Culpepper Life Group: Recent Episodes
Mike Culpepper
The "gospel" of Isaiah, the most quoted Old Testament book in the New testament. Condemnation - Grace... Judgment - Salvation. In 721 BC Assyria captured and destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In 587, Babylon carried away to captivity the Southern Kingdom of Israel. The judgement of sin is death, yet, "says the Lord, 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'" (Isaiah 1:18). So what are the 66 chapters of Isaiah all about?
The concept of "investing" implies to make it grow... to multiply our money, as in a 401K fund or something. But what about the growing or advancing of relationships? What about our relationships with our spouse, our children... friends... with Christ. The final chapters of the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) give us insight as to the strength and perseverance of true love, as displayed by the Shunamite girl and shepherd boy. And this love is an allegory as to the love relationship God has for His creation... the love of Christ and His Church. God's love never fails. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Can there be any more comfort than that!
As a teenager or young person, do you remember writing "love letters"? Do you recall how awkward it was, and that it probably did not express your true feelings? Well, the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) is a love letter written by wise King Solomon. He wrote 1,005 songs. But we find in 1:1 that the title of this "song" is Song of Songs. So imagine the superlative nature this "song of songs" must be! It describes the love relationship between a Shulamite girl and a shepherd boy. There are trials and difficulties, trying to interfere with their love relationship. But through it all, their love preservers. It is strikingly similar to the love of Christ that He has for his bride... the Church. It is a moving and beautiful tribute to the Creator... God the Father... whose crowning achievement was to create man in His image and make the woman (Bride) as a companion for man. It would seem difficult to imagine Almighty God and Creator, creating man (Church, Bride)... to be His loving companion. And looking at our relationship with God in this fashion may alter or strength our view, of ourselves and of Christ.
Honor. By definition "honor" means to give regard with great respect. Now, place that word in front of the word "wife". Chapters 30 and 31 were not written by Solomon but by Agur (chapter 30) and by king Lemuel (chapter 31). king Lemuel focused on Wisdoms' description of a virtuous woman and a most honorable wife. We see that there are two types of "wisdom". One is human wisdom (which "ain't" so wise) and Godly wisdom. We find that God gave the gift of salvation through Jesus His Son, but He also gives His Godly Wisdom, if we will only take it! God recognizes those who faithfully demonstrates His wisdom in their lives, and presents this context through a virtuous wife.
Accepting discipline. Oftentimes we may be talking to someone about a topic (politics, religion, etc...) and they refuse to listen and hear our side and understand what we have to say. We can be guilty of the same thing, especially when the Lord is speaking! Wisdom instructs us to heed advice and council, and be disciplined enough to at least be quiet long enough to indeed heed wisdom.
We understand to need to be good stewards of our bodies. The things we eat... things we drink... physical activities we do... all play a role in our good health. But in this discussion, there are other proverbs embedded that require consideration. In these chapters we will also look at Wisdom's instruction on cause and effect, Wisdom's instruction on things to avoid and Wisdom's instruction on things to look for.
We all like to please others, and it would seem that we would want to please God. But often times, we seek our own ways and devices in our own attempt to please God... but that is not Scriptural. For "our ways may seem 'right' to us, but those ways lead only to death." In these few chapters of the book of proverbs we will look at some individual proverbs and look into how we can please God... as He would like to be pleased, not like we would like to please Him. We will also find out that there are more things that are an "abomination" to God than we might think!
We continue our discussion of Wisdom... and living wisely. We are to be building blocks rather than stumbling blocks for the kingdom of God.
Wisdom is more valuable than anything we can count of value... gold, silver, rubies... Wisdom is infinite, having been in existence before creation. Wisdom seeks our better good. She does not live in a "seedy" part of town, in a dark place, used only for her own self indulgences, like that of the adulteress/harlot. Her lips are not like a two edged sward like that of the adulteress/harlot. But rather, wisdom lives in the best part of town and her lips not only speak truth and excellent things, but she actually speaks righteousness. Wisdom not only possesses knowledge, but she has the ability to council, and come up with well, thought out plans for a happy, everlasting life. She is worth pursuing and embracing!
We find in Exodus 20:14 the commandment "do not commit adultery". Do you realize this is the 7th commandment? ... and the number 7 represents perfection! Obviously attention to adultery is most important in the life of a Christian... not necessarily in our marriage life, but in our relationship with Christ. Adultery is committed by seeking sexual gratification from someone else other than your spouse. Think about it, a marriage relationship should be pure and involves total commitment... always. That example is given in Christ as the groom and the Church as His bride... a total, loving commitment... forever! In chapter 5, the adulteress is described as truthfully enticing, but leading to embarrassment and destruction. Christ, our groom, describes drinking water that He provides and giving us everlasting life because he loves us and desires only our best. The adulteress is described as being a cistern of water that delivers poisonous water. Our marriage to Christ is described as being in the arms of someone who truly loves us and cares for us. The adulteress is described as someone who is only self-indulging and cares nothing for us. So what to choose... Christ who loves and cares and gives life, or the adulteress, who cares nothing for us and gives death??? That choice should be obvious!
Choice is defined as "the act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more options. It is a course of action that is selected or decided upon." Of course we make many choices in a day, year... a lifetime! Here, we will look at the single entity of "Choice". As a wise father is explaining to his unlearned child the nature of wisdom, and thus, how to make the right choice. when confronted with multiple options. And to be sure, in our daily lives in today's world, we are confronted with multiple options.
Wisdom is a real, tangible entity. Wisdom has always been implied to be good. Why would a father want his son to be wise? Of course it is because of love. If wisdom is good, a loving father desires only that that is good for their child. We are a child of God and surely God desires only what is good and best for us... and wisdom is the thing... and that is why we study it!
There were difficult times in the establishment and succession of kings in the early history of Israel as a nation. Solomon was indeed wise. However, King Solomon literally saw and lived a rather difficult life... thus giving rise to these practical proverbs, to give us a better picture of what life truly is... and how to live it!
We begin a study into the book of Proverbs. There is little doubt that the fear of the Lord is the beginning is knowledge. We will look at what a proverb is, and how the terms, Fools, Simpletons, and Scorners identify people who do not study God's Word.
Paul gave the believers in Rome sound theology regarding the Old Testament law and New Testament grace. He concludes by giving encouragement and a challenge to be faithful followers of Christ. We should be delighted to know that God chose us... that He saved us, and that He has given us talents and abilities that can help those that are weak in the faith.
Certainly there are Scripturally sound theological thoughts and foundational principles that, as Christians, we must learn. Scripture describes those who are spiritually weak and those who are spiritually strong, and that those who are spiritually strong must help his weak brother. Here in chapter 14, Paul addresses both groups.
As Christians, we are to recognize and respect authority. Of course, Satan would have us to do otherwise. Scripture teaches we are subject to authority and that we should be submissive to it. As citizens, we are to respect the authority above us, and we are to recognize and respect our place in an organized governmental nation. We should also recognize we are subject to God's timetable... for us... and the world!
The righteousness of God has been enacted through Jesus Christ. In metamorphosis, a caterpillar that once crawled around is transformed into a beautiful butterfly that flies, and in doing so displays the nature of God. So too, the life of an unsaved person is transformed into a Christian when they believe in Christ. And in doing so, they can display the nature of God in and through their life.
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Israel will always have a remnant.
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Israel's rejection is not permanent.
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Israel will be restored.
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Israel's restoration will evoke praise!
God's Sovereignty is demonstrated in
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Israel's identity
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His personal choices
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His powerful will.
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Human responsibility
Many profess to be "Christian". But Scripture says that while many may profess their Christianity, many do not practice it... and unfortunately Christ will ultimately say, "Depart from me, you that work iniquity, for I never knew you. What are the characteristic qualities of a true born again believer? Here, Paul, discusses the provisions of the Spirit and the assurance of our salvation.
Justification is through faith, and faith alone. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are free from the bonds of sin... and death.
Paul says we are under grace and not law (Romans 6:14)
Yet he also says we are accountable for our actions, "So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)
And the Great White Throne Judgment of the 20th chapter of Revelation is not slack, itself!