“Called To Be Servants”

by Pastor Pete • 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 Pastor Pete • 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 Pastor Pete • 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 Pastor Pete • 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 3^rd 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 1^st 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 (8^th 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 Pastor Pete • 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 Pastor Pete • 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 Pastor Pete • 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 Pastor Pete • 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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How To Journal Your Daily Devotions

by Pastor Pete • on 9:59 AM • in Journaling 2012

5 Things You Will Need

Bible
Journal
Pen
Reading Schedule
Day planner or a note pad (use for writing down distracting thoughts as you journal)

Creating a Journal

If you cannot afford to purchase your own journal, you can easily make your own by using a spiral notebook or a three ring binder. Or simply use any generic book designed for journaling.
Begin by creating a table of contents in the front of your journal. At the top of each page of the Table of Contents, write down: Date, Scripture, Title/ Topic, and Page. If you are using a spiral notebook, be sure allow several pages in the front of your journal to list all of your journal entries.
Create your daily journaling pages. At the top of each of the journal pages, write down: Date, Scripture, Title and Page. You will journal on each of these pages using the S.O.A.P. acronym.
At the back of your journal create a personal prayer list. Allow several pages for all your prayer requests. Write down Date, Prayer, Date Answered.

Beginning to Journal – “3/20”

Spend the first few minutes praying, asking God to speak uniquely and specifically to your heart for that day. Begin by thanking Him for the day and the opportunity to hear from Him. This is the key to making the most of your journaling time. Ask God for your daily bread, and then allow Him to open your ears to His Word.
Spend the first 20 minutes reading the daily assigned portion of scriptures and read for one thought. Read for you. Don’t think about others and how your reading might apply to someone else. Be selfish during your devotional time; focus on hearing what God has for you. Ask God for one thought and as you are reading; be open to God causing a single verse to really be your focal point for that day. God will no doubt show you many insights as you read, but read for the one main thought God has for you that day. Be open to God speaking uniquely to your present circumstances. Often we approach God with an idea of what we think we need to hear from Him, when in fact God will often speak to another issue that may be even deeper than we realize.
Allow the Holy Spirit to mentor you through the men and women of God’s Word as you read. Don’t become overly focused on coming up with an idea of what to journal. Just relax and enjoy the presence of God as you read. Sometimes the first verse you read may be your thought for the day, but keep reading and be open to God showing you other truths.
Often I have felt as though a certain verse and thought was going to be my focal point for the day, but as I read, God changed it and gave me another even deep insight in another area. God know exactly what you need today, and He promises to meet you every day as you seek Him. Trust Him, knowing that He desires to equip you and empower you each day. Do not beat yourself up if something doesn’t come quickly. Just prayerfully seek the Lord as to what He would like for you to know. If the regular reading is too large for you to finish in 20 minutes consider the lighter reading schedule. It is better to read and understand.
Spend the next 20 minutes journaling on that one thought that God is speaking to your heart about for that day. Use the acronym ‘S.O.A.P.’
Give your devotional a title
End your journal daily bible journaling with 20 minutes of prayer, and then share it with someone!
Be sure to record the Date, Scripture, Title & Page number in your Table of Contents in the front of your journal.

S for Scripture Open your Bible to the reading found under today’s date of your reading schedule. Take time to read and allow God to speak to you. Read straight through only highlighting specific verses that stand out to you, but be careful not to get caught up reading footnotes and cross references. When you are done, look back at what stood out to you and then begin to look for a specific verse that spoke to you that day, and write the book, chapter and verse in your journal. There may be more than one, but prayerfully ask the Lord what He desires for you to focus in on.

O for Observation Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own works, in your journal. You are just observing right now what the verse (s) is saying and what it means or a general idea of what is going on. Observe who, what, when, why and where, actions, reactions and write down your thoughts but be careful not to apply it just yet. (Who, What, Where, When, Why?)

A for Application Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to you and your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today or believe God is showing you through the lives and situations, both bad and good in the text. Ask yourself “what does God want me to do with what I have just read?”

P for Prayer This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to

listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.

Sample Journal Entry

Date: 11/21/11 Title: The Musings of a King Page No. 10

S I Chronicles 11:18 – So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord and he said “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at risk of their own lives?

O David didn’t have to shout at his men to go and bring the water. He didn’t command them to bring it. He simply mused about it. Just the suggestion of the king was enough to motivate these men to action.

A That kind of faith action is the epitome of honor and the fruit of that labor is worthy for only One, the Lord of Lords. There is no higher worship than to be able to recognize the heart sighs of the King, and that is sufficient to move me to take risks, and to break through the lines that the enemy has drawn. How often I wait for a shout, but that does not please the King. I often wait for the hammer to fall before I move, yet I lift my voice in rapture to the latest worship chorus and I call that worship. Instead, worship at its highest level is developing my heart to such a level of sensitivity that even the musings of my King are enough to move me to action.

P Father, may I be so close to You that I can hear Your musings and be moved to action!

Sample of Table of Contents

Date Scripture Title / Topic Page

11/21/11 I Chronicles 11:18 The Musings of A King 10

* This journaling technic is taken from thedivinementor.com

* If you have questions, email me @ peterfriese@calvarychapel.com

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“An Introduction To Chronicles”

by Pastor Pete • on 11:19 AM • in 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 1

TITLE:

A. The books of 1& 2 Chronicles record the history of the nation of Israel

1. From the time David became king

2. Until Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians

B. Therefore, 1 & 2 Chronicles cover the same historical period as that covered by

1. 2nd Samuel; 1 & 2 Kings

C. Originally, 1-2 Chronicles were ONE BOOK (until 180 B.C.)

The HEBREW TITLE means: “The words (affairs) of the days”

D. These are the CHRONICLES or the EVENTS of the NATION of ISRAEL

1. From the time of ADAM to the BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY

2. And then CYRUS’S decree allowing the EXILED Jews to RETURN

In a SENSE, CHRONICLES is a ‘MINIATURE O.T.”, tracing in capsule form the flow of Old Testament history. – Ryrie Study Bible

E. 1- 2 Chronicles is in many ways a DUPLICATE of scripture already written

1. We ask ourselves WHY?

2. “Why would God record certain events twice?”

a. The Answer is this:

“Because the writers had different purposes for writing, and they wrote at different times in history.”

G. For Example:

1. The writer of 1st and 2nd Kings –

a. Compiled his history during the period of Judah’s exile in Babylon

2. He wanted to explain to the exiles-

a. WHY God’s JUDGMENT had fallen on them so severely

H. Whereas, the writer of 1 & 2 Chronicles

1. Wrote AFTER the EXILE was OVER

a. And the Israelites had RETURNED to their land

I. He wanted to ENCOURAGE the people;

1. To ASSURE them that God was STILL WITH THEM;

2. And that His COVENANT was still in effect

J. In the same sense, we have the 4 N.T. GOSPELS;

1. All 4 Books written by different men and the SAME CHRIST

2. Yet, each MAN had a DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, purpose for his writing

AUTHORSHIP

A. Though not specified by name in the book;

1. EZRA has TRADITIONALLY been assumed to be the AUTHOR

B. 1-2 Chronicles is a COMPILATION of many PROPHETIC RECORDS by –

1. Samuel

2. Isaiah

3. And, others but PARTICULARLY a SOURCE called

4. “The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel”

C. This is NOT the BOOKS of 1-2 Kings found in the BIBLE;

1. But likely some earlier COURT RECORD

DATE:

A. The books of 1& 2 Chronicles were originally 1 book

1. Written between 425-450 B.C.

B. According to JEWISH HISTORY,

1. The writer is EZRA, in addition to the book of EZRA

Purpose:

“We know that Ezra led a group of exiles back to Palestine in 458 B.C., and was concerned about building a true spiritual foundation for the people. To further that purpose the author evidently compiled the Chronicles in order to EMPHASIZE the IMPORTANCE of…”

– Ryrie Study Bible

• RACIAL and RELIGIOUS PURITY

• The PROPER place of the LAW

• The TEMPLE

• And the PRIESTHOOD

C. Thus he OMITS detailed activities of

1. The KINGS and PROPHETS

D. Stressing instead –

1. The RICH HERITAGE of the PEOPLE

2. And – the BLESSING of their COVENANT relationship to GOD

CONTENTS

A. Ezra spends the 1st 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles;

1. Just RECORDING the GENEALOGIES of the nation of Israel

It was critical for this NATION to be reminded of who they were and where they had come from in order for God to REESTABLISH them as a NATION

B. Some of the things that we will notice as we STUDY 1 & 2 Chronicles is;

1. That EZRA OMITS many important events that are described in

a. 2 Samuel, and 1 -2 Kings

C. Some of the MAIN EVENTS that EZRA will omit involve the lives of-

1. DAVID and SOLOMON

2. Events in their lives that REVEAL their HUMAN WEAKNESSES and SIN

D. Ezra WASN’T trying to HIDE anything;

1. But rather, I believe was to —

“Idealize David and Solomon, and to present them as the forerunners of the MESSIAH, the CHRIST, who was YET TO COME.”

Ezra’s FOCUS was on the GLORY of Israel as God’s chosen people

The Northern Kingdom

*As you recall, after Solomon’s death, Israel divided into the northern and southern kingdoms; “ISRAEL” was in the NORTH, and “JUDAH” was in the SOUTH.

A. Ezra also OMITS:

1. The NORTHERN KINGDOM of Israel and its Kings

B. Ezra’s main concern was with the SOUTHERN KINGDOM

1. The ROYAL LINE of DAVID

C. This is the REASON that he DOESN’T MENTION the great Prophets:

1. ELIJAH and ELISHA

a. Their PRIMARY MINISTRY was in the Northern Kingdom

i. However, EZRA REPEATEDLY refers to “ALL ISRAEL”

D. As you recall;

1. The NORTHERN KINGDOM of ‘ISRAEL’ was destroyed by the ASSYRIANS;

2. And many ‘ISRAELITES’ migrates from the NORTH;

a. MIGRATED to the SOUTHERN KINGDOM of JUDAH

Thus, the EXILES to whom EZRA is WRITING were a MIXTURE of NORTHERNERS and SOUTHERNERS. They represented “all Israel” – God’s chosen people

Themes in Chronicles:

A. The writer of Chronicles focuses on two main themes

•“The ideal kingship”

•“The ideal priesthood”

B. Both of these ideals are joined together in Jesus Christ;

1. Our eternal PRIEST and KING

C. In addition to these 2 themes;

1. EZRA presents an OVERALL LESSON from Israel’s history…

2. A LESSON that is VALID for EVERY NATION on EARTH:

“The determining factor in any nation’s history is its response to God. If the people of a nation turn to God in FAITH and OBEDIENCE, they will be BLESSED; if they do NOT, they will be DESTROYED.”

1 Chronicles 1:1-54 (NASB)

1 Adam, Seth, Enosh,

2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared,

3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

4 Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.

A. Ezra now begins with the CHRONOLOGY of ISRAEL;

1. Beginning with ADAM

B. We’re NOT going to take the TIME/EFFORT to try to annunciate all these names

1. But we’ll pick out certain names as we go along

2. and point out specific areas of interest in each of these 1st 9 chapters

C. Many people have a hard time understanding-

1. WHY Ezra would spend 9 chapters talking about –

a. The GENEALOGIES of 1 Chronicles

3 Purposes of Recording the Genealogies:

Israel was now known as ‘POSTEXILIC’ – referring to the period of Jewish history between the end of the exile in Babylon in 538 BC & AD 1.

#1. The new post-exilic community of ISRAEL, needed to know Who they were, and where they had come from

(They had been in Babylonian CAPTIVITY from 597-538 BC, and it was critical for them to understand who they were and where they had come from)

A. These GENEALOGIES were not merely lists of names;

1. They provided CONTINUITY between the

a. PRE-EXILIC ISRAELITES

b. And those who had recently RETURNED from EXILE

B. These GENEALOGIES reveal how God CHOSE certain INDIVIDUALS –

1. To be INSTRUMENTS in His ongoing plan to REDEEM SINFUL humanity!

2. Men like – Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Moses, David

C. In these 1st 9 chapters;

1. Ezra traces a LINE from ADAM – DAVID;

2. And then on to DAVID’S DESCENDANTS

a. In the POST-EXILIC PERIOD

This line, of course would lead to Jesus Christ, God’s final and perfect Redeemer of mankind.

I. Through these genealogies, therefore;

1. Ezra wanted to DEMONSTRATE to the POST-EXILIC ISRAELITES;

2. That THEY had a CRUCIAL ROLE in God’s purpose for mankind

‘They were still God’s chosen people-and they therefore needed to act like it!’

J. SECOND reason:

1. And more IMMEDIATE PURPOSE for the GENEALOGIES:

#2. Because the period of the Exile was one of great disruption for the Israelite community-

Thousands had been KILLED or DISPLACED

A. Records of:

1. LAND OWNERSHIP and

2. INHERITANCE RIGHTS————-had been LOST

“In establishing the priesthood, it was essential to know who were true Levites and who were not; according to God’s LAW, Only Levites could serve in the temple.” - N.T. Commentary

B. So Ezra’s goal was to CLARIFY the WHO’S – WHO of ISRAEL

1. How could they ESTABLISH the PRIESTHOOD…

a. If they didn’t know their ANCESTRY

C. 3rd purpose for these GENEALOGIES:

#3. To provide a framework for maintaining the ethnic & religious purity of the post-exilic community

“One of the GREATEST DANGERS to the NATION of ISRAEL during this POST-EXILIC period was that they were in DANGER of being ABSORBED into other NATIONS and thereby LOSING IDENTITY as God’s people.” – Thomas Hale

A. We must remember that BEFORE Israel’s EXILE;

1. It was their KINGS who PROVIDED this IDENTITY

“Now ISRAEL had NO KING, no NATION, they would simply be a PROVINCE of the PERSIAN EMPIRE. Therefore it was all the more important that they maintain their ethnic and religious distinctiveness as the people of God.” – The Applied Commentary

B. So in the 1st 4 verses of 1 Chronicles, we have the -

1. GENEALOGY OF ADAM (1:1-4)

A. The names here are based on Genesis 5

1. Ezra traces out the ancestry of the human race;

a. From the 1st MAN – Adam

b. Through NOAH and his 3 sons

“The genealogy of Noah and his 3 sons, enabled Ezra not only to root the Chosen People in Israel and the Davidic line, but also to show how they derived from only one of the three sons of Noah, that one through whom redemptive blessing would come, namely, Shem.”

- The Bible Knowledge Commentary

2. Genealogy of Japheth (1:5-7)

5 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras.

6 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah.

7 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Rodanim.

3. Genealogy of Ham (1:8-16)

8 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

9 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama and Sabteca; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

10 Cush became the father of Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

11 Mizraim became the father of the people of Lud, Anam, Lehab, Naphtuh,

12 Pathrus, Casluh, from which the Philistines came, and Caphtor.

13 Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, Heth,

14 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,

15 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,

16 the Arvadites, the Zemarites and the Hamathites.

4. Genealogy of Shem (1:17-27)

17 The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshech.

18 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah and Shelah became the father of Eber.

19 Two sons were born to Eber, the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan. (Tower of Babel; OR continental drift)

20 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

22 Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,

23 Ophir, Havilah and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.

24 Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah,

25 Eber, Peleg, Reu,

26 Serug, Nahor, Terah,

27 Abram, that is Abraham.

A. As we can see here in V. 27…

1. Tracing out the Shemites are the most important theologically

B. From Shem’s line comes –

1. ABRAHAM, ISRAEL, and then DAVID and the MESSIAH

5. Genealogy of Abraham (1:28-34)

28 The sons of Abraham were Isaac (Rebecca) and Ishmael (Haggar).

29 These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael was Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,

31 Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah; these were the sons of Ishmael

A. Ishmaelite’s – (Arabs, Persians)

a. From the 60’s Muslims trace their roots back to Abraham through Ishmael

b. Where Christians trace our roots back to Abraham through ISAAC

32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, whom she bore, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan.

33 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

34 Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel. (Jacob)

6. Genealogy of Esau (1:35-54)

A. They settled in the land of EDOM

1. EAST and SOUTH of the DEAD SEA

2. They became known as the EDOMITES

35 The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah.

36 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna and Amalek.

37 The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah.

38 The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan.

39 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.

40 The sons of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah.

41 The son of Anah was Dishon. And the sons of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran.

42 The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran.

A. 43-54, lists of EDOMITE KINGS

1. Not much is known about these men

2. Other than they were very CLOSE to ISRAEL and JUDAH

43 Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king of the sons of Israel reigned. Bela was the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

44 When Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place.

45 When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites became king in his place.

46 When Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the field of Moab, became king in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.

47 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah became king in his place.

48 When Samlah died, Shaul of Rehoboth by the River became king in his place.

49 When Shaul died, Baal-hanan the son of Achbor became king in his place.

50 When Baal-hanan died, Hadad became king in his place; and the name of his city was Pai, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

51 Then Hadad died. Now the chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,

52 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,

53 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,

54 chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.

CONCLUSION:

* So all of these names!

* And they all belonged to REAL PEOPLE

* People who once lived on earth, but NOW ARE FORGOTTEN

a. Their names are buried in an ancient list

* One day, your name will be a name in a RECORD BOOK somewhere;

a. History may forget you, but HEAVEN NEVER WILL!

* Are you living in the LIGHT OF ETERNITY?

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

***May we live in such a way…that our lives count today!

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