother of Jesus), he implied that he was not even worthy to be associated (as a brother) to Christ who is perfectly God.2. Jude's gospelHe was trying to give us a picture of what the gospel is by linking the first verses of his message to the golden chain of redemption according to Paul being "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)"Called" - He was talking about the effectual (specific) call on God's people and it is found in regeneration"Beloved" - love that is specific to a people because they have covenant connection to the Father; love that is the basis for their justification, sanctification..."Kept" - those who have been called and beloved will be kept and endure to the end - not just being kept from hell but kept from apostasy too!The way God keeps His people is not the we can live our life the way we want to and still be saved (OSAS misunderstood) but to continuously be under the shepherding of Christ protected from falling away.3. Jude's prayerJude's prayer is for mercy, peace and love to be multiplied to us!"Blessed with multiplication" - you and I are saved. That alone is great! But to multiply, what greater miracle it is! Praise be to the Lord Almighty!Our God is an infinite God and so is His mercy, love, grace and peace.
The Release of Peter from the PrisonThis story ought to lead us to think highly of our God, realise the importance of prayer; to make us expect and hope for God's miracle and to bring us to our knees.On the other hand, we ought not to presume in our prayers i.e. God will do everything that we ask.Main outline of the sermon:Peace of Peter- Peter was peacefully asleep on the night of his execution that God had to strike his rib to wake him up.This is a very incredible detail given Peter's track record of panic.Reasons:a. Great experience of God's power & faithfulnessb. Great examples to follow (e.g. Jesus, Stephen, James)c. Great theologyPower of God- Luke has presented us with incredible detail in his narrative and some of them were to make the task of rescuing Peter seem impossible.What happens to your faith when things become more difficult to endure?In the eyes of God, a small miracle is no more or less difficult to perform than a big one. By the chains and prison doors splitting open, God demonstrated His great power.God is still performing miracles today but we do not presume that there is one formula to getting God grant our prayers nor do we presume that He will even grant our every prayer.Place of Prayer- Something was going on behind all of these - a church was praying for Peter. God uses prayer as means to achieving His purposes.Theie prayer was corporate, prolonged, focused and earnest.Prayer is far more mighty than any weapon the world can offer.The weakness of their prayer- Peter showing at the gate but the disciples doubting his being alive- yet what we learn is that even a weak prayer can achieve things- probably the believers then wasn't so much as praying for Peter's safety as that God may keep him in His peacePhil. 4:5-7 "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Acts 12 begins a new section in the Book of Acts showing the persecution which would be committed against the early church.Nowadays, our usual response to persecution is avoidance but if we really understand it - being God's means of grace of sanctifying the church, we will joy in it.We will be tackling the reasons, result and what our response should be when faced with persecution.Reasons1. The church became a threat to their powerThe Jews thought they had the monopoly of God and the growing church influence had suddenly become a threat.How is it relevant today?People are still threatened by their lack of autonomy. Autonomy over our own system, life and decisions is contrary to the principles of Christianity e.g submission to God's sovereign rule. People hate it when they are not in control. They hate it when they have to submit to someone for their lives.2. They were challenged by Christian moralityThey hated the holiness of God and so hated the Christians because they showed the world up with their high moral standards.3. They were using persecution of the church for political gainHerod wanted to look good to the people. He was passionate to please the Jews, so he conspired with them against the church.Still very much the same today, part of the persecutions we have to endure are those that are political in nature.4. The ultimate reason for the persecution of the church is the sovereignty of God, His decreeing it, for the sanctification of the church and for His glory.Result- It brings the church to prayer (earnest and prolonged)- It gives God the opportunity to rescue- It brings God the glory- It gives God an opportunity to judge His enemy- It results to the growth of the church***Response- we ought to respond with faith because of what we know of God - His sovereign control over all- we do not necessarily seek out persecution but we do peace- we recognise that our ultimate fight is not against flesh and blood but in the realm of the spirit- we ought to fight for God's glory whether we live or die
SIGNS (MIRACLES) OF A TRUE APOSTLE (Acts 9:32-43)Salvation had been for the Jews, now it was becoming a global phenomenon. We are seeing here a build up of miracles. Soon the gospel will be thrown open to the Gentiles.First, we ask what is the purpose of miracles in the Bible?"You see how God is so powerful and great? You can also do that if you only believe!" - This is the predominant belief among modern churches today (especially charismatics). But that is not the purpose of miracles and to think that way is to devalue the true meaning of miracles and to disillusion people.The purpose of Biblical miracles are these:1. To accredit the apostles as messengers of God (true apostleship accompany signs and miracles).2. To point to the greater miracle that Christ is doing.When Jesus fed the 5000, was it just because they were physically hungry? Or did it point to a deeper need (spiritual one) that only Jesus the Bread of life could satisfy?What about the raising of Lazarus? Was it just for the sake of raising him or did it actually point to Jesus claiming Himself to be the Life and Resurrection and proving it?When we see and hear miracles, we should not take it as something to imitate, rather that Jesus is ministering to us spiritually even as He is physically - feeding us and giving us life.Healing of the Paralysed Man in our text- When Jesus heals, it is not temporary or partial. It is complete and permanent, unlike modern day healing claims.- When Jesus heals, there's no turning back to your bed (sin, bondages, past self) because He made us well to the utmost.Healing of Tabitha in our text- We can see many similarities between the raising of Lazarus and Tabitha. What does it mean? Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, then and now, and always!Tabitha was raised to a mortal life again but she surely died again. Was that all that miracle was for? No. Rather, it should point us to a greater miracle which is Christ and Him giving us life - that which is eternal.
Does the Sabbath continue as the Lord's day, or is the Lord's day a completely new thing? Does God have any requirements for keeping the Lord's day? Can I go to the supermarket and make others work on the Lord's day? etc.
SAUL PROCLAIMS CHRIST (Acts 9:19-31)We have said in the past that one of the reasons that the devil hates us is because we have abandoned him. The war that Satan fights against the church is very personal to him because a lot of us have switched sides.That's what Paul was experiencing. All of Satan's influence was unleashed against him. But this didn't stop God from using Paul.What follows Paul's justification?=> SANCTIFICATION1. PREACHING"IMMEDIATELY, he proclaimed Jesus."Paul didn't have to sit around and wonder what his calling was. He went straight to preaching the gospel. He knew he was called to this ministry - making the Son of God known."Son of God" - this encompasses the truth of His (a) Messiah-ship and His (b) divinityThis needs to continue to be preached to all the world amidst hate and resistance like how it was hated and resisted during Paul's time, but he persisted.2. PERSECUTIONThe plot to kill Paul was not just orchestrated by the angry Jews but also by the high powers behind them.This was Paul's life - preach and then suffer for it. Eventually he was killed for the Gospel that he preached.Why dedicate your life to the preaching that would cause you pain and eventually get you killed? The only reason must be having realised the value of the thing we speak about.3. PROGRESSFrom persecution comes progress.How many times has the Church thrived through persecution?Persecution does not set us back, God uses it to lead us to progress.What is the responsibility of the church?"To walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit." (V31b)What does it mean?To be overcome by the manifold attributes of God—His power, wrath, holiness on the one hand, which cause us to fear Him, and His comforting tenderness, love, grace and mercy, on the other.This is the posture that we ought to adopt before God - the posture of fear and comfort.
THE MINISTRY OF ANANIASActs 9:1-19When we read this passage, we think to ourselves, "God can do this evangelism by Himself. Why did He decide to use you and me - weak, feeble and unsteady Christians in the process?"We see, when people are saved, they are saved into a family, church and people. Hence, it makes sense for these weak people to play a role in the salvation of others.1. PREPARATIONWhat we know of Ananias is very limited. The only reference we have to Ananias is in this passage. Chapter 22 says Ananias was well-spoken of by the Jews. He was a devout and faithful believer, very serious in his faith in God. A man who was looking forward to the coming of Messiah, a follower of Christ, available for His service. His is a calling and a story that seems ordinary but nevertheless is glorious.Sometimes we fail to recognize that alongside the great heroes of faith are ordinary believers like Ananias.He needed to be prepared because he was going to do something that was not easy. He was called to minister to Saul, the then great persecutor of Christians. Hence we can understand his initial uneasiness. One of his main considerations could have been the safety of his brothers and sisters.2. HESITATIONAnanias' hesitation is understandable. But God, so gracious, persuaded him by telling him about these things:a.) A now PRAYING Saul—distinctive of a genuine believerb.) The STRAIGHT street—this is the place where the Lord was "straightening out" Saul.c.) Saul had had a vision of Ananias comingd.) Saul was God's chosen instrument to the GentilesAnanias now knew that he was called to preach, heal and baptise this great apostle who will soon minister before a great number of Gentiles. He knew he was to pastor this apostle and prepare him for the great suffering he will go through for God's sake.3. JUSTIFICATIONAnanias preached to him, "Why delay? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the Lord."Then Saul was declared justified before God—just as if he never sinned.Perhaps the Lord is calling you, you who are now blind.Perhaps you need the glorious message of Ananias.Do not delay, repent and call on the name of the Lord.
THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST Luke 23:26-24:12SERIES INTRODUCTION: Paul tells us that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ are the foundational truths that make up our faith, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.’ In this series of messages, using Luke’s gospel we will be zooming in on those events once again. Here we will see again the love and the holiness of God; the humanity and the deity of Christ; the sinfulness of sin and the majesty of God.SERMON NOTES: THE ROAD TO GOLGOTHA (Luke 24:1-12)The witness of the tombThe witness of the angelsThe witness of the women
THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST Luke 23:26-24:12SERIES INTRODUCTION: Paul tells us that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ are the foundational truths that make up our faith, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.’ In this series of messages, using Luke’s gospel we will be zooming in on those events once again. Here we will see again the love and the holiness of God; the humanity and the deity of Christ; the sinfulness of sin and the majesty of God.SERMON NOTES: THE BURIAL OF CHRIST (Luke 23:50-56)The fact of Jesus death and burialThe significance of Jesus death and burial
THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST Luke 23:26-24:12SERIES INTRODUCTION: Paul tells us that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ are the foundational truths that make up our faith, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.’ In this series of messages, using Luke’s gospel we will be zooming in on those events once again. Here we will see again the love and the holiness of God; the humanity and the deity of Christ; the sinfulness of sin and the majesty of God.SERMON NOTES: THE DEATH OF CHRIST (Luke 23:44-49)The darknessThe curtainThe cryThe centurion
THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST Luke 23:26-24:12SERIES INTRODUCTION: Paul tells us that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ are the foundational truths that make up our faith, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.’ In this series of messages, using Luke’s gospel we will be zooming in on those events once again. Here we will see again the love and the holiness of God; the humanity and the deity of Christ; the sinfulness of sin and the majesty of God.SERMON NOTES: THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST (Luke 23:32-43)The crucifixionThe crowdsThe convert
THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST Luke 23:26-24:12SERIES INTRODUCTION: Paul tells us that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ are the foundational truths that make up our faith, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.’ In this series of messages, using Luke’s gospel we will be zooming in on those events once again. Here we will see again the love and the holiness of God; the humanity and the deity of Christ; the sinfulness of sin and the majesty of God.SERMON NOTES: THE ROAD TO GOLGOTHA (Luke 23:26-31)Jesus’ scourgingJesus’ crossJesus’ prophecy
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL OF TARSUS (Acts 9:1-9)Who would we consider as the most influential person in the history of Christianity, excluding Christ? Many of us consider it to be the apostle Paul.His calling was not to what many of us today consider as "wonderful and abundant" but to suffering and poverty for the sake of the Name of Christ. He suffered constantly for the sake of the people of God, often without financial support, went to prison, and was persecuted. He was called later than the original apostles but was still called an apostle. Paul's apostleship's purpose is answered by the commission given when he was called. He was to carry His name before the Gentiles. Two elements of his conversion stand out.(1) HE WAS AN AMAZING SINNER. Paul was a zealous man and a radical one. He was raised in Tarsus, an affluent town with a prestigious university. He is a Hellenistic Jew. A hebrew of hebrews. By conviction, he was a Pharisee. A very influential man. He was a profound scholar. He knew the Scriptures well. "He was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord" as he saw them radically preaching the Gospel. Paul, before conversion, was not a seeker of the Gospel. He was not soft toward it either. We all know people like that. Don't write them off. Don't give up on them. The Lord has the habit of saving the most ungodly, showing mercy to those who seem helplessly lost, in order to display His great patience and reveal His glory (1Tim. 1:15-16).(2) HE MET AN AMAZING SAVIOUR. Jesus Christ himself actually appears to Paul. And Paul was struck blind. More than a punishment, it was probably showing Paul his weakness, vulnerability, and how utterly dependent he was on God. Most importantly, the main point was to give him time to think through all that he had done, and to reflect on Christ's words. * "Saul, Saul"—calling someone's name twice (We see this many times in the scriptures)—warm, personal and friendly. What grace is this that a wretched person, one who is foremost among sinners, meets Christ who talks to him in such a tender, merciful way! You might think that you have sinned beyond the reach of the grace of God, but our confidence need not be in what we feel, see, or hear but in the character of God. As you come to Christ in repentance, speaks to your heart in a friendly, fatherly manner, taking you in.
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Sermon NotesBook of Revelation is the playground of conspiracy theorists and sensationalists, but it is a book with a promise of great blessing if we take the time to study it. It is a picture book and not a puzzle book.Rev. 21:23 introduces us the the New Jerusalem, and the picture being painted here is about the character of the place and its population—the Bride of Christ, New Jerusalem the city. It depicts the beauty, the purity, the permanence of that City ready for her Groom. We cannot sin and spoil heaven like Adam and Eve did in the garden, because the New Jerusalem is built on Christ's righteousness, which cannot be overcome. John 10:28 shows us that no one can snatch us out of His hand.Twelve (12), which appears six times in this passage, is the number of the people of God, not all the nation of Israel, but the remnant, not the visible organized church but the true believers—saints of both the Old and new Testaments—the faithful ones of the Lord.The three gates in every direction show that people from all directions can come in. The gospel message is open to all the world, having been preached by the apostles, who are the foundation of the city Rev 21:14.The City is laid out as a square; what is the significance? In the OT tabernacle, the only place that is perfectly square is the Holy of Holies. This symbolizes now the Sovereign God of glory being amongst His people in the New City.The material of the walls of the City are precious stones. These are the faithful people of God who are precious to Him. The breastplate of the OT high priest was studded with precious stones, representing the precious people of God. The Lord says in Zech 2:8, "Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye . . ." The chosen ones are precious because they belong to His Son and are redeemed by Him.The city has no need of the Sun is because the glory of God, who is openly and gloriously present among them, will outshine everything. There will be nothing to distract us from beholding His glory. The Lamb is the lamp.The River of the water of life, citing Genesis, is the River that will serve the needs of God's people who will lack nothing. The river in the centre points to the fact that the river of life is accessible everywhere in the city.The Tree (singular) of life on either side of the river is the symbol of being in eternal fellowship with our Saviour and Creator. The likemindedness that the citizens have is akin to that in the Trinity. John 17:21-23.This is the life that we should be aiming for in the here and now. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1We desire a better country, an eternal one, to which the momentary excitements of this life will never measure up.Set your minds on the things above. Look up. The Lamb is coming soon.
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THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH—Marks of A True Conversion:Acts 8:26-40Up until this point the church is growing relatively slowly. This is the first time that someone outside Jerusalem finds salvation in Christ. The greatest tragedy is when a person believes himself saved when he is not. And it's the greatest disservice to tell a person he is saved when he is not. So let us assess ourselves against the truth of the Scripture—against the marks of true conversion as seen in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch.1. INITIATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT Acts 8:26-29. The Lord works providential circumstances (e.g. people, place, events etc.) to bring about conversion. It's always God who initiates and the people who respond. If we live our life believing that our salvation is initiated by man, imagine the burden that would bring—us being saved by our works, and us losing our salvation by our works! (Read Romans 8:29-30). The Ethiopian eunuch is foreloved -> predestined -> called -> justified -> glorified.2. FOCUSED ON THE CHRIST OF SCRIPTURE Acts 8:30-35. Here is where we see the contrast between false and true conversion. Simon the Magician was focused on fame and fortune and self; the Ethiopian eunuch was focused on Scripture and seeking the Truth. One of the clearest marks of our conversion is not our profession, not being baptized, nor our seeking of miracles, but being utterly captivated by Christ.3. RESULTING IN OBEDIENCE AND JOY Acts 8:36-40. There is no such thing as a true believer who does not instantly live a life of OBEDIENCE to Christ. Baptism is the eunuch's first act of obedience. Obedience is inevitable IF you are saved. (Fruit). Now, it is possible to do everything that God has commanded us to do but not do it out of obedience. So let us consider our motives. A saved person will inevitably seek discipleship and ways to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. REJOICING is the other result we see. And why not, when God is now his Father, Jesus his Saviour, and heaven his home.That GRACE so precious has saved us from the wages of sin which is death, and which is ever-increasing that it ever sanctifies us in this life. That amazing grace which made the "God who called us here below forever ours"!
Acts 8:9-24SIMON THE MAGICIANThere's nothing inherently wrong with prayers to accept Jesus as personal Savior, responding to an altar call, and other ceremonies that churches may observe today, but to equate it right away with being "saved" is not quite right. Imagine giving assurance to those who are not entitled to it when they're actually heading somewhere else. It's terrible!Simon the magician was not a true believer; he was a false convert. Here are the reasons to think in this way.He had:1. WRONG MOTIVE TO BELIEVE. Simon thought highly of himself. He was filled with pride, and proud people don't come to Christ. One of the prerequisites of coming to Christ is humility and one's acknowledgement of his sin. Simon was doing his tricks and illusions, when Philip came along and did "genuine" signs and "upstaged" him. Imagine how Simon felt?! Angry? Jealous? What did he do? He followed them and when he had the chance, he made an offer to pay them money in exchange for the "miraculous gift". What did Peter tell him? May your money perish with you!" It's like saying "Go to hell with your money!" We don't tell that to a believer but to an unbeliever.2. WRONG UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOSPEL. The apostles (Peter and John) showed up and laid hands on people and the Holy Spirit came on them. Simon saw this and thought he could obtain the gift of God by paying for it. He didn't know the Gospel! Here's how the gift works. When someone gives you a gift, they extend part of themselves to you, and their friendship. So when God offers the Gospel for free and people reject it, they reject God. That's why to offer to pay for it is most offensive. To buy God (the Holy Spirit) is heretical! The Gospel is free but it's not cheap. It needed Christ to die for us to be saved. You couldn't offer God anything for your salvation - not our abilities, money, not even our faith!3. WRONG RESPONSE WHEN CONFRONTED WITH HIS SIN. If we examine closely, we find his response not genuine, even sarcastic. Extra-biblical accounts mention him as consistently opposing the disciples. A true convert will take their sin seriously, not be defensive, but rather turn from it.
I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MENMark 1:14-20Who was the most noteworthy person in the history of the world?It is Jesus Christ!That may not come as a surprise for us but do we know what caused Jesus to become the world's most famous person, having made the most significant impact to the history?See the biggest movement which had begun as narrated in Mark 1:14-20.Jesus walked, called people, equipped them and sent them out to the world to spread the good news.So what did Jesus say?1. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR- with Jesus coming, the kingdom of God has become near. It is not so much a visible and physical kingdom. (It will be in His second coming!) This kingdom is His rule over our lives and hearts.2. TO ENTER GOD'S KINGDOM, REPENT- Repentance is the act of turning our minds, hearts and activities away from sin and towards righteousness. It is not about being and doing perfect, but turning our hearts toward God and godliness. Repentance is ongoing. It is our focus and fixation, our direction, our commitment, our pursuits. A true believer will never remain turned toward sin.Genuine repentance is a prerequisite to entering the kingdom of God.3. AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL- what is the Gospel?Two key elements of the gospel:1. The death of Christ2. His resurrectionIn a nutshell, believe in Christ and everything He is and has done,4. AND FOLLOW HIMFollowing Christ doesn't necessarily mean your family relationships will become better, or you will land a good job. It can rather get "messy". Following Christ is losing in order to gain.5. AND BE MADE INTO A FISHER OF MENWe preach the gospel with our mouth and make sure our works match our profession.If we come follow Christ, He will make us fishers of men, however useless we may think we are because He has the ability to use even the "useless" men.Live out your calling of preaching the gospel - to your family, friends, colleagues, even to our own hearts, etc.For now, the kingdom of God is near, and those who pay heed can hop on. A day is coming when the kingdom of God will not be "near" as it will be here in all its visible, physical fulness. Sadly those who reject the gospel now will be far away on that day.
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE from Micah 5:2-5The ground themes of the prophets in the Bible like Micah, is not only about judgement - that God being the Righteous Judge cannot just look over sin but He needs to deal with it. The prophets also proclaimed about hope.No matter what time of history we live in, our main problem is our sinfulness. As written in the Bible, this time in the book of Micah, God sent the solution to our problem - JESUS.There was a period of about 700 years after Micah prophesied the coming of Jesus. What would the Saviour do?I. To explain the significance of the Saviour’s Humble Birth v2There were two Bethlehems in the Bible but this Bethlehem is the one on Ephratah. Why there?Bethlehem is not big enough, not popular, insignificant with no military power. nor prestige.God sent our Saviour Jesus Christ to the place because these were the type of people the Messiah is going to save - weak, no beauty and born with troubled circumstance. God’s way is to choose choose the weakest, smallest and unable to contribute for this salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.WE ARE BETHLEHEM. We need the Saviour Jesus.II. To show God’s Divine Initiative v2bGod’s purpose is not only to save us from our sins; it is ultimately to glorify Himself. Because no one can contribute to the solution for our sinfulness, and to truly glorify God , Jesus came. Jesus is the Perfect Temple, the Perfect Israelite, the Perfect King, the Perfect Priest, the Perfect Prophet, the Perfect Sacrifice and the Perfect Son. The ultimate purpose of of a Christian is to glorify God.If this sound God is selfish and needy for you, then take sunrise for example. The sun rises day after day after day and we people rejoice in the glorious display of nature. Do you tell yourself that God is selfish when you see the sunrise? For me? No. God’s glory is transformative.III. To bring Peace v5The Assyrian army were coming to take over the Israelites. God sent the Assyrians as instrument of His judgement.We are at war with God because of our sins. Jesus came to live the perfect life - not sinning (never being under the wrath of God). Christ took upon himself the penalty for our sin when he died in the cross on our behalf. That sinners like you and ME will have peace with God. Through Jesus, by placing your faith in Him, can have peace with our Maker.Isaiah 9:6 writes, For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
PERSECUTION AND PROGRESSActs 8:1-8As hell was being unleashed on the people of God, heaven was rejoicing at the progress of the kingdom of God. This is the way it has been through the centuries. Every blow taken has made the church stronger. For every Christian killed in the Roman empire, there were seven converts. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." It is when we are comfortable that we grow weak. If we had persecution, the true church would grow.About times of trial, James exhorts us to Count it all joy . . . that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (that really matters spiritually). We do not pray for persecution, but in the face of persecution we pray that the Lord's will be done.PERSECUTION (Acts 8:1-3)This is the first time the church was going through systematic persecution. The church went through seasons of such persecution, and at other times, the world admired the church, as we see in Acts 5:12. The stoning of Stephen was the straw that broke the camel's back. We also see that a young man zealous about persecution had come on the scene. He became the lead persecutor of the early church, ravaging the church.The church was so bold in the face of this persecution. 1. The believers came boldly and took Stephen's body, which they buried and gave "loud lamentations" over, something that was forbidden for executed criminals. The church honoured the saint whom the Lord had welcomed into heaven. 2. When many saints were scattered, the apostles stayed on, because they were not going to be forced out by persecution. It was not wrong to flee when persecuted, but in this case the apostles stayed put.PROGRESS (Acts 8:4-8)The progress of the kingdom of God was multidimensional:- Progress in the evangelistic efforts of Philip the deacon. Samaria was a part of God's plan for the church's progress. On the other hand, Jerusalem was described as the city that had stoned the prophets. Even when the Christ was sent to them, they killed Him. And now, the city was driving out the church. But when Samaria got one evangelist, Evangelist Philip, almost the entire city came to faith.- Progress in the Mission of Christ. In the mission statement Jesus included Samaria as a gateway before the gospel made its way to "all the earth." Samaria had a special place in the Lord's heart. It was to the sinful adulteress of Samaria that He first revealed that He was the Messiah. By revealing this to a woman, a Samaritan, and a serial adulteress, Jesus showed that the gospel was for those who do not deserve it. In the famous miracle of the healing of the ten lepers, the grateful leper is identified as a Samaritan. The parable Jesus told to explain who our neighbour is features a Samaritan as the neighbour. When James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on this 'evil city' they were rebuked by the Lord. And now we see that the gospel reaches this city that was so dear to Jesus.- Progress in the preparation of the apostle Paul. Saul saw first hand how the Christian martyrs embraced the suffering that the Lord had ordained them to go through. His own life was similar to Stephen's. He too was falsely accused of blasphemy, was dragged before the Jewish council, was stoned, and eventually martyred.You are not too sinful or ugly for the gospel, which went through the gateway of the most hated and ugly and sinful people. Who knows what God has in store for the most vile God-hating people of the world. Isn't it worth being stoned if the person who stoned you would greet you in heaven. Stephen's prayer for Saul was answered in exactly that way.
Sermon text: Acts 7:51-60Stephen reveals to us in a special way the nature and character of Christ, being presented to us as a Christ follower and an ideal type of a Christian.- came to serve and not be served- used his gift for preaching and teaching whenever he could- engaged in debates with authorities- was full of grace (just like Jesus in John 1:14)- did signs and wonders in Jesus name- was falsely accused by the same court that judged Jesus falsely- his death was a landmark in the spread of the gospel- modeled his dying words 'Lord receive my spirit,' and 'Do not hold this sin against them' after Jesus' dying words.Stephen's sermon teaches us how we ought to read our Old Testament, essentially as we read our New Testament, as pointing to Jesus. A short life does not indicate insignificance of ministry. Some people lay many stones, bringing in much to the kingdom of God. Others may bring one stone. But that stone is absolutely vital in God's providential purposes in establishing His kingdom.VERDICT OF STEPHEN (Vs 51-53) He pointed to Jesus but also wanted his audience to hear how guilty they were, the weight of their sin. He would have done this in order to give them the good news of forgiveness in Christ, but he did not get the opportunity to get to the good news. It is crucial that the ailment is explained before the cure is announced, for the cure to be appreciated (which is the format in Acts 2:36-38, 3:13-19, 4:10-11.) However, Stephen alludes to the good news about forgiveness in Christ, in His final prayer just before he died.VISION OF STEPHEN (Vs 55-56)It was common for the location of Jesus to be mentioned, being at the right hand of God, as we see in Ps110:1, which is quoted five times in the New Testament. It is the place of honour and power. 'Right hand', 'being seated', and 'power' are connected. But in Stephen's vision, Jesus is standing. Why is He standing? Probably to welcome Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This vision is not unique to him; every single Christian will be welcomed into the presence of the Lord.VIRTUE OF STEPHEN (Vs 57-60)We see Stephen's virtue when we see the vision of Jesus that he saw in the scriptures and the vision he saw in the moments of his death. He was so Christlike and loving, a model for us to imitate.Contrast 1: While the Jewish leaders were losing control of themselves, to the point of killing Stephen, which was illegal, Stephen was calm and composed, asking the Lord to receive his spirit. He could shape his words after the Saviour's own submissive words to His Father.Contrast 2: While the Jewish leaders were trying to kill him, he was trying to save them, as we can see in his second prayer, lovingly asking the Lord to forgive his stoners, the false witnesses who knowing that he was blameless took off their outer garments, laying them at Paul's feet, proceeding to stone him. It is not anger we should have against our persecutors. They are preparing us for eternity and increasing our heavenly reward and making us more Christlike. So anger is not the appropriate response, but rather love and pity as they are sending themselves to hell. So we look for that one more opportunity to present the gospel, like Stephen did.
Supremacy of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-4)The author of Hebrews seeks to re-orientate the church back to the supremacy of Christ.Christ is:1. THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S REVELATION (v. 1-2)Then God spoke to us through the prophets in various ways (e.g. visions, types and shadows) but NOW we have a message clear and full in Christ.If in Christ we have the fulfillment and fulness of revelation, then we must not go further than Christ in times of persecution and troubles. We must ever all the more cling to Him.2. THE EMBODIMENT OF GOD'S NATURE (v. 3) - this is why we must stop at Christ. He is both Man and God, the Eminent One, the First and the Last, Alpha and Omega.So immense is this glory yet it is contained in Christ. Our eyes once couldn't behold the face of God, but now we see what God is like in Christ.This God told us to imitate Him (He did not just leave us to it) and so sent the Holy Spirit to live in and among us and sanctify us.3. THE OBJECT OF GOD'S WORSHIP (v3) - because He is way superior to the angels, truly God and equal to God, therefore our lives must be lived in worship to Him."It Is finished." Salvation is finished in Christ. He laid His life down as the perfect sacrifice for sin, was raised again and now sitting at the right hand of the Father.Though evil tempt us and shall troubles and trials come to us, yet He is for us and promised to lead us to glory.May He grow ever larger on us as we grow deeper in Him.
Acts 7:1-50 STEPHEN Part 2
Stephen clearly demonstrated faithfulness, humility, service, selflessness and speaking the truth in love to the point of death. Now we look at his sermon in Ch. 7.
The faith of the Old Testament is not different from the faith of the New Testament. The gospel they then preached (OT) is the same gospel we preach today (NT). Christianity is true. It centers on one man which is Jesus Christ.
Four charges against Stephen: 1. Blasphemy against God (v. 1-16) - the truth is Stephen loved God and spoke of Him with great reverence. He pointed the people to Christ while telling stories of the patriarchs (types and shadow of Christ) from the Old Testament. 2. Blasphemy against Moses (v. 17-37) - he was saying that Jesus is like a prophet like Moses and that Moses is a type and shadow of Christ. He also intimates to them how Moses was always talking and pointing to the fulfillment that is Christ. 3. Blasphemy against the law (v. 38) - Moses has seen the law as precious. He also recognises and intimates to them that the result of the law was not for their salvation, but to remind them of the curse of "Babylon". They couldn't fulfill the law and that they needed the true Way to be rescued. 4. Blasphemy against the temple - he was saying for people to remember the temporary purpose of the temple and how it was not sufficient to be God's dwelling. The final means by which God dwells with His people is Christ - the Tabernacle among us.
Stephen was clearly captivated by how the Old Testament testifies about Christ.
Doesn't it make you want to read and love the Old Testament more?
THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY 1 Cor 13:1-13
What is more to be desired than any other Christian gift or virtue? LOVE
In everything we are enriched in Him so that we are not lacking any gift. (V5)
However, if we have all the gifts but not have love, then it gains us nothing.
Paul said that not everyone who said "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 7:21)
This is a reminder and warning that we should set our eyes on things that really matter away from seeking self-promotion and provoking pride.
Love is the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Jesus is the best example of a love-giver - unconditional, sacrificial, selfless.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Characteristics of Love: Love is patient, love is kind It does not envy It does not boast It is not proud It does not dishonor others It is not self-seeking It is not easily angered It keeps no record of wrongs It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
No other way that we find these things than in Jesus. Be reminded of these things and look ever upon our Beloved Christ.
Do you find this love in your heart?
LIFE AND MINISTRY OF STEPHEN Acts 6:8-15
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the man with a face like an angel, one of the unsung heroes of the Bible. He was an incredible man. He was so useful to the early church that through his short ministry, the church was launched globally.
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His GRACE (v. We notice the similarities between Jesus' and Stephen's ministry, though it is worth nothing that Jesus is the giver of grace and Stephen is the receiver of it. And he was full of grace. Stephen did great things, but they were intended to point to the Greater One who is Christ. He was the first Christian to fully follow Jesus - in terms of his life, ministry and death. We cannot help but see Christ in Stephen, to be reminded of how to follow the Lord.
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His GRIT (v.9-14) The level of opposition that Stephen had to deal with was so great. He was honest and wise that his haters weren't able to stand up against him (as he was filled with the Spirit) so they decided to persuade people against him by bringing false claims against him (by TWISTING the things Stephen had said) It was probably, in general, easier to deceive people with twisted half-truths than completely false things. As an example, how many Christians today are being condemned as hateful or homophobic? What did Stephen have that enabled him to speak wisely and rise to the oppositions? A. Knowledge of Scripture B. Empowerment of the Spirit
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His GLORY (v. 15)- "like the face of an angel" It's fair to say that in the face of Stephen, the glory of God was reflected before his trial, in order to vindicate him. We understand that we are going to be universally rejected by the world because it is stiff-necked, but it is also our call to have the glory of God reflect through our lives and actions.
The story of Stephen is a reminder of how we should follow Christ.
THE HIDDEN PERSON OF THE HEART Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Everyone of us is two persons. One is what we show on the outside, and the other is what's inside. What's the status of our hearts today?
Our HEARTS are under attack. Today, emotion is the new truth. The world tells us to follow our hearts. The Bible tells us to be introspective.
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The IMPORTANCE of our hearts When the Bible talks about the heart, it talks about the hidden inner person. We are what our hearts are. (See 1 Samuel 16:7, Luke 6:43-45, Proverbs 14:14)
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Keeping our hearts Keep = ^guard/protect, ^^maintain Both of these meanings are fitting to our heart.
^Maintain - look at the condition of your heart when you first got born again, maintain it Rev 2:4-5
^^Protect - we love God but we also love sinning Romans 7:23 Keep your hearts in all vigilance. We are diligent and vigilant about things dear to us, but the most important thing we tend to neglect is what lies inside of us.
John Gills 1. Keep the mind from vanity 2. Keep the understanding from error 3. Keep the will from perverseness 4. Keep the conscience clear and clean of guilt 5. Keep our affections from being inordinate and set on evil objects 6. Keep your thought from being employed on bad subjects
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Preach the Gospel to our hearts on a daily basis.
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Life in our hearts Goal of personal devotions - to move your heart
"...for from it flow the springs of life."
We live in an environment where we are so overstimulated that we struggle for quietness. Sometimes you need to say "No" to things that are distracting you from your devotion with God. 1 Cor. 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
It is not only our goal to not sin but to love God with all of our hearts.
Psalms 77:3-4 The author was forlorn, depressed. v. 5-9 He maintains his heart by meditating on the character (e.g. graciousness) of our Lord, in his heart. v. 10 His heart moved unto the Truth
How can a God of love command that the armies of Israel wipe out the inhabitants of the promise land?
Mark 10:17-31
- RICH MAN'S QUESTION
- "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
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"Why do you call me good? There is no one good except God." (V.18) Back in Jesus' day, rich people were considered righteous, blessed and favoured by God. So the rich man came to Jesus thinking himself righteous, self-sufficient, trying to earn heaven by his definition of "good" which is so much lower than God's standard (which is perfect). The fact is that no one can earn heaven. No one is good and righteous enough for heaven. Jesus was not denying His own goodness but redefining the man's definition of good (no one is good by just being a rabbi or a rich person).
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RICH MAN'S PROBLEM Jesus, by listing the commandments, is trying to point to the man his sin and inability to keep the law. The undeniable sin of this man was his idolatrous love of money and wealth. (V.21) The problem is not that he had money. The problem is he failed to see his sin and idolatry. His main problem is he thought he was good and righteous. The man walked away sad thinking heaven can be earned by works.
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HOW DO YOU FIT THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE It is impossible for a self-righteous, self-sufficient person to enter heaven! Then how? "With man it is impossible but not with God." (V.27) Salvation is a supernatural act of God. It cannot be achieved by man. What does it mean? a. God is the one moving our hearts to see our sin b. God is the one causing us to abandon any thoughts that we can work our way to heaven c. God is the one giving us His righteousness so that we can meet His standard The only way is through His grace!
If we were really camels, to be able to fit through the eye of the needle, we would need to get really small. Abandon everything that makes us feel BIG. To really acknowledge our nothingness compared to the GREATNESS of our God and that only by putting our faith in Christ can we be saved.
CAN WOMEN BE DEACONS? 1 Tim. 3:11
Deacons are one of the most underutilized, overlooked, but also an immensely important role/office in the church.
(Continuation of last week's sermon...)
Is v.11 talking about wives of deacons or women deacons? What is the right interpretation of this verse?
When we approach this question, there are two dangers we need to be aware of: 1. Being too determined by our tradition - tradition is useful but "Scripure alone" says the Scripture is the authority. 2. Being too determined by worldly values (i.e. feminism) Most churches in NZ have become egalitarian. Example of this is the existence of women pastors. Hence, this concern is becoming a hot topic recently.
The Bible is egalitarian when it comes to dignity, salvation, sin, etc., but the Bible is not egalitarian when it comes to nature and roles especially in the home and church.
Arguments IN FAVOUR of women deacons: 1. There is no possessive pronoun at the beginning of v.11 2. It seems odd for the wives of deacons to be mentioned here but the wives of elders are not mentioned in the previous section 3. Phoebe (a woman) being a "diakono" (Greek for "servant") mentioned in Romans 16:1 4. If Phoebe is just a "servant" of a church, why is she allowed to do the function of a deacon without being officially a deacon?
Arguments AGAINST women deacons: 1. If Paul intended for women to be deacons, why did he say that a deacon is to be a husband of one wife? 2. No other example of women deacons in NT except for Phoebe. 3. Women are not permitted to be deacons because of the authority associated with deacons (authority over men)
Though pastor/elder office is different from deaconship, it is worth asking "why don't women have authority to teach/preach?" Answer found in 2 Tim 2:13 (a) Adam was created first, not Eve (b) Eve was deceived
This doesn't preclude women from service and performing functions in church (practical service).
Eve's ambition in the garden would have been to be Adam's helper, support, and bearer of his children. It is a precious, venerable make-up of women.
Let's pray to be biblical when dealing with this topic.
THE QUALIFICATION FOR DEACONS 1 Timothy 3:8-13>
Some of us may have dismissed this subject a lot of times because we are not deacons and not wanting to become one anyway. But we need to know this role as we are being overseen by deacons. It matters because they serve us and we are supposed to serve them as well. We are called to serve one another. We have to appreciate this role as they protect the ministry of the preaching of the Word. Also, this role is most crucial as this represents Christ's mercy (practical service) toward us.
- (Verse 8 ) Dignified - high degree of social credibility, responsible, respectable, trustworthy
- (Verse 8 ) Not to be double-tongued - honest, sincere, not biased, not people-pleasers, not hypocritical
- (Verse 8 ) Not indulging in much wine - self-control, not seeking worldly pleasures,
- (Verse 8 ) Not pursuing dishonest gain - not greedy for money, etc
- (Verse 9 ) Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience - embrace, believe and love the truth, they need to know the right doctrine.
- (Verse 10 ) They must be tested first - long enough to prove they are blameless, above reproach
While it is impossible to be blameless in the eyes of God, we can be blameless in the eyes of people, with nothing obviously sinful.
TWO DANGERS 1. If you are not a deacon, that you would fail to see that these are the same standards that apply to every single Christian. 2. If you are deacon, that you think that you don't have the same level of grace that can forgive you. You must remember that we are all in right standing before God only because of what Christ has done.
Pray for your deacons and elders.
List to be continued next week.
THE QUALIFICATION FOR DEACONS 1 Timothy 3:8-13>
Some of us may have dismissed this subject a lot of times because we are not deacons and not wanting to become one anyway. But we need to know this role as we are being overseen by deacons. It matters because they serve us and we are supposed to serve them as well. We are called to serve one another. We have to appreciate this role as they protect the ministry of the preaching of the Word. Also, this role is most crucial as this represents Christ's mercy (practical service) toward us.
- (Verse 8 ) Dignified - high degree of social credibility, responsible, respectable, trustworthy
- (Verse 8 ) Not to be double-tongued - honest, sincere, not biased, not people-pleasers, not hypocritical
- (Verse 8 ) Not indulging in much wine - self-control, not seeking worldly pleasures,
- (Verse 8 ) Not pursuing dishonest gain - not greedy for money, etc
- (Verse 9 ) Hold the mystery of faith with a clear conscience - embrace, believe and love the truth, they need to know the right doctrine.
- (Verse 10 ) They must be tested first - long enough to prove they are blameless, above reproach
While it is impossible to be blameless in the eyes of God, we can be blameless in the eyes of people, with nothing obviously sinful.
TWO DANGERS 1. If you are not a deacon, that you would fail to see that these are the same standards that apply to every single Christian. 2. If you are deacon, that you think that you don't have the same level of grace that can forgive you. You must remember that we are all in right standing before God only because of what Christ has done.
Pray for your deacons and elders.
List to be continued next week.
Acts 6:1-7
How do we structure ourselves in the church? The temptation is to answer this in a PRAGMATIC way - simply do "what works". But to answer in such a way is to start in the WRONG place - man's wisdom (fallen and flawed). Instead, we need to start with the Bible! What does God say about it?
PROBLEM Racial tension, as it often has been, was the conflict at the beginning of this chapter. Hellenistic widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. Now, it is of tremendous importance that the church care for the "widows and orphans".
PRIORITY: The apostles acknowledged it and set up the ministry of deacons. The purpose for this function is to protect the main ministry, which is the preaching of the Word. (v.2) The office of deacons is to take care of the practical administrations of the church.
PROVISION: Selecting men who are (v.3): - Of good repute (moral) -"Filled with the Spirit (spiritual) - Filled with wisdom (practical) Another thing to point is that they selected seven Greek men to fix the problem of the racism.
PROGRESS: The Word of God spread. A large number of people became obedient to the faith.
Take great confidence in the template Christ has for His church. May we always love and pray for our deacons.
Acts 6:1-7
How do we structure ourselves in the church? The temptation is to answer this in a PRAGMATIC way - simply do "what works". But to answer in such a way is to start in the WRONG place - man's wisdom (fallen and flawed). Instead, we need to start with the Bible! What does God say about it?
PROBLEM Racial tension, as it often has been, was the conflict at the beginning of this chapter. Hellenistic widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. Now, it is of tremendous importance that the church care for the "widows and orphans".
PRIORITY: The apostles acknowledged it and set up the ministry of deacons. The purpose for this function is to protect the main ministry, which is the preaching of the Word. (v.2) The office of deacons is to take care of the practical administrations of the church.
PROVISION: Selecting men who are (v.3): - Of good repute (moral) -"Filled with the Spirit (spiritual) - Filled with wisdom (practical) Another thing to point is that they selected seven Greek men to fix the problem of the racism.
PROGRESS: The Word of God spread. A large number of people became obedient to the faith.
Take great confidence in the template Christ has for His church. May we always love and pray for our deacons.
INTRODUCTION SUMMARY 1. The Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13) 2. The Dialogues Between Job And Friends (Job 3:1 – 31:40) 3. Elihu’s Monologue (Job 32:1 – 37:24) 4. Speeches By God And Job’s Responses (Job 38:1 – 42:6) 5. Epilogue (Job 42:7 – 17)
THE DIALOGUES First Cycle - Eliphaz (4–5) - Job’s response (6–7) - Bildad (8) - Job’s response (9–10) - Zophar (11) - Job’s response (12–14)
Second Cycle - Eliphaz (15) - Job’s response (16–17) - Bildad (18) - Job’s response (19) - Zophar (20) - Job’s response (21)
Third Cycle - Eliphaz (22) - Job’s response (23–24) - Bildad (25) - Job’s response (26:1–27:12) - Zophar (27:13–23) - Job’s response (28–31)
FALSE THEOLOGY AND THE BOOK OF JOB
WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT SATAN IN THE BOOK OF JOB, AND HOW SHOULD THAT HELP US IN OUR TRIALS? 1. The first thing we should learn is that Satan is subordinate to God. 2. Second, Satan does nothing in this world except by God's permission. At any moment God could stop Satan from doing what he is doing. 3. Finally, Satan does not have the last word in the lives of God's people.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF JOB? Suffering
INTRODUCTION SUMMARY 1. The Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13) 2. The Dialogues Between Job And Friends (Job 3:1 – 31:40) 3. Elihu’s Monologue (Job 32:1 – 37:24) 4. Speeches By God And Job’s Responses (Job 38:1 – 42:6) 5. Epilogue (Job 42:7 – 17)
THE DIALOGUES First Cycle - Eliphaz (4–5) - Job’s response (6–7) - Bildad (8) - Job’s response (9–10) - Zophar (11) - Job’s response (12–14)
Second Cycle - Eliphaz (15) - Job’s response (16–17) - Bildad (18) - Job’s response (19) - Zophar (20) - Job’s response (21)
Third Cycle - Eliphaz (22) - Job’s response (23–24) - Bildad (25) - Job’s response (26:1–27:12) - Zophar (27:13–23) - Job’s response (28–31)
FALSE THEOLOGY AND THE BOOK OF JOB
WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT SATAN IN THE BOOK OF JOB, AND HOW SHOULD THAT HELP US IN OUR TRIALS? 1. The first thing we should learn is that Satan is subordinate to God. 2. Second, Satan does nothing in this world except by God's permission. At any moment God could stop Satan from doing what he is doing. 3. Finally, Satan does not have the last word in the lives of God's people.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF JOB? Suffering
Acts 5:12-42 When you start to think that the gates of hell are succeeding, and the church is being struck down, be reminded that God is still on His throne and Christ is still building His church. ___________________________________
The early church is: 1. Marked by INCREDIBLE MIRACLES - Jesus is alive and continues His ministry through the apostles who do miracles like He did. 2. Marked by POWERFUL REGULAR PREACHING - the whole story is full of preachings and the command to preach the Truth 3. Marked by PURITY - the story of Ananias and Sapphira is proof that the church should be pure and church discipline is an act of grace that enforces it. ___________________________________
JEALOUSY is a liar. It seduces you to sin. It tells you that God is limiting your joy and forbidding you to have something that you think you are entitled to have.
Truth is that restraint gives us direction towards maximum JOY! _____________________________________
MIRACLE IN PRISON The reason that the apostles were freed was to preach the "LIFE". Life is found in the Word! Not even one day (even a day in prison) will the gates of hell prevail; in the absence of the New Testament, the apostles' preaching was needed or the church would not be built up! ______________________________________ "If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them."
If only churches in the world believe in this, there will be radical change.
Think of how many worldly strategies and means that the church employs in order to "succeed". Sadly, this results in entertainment rather than edification.
God has intended a MEANS, and that is the PREACHING of His Word! God has intended specific means for the caring of His Bride the Church. ________________________________
SUFFERING Why would the disciples want to suffer all the time? They would like to be counted worthy of suffering for the name of Christ.
If and when suffering comes upon us, will we rejoice because God has counted us worthy of suffering for His name?
Acts 5:12-42 When you start to think that the gates of hell are succeeding, and the church is being struck down, be reminded that God is still on His throne and Christ is still building His church. ___________________________________
The early church is: 1. Marked by INCREDIBLE MIRACLES - Jesus is alive and continues His ministry through the apostles who do miracles like He did. 2. Marked by POWERFUL REGULAR PREACHING - the whole story is full of preachings and the command to preach the Truth 3. Marked by PURITY - the story of Ananias and Sapphira is proof that the church should be pure and church discipline is an act of grace that enforces it. ___________________________________
JEALOUSY is a liar. It seduces you to sin. It tells you that God is limiting your joy and forbidding you to have something that you think you are entitled to have.
Truth is that restraint gives us direction towards maximum JOY! _____________________________________
MIRACLE IN PRISON The reason that the apostles were freed was to preach the "LIFE". Life is found in the Word! Not even one day (even a day in prison) will the gates of hell prevail; in the absence of the New Testament, the apostles' preaching was needed or the church would not be built up! ______________________________________ "If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them."
If only churches in the world believe in this, there will be radical change.
Think of how many worldly strategies and means that the church employs in order to "succeed". Sadly, this results in entertainment rather than edification.
God has intended a MEANS, and that is the PREACHING of His Word! God has intended specific means for the caring of His Bride the Church. ________________________________
SUFFERING Why would the disciples want to suffer all the time? They would like to be counted worthy of suffering for the name of Christ.
If and when suffering comes upon us, will we rejoice because God has counted us worthy of suffering for His name?
1) Will Christians be judged? What will be the purpose of this judgement? 2) Is it wrong for Christians to seek felt experiences? Is this something that is missing in the lives of many believers? 3) Will Ezekiel's temple ever be built? If not then why does Ezekiel give it such attention?
1) Will Christians be judged? What will be the purpose of this judgement? 2) Is it wrong for Christians to seek felt experiences? Is this something that is missing in the lives of many believers? 3) Will Ezekiel's temple ever be built? If not then why does Ezekiel give it such attention?
History shows that when the pressure is from the outside of the church, it has a refining effect. Internal conflict, when dealt with appropriately, brings good to the church, But often, it is not dealt with appropriately and much damage results. This is where church discipline comes in. Church discipline is an act of extending grace to unrepentant members.
This passage can be looked at under three headings: SPIRITUAL PARADISE The church was of one heart and mind. The people held their posessions loosely and gave generously. They lived out Mat 10:29-30, When you give up comforts and security for the Lord, you are blessed a 100-fold in the church. When you have to give up family for His sake, you have the family of God caring for you. And those who have possessions must remember that it is not actually ours, and we should be willing to give it up if necessary.
SATANIC PURPOSE Ananias and Sapphira, who are now famous, but for all the wrong reasons, are set as examples for us. The backdrop is the ongoing generosity among God's people, who were selling everything they had and giving it to the church. Ananias and Sapphire used that as an opportunity to elevate themselves before the church, conspiring to lie and pretend as if they were giving everything. They lied and tested the Holy Spirit, and God killed them. This account teaches us what the Church needs to do in cases of conflict and when there is persistent unrepentant sin. It needs to address the sin, for the sake of the sinner and the church itself. Sin is always more serious than we think it is, and sin in the church is no small matter and must be dealt with properly. God killed these two sinners before the church as a warning that sin's proper consequence is death. And the people feared God. Practicing church discipline is an extension of grace because in the first place, God can justifyably kill that unrepentant person. Church discipline is carried out in the hope that the sinner will be restored and to remind people of God's holiness and so to fear Him.
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS Fearing God is the safest option for the church. When God dealt with Ananias and Sapphira, false converts stayed away, and the church grew exponentially. Churches that tolerate sin don't grow, although they may attract numbers. And eventually they stop being churches altogether. Christ will come and purge the church of the evil and the false, goats from among the sheep, weeds from among the wheat. _______________________ Jesus came to save sinners. We are all sinners like Ananias and Sapphira. We all come to church at times looking for acclaim or honour or glory. But Christ died even for hypocrites and liars. Repent of your sins. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, who died for our sins.
History shows that when the pressure is from the outside of the church, it has a refining effect. Internal conflict, when dealt with appropriately, brings good to the church, But often, it is not dealt with appropriately and much damage results. This is where church discipline comes in. Church discipline is an act of extending grace to unrepentant members.
This passage can be looked at under three headings: SPIRITUAL PARADISE The church was of one heart and mind. The people held their posessions loosely and gave generously. They lived out Mat 10:29-30, When you give up comforts and security for the Lord, you are blessed a 100-fold in the church. When you have to give up family for His sake, you have the family of God caring for you. And those who have possessions must remember that it is not actually ours, and we should be willing to give it up if necessary.
SATANIC PURPOSE Ananias and Sapphira, who are now famous, but for all the wrong reasons, are set as examples for us. The backdrop is the ongoing generosity among God's people, who were selling everything they had and giving it to the church. Ananias and Sapphire used that as an opportunity to elevate themselves before the church, conspiring to lie and pretend as if they were giving everything. They lied and tested the Holy Spirit, and God killed them. This account teaches us what the Church needs to do in cases of conflict and when there is persistent unrepentant sin. It needs to address the sin, for the sake of the sinner and the church itself. Sin is always more serious than we think it is, and sin in the church is no small matter and must be dealt with properly. God killed these two sinners before the church as a warning that sin's proper consequence is death. And the people feared God. Practicing church discipline is an extension of grace because in the first place, God can justifyably kill that unrepentant person. Church discipline is carried out in the hope that the sinner will be restored and to remind people of God's holiness and so to fear Him.
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS Fearing God is the safest option for the church. When God dealt with Ananias and Sapphira, false converts stayed away, and the church grew exponentially. Churches that tolerate sin don't grow, although they may attract numbers. And eventually they stop being churches altogether. Christ will come and purge the church of the evil and the false, goats from among the sheep, weeds from among the wheat. _______________________ Jesus came to save sinners. We are all sinners like Ananias and Sapphira. We all come to church at times looking for acclaim or honour or glory. But Christ died even for hypocrites and liars. Repent of your sins. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, who died for our sins.
This concludes the four-part answer to the question:
"Is predestination just?" "Isn't it unfair for God to send people to hell just because he didn't choose to save them?"
This concludes the four-part answer to the question:
"Is predestination just?" "Isn't it unfair for God to send people to hell just because he didn't choose to save them?"
HOW TO HAVE BOLDNESS Acts 4:23-31
We live at a time when boldness is misunderstood and misapplied. 'Boldness' has lost the sense of virtue. To be bold today seems to mean being offensive and doing and saying controversial things. There is such a thing as "sanctified boldness" which stands for truth despite the not-so-good consequences i.e. persecution. Boldness is an essential Christian virtue. We are followers of a crucified Messiah, where the King goes so we go. Now we think to ourselves, "I could never do that." In our best moment, are we not tired of the constant apathy surrounding us? Don't we long to do something valuable for God? How to have boldness? 1. BY HAVING A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN SCRIPTURE The knowledge of God's sovereignty will stir you up to be bold. It is entirely reasonable (a calculated risk) to be (and illogical not to be) bold for God who we know is sovereign and victorious. We sometimes think that Paul and Peter had some extraordinary resources that are now not available to us. That is simply not true. We are still being given everything we need to live and obey God.
- BY HAVING COMMUNION WITH GOD IN PRAYER We may not be bold until we come into communion with God in prayer. It's our theology that stirs us up to prayer that then leads us to be bold. Prayer is a wonderful means by which comfort, the removal of anxieties, and the peace that surpasses all understanding are granted to us. Prayer is not us moving God to do what we want or to change His plan for us. Prayer is God moving through us and in us to achieve what He wants. Isn't that just mindblowingly amazing?
Has God purposed to use you in the same way? Pray for boldness.
HOW TO HAVE BOLDNESS Acts 4:23-31
We live at a time when boldness is misunderstood and misapplied. 'Boldness' has lost the sense of virtue. To be bold today seems to mean being offensive and doing and saying controversial things. There is such a thing as "sanctified boldness" which stands for truth despite the not-so-good consequences i.e. persecution. Boldness is an essential Christian virtue. We are followers of a crucified Messiah, where the King goes so we go. Now we think to ourselves, "I could never do that." In our best moment, are we not tired of the constant apathy surrounding us? Don't we long to do something valuable for God? How to have boldness? 1. BY HAVING A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IN SCRIPTURE The knowledge of God's sovereignty will stir you up to be bold. It is entirely reasonable (a calculated risk) to be (and illogical not to be) bold for God who we know is sovereign and victorious. We sometimes think that Paul and Peter had some extraordinary resources that are now not available to us. That is simply not true. We are still being given everything we need to live and obey God.
- BY HAVING COMMUNION WITH GOD IN PRAYER We may not be bold until we come into communion with God in prayer. It's our theology that stirs us up to prayer that then leads us to be bold. Prayer is a wonderful means by which comfort, the removal of anxieties, and the peace that surpasses all understanding are granted to us. Prayer is not us moving God to do what we want or to change His plan for us. Prayer is God moving through us and in us to achieve what He wants. Isn't that just mindblowingly amazing?
Has God purposed to use you in the same way? Pray for boldness.
Acts 4:13-22 The world is made up of two types of people. Those who: SUPRESS THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (like the high priestly family, perfectly rational people being irrational in their denial) PROCLAIM THE TRUTH IN UNCERTAINTY—IN AN UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENT (like Peter and John who had no idea about how the hostile audience would react to their statements)
What makes the difference between the two? The answer is in V.13— they recognised that they had been with Jesus.
The disciples were filled with confidence and certainty in what they were saying. These attributes were out of place among these uneducated people. So people marveled and recognised that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS.
Have you been touched and transformed by Jesus in a way that people can see these transformations in your lives and recognise that you have been with Him? _______________________________
Other points made during the sermon:
—The truth supressed by the authorities: THEY had asked Pilate for the Roman guard. THEY had been approached by the terrified guards with the news of the resurrection. THEY had bribed the guards to spread a ridiculous untruth. They refused to acknowledge the resurrection just as they refused to acknowledge the miracle of the healing of the lame man standing before them in full sight. Such was their wickedness/blindness.
—When should you disobey authority? - when commanded to do what God has forbidden - when forbidden to do what God has commanded. In our text, when Peter and John were asked not to preach any more in the name of Jesus, it was a no-brainer; they knew that they could not obey.
—Not many days ago, a very different Peter had been recognised as having been with Jesus. At that time he had been outside when Jesus was being questioned by the authorities, he had been afraid, and he had denied the Lord. This time, he was inside before the authorities, emboldened, and proclaiming the truth.
For this Sunday morning Bible study we will be looking a the subject of election/predestination. A question has been asked: "Is predestination just?" "Isn't it unfair for God to send people to hell just because he didn't choose to save them?" These are very understandable questions and ones that I believe the Bible does address.
Does God view us as guilty of Adam's sin in a real sense? Is it just for God to punish us for Adam's sin when we weren't even alive when it was committed? Also why was it Adam's sin that caused the fall? Didn't Eve sin first?
Earlier, in Acts 2:47, we saw that the believers had found favour with all the people. In the history of the church, the church has sometimes been appreciated by the world. Even today, believers are okay until we speak of the exclusivity of Jesus. Then we will be accused of bigotry and narrow-mindedness. In this passage we see the apostles taking a stand for Jesus in that deadly court room, declaring that 'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.'
A MIXED RESULT: It doesn't matter whether you have a mob that persecutes you as long as the message goes across to the people. We never know how it can affect them. There are always mixed results when we preach the gospel. We should always be aware and accepting of that fact.
A DEADLY OPPORTUNITY: To share the gospel can be deadly for some. In the first 300 years of Christianity, there were around 10 ways to persecute Christians. Under times of persecution, two things happen - CHRISTIANS SUFFER and THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED. The moments of great suffering are filled with great grace. It is encouraging to see that the infilling of the Holy Spirit empowers us to share the gospel—to be able to perform during difficult times!
AN EXCLUSIVE SAVIOUR: Tolerance is good. The Bible tells us to be tolerant and kind. What tolerance DOES mean for Christians? We should be legally and socially tolerant, respecting people's rights. What tolerance DOES NOT mean for Christians? It does not mean that we affirm or accept all intellectual perspectives, that all beliefs are equally true! There is only one Way, Truth and Life! And telling people that is not hatred but actually the most loving thing to do.
How Going To Church Might Save You From Wrath Hebrews 10:19-31
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A THING TO CONSIDER (V. 24) Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works. Our job is to stir up our brothers and sisters to love and good works. This is how a church system works. Consider how useless a Christian is without a church to stir up in love. How are we going to do this? Please refer to below follow up by the author.
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A THING TO ATTEND (V. 25) ...not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh. This is not just about attending regularly, but the "why" behind it. As much as attendance itself is essential, it is also needed in order to know one another well enough to encourage them well. It is being in an active participation in one another's lives, to minister to them not just on a Sunday.
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A THING TO FEAR (V. 26) ...for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment...
This warning is targeting the believers. The reason is because through these warnings are true believers kept and sustained from continuous and willful sinning. The church is God's means for our perseverance. So let us consider how to stir one another up in love and good works.
BAPTISM PREPARES US FOR SUFFERING 1 Peter 3:17-21 Baptism is the start and end to many things. It is the start of the Christian life, and is also the start of suffering, trials and persecution. It is the end of the guilt of sin and the dominion of sin, and it can also mean an end to family ties and comforts. Baptism is offensive to people because it is a public declaration of radical separation from one's old (worldly, sinful) self. It is offensive to family as you are saying that everything about you till you came to to faith is dirty. Baptism is initiation into Christ, our Lord, who Himself was crucified.
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SALVATION THROUGH SUFFERING: Vs 18 "Christ suffered once for sin" to BRING US TO GOD. Christ is like a vessel that transports people safely, through God's wrath and judgement, to God. As Christ suffered, He brought us safely to God, sheltering us through His wrath. Like how through Noah (then suffering a lot of persecutions and hardships) and the ark, God saved eight people from the wrath of God.
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PREPARATION THROUGH BAPTISM: Vs 21 "Baptism, which corresponds to this . . ." Baptism prepares you by giving you a picture of the process (Christian life). It reminds us of how the Ark worked, the difficulties and struggles but also the success—being buried and then being raised from the water. Baptism reminds you that you will make it in the end. It teaches us to suffer well. Baptism is a sign of salvation. Like the wedding ring encourages you by reminding you of marriage and the agreement you made, baptism encourages by reminds you of the promise Christ made! Phil 1:6, Heb 12:1b-2.
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VICTORY THROUGH CHRIST: Vs 19 "proclaimed to the spirits in prison" Jesus tells the Satanic powers in hell (who are also the ones that are behind the suffering and persecution of believers) that Noah made it, that He Himself has made it through and was going to the Father, that the church will make it, that THEY DID NOT WIN. You will make it safely onto the other side. Christ has promised this and will surely bring into completion.
REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM. YOU WILL MAKE IT.
Mark 1:12 **Parallel with the temptation in the Garden of Eden Here the Lord Jesus was tempted as a real man, the Last Adam. While He, in the flesh, was free of sin, He suffered all the terrible effects of the fall. He was compelled to go to the wilderness to face the temptation that the first man faced. This was necessary that He might be perfected as our Saviour and a High Priest. John Leevers also talked about the nature of the devil. The devil is a real person also called the father of lies, prince of darkness, the deceiver, the great pretender, the one who disguises himself as an angel of light.
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Christ was tempted to doubt His Heavenly Father. The devil used Christ's hunger to lure Him into giving in to His emotions and satisfying His need through using the power granted to Him. Like us who are sometimes lured into doubting God's support and existence. But Christ's response was that "man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God". The Lord Jesus trusted His Father even to the point of the latter slaying Him. What an example of what Christianity really is—self-effacing, sacrificial!
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Even if we hear something seemingly good, citing the Word of God, we shouldn't heed self-interested interpretation of God's Word. We should not try to manipulate the Word of God to serve our flesh. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines..., yet will I rejoice in the Lord! Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him. Job 13:15
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The devil may have dominion over worldly things and kingdoms but He who sits on the throne of Heaven will last. The devil here is offering counterfeit pleasure, wealth, and comfort. The Lord Jesus resisted him by remembering God's promise of giving Him the inheritance of the kingdom. He worshipped and trusted the Father alone, with all His heart, mind and strength. It was the future joy that fortified the Lord in giving Himself in our stead. These temptations proved Him as a suitable saviour. There was nothing that the devil could accuse Him of.
Set your affections on Him, trust Him, setting your eyes on what's above so that you may resist the lurings of the devil. And even if we do fail, we have a High Priest who is on our side who gave Himself up on the cross for us.