Intro: The Lord Jesus Christ wants to be involved in the building process of the local church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the builder of the church. Matthew 16:18 – “…And on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”
How does the Lord build His church? One way is through the works and words of those who are already Christians. This might be called life-style evangelism and lip-style evangelism. To fulfill either of these aspects of witness means that we need to be in constant contact with people that are lost.
How many people live around us either ignorant or indifferent to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The co-worker who can’t keep a husband. The neighbor caught in the trap of addiction. The kid on the block always dressed in black. The troubled relative who just doesn’t fit in with the family. If such people are within your reach, they are in your Jerusalem. If such people are within the reach of our church, they are in our Jerusalem. That which we are to do is to be faithful in reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Without an outward focus, we will have only an inward focus. While it is important to have a strong church family, we cannot realize the full blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ if we are only fulfilling one aspect of His command to His followers.
I. The Priority of Reaching – Matthew 28:18-20
A. Teaching – “To give instruction”
B. Preaching – To proclaim with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an
authority which must be listened to and obeyed.
C. Reaching – The assumption that a person will be going. As you go, reach
the lost.
Reaching the nations is the full process of discipleship, i.e., teaching and training, beginning with conversion. The “all nations” makes it clear that the Commission to the church is a worldwide one, encompassing the entire missionary effort.
The church is not to be merely “missionary-minded.” The church is the vehicle of Christ’s mission to the world and the two (church and mission) are inseparable. Every local church has a mission to its world. To attempt to eliminate this commission from the church age would be to leave the church without an assigned purpose from her Lord.
II. The Pattern for Reaching – John 20:21
The pattern is simply reaching in the way that Jesus reached people.
Christ came into the world as a poor Person. He came as a Servant. He delighted to do the Father’s will. He identified Himself with sinful man. He went about doing good. He reached people in the synagogues as well as on the streets. He did not forget the towns and villages around the larger cities. He did everything by the power of the Holy Spirit. His goal was the glory of the Father. Now He said to the disciples, “I also send you.”
Who is the “you?” It is us, believers comprising the body of Christ with a “Christ” calling on the body. As Jesus sought to make his Father known so we too are sent to make Jesus known. We are to communicate God’s truth to others. We are the body of Christ on earth today, which like Jesus is to do everything by the power of the Holy Spirit including faithfulness to reaching our Jerusalem.
Romans 12:5 – “So we being many, are one body in Christ…”; 1 Corinthians 12:27 – “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”; Ephesians 4:12 – “…For the edifying of the body of Christ.”; Colossians 1:18 – “And He is the head of the body, the church…”
III. The Plan for Reaching – Acts 1:8
A. Be Inwardly Filled –
- We can do nothing without the Holy Spirit.
- Power is the indispensable of Christian witness.
- Spiritual power keeps you out of sight.
B. Be Outwardly Focused –
1. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, End of the Earth
2. Our Jerusalem is our Community
- Community – Goal: Evangelism
- Crowd – Goal: Membership
- Congregation – Goal: Discipleship
- Connected – Goal: Discipleship & Ministry
- Core – Goal: Ministry & Leadership
C. Be Steadfastly Faithful
1. Evangelism Style #1 – Individual
2. Evangelism Style #2 – Relational
3. Evangelism Style #3 – Incarnational
By incarnational evangelism I mean that we need to put flesh on that which we say believe in order to prove our faith to the lost community around us. What are we doing to prove to our community that we believe God is love? That we believe that God is not willing that any should perish? That we believe the Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners? That we believe sinners that die without Christ spend eternity in Hell? The church is the body of Christ, but what are we doing as a church that is meeting the needs of our community—Mayville, Chautauqua? What are we doing that is exclusively for the purpose of evangelism? Over the coming weeks this is the question that we are seeking to answer, “What can we do to meet the needs of our community?”
Some might ask the question cynically, but our God is a big God and is able to provide the direction and the revelation as we seek His mind. That which we are to do is to be faithful in reaching the lost—our Jerusalem, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
How Will I Know?
Genesis 15:5-8, 18
Intro: Someone once said “Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts. Simple to say. Hard at times to do consistently. Yet if we are going to progress in the Christian life, we must continue believing what we know to be true. We must fight against the tendency to allow doubts to develop and grow to the point of dominating.
Doubt in the Christian life might be compared to a dungeon in which the one with doubts becomes locked in as a captive. Yet there is a key that each one in this dungeon holds and it is a key known as promise. Holding to the promises of God keeps us moving through life in faith and freedom.
The Situation: Abraham is faithfully following the LORD’S directive for his life which included leaving from Ur of the Chaldeans and separating from his family including his nephew, Lot.
Abraham has also been given more information from the LORD with respect to the promise that was made several years earlier. At the beginning of God’s revelation to Abraham, he was told about “a land” that God would show him. Later God made things more specific and said “this land” (12:7) was the land of promise. Now the LORD says to Abraham that “I brought you out…to give you” and later God says “To your descendants I have given this…” Before Abraham has any descendents, God has established what His plan and promise for Abraham encompasses.
Yet Abraham asks the question that each of us are so prone to ask; the question is “how shall I know?”
The answer given by God is essentially that Abraham shall know because of the character of God. Additionally, the LORD makes a covenant, not with Abraham, but with Himself. God who cannot lie validates all that He has promised through covenant (promise).
The Meditation: Doubts are not an uncommon struggle for the Christian. Abraham was counted as righteous because of his faith in the promise of God.
Like Abraham, that is where our journey with God begins. We believe the promise of salvation through Christ and we are declared righteous and we have peace with God. But the position of righteous does not neutralize the potential of doubts arising and moving into the believer’s heart—my heart and your heart.
How do I know when I have moved from believing my beliefs and doubting my doubts to believing my doubts and doubting my beliefs?
The evidence of such a move is the emotions that become dominant in my life. Things such as worry, anxiety, fear, despair, etc are the emotions of one that doubts. When I am doubting my beliefs, the peace of God will be missing from my life. Salvation assures that I have peace with God. Doubt assures that the peace of God that I need for daily life will be removed.
Abraham asked the question “how will I know?” when he needed an answer to a situation in his life that he could not get a handle on. He knew what God promised and asked for assurance.
The Application: What assurances do we have from God that enables us to remain outside of the dungeon of doubt? When tempted to ask “how shall I know?” what are some key truths to keep a hold on as protection against believing our doubts?
1. The Faithfulness of God – 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 3:3
- God is faithful to do what He has said.
- God swore by Himself – Hebrews 6:17-18
- His Word and His oath – Titus 1:2
2. The Goodness of God – Matthew 7:11
3. The Awareness of God – Matthew 6:32
Conclusion – There really is a difference between those that believe their beliefs versus those that doubt their beliefs (John the Baptist and Paul). Cf. Matthew 11:2-6 and 2 Timothy 1:12.
“All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – Fanny Crosby
All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know what e'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
For I know what e'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
Intro: Someone once said “Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts. Simple to say. Hard at times to do consistently. Yet if we are going to progress in the Christian life, we must continue believing what we know to be true. We must fight against the tendency to allow doubts to develop and grow to the point of dominating.
Doubt in the Christian life might be compared to a dungeon in which the one with doubts becomes locked in as a captive. Yet there is a key that each one in this dungeon holds and it is a key known as promise. Holding to the promises of God keeps us moving through life in faith and freedom.
The Situation: Abraham is faithfully following the LORD’S directive for his life which included leaving from Ur of the Chaldeans and separating from his family including his nephew, Lot.
Abraham has also been given more information from the LORD with respect to the promise that was made several years earlier. At the beginning of God’s revelation to Abraham, he was told about “a land” that God would show him. Later God made things more specific and said “this land” (12:7) was the land of promise. Now the LORD says to Abraham that “I brought you out…to give you” and later God says “To your descendants I have given this…” Before Abraham has any descendents, God has established what His plan and promise for Abraham encompasses.
Yet Abraham asks the question that each of us are so prone to ask; the question is “how shall I know?”
The answer given by God is essentially that Abraham shall know because of the character of God. Additionally, the LORD makes a covenant, not with Abraham, but with Himself. God who cannot lie validates all that He has promised through covenant (promise).
The Meditation: Doubts are not an uncommon struggle for the Christian. Abraham was counted as righteous because of his faith in the promise of God.
Like Abraham, that is where our journey with God begins. We believe the promise of salvation through Christ and we are declared righteous and we have peace with God. But the position of righteous does not neutralize the potential of doubts arising and moving into the believer’s heart—my heart and your heart.
How do I know when I have moved from believing my beliefs and doubting my doubts to believing my doubts and doubting my beliefs?
The evidence of such a move is the emotions that become dominant in my life. Things such as worry, anxiety, fear, despair, etc are the emotions of one that doubts. When I am doubting my beliefs, the peace of God will be missing from my life. Salvation assures that I have peace with God. Doubt assures that the peace of God that I need for daily life will be removed.
Abraham asked the question “how will I know?” when he needed an answer to a situation in his life that he could not get a handle on. He knew what God promised and asked for assurance.
The Application: What assurances do we have from God that enables us to remain outside of the dungeon of doubt? When tempted to ask “how shall I know?” what are some key truths to keep a hold on as protection against believing our doubts?
1. The Faithfulness of God – 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 3:3
- God is faithful to do what He has said.
- God swore by Himself – Hebrews 6:17-18
- His Word and His oath – Titus 1:2
2. The Goodness of God – Matthew 7:11
3. The Awareness of God – Matthew 6:32
Conclusion – There really is a difference between those that believe their beliefs versus those that doubt their beliefs (John the Baptist and Paul). Cf. Matthew 11:2-6 and 2 Timothy 1:12.
“All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – Fanny Crosby
All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know what e'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
For I know what e'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
A Good Buy
Revelation 3:18 - "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with salve, that you may see."
Intro: One question that is heard this time of year is “have you finished your Christmas shopping yet.” Some have. Some have not. Some start their shopping the day after Christmas for the next year. Others start their shopping the day before Christmas.
But however the shopping is done, we all look forward to giving gifts and showing the purchases that we made.
The Situation: The Lord is addressing seven distinct churches in this portion of Revelation. With each one He has a word of commendation and a word of exhortation, except for the church in Laodicea. To this group of people he only speaks words of exhortation and correction along with an invitation.
1. Their Worship – The city of Laodicea had several gods that it worshipped including Zeus, Apollo, and Dionysus.
2. Their Wealth - Laodicea was a city of Phyrgia not far from Colosse. Laodicea was a prosperous banking center and did not need help from Rome following the earthquake of AD 60 because of its own vast resources. The city was so wealthy that it really had no need of any help from those around it. This attitude of self-sufficiency also became pervasive in the church (3:17).
3. Their Water - The Lord’s words against the church and his description of them is something that they could easily identify with. For all that the Laodiceans had, they did not have suitable water for either bathing or drinking. They lacked a natural water supply. The hot water piped in from springs to the south and the cold water from the mountains was lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea. The water was useless as well as filled with sediment.
4. Their Wretchedness - Jesus makes the statement to the church that the way that they feel about their water is the way the He feels about them—they make Him sick. Yet there is something that the church can do to restore them spiritually. They can make a good buy!
Jesus tells the Laodiceans that they need to buy the following:
1. Gold refined in the fire – Real wealth (Cf. Matthew 5:3)
2. White garments versus Laodicea’s black garments.
3. Eye salve – Jesus alone gives true sight.
Jesus is telling the Laodicean Christians that the wealth of the world can do nothing for their spiritual needs. It cannot change their condition, only repentance and a return to Christ will do that.
The Meditation: I am not beyond the error of self-sufficiency. How easy it is to begin to think too highly of self and to develop an independent spirit. Such a spirit leads to lukewarmness in a life because distance develops between the “water” and the ”vessel.”
Churches can become guilty of this same lukewarmness. Things may be going so well that its people begin to show forgetfulness of why things are going well. Having plenty in material things too often leads to poverty in spiritual things. The budget may be met but a deficit grows. The church may look good yet be in disrepair. The lights may be bright yet darkness grows.
If as an individual or as a church body lukewarmness becomes a reality, it is time to make a good buy. Have investments left you broke? Are your garments ruined? Have you lost your spiritual sight?
The Application: How can I be sure that my life has not entered into a lukewarm relationship with the Lord? The first step is to consider where is the Lord in my life.
1. Is Jesus knocking? - Revelation 3:20
2. Is Jesus dwelling? – Ephesians 3:17
3. Is Jesus abiding? – John 14:23
Conclusion: We love to make good buys. Sometimes our buys are not so good, this is the reason for returns. The Lord was giving the opportunity for the Laodiceans to return what they “bought” for a better buy. Jesus does the same for us. Any return that needs to be made is only a prayer away.
Intro: One question that is heard this time of year is “have you finished your Christmas shopping yet.” Some have. Some have not. Some start their shopping the day after Christmas for the next year. Others start their shopping the day before Christmas.
But however the shopping is done, we all look forward to giving gifts and showing the purchases that we made.
The Situation: The Lord is addressing seven distinct churches in this portion of Revelation. With each one He has a word of commendation and a word of exhortation, except for the church in Laodicea. To this group of people he only speaks words of exhortation and correction along with an invitation.
1. Their Worship – The city of Laodicea had several gods that it worshipped including Zeus, Apollo, and Dionysus.
2. Their Wealth - Laodicea was a city of Phyrgia not far from Colosse. Laodicea was a prosperous banking center and did not need help from Rome following the earthquake of AD 60 because of its own vast resources. The city was so wealthy that it really had no need of any help from those around it. This attitude of self-sufficiency also became pervasive in the church (3:17).
3. Their Water - The Lord’s words against the church and his description of them is something that they could easily identify with. For all that the Laodiceans had, they did not have suitable water for either bathing or drinking. They lacked a natural water supply. The hot water piped in from springs to the south and the cold water from the mountains was lukewarm by the time it reached Laodicea. The water was useless as well as filled with sediment.
4. Their Wretchedness - Jesus makes the statement to the church that the way that they feel about their water is the way the He feels about them—they make Him sick. Yet there is something that the church can do to restore them spiritually. They can make a good buy!
Jesus tells the Laodiceans that they need to buy the following:
1. Gold refined in the fire – Real wealth (Cf. Matthew 5:3)
2. White garments versus Laodicea’s black garments.
3. Eye salve – Jesus alone gives true sight.
Jesus is telling the Laodicean Christians that the wealth of the world can do nothing for their spiritual needs. It cannot change their condition, only repentance and a return to Christ will do that.
The Meditation: I am not beyond the error of self-sufficiency. How easy it is to begin to think too highly of self and to develop an independent spirit. Such a spirit leads to lukewarmness in a life because distance develops between the “water” and the ”vessel.”
Churches can become guilty of this same lukewarmness. Things may be going so well that its people begin to show forgetfulness of why things are going well. Having plenty in material things too often leads to poverty in spiritual things. The budget may be met but a deficit grows. The church may look good yet be in disrepair. The lights may be bright yet darkness grows.
If as an individual or as a church body lukewarmness becomes a reality, it is time to make a good buy. Have investments left you broke? Are your garments ruined? Have you lost your spiritual sight?
The Application: How can I be sure that my life has not entered into a lukewarm relationship with the Lord? The first step is to consider where is the Lord in my life.
1. Is Jesus knocking? - Revelation 3:20
2. Is Jesus dwelling? – Ephesians 3:17
3. Is Jesus abiding? – John 14:23
Conclusion: We love to make good buys. Sometimes our buys are not so good, this is the reason for returns. The Lord was giving the opportunity for the Laodiceans to return what they “bought” for a better buy. Jesus does the same for us. Any return that needs to be made is only a prayer away.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Saga of Johanan
The Saga of Johanan
Jeremiah 40:8 et al
Intro: Johanan was one of several captains of the armies of Israel who was strong in several areas of his life and in his duty to his country; but the lessons from his life are ones that we dare not miss.
The first mention of his name comes at the time of Jerusalem’s fall, when many of the people of Israel were taken captive to Babylon and a remnant was left behind. In total his name is mentioned 14 times in Jeremiah (See Jeremiah 40:7-8).
I. Johanan the Soldier – 40:8, 13-15; 41:11-16
Johanan was a captain in the armies of Judah and loyal to the nation as well as the governor appointed by the King of Babylon. He was willing to go to battle against the enemy of the governor, Gedaliah. In the eyes of the people he is a war hero.
II. Johanan the Seeker – 42:1-6
So far so good concerning this man. He has fought valiantly, correctly identified the enemy, sought to defeat him, and delivered his people from Ishmael. He is even seeking counsel from Jeremiah—asking for a word from the LORD.
Remember that in the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest—something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World.
III. Johanan the Stubborn – 43:1-7
Johanan and the other captains heard the words of Jeremiah, the light in their “foggy” time and stubbornly ignored it. Judah was the place for them to remain and be in the center of God’s will. Instead, they chose Egypt. They would not know prosperity and peace because of their decision, only punishment.
How do I avoid the same type of fate that Johanan and the others experienced?
1. Be a different kind of Soldier – 2 Timothy 2:3-4
- Jesus Christ the Captain, the Crucified, the Conqueror
2. Be a different kind of Seeker – 2 Timothy 2:4
- Pray for the will of God to be known.
- Listen to God’s instructions.
- Do what God says.
“The problems we encounter in life are many times due to what is inside us, not what is inside others.”
3. Be a different kind of Stubborn – 2 Timothy 2:4
- Refuse to follow that which will ruin your life.
- Refuse to follow that which will return you to captivity.
Because Johanan refused to listen to the counsel of Jeremiah the Prophet, he led the people into Egypt where they would only know defeat. This was not God's plan for His people; it is not God's plan for us today to live in captivity and bondage. Jesus Christ delivered us from our captivity, but if we are not the right kind of stubborn, we will find ourselves in places we do not want to be.
God’s Will
I am not sent a pilgrim here, My heart with earth to fill;
But I am here God’s grace to learn, And serve God’s sovereign will.
No service in itself is small, None great, though earth it fill;
But that is small that seeks its own, And great that seeks God’s will.
Then hold my hand, most gracious Lord, Guide all my doings still;
And let this be my life’s one aim, To do, or bear thy will.
Jeremiah 40:8 et al
Intro: Johanan was one of several captains of the armies of Israel who was strong in several areas of his life and in his duty to his country; but the lessons from his life are ones that we dare not miss.
The first mention of his name comes at the time of Jerusalem’s fall, when many of the people of Israel were taken captive to Babylon and a remnant was left behind. In total his name is mentioned 14 times in Jeremiah (See Jeremiah 40:7-8).
I. Johanan the Soldier – 40:8, 13-15; 41:11-16
Johanan was a captain in the armies of Judah and loyal to the nation as well as the governor appointed by the King of Babylon. He was willing to go to battle against the enemy of the governor, Gedaliah. In the eyes of the people he is a war hero.
II. Johanan the Seeker – 42:1-6
So far so good concerning this man. He has fought valiantly, correctly identified the enemy, sought to defeat him, and delivered his people from Ishmael. He is even seeking counsel from Jeremiah—asking for a word from the LORD.
Remember that in the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives. Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest—something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World.
III. Johanan the Stubborn – 43:1-7
Johanan and the other captains heard the words of Jeremiah, the light in their “foggy” time and stubbornly ignored it. Judah was the place for them to remain and be in the center of God’s will. Instead, they chose Egypt. They would not know prosperity and peace because of their decision, only punishment.
How do I avoid the same type of fate that Johanan and the others experienced?
1. Be a different kind of Soldier – 2 Timothy 2:3-4
- Jesus Christ the Captain, the Crucified, the Conqueror
2. Be a different kind of Seeker – 2 Timothy 2:4
- Pray for the will of God to be known.
- Listen to God’s instructions.
- Do what God says.
“The problems we encounter in life are many times due to what is inside us, not what is inside others.”
3. Be a different kind of Stubborn – 2 Timothy 2:4
- Refuse to follow that which will ruin your life.
- Refuse to follow that which will return you to captivity.
Because Johanan refused to listen to the counsel of Jeremiah the Prophet, he led the people into Egypt where they would only know defeat. This was not God's plan for His people; it is not God's plan for us today to live in captivity and bondage. Jesus Christ delivered us from our captivity, but if we are not the right kind of stubborn, we will find ourselves in places we do not want to be.
God’s Will
I am not sent a pilgrim here, My heart with earth to fill;
But I am here God’s grace to learn, And serve God’s sovereign will.
No service in itself is small, None great, though earth it fill;
But that is small that seeks its own, And great that seeks God’s will.
Then hold my hand, most gracious Lord, Guide all my doings still;
And let this be my life’s one aim, To do, or bear thy will.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Do You Have an Arm Like God's?
Do You Have an Arm Like God's?
Job 40:9
Intro: Have you noticed that guys are into things such as strength and muscles? One part of the body that is used to demonstrate strength is the arm. If a man has a big arm, most think that he is strong. A man with twenty-inch biceps would be somebody that I personally would not want to mess with. He is somebody that I might want to have with me as a bodyguard.
The Situation: In this portion of Job, God is challenging Job’s thought process as he has tried to justify why he should not be suffering. Job has looked at his life and can find no reason why God would allow calamity to befall him.
1. Job’s children have been killed.
2. Job has lost everything by way of his business.
3. Job is suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
In so doing, Job is calling out God to justify His actions (See Job 23:1-7). Job believes if he could present his case, he would somehow be delivered. The sense is that Job believes that he knows better than God does.
Beginning at Job 38, God responds to Job and gives him the audience that he desires. But first God has some questions that he puts before him.
One of these questions is found in Job 40:9. The simple fact is that Job—nor anybody has an arm like God. Exodus 6:6 teaches that God's arm was mighty to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondaged. Numbers 11:23 makes it clear that God is able by His arm to supply in abundance. Moses told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 33:27 that the everlasting arms of God will hold them up. The psalmist knew that it was only by the arm of the LORD that victory was possible (Psalm 98:1). And Jeremiah knew that nothing was too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:17). I may have thought at times that nothing was too difficult for me--experience is a great teacher!
The Meditation: We are in many ways just like Job. We grate against that which is not “good” in our lives and our reaction often times reflects what we would not ever think of saying--we know better than God. In fact, sometimes our reactions communicate that we would do things differently than how God does things. Somebody once said that they would like to have God's power for one day to make some changes. Yet this person also realized that if they had God's power with God's wisdom, they would change a thing!
Thankfully, we do not have an arm like God! We do not have the power of God. We do not have the ability of God. To exercise God’s power without God’s wisdom, knowledge, goodness, and love would be to bring a chain of destructive sequences into our lives and those around us.
The Application: The Scriptures show that blessings of strength and spiritual success come to those that understand they do not have an arm like God. They that do not trust in the arm of God struggle. How can we benefit from the arm of the LORD?
1. Delight in God’s perfections, power, and plan even when they do not make sense.
2. Desist from foolish thinking – See Jeremiah 17:5-6.
3. Depend on the arm of the LORD for your need - See Jeremiah 17:7-10.
I do not have an arm like God. Today I thank God that He does not have an arm like mine. He is the matchless and almighty God who alone does wondrous things!
Job 40:9
Intro: Have you noticed that guys are into things such as strength and muscles? One part of the body that is used to demonstrate strength is the arm. If a man has a big arm, most think that he is strong. A man with twenty-inch biceps would be somebody that I personally would not want to mess with. He is somebody that I might want to have with me as a bodyguard.
The Situation: In this portion of Job, God is challenging Job’s thought process as he has tried to justify why he should not be suffering. Job has looked at his life and can find no reason why God would allow calamity to befall him.
1. Job’s children have been killed.
2. Job has lost everything by way of his business.
3. Job is suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
In so doing, Job is calling out God to justify His actions (See Job 23:1-7). Job believes if he could present his case, he would somehow be delivered. The sense is that Job believes that he knows better than God does.
Beginning at Job 38, God responds to Job and gives him the audience that he desires. But first God has some questions that he puts before him.
One of these questions is found in Job 40:9. The simple fact is that Job—nor anybody has an arm like God. Exodus 6:6 teaches that God's arm was mighty to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondaged. Numbers 11:23 makes it clear that God is able by His arm to supply in abundance. Moses told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 33:27 that the everlasting arms of God will hold them up. The psalmist knew that it was only by the arm of the LORD that victory was possible (Psalm 98:1). And Jeremiah knew that nothing was too difficult for God (Jeremiah 32:17). I may have thought at times that nothing was too difficult for me--experience is a great teacher!
The Meditation: We are in many ways just like Job. We grate against that which is not “good” in our lives and our reaction often times reflects what we would not ever think of saying--we know better than God. In fact, sometimes our reactions communicate that we would do things differently than how God does things. Somebody once said that they would like to have God's power for one day to make some changes. Yet this person also realized that if they had God's power with God's wisdom, they would change a thing!
Thankfully, we do not have an arm like God! We do not have the power of God. We do not have the ability of God. To exercise God’s power without God’s wisdom, knowledge, goodness, and love would be to bring a chain of destructive sequences into our lives and those around us.
The Application: The Scriptures show that blessings of strength and spiritual success come to those that understand they do not have an arm like God. They that do not trust in the arm of God struggle. How can we benefit from the arm of the LORD?
1. Delight in God’s perfections, power, and plan even when they do not make sense.
2. Desist from foolish thinking – See Jeremiah 17:5-6.
3. Depend on the arm of the LORD for your need - See Jeremiah 17:7-10.
I do not have an arm like God. Today I thank God that He does not have an arm like mine. He is the matchless and almighty God who alone does wondrous things!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
So Simple a Caveman Can Do It
Psalm 142
Intro: The Geico commercials use cavemen to make a point about their insurance—it is easy to obtain. In doing so they use a stereotype about “cavemen,” which is that they are not very smart. They are a little on the Neanderthal side.
I do not know if it is accurate to call David a caveman; but he was a cave dweller. There were several occasions in his life when he lived in a cave. During these times is when David recorded some of the psalms.
The Situation: Psalm 142 was written when David was living in the cave of Adullam while on the run from King Saul.
David’s star is on the rise. He is a mighty and victorious warrior. He is loved by the people and destined to be the next king. Saul on the other hand has been rejected by the LORD as king and has turned his bitterness toward David.
The Meditation: Caves can be literal places or they can be viewed metaphorically. David’s cave was literal and the emotions he experienced while in the cave are ones that any of us are familiar with. In fact many circumstances can lead us into the proverbial “cave.” These include loss, disappointment, sickness, hurt feelings, sin, loneliness, fatigue, etc.
Caves in the Scriptures are not typically viewed favorably:
1. A cave is where Lot fled when Sodom was destroyed.
2. A cave is where Abraham buried Sarah.
3. A cave is where the prophets of the LORD hid during Jezebel’s rampage.
4. A cave is where Elijah hid when he was burned out.
While caves are not viewed too favorably and seem to be places for the dead, the desperate, and the discouraged; they are also places where the LORD God is able to be remembered and where He remembers His people.
The Application: Psalm 142 shows what is so simple that even a caveman can do it. When you find yourself in a “cave” resulting from experiences in your life you can turn to the LORD and have confident expectation of what He will do.
I. Be Faithful in Prayer – 142:1-2
A. “I cry out to the LORD with my voice.”
B. “To the LORD I make my supplication.”
C. “I pour out my complaint.”
D. “I declare…my trouble.”
David took his problems to the One that could truly help. While it is OK to tell others; remember it is best to tell Jesus.
II. Be Truthful about Problems – 142:3-4, 6
A. I am overwhelmed – vs. 3
B. I am alone – vs. 4
C. I am in difficulty – vss. 3-4
D. I am at wit’s end – vs. 4
E. I am in need of help – vs. 6
III. Be Hopeful in Petitions – 142:5-7
Often times we allow hopefulness in our praying to be diminished because of too great a focus on our problems and not enough of a focus on our God. The “cave” experiences are the times for us to be confident and hopeful in our praying.
A. Be hopeful in the attributes of God – vs. 5
B. Be hopeful in the attentiveness of God – vs. 6
C. Be hopeful in the ability of God – vs. 6-7
Ultimately David was delivered, and his time in the cave was temporary. The same is true of us and any “cave” in which you may be in. You don’t have to be a cave dweller to follow the pattern of this Psalm. But thank God that He does come to us in the cave.
Intro: The Geico commercials use cavemen to make a point about their insurance—it is easy to obtain. In doing so they use a stereotype about “cavemen,” which is that they are not very smart. They are a little on the Neanderthal side.
I do not know if it is accurate to call David a caveman; but he was a cave dweller. There were several occasions in his life when he lived in a cave. During these times is when David recorded some of the psalms.
The Situation: Psalm 142 was written when David was living in the cave of Adullam while on the run from King Saul.
David’s star is on the rise. He is a mighty and victorious warrior. He is loved by the people and destined to be the next king. Saul on the other hand has been rejected by the LORD as king and has turned his bitterness toward David.
The Meditation: Caves can be literal places or they can be viewed metaphorically. David’s cave was literal and the emotions he experienced while in the cave are ones that any of us are familiar with. In fact many circumstances can lead us into the proverbial “cave.” These include loss, disappointment, sickness, hurt feelings, sin, loneliness, fatigue, etc.
Caves in the Scriptures are not typically viewed favorably:
1. A cave is where Lot fled when Sodom was destroyed.
2. A cave is where Abraham buried Sarah.
3. A cave is where the prophets of the LORD hid during Jezebel’s rampage.
4. A cave is where Elijah hid when he was burned out.
While caves are not viewed too favorably and seem to be places for the dead, the desperate, and the discouraged; they are also places where the LORD God is able to be remembered and where He remembers His people.
The Application: Psalm 142 shows what is so simple that even a caveman can do it. When you find yourself in a “cave” resulting from experiences in your life you can turn to the LORD and have confident expectation of what He will do.
I. Be Faithful in Prayer – 142:1-2
A. “I cry out to the LORD with my voice.”
B. “To the LORD I make my supplication.”
C. “I pour out my complaint.”
D. “I declare…my trouble.”
David took his problems to the One that could truly help. While it is OK to tell others; remember it is best to tell Jesus.
II. Be Truthful about Problems – 142:3-4, 6
A. I am overwhelmed – vs. 3
B. I am alone – vs. 4
C. I am in difficulty – vss. 3-4
D. I am at wit’s end – vs. 4
E. I am in need of help – vs. 6
III. Be Hopeful in Petitions – 142:5-7
Often times we allow hopefulness in our praying to be diminished because of too great a focus on our problems and not enough of a focus on our God. The “cave” experiences are the times for us to be confident and hopeful in our praying.
A. Be hopeful in the attributes of God – vs. 5
B. Be hopeful in the attentiveness of God – vs. 6
C. Be hopeful in the ability of God – vs. 6-7
Ultimately David was delivered, and his time in the cave was temporary. The same is true of us and any “cave” in which you may be in. You don’t have to be a cave dweller to follow the pattern of this Psalm. But thank God that He does come to us in the cave.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Wilderness Survival
Psalm 63
The background to this Psalm is that it was written when King David was in the wilderness as the result of Absalom’s treason against him. David is in exiled from Jerusalem and away from the ark of God, the formal place of worship. Yet this wilderness experience was not enough to keep David from worshipping God.
No “wilderness” is powerful enough to keep any of us from maintaining fellowship and worship with God. God allows the “wilderness” experiences, for those of us that know God, often times for development in our lives. While true that the wilderness can be a difficult place, David came through his time by satisfying his soul through delighting in God.
How does a person delight in God? How are you able to maintain a strong desire for God?
I. Recognize Your Privilege through God – 63:1-2
A. You can know God personally.
B. You can seek God individually.
C. You can speak to God honestly.
II. Rejoice in the Perfections of God – 63:2
Lovingkindness = chesed – mercy, kindness, favor, pity, goodness.
Each of these words gives a dynamic of a relationship that exists between two people. One is in the place of being able to give that which another needs and the other is in no position to attain it for himself. David is in the wilderness—his circumstances have changed; but his God has not changed. This leads David to delight in God and to praise Him.
III. Respond with Praise to God – 63:3-8
A. My lips shall praise you – 63:3, 5
B. My hands shall be raised – 63:4
C. My soul shall be satisfied – 63:5
D. My mind shall be steadfast – 63:6
IV. Remember the Promise of God – 63:9-11
A. The wilderness is limited.
B. The end is glorious.
These responses in times of wilderness experiences are essential to the health of your spiritual life. Each response keeps my desire for God in my life strong and the potential for defeat less.
Your wilderness is limited. God is limitless. Don’t get these switched around. To do so is to live in despair and to be led into defeat versus living by faith and being led into triumph through Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14.
The background to this Psalm is that it was written when King David was in the wilderness as the result of Absalom’s treason against him. David is in exiled from Jerusalem and away from the ark of God, the formal place of worship. Yet this wilderness experience was not enough to keep David from worshipping God.
No “wilderness” is powerful enough to keep any of us from maintaining fellowship and worship with God. God allows the “wilderness” experiences, for those of us that know God, often times for development in our lives. While true that the wilderness can be a difficult place, David came through his time by satisfying his soul through delighting in God.
How does a person delight in God? How are you able to maintain a strong desire for God?
I. Recognize Your Privilege through God – 63:1-2
A. You can know God personally.
B. You can seek God individually.
C. You can speak to God honestly.
II. Rejoice in the Perfections of God – 63:2
Lovingkindness = chesed – mercy, kindness, favor, pity, goodness.
Each of these words gives a dynamic of a relationship that exists between two people. One is in the place of being able to give that which another needs and the other is in no position to attain it for himself. David is in the wilderness—his circumstances have changed; but his God has not changed. This leads David to delight in God and to praise Him.
III. Respond with Praise to God – 63:3-8
A. My lips shall praise you – 63:3, 5
B. My hands shall be raised – 63:4
C. My soul shall be satisfied – 63:5
D. My mind shall be steadfast – 63:6
IV. Remember the Promise of God – 63:9-11
A. The wilderness is limited.
B. The end is glorious.
These responses in times of wilderness experiences are essential to the health of your spiritual life. Each response keeps my desire for God in my life strong and the potential for defeat less.
Your wilderness is limited. God is limitless. Don’t get these switched around. To do so is to live in despair and to be led into defeat versus living by faith and being led into triumph through Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14.
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