This week the BSF questions required me to read through the entire book of Matthew so I haven't had time to keep up with 2 Kings, however I have learnt a lot about Matthew's gospel. I have decided that during BSF terms I will just blog my summary of the Wednesday BSF lecture, my Sunday sermon summary and Westminster Shorter Catechism thoughts. I'll get back to 2 Kings during the BSF holidays.
From the readings and questions this week
I was struck with Matthew's emphasis on the role of people's faith in Jesus' ministry, which fits snugly with his multiple mentions of the prophetic writings being fulfilled through Jesus' life and actions. From the lecture:
1. Matt 1-4: Birth and preparation of Jesus the King
Felicity explained that these four chapters show Jesus' qualitifications and preparations for His ministry. The last element of this preparation was Jesus' temptation in the desert, where He was tested for our sake and overcame Satan's temptations with the same weapon that we may use ourselves: the word of God.
: Jesus fulfilled the OT prophesies referring to Him
> We must understand that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, and we can trust that Jesus is God's promised Messiah.
For every prophecy in the Bible of Jesus' first coming, there are two prophecies of His return.
> Look forward with eagerness to this time!
2. Matt 5-25: Message and Ministry of Jesus the King
Records of Jesus' public ministry start in Matt 4:12. Jesus' teaching shows us the standard of righteousness God calls us to. Jesus' miracles and teaching demonstrate His authority and power, showing His concern for the salvation of sinners.
Q When His word is sown in my heart, how do I respond? I am trying to build my entire life on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Q Am I bearing a spiritual harvest? Yes. I see this in my children's lives when they mention spiritual truths in their play and singing. Like Joshua singing the other day, "Jesus is the King, Jesus is the Lord, come and pray to Him!" This is not from any song we know but made up from his own knowledge of the truths of God. Anna sings similar songs of praise to God, which comes from her own childlike trust in what Jeff and I and her Bible teachers have taught her.
: The kingly claims of Jesus Christ demand a response.
3. Matt 26-28: Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus the King
Jesus responded to hatred and torture with quiet endurance; He had come to save others, not Himself.
: King Jesus has the right to direct my life.
God doesn't make mistakes. He loves me and has sealed me into His people with His Holy Spirit.
> I can trust Him.
Q is Christ the solid rock on which I stand? Yes! I want Him to be!
Summary:
Matthew was inspired by God to write this account of Jesus. Matthew purposed to follow Jesus and so accomplished a great thing.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
2 Kings 4
What is this passage all about?
This chapter records four miracles of Elisha the man of God; two are similar to miracles of Elijah and several prefigure miracles of Christ.
What can I learn from it?
This chapter, together with the end of chapter 2, produces confirmation that Elisha inherited Elijah's powerful prophetic spirit. Elisha provided for the prophet's widow through a miraculous multiplication of her oil, in order that her needs were supplied. Then, when a woman provided hospitality for Elisha, he repaid her kindness with the blessing of a child. The child, however, died suddenly and the woman sought out Elisha at Mt Carmel and brought him back to her house where he prayed to the LORD and the boy was brought back to life. Both of these miracles are very similar to those of Elijah's early prophetic ministry during the drought which he proclaimed over Israel. The second is also similar to some of Jesus' miracles, in particular Jairus's daughter (Matt 9:18-19,23-25; Mark 5:22-24,35-43; Luke 8:41-42,49-56), who was thought to be dead but of whom Jesus said, "The girl is not dead but asleep." Also the raising of the widow's son (Luke 7:11-17) and the raising of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha (John 11:1-44). All four of the gospel accounts contain at least one recount of Jesus raising someone else to life. Of course, it was by Jesus' own power - the power of God - that He was raised to life three days after his death on the cross. Each of the earlier raisings by Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus himself therefore prefigure and lead up to the raising of Jesus from death to life, by which conquering of death we all may have access to eternal life.
The third miracle recounted in this chapter is that of Elisha making some poisonous stew edible for a company of men.
Elisha also miraculously fed a large number of people in the fourth miracle. Elisha ordered that 100 men (possibly more people, the account uses the non-specific "people" although their number is 100 men) be fed from 20 loaves of barley bread and some new grain still on the head. This miracle provides the second half of the replica of Elijah's provision during the drought for his hostess and her son through the unending supply of oil and flour. It also prefigures Jesus' feeding of the 5000 (recorded in all four gospels - Matt 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15) and of the 4000 (Matt 15:29-38; Mark 8:1-13).
How does this help me worship God?
God is powerful and He doesn't always do things according to the usual, every-day processes. He has the power of life, and is able to give life to the dead, but frankly it's a miracle that each time He allows a sperm to fertilize an ova and create a new life that way, even if it is done in some self-congratulatory scientist's petri dish. Life is precious, and it is a gift from God, to be enjoyed, and to bring Him thanks, praise and glory. So to is the provision of our needs, such as food, shelter and love. God is the source of all comfort.
This chapter records four miracles of Elisha the man of God; two are similar to miracles of Elijah and several prefigure miracles of Christ.
What can I learn from it?
This chapter, together with the end of chapter 2, produces confirmation that Elisha inherited Elijah's powerful prophetic spirit. Elisha provided for the prophet's widow through a miraculous multiplication of her oil, in order that her needs were supplied. Then, when a woman provided hospitality for Elisha, he repaid her kindness with the blessing of a child. The child, however, died suddenly and the woman sought out Elisha at Mt Carmel and brought him back to her house where he prayed to the LORD and the boy was brought back to life. Both of these miracles are very similar to those of Elijah's early prophetic ministry during the drought which he proclaimed over Israel. The second is also similar to some of Jesus' miracles, in particular Jairus's daughter (Matt 9:18-19,23-25; Mark 5:22-24,35-43; Luke 8:41-42,49-56), who was thought to be dead but of whom Jesus said, "The girl is not dead but asleep." Also the raising of the widow's son (Luke 7:11-17) and the raising of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha (John 11:1-44). All four of the gospel accounts contain at least one recount of Jesus raising someone else to life. Of course, it was by Jesus' own power - the power of God - that He was raised to life three days after his death on the cross. Each of the earlier raisings by Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus himself therefore prefigure and lead up to the raising of Jesus from death to life, by which conquering of death we all may have access to eternal life.
The third miracle recounted in this chapter is that of Elisha making some poisonous stew edible for a company of men.
Elisha also miraculously fed a large number of people in the fourth miracle. Elisha ordered that 100 men (possibly more people, the account uses the non-specific "people" although their number is 100 men) be fed from 20 loaves of barley bread and some new grain still on the head. This miracle provides the second half of the replica of Elijah's provision during the drought for his hostess and her son through the unending supply of oil and flour. It also prefigures Jesus' feeding of the 5000 (recorded in all four gospels - Matt 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15) and of the 4000 (Matt 15:29-38; Mark 8:1-13).
How does this help me worship God?
God is powerful and He doesn't always do things according to the usual, every-day processes. He has the power of life, and is able to give life to the dead, but frankly it's a miracle that each time He allows a sperm to fertilize an ova and create a new life that way, even if it is done in some self-congratulatory scientist's petri dish. Life is precious, and it is a gift from God, to be enjoyed, and to bring Him thanks, praise and glory. So to is the provision of our needs, such as food, shelter and love. God is the source of all comfort.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
The radicalness of Jesus
Preacher:
Jeff J****** (Ministry Intern, and my husband)
Passage:
John 4:4-42
Message:
Jeff compared Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus (the Pharisee, a man of the "best" religious standing) with the woman at the well (a Samaritan, an outcast both in terms of the Jewish faith and from her own people, also a character with an odd moral history). Jeff told us that, despite our inherent prejudices against sharing the gospel with those who are different to ourselves, this is not the attitude Jesus had. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, not just people "like us".
Jeff also showed how Jesus himself was at the centre of his message to the Samaritan woman. Jesus acknowledged that he was the Messiah, sent from God (vv25-26). It was Jesus who convinced the people of that place to believe, rather than the Samaritan woman who spread to news (vv41-42). We should not be side-tracked into believing Christianity is just about morality, or discipline, or obedience... it is about a relationship with God through Jesus. It is Jesus who people respond to when we share the gospel with them, not us, even though we speak the words. Jesus is the One who engages people.
Comment:
Only Jesus Christ makes a truth-based, spirit-filled relationship with God possible.
Jeff J****** (Ministry Intern, and my husband)
Passage:
John 4:4-42
Message:
Jeff compared Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus (the Pharisee, a man of the "best" religious standing) with the woman at the well (a Samaritan, an outcast both in terms of the Jewish faith and from her own people, also a character with an odd moral history). Jeff told us that, despite our inherent prejudices against sharing the gospel with those who are different to ourselves, this is not the attitude Jesus had. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone, not just people "like us".
Jeff also showed how Jesus himself was at the centre of his message to the Samaritan woman. Jesus acknowledged that he was the Messiah, sent from God (vv25-26). It was Jesus who convinced the people of that place to believe, rather than the Samaritan woman who spread to news (vv41-42). We should not be side-tracked into believing Christianity is just about morality, or discipline, or obedience... it is about a relationship with God through Jesus. It is Jesus who people respond to when we share the gospel with them, not us, even though we speak the words. Jesus is the One who engages people.
Comment:
Only Jesus Christ makes a truth-based, spirit-filled relationship with God possible.
Friday, February 22, 2008
2 Kings 3
What is this passage all about?
Joram, Ahaziah's brother, succeeded him as king. The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom combined forces to attack rebellious Moab. At one stage they were without water in the desert and feared destruction, but Elisha prophesied Moab would be handed over to them by the LORD, and it happened as he said.
What can I learn from this passage?
There are several elements in this passage. Joram was recorded as having gone some of the way towards ending the sinful religious practices of his parents, but not far enough. In this passage he is recorded as refusing to consult with Ahab and Jezebel's pagan prophets, preferring instead to consult the recalcitrant Elisha. In this context (and in the later years of his reign, probably during his co-regency with his son Jehoram) Jehoshaphat king of Judah was again summoned to fight with Israel. As he had with Ahab, he agreed.
This time, it was only when the combined armies ran into trouble that he counselled that the king of Israel to inquire of the LORD through a prophet. At this time, Jehoshaphat echoed somewhat the words of Elijah to Joram's brother Ahaziah (v11 cf 2Ki1): "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may enquire of the LORD through him?" Joram was more confident: twice (vv10,13), he declared his belief that it was the LORD who had called the three kings of Israel, Judah and Edom together to confront Moab.
Elisha, who agreed to inquire of the LORD only because of his respect for Jehopshaphat's presence, eventually told them they had nothing to fear. However, they did have to do some work. The soldiers, who were without water, had to dig ditches in the valley where they were. Their willingness to dig despite their thirst was evidence that they trusted Elisha's prediction, and they were rewarded in this trust by the ditches being miraculously filled with water. Then, God used the red morning sunlight on the water to confuse the Moabite army into thinking that the combined armies had attacked each other. Over confident, the Moabites fell into an Israelite ambush and fled. Israel was able to plunder and destroy all Moab, even to the point where the king of Moab sacrificed his firstborn son and heir, presumably in an effort to induce his idol god to save the nation from the Israelite's wrath.
How does this help me to worship God?
God has used some seemingly far-fetched ideas to make His name great. In this instance, the four kings of Israel, Judah, and the pagan Abrahamic nations of Edom and Moab were all left in no doubt as to which God was the great and mighty One. There are times in my life when I am counfounded as to how on earth God can possibly use me and my actions to glorify His name, yet that is what He has chosen to do. Thank You God for allowing me the amazing privelege of being involved in making Your name known and revered throughout the nations. May Your name be upheld and hallowed in all places, by all people. Use Your church, Lord, Your redeemed people, who worship You as LORD. Use us for Your purposes and Your glory. Amen.
Joram, Ahaziah's brother, succeeded him as king. The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom combined forces to attack rebellious Moab. At one stage they were without water in the desert and feared destruction, but Elisha prophesied Moab would be handed over to them by the LORD, and it happened as he said.
What can I learn from this passage?
There are several elements in this passage. Joram was recorded as having gone some of the way towards ending the sinful religious practices of his parents, but not far enough. In this passage he is recorded as refusing to consult with Ahab and Jezebel's pagan prophets, preferring instead to consult the recalcitrant Elisha. In this context (and in the later years of his reign, probably during his co-regency with his son Jehoram) Jehoshaphat king of Judah was again summoned to fight with Israel. As he had with Ahab, he agreed.
This time, it was only when the combined armies ran into trouble that he counselled that the king of Israel to inquire of the LORD through a prophet. At this time, Jehoshaphat echoed somewhat the words of Elijah to Joram's brother Ahaziah (v11 cf 2Ki1): "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may enquire of the LORD through him?" Joram was more confident: twice (vv10,13), he declared his belief that it was the LORD who had called the three kings of Israel, Judah and Edom together to confront Moab.
Elisha, who agreed to inquire of the LORD only because of his respect for Jehopshaphat's presence, eventually told them they had nothing to fear. However, they did have to do some work. The soldiers, who were without water, had to dig ditches in the valley where they were. Their willingness to dig despite their thirst was evidence that they trusted Elisha's prediction, and they were rewarded in this trust by the ditches being miraculously filled with water. Then, God used the red morning sunlight on the water to confuse the Moabite army into thinking that the combined armies had attacked each other. Over confident, the Moabites fell into an Israelite ambush and fled. Israel was able to plunder and destroy all Moab, even to the point where the king of Moab sacrificed his firstborn son and heir, presumably in an effort to induce his idol god to save the nation from the Israelite's wrath.
How does this help me to worship God?
God has used some seemingly far-fetched ideas to make His name great. In this instance, the four kings of Israel, Judah, and the pagan Abrahamic nations of Edom and Moab were all left in no doubt as to which God was the great and mighty One. There are times in my life when I am counfounded as to how on earth God can possibly use me and my actions to glorify His name, yet that is what He has chosen to do. Thank You God for allowing me the amazing privelege of being involved in making Your name known and revered throughout the nations. May Your name be upheld and hallowed in all places, by all people. Use Your church, Lord, Your redeemed people, who worship You as LORD. Use us for Your purposes and Your glory. Amen.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
2 Kings 2
What is this passage all about?
Elijah was taken up to heaven in the presence of Elisha, who inherited a double portion of Elijah's spirit, yet received a mixed reception when he began his ministry as a prophet in Israel.
What can I learn from it?
This passage begins (vv2,4,6) with Elijah telling Elisha three times "The LORD has sent me to..." and each time Elisha responds with "As surely as the LORD lives and you live, I will not leave you." This reminds me of Ruth's response to Naomi when she suggests her daughters-in-law return to their families (Ruth 1:16-17): "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Of course, Naomi stopped urging her to return to her family when she realised that Ruth was determined, but Elijah kept on offering Elisha the option of leaving his master. These would have been especially poignant moments as each time they arrived at the new destination prophets from that place met them with prophecies of Elijah's imminent departure to be with the LORD.
Elisha persisted with Elijah, and in the end he was offered a special gift. At the Jordan river, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before he was taken away. Elisha had the presence of mind to ask for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, something Elijah was in no position to give. Even so, God honoured this request of Elisha's as evidenced by him being able to see Elijah as he was being taken up into heaven in the whirlwind. The subsequent chapters of 2 Kings record instances where Elisha displayed Elijah's spirit, noteably when he parted the waters of the Jordan with Elijah's cloak (cf vv8&13-15), God provided water for the armies in the desert at Elisha's word (cf 1Ki18&2Ki3) and he provided for a prophet's widow miraculously with a large flow of oil and brought the hospitable Shunamite woman's dead son back to life (cf 1Ki17&2Ki4).
Yet it was not all roses. Men of one city came to Elisha with their problem (unproductive land caused by a tainted spring) and Elisha made the spring's water clean, but at Bethel Elisha was jeered by some youths (whom he cursed in response). Despite the mixed reception Elisha received, his actions have immediate results: the water became fresh and 42 of the youths were mauled by bears (I love it when the Bible gets specific). In each case, the prophetic spirit in Elisha was made known to all nearby.
How does this help me to worship God?
Elisha asked Elijah for something that pretty much jsut made him more important in the eyes of the other prophets, who noticed immediately that (v15) "[t]he spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And it's not like Elisha went on using his gift only for good, either. Surely cursing the youths to death for teasing him about his baldness was a bit over the top! It seems that while God often grants our requests, it's not just the "holy" or "sanctified" or "pious" prayers. Yet I'm pretty sure that as I read on through 2 Kings I will find that God used this gift that He gave to Elisha to bring the king and people of Israel to acknowledge Him as LORD, or to at least give them yet more opportunities to do so.
When I wonder if I should pray for something, I should always remember that God loves me and wants what is best for me in His eyes. As Romans 8:28-30 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." God grants which of my prayers He choses because he I have been called according to His purpose, that I might be made more like His Son Jesus Christ, be born again and be made glorious in reflection of Him. LORD, may I become more like Jesus so that through my life I may bring You glory. Amen.
Elijah was taken up to heaven in the presence of Elisha, who inherited a double portion of Elijah's spirit, yet received a mixed reception when he began his ministry as a prophet in Israel.
What can I learn from it?
This passage begins (vv2,4,6) with Elijah telling Elisha three times "The LORD has sent me to..." and each time Elisha responds with "As surely as the LORD lives and you live, I will not leave you." This reminds me of Ruth's response to Naomi when she suggests her daughters-in-law return to their families (Ruth 1:16-17): "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Of course, Naomi stopped urging her to return to her family when she realised that Ruth was determined, but Elijah kept on offering Elisha the option of leaving his master. These would have been especially poignant moments as each time they arrived at the new destination prophets from that place met them with prophecies of Elijah's imminent departure to be with the LORD.
Elisha persisted with Elijah, and in the end he was offered a special gift. At the Jordan river, Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before he was taken away. Elisha had the presence of mind to ask for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, something Elijah was in no position to give. Even so, God honoured this request of Elisha's as evidenced by him being able to see Elijah as he was being taken up into heaven in the whirlwind. The subsequent chapters of 2 Kings record instances where Elisha displayed Elijah's spirit, noteably when he parted the waters of the Jordan with Elijah's cloak (cf vv8&13-15), God provided water for the armies in the desert at Elisha's word (cf 1Ki18&2Ki3) and he provided for a prophet's widow miraculously with a large flow of oil and brought the hospitable Shunamite woman's dead son back to life (cf 1Ki17&2Ki4).
Yet it was not all roses. Men of one city came to Elisha with their problem (unproductive land caused by a tainted spring) and Elisha made the spring's water clean, but at Bethel Elisha was jeered by some youths (whom he cursed in response). Despite the mixed reception Elisha received, his actions have immediate results: the water became fresh and 42 of the youths were mauled by bears (I love it when the Bible gets specific). In each case, the prophetic spirit in Elisha was made known to all nearby.
How does this help me to worship God?
Elisha asked Elijah for something that pretty much jsut made him more important in the eyes of the other prophets, who noticed immediately that (v15) "[t]he spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And it's not like Elisha went on using his gift only for good, either. Surely cursing the youths to death for teasing him about his baldness was a bit over the top! It seems that while God often grants our requests, it's not just the "holy" or "sanctified" or "pious" prayers. Yet I'm pretty sure that as I read on through 2 Kings I will find that God used this gift that He gave to Elisha to bring the king and people of Israel to acknowledge Him as LORD, or to at least give them yet more opportunities to do so.
When I wonder if I should pray for something, I should always remember that God loves me and wants what is best for me in His eyes. As Romans 8:28-30 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." God grants which of my prayers He choses because he I have been called according to His purpose, that I might be made more like His Son Jesus Christ, be born again and be made glorious in reflection of Him. LORD, may I become more like Jesus so that through my life I may bring You glory. Amen.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Bible Study Fellowship
BSF classes started up today, the beginning of a year studying the gospel of Matthew. From now on, each week on Wednesdays I will try to post a summary of the week's lecture and any highlights for me from the previous week's daily questions. (This week, of course, there were no pre-class questions.) I attend the Perth Day Women's class in Subiaco.
1. God's word - the Bible
Felicity taught that the Bible is God's book, through which God has chosen to reveal something of himself to us. The Bible is the final authority for faith in life, because its author is God.
2 Timothy 3:15 says "all Scripture is breathed-out by God", it was inspired by God, and issued forth from Him. God, who is all-powerful, was able to do this. Just as salvation is a gift from God, so too is our Bible; it is not dependent upon cultures or experiences, rather it is firm and unchanging, just as God is. The original Hebrew/Greek/Aramaic text was "inerrant", agreeing with the character of God, who is without error.
The overarching narrative and subject of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ. Every bit of the Bible reveals something about Christ. The main theme of the Bible is that the sovereign creator God through His grace and for His glory has provideed for the eternal salvation of sinners through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of His Son, the man Jesus Christ.
: The Bible is reliable because it is God's inerrant word for believers.
> Cultivate the habit of daily Bible reading.
2. The gospel - Matthew
The gospels are four different people's accounts of Jesus which together form one message. They are a combination of history, tract, letter, etc. They were not all written in chronological order, sometimes they are ordered thematically. They are "reliable good news".
Each gospel account has a different focus:
Matthew - Jesus is King, the Messiah;
Mark - Jesus is the suffering servant;
Luke - the humanity of Jesus;
John - the divinity of Jesus.
Each of the gospels was written, as John wrote in John 20:30-31 "in order that you may believe".
Matthew is a didactic (teaching) gospel. It was written by Levi the tax collector, who had his named changed to Matthew (meaning "gift of Jehovah"). It has three main features:
I - bridge the OT to the NT, showing how Jesus fulfilled the OT promises;
II - writing for Jewish readers to show that the Messiah had come, introducing the King and His kingdom, which requires a spiritual and moral response;
III - introduces the church composed of Jew and Gentile, illustrating the universal nature of the church.
: The Book of Matthew is relevant today
> Be moved to know Jesus through studying this book.
Q Is He King and saving ruler of my life? Yes.
Summary:
God's word in the gospel Matthew is designed to make us Christians not scientists and to reveal to us the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ the Son of God.
1. God's word - the Bible
Felicity taught that the Bible is God's book, through which God has chosen to reveal something of himself to us. The Bible is the final authority for faith in life, because its author is God.
2 Timothy 3:15 says "all Scripture is breathed-out by God", it was inspired by God, and issued forth from Him. God, who is all-powerful, was able to do this. Just as salvation is a gift from God, so too is our Bible; it is not dependent upon cultures or experiences, rather it is firm and unchanging, just as God is. The original Hebrew/Greek/Aramaic text was "inerrant", agreeing with the character of God, who is without error.
The overarching narrative and subject of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ. Every bit of the Bible reveals something about Christ. The main theme of the Bible is that the sovereign creator God through His grace and for His glory has provideed for the eternal salvation of sinners through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of His Son, the man Jesus Christ.
: The Bible is reliable because it is God's inerrant word for believers.
> Cultivate the habit of daily Bible reading.
2. The gospel - Matthew
The gospels are four different people's accounts of Jesus which together form one message. They are a combination of history, tract, letter, etc. They were not all written in chronological order, sometimes they are ordered thematically. They are "reliable good news".
Each gospel account has a different focus:
Matthew - Jesus is King, the Messiah;
Mark - Jesus is the suffering servant;
Luke - the humanity of Jesus;
John - the divinity of Jesus.
Each of the gospels was written, as John wrote in John 20:30-31 "in order that you may believe".
Matthew is a didactic (teaching) gospel. It was written by Levi the tax collector, who had his named changed to Matthew (meaning "gift of Jehovah"). It has three main features:
I - bridge the OT to the NT, showing how Jesus fulfilled the OT promises;
II - writing for Jewish readers to show that the Messiah had come, introducing the King and His kingdom, which requires a spiritual and moral response;
III - introduces the church composed of Jew and Gentile, illustrating the universal nature of the church.
: The Book of Matthew is relevant today
> Be moved to know Jesus through studying this book.
Q Is He King and saving ruler of my life? Yes.
Summary:
God's word in the gospel Matthew is designed to make us Christians not scientists and to reveal to us the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
1 Kings 22:51 - 2 Kings 1:18
What is this passage all about?
Ahaziah reigned as king of Israel for two years after Ahab died. When he was injured, he wanted to consult a pagan god but Elijah rebuked him for not inquiring of the LORD, the God of Israel.
What can I learn from it?
Two things are recorded of Ahaziah's short reign: his attempt to ally himself with Jehoshaphat for a trading mission to Ophir (1 Kings 22:48-49 and 2 Chronicles 20:35-37) and his attempt to determine the path of his future by consulting with the god of Ekron, Baal-Zebub (2 Kings 1). Not exactly an illustrious reign.
Much of the first chapter of 2 Kings is taken up with Elijah's interactions with Ahaziah's minions: the messengers that Ahaziah sent to speak to the pagan god and those he sent to command Elijah to come to him, after Elijah cursed him. When Ahaziah's first captain, sent to tell Elijah (v9), " 'the king says, "Come down!" ' " was burnt up at Elijah's word, the king sent another, with a stronger message (v11), " ' this is what the king says, "Come down at once!" ' " and at Elijah's word this captain also was burnt up. At last a sensible captain is sent who is willing to humble himself before the Man of God (13): " This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. 'Man of God,' he begged, 'please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants!' " Then the angel of the LORD told Elijah to go down with the third captain to the king, and he went. It took humility from Ahaziah's messenger before Elijah was willing to listen and obey.
Again, Elijah prophesied of Ahaziah's death as a result of his efforts to consult a god other than the God of Israel. The question (v16) " 'Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub?' " is repeated here for the third time in the chapter. The message from God is loud and clear: the kings of Israel have chosen over successive generations to wosrship other pagan gods and to turn away from the worship of the One True God of the fathers of Israel, but this does not mean that the LORD is not still God over His chosen people, the Israelites.
How does this help me worship God?
God's purposes are eternal and He is God, whether people choose to acknowledge that or not. Being an athiest doesn't make God stop existing, nor does being an agnostic make God unknowable. God has revealed himself through general revelation to all people (Romans 1:19-20): "... since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." God has further revealed His plan for the salvation of all who have faith in Him through the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is recorded in His word, the holy Scriptures, aka the Bible. God wants people to know Him and to worship Him, and He will not stop being God, no matter how we react to Him. God never changes, He is always the One True, Eternal, Almighty LORD.
Ahaziah reigned as king of Israel for two years after Ahab died. When he was injured, he wanted to consult a pagan god but Elijah rebuked him for not inquiring of the LORD, the God of Israel.
What can I learn from it?
Two things are recorded of Ahaziah's short reign: his attempt to ally himself with Jehoshaphat for a trading mission to Ophir (1 Kings 22:48-49 and 2 Chronicles 20:35-37) and his attempt to determine the path of his future by consulting with the god of Ekron, Baal-Zebub (2 Kings 1). Not exactly an illustrious reign.
Much of the first chapter of 2 Kings is taken up with Elijah's interactions with Ahaziah's minions: the messengers that Ahaziah sent to speak to the pagan god and those he sent to command Elijah to come to him, after Elijah cursed him. When Ahaziah's first captain, sent to tell Elijah (v9), " 'the king says, "Come down!" ' " was burnt up at Elijah's word, the king sent another, with a stronger message (v11), " ' this is what the king says, "Come down at once!" ' " and at Elijah's word this captain also was burnt up. At last a sensible captain is sent who is willing to humble himself before the Man of God (13): " This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. 'Man of God,' he begged, 'please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants!' " Then the angel of the LORD told Elijah to go down with the third captain to the king, and he went. It took humility from Ahaziah's messenger before Elijah was willing to listen and obey.
Again, Elijah prophesied of Ahaziah's death as a result of his efforts to consult a god other than the God of Israel. The question (v16) " 'Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub?' " is repeated here for the third time in the chapter. The message from God is loud and clear: the kings of Israel have chosen over successive generations to wosrship other pagan gods and to turn away from the worship of the One True God of the fathers of Israel, but this does not mean that the LORD is not still God over His chosen people, the Israelites.
How does this help me worship God?
God's purposes are eternal and He is God, whether people choose to acknowledge that or not. Being an athiest doesn't make God stop existing, nor does being an agnostic make God unknowable. God has revealed himself through general revelation to all people (Romans 1:19-20): "... since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." God has further revealed His plan for the salvation of all who have faith in Him through the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is recorded in His word, the holy Scriptures, aka the Bible. God wants people to know Him and to worship Him, and He will not stop being God, no matter how we react to Him. God never changes, He is always the One True, Eternal, Almighty LORD.
Monday, February 18, 2008
2 Chronicles 20 also 1 Kings 22:48-49
What is this passage all about?
Judah was threatened by the Moabites and Ammonites from Edom. In the assembly, Jehoshaphat prayed to God for help and a Levite prophesied that God would deliver them. All Judah praised God through song and went to see this deliverance; the invading armies attacked each other and Judah was able to collect the plunder before praising God publicly again. Much later, Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships but they were wrecked before they could set sail.
What can I learn from it?
This passage tells a story of a king's plea to God and the people's praise to God. When Jehoshaphat was told that there was an invading army on the way, he was alarmed, but he did the right thing. He proclaimed a fast for all Judah - a time for the people to contemplate their sin and to pray to God. Then (v4), "[t]he people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed they came from every town in Judah to seek him." It is remarkable that there was such a quick response from all the people of Judah. I think Jehoshaphat's reforms in ensuring the people were taught well from the book of the law (2Ch17) and judged well according to God's justice (2Ch19) meant that the people were united in their faith. As Jehoshaphat prayed before the assembled people of Judah and Jerusalem in the temple (v13), "All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD." They were expecting God to protect them from their enemies, because they knew that He was their God, and He had chosen them as His people and given them the land where they lived.
Jehoshaphat prayed in praise of God (v6): " 'O LORD , God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.' " He also spoke to God of the time when His people were entering the promised land and God had directed them to leave certain neighbours unmolested as they travelled past their lands. Then Jehoshaphat called upon God to judge these nations which were invading the land God had promised to Israel. Jehoshaphat acknowledged Judah's powerlessness (v12): " 'We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.' "
God responded to this honest and direct plea for grace. He sent a message through Jahaziel, a Levite, that He would take care of things (v17). " 'You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not de discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
Jehoshaphat was not discouraged! On the contrary, he and all Judah were celebrating even as they left for the Desert of Tekoa. The second half of this passage is full of worship. Jehoshaphat and the people bowed and worshipped God (v18), Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing God's praises as they went out (v21), as they sang God confounded the opposing armies and they turned on each other (vv22-23). After they took the spoils of war, the people "praised the LORD" at what was called thereafter the Valley of Praise (v26). The men returned to Jerusalem joyfully "for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice" (v27) and they went to the temple to praise God with music.
How does this help me worship God?
I have heard it argued by some people that praising God through song is not a legitimate form of worship for "these last days" (using Romans 12:1 as the basis for the argument). Of course this passage describes a situation from OT times, but I do not see how Christ's life, death and resurrection have changed anything about how Christians should praise God compared to this example. Jehoshaphat had a problem, he brought it to God and God gave him a great solution. So Jehoshaphat praised God (and led the people of Judah in praise) in word and in song (vv21-22). "Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness aas they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.' As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes..." God loves to hear His people praise His name and sing of His glory. Sure, there are a lot of modern "worship" songs which don't praise God at all. But that doesn't mean that Christian congregations cannot be discerning in the choice of songs and then sing all out with gusto to the great and marvellous God who saved Jehoshaphat's people and has also saved all His chosen children. And feel comfortable enjoying singing to the LORD of all.
Judah was threatened by the Moabites and Ammonites from Edom. In the assembly, Jehoshaphat prayed to God for help and a Levite prophesied that God would deliver them. All Judah praised God through song and went to see this deliverance; the invading armies attacked each other and Judah was able to collect the plunder before praising God publicly again. Much later, Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships but they were wrecked before they could set sail.
What can I learn from it?
This passage tells a story of a king's plea to God and the people's praise to God. When Jehoshaphat was told that there was an invading army on the way, he was alarmed, but he did the right thing. He proclaimed a fast for all Judah - a time for the people to contemplate their sin and to pray to God. Then (v4), "[t]he people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed they came from every town in Judah to seek him." It is remarkable that there was such a quick response from all the people of Judah. I think Jehoshaphat's reforms in ensuring the people were taught well from the book of the law (2Ch17) and judged well according to God's justice (2Ch19) meant that the people were united in their faith. As Jehoshaphat prayed before the assembled people of Judah and Jerusalem in the temple (v13), "All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD." They were expecting God to protect them from their enemies, because they knew that He was their God, and He had chosen them as His people and given them the land where they lived.
Jehoshaphat prayed in praise of God (v6): " 'O LORD , God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.' " He also spoke to God of the time when His people were entering the promised land and God had directed them to leave certain neighbours unmolested as they travelled past their lands. Then Jehoshaphat called upon God to judge these nations which were invading the land God had promised to Israel. Jehoshaphat acknowledged Judah's powerlessness (v12): " 'We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.' "
God responded to this honest and direct plea for grace. He sent a message through Jahaziel, a Levite, that He would take care of things (v17). " 'You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not de discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
Jehoshaphat was not discouraged! On the contrary, he and all Judah were celebrating even as they left for the Desert of Tekoa. The second half of this passage is full of worship. Jehoshaphat and the people bowed and worshipped God (v18), Jehoshaphat appointed people to sing God's praises as they went out (v21), as they sang God confounded the opposing armies and they turned on each other (vv22-23). After they took the spoils of war, the people "praised the LORD" at what was called thereafter the Valley of Praise (v26). The men returned to Jerusalem joyfully "for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice" (v27) and they went to the temple to praise God with music.
How does this help me worship God?
I have heard it argued by some people that praising God through song is not a legitimate form of worship for "these last days" (using Romans 12:1 as the basis for the argument). Of course this passage describes a situation from OT times, but I do not see how Christ's life, death and resurrection have changed anything about how Christians should praise God compared to this example. Jehoshaphat had a problem, he brought it to God and God gave him a great solution. So Jehoshaphat praised God (and led the people of Judah in praise) in word and in song (vv21-22). "Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness aas they went out at the head of the army, saying: 'Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.' As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes..." God loves to hear His people praise His name and sing of His glory. Sure, there are a lot of modern "worship" songs which don't praise God at all. But that doesn't mean that Christian congregations cannot be discerning in the choice of songs and then sing all out with gusto to the great and marvellous God who saved Jehoshaphat's people and has also saved all His chosen children. And feel comfortable enjoying singing to the LORD of all.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Shorter Catechism Q7
What are the decrees of God?
The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the cousel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
This doctrine of the unfailing eternal purpose of God, that his glory may be manifest, is central to Reformed Evangelical Protestantism (and perhaps to wider Christianity, but I am not familiar enough with the detailed doctrines of these denominations to comment). God will do as He pleases and His will is certain to come to pass for He will make it so. Ephesians 1:11-12 was written to early believers: "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." Everything that occurs, including the faithful hope of believers in Christ, occurs because God has chosen that it will be so. "God does not do what He does, nor order what He orders, accidentally or unawares; either without or beside His intention. And if there be a foregoing design of doing and ordering as He does, this is the same with a purpose or decree." ~ Edwards
Knowledge of this doctrine necessitates a response from believers. God has claimed us for His own, becasue He chose to do so. (O what a marvellous thought!) Ephesians 1:13-14 continues: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory." My favourite verses of all follow in Ephesians 2:8-10: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God chose me. God has ordained what He would have me do for His glory. By His grace, He enables me to obey His will. "Certainly, if any man hath an infallible understanding, I will be ruled by him. God hath: He works all things, and all effectually, by the counsel of His own will. Therefore in all thy ways give up thyself to Him." ~ Goodwin
The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the cousel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
This doctrine of the unfailing eternal purpose of God, that his glory may be manifest, is central to Reformed Evangelical Protestantism (and perhaps to wider Christianity, but I am not familiar enough with the detailed doctrines of these denominations to comment). God will do as He pleases and His will is certain to come to pass for He will make it so. Ephesians 1:11-12 was written to early believers: "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." Everything that occurs, including the faithful hope of believers in Christ, occurs because God has chosen that it will be so. "God does not do what He does, nor order what He orders, accidentally or unawares; either without or beside His intention. And if there be a foregoing design of doing and ordering as He does, this is the same with a purpose or decree." ~ Edwards
Knowledge of this doctrine necessitates a response from believers. God has claimed us for His own, becasue He chose to do so. (O what a marvellous thought!) Ephesians 1:13-14 continues: "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory." My favourite verses of all follow in Ephesians 2:8-10: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God chose me. God has ordained what He would have me do for His glory. By His grace, He enables me to obey His will. "Certainly, if any man hath an infallible understanding, I will be ruled by him. God hath: He works all things, and all effectually, by the counsel of His own will. Therefore in all thy ways give up thyself to Him." ~ Goodwin
Saturday, February 16, 2008
2 Chronicles 19
What is this passage all about?
On returning from war, Jehoshaphat was rebuked by Jehu the seer for helping Ahab, who was wicked and hated the LORD. Jehoshaphat began a second phase of his governmental reforms, appointing judges in the cities to judge not for man but for the LORD.
What can I learn from this passage?
Jehoshaphat returned safely to Jerusalem, but he must have been thinking all the time about what had befallen Ahab. On his return, he was confronted by Jehu, the son of Hanani (who had rebuked king Asa for allying with Ben-Hadad of Aram - 2 Chronicles 16:7). Jehu condemned Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab, but also commended him for his religious reforms, saying (v3) " 'There is, however, some good in you, for you have... set your heart on seeking God.' " These words might have been what prompted Jehoshaphat's second wave of reforms.
"Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people... and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers." (v4) Apparently, just as Jehoshaphat had sinned in allying himself with Israel, Judah had followed in his footsteps and turned from the ways of God. When he went among his people and was personally involved with them, they were recalled back to the faith of their fathers.
Jehoshaphat appointed judges in each of the fortified cities of Judah, including the capital Jerusalem. He was very specific in his instructions to the judges, commanding them to be careful in how they performed their duties. He made clear that they were acting on behalf of God and so must always behave accordingly. Some of his instructions (vv6-7,9,10b,11b): " 'Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. ... You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD. ... you are to warn them not to sin against the LORD; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin. ... Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well.' " It is clear from these remarks that Jehoshaphat knew he was initiating people into a holy and religious office, not just a political one. Much of this advice would be wisely taken by anyone who is in a position of judgement over another today, not just those who are appointed to the legal judiciary but people like me who must discipline their children and others like employers who have authority over employees.
How does this help me to worship God?
"[W]ith the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." (v7) God, You do not change Your mind because we whinge and whine, or plead for special favour. Your decisions are far above those of man, yet they are perfectly just and righteous. You do not make mistakes in Your choices. You see into people's hearts and know their motives but You never allow the end to justify the means. LORD, Your ways are perfect and in all things You accord to the holy, perfect and righteous standards that You have made known. You are not like sinful people, who eagerly fall into sin with the temptation of a bribe, or show bias towards those Your favour. LORD, You love me but in Your grace and mercy You will always act according to Your perfect holiness and righteousness to me. I give You praise because You are better than anything I could ever conceive. Amen.
On returning from war, Jehoshaphat was rebuked by Jehu the seer for helping Ahab, who was wicked and hated the LORD. Jehoshaphat began a second phase of his governmental reforms, appointing judges in the cities to judge not for man but for the LORD.
What can I learn from this passage?
Jehoshaphat returned safely to Jerusalem, but he must have been thinking all the time about what had befallen Ahab. On his return, he was confronted by Jehu, the son of Hanani (who had rebuked king Asa for allying with Ben-Hadad of Aram - 2 Chronicles 16:7). Jehu condemned Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab, but also commended him for his religious reforms, saying (v3) " 'There is, however, some good in you, for you have... set your heart on seeking God.' " These words might have been what prompted Jehoshaphat's second wave of reforms.
"Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people... and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers." (v4) Apparently, just as Jehoshaphat had sinned in allying himself with Israel, Judah had followed in his footsteps and turned from the ways of God. When he went among his people and was personally involved with them, they were recalled back to the faith of their fathers.
Jehoshaphat appointed judges in each of the fortified cities of Judah, including the capital Jerusalem. He was very specific in his instructions to the judges, commanding them to be careful in how they performed their duties. He made clear that they were acting on behalf of God and so must always behave accordingly. Some of his instructions (vv6-7,9,10b,11b): " 'Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. ... You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD. ... you are to warn them not to sin against the LORD; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin. ... Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well.' " It is clear from these remarks that Jehoshaphat knew he was initiating people into a holy and religious office, not just a political one. Much of this advice would be wisely taken by anyone who is in a position of judgement over another today, not just those who are appointed to the legal judiciary but people like me who must discipline their children and others like employers who have authority over employees.
How does this help me to worship God?
"[W]ith the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." (v7) God, You do not change Your mind because we whinge and whine, or plead for special favour. Your decisions are far above those of man, yet they are perfectly just and righteous. You do not make mistakes in Your choices. You see into people's hearts and know their motives but You never allow the end to justify the means. LORD, Your ways are perfect and in all things You accord to the holy, perfect and righteous standards that You have made known. You are not like sinful people, who eagerly fall into sin with the temptation of a bribe, or show bias towards those Your favour. LORD, You love me but in Your grace and mercy You will always act according to Your perfect holiness and righteousness to me. I give You praise because You are better than anything I could ever conceive. Amen.
Friday, February 15, 2008
1 Kings 22:29-40 also 2 Chronicles 18:28-34
What is this passage all about?
Ahab went into battle against the king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead in disguise, but a random arrow pierced him between his armour and he died.
What can I learn from it?
The Kings passage gives extra details regarding the events after the king's death, while the Chronicles passage gives additional information as to why Jehoshaphat was spared.
Ahab evidently thought he could avoid the death predicted by Micaiah the prophet if he went into battle in disguise. He must have thought something like, "if people cannot recognise who I am then God won't be able to recognise me either", but of course this was nonsense. God knew who he was, despite the distraction for the soldiers of Jehoshaphat being the only person there in royal robes. God ensured that the king of Israel was struck by an arrow shot by someone who (v34) "drew his bow at random and hit the king." Random? Guided by the hand of God, rather. And so it came to pass that what the LORD's prophet had foretold came true: Ahab died and the blood which had pooled in the chariot from his wound was later lapped up by dogs. Ugh!
Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat had entered the battle in his royal robes and the Aramean soldiers had mistaken him for Ahab, whom they had been instructed to fight. "So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him." (1 Kings 22:32b-33) This seems on the surface like a very lucky break for Jehoshaphat. There was no Debrett's Peerage in those days, let alone the plethoa of images and recordings of famous people that are available today. How did the chariot commanders recognise that Jehoshaphat was not Ahab? They had been given very specific instructions by the king of Aram, who had met Ahab face to face (cf 1 Kings 20:32-34), but 2 Chronicles reveals the providential reason (18:31b-32). "So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him." In the case of Jehoshaphat, God acted to protect, rather than to expose.
How does this help me worship God?
This passage demonstrates several of God's qualities. Chiefly, He is all-seeing and all-knowing (omniscient). Hebrews 4:13 teaches, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Of course, this is making the point with regard to God's ability to see our choices, right and wrong. But the first sentence of the quote is not limited to our choices, for it says "nothing... is hidden". 1 John 3:20 asserts of God that "he knows everything." Psalm 139 shows the intimate nature of God's knowledge of each of his created children.
Secondly, God is not some divine observer who merely watches and does not participate. God was involved in the battle at Ramoth Gilead, acting against Ahab (in guiding the arrow) and for Jehoshaphat (in drawing the soldiers away). God cares for each and every one of His people and He is involved in their lives. This is just as true for me as it was for Ahab and Jehoshaphat!
Almighty God, I give you praise because You are over all: You see all things. You know all things, including my inner thoughts as well as my outer actions. You care about what I do and what happens to me and You stand ready to move in my life to mold me into the image of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for your careful and loving oversight in my life. You are my kind and devoted Father in Heaven: may Your name be called Wonderful. Amen.
Ahab went into battle against the king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead in disguise, but a random arrow pierced him between his armour and he died.
What can I learn from it?
The Kings passage gives extra details regarding the events after the king's death, while the Chronicles passage gives additional information as to why Jehoshaphat was spared.
Ahab evidently thought he could avoid the death predicted by Micaiah the prophet if he went into battle in disguise. He must have thought something like, "if people cannot recognise who I am then God won't be able to recognise me either", but of course this was nonsense. God knew who he was, despite the distraction for the soldiers of Jehoshaphat being the only person there in royal robes. God ensured that the king of Israel was struck by an arrow shot by someone who (v34) "drew his bow at random and hit the king." Random? Guided by the hand of God, rather. And so it came to pass that what the LORD's prophet had foretold came true: Ahab died and the blood which had pooled in the chariot from his wound was later lapped up by dogs. Ugh!
Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat had entered the battle in his royal robes and the Aramean soldiers had mistaken him for Ahab, whom they had been instructed to fight. "So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him." (1 Kings 22:32b-33) This seems on the surface like a very lucky break for Jehoshaphat. There was no Debrett's Peerage in those days, let alone the plethoa of images and recordings of famous people that are available today. How did the chariot commanders recognise that Jehoshaphat was not Ahab? They had been given very specific instructions by the king of Aram, who had met Ahab face to face (cf 1 Kings 20:32-34), but 2 Chronicles reveals the providential reason (18:31b-32). "So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him." In the case of Jehoshaphat, God acted to protect, rather than to expose.
How does this help me worship God?
This passage demonstrates several of God's qualities. Chiefly, He is all-seeing and all-knowing (omniscient). Hebrews 4:13 teaches, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Of course, this is making the point with regard to God's ability to see our choices, right and wrong. But the first sentence of the quote is not limited to our choices, for it says "nothing... is hidden". 1 John 3:20 asserts of God that "he knows everything." Psalm 139 shows the intimate nature of God's knowledge of each of his created children.
Secondly, God is not some divine observer who merely watches and does not participate. God was involved in the battle at Ramoth Gilead, acting against Ahab (in guiding the arrow) and for Jehoshaphat (in drawing the soldiers away). God cares for each and every one of His people and He is involved in their lives. This is just as true for me as it was for Ahab and Jehoshaphat!
Almighty God, I give you praise because You are over all: You see all things. You know all things, including my inner thoughts as well as my outer actions. You care about what I do and what happens to me and You stand ready to move in my life to mold me into the image of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for your careful and loving oversight in my life. You are my kind and devoted Father in Heaven: may Your name be called Wonderful. Amen.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
1 Kings 22:1-28 also 2 Chronicles 18:1-27
What is this passage all about?
Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to accompany him to war and Jehoshaphat told him to seek the counsel of the LORD through a prophet, who foretold doom for Ahab, contrary to the other pagan prophets.
What can I learn from it?
The parallel passages in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles which tell of this event are almost word-for-word accounts. 2 Chronicles adds one detail which explains the willingness of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah to visit Ahab, king of Israel. Jehoshaphat had married into Ahab's family to form an alliance. So in travelling to Samaria he was visiting an in-law.
Despite Jehoshaphat's obviously questionable decision-making abilities (as evidenced by the afore-mentioned marriage), he knew enough to seek for advice from a prophet before going into battle. At first he seemed willing (v5), "But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, 'First seek the cousel of the LORD.' " When Ahab produced about 400 prophets who all encouraged them to go to war, Jehoshaphat still held back. He wanted to hear from a prophet of the LORD, not just any old pagan prophet (v7). "But Jehoshaphat asked, 'Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?' " Ahab's comment was that the only prophet of the LORD who was available was Micaiah, who always prophesied bad things. (Obviously Ahab never listened to Micaiah, otherwise he might have realised there was a reason for the LORD always sending bad news.) Jehoshaphat rebuked Ahab (v8b): " 'The king should not say that.' "
After Ahab warned Micaiah to tell nothing but the truth, Micaiah prophesied doom for Ahab and the scattering of Israel, who would be (v17) "like sheep without a shepherd". Micaiah also explained why the other prophets were encouraging Ahab and he wasn't. The LORD had allowed a lying spirit to be put into the prophets' mouths to entice Ahab to his death attacking Ramoth Gilead. Not liking what he heard, Ahab sent Micaiah off to prison until his safe return (which wouldn't, of course, occur).
It does help to be reminded that it is possible to have stuffed up royally with some decisions, going completely against the will of God, but to still be able to return to a state of relative wisdom where one can see the importance of doing things God's way. Jehoshaphat had done wrong in allying himself with the evil Ahab through marriage, but at least in this episode he spoke wise words into Ahab's ear. Ahab couldn't say he hadn't heard the truth about what would happen to him, because Jehoshaphat and Micaiah had made him listen.
How does this help me to worship God?
I can always come back to God, especially when I feel the burden that sin has been on me, separating me from God, and ask Him for forgivenness. Then, I can go on, through His grace, forward in our relationship. Once again I can serve Him, and in doing so serve others.
Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to accompany him to war and Jehoshaphat told him to seek the counsel of the LORD through a prophet, who foretold doom for Ahab, contrary to the other pagan prophets.
What can I learn from it?
The parallel passages in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles which tell of this event are almost word-for-word accounts. 2 Chronicles adds one detail which explains the willingness of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah to visit Ahab, king of Israel. Jehoshaphat had married into Ahab's family to form an alliance. So in travelling to Samaria he was visiting an in-law.
Despite Jehoshaphat's obviously questionable decision-making abilities (as evidenced by the afore-mentioned marriage), he knew enough to seek for advice from a prophet before going into battle. At first he seemed willing (v5), "But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, 'First seek the cousel of the LORD.' " When Ahab produced about 400 prophets who all encouraged them to go to war, Jehoshaphat still held back. He wanted to hear from a prophet of the LORD, not just any old pagan prophet (v7). "But Jehoshaphat asked, 'Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?' " Ahab's comment was that the only prophet of the LORD who was available was Micaiah, who always prophesied bad things. (Obviously Ahab never listened to Micaiah, otherwise he might have realised there was a reason for the LORD always sending bad news.) Jehoshaphat rebuked Ahab (v8b): " 'The king should not say that.' "
After Ahab warned Micaiah to tell nothing but the truth, Micaiah prophesied doom for Ahab and the scattering of Israel, who would be (v17) "like sheep without a shepherd". Micaiah also explained why the other prophets were encouraging Ahab and he wasn't. The LORD had allowed a lying spirit to be put into the prophets' mouths to entice Ahab to his death attacking Ramoth Gilead. Not liking what he heard, Ahab sent Micaiah off to prison until his safe return (which wouldn't, of course, occur).
It does help to be reminded that it is possible to have stuffed up royally with some decisions, going completely against the will of God, but to still be able to return to a state of relative wisdom where one can see the importance of doing things God's way. Jehoshaphat had done wrong in allying himself with the evil Ahab through marriage, but at least in this episode he spoke wise words into Ahab's ear. Ahab couldn't say he hadn't heard the truth about what would happen to him, because Jehoshaphat and Micaiah had made him listen.
How does this help me to worship God?
I can always come back to God, especially when I feel the burden that sin has been on me, separating me from God, and ask Him for forgivenness. Then, I can go on, through His grace, forward in our relationship. Once again I can serve Him, and in doing so serve others.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
1 Kings 21
What is this passage all about?
Jezebel arranged for the death of Naboth, so that Ahab could take possession of Naboth's ancestral vineyard. Elijah prophesied Jezebel and Ahab's deaths as a result, and Ahab humbled himself.
What can I learn from it?
Ahab had no control over his emotions. He reminds me of a little child, like my sons and daughters who sometimes sulk or get angry if they do not get their own desires. Naboth told Ahab he wouldn't sell the land that was his inheritance. "So Ahab went home, sullen and angry... He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat." (v4) It took his wife's cajoling to get him out of bed and eating food again. Her question of his attitude made it clear his behaviour led her to disrespect him (v7): " 'Is this how you act as king over Israel?' " All over a bit of land he wanted for a vegie patch!
Jezebel's plan was truly wicked. She not only had Naboth killed, she tricked the people of Israel into killing him for what they thought were righteous reasons (that he had cursed God). What a woman! Of their partnership, the Bible records (v25), "There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife." Compare this to some verses commending deserving wives:
~Psalm 128:3 "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house..."
~Proverbs 5:18-19 "...may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. ...may you ever be captivated by her love."
~Proverbs 12:4 "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown..."
~Proverbs 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the LORD."
~Proverbs 19:14 "Houses and wealth are inherited from parents but a prudent wife is from the LORD."
~Proverbs 31:10 "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." [Compare this honest gain through the wife's diligence to this story of Ahab, Naboth and Jezebel.]
~Ecclesiastes 9:9 "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun..." [Read more of Ecclesiastes to understand the context of this discordant description.]
And something about the wonderful treasure of marriage, from the Law:
~Deuteronomy 24:5 "If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married."
And from the prophets:
~Malachi 2:15-16: "Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel, 'and I hate a man's covering his wife with violence as well as with his garment,' says the LORD God Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith." [Note: covering with garment indicated a coventant made esp an offer of marriage cf Ruth 3:9, also other covenants like that of taking an apprentice as per 1Kings 19:19.]
Ahab was condemned for Jezebel's actions on his behalf through the words of Elijah, whom God sent to the king. For the first (recorded) time in his kingship, Ahab demonstrated repentance for his evil. God had mercy on Ahab and told Elijah (v29), " 'Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.' "
How does this help me to worship God?
When I read about things like this, I feel just like Jonah, who told God (Jonah 3:2), " 'This is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.' " I know God is loving and merciful, and I totally appreciate it for myself and those I love. But when it comes to people who I think have done terrible things (like murder), sometimes I wish He would not extend that same mercy. Which is very two-faced of me! After all, there is nothing that I could do that would make me acceptable to God through my own merits. As a sinner, before I became a Christian I stood in exactly the same (metaphorical) shoes as Ahab, even though my sins are different to his. I am not worthy. It is Christ alone who is worthy:
Revelation 5:9-10 "And they sang a new song:
'You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation. [Even me, God!]
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.' "
Jezebel arranged for the death of Naboth, so that Ahab could take possession of Naboth's ancestral vineyard. Elijah prophesied Jezebel and Ahab's deaths as a result, and Ahab humbled himself.
What can I learn from it?
Ahab had no control over his emotions. He reminds me of a little child, like my sons and daughters who sometimes sulk or get angry if they do not get their own desires. Naboth told Ahab he wouldn't sell the land that was his inheritance. "So Ahab went home, sullen and angry... He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat." (v4) It took his wife's cajoling to get him out of bed and eating food again. Her question of his attitude made it clear his behaviour led her to disrespect him (v7): " 'Is this how you act as king over Israel?' " All over a bit of land he wanted for a vegie patch!
Jezebel's plan was truly wicked. She not only had Naboth killed, she tricked the people of Israel into killing him for what they thought were righteous reasons (that he had cursed God). What a woman! Of their partnership, the Bible records (v25), "There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife." Compare this to some verses commending deserving wives:
~Psalm 128:3 "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house..."
~Proverbs 5:18-19 "...may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. ...may you ever be captivated by her love."
~Proverbs 12:4 "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown..."
~Proverbs 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the LORD."
~Proverbs 19:14 "Houses and wealth are inherited from parents but a prudent wife is from the LORD."
~Proverbs 31:10 "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." [Compare this honest gain through the wife's diligence to this story of Ahab, Naboth and Jezebel.]
~Ecclesiastes 9:9 "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun..." [Read more of Ecclesiastes to understand the context of this discordant description.]
And something about the wonderful treasure of marriage, from the Law:
~Deuteronomy 24:5 "If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married."
And from the prophets:
~Malachi 2:15-16: "Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel, 'and I hate a man's covering his wife with violence as well as with his garment,' says the LORD God Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith." [Note: covering with garment indicated a coventant made esp an offer of marriage cf Ruth 3:9, also other covenants like that of taking an apprentice as per 1Kings 19:19.]
Ahab was condemned for Jezebel's actions on his behalf through the words of Elijah, whom God sent to the king. For the first (recorded) time in his kingship, Ahab demonstrated repentance for his evil. God had mercy on Ahab and told Elijah (v29), " 'Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.' "
How does this help me to worship God?
When I read about things like this, I feel just like Jonah, who told God (Jonah 3:2), " 'This is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.' " I know God is loving and merciful, and I totally appreciate it for myself and those I love. But when it comes to people who I think have done terrible things (like murder), sometimes I wish He would not extend that same mercy. Which is very two-faced of me! After all, there is nothing that I could do that would make me acceptable to God through my own merits. As a sinner, before I became a Christian I stood in exactly the same (metaphorical) shoes as Ahab, even though my sins are different to his. I am not worthy. It is Christ alone who is worthy:
Revelation 5:9-10 "And they sang a new song:
'You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation. [Even me, God!]
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.' "
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
1 Kings 20
What is this passage all about?
Ben-Hadad king of Aram attacked Israel twice and was defeated both times, as prophesied. Ahab treated with Ben-Hadad and was condemned for setting free one whom God had determined should die.
What can I learn from it?
I'm glad Ahab isn't king of Australia! No wonder Ben-Hadad tried to invade twice when Ahab offered almost the entire wealth of his kingdom to avoid a battle! Even after Ahab defeated Ben-Hadad the second time, in a complete rout, all Ahab received by way of an apology was a free trade agreement limited to Damascus!
Ahab knew it was God who had made the defeats of the Arameans possible. A prophet had made this clear and even given Ahab the battle plan for the first clash. Yet despite the prophet's words (v13, cf v28), " 'This is what the LORD says: "Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD" ' ", Ahab did not acknowledge God. He did not make any attempt to find out what God's plans were in all this. And so the LORD condemned Ahab again for his sin in going his own way rather than turning to God in obedience. Still unrepentant (v43), "[s]ullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria."
How does this help me worship God?
God is omniscient and omnipotent yet He does not force people to obey Him. His gift of faith and entrance into a righteous relationship with Himself is free - by His grace. He calls His people to Himself, just as he did Ahab. But, rather than remain defiantly rebellious, it is good to turn to God.
Thank You God for Your grace in extending Your hand of Lordship over my life. Than You for choosing me and calling me away from my sin and being merciful towards me over so many things
Monday, February 11, 2008
1 Kings 19
What is this passage all about?
Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel's threats, but an angel gave him sustenance for his journey and the LORD spoke to him at Mt Horeb (aka Mt Sinai), giving Elijah a new mandate.What can I learn from it?
I know so much of these stories of Elijah in a garbled form from my childhood Sunday School lessons. Jezebel threatened Elijah. Despite having just put the 450 priests of Baal to death - and perhaps in the adrenalin let down following this - Elijah decided fighting Ahab and Jezebel was too difficult. Perhaps he thought that if they wouldn't submit to God after three years plus of drought and a mighty display of God's power, there was no point in trying any longer. As a prophet, up to this point he had failed despite God's miracles, to turn Ahab and Jezebel from their pagan practices to God. He was in despair (v4), " 'I have had enough LORD', he said. 'Take my life...' "
Yet twice God sent an angel to feed Elijah and fortify him for his jhourney to Horeb. Strengthened and enervated, he travelled the religiously significant 40 days and 40 nights into the desert to the mountain of God.
~40 days and nights of rain began the flood (Genesis 7)
~Joseph's body was embalmed over 40 days and nights (Genesis 50:3)
I know so much of these stories of Elijah in a garbled form from my childhood Sunday School lessons. Jezebel threatened Elijah. Despite having just put the 450 priests of Baal to death - and perhaps in the adrenalin let down following this - Elijah decided fighting Ahab and Jezebel was too difficult. Perhaps he thought that if they wouldn't submit to God after three years plus of drought and a mighty display of God's power, there was no point in trying any longer. As a prophet, up to this point he had failed despite God's miracles, to turn Ahab and Jezebel from their pagan practices to God. He was in despair (v4), " 'I have had enough LORD', he said. 'Take my life...' "
Yet twice God sent an angel to feed Elijah and fortify him for his jhourney to Horeb. Strengthened and enervated, he travelled the religiously significant 40 days and 40 nights into the desert to the mountain of God.
~40 days and nights of rain began the flood (Genesis 7)
~Joseph's body was embalmed over 40 days and nights (Genesis 50:3)
~Moses on Mt Sinai for 40 days and nights receiving the law incl 10 commandments (Exodus 24:18 then again 34:28) [Mt Sinai also referred to as Horeb in Deuteronomy 9:8-9]
~12 men explored the Promised Land for 40 days and nights before reporting back to Moses (Numbers 13:25)
~Goliath the Philistine challenged Saul and Israel for 40 days before David took up the challenge and killed him (1 Samuel 17:16)
~12 men explored the Promised Land for 40 days and nights before reporting back to Moses (Numbers 13:25)
~Goliath the Philistine challenged Saul and Israel for 40 days before David took up the challenge and killed him (1 Samuel 17:16)
and then this pattern continued in Jesus' ministry:
~Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness after his baptism (eg Matthew 4:2)
~Jesus was seen over a period of 40 days after his resurrection, before his ascension (Acts 1:3)
When Elijah was at Horeb, the word of the LORD came to him and the LORD spoke to him and called him to stand in His presence as He passed by and a voice spoke again " 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' " (v13, cf v9). God told him to " 'go back the way you came..' " (v15) to annoint 3 men: a new king of Aram, a new king of Israel and a new prophet to succeed Elijah. It can't have been too comforting being told to annoint his own replacement, considering his thoughts of death 40 days before. But Elijah would have been comforted, I think, by the idea that God would use these men to enact His judgement and also that a faithful rmenant would remain in Israel.
When Elijah was at Horeb, the word of the LORD came to him and the LORD spoke to him and called him to stand in His presence as He passed by and a voice spoke again " 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' " (v13, cf v9). God told him to " 'go back the way you came..' " (v15) to annoint 3 men: a new king of Aram, a new king of Israel and a new prophet to succeed Elijah. It can't have been too comforting being told to annoint his own replacement, considering his thoughts of death 40 days before. But Elijah would have been comforted, I think, by the idea that God would use these men to enact His judgement and also that a faithful rmenant would remain in Israel.
Elisha responded very positively to Elijah's call on him, which Elijah made known through putting his cloak on him. Elisha went back to say goodbye to his parents, but at the same time he slaughtered and cooked his oxen, which were presumably essential to his livelihood up to that point. "Then he set out to follow Elijah..." (v21) what an enthusiastic disciple!
How can this help me to worship God?
I praise God because He knows that seeing Him and being in His presence is infinitely more satisfying than even the most impressive achievement. I worship Him because He has given me that opportunity - to knw Him face to face through His Son Jesus Christ.
Shorter Catechism Q6
How many persons are there in the Godhead?
There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost [Spirit]; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
From the Athanasian Creed:
1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith; Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
2. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
3. Neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance
4. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Spirit.
5. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.
6. Such as the Father is, such is the Son and such is the Holy Spirit.
7. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Spirit uncreate.
8. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.
9. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.
10. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal.
11. As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensibles, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible.
12. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty;
13. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty.
14. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God;
15. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
16. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord;
17. And yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.
18. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every person by himself to be God and Lord;
19. so are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say: There are three Gods or three Lords.
20. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten.
21. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten.
22. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
23. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
24. And in this Trinity none is afore, nor after another; none is greater, or less than another.
25. But the whole three persons are co-eternal, and co-equal.
26. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.
27. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.
There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost [Spirit]; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
From the Athanasian Creed:
1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith; Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
2. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
3. Neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance
4. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son and another of the Holy Spirit.
5. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.
6. Such as the Father is, such is the Son and such is the Holy Spirit.
7. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Spirit uncreate.
8. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.
9. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.
10. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal.
11. As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensibles, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible.
12. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty;
13. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty.
14. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God;
15. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.
16. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord;
17. And yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.
18. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every person by himself to be God and Lord;
19. so are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say: There are three Gods or three Lords.
20. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten.
21. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten.
22. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
23. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.
24. And in this Trinity none is afore, nor after another; none is greater, or less than another.
25. But the whole three persons are co-eternal, and co-equal.
26. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.
27. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Tackling Temptation
Preacher:
Rev Steve Francis (Minister of the Word)
Passage:
Matthew 4:1-11
Message:
Steve talked about the reality of temptation - that it is a common experience to us all. He assured us that God uses trials for our own good, but the devil uses temptation to bring us down, away from God. Steve warned us that the devil will try to tempt us in two situations, when things are going well (as it had been for Jesus - having just experienced the great spiritual high point of His baptism) and it is easy to let ourselves spiritually cruise and becoming lazy in our relationship with God; or (as it was at this time with Jesus in the desert) when we are suffering difficult circumstances. Steve also mentioned some of the temptations that are common to people at particular times of their lives and reminded us that no-one is without sin.
Steve considered the response of Jesus to the temptation of the devil and exhorted us with three methods of tackling temptation:
(1) Know the word of God thoroughly, memorise it, study it, so that it will be in your heart when temptation comes. Meditate upon scriptures which are pertinent to any temptation that besets you (for me this would include verses such as Proverbs 21:23). Make an effort to recall these scriptures in times of temptation.
(2) Actively resist the devil and draw near to God (1Peter4:7-8). Make a conscious effort to turn from temptation. Repent often if necessary, but always honestly! Be accountable to the standards of God's word.
(3) Surround yourself with the loving and godly support of fellow Christians who may minister to you in prayer and deed and guide you away from temptation, as God provided angels to minister to Jesus in the desert and in a similar way Jesus asked for His disciples to accompany Him to His greatest time of temptation, the night before his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane.
Comment:
I am so proud of my minister for choosing to preach on this topic. Although my most bessetting sins were not among those that he mentioned as common (although I am sure this was just an oversight!) I know that this message was for me. I do need to be more conscious of the standard that God calls me to in my behaviour and obedience to Him. This will enable me to see myself through His eyes - eyes which love me and forgive me, sure, but also eyes which are saddened beyond my knowing by my sin. Knowing God's standard, and having a high regard for it, makes me sorry when I breach it. It is only from this state of heart that I can move to repentance and ask for forgivenness, of which I know that I am assured. Thank you God. Clean me up and make me new! And always remind me of Your standards, so that mine won't keep falling down so low.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
1 Kings 18
What is this passage all about?
After three years of drought, at God's instruction, Elijah presented himself to Ahab and challenged the priests of Baal, then God brought rain to the land of Israel.
What can I learn from this passage?
Ahab had searched for Elijah and been unable to find him (v10), but it took the word of the LORD to bring Elijah out of his safe residence with the widow of Zarephath. Again, when the LORD commanded Elijah (v1) he went (v2). Elijah first found Obadiah, a devout believer (v3)who had taken advantage of his position of power within the court of Ahab to protect a number of the LORD's priests from harm at the hands of Ahab's pagan wife, Jezebel (V4). Despite being well-known for having done this, Obadiah was still afraid of Ahab (v14), but Elijah convinced him to take word of his return. When Elijah confronted Ahab, Ahab called him a troublemaker but Elijah told Ahab he had brought the trouble on himself (v17-18).
Then Elijah accused the people of Israel of wavering in their religious devotionto both the LORD and Baal, and he challenged the priests of Baal and Asherah to a duel of sorts, to prove whose god really was God (v24). The priess of Baal built bn altar and prepared the sacrifice, but Baal was unable to respond to their prayers for fire. Full of bravado (vv27-28a,29b), "At noon, Elijah began to taunt them. 'Shout louder!' he said. 'Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.' So they shouted louder... But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention." So Elijah repaired the altar of the LORD that was there at Mt Carmel (v30) and prepared upon it a sacrifice. He had people soak the sacrifice, the altar and a trench he had dug around the altar in water. And then he prayed (vv36-38): " 'O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be know today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so that the people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.' Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench." This demonstration of God's power had the desired effect (v39). "When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The LORD - he is God! The LORD, - he is God!' " There's no doubt that Elijah over-stepped the bounds of his prophetic authority in his religious duel with the priest of Baal. Yet God honoured His own name, and brought glory to himself through Elijah's actions.
Elijah organised the slaughter of the priests of Baal, then announced that rain would fall on the land once more. He knelt down and prayed, and the first rain cloud appeared on the horizon. Soon, the sky grew black with clouds and a heavy rain began to fall.
How does it help me worship God?
Many people might argue over whether miracles such as this occur today, or are even needful today. The reality is that I can choose to respond to the story of this event wiht the same fervent recognition of God's god-hood as the people of Israel who were there at the time. God has shown Himself mighty with His many deeds throughout history, and I can choose to acknowledge what He has done in all of this. Most especially, I can acknowledge God because He has already done the most magnificent thing in all of history when He sent His Son to earth to die on the cross. I give you praise, O LORD, for You alone are God, the Holy One of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.
After three years of drought, at God's instruction, Elijah presented himself to Ahab and challenged the priests of Baal, then God brought rain to the land of Israel.
What can I learn from this passage?
Ahab had searched for Elijah and been unable to find him (v10), but it took the word of the LORD to bring Elijah out of his safe residence with the widow of Zarephath. Again, when the LORD commanded Elijah (v1) he went (v2). Elijah first found Obadiah, a devout believer (v3)who had taken advantage of his position of power within the court of Ahab to protect a number of the LORD's priests from harm at the hands of Ahab's pagan wife, Jezebel (V4). Despite being well-known for having done this, Obadiah was still afraid of Ahab (v14), but Elijah convinced him to take word of his return. When Elijah confronted Ahab, Ahab called him a troublemaker but Elijah told Ahab he had brought the trouble on himself (v17-18).
Then Elijah accused the people of Israel of wavering in their religious devotionto both the LORD and Baal, and he challenged the priests of Baal and Asherah to a duel of sorts, to prove whose god really was God (v24). The priess of Baal built bn altar and prepared the sacrifice, but Baal was unable to respond to their prayers for fire. Full of bravado (vv27-28a,29b), "At noon, Elijah began to taunt them. 'Shout louder!' he said. 'Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.' So they shouted louder... But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention." So Elijah repaired the altar of the LORD that was there at Mt Carmel (v30) and prepared upon it a sacrifice. He had people soak the sacrifice, the altar and a trench he had dug around the altar in water. And then he prayed (vv36-38): " 'O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be know today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so that the people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.' Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench." This demonstration of God's power had the desired effect (v39). "When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The LORD - he is God! The LORD, - he is God!' " There's no doubt that Elijah over-stepped the bounds of his prophetic authority in his religious duel with the priest of Baal. Yet God honoured His own name, and brought glory to himself through Elijah's actions.
Elijah organised the slaughter of the priests of Baal, then announced that rain would fall on the land once more. He knelt down and prayed, and the first rain cloud appeared on the horizon. Soon, the sky grew black with clouds and a heavy rain began to fall.
How does it help me worship God?
Many people might argue over whether miracles such as this occur today, or are even needful today. The reality is that I can choose to respond to the story of this event wiht the same fervent recognition of God's god-hood as the people of Israel who were there at the time. God has shown Himself mighty with His many deeds throughout history, and I can choose to acknowledge what He has done in all of this. Most especially, I can acknowledge God because He has already done the most magnificent thing in all of history when He sent His Son to earth to die on the cross. I give you praise, O LORD, for You alone are God, the Holy One of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
1 Kings 17
What is this passage all about?
Elijah the Tishbite began his role of prophet with an announcement to Ahab of several years of drought. During this time Elijah stayed at first in the Kerith Ravine and later with a widow of Zarephath and her son.
What can I learn from it?
This passage establishes Elijah's prophetic authority as having come from God. Unmentioned before in the account of Kings, Elijah seems to have come from nowhere, but his first actions show that he was God's spokesperson to the evil-doer Ahab, and under God's specific care. Elijah claimed to Ahab that he served the LORD, the God of Israel and announced that there would be no dew or rain in Israel for the next few years (v1). "Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah" (v2) and told him where he should go, in order that God could provide for him (v3-4). "So he did what the LORD had told him" (v5) and God provided as He had promised (v6). Elijah was obedient to the command of the LORD whom he served as an earthly messenger to the king.
As happens in droughts, the stream that had supplied Elijah with water dried up so he had to move. "Then the word of the LORD came to him" (v8) again and Elijah was told to find a certain widow in Zarephath of Sidon who would supply him with food (v9). "So he went" (v10), again demonstrating obedience, and found the woman who had just enough flour and oil for one meal with her son before all their supplies ran out (v12). God provided miraculously and the flour was not used up and the oil didn't run dry (v16), providing for Elijah and the widow and her son while he was with them. In this instance it was Elijah who spoke (v13-14) and the widow who obeyed (v15) and was blessed.
In the last event of this passage, the widow's son became ill and died (v17). The widow criticised Elijah, and asked if he had come to remind her of her sin and kill her son (v18). I am not quite sure what to make of this accusation. How did this death remind her of her sin? Not knowing what she knew of her sin, I cannot answer this. However, Elijah knew that he could turn to God and he did so: "he cried out to the LORD" (v20) asking if it was God who had brought the tragedy. Again, "he cried to the LORD" (v21) asking for the boy's life to be returned. "The LORD heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived." It was this miracle (v22) that enabled the widow to recognise Elijah's prophetic authority (v24): "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."
In summary, in this passage the word of God came to Elijah several times and each time he obeyed and was blessed. Elijah delivered the word of God to the widow, she obeyed and was blessed. Finally, Elijah called out to God and God heard him and gave him what he asked for. This resulted in Elijah being acknowledged as a truthful prophet of God.
How does this help me to worship God?
God provides and blesses when we obey, even when He calls us to obedience that is difficult. I should give praise to God for His provision in all circumstances, and thank Him especially when He intervenes to make things possible so that it is gentler on me when I choose to obey His will.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
2 Chronicles 17 also 1 Kings 22:41-47
What is this passage all about?
Jehoshaphat became king of Judah early in the reign of Ahab of Israel. He sent officials, Levites and priests out to teach the people from the Book of the Law and stationed troops in the fortified cities of Judah and kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem.
What can I learn from it?
Jehoshaphat followed in the ways of his ancestor David (v3) and his father Asa (1Ki22:43), in that his "heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD" (v6). In response, "The LORD established the kingdom under his control" (v5). Jehoshaphat built up the kingdom in two ways during the early years of his reign: he built up the people's knowledge of God and he built up his armies.
Jehoshaphat was no shirker when it came to making sure the people of Judah knew the ways of the LORD so that they might walk in them. He sent out officials, including Zechariah who may have been his son (cf 2Ch21:2), together with Levites and priests (vv7-8) to teach from the Book of the Law of the LORD, aka the Torah, known today as the Pentateuch. These teachers went throughout Judah, to all the towns, teaching the people (v9), they were the first travelling preachers. "They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people." What an wonderful and ancouraging act of the king to ensure the people's knowledge of God and His desires for them was deepened! Jehoshaphat ensured that the people who had less access to teaching and worship at the temple were still able to be taught God's law.
Jehoshaphat was also a practical man. He sent soldiers to the towns of Judah and also set up garrisons, forts where soldiers were stationed (v2). He also ensured that the towns of Judah had supplies (v12-13, in case of seige). Jehoshaphat also acted to protect Jerusalem from attack, stationing experienced soldiers there to serve and protect him (v13-19). I particularly like the descriptions of two of Jehoshaphat's commanders: "Amasiah son of Zicri, who volunteered himself for the service of the LORD" (v16) and "Eliada, a valiant soldier" (v17). These are wonderful things to be remembered for: committment to serve God and courage in His service.
How can this help me worship God?
I give praise to God because He does not want His people to be ignorant of His nature or His will. He has chosen to reveal Himself to His people. There are some things we cannot ever experience or understand about Him, as Moses was told when he asked to see God's glory: "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." (Exodus 33:20.) Yet God has chosen to reveal Himself not just through His law as was taught to the people of Judah, but through His Son, Jesus Christ. As Hebrews 1:1-2 says, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
John 1:14
John 1:18 "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known."
John 14:7,9 Jesus told Thomas and Philip" 'If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, ...Anyone who has seem me has seen the Father...' "
And as the risen Jesus said to Thomas (John 20:29), " 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' "
God has ensured that we may know Him through His provision of the Bible, especially in the revelation of Himself through His Son Jesus Christ in the gospels. John wrote (John 20:31), "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Thank You God, for revealing Youself to me, sothat I may know You and worship You in truth.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
1 Kings 16:8-34
What is this passage all about?
Baasha's son Elah succeeded him as king of Israel but was killed by Zimri, spent his week as king killing all of Baasha's descendents then being beseiged at Tirzah where he committed suicide burning the palace down; Omri, the army commander who led the seige was appointed king despite another contender Tibni who was also killed. Omri bought a hill, moved the capital there and called the city Samaria. His son Ahab became king of Israel after him.
What can I learn from it?
There is a constant refrain throughout this passage: "he did evil in the sight of the LORD" (cf v19 - Zimri, v25 - Omri, vv30,33 - Ahab). All those assassinations! Yet it wasn't the killing that is mentioned as being the sins of these men, (with the possible exception of Zimri,) so much as their apostasy and idolatry. Even Zimri walked "in the ways of Jeroboam" (v19). There is no detail of Elah's reign except that he, like his father Baasha, provoked the LORD to anger with his idolatry and caused Israel to sin (v13), that and that he was getting drunk when Zimri assassinated him. Omri made a smart political move in moving the capital from Tirzah (where the palace had been destroyed, presumably, by Zimri's fire) to the better situated Samaria (vv23-24). However, when it came to sinning, Omri (v25) "sinned more than all those before him." No wonder he raised such an evil son as Ahab!
How does this help me worship God?
This passage gives example after example of why the nation of Israel was punished with Exile into Assyria. It also gives me a picture of the extravagance of God's mercy in not punishing the Israelites sooner. True, in leaving them 'to their own devices' so to speak, He left them to kill each other, but this gave Israel opportunity to repent under each new king. Except they didn't.
God is great in mercy, patient and longsuffering with my sins as well as those of Israel. He forgives me time after time after time. He doesn't punish me but gives me new opportunities every morning, every moment, to choose to walk in His ways rather than on my own path. Praise be to God for his mercy!
Monday, February 4, 2008
2 Chronicles 16 also 1 Kings 15:16-24
What is this passage all about?
Asa treated with Ben-Hadad of Aram who then invaded Israel, causing Baasha to break off fortifying Ramah against Asa; Asa used Baasha's building materials for Judah.
What can I learn from this passage?
16:1 contains a very problematic date ("In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign") because Baasha's reign over Israel started in the third year of Asa's reign over Judah and Baasha reigned only 24 years according to 1 Kings 15:33. How then could Baasha been fortifying Ramah in the 36th year of Asa's reign? This problem cannot be explained with co-regencies, because Baasha's son only reigned for up to two years before he and all Baasha's descendants were killed as had been prophesied by Jehu son of Hanani (1Ki16:1-4,7); this was followed by a succession of very short reigns of unrelated kings before Ahab came to power (1Ki16). I checked this out in a commentary on 2 Chronicles (by RB Dillard, from the Word Biblical Commentary series) and the commentator described two hypotheses why this discrepancy occurred: (1) The chronicler used the dates to impose his basic theology of immediate punishment for sin on the story (relating the treaty with a foreign king to Asa's later foot disease) or (2) that the chronological information in the 1Ki and 2Ch accounts can be harmonised through either the use of an alternative dating method (not very likely) or a copyists error (no extant text provides any evidence for this). It seems most likely according to this commentary that the writer of Chronicles judged Asa guilty and manipulated his account (written after the return from exile) so that it was clear that God had punished Asa immediately. "The chronicler has reshaped the account he found in Kings by elaborating and reinforcing the divine favour enjoyed by an obedient king and by making explicit the nature of the transgressions that led to his disease and death." (WBC 2Ch p123.) This causes me a fair bit of distress! It is a real problem that a biblical author might 'stretch the truth' in this way to making his theological point. I guess I just have to read this passage knowing that, for this author, the information incorporated in his account was critical to the message he wanted to make plain from the history of this event, but historical accuracy wasn't. So what is the truth from this account? I'm going to take a look at the 1Ki passage:
Sometime in Baasha's reign, "Baasha went up against Judah and fortified Ramah..." (v17). Asa then used the silver and gold that was left in the temple and palace treasuries to bribe Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, who ruled in Damascus, to break Aram's peace with Israel (vv18-19). Ben-Hadad thought this was a good idea and duly invaded Israel (v20). Baasha promptly stopped building Ramah (v21). Judah, on Asa's orders, took the timber and stone Baasha had been using at Ramah and used it to fortify their own cities in Judah (v22). In Asa's old age, his feet became diseased (v23), then Asa died (v24). This is a bare bones account. It doesn't give any dates, but the author of Chronicles might have obtained his presumably erroneous date from oral (or lost written) histories, as must have happened with much of his other material, rather than just fabricating them. The central details of the event are still there, so I can relax a little.
How does this help me worship God?
I'm not sure that it does. Except perhaps to be thankful that He has chosen to preserve the Scriptures as faithfully as He has done, enabling me to read today in my own native language the stories of His people who lived many centuries ago. I do wonder if He wasn't slapping his forehead (metaphorically speaking) when the chronicler wrote 16:1, knowing, as He must have done, how distressing this date would be to believers like me who would read his confusing account more than two thousand years later. Thank You God for my Bible!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Shorter Catechism Q5
Are there more Gods that one?
There is but One only, the living and true God.
Recorded in Deuteronomy 6:4, Moses said to the people of Israel, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD, our God, the LORD is one." This is the most basic of beliefs about the nature of who God is, and it is a foundational truth of all three of the religions that stemmed from Abrahamic roots, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. This is a complex doctrine, although it seems simple, because as a Christian, I know that God has one substance but also three persons. Many of the names for God that are given to Him in the Old Testament relate to his nature, such as "Lahai roi - The Living One who sees me" (see Genesis 16:13-14). He is also described by his relationships to people: "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob", (Exodus 3:15), "the God of Israel" (cf 2 Chronicles 11:16), "the God of our fathers" (cf 2 Chronicles 15:12). His eternal name Yahweh or Jehovah reveals his self existent nature: "I AM WHO I AM", as He told Moses.
It is vitally important that I worship the One true living God. It's a waste of time to worship a god made by human hands or constructed in human minds, because "what are not gods" (2 Chronicles 13:9) are nothing but figments. The One true living God has revealed Himself supremely through the Bible.
There is but One only, the living and true God.
Recorded in Deuteronomy 6:4, Moses said to the people of Israel, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD, our God, the LORD is one." This is the most basic of beliefs about the nature of who God is, and it is a foundational truth of all three of the religions that stemmed from Abrahamic roots, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. This is a complex doctrine, although it seems simple, because as a Christian, I know that God has one substance but also three persons. Many of the names for God that are given to Him in the Old Testament relate to his nature, such as "Lahai roi - The Living One who sees me" (see Genesis 16:13-14). He is also described by his relationships to people: "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob", (Exodus 3:15), "the God of Israel" (cf 2 Chronicles 11:16), "the God of our fathers" (cf 2 Chronicles 15:12). His eternal name Yahweh or Jehovah reveals his self existent nature: "I AM WHO I AM", as He told Moses.
It is vitally important that I worship the One true living God. It's a waste of time to worship a god made by human hands or constructed in human minds, because "what are not gods" (2 Chronicles 13:9) are nothing but figments. The One true living God has revealed Himself supremely through the Bible.
The First Thing
Preacher:
Rev Steve Francis (Minister of the Word)
Passage:
John 1:35-42
Message:
Steve spoke of the first thing Andrew did after he found out about Jesus: he went and told his brother Simon about Jesus and brought him to Him. Andrew hardly gets mentioned in the gospels, but Simon gets mentioned over 160 times in the New Testament. Yet it was Andrew who brought Simon to Jesus who then gave him his ministry.
"The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon" (v41). Andrew reached out. Andrew didn't just happen to be hanging around Simon and Jesus came up in the conversation. Rather, Andrew went to find Simon. Andrew went out of his way to tell Simon about Jesus. Authentic Christian faith always leads us outwards towards others. Steve reminded us of our congregation's mission: "Reaching our community and beyond with the love of Christ." If we are to act on this mission, we need to get out there! Steve challenged us to think of one person in our lives who is "our Peter", to whom we should be reaching out with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Andrew put into words his faith in Christ. He told him (v41), " 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ)." Andrew was not a silent witness, he didn't just expect his life to testify to the gospel for him, as sometimes Christians think is enough today. Telling and explaining the gospel is an essential dimension to Christian discipleship (cf Romans 10:14). In our society, it can be easy for people to grow up in the default belief of agnosticism (not so much "I don't know the truth" as "I can't be bothered finding out the truth.") or atheism. We need to tell these people about the claims of Jesus Christ (to be the Son of God; to be the Christ - chosen and sent by God; to have atoned for the sins of all people; to be the only Way to God). Otherwise, our friends, neighbours and relatives will find it easy to ignore Jesus.
Then Andrew extended an invitation to Simon (v42): "And he brought him to Jesus." According to Archbishop Temple, "This is the greatest service that one man can render another." It is a great privilege to invite another person to get to know Jesus.
In summary: Authentic discipleship is always outreaching, always proclaimatory, always invitational.
Comment:
I'm glad that I've thought about this sermon a bit more since Sunday. Reflecting on the three parts of Andrews actions in leading his brother Simon to Jesus has given me encouragement for the long road ahead as I continue to teach my children about Jesus. We're reading through parts of the gospels at the moment, and I need to remember that we're not just reading the stories so that the kids know what Jesus said and did. We are reading through them so that the kids will get to know Jesus personally and learn Who He is and that they can trust Him.
Rev Steve Francis (Minister of the Word)
Passage:
John 1:35-42
Message:
Steve spoke of the first thing Andrew did after he found out about Jesus: he went and told his brother Simon about Jesus and brought him to Him. Andrew hardly gets mentioned in the gospels, but Simon gets mentioned over 160 times in the New Testament. Yet it was Andrew who brought Simon to Jesus who then gave him his ministry.
"The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon" (v41). Andrew reached out. Andrew didn't just happen to be hanging around Simon and Jesus came up in the conversation. Rather, Andrew went to find Simon. Andrew went out of his way to tell Simon about Jesus. Authentic Christian faith always leads us outwards towards others. Steve reminded us of our congregation's mission: "Reaching our community and beyond with the love of Christ." If we are to act on this mission, we need to get out there! Steve challenged us to think of one person in our lives who is "our Peter", to whom we should be reaching out with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Andrew put into words his faith in Christ. He told him (v41), " 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ)." Andrew was not a silent witness, he didn't just expect his life to testify to the gospel for him, as sometimes Christians think is enough today. Telling and explaining the gospel is an essential dimension to Christian discipleship (cf Romans 10:14). In our society, it can be easy for people to grow up in the default belief of agnosticism (not so much "I don't know the truth" as "I can't be bothered finding out the truth.") or atheism. We need to tell these people about the claims of Jesus Christ (to be the Son of God; to be the Christ - chosen and sent by God; to have atoned for the sins of all people; to be the only Way to God). Otherwise, our friends, neighbours and relatives will find it easy to ignore Jesus.
Then Andrew extended an invitation to Simon (v42): "And he brought him to Jesus." According to Archbishop Temple, "This is the greatest service that one man can render another." It is a great privilege to invite another person to get to know Jesus.
In summary: Authentic discipleship is always outreaching, always proclaimatory, always invitational.
Comment:
I'm glad that I've thought about this sermon a bit more since Sunday. Reflecting on the three parts of Andrews actions in leading his brother Simon to Jesus has given me encouragement for the long road ahead as I continue to teach my children about Jesus. We're reading through parts of the gospels at the moment, and I need to remember that we're not just reading the stories so that the kids know what Jesus said and did. We are reading through them so that the kids will get to know Jesus personally and learn Who He is and that they can trust Him.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
1 Kings 15:25 - 16:7
What is this passage all about?
Nadab (Jeroboam's son) became king of Israel but was soon killed by Baasha, who then ruled over Israel for two decades. Baasha killed Jeroboam's whole family, but was also an idolater, and was condemned by God's prophet for both these things.
What can I learn from this?
Jeroboam had been warned by Ahijah the prophet at Shiloh that God would destroy his entire family (1 Kings 14:9-11) through another king of Israel that God would raise up (1 Kings 14:14). This prophecy came truesoon after Jeroboam's death. Jeroboam's son Nadab succeeded him (15:25) and followed in his evil ways (15:26). Nadab and Israel beseiged a Philistine town, Gibbethon. Baasha, son of Ahijah, took this opportunity to kill Nadab (15:27). Baasha then killed the rest of Jeroboam's family also (15:29), becoming the weapon of God's judgement upon Jeroboam's sin (15:30). Was Baasha the son of the same Ahijah who prophesied Jeroboam's rise to kingship over Israel (1 Kings 11:29-31) and his demise? I am not sure, but it does seem possible.
Baasha was no better than Jeroboam. He "did evil in the eyes of the LORD, walking in the ways of Jeroboam" (15:34). God announced through another prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, that the same fate which had befallen Jeroboam's descendants would befall Baasha's also (16:1-4, cf 14:11). This judgement was made not just because of Baasha's idolatrous sin (in the way of Jeroboam), but also because Baasha had made God angry by destroying the family of Jeroboam. The prophet's message (16:7) describes Baasha: "provoking him [the LORD] to anger by the things he did, and becoming like the house of Jeroboam - and also because he destroyed it." It seemed that although God had promised to raise up a king who would cut off the family of Jeroboam, He still was angered by the murders He had decreed.
How can I apply this to my own life?
It seems from this passage that it can be easy to take upon oneself the responsibility to bring about God's plans all on one's own. There is no indication in this passage that Baasha was told by one of God's prophets that he was the one God had chosen. That doesn't rule out the possibility that that was indeed the case. If Ahijah was his father, he would have been aware of the original prophecy at least. I need to be wary that I do not act as Baasha did and presume upon God's will. If something doesn't fit with the Gospel, or the Christian life described in the gospels and epistles, then I shouldn't try to convince myself that it's part of God's special plan for me. I can't think of anything at the moment that thi
Friday, February 1, 2008
2 Chronicles 15 also 1 Kings 15:9-15
What is this passage all about?
Encouraged by the prophecy of Azariah, Asa assembled Judah (in the 15th year of his reign) and they took an oath to the LORD, entering into a covenant to seek Him.
What can I learn from this passage?
At this time, Israel was experiencing life without the true God (v3), without priests to teach or God's law. Many people who lived in Israel's lands immediately to the north and south of Judah (v9) "had come over to him [Asa] when they saw the LORD his God was with him." Some of these undoubtedly were from the towns in Ephraim in Israel that had been captured in Abijah's reign (2 Ch 13:19) or in Asa's (2 Ch 15:8).
Azariah told Asa and Judah (vv2,7), " 'The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. ... But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.' " Azariah's comments to them must have encouraged them greatly, judging from their response. Asa embarked on a program to destroy the pagan places and symbols of worship (v8). He didn't hesitate in this even for his grandmother who had made an Asherah pole, but destroyed the pole and punished Maacah by taking away her royal position (v16). According to v17, "Asa's heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life."
Asa also called the people who lived throughout his nation to a grand sacrifice (vv10-11). The people made promises "to seek the LORD... with all their heart and soul" (v12). This reminds me of Deuteronomy 6:5, where Moses told the Israelites to "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your strength." The enthusiasm of the people of Judah at this time was overwhelming. They planned to put to death all who would not commit to the LORD (v13), but (perhaps in the face of this plan) all Judah took the oath wholeheartedly, with loud celebrations (v14a). The people of Judah (v14b) "sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side."
How can I apply this to my own life?
I have to ask myself, am I so devoted to God as Asa and his people? Do I eagerly seek God with all that is in me? Am I fully committed to Him? Or is there some part of my life that I try to keep seperate and will not submit to Him? I think there are times when I try to ignore God's voice in my life, whether He is speaking to me through His word in the Bible, His Holy Spirit in me, or through my husband whom He has given to lead me. I do struggle with submitting to Jeff or even just letting him lead while I follow, particularly when it comes to things that involve the household. And I know that Jeff is happy to have our household under my control pretty much, but sometimes I forget that I'm meant to be helping him and not so much the other way around (even though I know he's meant to love me as Christ does, which is also a very big ask...).
From another perspective, I will admit I can get sidetracked too easily at church. I know that this is a season when we have to be training our children, and I cannot expect to hear every word the minister says, or be able to join in every hymn and song, but there are times when I don't even make myself try. It sometimes feels easier to get caught up in what the children are doing that to put in the effort to seek to meet God and listen to the message He has for me each Sunday. I think I'll have to
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