“Past Revelation and Future Hope”

by • on 9:31 PM • in Uncategorized

1 Chronicles 14
Intro:
Chapter 14 serves to fill the three-month gap between the two attempts to bring the ark to Jerusalem. It is a literary device that conveys a sense of waiting. More importantly, it preaches the message that God honors good intentions. The seeking after God signified by the new seeking out of the ark after its neglect in Saul’s reign (13:3) was good. God measures spiritual progress by endeavors, not by results.
David Established at Jerusalem (14:1-12)
The verb in David’s statement at 14:11 acts as a counterpoint to its use in his speech of 13:2-3. The framing of 14:11 with the double use of “Baal Perazim” serves to drive home the message, which the whole chapter intends to reinforce, that God is here respecting David’s good intentions. His seeking of God has not gone unnoticed. It is the way of blessing. The Chronicler wants his readers to find in it a message for themselves, a message which Jesus also gave in His exhortation: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). David’s heart was in the right place and, although this basic fact could not guarantee the automatic success of his venture, in other respects he experiences the blessing of God. In this case David, although he made a ritual mistake, had certainly prepared his heart to seek God; accordingly he won blessings. The measure in which he gave to God was the measure in which he received blessing, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
While Saul consulted a medium, which was definitely not a means of seeking God (10:13), David twice “inquired of God” (14:10, 14; 13:3), relying on God in these enterprises. Accordingly, while in Saul’s case the sequel was defeat, which resulted in the attribution of power to the gods of Philistia (10:10), in David’s case the sequel was victory which included the Philistines’ abandonment of their gods in the battlefield and so spelled the glorification of the true God (14:12). Another such contrast is to appear in 15:29. Saul’s daughter Michal, unable to recognized the true meaning of events, despises her husband David as he honors the ark in worshiping God. It is an instance of “like father, like daughter.” Saul is typical of those who do not seek the thing of God and are blind to such endeavors.
By these means the Chronicler is posing a warning: along which road are you traveling, dear reader? A road of backsliding and exile or a road of restoration and blessing? The crossroads are ever there, confronting us. Constant choosing and diligent self-examination are needed so that we identify with the things of God and live accordingly.
The Philistines Defeated (14:13-17)
David’s perception was a healthy one, and all the more creditable because human nature finds it a hard lesson to learn. Naturally speaking, we are all inclined to see ourselves as the movie star, with our associates playing supporting roles, and the rest of the world milling around as mere extras. We are each the center of our little universe, the sun around which the constellations and planets move in constant homage. David is able to break away from this self-centered fantasy. In any sphere power may easily be abused. As a Victorian political historian perceived, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Here is a contrary perception: as David’s star reaches its zenith, it is God who is honored and the people who profit.
For the Chronicler and for the Christian there is a divine arc drawn between past revelation and future hope: both stand in the present gap between these two points looking forward with a hope which has been shaped by the past.

Open It
1. How has your ability to handle problems changed as you have grown older?

2. *What person has given valuable guidance to you in your life?

3. When are you most likely to ask for a friend’s help? most unlikely?

Explore It
4. *What did David do about the Philistines’ raid on the Valley of Rephaim? (14:9-10)

5. What prompted David to pray? (14:9-10)

6. What promise did God make to David regarding the Philistines? (14:10)

7. *Why did David attack the Philistines? (14:10-11)

8. *What orders did God give David about his second battle with the Philistines? (14:13-15)

9. What did defeating the Philistines do to David’s reputation? (14:17)

Get It
10. *How important is it to ask God’s help or guidance when we are facing a decision?

11. *What decisions in life require God’s help, and which ones can we handle on our own?

12. In what ways does God give us direction and guidance?

13. What role can active listening play in our prayer life?

14. Why do we often forget to praise God or give Him credit when we are successful?

15. David did not allow his men to keep any idols (false gods); what are some of the idols we should
not allow to be in our possession?

16. What stops us from getting rid of things, loyalties, or habits that we have served as false gods?

17. How has God used different methods in different situations to make His will known to you?

Apply It
18. *When can you take time this week to listen to God’s voice of guidance for a decision you need
to make?

19. For what concern or problem will you pray for wisdom each day this week?

20. What ungodly materials or influences do you want to remove from your life today?

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“How to Be A Good Christian Wife”

by • on 2:24 PM • in 1 Peter

 

 

1 Peter 3:1-6

 

INTRO:

1. The bible tells us that GOD is the SOURCE of ALL that is GOOD!

James 1:17

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

2. If God is the source of our new life in Christ

1. Then we must be living good lives

2. And doing good things

3. In Matt. 5:16, Jesus said

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

4. John Wesley had a wonderful rule concerning being good and doing good

a. It was simply this:

 Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

5. Peter has written about the important subject of:

1. “What Salvation Is All About”

2. and “What Christian Living is all About”

6. He now turns to the important subject of

1. “What Being Good is all About”

7. And he beings with the important subject of –

 

HOW TO BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN WIFE

1 Peter 3:1-7

1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

 

A. There is an old Jewish proverb that states:

“God could not be everywhere, and so He made mothers.”

B. Of course that is not to deny His omnipresence;

1. But rather to acknowledge that in this present age-

“God has chosen to live in and through the lives of His people”

C. And for so many of us;

1. God has so powerfully expressed Himself

a. Through the lives of our mothers and wives!

b. And other significant women

c. Who have touched us deeply for good and for God

D. This is the important subject to which Peter is writing

1. How can one be a good and godly wife?

E. Peter gives us 3 specific attributes of a good Christian wife

1. Which are appropriate not only for the Christian wife,

2. But for all women who want to please God by their good lives

 

I. “Living Testimony” (vv. 1-2)

A. In verses 1, 2; Peter describes the quality of conduct or behavior

1. Which is most pleasing to God

B. Back in 1 Peter 1:15, Peter said

 “As He who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct”

C. God calls all of us to the life of hoy behavior

1. Such a lifestyle release great influence upon the lives of others

D. Peter contends that this kind of living is much more important than-

1. What we SAY

E. In fact, Peter asks that Christian wives live in such a way;

1. That their husbands who do not obey the Word –

2. May be won by the CONDUCT of their wives

 

Illustration

Several years ago a young lady came to faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of the church that she was attending. Prior to her conversion, she and her husband had been involved in a very immoral lifestyle

Shortly after becoming a Christian, she went to her pastor for counsel regarding how she could best influence her husband so that he might come to a new life through Jesus Christ. Her pastor shared with her from 1 Peter 3, and encouraged her to share with her husband what Christ had done in her life. “Tell your husband about the love and forgiveness of Christ, and what a difference He is making in your life.” Then never mention another world about God or Christ or the gospel again until he asks you or until the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak. In the meantime, live for Christ in all that you do. Allow Him to filly you with the Holy Spirit and to give you the fruit of the Spirit of love and joy and peace.” He prayed for her and she went home to live for Christ and to love her husband as only Christ could enable her to do. Some 3 months later, the pastor had the privilege of leading her husband to Christ. At that time the pastor asked him, “what influenced you most for Christ?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he responded. “It has been my wife. Several weeks ago she told me of how she had come to know Christ personally. She said that she hoped that I would also come to Christ, but that she would not bug me. Whenever I had a question or whenever I was ready to know more, she would share with me. She was a changed woman. She did not nag me or preach to me; she only loved me! I know that whatever she has is what I want and need. And I believe that it is Jesus Christ.”

 

F. That was the message of the Apostle Peter

1. Just ‘LIVE IT OUT’!

G. It worked in that marriage

1. And it has also worked in the lives of countless others

 “It is not a message of compromise or nonchalance; it is a message of holy and godly living. It is a reminder that we seldom talk or argue people into the Kingdom. WE love and prayer and influence them by our holy living. This allows the Holy Spirit to minister through us and to draw people to Christ!”

H. Peter says that this HOLY LIVING must be done with –

1. CHASTE conduct and with FEAR

‘Chaste’ means “Holy” – often translated in N.T. as ‘PURE’

I. As Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:22

1. “Keep yourself PURE concerning sin”

‘FEAR’ is better translated “REVERENCE”

“We should live a HOLY life of PURITY and REVERENCE; so that we might influence those outside the faith by our godly behavior.”

 

II. “Inward Spiritual Beauty” (vv. 3-4)

A. There is a FORM of BEAUTY which comes from –

1. The OUTWARD adorning of the body, such as:

a. The ARRANGING of the HAIR

b. Wearing of JEWELRY

c. Putting on of FINE APPAREL

B. Peter asks for Christian women to recognize that there is a beauty

1. Which is FAR MORE VITAL and IMPORTANT

 *He does not suggest that it is wrong to dress beautifully or to wear makeup

 **In fact, even the godly woman described in Proverbs 31 has fine clothing of silk and purple

C. Nothing wrong with dressing up, using make up & looking nice;

1. But there is a beauty which is much deeper

2. And of a much higher priority

“It is the beauty of the inner person which Peter describes as the hidden person of the heart.”

*This person should be adorned with the incorruptible ornament or unfading beauty of a GENTLE and QUIET SPIRIT, which is precious in the sight of God.

This is the beauty that never fades

It is SPIRITUAL BEAUTY

It is the kind of beauty described in the old hymn:

 Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity;

O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,

‘Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me!

 

III. “Living In Submission” (vv. 5-6)

A. This is never a popular subject

“At the very center of our sinful nature is the deep desire to go our own way, to do our own thing, to be “number one.”

The Only Way that we can come to God is to SUBMIT to Him

But that submission is not based upon rebellion or legalism or “doing it because we have to”

“LOVE is at the root of the Biblical understanding of submission”

B. The Bible tells us that –

‘Jesus SUBMITTED to the FATHER because of His deep LOVE for HIM, and that He submitted to the CROSS because of His deep love for US!’

“To submit is NOT to be INFERIOR”

To the CONTRARY, Paul wrote in –

Philippians 2:5-8

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

C. Jesus said that the ‘GREATEST of ALL, is the SERVANT of ALL’

D. Jesus explained this principle in –

Matthew 20:25-28

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.

26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

E. The CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE, is predicated upon these same principles

A WOMAN is not INFERIOR or SUPERIOR to a man in marriage

F. Paul said in Galatians 3:28, that IN CHRIST -

“…there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In CHRIST, there is NO SUPERIORITY!

The MAN is not greater than the woman, and the WOMAN is not greater than the man – because IN CHRIST; there is NEITHER male nor female.

IN CHRIST, our old natures are DEAD; and it’s NOW CHRIST that lives in us. Christ is EQUAL in both male and female.

IN CHRIST there is no longer the battle of the SEXES; we are ALL ONE!

SUBMISSION of the WIFE to the HUSBAND is NOT a matter of INFERIORITY; it is a matter of LOVE!

She does it because she LOVES CHRIST, because she loves her HUSBAND, and because she is OBEYING the Word of the God.

And we must also remember that the husband is also to serve the wife -

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

THEN…there is also the biblical doctrine of MUTUAL SUBMISSION within the BODY OF CHRIST which is an even higher principle…

MUTUAL SUBMISSION is the KEY to CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

Ephesians 5:21  …submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Paul declared that we should SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER out of REVERENCE for CHRIST, that is a basic principle of the Christian faith

 “We should live under the lordship of Christ as willing servants and joyfully submit to each other as servants of Christ and of one another.”

“A wife that is doing good, is a wife that is loving God; and loving her husband; and loving her family.”

 

ILLUSTRATION

I read a story about a couple who had attended a marriage seminar taught by one of the male demagogues determined to show that Scripture teaches that the man is IN CHARGE at home. It was the kind of terrible teaching on submission that turns women into lowly doormats. Well, the husband just loved it! He had never heard anything like that in his life, and he drank it all in. His wife, however, sat there fuming as she listened to hour after hour of this stuff.

When they left the meeting that night, the husband felt drunk with fresh power as he climbed into the car. While driving home, he said rather pompously, “Well, what did you think about that?” His wife didn’t utter a word, so he continued, “I think it was great!”

When they arrived home, she got out and followed him silently into the house. Once inside, he slammed the door and said, “Wait right there-just stand right there.” She stood, tight-lipped, and stared at him. “I’ve been thinking about what the fellow said tonight, and I want you to know that from now on, that’s the way it’s gonna be around here, You got it?” that’s the way things are gonna run in this house!”

And having said that, he didn’t see her for two weeks. After 2 weeks, he could start to see just a little bit – out of one eye!

 

Conclusion:

The answer to living in SUBMISSION is LOVE

1) “It’s not difficult to submit to a God we love and then to serve Him”

2) “It’s not difficult to submit to a husband we love and then to serve him”

3) “It is not difficult to give ourselves for a wife whom we love as Christ loves us”

TO SERVE IS TO LOVE – AND CHRIST IS OUR MODEL

NEXT WEEK: “HOW TO BE A GOOD HUSBAND”

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“Called To Be Servants”

by • on 12:27 PM • in 1 Peter

1 Peter 2:18-25

Intro:

A. Peter now continues to address the vital subject of servant-hood;

1. Which is central to the Christian lifestyle

B. It’s interesting, as you study the word ‘FAITH’

1. You actually discover that:

 “The Biblical definition for ‘FAITH’ is ‘ACTIVE OBEDIENCE’

…and GOD has called all Believers to be His obedient SERVANTS”

C. Many people are very surprised and even RESISTANT;

1. When they hear that ‘faith is active obedience’ to God

Discussing this in our men’s discipleship, yesterday morning…where does belief end and faith start?

FAITH is Synonymous with OBEDIENCE

Unfortunately, it’s so easy to fall into the SELF-CENTERED lifestyle, where we don’t want to be servants of anyone, nor are we excited about a lifestyle of obedience.

What we often prefer is for God to fall into the flow of our lives, and subscribe to the desires of our hearts.

F. It’s easy to fall into the SELF-CENTERED lifestyle

1. Where we don’t want to be the servants of anyone

2. Nor do we get excited about the lifestyle of obedience

“A self-centered lifestyle, challenges the very basic requirements of being a true Christian. To follow Jesus Christ as Lord in obedience and to serve Him is not an option for authentic Christian’s lifestyle, it is imperative. And as we serve Christ, we must also serve others.”      – Lloyd J. Ogilvie

Many people want to be forgiven for their sin and to go to heaven, yet they really don’t want to OBEY God or SERVE others….and I think that’s why they get so offended when you point out:

Biblical FAITH means ACTIVE OBEDIENCE

Read that today in our bible reading from Acts 5:32 – God gives His Spirit to those who OBEY Him

Many people RESIST the idea of OBEDIENCE and SERVANTHOOD —

Yet as Peter teaches us today,

SERVANTHOOD is what Christianity is all about

I. This is the TEACHING that Peter now explains from 1 Peter 2:18-25

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

“Servants, be submissive to your masters”

A. This statement is clear

“Christians are not free to merely do their own thing, nor to simply follow Christ without carrying on their responsibility to their masters”

God didn’t just save us and turn us loose. He purchased our souls, so that we might live our lives for His glory.

When I came to Christ, I didn’t get saved and say “now what do I want to do with MY life…it’s no longer MY life but Gods.”

We are saved to be servants of God.

‘SERVANTS’

The Greek word translated “servants” indicates that these were household slaves. They were Christian slaves serving for the most part in the homes of pagan masters. The fact that Peter singles them out for special admonitions indicates that slaves, as a class, formed a large part of the early Christian community. The slaves are exhorted to put themselves in subjection to their absolute lords and masters.”           (Wuest Word Studies, 1 Peter 2:18)

‘TO SUBMIT’

“A voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility & carrying a burden. To be under or subject unto.”

Submission is a Requirement of all BELIEVERS

•           Christian servants are to be ‘SUBJECT TO THEIR MASTERS’ (2:18)

•           Christians are to be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake (2:13)

•           Christian wives are to be subject to their husbands (3:1)

•           Younger Christians are to be subject to their elders ( 5:5)

•           All Christians are to be subject to one another (5:5)

B. Here Peter implies that it is quite easy & natural for us to be:

1. Submissive and obedient to employers who are

a. Good to us and gentle with us

-In fact, it is a real temptation to TAKE ADVANTAGE of such employers-

C. Paul gave the same instructions to the Ephesian believers, in –

Ephesians 6:5-6      Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

D. Paul reminds us that when we work for others;

1. We should not do more merely to PLEASE THEM;

2. But rather we should-

“Work as unto the LORD Himself”

E. In other words;

1. We should NOT merely “GET BY” with what is expected

of us – By KIND and GENTLE  employers

“We should do our very best in a way that will please God”

F. When we please God

1. We will be pleasing to our employers

“Excellence for God usually brings the approval and admiration of God from employers”

G. Paul said:

Colossians 3:22-25 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

H. Solomon said:

 Proverbs 22:29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

I. To ‘SUBMIT’ to EMPLOYERS who are ‘GOOD & GENTLE’ is not difficult

1. But V. 18 also instructs us to:

“Submit to MASTERS who are HARSH”

A. To be whipped or beaten into submission is one thing;

1. But to SUBMIT by one’s OWN FREE WILL to –

2. A HARSH master is QUITE IMPROBABLE or even POSSIBLE;

a. Without the LORD’S help

B. However, Peter is NOT talking about the NATURAL;

1. He talking about the SUPERNATURAL

C. Peter says here that this type of ATTITUDE is ‘COMMENDABLE’

1. Because it REQUIRES our ‘CONSCIOUS towards God’

2. Is the MOTIVATION for such BEHAVIOR (V. 19)

19 For this finds favor [submission], if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

A. We ENDURE GRIEF and SUFFER because –

1. Our DEEPEST commitment is to JESUS CHRIST

B. And the ULTIMATE PURPOSE of our WORK is to PLEASE HIM;

1. To do ALL to HIS GLORY

1 Corinthians 10:3      Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

C. Notice what else PETER SAYS there in V. 20

D. Here Peter asks a VERY DIRECT and HONEST, rhetorical question:

20a For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?

A. Pretty obvious, there is nothing special about that

1. If you steal from your employer and get caught

2. And he FIRES you for it

3. And you SUFFER WELL—

i.e. – You don’t go out and run him down to everyone to make yourself look better; BUT you say, ‘well, I deserve this’.

B. Suffering well for DOING WRONG is EXPECTED- as a believer

1. No rewards

20b But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

A. There is a DIMENSION of CHRISTIAN behavior

1. Which goes WAY BEYOND that which is expected by others

a. And it is PLEASING to GOD

B. That is when we DO GOOD…and then SUFFER FOR IT;

1. And take it PATIENTLY

2. This kind of behavior finds FAVOR with GOD

C. But it ALSO has the POTENTIAL of

1. MINISTERING to our MASTERS

2. And to OTHERS around us

D. Most of us have seen the POWER of

1. ‘THAT KIND’ of behavior

a. Affect the LIVES of OTHERS

E. I recently read a story of a man who came to faith in Jesus Christ;

1. Through the influence of his teenage son

2. Who had personified this kind of behavior to his father

ILLUSTRATION

This young man was stricken with polio at an early age and was badly crippled in both of his legs. His father had become very bitter over this malady which had afflicted his only son. He became an alcoholic and began to badly mistreat his wife and son.

Life became literally “hell on earth” for his family. However, within the context, the mother and son began to attend church and both received Christ as Savior and Lord. Their hatred and resistance to the man’s cruelty was changed to love and concern. One evening after the father had beaten the boy badly, he realized that the boy was expressing love to him rather than fear and hatred.

He was deeply touched by that response even in his stupor. He asked the boy why he was responding so strangely, and the young man replied, “It’s because I love you, Daddy. God loves you, and so do I !”

During the coming months, as he continued to abuse his wife and son, that simple message kept coming back to him, “God loves you, and so do I!” The more hatred and bitterness he directed toward his family, the more love they returned to him. And one evening, he could stand it no longer. He was so convicted by the Holy Spirit through the love of his own son, he blurted out to the young man, “I want to love you and your mother and God! How can I do it?”

That night, his twelve-year old son explained how he could come to know God through personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The boy led his father to Christ. That is the potential power of “supernatural” living in relationship to harsh master, bitter parents, and to all of those outside the Kingdom of God.

F. That is the KIND of BEHAVIOR

1. That finds FAVOR with God – “Patiently suffering for doing the right thing”

G. Notice that PETER SAYS in V. 21, that we have…

21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you,

A. This is our calling

1. To SUFFER WELL

2. To suffer for DOING WELL and PATIENTLY enduring it

 It’s my job as your pastor, not to teach you how to escape suffering,

but how to SUFFER WELL in the midst of UNFAIR suffering.

B. It’s not an option

1. This behavior is expected of us by our LORD

C. Notice here in verse 21, that Peter tells us that

1. We are NOT ALONE in this;

2. CHRIST is our EXAMPLE

D. We DON’T SUFFER ALONE

1. Jesus is the SOURCE for BOTH: ‘Our HELP and our EXAMPLE’

E. CHRIST is our ‘DIVINE MENTOR’

1. I love being mentored by the LIFE OF CHRIST

F. When I’m suffering

1. I look to Christ’s EXAMPLE

2. And I look to HIM also for HELP!

G. Peter reminds us that JESUS ALSO SUFFERED for us—

21b leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

A. Peter then quotes from Isaiah 53:9-

 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

A. Here’s a TOUGH thought:

‘To disobey even a HARSH master is to sin!”

 “To obey with BITTERNESS or ANGER as our MOTIVE is also sin!”

 LOVE IS THE ONLY MOTIVE WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD FOR ANY AND ALL OF OUR BEHAVIOR

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails;

A. Ever NOT KNOW HOW to RESPOND in a GIVEN situation?

1. USE LOVE!

2. ‘LOVE NEVER FAILS!!!!’

“If you do what is right, and suffer for it…if you RESPOND with LOVE, this finds FAVOR with God!”

B. Is your HUSBAND ever UNFAIR?

1. Respond in LOVE

C. Do your PARENTS ever treat you UNJUSTLY?

1. Respond in LOVE

D. Has your BOSS ever blamed you UNJUSTLY?

1. HOW SHOULD we respond?

“LOVE…LOVE…LOVE—it will NEVER FAIL; and always finds FAVOR with GOD!”

E. When you DON’T KNOW HOW to RESPOND;

1. Look to CHRIST-

2. He is both our HELP and our EXAMPLE

“We should follow in the steps of Christ who did everything with the motive of love.”

F. What a DIFFERENCE that makes in our ATTITUDE and CONDUCT

1. For EXAMPLE; ‘Because CHRIST LOVED;

1. He did NOT REVILE in RETURN

2. when He was REVILED’

[v. 23] We see that –“When He suffered unjustly at the hands of others, he did not threaten them. He simply loved them and committed Himself to His Father”

[v. 24] “His LOVE for US and for ALL PEOPLE,  MOTIVATED Him to bear our sins in His own body On the CROSS, That we might be FORGIVEN Of ALL our SINS And LIVE for RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

G. That is the ULTIMATE of LOVE:

“To give our bodies, our very lives, for the unrighteous”

H. Finally, then in V. 25, Peter writes:

25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

“The MARVELOUS result of Christ’s LOVE for US is that we were ONCE like SHEEP going astray, but have NOW RETURNED to the SHEPHERD and OVERSEER of our SOULS!”   -Lloyd J. Ogilvie

“When I consider my crosses, tribulations, and temptations, I shame myself almost to death thinking what are they in comparison to the sufferings of my blessed Savior Christ Jesus.”         -Martin Luther

CONCLUSION

1. As Christ has so lived for us, we are able to live for Him and for others

2. As we do, we are enabled to give an answer to those who ask:

  • “Why do you have such hope and such love?”
  • “Why are you so good to me when I am so bad to you?”
  • “Why do you love me when I abuse you?”

3. If we respond in love, our witness will shine and we will find favor with God

4. As Born Again Christians, we are all  “Called to be servants!”

May the LOVE of CHRIST be our MOTIVATION in all that we do!

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“Doing the Right Thing, the Wrong Way”

by • on 11:48 AM • in 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 13

Intro:

Whenever God calls a man to serve Him, God will also equip and instruct him in how he is to serve the Lord. God is a God of order and He has a plan that He desires to execute through the lives of those He chooses. Too often though, when God raises up a man, there is the desire and temptation to ‘do it your own way’ and in the power of the flesh. The heart might be right. The motives might be right. But to do ‘the right thing, the wrong way’ will always have devastating consequences. This is what happened to King David. God had called him and instructed him to bring back the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, yet David did not obey the Lord in the way in which he transported the Ark.

Often times, our ‘great ideas’ turn into disaster and not only affect the lives of those around us, our failures can very easily discourage us from serving the Lord; even when we have the right motives.

 

In this lesson, we will see David do the right thing, the wrong way and suffer the consequences.

The Right Thing (13:1-6)

After David had taken Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it the capital of the then-united Israel and Judah, he was eager to make it the religious center as well. This could not be done, however, till the ark of the covenant was returned to a permanent resting place in Jerusalem. The Philistines had captured the ark at Shiloh, exhibited it for several months in Philistia, and then returned it to Israel where it was housed at Beth Shemesh and Kiriath Jearim for about 100 years, from about 1104 to 1003 b.c.

Early in David’s reign at Jerusalem he commissioned priests and Levites from throughout the land to bring the ark back from Kiriath Jearim (also called Baalah) to Jerusalem.  The ark was referred to as the ark that is called by the name. This identification of God’s presence with His name was common in later portions of the Old Testament, especially in Chronicles, but was also known in Moses’ time.

The Wrong Way 13:7-14

With great pageantry the procession with the ark made its way till it hit a rough place in the road and the cart on which the ark was riding began to jostle and tip. Instinctively Uzzah reached out to keep the ark from falling, and for his sacrilege he was struck dead. The reason, of course, was not only the intrinsic holiness of the ark but the fact that it was being transported improperly. The Law of Moses stipulated that the ark was to be carried by the Levites using poles inserted through its corner rings.

The impropriety of David’s action and its subsequent punishment by the Lord resulted in a delay of three months in the movement of the ark, a time when it was sheltered in the house of a certain Obed-Edom. Because of its presence God blessed Obed-Edom and his family. A proper attitude toward the things of God brings blessing while a cavalier spirit brings divine displeasure. -Bible Knowledge Commentary

Failed Methods Often Harm Others

Over the years, many have complained that God was unfair to kill Uzzah when he tried to protect the ark of God from damage or shame when the oxen stumbled and the ark slipped. Should not Uzzah have been praised for lunging forward to protect the ark of God?

There is no doubt that David’s intentions in bringing the ark to Jerusalem were noble and good. Now that his kingdom was established, he did not forget his earlier vow to return the ark to its rightful place of prominence. But what began as a joyful day quickly became a day of national grief and shame. Why?

A significant omission in 2 Samuel 6:1-3 sets the scene for failure. Previously when David needed counsel, for example when he was attacked by the Philistines, the text records that David “inquired of the Lord” (2 Samuel 5:19, 23). But those words are sadly missing in 2 Samuel 6:1-3. Instead, we are told in the parallel account in 1 Chron. 13:1-14 that David “conferred with each of his officers.”

There was no need to consult these men. God had already given clear instructions in Numbers 4:5-6 as to how to move the ark. It should be covered with a veil, to shield the holiness of God from any kind of rash intrusion, and then carried on poles on the shoulders of the Levites (Numbers 7:9).

God had plainly revealed his will, but David had a better idea—one he had learned from the pagan Philistines. He would put it on a “new cart” (2 Samuel 6:3). However, God had never said anything about using a new cart. This was a human invention contrary to the will and law of God.

Thus David did things in the wrong way, following his own ideas or those of others instead of God’s ways. Surely this passage warns that it is not enough to have a worthy purpose and a proper spirit when we enter into the service of God; God’s work must also be performed in God’s way. Pursuing the right end does not automatically imply using the right means.

But why did God’s anger break out against Uzzah if David was at fault? The Lord had plainly taught that even the Kohathites, the Levite family designated to carry the ark, “must not touch the holy things or they will die” (Numbers 4:15). Even if Uzzah were not a Kohathite or even a Levite, he still would know what the law taught in Numbers 4 and 7. God not only keeps his promises, but also fulfills his threats!

When the Philistines, who had no access to the special revelation of God, sinned by touching the ark and using a new cart to transport it, God’s anger did not burn against them (1 Samuel 6). God is more merciful toward those less knowledgeable of his will than toward those who are more knowledgeable. This is why it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than it will be for those who personally witnessed the great acts of the Savior in Capernaum (Matthew 11:23-24).

Uzzah’s motive, like David’s, was pure, but he disregarded the written Word of God, just as David did. Thus one sin led to another. Consulting one’s peers is no substitute for obeying God when he has spoken. Good intentions, with unsanctified minds, interfere with the kingdom of God. This is especially true of the worship of God and the concept of his holiness.

Because God is holy, he is free of all moral imperfections. To help mortals understand this better, a sharp line of demarcation was drawn between holy things and the common or profane. Our word profane means “before” or “forth from the temple.” Thus all that was apart from the temple, where the holiness of God was linked, was by definition profane. However, Uzzah’s act made the holiness associated with the ark also profane and thereby brought disrepute to God as well.

It is unthinkable that God could condone a confusion or a diffusion of the sacred and the profane. To take something holy and inject into it the realm of the profane was to confuse the orders of God. Thus in 1 Samuel 6:19 seventy men of Beth Shemesh were killed for peering into the ark.

The situation with Uzzah can be contrasted with that of the Philistines in 1 Samuel 6:9. These uncircumcised Gentiles also handled the ark of God as they carted it from city to city in what is now called the Gaza Strip, as they did when they prepared to send the ark back home to Israel on a cart. But where the knowledge of holy things had not been taught, the responsibility to act differently was not as high as it was for Uzzah, who should have known better.

In fact, in order to determine if the calamities that had struck each of the cities where the ark had gone (a calamity that was almost certainly an outbreak of the bubonic plague) was merely a chance happening unrelated to any divine wrath from the God of Israel, the Philistines rigged up an experiment that was totally against the grain of nature. They took two cows that had just borne calves, penned up the calves, and hitched these cows, who had never previously been hitched to a cart, to a new cart, and watched to see if against every maternal instinct in the animal kingdom the cows would be directed back to the territory of the Philistines. They were. The Philistines were convinced that what happened to them in the outbreak in each city during the seven months when the ark of God was in their midst was no chance or freak accident at all: it was the hand of God! And they had better not harden their hearts as the Egyptians did years ago (1 Sam. 6:6).

The Philistines had enough sense for the holiness of God to use a new cart and to send back offerings of reparation, to the degree that they had any knowledge, but they were not judged for what they did not know about the distinction between the sacred and the common.

Another case of trivializing that which is holy can be seen in the brief reference to Nadab and Abihu offering strange fire on the altar of God (Leviticus 10:1-3). It is impossible to say whether the two sons of Aaron, the high priest, erred in the manner in which they lighted their fire-pans, the timing, or in the place of the offering. The connection with strong drink and the possibility of intoxication cannot be ruled out, given the proximity and discussion of that matter in the same context (Leviticus 10:8-11). If that was the problem, then the drink may have impeded the sons’ ability to think and to act responsibly in a task that called for the highest degree of alertness, caution and sensitivity.

The offense, however, was no trivial matter. Nor was it accidental. There was some reversal of everything that had been taught, and what had been intended to be most holy and sacred was suddenly trivialized so as to make it common, trite and secular. Exodus 30:9 had warned that there was to be no “other incense” offered on the altar to the Lord. From the phrase at the end of Leviticus 10:1, “which he did not command them” (literal translation), what was done was a clear violation of God’s command.

As a result fire comes from the presence of the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu. Again, the fact that they are ministers of God makes them doubly accountable and responsible. Moses then used this as an occasion to teach a powerful lesson on the holiness and worship of God (Leviticus 10:3).      -Hard Sayings of the Bible

Open It

1. Which people in your family read the instruction manual for assembling or operating things you

purchase? Who doesn’t?

2. Who do you think is often better at asking for help and following directions—men or women? Why?

Explore It

3. Was David’s deed good thing, or a bad thing? (13:1-3)

4. What was David’s failure in how he moved the ark? (13:1-4)

5. What happened to Uzzah as he marched beside the ark? (13:9-10)

6. How did David feel toward God when Uzzah died? (13:11-12)

7. What did David do with the ark after Uzzah died? (13:12-13)

8. What happened to the family who provided housing for the ark? (13:14)

Get It

9. How can a person know what God wants him or her to do in a particular situation?

10. What are the dangers of doing what you think is best rather than consulting the Bible for direction?

11. What are some of the subjects for which God has given clear commands and instruction in the Bible?

12. What makes it difficult for us to listen to God’s Word and be obedient to it?

13. What help can a Christian seek from others when making decisions?

14. How can Christians help each other be wise?

15. What decisions are you in the process of making for which you need God’s wisdom?

Apply It

16. Who can help you search the Bible for guidance for a decision you have to make?

17. To whom do you want to turn the next time you need wisdom beyond your own?

 

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“Submitting To Authority”

by • on 12:22 PM • in 1 Peter

1 Peter 2:12-17

A. Last week in Verse 11;

1. Peter said: [1 Peter 2:11]

 “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to ABSTAIN from FLESHLY lusts, which wage WAR against the soul.”

A. The Word ‘ABSTAIN’ means:

“To hold yourself CONSTANTLY back from”

B. One of the GREATEST STRUGGLES of the HUMAN NATURE;

1. Is the WILLINGNESS to SUBMIT to AUTHORITY

C. Whether it’s GOD’S AUTHORITY;

1. A BOSS

2. A husband

3. Government

4. Church leadership—-whatever

REBELLION has NO RESPECT for ANYONE

D. SUBMISSION is a VERY DIFFICULT topic

E. As we SEE here in VERSE 11;

God will NEVER FORCE ANYONE to SUBMIT, but He will URGE or BESEECH a man to DO SO.

ULTIMATELY a REFUSAL to SUBMIT to AUTHORITY is REBELLION, and…that is what got SATAN THROWN OUT OF HEAVEN. He REFUSED to SUBMIT to YAHWEH!

If GOD will CAST one of His CHIEF ANGELS out of HEAVEN for REBELLION; think what He will do to MAN?

THE TERM ‘SUBMISSION’ MEANS:

“To be subordinate; to obey; to be subject unto.”

1) This was originally a Greek military term meaning to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader.

2) In non-military use, it was a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.

INSUBORDINATION -

“The act of willfully disobeying an authority. Disobedient/ defiance”

The OPPOSITE of SUBMISSION is—REBELLION:

1) To REBEL AGAINST authority

2) To REFUSE to be SUBORDINATE

3) To refuse to OBEY or be SUBJECT unto

At the ROOT of REBELLION is PRIDE

1) I know better than GOD

2) I know better than those in AUTHORITY

3) I KNOW more than YOU

 BIBLICAL EXAMPLES of REBELLION:

1. SATAN when he rebelled against GOD in HEAVEN

2. Eve in the GARDEN of EDEN

3. JUDAS ISCARIOT

4. Or how about SAUL when he disobeyed GOD?

 1 Samuel 15:22-23 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.  23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

WOW! Do you realize that DISOBEDIENCE IS REBELLION?!

 James 4:17    …To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

To DISOBEY GOD is REBELLION;  REBELLION is as the SIN of WITCHCRAFT! GOD takes SUBMISSION very SERIOUSLY;

Though HE WONT FORCE anyone to SUBMIT to His AUTHORITY

As we see in SO MANY BIBLICAL EXAMPLES…the CONSEQUENCES of DISOBEYING God are HORRIFIC!

This morning if you are TAKING NOTES, I want to GIVE you 5 ATTRIBUTES of SUBMISSION

1 Peter 2:12 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

I. SUBMISSION IS A PERSONAL CHOICE

A. In Verse 12, Peter says:

1. “KEEP YOUR BEHAVIOR” excellent among the GENTILES

B. Now I CAN’T keep YOUR BEHAVIOR excellent

1. I’m NOT responsible for YOUR BEHAVIOR

C. BUT, I AM RESPONSIBLE for MY BEHAVIOR

1. I think about Peter complaining to CHRIST about John

a. At the END of JOHN’S GOSPEL (JN. 21:20-23)

“Well, LORD, what about JOHN?!”

D. REMEMBER what Jesus told Peter?

John 21:22    Jesus said to [Peter], “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

“Peter, YOU DON’T BE WORRYING about what anyone else is doing or NOT doing, YOU follow Me!”

“Peter, you are responsible for YOU”

E. I’m SO THANKFUL that –

1. God DOESN’T hold us ACCOUNTABLE for one another’s actions!

F. I think that one of the GREATEST DISTRACTIONS to many Christians is

1. “Well, what about EVERYONE ELSE?!”

G. WHY ISN’T so and so ‘keeping their behavior right among Gentiles?”

1. But here PETER SAYS…

‘YOU KEEP YOUR BEHAVIOR excellent’

Literally “KEEP ON KEEPING ON LIVING RIGHT”

H. Peter wasn’t SCOLDING THEM;

1. He was EXHORTING THEM

“You ARE LIVING under SUBMISSION; KEEP on doing it!”

“Don’t WORRY about how anyone else is LIVING”

I. Our CHOICE to SUBMIT is a PERSONAL CHOICE

1. Every day we must INDIVIDUALLY CHOOSE

a. Whether or NOT we are going to SUBMIT to the Lord

II. SUBMISSION GLORIFIES GOD (v. 12)

12. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles—so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

A. Ultimately, Glorifying God is the goal of our lives

1. That’s why GOD SAVED US

2. To bring Him GLORY

B. So as we live SUBMITTED to God

1. Our lives bring Him Glory

C. And even though we may have people who SLANDER US;

1. As we KEEP ON living for GOD in this world;

2. Our WITNESS will DISPROVE their SLANDER

D. And THROUGH our GOOD DEEDS;

1. As people see our WITNESS

2. Some of them MAY COME TO CHRIST

E. And on the DAY OF JUDGMENT;

1. The unbelievers will not be able to use us as an EXCUSE;

2. But rather GLORIFY GOD

F. living SUBMITTED to God

1. Will KEEP US from ever being:

a. A STUMBLING STONE to the lost

G. We are to LIVE in SUCH a way;

1. that no one will ever be able to stand before CHRIST

2. And BLAME us for STUMBLING their FAITH

III. SUBMISSION IS FOR THE LORDS SAKE

13  Submit yourselves (individual choice)— for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

 I know people who are REBELLIOUS towards ALL FORMS of AUTHORITY:

PARENTS, FATHER, HUSBAND, BOSS, EMPLOYER, GOVERNMENT, PASTOR, CHURCH LEADERSHIP

THEY’RE REALLY JUST REBELLIOUS AND NOBODY’S GOING TO TELL THEM WHAT TO DO...

That’s not who Peter is talking to, he’s talking to born again Christians- who ARE SUBMITTED

A. Now how many of us BELIEVE that we have a PERFECT GOVERNMENT?

1. Probably NONE of us

B. So WHY should we SUBMIT to those who have the RULE over us?

1. BECAUSE it is FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

C. When we SUBMIT to those who have the RULE over us;

1. We are REALLY SUBMITTING to GOD HIMSELF

2. Because it GOD who RAISES UP and REMOVES leaders

Daniel 2:21 [GOD] removes kings and raises up kings;

E. So when we SUBMIT to those who have the RULE over us;

1. We are really SUBMITTING UNDER GOD’S authority

F. Do we always agree with our TAXES and government spending?

1. No, but God tells us to pay our taxes

Romans 13:1-7 (NKJV)  1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.  5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.  7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

IV. SUBMISSION IS THE WILL OF GOD

15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

A. It is the will of God that we SUBMIT to AUTHORITY;

1. So that our actions should make our accusers speechless;

a. Like a muzzle placed over their mouths

B. The way to SILENCE the IGNORANCE of FOOLISH MEN;

1. Is to REMAIN SUBMITTED to AUTHORITY

C. One of SATAN’S GREATEST tools that he uses against us is to-

1. Raise up people who will SLANDER US

2. In EFFORT to get us to NOT REMAIN SUBMITTED to God

D. While our MINDS are being BOMBARDED by SLANDER & RUMORS;

1. Satan is trying to DEFEAT US by getting us to

a. RUN AROUND trying to DISCREDIT the slander

E. But here GOD SAYS;

1. ‘THIS IS MY WILL FOR YOU’

2. ‘JUST KEEP on DOING THE RIGHT THING!’

F. And BY DOING the RIGHT THING;

1. Our ACTIONS will MUZZLE the MOUTHS of our ACCUSERS

G. If Satan can get us to ENTER into the PHYSICAL ARENA;

1. He will TIE US UP in a KNOT

H. But if we will:

1. PUT on the FULL ARMOR of God

2. GIRD UP the LOINS of our MINDS

3. ENTER into our PRAYER CLOSETS

a. We will be VICTORIOUS

And this is the will of God that by living as SUBMITTED LIFE to CHRIST; our WITNESS will SILENCE the LIES of the ENEMY.

V. SUBMISSION KEEPS US FREE

A. Now that SOUNDS like an OXYMORON

1. How can being SUBMITTED to AUTHORITY keep us FREE?

2. Well, Peter says:

 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

A. Our FREEDOM in CHRIST is NOT to be used as:

1. An OPPORTUNITY for sin;

2. But rather TO BE BOND SLAVES of CHRIST

John 8:36  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

William Hendrickson said:

 “WHEN GRACE CHANGES THE HEART, submission out of FEAR changes to submission out of LOVE, and true humility is born.

ILLUSTRATION:

Several years ago a Captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south.”

Promptly a return message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north.”

The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: “Alter your course 10 degrees south- I am the captain!”

Soon another message was received: “Alter your course 10 degrees north- I am seaman 3rd class Jones.”

Immediately the captain sent a 3rd message, knowing the fear it would evoke: “Alter your course 10 degrees south – I am a battleship!”

Then the reply came: “Alter your course 10 degrees north – I am a lighthouse!”

CONCLUSION

1. Are you SUBMITTED to GOD today?

2. Are you LIVING in VICTORY?

3. Or are you like the CAPTAIN in this BATTLE SHIP?

a. Trying to get the LIGHTHOUSE to move?!

4. I pray we will DAILY

a. Make that personal choice to SUBMIT to AUTHORITY

b. Knowing that it GLORIFIES our Lord

c. Ultimately we are SUBMITTING to HIM

d. We’re DOING GOD’S WILL

e. And IN THIS, we will REMAIN FREE!

 

 

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“David’s Accession to The Throne”

by • on 11:32 AM • in 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 11-12

Introduction

The next 10 chapters in 1 Chronicles (11-20) cover the period between 1003 and about 995 B.C., during which David rose to the zenith of his power. The 7 ½ years of disputed succession, civil war, and Philistine domination that followed Saul’s death in 1010 are passed over, but they are not denied. Ezra’s observation in the opening verse of the section (11:1), that Israel came to “Hebron” to anoint David, constitutes a tacit recognition of his initial installation there, but only by his own tribe of Judah (2 Sam. 2:4, 10).

The heart of this section is found in God’s prophecy to David through Nathan (chap. 17) “I have been with you wherever you have gone, and …I will subdue all your enemies” (vv. 8, 10). The Lord’s “great promises” (v. 19) applied not only to David, but to “my people Israel” as a whole. The section’s initial subdivision (1 Chron. 11-12) documents David’s ascendancy.

11:1

“All Israel.” Is characteristic of the Chronicler’s concern for the unity of God’s people. Emphasis here falls on the portions of Israel that had so far not recognized David’s kingship.

“Flesh and blood.” Affirmation of their kinship is offered as a basis for political alliance.

11:3

The Lord’s appointment of David dates back some 20 years to his first anointing, in the privacy of his family, by Samuel. As David then demonstrated his ability for leadership, he was increasingly recognized as standing in line for the throne, even by Saul himself. At Saul’s death David had received a second anointing, over Judah; and Abner had started the preparation for his total rule. This 3rd anointing was preceded by a “compact” (covenant) before the Lord, by which both king and people acknowledged their mutual obligations under God. Such a “constitutional monarchy”  was unique in the ancient Near East, for the only effective curb against despotism is one’s personal belief in God and commitment to his higher kingship.

11:9

David’s 1st act as king over all Israel was to capture Jerusalem and make it the capital of the nation. Jerusalem was more centrally located and virtually impregnable, on a mountain with valleys on the east, west, and south sides. During the 400 years from Joshua to David, Israel had been unable to take it, so the Jebusites were still there. Jerusalem became the City of David in a very literal sense: it was his personal property.

11:10-47

The remainder of the chapter is a catalog of David’s might men, introduced at this point because of the significant role they played in his rise to the kingship and in his establishment at Jerusalem.

11:15-19

David’s greatest champions were “the Three” [v. 15]. Next to “the Three” ranked “the Thirty” [v. 15]– which was apparently the original number in this Legion of Honor among David’s men.

David poured out the water he had longed for as a libation offering to the Lord (Lev. 23:37), showing both how precious he considered his men, who had risked their lives to get it, and how centrally he placed God in his own life. David called the water their “blood,” since life does depend on its presence

11:20-25

Abishai was David’s ½ nephew [v. 20]. Benaiah overcame “the lions of God” [v. 22], meaning that Benaiah overcame “the mighty lions” of Moab (KJV, “lionlike men”, or Moab’s best men). [v. 23] Benaiah also killed an Egyptian man who was about 7.5 foot tall. When the spear of Benaiah’s Egyptian opponent is said to be like “a weaver’s rod,” the reference is to the heavy shaft of a loom that holds the threads taut. This was a massive weapon. For such heroism he became commander of David’s professional Cretan and Philistine troops.

12:1

‘Ziklag.’ Located in the south near the Edomite border, the territory was ruled by the Philistines, who made David a ruler over it during the latter period of Saul’s reign when he was pursuing David (1 Samuel. 27:6, 7). This was prior to David’s taking the rule over all Israel. Men from Benjamin, Gad, Judah, and Manasseh came to help David conquer enemies on both sides of the Jordan River [v. 15].

12:2

‘ambidextrous warriors.’ Left-handedness was not acceptable in the ancient world because it was generally associated with evil or demons. As a result, anyone who was left-handed became ambidextrous because the use of the left hand in many situations was not approved. In battle, however, the ability to use either hand could become a distinct advantage. For instance, battle strategies were often designed to force the enemy to be moving to their left while fighting. For a right-handed soldier, this would put his shield (in his left hand) away from the enemy and expose him to attack. An ambidextrous soldier could easily switch the shield to his right hand without compromising his ability to fight as he moved. An ambidextrous bowman using a tree or rock for protection would have a wider range of target available because he could shoot from either side without exposing himself to the enemy.

12:8, 14, 15

We see further description of David’s mighty men of valor. ‘First month.’  The first month begins in March, when the spring temperatures were melting the snow in the mountains and causing the Jordan to reach flood stage. There is an interesting inscription of Sargon II of Assyria (8th Century) where he claims that he led his army across the Tigris and Euphrates at flood stage as on dry ground. On the one hand, this posed considerable risk to those crossing, but on the other hand (for that very reason), it often made surprise attacks possible because no one would be expecting the crossing to be made.

12:16-18

The Holy Spirit literally “clothed himself with” Amasai. So inspired, his devotion to David as God’s chosen servant is then expressed Hebrew poetry, as follows: “We belong to you, O David; We are with you, son of Jesse! Peace, Yes perfect peace go with you; Peace bless him who fights for you, Because your God does lend you aid.”

12:19-22

NIV – “like the army of God” reflects a Hebrew phrase that is literally “like the camp of God”. It may be connected to the idea expressed in the divine name “LORD of hosts [=armies]” “LORD Almighty”, which can refer to the armies of Israel. Here, however, David’s multitude may be compared, poetically, with the heavenly hosts, whether of starts or of angels (Deut. 4:19; Ps. 33:6; Gen. 32:1-2; Ps 103:20-21).

12:23-37

The chapter concludes by enumerating the officers who came to Hebron 7 ½ years later to turn over the whole nation to him (bringing us back to 11:1). The total number of warriors was about 350,000, from all the tribes of Israel, showing broad-based support for David.

12:38-40

The three-day feast at David’s accession was an immediate, historic celebration; but it points to the doctrine of the future, messianic feast (Ps. 22:29; Isa. 25:6; Rev. 19:7).

 

Open It

1. What do you think makes it hard for people to commit themselves to a cause?

2. What qualities of effective leaders do you value most?

 

Explore It

3. What does this passage tell us about David’s development as a powerful king? (12:1-40)

 

Get It

4. Why do weak leaders often surround themselves with weak followers?

5. What qualities must a leader have to attract and employ strong followers?

6. Why is it hard for many people to commit themselves to working with a church or Christian ministry?

7. What are the qualities of a Christian “hero” that we should strive for in our own life?

 

Apply It

8. What are some specific skills you possess that you can use for God?

9. What can you do this week to develop your skills either as a leader or a follower?

 

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So Blessed!

by • on 11:27 AM • in Journaling 2012

Daily Bible Journaling for 1/25/12

 

 

Scripture

Oh LORD, in Your strength the king will be glad, and in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! You have given him his hearts desire and You have not withheld the request of his lips. for You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold upon his head. Psalm 21:1-3

 

Observation

King David was so blessed! God chooses whom He desires to raise up and through obedience, that one is blessed by God! David took time to recognize the blessings that God had given him, and then he took time to praise God for all He’d done.

 

Application

I too am so greatly blessed by my LORD! He has freely given to me eternal life and he has blessed me with many great blessings! Blessed be His name!

Today, God is calling me to set my eyes upon all the blessings that He has bestowed upon my life! If I should stop and consider all the ways in which He has blessed me, my blessings would out number the stars of heaven! I will rejoice in the goodness of my God!

 

Prayer

Father in heaven, how I love You! If You only forgave me from all my sin and poured out Your grace upon my life, that would be enough! But You have blessed me with every good thing and eternal life with You to come!!! Be glorified in me today as I seek to fulfill Your call upon my life! Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

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1 Chronicles 9, 10

by • on 12:17 PM • in 1 Chronicles

Chapter 9 deals with those who returned from Babylonian captivity

9:1 ‘All Israel’

Even though the northern kingdom of Israel never returned from dispersion in 722 B.C., many from the 10 tribes which made up that kingdom migrated south after the division in 931 B.C. The result was that Judah, the southern kingdom, had people from all tribes, so that when returning from captivity “all Israel” was truly represented.    – McArthur Bible Commentary

‘Genealogies’

Apparently the genealogies of each tribe of Israel were on exhibit in the temple. They were registered until the people went away into captivity. However, the genealogies were preserved and brought back to Jerusalem. When the returning remnant rebuilt the temple, the genealogies were there. At the time the Lord Jesus was born, those genealogies were intact, and you may be sure that the enemies of Jesus went in and checked His genealogy.

The Gospel of Matthew carries Joseph’s genealogy, from whom he gets the legal title to the throne, and the Gospel of Luke carries Mary’s genealogy, from which He gets the blood title to the throne of David. As far as we know, there never was an attack made upon the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was accurate, and it was available for all to see.

When the temple was destroyed by Titus the Roman in A.D. 70, apparently the genealogies were also destroyed. However, the important thing to note is that here in Chronicles the genealogies are traced to the time of the captivity. Then after the return of a remnant of Israel, the genealogies were continued until the time of the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world. After His lifetime the record disappeared. Why? Well, God was interested in making it very clear to us that Jesus was ‘very man of very man.’ God wants us to know that Jesus Christ came in the line of Adam and that Jesus Christ came in the line of Adam and that he is the last Adam-there won’t be a third one. Jesus head sup the last family here on earth. There are only two families: the family of Adam and the family of God.      – J. V. McGee, Thru The Bible; 1 Chronicles 9

‘Royal genealogical lists’

There would be a number of reasons to keep genealogical lists in the official palace archives.

First, whether land possession was on the basis of royal grant or divine grant, it was tied to families. Therefore property disputes often had to be settled by reference to genealogical records. Second, conscription (involuntary labor) for government service, whether in labor corvees (unpaid labor required of people of lower social standing and imposed on them by the state or by a superior), or for military duty, was conducted on the basis of census figures, as was taxation. Census records typically would have been organized by genealogical categories.        – IVP Bible Background Commentary

‘The Book of the Kings of Israel’

This is not our 1 and 2 Kings, but court records and registers now lost.     – Ryrie Study Bible

‘Judah was carried away to Babylon for their unfaithfulness’

God wanted Israel to remember why they had gone into captivity. It wasn’t because God hated them, or that He was done with them, but to ‘chasten those whom He loved’.

Often it takes the disciplinary action on God’s part, to get the attention of those He loves. Discipline doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us, its proof of His love for us when we get out of line. God had to discipline His people, in order to prepare them for what He had planned for them. (Hebrews 12:1-8)

9:2

‘Nethinim’, derived from the Hebrew verb “to give” and thus meaning “the ones given,” refers to temple slaves. Since the Nethinim were distinct from the priests and the Levites, these temple slaves must have been from other tribes (Ezra 2:43; Neh. 7:46).

9:3-34

Mention briefly some of the sons of Judah and Benjamin who returned to Jerusalem, leaders in their fathers’ houses (v.9). Verses 10-13 mention the priests, while verse 14-34 mention the other Levites who returned, describing some of their duties. Same as the body of Christ; we all have a calling to fulfill. 1 Cor. 12:12-20.

9:35-10:14

This section records Saul’s linage as a transition to the main theme of the rest of the book, which is the kingship of David. Saul’s history is recorded in 1 Samuel 9-31.

 

Chapter 10:1-5

A parallel account of the death of Saul and his sons is found in 1 Samuel 31:1-13.

C. H. Spurgeon comments on verse 5:

 

“While we earnestly condemn the self-destruction, we cannot but admire the faithfulness of the armor-bearer-faithful unto death. He would not survive his master. Shall this man live and die for Saul, and shall we betray our royal master, Jesus the Lord?”

10:6-10

In connection with Saul’s death, several things should be noticed. “All his house died together” (v. 6) refers only to those who fought with Saul (1 Sam. 31:6). Saul had other sons not slain by the Philistines (vv. 13, 14; 2 Sam. 2:8; 21:1-9). But even these did not finally escape the fate that overtook their faith (2 Sam. 21:1-8).

10:11, 12

Upon hearing the news of Saul and his sons, the valiant men of Jabesh Gilead marched all night to retrieve their bodies from the Philistines and then buried their bones and fasted seven days. Earlier Saul had saved their city from Nahash the Ammonite (1 Sam. 11); these valiant men did not forget his kindness.

10:13, 14

These verses give two reasons for Saul’s death: He did not keep the word of the LORD (see 1 Sam. 13 and 15) and he consulted a medium (see 1 Sam. 28). This brief account of Saul clears the way for the history of David, God’s choice to rule over His people Israel.

 

Open It

1. What examples can you recall of famous people whose career went downhill or who died in disgrace?

2. What sort of pressures or crises have you been facing lately?

3. What do you think might cause a person to think about suicide?

 

Explore It

4. Why did Saul die? (10:13)

5. Where had Saul sought guidance during his reign as king? (10:13-14)

6. What did God do to Saul because of his unfaithfulness? (10:14)

 

Get It

7. What kind of a man was Saul?

8. In what way can a wrong decision be the start of a person’s destruction?

9. How can a person facing tremendous personal problems find help from God to cope & continue on in life?

10. What causes someone to be stubborn and resistant to God’s commands?

 

Apply It

11. The next time you are feeling pressure or opposition, in what ways can you turn to the Lord for help and guidance?

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1 Chronicles 2-8

by • on 9:23 PM • in 1 Chronicles

“Genealogy of Israel”

 

 Intro:

A. Chapter 2 now begins with

1. The genealogies of the 12 Tribes, 1st of all, the –

 

1 Chronicles 2 – The Genealogy of Judah

#1.  Sons of Israel  (2:1-2)

A. In VV 1-2, we begin with the genealogy of Israel’s (Jacob’s) sons

1 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. (The 12 tribes of Israel—great Grandfather of these men was Abraham)

A.  The FULL STORY of Israel’s sons is found in Genesis 29-50

B. In Genesis, we find the forming of the nation of Israel

1. Very fascinating to study the lives of these men

C. So many short comings in them;

1. It’s just a good reminder of God’s grace

D. Truly God raises up and removes whoever He choses

Daniel 2:20-21     Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him.

21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.

E. God raised up Jacob/Israel and his 12 sons-

1. For the sake of ABRAHAM—ISAAC—JACOB (ISRAEL)

James 2:23″        Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

Genesis 26:1-5

There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.

2 Then the Lord appeared to him (ISAAC) and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you.

3 Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;

5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

ABRAHAM—ISAAC—ISRAEL

 

#2. The Sons of Judah (2:3-4)

3 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan and Shelah; these three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanitess. And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, so He put him to death.

A. What an awful thing to be remembered for!

1. Could you imagine having that statement associated with your name;

a. In your FAMILIES GENEALOGY?!

B. ER, will forever be remembered as:

“MAN WHO WAS WICKED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD, SO GOD PUT HIM TO DEATH’

C. It’s been THOUSANDS of years since God took Er’s life;

1. YET NOW, all he is remembered for is that he did WICKEDLY

D. Do you realize that DAILY, each of us is FORGING a REPUTATION?

1. We are developing PERSONAL QUALITIES by which…

a. Each of us will be remembered

E. If you were to die today;

1. How would GOD SUMMARIES your life up to NOW?

F. Some DEFIANTLY claim that how they live is their own business

1. But, SCRIPTURE teaches that the way we LIVE TODAY;

2. Will DETERMINE how we will be REMEMBERED by others…

3. And HOW we will be JUDGED by the WORD OF GOD

“How we live today, does affect our future; EITHER for GOOD or for BAD.”

G. When we read of ABRAHAM;

1. Some ADJECTIVES that come to mind are:

2. FAITH; OBEDIENCE; BLESSING; friend of God

H. When we read of ER;

1. We begin to SPECULATE on what WICKEDNESS he did

2. In order that God would put him to death

I. Unfortunately, many people today figure that:

“If God hasn’t PUT me to DEATH yet, then I’m ok”

J. But what God may be doing is—

Allowing a span of time for REPENTANCE

K. Just because God doesn’t IMMEDIATELY –

1. Put to DEATH the WICKED MAN

2. Doesn’t mean that the day of RECKONING isn’t soon approaching

Numbers 32:23

(Moses said…) “…if …you have sinned against the Lord…be sure your sin will find you out.

M. Many people ERRONEOUSLY mistake the –

Long-suffering’s of God—as—TOLERANCE for SIN

N. And for so many

1. IN A brief MOMENT…

a. THEIR LIFE is OVER

b. And WASTED

O. And the ONLY THING that they are REMEMBERED for is EVIL

1. Divisive

2. Hateful

3. Abusive

4. Unforgiving

5. Merciless

6. Dishonest

7. Lacking Integrity

8. ‘Did evil in the sight of the Lord, and God took him’

Genesis 6:3

And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh…”

P. So ER is NOW REMEMBERED for his wickedness

1. God had a PLAN to bring the MESSIANIC line through TAMAR

2. But ER failed and GOD REMOVED HIM

Q. Onan then MARRIED TAMAR;

1. He too did act wickedly in not giving TAMAR a child

R. So through a SERIES of EVENTS;

1. JUDAH, ER and ONAN’S father, SLEPT with TAMAR (Genesis 38)

2. And she CONCEIVED and bore PEREZ

ABRAHAM – ISAAC – ISRAEL – JUDAH – PEREZ

 

3. THE GENEALOGIES OF PEREZ AND ZERAH (2:5-8)

5 The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

Then in verse 7, we read –

7 The son of Carmi was Achar (or Achan), the troubler of Israel, who violated the ban.

A. ‘ACHAR’ is also called ‘ACHAN’ in JOSHUA 7;

1. This was the man who kept for himself…

2. Some of the PLUNDER that was DEVOTED to the LORD for destruction

“ACHAR” means ‘TROUBLE’

1. Achan’s sin brought GREAT TROUBLE on the NATION of Israel

2. (Joshua 7)

 

#4. Genealogy of Hezron (2:9-41)

12 Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse;

A. Boaz was Ruth’s husband and an ancestor of both DAVID & CHRIST

1. Can read that story in the book of RUTH

15 Ozem the sixth, David the seventh; (7th son of Jesse)

A. David of course is one of the best-known people of the Bible

1. He was certainly NOT PERFECT

2. But he EXEMPLIFIED what  it means to —

SEEK GOD 1st in ALL AREAS of life!

B. In Acts 13:22;

1. David was called ‘A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART’

a. Because…

David’s greatest desire was to SERVE & WORSHIP God

18 Now Caleb …

A. This is NOT the SAME Caleb who –

1. Spied out the Promised Land with Joshua

2. That CALEB lived 100 years later

a. And will be mentioned in 4:15

B. then the REMAINDER of the chapter FINISHES WITH the —

#5. GENEALOGY OF CALEB (2:42-55)

 

 1 Chronicles 3  – Genealogy of David

1 Chronicles 3:1      Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron…

A. this chapter traces out the line of David to about 500 B.C.

1. Most of these individuals are unknown outside of this list

2. some of the more common names are —-

B. Verse 1, we have the mention of ABIGAIL

C. Verse 2, we see David’s son, ABSALOM

D. Verse 5, we see the name BATH-SHUA

1. this is actually ————BATHSHEBA

2. The mother of SOLOMON

E. Verse 9, TAMAR

1. David’s daughter, (tragic story there in 2 Samuel 13)

F. Verse 19-20, ZERUBBABEL

1. He was the LEADER of the first EXILES to RETURN from Babylon

a. his story, profile is found in the book of EZRA

 

 1 Chronicles 4 – Genealogy of Judah

A. TWO of the verses we are very familiar are verses 9 -10

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore him with pain.”

10 Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.

‘Jabez’ whose name in HEBREW sounds like the word for ‘PAIN’

B. His mother had given him that name because of –

1. The PAIN she had ENDURED while giving birth to him

2. BUT her PAIN was SOON REPLACED by the JOY of

a. having a SON ‘more honorable than his brothers’

C. Through the PRAYER of FAITH;

1. JABEZ overcame the SORROW –

a. Indicated by the MEANING of his name

D. 4:15, we see CALEB –

1. One of the 12 spies sent into the PROMISED LAND by MOSES

2. He and JOSHUA were the only 2 spies to RETURN w/ positive report

E. GENEALOGY OF SIMEON (4:24-43)

 

 1 Chronicles 5 –

-Genealogies of the Transjordan tribes

1 Chronicles 5:1

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright.

-Life Application Bible

“Reuben’s sin of incest was recorded for all future generations to read. The purpose of this epitaph was not to smear Reuben’s name, but to show that painful memories aren’t the only result of sin. The real consequences of sin are ruined lives. As the oldest son, Reuben was the rightful heir to both a double portion of his father’s estate and the leadership of Abraham’s descendants, who had grown into a large tribe. But his sin stripped away his rights and privileges and ruined his family Before you give into temptation, take a close look at the disastrous consequences sin may produce in your life and the lives of others.”

#2. GAD (5:11-17)

#3. Exploits of the Eastern Tribes (5:18-22)

#4. ½ Tribe of Manasseh (5:23-26)

1 Chronicles 6 – Genealogy of Levi

1. Descents of Levi (6:1-15)

2. Other Descendants of Levi (16-30)

3. Levitical Musicians (6:31-48)

A. this is where the ‘WORSHIP TEAM’ came from! 

B. Verse 39, we see the name ASAPH

1. He was actually DAVID’S WORSHIP LEADER

a. Very FAMOUS as a SINGER and a PSALMIST

i. Wrote: Psalm 50; 73-83

4. Aaronic Priests (6:49-53)

5. Settlements of the Levites (6:54-81)

A. Various ‘Levitical Towns’

 

1 Chronicles 7 – Genealogies of 6 Northern tribes

A. 1st the tribe of ISSACHAR,

1. Then to the TRIBE of BENJAMIN

2. Then to NAPHTALI

3. Then to MANASSEH

4. Then to EPHRAIM

B. Only ONE NAME, I’d like to point out in  (VERSE 27)

27 Non his son and Joshua his son.

‘Joshua’ means ‘JEHOVAH IS SALVATION’

C. This is the HEBREW name for the GREEK name ‘JESUS’

1 Chronicles 8 – Genealogy of Benjamin

A. The sons of Benjamin, bring you to SAUL;

1. From SAUL to JONATHAN

B. Which then brings us up to chapter 9

1. ‘Citizens of Jerusalem’

2. And we’ll deal with them NEXT WEEK

CONCLUSION:

1. All of this genealogy to us may seem very dull

a. Yet God used this to REESTABLISH His PEOPLE after their EXILE

2. I’m so reminded of

Philippians 1:6

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

3. God had CHOSEN His people;

a. And made a PROMISE that THROUGH ABRAHAM;

b. ALL the NATIONS of the world would be BLESSED

4. What God promises, WILL HAPPEN

a. Sometimes NOT in our TIME, according to OUR PLANS

b. But GOD WILL complete the WORK He begins

i. And we can REST in HIS SOVEREIGNTY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“The People Of God” (Part 2) 1 Peter 2:4-10

by • on 6:11 PM • in Uncategorized

 

 

Intro:

A. Last time we looked at Part 1, of “The People of God”

1. We began in 1 Peter 2, Verse 1, where Peter said:

[1] Therefore, putting aside…

‘Putting aside’ literally means, ‘ONCE FOR ALL’

 

Again in Romans 6:16, Paul said that:

 “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

 

B. So TO or WHAT we SUBMIT ourselves to-

1. It BECOMES our MASTER and we become IT’S SLAVE

C. So PAUL said: ‘DON’T SURRENDER YOUR BODIES TO SIN’

1. And then PETER SAID, here’s the AREAS OF SIN you need to –

a.  PUT ASIDE…ONCE FOR ALL…

[1b] — all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander ,

 

And the REASON we PUT ASIDE all THIS SIN—-ONCE FOR ALL is so that, we…

[2] like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, [3] if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

 

A. So we PUT OFF ALL THIS SIN in order that we MIGHT —

1. MATURE SPIRITUALLY!

B. As I pointed out last time;

1. I CAN’T GROW YOU

2. YOU CAN’T GROW ME

C. SPIRITUAL MATURITY is an INDIVIDUAL MATTER

1. We are all growing at DIFFERENT rates

D. And let me say to YOU LADIES;

1. Just because your HUSBAND may NOT BE maturing SPIRITUALLY;

DO NOT LET THAT HOLD YOU BACK!!!

One woman once thought that it would be SINFUL for her to be MORE MATURE than her HUSBAND…Where do you find that in the Bible?  You don’t! We are all responsible for our own INDIVIDUAL GROWTH!!!

*Sometimes what happens as you grow in the LORD, you will find that you ‘OUT GROW’ your friends.

***You may continue to MATURE SPIRITUALLY, but if they don’t GROW, you’re CLOSENESS will fall away.

 

* Pt. 1 of “The People of God”, we had 2 main points:

 I. Putting Aside All Sin

II. Grow in Spiritual Maturity

 

III. Be A Living Sacrifice

 

[4] And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men (Christ was rejected), but (Christ) is choice and precious in the sight of God,

A. Now Peter presents Christ, not as FOOD-

1. But as a ROCK or a STONE

 ‘COMING TO HIM’

“In PAST TENSE, we came to Him at the time of our salvation;

…But there is also this sense of PRESENT TENSE, we are coming to Him”

B. The ‘LIVING STONE’ of JESUS CHRIST

1. Has been REJECTED by the WORLD

2. But He is CHOICE and PRECIOUS in the SIGHT of God

 

[5] you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

“Living Stones” —Believers are LIVELY or LIVING STONES

The SAME GREEK word is used for both CHRIST (v. 4) & the BELIEVERS (v. 5),  because our lives are hid in Christ

 

“This spiritual house is not the local church nor even a group of saints, but the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church Universal, for Peter is addressing believers in 5 Roman provinces.”    -Wuest Word Studies

 

B. Peter sees the coming of individuals to Jesus the Rock;

1. As the BUILDING of His CHURCH

C. In the O.T., Solomon was amazed at the thought of –

1. God dwelling among His people in the Temple that Solomon built

 

1 Kings 8:27    “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!

D. Now Peter states that:

“The local manifestation of God’s presence on earth, is replaced by His INDWELLING of all believers!”         -The Expositors Bible Commentary

 

E. The Apostle Paul talks about this in

 

1 Cor 3:16-17

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

1 Cor 6:15-20

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! 16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” 17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

E. As LIVING STONES;

1. We are a PART of the BODY OF CHRIST!

F. God doesn’t DWELL in a BUILDING

1. He indwells us as believers and we make up His house

 

(For the Purpose of) -–‘ARE BEING BUILT UP’ [v.5]

The house of God is continually being added to! IT’S NOT DONE YET! The HOLY SPIRIT is STILL ADDING believers to the CHURCH, every day! Every time someone comes to Christ, Peter says a new living stone is ADDED to the SPIRITUAL HOUSE of God!”

God will continue to add to His Church…“Until the fullness of the Gentiles has Come in” Romans 11:25

 

‘BEING BUILT UP’ = ‘constant action; the church is constantly being added to’

 

*The O.T. spoke of:

1. The Offerings of Prayer, Thanksgiving, Praise & Repentance

2. In ADDITION to the MATERIAL SACRIFICES &OFFERINGS

*The N.T. speaks of:

1. The Offering of FAITH

2. Gifts as ‘a fragrant offering’

3. Our bodies as Living Sacrifices (Rom. 12:1)

4. A Sacrifice of Praise (Heb. 13:15)

5. Conversion as ‘an offering acceptable to God’ (Rom. 15:16)

6. Paul’s coming death as ‘a drink offering’ (2 Tim. 4:6)

‘For A HOLY PRIESTHOOD’ [v.5]

“Through Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross, every Christian is part of the new PRIESTLY order”

“This means that EVERY Christian has IMMEDIATE access to God, that he serves God personally, the he ministers to others, and that he has something to give.”

Through Christ- our Great High Priest; We have direct access to the throne of Grace. Man no longer needs a ‘PRIEST’ to MEDIATE for him, because in Christ, we are a HOLY PRIESTHOOD.

 

The Catholics have it all wrong!

1. Peter was not the 1st Pope

2. The church was not built on Peter

3. The church was built on Peter’s PROFESSION in Christ

4. We don’t need a Priest, WE ARE PRIESTS!

5. We don’t need a CONFESSION BOOTH, the bible says –

 

Heb 4:14-16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

[6] For this is contained in Scripture: [Isa. 28:16] “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone [foundation stone], And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

A. Archeologist found one foundation/corner stone in a rock quarry –

1. That measured:  69’ x 12’ x 13’!

2. Once this FOUNDATIONAL STONE was in place;

3. The rest of the building was determined

a. It was the FOUNDATION STONE that determined

b. Everything about the building

Isaiah uses this figure to encourage his people to build on the Lord himself, the one who is immovable and unchangeable, rather than on falsehoods and lies.

B. Whoever builds on the foundation of Jesus Christ;

1. Will be ESTABLISHED and will NEVER be ASHAMED!

[7] This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,”

 

“According to tradition, during the construction of Solomon’s temple, work went smoothly until the builders were unable to locate the cornerstone. Word was sent to send the missing stone up to the temple mount.“We sent that stone a long time ago,” the quarries replied.The Builders were confused until one of them remembered a perfectly cut stone that was tossed over the gully into the Kidron Valley because no one knew what to do with it.”

So Peter now associates that REJECTED CORNER STONE in the BUILDING of Solomon’s TEMPLE, to the REJECTION of JESUS CHRIST, the CHIEF CORNERSTONE in the TEMPLE of God

[8a] and [Christ], “A stone of stumbling [loose stone in the path; to trip over] and a rock of offense” [a ledge rising up out of the ground]; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

“Unbelievers stumble over Christ, because they love their sin”

John 3:19-20

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

IV. God’s Personal Possession        (vv. 9-10)

 

[9] But you [but as for you- in contrast to the disobedient] [you] are a chosen race, A royal [king] priesthood [king-priest; because we are associated with the Lord Jesus who is a priest after the order of Melchisedec; a King-priest], A holy nation, a [peculiar ---KJV] people for God’s own possession —

‘peculiar’

“to make something and then surround it with a circle, thus indicating ownership”

 ‘peculiar’

“speaks of the UNIQUE/PRIVATE, PERSONAL ownership of the saints by God” – You are God’s UNIQUE personal POSSESSION!!! Just as if you were the ONLY human being in existence!!!

[8b]…so that you may proclaim [to declare – verbally w/ our mouths] the excellencies [praises / goodness] of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

“We are to SPEAK FORTH the excellencies, gracious dealing, glorious attributes of our God!”

We have been made creatures of light!

[10] for you once were not a people, but now you are the people OF GOD; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

A. Peter closes with the words of Hosea 1:6, 9-10; 2:23

B. In their original context;

1. They describe God’s rejection of Israel

2. Followed by future RESTORATION to GRACE

C. Here Peter applies them to the SALVATION that has come to the CHURCH

 “We were once NOT a people, but now we are ‘God’s people’.”

CONCLUSION:

I. Putting Aside All Sin

II. Grow in Spiritual Maturity

III. Be A Living Sacrifice

IV. God’s Personal Possession

 

 

 

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