Sabbath School Weekly

AUGUST 2011 - THE LORD DELIVERS

2011-07-29T15:16:00.001-05:00

God’s Chosen Deliverer

August 7, 2011

Lesson: Judges 13:1–8, 24–25

Key Verses: Judges 13:24–25

Introduction:

Samson, the son of Manoah, from the town of Zorah in the tribe of Dan, fulfilled the office of Judge for twenty years. The Lord had chosen Samson as His servant at birth. Manoah bore a son “and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.”

The Philistines, sometimes referred to as “the sea people,” came originally from Caphtor on the island of Crete. They failed in their invasion of Egypt, settling on the coast of Canaan. They invaded the land of Dan and Judah, becoming a thorn in the flesh of Israel even to the David’s reign. The time of Samson was not a pretty sight to behold, with thousands upon thousands being slain, with sin beguiling them without and within. It is not a time foreign to that of today, with its deceit and its wars, reminding us that the battle continues, the principalities and powers of this wicked world moving against God’s people. However, it is Christ, by way of His cross, that “having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:14-15).

The Spirit of God, having chosen Samson as a judge of Israel, moves His servant to do battle with the enemy, to win the battle to the glory of God; as when the “Spirit of the Lord” began to move Samson “in the camp of Dan” with might and strength, tearing a young lion “having nothing in his hand” (Judges 14:6); and when Samson slew thirty men at Ashkelon (14:19); and when the Spirit came mightily upon him and the cords that bound him became as wax burnt with fire, his freed hands finding a jawbone of a donkey, he “slew a thousand men” (15:16).

A Son is Given –Judges 13:1-5

And again and again; lessons are hard learn, even for the children of God. The Lord is longsuffering with His people as they continually turn their eyes to the world which brings them to cry out again and again for a Deliverer. However, before they could find hope in a deliverer they had to learn the depth of their transgression: “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.” The children of God would have to live under the rule of their neighbor. The Philistines were a violent people. For forty years they would be reminded of their transgression, yet without repentance.

However, the Lord had never left His people without a Deliverer. Again the Lord reveals His covenant love for His people, that by His grace they are delivered: “And there was a certain man of Zorah of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and bare not.” As the people of God too were barren without hope, so would this woman be the hope of Israel. For by grace we are saved, not of ourselves but of the love of God in Christ the Son. The Lord is the Deliverer of His people: “And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.”

The son which the Lord would provide through the womb of this woman would be Samson, chosen of the Lord to be a judge of Israel, a deliverer. The angel revealed the divine appointment of her son, saying, “Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: for, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite (set apart/Amos 2:11) unto God from the womb: for he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” Matthew Henry made this observation: It is very desirable that our children may be not only devoted entirely to God themselves, but instrumental for the good of others, and the service of their generation - not recluses, candles under a bushel, but on a candlestick. Observe that He shall begin to deliver Israel. This intimated that the oppression of the Philistines should last long, for Israel's deliverance from it should not so much as begin, not one step be taken towards it, till this child, who was now unborn, should have grown up to a capacity of beginning it. And yet he must not complete the deliverance: he shall only begin to deliver Israel, which intimates that the trouble should still be prolonged. God chooses to carry on his work gradually and by several hands. One lays the foundation of a good work, another builds, and perhaps a third brings forth the top stone. Now herein Samson was a type of Christ.”

Discussion: How does God show His love toward His people?

The Angel of the Lord –Judges 13:6-8

The woman tells her husband about the visit of the Angel: “A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told me his name: but he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.” Manoah “entreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.”

Manoah asked of the Lord, “What is thy name, when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor? The Angel answered, “Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?” (3:17-18). The Angel declares that Manoah is in the presence of the glorious person of the Lord. The word ‘secret’ means remarkable or wonderful. M. Henry wrote that “The names of angels were not as yet revealed, to prevent the idolizing of them. After the captivity, when the church was cured of idolatry, angels made themselves known to Daniel by their names, Michael and Gabriel; and to Zacharias the angel told his name unasked (“I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings” Luke 1:19). But here it is secret, or it is wonderful, too wonderful for us. One of Christ's names is Wonderful, His name was long a secret, but by the gospel it is brought to light: Jesus a Saviour. We rejoice today in the Savior who was name Joshua (Jesus) for He would save His people from their sins: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

Discussion: What is important about the message delivered by the Angel?

The Spirit of the Lord –Judges 13:24-25

It is the Spirit of the Lord who gives strength and authority to His chosen servants. Under-shepherds who serve the King and Head of the Church (His congregation, gathering of people redeemed by the precious blood of Christ), serve by the authority and purpose of the Spirit. Without the Spirit there is no service. Christ by the Spirit abides with us; and it is the Spirit who leads us in all truth which He has recorded in His marvelous Word.

Samson is born, and he “grew, and the Lord blessed him.” The prophets and apostles were also chosen to serve their Lord; and this appointment must be seen as given when they were still in the womb of their mother. Thus it is confirmed that the Lord blessed them as they grew. Those who are chosen as Under-shepherds, as elders, etc, in the Church, the Congregation of Christ, not only realize their calling is “’til death do we part’, but that the Lord has been with them to direct their path that led to the day of ordination (that day when they were set apart in the Spirit to that chosen task).

Samson came to the age when the tasks were undertaken, that would deliver God’s people. A time when the Lord God Almighty would be glorified: “The Spirit of God moved Samson in the camp of Dan, that is, in the general muster of the trained bands of that tribe, who probably had formed a camp between Zorah and Eshtaol, near the place where he lived, to oppose the incursions of the Philistines; there Samson, when a child, appeared among them, and signalized himself by some very brave actions, excelling them all in manly exercises and trials of strength: and probably he showed himself more than ordinarily zealous against the enemies of his country, and discovered more of a public spirit than could be expected in a child. The Spirit moved him at times, not at all times, but as the wind blows, when he listed, to show that what he did was not from himself, for then he could have done it at any time. Strong men think themselves greatly animated by wine Psa. 78:65), but Samson drank no wine, and yet excelled in strength and courage, and every thing that was bold and brave, for he had the Spirit of God moving him; therefore be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit, who will come to those that are sober and temperate” (M. Henry).

Discussion: What does it mean that the servants of the Congregation are chosen by God?

Your God is My God

August 14, 2011

Lesson: Ruth 1:1-22

Key Verse: Ruth 1:16

Introduction

The book of Ruth begins, “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled.” Judges were raised to administer the laws of God (Judges 2:16-19). However, how quickly the people of God would they turn “out of the way their fathers walked in.” The Scriptures admonish us to teach our children with our hearts upon the Word of God and our eyes upon the generations to come: “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go possess it. That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments; which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged” (Deut. 6:1-2). Failure to teach without taking in view the generations to come could easily lead us to be lax in teaching the full truth and mercy found in Christ our Lord and Savior. We are to hear Him who alone is our Lord: “The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. …and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (6:4-7).

Contrasted with the picture of the continued disobedience by the people of God, we have wonderful picture of the family of Elimelech and Naomi. They were from Bethlehem that glorious city where David the King would be born (Ruth 4:22); and city where the King of kings would be born (Matt. 1:1, 2:6). It was in this city that Elimelech and Naomi would bring their children up in the teachings of the Lord. Ruth, a Moabite woman, finds honor both in being known in a book which bears her name, and in an ordained place in the covenant of God. In God’s redemptive plan He chose Ruth to become an ancestress of David, of the royal house of Judah. Her words to Naomi have echoed down through the ages, “for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Migration to Moab –Ruth 1:1-5

There was a great famine in the land. Elimelech and Naomi journeyed to the country of Moab, with their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, from Bethlehem of Ephrata. It was here that Elimelech died. While living in the country of Moab the two sons took for them “wives of the women of Moab.” The name of one was Orpah, and the other Ruth. Ruth became the wife of the eldest son, Mahlon (Ruth 4:10). They dwelt in Moab for about ten years.

As you check your map, you will see that Bethlehem is located west of the Dead Sea and Moab is to the east. God, in His providential care for those whom He loves, directs Elimelech and his family to Moab during the time of famine. They find blessing in the midst of the pagan Moabites. Remember that it was the Lord who directed the life of Joseph that he might be a blessing to his people during the time famine. What God records in His word are not chance meeting of events, but His acts in history that His covenant would be kept by Him and known by His people. The family of Elimelech was sent to Moab for God had a chosen child through which David would be born; for Boaz and Ruth had Obed, and “Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David” (Ruth 4:22). Then through the line of David came Jesus. Both Mahlon and Chilion died and Naomi was left alone with her two daughters-in-law (1:5).

Discussion: Why did Elimelech and his family move to Moab? What blessings did they receive?

Naomi’s Advice –Ruth 1:6-13

After ten years Naomi went to her daughters-in-law and told them that she would return to Bethlehem for she had heard that the “Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.” Naomi began her journey with Orpah and Ruth: “They went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.”

It is here that we begin to see Naomi’s love for her Lord, which is in turn expressed to her daughters-in-law. First we see that Naomi has been waiting for that day when the Lord would bring the famine to an end, to give His people bread. Then there is that love for her daughters-in-law, and their love for her. They are willing to leave with Naomi for Bethlehem. However, Naomi says to these women, “Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.” Naomi asks the Lord’s blessing on each one.

Naomi knows the burden that her daughters-in-law carried how they showed their love for her sons and her. Her blessing for them was, “Go, return each to her mother’s house; the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead and with me.” She then kissed them as Orpah and Ruth wept. They both questioned Naomi, saying, “Surely we will return with thee unto they people.” Naomi answered, “Why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?” She could not offer Orpah and Ruth sons for husbands, and if they were to wait for her to bear sons, it would be a foolish wait.

Naomi felt the grief that she had received when her husband and sons died. Her grief is not selfish. It is for her daughters-in-law as well. It is a grief that rests upon her Lord. Naomi testifies, “For it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.” Here is a real test of faith. Naomi believes that what has taken place is a result of the hand of the Lord. If our sorrow is not in the hands of the Lord, then the victory and joy which follow cannot be assured.

Our Lord is the Potter and we are the clay. All things work together for His glory, for His good pleasure and eternal purpose, and for our good. God is in full control of evil, and certainly is not moved by evil, directing it to the end which He so desires. Therefore, we put our faith in the King of kings, in the Lord Jesus our Savior, who carries us in His hand. We know, even when He brings sorrow into our lives, that He is able to deliver us and give us rest.

Discussion: How would you describe the love of Naomi for her Lord and daughters-in-law?

Return to Bethlehem –Ruth 1:14-22

Orpah and Ruth wept, and Orpah kissed Naomi, “but Ruth cleaved to her.” Naomi told Ruth to look to her sister-in-law who is returning to her people, “and to her god: return thou after thy sister-in-law.” The Holy Spirit gives to Ruth a grace by which she is able to grasp the opportunity to decide either to follow after the gods of her people or the God of Naomi. Ruth has learned of the Lord God of Israel through Naomi during those ten years. Therefore Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”

What did Ruth see in Naomi that she would make such a statement of faith? Ruth’s pleading for Naomi not to send her back to Moab commends the love of Naomi for her Lord, her people, and for Ruth. Our Lord’s covenant promises that He will be our God and we will be His people. This is the covenant which says that the people of God are to love Him with all their hearts and each other as they so love themselves. “Thus God blessed the faithful Naomi who so showed the presence of God in her life that a pagan girl was drawn to that God by Naomi’s life. God provided for Ruth a godly husband and together they raised a godly family which terminated in the person, Jesus Christ. All was not lost in this sinful godless age because God is gracious and would not let the light go out in Israel” (John Scott).

A great love had reached into the heart of Ruth that would commit all to the God and people of Naomi. Ruth goes on to say, “Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.” This is the love of which the beloved apostle spoke: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God …Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:7-11).

Naomi saw that Ruth was steadfast in her determination to go with her to Bethlehem. Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem and “and all the city was moved about them.” Is this really Naomi, the greeters asked? Naomi said, “Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”

Naomi reveals her total dependence upon the Lord. She had left Bethlehem with a husband and two sons. Now she returns empty. Though her friends are excited about seeing her again, Naomi tells them to call her the bitter one. Even though she knows that the Lord is her Lord, she still feels the bitterness of having lost her loved ones. She doesn’t question the work of the Lord. She knows that what has come from the Lord is a very bitter pill to take. However, the Lord had given her Ruth, and Naomi would have the balm of healing from the same Lord who had taken her husband and sons. Naomi and Ruth the Moabitess returns to “Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.”

Discussion: How does Ruth show her love for Naomi?

A Place of Refuge

August 21, 2011

Lesson: Ruth 2:1-23

Key Verse: Ruth 2:12

Introduction

Elimelech and his two sons had died in Moab. Naomi had remained in Moab for ten years after her husband Elimelech’s death, along with her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Orpah had remained in Moab while Ruth went to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, with this upon her heart: “for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

At Bethlehem Ruth was sent to the field to glean during the harvest. Boaz, who owned the field and was a near kinsman of Elimelech, gave Ruth permission to glean throughout the harvest season. Ruth lived with her mother-in-law and helped provide for the household. Boaz was pleased with the conduct of Ruth and let her glean from the fields with his maidens. “So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest” (Ruth 2:23). Naomi would find Ruth a husband in the person of Boaz. Boaz found Ruth to be a kind and virtuous woman (Ruth 3:10-11). She would perform the part of a kinsman to both Ruth and Naomi. He would be the redeemer-kinsman who would restore a household to Naomi, to purchase back the inheritance she had lost.

Boaz testifies to the people that they are witnesses that he has bought all that was Elimelech’s, “Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance” (Ruth 4:10). Boaz marries Ruth and they had a son. The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman” (Ruth 4:14).

We have not been left without a kinsman. Our Lord is our Redeemer-Kinsman. He has purchased us from the wrath of the Father through His own precious blood. He has given us an inheritance reserved in heaven for the children of God: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were …redeemed …with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot …being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:18-23).

The Kinsman –Ruth 2:1-7

Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, “a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” Ruth came to the field of Boaz in order to find help for herself and Naomi. She found more in Boaz, for he was a kind man who gave her food and drink and the protection of his reapers throughout the day.

Ruth asked for the blessing of Naomi that she might glean the field of Boaz: “Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” Naomi said, “Go, my daughter.” The loving relationship between Naomi and Ruth grew as they saw each other as mother and daughter.

Ruth began to glean in the field, following after the reapers. What the reapers had left behind she was allowed to take. She then happened to come to the field belonging to Boaz; a happening which belongs to the hand of God and not to the hand of chance. Boaz comes out to this field from his home in Bethlehem, saying to the reapers, “The Lord be with you.” And they answered, “The Lord bless thee.” This exchange between Boaz and his reapers carries a sincere desire for the Lord’s benevolent presence, as well as a word of greeting. The intent of the heart comes from the measure of grace that one receives from Christ. May Christians, when they ask God’s blessing upon another, ask with much feeling and expectation.

Boaz approaches the reapers and asks about this girl who is following them. Boaz’ servant answers, saying, “It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab.” Ruth speaks: “I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.” Ruth had asked the foreman of the reapers for permission to glean throughout the day that she might support Naomi and herself. Boaz welcomed the poor to his fields that they may glean after his reapers, so he would approve of this permission. Also, his concern for whom this woman was reveals his kindness toward those around him. The kinsman that the Lord had for Naomi and Ruth was one who had compassion.

Discussion: How would you describe Boaz?

Grace is Found –Ruth 2:8-16

Surely Boaz had already known about Ruth. He was a kinsman of the husband of Naomi and most likely had welcomed her back. It would seem that he had already developed a feeling toward Ruth. Boaz responds to Ruth in the field, saying, “Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.” He calls her to glean only from his field. There he can keep watch over her. He further admonishes her to follow after his reapers, claiming that he has already charged the young men not to harm her. He further encourages her in telling her that she may freely drink of his vessels.

Ruth falls on her face, bowing herself to the ground, saying to Boaz, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Ruth had received an unexpected kindness. Boaz answers, “It hath fully been shown me, all thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thine husband and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” Boaz and Naomi must have had quite a talk about their sojourn to Moab. Ruth’s love for Naomi was shown in her help toward her, and in the giving up of her own people to embrace the people of God. The Character of Ruth as a true child of the Lord comes out in her actions, toward both her new found mother and the people with whom she now dwells.

Therefore, the response of Boaz can be nothing less than this: “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth was now a child of God who could claim with the Lord’s people. “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings” (Psa. 36:7). Ruth would learn more of this kindness from Boaz.

Ruth replies to Boaz, “Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.” The Christian can learn from the response. First, that kindness must be shown to the new child of God, with no thought of the place where one comes from. Second, that the new Christian receives the grace of God and His people with much thanksgiving. There must be in the congregation a desire to love one another as Christ has loved us.

Boaz continues to bless Ruth with kindness asking her to come to eat with his people. She did so and was satisfied. As she was about to leave Boaz commanded his young men to let “glean even among the sheaves.” Boaz further instructed them to let some fall from their hands purposefully, leaving them on the ground for Ruth to glean. This reveals his kindness toward Ruth, and his kindness toward the poor of Bethlehem, or the sojourner among them. His kindness toward Ruth grew for he saw in her the love she had for Naomi and her people.

Discussion: How would you describe Ruth and her relationship with Boaz?

Blessed is He –Ruth 2:17-23

Ruth continued to glean from the field and took what she had to Naomi. Naomi asked Ruth where she had gleaned, saying, “Blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee.” The quality and quantity of the food which was brought home revealed a kindly benefactor. Ruth revealed the man’s name as Boaz.

Naomi said to Ruth, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi was without a husband, and, therefore, without an inheritance. A kinsman had responded to their need. Naomi tells Ruth of Boaz, “The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.” Boaz is one who stands close to Naomi and Ruth as a possible redeemer-kinsman. Naomi rejoices in that Boaz has responded as a true kinsman.

Ruth further tells Naomi that the blessings will continue through the harvest, saying, “He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.” Naomi responds, “It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.” So Ruth “kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest; and dwelt with her mother-in-law.”

Naomi and Ruth were provided for by their kinsman, Boaz. Soon Boaz and Ruth would marry and Naomi would have her inheritance. The inheritance which is eternal is also present. For Boaz and Ruth would have a child. The child’s name was Obed. Obed’s son was Jesse, and Jesse begat David. Through David Bethlehem was chosen as a worthy place for the Son of God to take on our flesh, as He was born of Mary. Christ is our Redeemer-Kinsman, “In whom we redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).

Discussion: Why did Naomi rejoice over what Ruth had gleaned from the field?

An Inheritance

August 28, 2011

Lesson: Ruth 4:1-10

Key Verse: Ruth 4:5

Introduction

Boaz was chosen as the Naomi’s kinsman. Job was easily condemned by his so called friends: “How long will ye torment my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” (Job 19:1). They were playing ‘god’ with the life of Job: “Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me. Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?” (19:21-22). There is neither pity nor hope of redemption in the actions of men, whether without or within the congregations of believers. Job knew that only a Redeemer-Kinsman could save his life: “For I know that my redeemer (kinsman) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (19:25-26). Job would know the truth of the words of his Redeemer-Kinsman, Christ Jesus: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Boaz, as the kinsman elect of Naomi, is a revelation of the Kinsman elect of God the Father, Christ Jesus.

Leviticus 25:25 gives us the understanding of what a kinsman is: “If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem (‘gaal’-kinsman; i.e., to ransom, to redeem) it, then shall he redeem (‘gaal’) that which his brother sold.” Naomi speaks to Ruth of Boaz as a kinsman: “Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. …The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen” (Ruth 2:20). Christ is our Kinsman: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). For God the Father “hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Our Kinsman paid the ransom price!

The closer kinsman –Ruth 4:1-5

Naomi knew that Boaz would see that she would receive a kinsman; saying to Ruth, “Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day” (3:18). Boaz went to one who was a closer kinsman than he; and spoke to him, “Ho, such a one! Turn aside, sit down here.” He also called together “ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here.” The kinsman and the witnesses of the elders sat with Boaz. Boaz stated the case to the kinsman, “Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s: and I thought to advertise thee, saying, But it before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee.” The kinsman replied, “I will redeem it.”

Though the land would add to his own estate the kinsman takes a second thought about marrying Ruth. It seems that Naomi desires that the inheritance which she lost would be more than returned if the redemption included the blessing of Ruth becoming the wife of the Kinsman. We see the providential purpose and work of the Lord whereby Christ Jesus would be the true Kinsman-Redeemer of His people. Thus Boaz includes Ruth in the redemption of Naomi: “What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.” For whatever reason the kinsman without a name thought it better not to have a wife attached to the inheritance. Boaz, by the witness of the elders, revealed his compassion for Naomi and Ruth, and his desire to do things honestly and open, with regard to that which is right.

Discussion: Why did Boaz call the kinsman and elders together?

The name of Elimelech –Ruth 4:6-10

The kinsman replies to Boaz, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.” The kinsman rightly made his decision on the truth that he thought it would hurt his own inheritance. Therefore, according to the “manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and give it to his neighbor; and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.” Thus those who were there witnessed that the kinsman gave to Boaz the right to purchase the land which included the marriage to Ruth.

Boaz said to the elders and to the people, “Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand Naomi. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place; ye are witnesses this day.”

By the providential grace, and the keeping of His covenant, Ruth became part of that promise, the people saying, “We are witnesses, The Lord make the woman that is come into thing house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel; and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem” (4:11). Ruth’s lineage could be traced back to Abraham, and was abiding in Moab.

The blessings of the Lord were shown in that He gave Ruth a son 4:13). Ruth bore a son, who, being in the lineal ancestor of Christ, becomes a witness to those of every nation, that there is a true Savior. These words of Matthew Henry remind us that we should more than value that life in the womb of a mother: “Prayer to God attended the marriage, and praise to him attended the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into formality!” The women of Bethlehem rejoiced, “Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman (one who redeems), that his name may be famous in Israel” (4:14). The name given to the child was ‘Obed,’ meaning, ‘to serve.’

The glorious mystery of the eternal Kinsman would come many years later. For Obed would father, Jesse, who would father David. From the line of David, Christ would come, to be born in Bethlehem. He would be the Redeemer-Kinsman of all those whom the Father would give Him. The time would come when another mother would rejoice in the coming of the Redeemer, saying, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation” (Mary, Luke 1:46-50). Come to Christ, who is our Redeemer-Kinsman. For in Him alone “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).

Discussion: What is the true joy of Boaz taking Ruth as his wife?

JULY 2011 - THE LORDS JUDGES

2011-07-29T15:05:00.002-05:00

The Anger of the Lord

July 3, 2011

Lesson: Joshua 7:1-13

Key Verse: Joshua 7:1

Introduction

What does it mean for God to be angry? “Anger” (Aph) refers to the face, specifically to the nostril, revealing the disposition of a person (i.e. toward another) by his intense breathing (the long-suffering of the Lord is also revealed in His anger). The Lord’s wrath also reveals His disposition toward those who transgress His law. Israel was in covenant relationship with God; so when Achan (meaning ‘troubler’) violated the righteousness of the Lord, affecting the whole of Israel. When one person within the Congregation of Christ teaches or practices some form of false doctrine or evil activity, it affects the whole in the practice of their faith.

The acts of ‘looting” Jericho, having been forbidden to do so, resulted in a retreat from Ai, the only defeat Joshua experienced. Joshua confronted Achan with these words, “My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.” Achan answered, “I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: when I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.” (Joshua 7:19-21)

The result of this transgression was the taking away of all the goods of Achan’s whole family. And Joshua spoke to him, “Why hast thou troubled us? The Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor (Trouble), unto this day” (Joshua 7:24-26). Israel “were all spectators of it, that they might see and fear. Public executions are public examples. Nay, they were all consenting to his death, and as many as could were active in it, in token of the universal detestation in which they held his sacrilegious attempt, and their dread of God's displeasure against them” (M. Henry).

Sin breeds trouble –Joshua 7:1-5

The sin of a leader will spoil the whole while encouraging others to follow his way. However, no rationalization that puts blame on the leader for one’s transgressions: “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing.” The greed of one man Achan (7:22) is charged or imputed to the whole of Israel. The people must realize that they are not exempt from the pollution of one that they must bear this burden for transgression is not to be taken lightly. How many times do we continue to vote for leaders who we know have committed some kind of transgression? There must have been those who saw Achan hiding his loot and turned their head away. Calvin wrote that “The reason, however, why God charges a whole people with a secret theft is deeper and more abstruse. He wished by an extraordinary manifestation to remind posterity that they might all be criminated by the act of an individual, and thus induces them to give more diligent heed to the prevention of crimes.” Achan brought trouble upon himself and others: “for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.”

The result of Achan’s greed brought about the anger of the Lord, a transgression which weakened the people’s resolve to fight. Joshua had sent men to Ai, commanding them: “Go up and view the country.” Traveling from Jericho they viewed Ai, returning with Joshua with this message: “Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labor thither; for they are but few.” Three thousand went up against Ai, and “they fled before the men of Ai.” By the providence of God His people are shown how transgression has weakened them, His anger was shown along with His mercy. “And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.” Calvin wrote: “The true cause was the secret counsel of God, who meant to show a sign of his anger, but allowed the number to be small in order that the loss might be less serious. And it was certainly a rare display of mercy to chastise the people gently and without any great overthrow, with the view of arousing them to seek an instant remedy for the evil.”

Discussion: What are the results of transgressing the law of God?

Joshua repents –Joshua 7:6-13

As God’s chosen shepherd of His sheep, Joshua “rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.” The elders of God’s congregations stand before the Lord representing the people; and if they sin the elders become examples of for the sheep, reminding them of their deliverance from their transgressions through the ransom price paid by Christ their Savior. Joshua prayed for his people upon the hope that God alone is able to deliver them, and that His Name must be glorified: “Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name!” Joshua’s appeal for deliverance is that both the Name of the Lord and that of His people must be glorified.

The Lord answers Joshua, “Get thee up, wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?” Look, Joshua, and carefully hear why Israel would experience defeat: “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. The people also hid the gold among their goods. “Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing among you.” Repentance must come to the people. They must own up to what they have done. For their sin has made them weak from within, that they would not stand up against the enemy. The answer of deliverance is this: “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of you, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” This is the spirit of these words of the beloved apostle, which gives first the condition of the unrepentant heart: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us;” and second, the heart that is sanctified in Christ’s righteousness: “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all righteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). Thus, the heart that is right with God is the one who can stand strong in the face of His enemies.

Discussion: What makes the children of God weak before the enemies of righteousness?

Help Is on the Way

July 10, 2011

Lesson: Judges 2:11-20

Key Verse: Judges 2:17

Introduction

Psalm 96 impels us to sing a new song: “Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (96:1-2). All of the earth is called to “worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” The Psalm goes on to implore us to “Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.” Therefore, the heavens are to rejoice and the earth is to be glad,” that the Lord would so judge. This rejoicing is to come before the Lord: “for he cometh to judge the earth; he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”

Christ Jesus, the divine Son of God, carries the scepter of righteousness and truth. He reigns today. He reigns, and the Holy Spirit applies this reign to our lives, even to that of nations. Did not our Lord promise the coming of the Spirit who would be called the “Comforter” (John 16:7-11)? He, in the name of Christ the King, reproves “the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The unbelief of the world will not go unpunished, neither will the work of Christ and His righteousness go unattended, nor will the prince of this world be not judged.

Therefore, let us come to the times of the judges with the King of kings ever before us. It is His reign that the times of the judges speak, an evidence of the reality of God’s sovereign comfort which comes only through His righteousness and truth. What is true in the time of David was true in the time of judges, and is true in our time: The Lord comes “to judge the earth; he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”

His Sight –Judges 2:11-13

It is written that the people of God “served the Lord all the days of Joshua” (Judges 2:7). Joshua was Moses’ minister (Joshua 1:1). Moses himself was excluded from entering the promise land, while Joshua was set apart as his successor. He was qualified as the people’s leader by the laying on of the hands of Moses. Joshua’s ministry was to lead the people in the conquering of Canaan, and in ordering the division of land among the tribes of Israel. It was a time of great blessing for the people of God, as they were encouraged to be faithful by God’s ambassador. However, a new generation came after the death of Joshua, “which knew not the Lord, nor the works which he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

As with all nations, and churches, which turn from their Deliverer, they purposefully forget Him in whom they have life; they do “evil in the sight of the Lord.” God gives two characteristics of evil which help us in our prayers to be faithful: One that all evil is done in the sight or presence of the Sovereign Creator. That is why people must cry out, “there is no God!” The humanist must maintain a separation of Christian faith and its teaching from the classrooms of the schools. That is why this statement is made, “All scientists believe that evolution is a fact.” Two, that to do evil a different god must be honored and served. In humanism man becomes a god, and works the same false magic as do the gods made of wood and stone, or the false gods of the cults. It is true what our Savior has taught, that no “servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other” (Luke 16:13). You cannot serve both God and the idols of this world. This also gives us a clue to God’s creation: All men, male and female, are servants before their Creator.

Therefore, it follows that Israel “forsook the Lord God,” who had delivered them from Egypt, to follow other gods. Necessarily it follows that God, as their Creator and Savior, is provoked to anger, for they abandoned the Lord to served Baal.

Discussion: What is the nature of evil in light of what we witness in society and church today?

His Anger –Judges 2:14-15

Not only does God express His anger against evil, but His anger was “hot against Israel.” The word ‘hot’ means to burn, to glow, as the Lord zealously turns His anger against His people. God uses the word anger here to help us understand that His anger is real and directed against the people. The word ‘anger’ refers to the nostril, giving us a picture of one whose emotions are seen in the movement of a nose through heavy breathing. We can, in other words, grieve the Spirit of God. Though His wrath is directed toward the unrighteous with truth and righteousness, it is with control and without prejudice.

God’s anger is expressed in action. He delivers the people into the hands of their enemies. Their enemies become the instrument of God’s punishment. The people could try with all their earthly strength to defeat the enemy, but whatever they did, it was the hand of the Lord which was against them. We try to soften the blow of God’s anger when we say that God hates the sin but loves the sinner, as if that takes away the punishment due to us. We must remember that we are in God’s tender care by His tender mercies. Christ took that punishment for us by taking our sin and guilt upon Himself. The Father’s anger was discharged against Christ so that we might have life.

Discussion: How do we see God’s anger, as real or as a symbol?

His Deliverance –Judges 2:16-18

“Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges.” His grace is beyond our understanding. For this we must always be in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving. God’s purpose of giving judges was for the deliverance of His people, not by any good works in them, but by His good pleasure (Luke 12:32, Eph. 1:3-9). The judges were God’s instruments of deliverance, a picture of our deliverance out darkness into His marvelous light, through the Son whom the Father has sent.

Would we laugh at the foolishness of the people because “they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods”? How careful we must be to listen and obey the Word of God. For we like to rationalize, to see tiny loopholes to help us do what seems right in our own eyes. Let us pray and study earnestly, with repentance and reliance upon the Holy Spirit.

It was the Lord who raised up the judges; and it was He who was with them. Their cries revealed much of their anguish in their punishment. They had received justice at the hand of the Lord. They would now receive mercy upon mercy. They would be delivered from their enemies. The Lord rose up judges “to excite them to love in return by this manifestation of His love and mercy, and to induce them to repent” (Keil & Delitzsch).

Discussion: What are some of the reasons God sent judges to His people?

Their Way –Judges 2:19-20

Why did the people of God turn away from their Lord at the death of His ambassadors? Does this not remind us that we need to be continually on our guard? The cycle of judges was that “when the judge was dead” the people returned to their old ways, corrupting “themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them.” God calls their own doings as “their stubborn way.” Another characteristic of sin is stubbornness, the obstinate nature of evil; as God speaks of knowing “that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass” (Isa. 48:4).

Again the Lord is hot against Israel. The reason is that the people had transgressed His covenant which He had commanded; i.e., they had not listened to His voice. It is easy not to listen, just use our Bibles as a show piece on the coffee table; pray once in a while but do not study His communication to us, etc. It is always a question of our way or His when it comes to obedience or disobedience. To hearken or hear is a glorious demand upon our fellowship with our Lord. It means to give our undivided attention. “Hear me” is a necessary command of Scriptures. It is Christ who says, “He who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 2:29). He who has an ear is one who has been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ!

The raising up of judges is not prompted by the people but by covenant promise of the Lord, “I will never break my covenant with you.” The dry bones that rattled noisily against the Lord would find, by the Spirit's grace, a suit of flesh which could repent and know the wonder of the mercy of their Deliverer: “the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.”

And the cycle begins. The people continued after other gods, turning from the paths of their fathers, whereby they obeyed “the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.” Yet the Lord raised up His judges. He would be with them, to deliver His people “out of the hand of their enemies.”

It is recorded that the Lord sent judges “for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.” The Lord's purpose and will is accomplished through the sending of oppression, to bring about a change of heart, of repentance. The change in the heart of God is within His will that His people repent. When there is repentance, our Lord removes the curse and responds with mercy. God's change of heart is in accord with His covenant promise which includes man's change of heart through repentance. This change of heart on the part of God reflects this truth: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

We see that when the judge, whom God chose, died, the people again “corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them.” And the anger of the Lord rose "hot against Israel" for they transgressed His covenant and would not listen to His voice. Again the Lord places them under the oppression of the evil nations, that through them He “may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein ... or not.”

Obedience to the Law of God must be seen as the way of righteousness in which the people of God should walk. The law must not be relegated to another age; it must be applied by the Christian as well as by nations. The question of whether we will receive a blessing, and therefore deliverance from evil, rests upon our obedience to the word and law of God. But, thanks be to God for His marvelous gift of His Son, “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10).

Discussion: Why did God raise up Judges?

The Deliverer

July 17, 2011

Lesson: Judges 3:12-30

Key Verse: Judges 3:15

Introduction

Again the children of Israel “did evil in the sight of the Lord.” Again the Lord in His longsuffering and mercy raises up a judge who would be a deliverer in the His hand. The judge was Ehud of the tribe of Benjamin, who lived about the year 1300 B.C. He was left-handed, which was to be a tool in the hand of the Lord, which brought about the defeat of the Moabites.

Because the people of Israel had chosen to do the evil they had once been delivered from, the Lord chose to chastise them through the Moabites. The Lord raised up Eglon, “another king of Moab, whom God strengthened against them, put power into his hands, though a wicked man, that he might be a scourge to Israel. The staff in his hand with which he beat Israel was God's indignation; howbeit he meant not so, neither did his heart think so (Isa. 10:6, Isa. 10:7). Israelites did ill, and, we may suppose, Moabites did worse; yet because God commonly punishes the sins of his own people in this world, that, the flesh being destroyed, the spirit may be saved, Israel is weakened and Moab strengthened against them” (M. Henry). Israel is weakened that they may repent; Moab is strengthened that the punishment may be just in the hand of the Lord.

In the Lord’s sight –Judges 3:12-14

“And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord.” Is it that easy to return to the sins of the past? Had it been that long ago that the people had witnessed the punishment of the Lord for their sins? For eight years the people had been under bondage “the hand of Cushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia” (Judges 3:8). Then the Lord heard the peoples cry of repentance and He sent another deliverer, Othniel; and “the land had rest forty years” (3:11).

A generation would have ended in forty eight years. Did they think they could get away with their sin because of God’s mercy? For in the very presence of the Lord and His glorious mercy which brought to their lives His forgiveness, they began to practice various wicked deeds bringing trouble to the land. M. Henry wrote, “What, and after all this, again to break his commandments! Was the disease obstinate to all the methods of cure, both corrosives and lenitives (medicine/laxative)? It seems it was. Perhaps they thought they might make the bolder with their old sins because they saw themselves in no danger from their old oppressor; the powers of that kingdom were weakened and brought low. But God made them know that he had variety of rods wherewith to chastise them”. The Lord seized Eglon king of Moab and made him strong against Israel.

Eglon gathered the “children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees. So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.” The children, the families of Israel now belonged to Eglon, for they had chosen evil over against the goodness of their Lord.

Discussion: What makes the evil of God’s people look most foolish and oppressive?

The Left-handed Gift –Judges 3:15-22

The Lord is Almighty in every area of life. He is Sovereign over all actions, whether it be those who are righteous or those who are unrighteous. His Sovereignty implies that in all and everything He is in full control and will receive all honor and glory. The Lord brings His people into bondage and they “cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed.” By Ehud “the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.” While the people seek the pleasure of Eglon, the Lord desires to free His people and bring them back to His fold. Even while the Lord is answering their cry, they are trying their way of deliverance. One must give his all to the Lord when seeking His help.

Ehud, the servant of the Lord, prepares for battle. As with Gideon it will not be done with a large army. “Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.” The enemy would expect such a weapon to be carried on the left side by one who was left-handed. Ehud “brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab” a very fat man. The Spirit records the basic facts, large and small, of the Lord’s deliverance, that one may see His hand in each act to the accomplishment of what He wills.

Ehud presents the gift to the king, sending his people away who bore the gift. Ehud had gotten into the king’s presence. It is as if we were watching a play, wondering what will happen next. But this is a historical moment for Ehud as he follows the will of his Lord. Ehud speaks to the king, “I have a secret errand unto thee.” The king “Keep silence” and “all who that stood by him went out from him.” Eglon sat in his personal parlor. Ehud came to him saying, “I have a message from God unto thee.” As the king rose out of his seat “Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.” He drove the dagger deep within Eglon, “the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.” By the providence of God the king received his just reward.

Discussion: How do Ehud’s actions reveal the Sovereignty of the Lord?

The Lord Delivers -Judges 3:23-30

Ehud went out through the porch, shutting the doors of the parlor, locking them. The king’s servants came to the door, finding it locked, thought that their master his rest: “Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.” They waited there until they felt ashamed, foolish, that the king did not open the door: “therefore they took a key, and opened them and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.” While the servants tarried, Ehud “passed beyond the quarries, and escaped” into the wooded area of Seirath.

Deliverance of God’s people and justice upon Moab came by the hand of the Lord. Ehud escaped the mountain of Ephraim, and blowing a trumpet, “the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.” Ehud spoke to the people, “Follow after me: for the Lord hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” Deliverance before the actual fact of it being done is seen as already accomplished. There is no negative thought; it will be done as God has so promised. “And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.” God’s hand brought victory as He so willed: “So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel.” Again the grace of God had come upon Israel and they “had rest fourscore (80) years.” M. Henry wrote: “We may hope that there was likewise a reformation among them, and a check give to idolatry, by the influence of Ehud which continued a good part of this time. It was a great while for the land to rest, fourscore years; yet what is that to the saints' everlasting rest in the heavenly Canaan?” Our victory is in Christ from whom we find rest or refreshment for our souls. “For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4-5).

Discussion: What does it mean that the Lord is the Deliverer?

God is our Refuge

July 24, 2011

Lesson: Judges 7:1-25

Key Verses: Judges 7:7, 15

Introduction

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. …Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in all the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psa. 46:1, 10-11). This is the lesson Gideon had to learn, that he had to wait upon the Lord and not depend upon the strength of his army. Charles Spurgeon wrote that “Not our armies, or our fortresses. Israel’s boast is in Jehovah, the only living and true God. Other vaunt their impregnable castles, placed on inaccessible rocks and secured with gates of Iron, but God is a far better refuge from distress than all these: and when the time comes to carry the war into the enemy’s territories, the Lord stands his people in better stead than all the valour of legions or the boasted strength of chariot and horse. Soldiers of the cross, remember this, and count yourselves safe, and make yourselves strong in God.”

Christ Jesus spoke to the churches of Asia saying, “for the time is near” (Rev. 1:3). Persecution and tribulation were upon the congregations and the war between the unrighteous and the righteous was a reality. Would His Church be victorious? Who would lead them? Christ directed their eyes to Himself. “who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 1:5-7). Christ has come and continues to come on the scene today as the “faithful witness,” the “resurrection and the life,” as the one who is above all, the “prince (ruler) of the kings of the earth.” Christ is our victory as we hear His words for us today: “I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8).

Eliminating Temptation –Judges 7:1-6

The Lord had spoken to Gideon saying, “Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it. And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down” (Judges 6:25-26). Gideon, during the night, took ten men and did as the Lord had commanded him. In the morning the men of the city noticed that the altar of Baal was destroyed. Finding that Gideon had done the task they said unto his father, Joash, “Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal.” Joash replied, “Will ye plead for Baal? Will ye save him? He that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. Therefore on that day he called (Gideon) Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar” (6:30-32).

The Spirit of the Lord was with Gideon, giving him the assurance that He would be with him by the placing of a fleece of wool on the ground and in the morning the ground was wet while the fleece was dry (6:37-40); and Gideon knew that it would be the Lord who would save Israel. The Lord confirmed His promise to Gideon that he would be the instrument of salvation for Israel. Gideon, who was now called Jerubbaal, along with his army, camped beside the well of Harod. The dreaded Midianites were on their north side by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. And the Lord began His conversation with Gideon, saying, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’”

God has just begun to destroy any self-esteem that Israel was hoping for. Here is the test of the ages, “who will be acclaimed with glory, and power, honor, and praise?” Gideon would learn this lesson of his Master: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what is a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24-26).

The Lord begins to weed out of his human army, those who are fearful and afraid: “Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.” And twenty-two thousand people returned, while ten thousand remained. Thirty-two thousand men would have a fighting chance against the Midianites. But ten thousand? And did God weed out the fearful because He was unable to make them victorious? These men were not cowards. God used this method of bringing the number of His human army down to the number, whereby they would have no doubt that if victory came; it came by the hand of the Lord. “And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men.”

Discussion: What temptations do we face that show we depend upon ourselves rather than the strength of our Lord?

Promise of Salvation –Judges 7:7-14

The Lord told Gideon to bring ten thousand men to the water’s edge. The test was, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart, by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.” Those who were chosen to fight under the Lord would go against the great army of the Midianites. The rest went home. The Lord said to Gideon: “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites unto your hand.” Gideon and his 300 men took provisions for the needs of an army, along with their trumpets. The Midianites would be like Goliath looking down on the shepherd man, David. David had his sling slot, which would seem much better than three hundred men carrying trumpets to fight the army of the Midianites.

The promise of our salvation, the work which guarantees victory over eternal death-for the wages of sin is death-rests upon Christ and His atoning work on the cross of Calvary. Salvation is of the Lord, alone! The promise of forgiveness of sins and life eternal rests in the Son of God. We have been saved by grace through faith, and not of any works we can hope to do. This is our Lord’s promise to us: “In (Christ) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:13-14).

The “Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.” Gideon was to look at this great people from the eyes of the Lord. In a vision Gideon saw: “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread crumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.

The Midian camp was just below Gideon and his 300 men army. In the night the Lord speaks to Gideon, saying, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.” Notice that the Lord does not say to go against the enemy and see if you can make a dent in their armor. Nor does God say that we are to hope for some crumbs from the table of the enemy. He promises complete victory; for God sends His people into the battle with the surety or confidence that victory is guaranteed. The Lord sends Gideon into battle as if it has already been won: “For I have delivered (the victory) into your hand!”

Discussion: What victories have we won, personally or as a congregation, by the hand of the Lord?

Armor of God –Judges 7:15-25

Gideon, after hearing these words, rushes back to the camp of Israel, and commands, “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand!” Gideon then divides the 300 men into three companies. At his command the men carry a trumpet in one hand, and in the other a pitcher, with a torch inside. Gideon then tells the men to do just as he does. In the middle of the night Gideon and his men blow the trumpets, break the pitchers, and, holding high the torches in their left hands, and with the trumpets in their right hand, blowing as loud as they could; and crying, as with one voice, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” Then the Lord “set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host.” The Lord will bring confusion to the enemy that they will fight against themselves. Look and see if this is not true, whether it be in the halls of congress or on the battle fields of nations.

Have you asked yourself the question, “Why does it look like evil prevails around us like a plague of locusts? It is like asking whether a glass is half empty or half full. We are more apt to see with our own eyes than with the eyes of our Lord. See the enemy of Christ and His church as Gideon saw the armies of Midianites and Amalekites: “And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried and fled.”

Discussion: How did Gideon and his army win the battle?

Who shall be worshiped?

July 31, 2011

Lesson: Judges 10:6-16

Key Verse: Judges 10:16

Introduction

Again and again Israel turned to the idols for worship rather than keeping their faith in the Lord of Israel. Again and again the Lord raised up judges to bring deliverance to His people: “there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir. And after him arose Jair, a Gileaadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.” (Judges 10:1-3). Lessons are hard to learn, especially when one takes his eyes off the Teacher. Israel waffles between two kingdoms, as if they can pay homage to both. The King of kings has this to say, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other, Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24).

Time of Trouble –Judges 10:6-9

How blatant can a child of God, on the one hand calling himself a Christ while with the other hand paying homage to the gods of this world. This is not foreign to us today as tyrants and other false gods are bowed down to with expectation the will not hurt us, and may even give us blessings. Israel, in the sight of the true Lord did evil: “and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him” (“gods” or “authorities” over against the Almighty’s word: “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me”). This is the nature of all sin that one places another authority, even self, in place of their Creator and Lord.

Therefore, “the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel.” The punishment was that He “sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.” These nations, by the hand of the Lord, oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight against the Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.” Though Israel was oppressed by the enemies of God, their oppression was of the Lord to the end that they would repent and He would bring them back into active fellowship with Him.

Discussion: What was the sin that brought God’s wrath upon them?

Humbled before the Lord –Judges 10:10-16

Again, “Israel cried unto the Lord, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.” Humility before God reveals that He alone is sufficient for what is needful in life. M. Henry give us this understanding: “It is necessary, in true repentance, that there be a full conviction of the utter insufficiency of all those things to help us and do us any kindness which we have idolized and set upon the throne in our hearts in competition with God. We must be convinced that the pleasures of sense on which we have doted cannot be our satisfaction, nor the wealth of the world which we have coveted be our portion, that we cannot be happy or easy any where but in God.”

The Lord reminds the children of Israel of what they already knew, but willfully forgot, that they were His children: “Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.” We thought our sin, convicted that this or that would bring us blessings. If we chose to serve other gods, ought not then these gods to grant us the grace and love we need. We take too lightly our choices, as if God should understand and put up with them. Do we have to hear him say to us, “Go”, before we will understand the gravity of our sin?

The children of Israel cried again, “We have sinned: so thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.” Even a continued punishment by the hand of the Lord is better than that of the world’s gods, if but we would be kept in the hands of our Lord. Knowing that the depth of sin kept them from their Deliverer, the people turned in repentance and followed it with the grace afforded them by the Lord: “And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved (His soul mourned for His people) for the misery of Israel.” The Lord had never left His people, they had left Him. We may act in sin as if it was our choice, but the Lord will not leave us without a pathway of repentance and faith to bring us back into active fellowship with Him. His people willfully sin against God. However, be taught in the time of temptation that “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:13-14).

May we have the Spirit of hope as we face times of evil, as did Paul: “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Tim. 4:17-18).

Discussion: How and why does God bring us back to Him when we sin?

JUNE 2011 - JEHOVAH IS SALVATION

2011-06-07T07:31:00.001-05:00

As the Lord Commanded

June 5, 2011
Lesson: Joshua 1:1-6, 11:15-23
Key Verse: Joshua 11:15

Introduction

The Book of Joshua is the first of the twelve Historical Books, following the five Books of Moses. Matthew Henry introduces Joshua reminding us of the establishment of the people of God as a nation: “In the five books of Moses we had a very full account of the rise, advance, and constitution, of the Old Testament church, the family out of which it was raised, the promise, that great charter by which it was incorporated, the miracles by which it was built up, and the laws and ordinances by which it was to be governed, from which one would conceive and expectation of its character and state very different from what we find in this history. A nation that had statutes and judgments so righteous, one would think, should have been very holy; and a nation what had promises so rich should have been very happy.” Adam’s transgression pervades the Church even today. However, as in the Old Testament, the by the grace of God redemption comes to His people. Paul understood this: “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of all” (Rom. 4:15-16) His words to Corinth sums it up: “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:21-22).

John Calvin’s words draw us to God’s grace as he reminds us of this need in times of troubles and sorrows: “But when God allures us so gently and kindly by his promises, and again pursues us with the thunders of his curse, it is partly to render us inexcusable, and partly to shut us up deprived of all confidence in our own righteousness, so that we may learn to embrace his Covenant of Grace, and flee to Christ, who is THE END OF THE LAW. This is the intention of The Promises, in which he declares that he will be merciful, since there is forgiveness ready for the sinner, and when he offers the spirit of Regeneration. … (to the) blessing of Adoption, and to that increasing flow of fatherly love which God extends to his people. For all the expiations have no other meaning than that God will be always merciful, as often as the sinner shall flee to the refuge of his pardon.”

I will be with thee –Joshua 1:1-6
Joshua’s service to God begins with these words, “Now after the death of Moses.” The death of Moses is a significant climax in his life, which reveals the grace of God and the continuing hope of His promises. Moses would not be allowed to enter the promised land (for he had not led his people to glorify God, Num. 20:12-13); thus hearing these words of condemnation from the Lord: “Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land before; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of God” (Deut. 32:51-52). The love of God toward his chosen servant is revealed as Moses stood on the mountain of Nebo: “And the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead” (Deut. 34:1ff); “And the Lord said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord” at the age of one hundred and twenty years.
The Lord would not leave His people without a shepherd: “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him, and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and id as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Deut. 34:9). The Lord spoke unto Joshua, saying, “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” From generation to generation the Lord blesses His people with leaders, with under-shepherds, elders to lead His people, to feed them along the way in His Word. Elders ought to remember that they are to follow those servants that were before them, building upon the same foundation of the Promises of God, resting upon the teaching of the Holy Spirit as they faithfully teach and preach His Word.
The Lord encourages His people to be faithful with this promise: “Every place that the sole of your foot shall treat upon, that have I given you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the rive Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.” Calvin sees these words as an encouragement to the people: while ordering them to pass the Jordan, to give them peaceable possession of the whole country, and of every spot of it on which they should plant their foot. For as nothing tends more than distrust to make us sluggish and useless, so when God holds forth a happy issue, confidence inspires us with rigor for any attempt.”
It is the Lord’s work; the Lord’s providential care of His people that assure the people victory. The Lord is neither a foreign God, nor a distant God. He is always with His people; especially with His servant Joshua: “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” The Apostle Peter was asked by Christ, “whom say ye that I am? Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Christ Jesus then spoke about how Peter came to that truth, with promise of victory for His Church: “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock (Peter’s testimony of who Christ is) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:15-17).
Therefore, knowing that God is with us, as He was with Joshua, we are being made strong in our life in Christ: “Be strong and of good courage for unto this people shall thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.” We are called to have courage in this life for we have an eternal inheritance kept by the divine hand of our Savior, “in whom also we have obtained and inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in who also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:11-13).
Discussion: How does the presence of God encourage us to stand firm in our faith?

Faithful Obedience –Joshua 11:15-23
“As the Lord commanded”—this is the banner held high by Joshua as he led God’s people into that Promised Land. Victory comes to the Christian, not by our will but by the command of God. We look at the nations today and see the turmoil of wars, not for the purpose of righteousness, but for the purpose of power; not for the purpose of peace, but for the purpose of destruction. Into this mirage of hope enters the Christian congregations in obedience to the commandment of Christ the King: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:18-20). The banner we carry into every nation is the same as that of Joshua: “As the Lord commanded!” By the power or authority of the King of kings, Christ Jesus, we enter into the fray, not with our strength but with our Lord’s: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:6-7). In a world that seeks every way to hinder the Gospel of our Savior, we must be most faithful in our obedience to His Word. Let Christ lead us and even the gates of hell will tumble and lives will be brought into His Kingdom.
Joshua fought the battle well because he kept his eyes upon the Lord and his commands: “As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses. So Joshua took all the land.” He patiently obeyed God: “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.” The Lord is our victory, even when we see discouragement. We must patiently obey His Word; time is in His hands as are those who deny Him and serve their gods: “For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses.”
Joshua was in faithful obedience to his Lord: “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.” The conquest and the victory was of the Lord, according to His promise: “Understand therefore this day, that the Lord thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the Lord hath said unto thee” (Deut. 9:3). So shall the idols of this world be destroyed as we follow Christ in obedience to His great commission. Matthew Henry encourages us: “And now it was done. There failed not one word of the promise. Our successes and enjoyments are then doubly sweet and comfortable to us when we see them flowing to us from the promise (this is according to what the Lord said), as our obedience is then acceptable to God when it has an eye to the precept. And, if we make conscience of our duty, we need not question the performance of the promise.”
Discussion: What is our strength and hope as we desire to be obedient to the Word of God?

Be Strong and Courageous

June 12, 2011
Lesson: Joshua 1:7-16
Key Verse: Joshua 1:7

Introduction
Our Lord desires that we be strong and courageous in following Him. We are encouraged to grow strong in the Lord by remembering what the Lord has done in the past. The Psalmist gives this picture of the Lord as our Deliverer: “We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantest them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them” (Psa. 44:1-3). Because of this remembrance the Psalmist then declares: “Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.”

Very Courageous –Joshua 1:7-9
The Lord continues to bless Joshua as His servant who would lead His people to the land that He promised: “Only be thou strong and very courageous.” The Lord never calls upon His servants to follow Him without giving to them the ability to do so. The one who said, “I will be with you” will never leave them without His presence and power. David’s words ring true in the life of God’s chosen disciples: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? …I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psa. 27:1, 13-14). Our faith and trust in the Lord is our strength and courage.
Be “very” courageous, be exceedingly diligent in the work of the Lord; “that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” God’s law is being written upon our hearts, giving to us a moral standard by which our character is being built, that we would be like Christ in His righteousness; “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). By the Word of God our souls have been given a new birth in Christ; and by the Word of God we serve Him who is our Lord: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. …Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:17-22). Our prosperity or success rests upon our obedience to that Word which is both infallible and effectual in our lives.
God continues, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” The achievement of Joshua, as well as the saints today, finds its success in God alone, who said, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Discussion: How does the Word of God encourage us to be strong in our service for Christ?

Joshua Commands –Joshua 1:10-16
Joshua, in obedience to the Word of God, “commands the “officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare your victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it.” Tribes and families and their animals are to prepare themselves for this crossing. Overseers and heads of households are told to prepare to travel, giving thought to the food they would need for such a trip. Joshua sent word to the Reubenites and Gadites “and to half the tribe of Manasseh,” telling them, “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.” However, their “wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them; Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sun rising.”
The response to Joshua was, “All that thou commanded us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.” M. Henry wrote that “We must thus swear allegiance to our Lord Jesus, as the captain of our salvation, and bind ourselves to do what he commands us by his word, and to go where he sends us by his providence.” Elders, the under-shepherds or overseers under Christ the King and Head of the Church, must understand this kind of allegiance that they may love and feed the flock. The Apostle Peter stood alongside the Elders of the congregations, taking to his heart as well as theirs: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:1-4).
Elders, leaders chosen of the Lord to serve Him as He builds His congregations, seek the prayers and encouragement of the people. Thus they must be examples before the flock. Henry concludes then that the people “animate” Joshua “to go on with cheerfulness in the work to which God had called him; and, in desiring that he would be strong and of a good courage, they did in effect promise him that they would do all they could, by an exact, bold, and cheerful observance of all his orders, to encourage him. It very much heartens those that lead in a good work to see those that follow with a good will. Joshua, though of approved valor, did not take it as an affront, but as a great kindness, for the people to bid him be strong and of a good courage.”
Discussion: What should the relationship be between the people and their leaders within the congregations of Christ Jesus?

The Lord has Given

June 19, 2011
Lesson: Joshua 2:1-24
Key Verse: Joshua 2:24

Introduction
Joshua had been appointed, after the death of Moses, to lead God's people into the land of promise. Canaan was to be their inheritance according to the covenant given to Abraham. The Canaanites were to be expelled from the land, not because of the righteousness of the people, but because of the "wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out" (Deut. 9:4-5). This inheritance should be remembered by each of us by these words of God’s Scripture: Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ...But now they desire a better (country), that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11).
The promise of victory comes from the Sovereign Lord who speaks to Joshua, saying, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Joshua is to “Be strong and of a good courage.” This strength comes from the Lord's promise to have a land for an inheritance, as well as the promise that He will be present with His people. Joshua is also to be strong and “very courageous,” so that he may observe God's law given to His servant Moses. Strength and courage come from the Lord who promises his people that He will be with them, that He will keep His promise, and that the Book of the Law of God will be observed. Therefore success is granted, fear is dissipated, and anxiety is laid to rest (Joshua 1).
We should note the similarities of promised victory in the Lord's commission to His disciples: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:18-20).

Two Spies –Joshua 2:1-7
Joshua, having the promise and presence of God to be strong and of good courage, moves ahead as a good commander and sends out two spies or scouts to find the best place of attack against Jericho. Joshua responds to the Lord's promise by sending two men to find the best way into the city of Jericho. Joshua was to lead God's people into the Promised Land. The promises of the Lord, whether it be to conquer the land of Canaan, or to make disciples of nations, does not negate the use of wisdom, but encourages diligence in the obedience of our Lord's commands. Joshua is encouraged to command according to the promises and will of His Lord and Sovereign King.
The servants of Joshua travel across the Jordan to the city of Jericho. They “came into a harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.” The king of Jericho heard of the coming of the spies and sent a message to Rahab that she was to turn the men over to him. Rahab hides the spies, and sends the king's servants on a false trail. We should take a moment to see who Rahab was in the light of God's covenant. She was an adulterer, a sinner in sight of the law. She was an owner or operator of an inn which was attached to the city's wall. Therefore many people pass through her lodgings.
However, she was more than that. She had a place in covenant promise of the true King of kings. She heard of the deliverance of Israel by the Almighty God. Moved by the activities of God she was granted the marvelous gift of faith, and therefore came to know the grace of the forgiveness of sins. Rahab would become the wife of Salmon, the mother of Boaz, and the great grandmother of David (Matt. 1:5). Her life is made pure by the blood of her Savior, who before the foundation of the world died for the sins of His chosen ones. She is honored to be of the lineage of David, and so of the Christ. Her deceiving of her own countrymen only shows the deliverance she herself has experienced. She is justified in the New Testament, first for her faith and then for the works of which faith would have been dead: “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Heb. 11:31), and, “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” (James 2:25).
Question: How is the providential care of God carried out in the sending and receiving of the spies?

Lord God –Joshua 2:8-11
Rahab goes to the two men on the roof. She proceeds to give a statement of faith which seems puzzling because of her position in Jericho, but not so because of her position before Jehovah: Her testimony declares more than just knowledge of the mind. The Scripture reveals just what kind of knowledge Rahab had when it quotes her as saying, “I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.” The word, 'know,' means to perceive, to understand, to discern. It is the work of God in the heart of Rahab that we are witnessing.
She further states what she has heard, of “how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt.” Rahab speaks of herself, and others, declaring a faith which can only come from the Lord God, saying, “our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.”
From the idols of man, Rahab turns to the God of Israel. To receive Christ as our Savior, is not only an acknowledgement of our sin and Christ's sacrifice on behalf of us, but also a firm repudiation of the idols of man, whether those idols be carved from stone, or from the their world view that there is not god, their authority resting in man alone. Rahab embraces the Lord God of Israel, and begins her pilgrimage, “surrendering herself to his power, she gives proof of her election, and that from that seed a faith was germinating which afterwards attained its full growth” (Calvin).
Discussion: How would your testimony of faith be compatible with that of Rahab?

The Promise –Joshua 2:12-22
Rahab urges the men to pledge by the Lord to show kindness to her as she herself has shown kindness to them. She entreats them to also save her family that they too would be delivered from death. The spies urge Rahab not to tell of their business in Jericho, saying, “And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.” The men are let down by a cord through a window, reaffirming their oath to Rahab.
Rahab is told to do three things that will secure for her the deliverance she is expecting. She is to tie the scarlet rope to the window by which the men are to be lowered to the ground. She is to have all of her family with her, all those she wishes to be kept from harm, not allowing anyone to go outside to perish by the sword of Israel. And she was to keep faithful counsel with herself, not saying anything to betray the trust given to her. She agreed and tied the scarlet line to her window, the Israelites fleeing to the safety of the mountains.
Shall we not also keep faith in light of the salvation that is ours in Christ Jesus? We are to remember the death of our Savior until He comes. Just as the sprinkled blood was placed on the door posts of the families in Egypt, and the scarlet cord of Rahab, so, in true deliverance from the death of sin, so Christ's blood is sprinkled upon our hearts, claiming that we belong to Him. Our life is His and no one shall take it from His hands. For “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Discussion: What three things were Rahab to do to assure her of being saved from death?

Conclusion –Joshua 2:23-24
So the two men returned to Joshua and told them of the things which happened. They gave this testimony: “Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.”
The enemies of God will fall before the Almighty God. The testimony of victory comes before the battle; recognizing that it is the Lord alone who delivers. The gates of hell will not prevail. The evil forces of this world will not stand before the armies of righteousness. King Jesus rides the white horse while the forces of this earth lay buried in His trail.

Victory!

June 26, 2011
Lesson: Joshua 6:1-27
Key Verse: Joshua 6:16

Introduction
To enter into this portion of God's Word is to encounter one of those incidents in the Redemptive Acts of God that is filled with color and sound, with excitement and expectation. God's work in history is nothing short of majestic, glorifying His name as He makes known both His wrath and His mercy. The truth of God's covenant activity cannot be displayed upon the largest screen, for it even outshines the heavens presented by the innumerable stars of the galaxies.
Israel had finally reached the shores of the Jordan River. Those who had been born in the wilderness received from Joshua the covenant sign and seal of circumcision, and they then rested in their homes until they were healed (Joshua 5:5-8). The Lord declared that He had “rolled away the reproach of Israel,” and the place of their encampment was called Gilgal (5:9-10). The manna ceased and the children of God ate of the fruit of Canaan (5:12). It was at this time that Joshua came face to face with a man whose hand held a sword, and asking if he was an adversary, heard this reply: “as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. ...Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy” (5:14-15). The journey of the wilderness ended, and the beginning of the occupation of the land of milk and honey, was in the hand of the Lord God Almighty.
The commander of the host of Israel is emboldened by the presence of the Commander in Chief of angels and men. The angel calls himself the captain of the Lord's host. Calvin understands this confrontation of Joshua's as the bestowal of “divine kindness,” as a pledge of divine assistance and favor by the “Captain and Head of the Church.” The glory of God with His people is seen in the presence of the divine Son, the second person of the Godhead. For all did “drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4).
We must come before King Jesus in the manner of Joshua, to take off our shoes, so to speak, and worship Him in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells. For we too walk upon holy ground, the place wherein dwells the King, for He “must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1 Cor. 15:25).

He Has Given –Joshua 6:1-10
It would have been a long and weary battle to take Jericho, for the city was a stronghold, its doors locked and its people ready for war. It is the Sovereign Lord who will conquer and give success to His people. The Lord speaks to Joshua as if the victory is already given: “See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor. The only thing left for the people of Israel to do is to carry out God’s means of possessing Jericho, the way established by the will of the Lord. Both the means and the ends are established by the Lord and are agreeable with His purpose and glory.
Thus the “men of war” under the command of Joshua were to walk around the city once a day for six days. Seven priests were to march before the Ark of the Covenant bearing seven “trumpets of ram's horns,” on the seventh day of that week. Then the long blast of the ram's horn would signal the people to shout loudly, “and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before them.” Therefore Joshua called the priests and people together to tell them of the will of their God and Savior.
The child of God may seem like the clown that the world smiles at and doesn't take very seriously. But it is the Lord God who justifies His people, making “foolish the wisdom of this world” (1 Cor. 1:20). It is the Sovereign King of kings who enters Jericho, using the “foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (1 Cor. 1:27). We must understand this work of God in the preaching of the cross of Christ. For to those who are perishing it is foolishness, “but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,” as it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise” (1:18-21).
Discussion: What promise is given to Joshua that Jericho will be conquered?

Unto The Lord –Joshua 6:11-21
The promise was given that the city of Jericho would be given over to Joshua. The accomplishment of this task was given to Joshua through certain commands of the Lord. The response of obedience must now be activated in the hearts and lives of the priests and people.
The Ark of the Covenant goes once about Jericho and rests at the camp. Joshua rises early and the priests again take up the ark of the Lord. For six days the priests and the army of Israel circled the city. Only on the seventh day did they circle Jericho seven times. On this day as the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua called on the people to shout; “for the Lord hath given you the city.”
The taking of the city of Jericho is to be by the authority and command of the Lord. The Lord is pleased to see His people wait upon Him. We must be careful not to be presumptuous in our decisions or actions, allowing our impatience to preclude the word of God. We ought not to anticipate our Lord's will, but in obedience and faithful perseverance, seek His will and joyfully bear the fruit of His work.
It is the Lord who has given the city to His chosen people. It is the word of God declared before the actual possession of the city that reminds us that deliverance and salvation is of the Lord alone. We are only the receivers of this wonderful grace. Not only is the city theirs, but there is the warning that the city is to be destroyed because of the disobedience of its people. Therefore, the people are not to touch anything that is “accursed.”
“Accursed,” is understood as something which is set apart to the Lord to be forbidden, cursed, exterminated, etc. The evil city of Jericho was to be given wholly unto God for its destruction. (When Achan, and others, sinned by taking some of the riches, (Chapter 7), Israel lost a war and needed to repent.) That which is of the Lord must be dealt with according to His will and purpose. Other cities would be Israel's as a free gift of God. But all of the silver and gold Jericho would be consecrated to the Lord, and go “into the treasury of the Lord. “So the people shouted when the priests blew” their trumpets. The city of Jericho was destroyed by the sword, along with the people and their flock.
Discussion: What is promised by the Lord, and how are the people to respond?

Joshua Saves –Joshua 6:22-27
Before Jericho is leveled, a promise to Rahab is kept. Rahab had pleaded for her salvation in the name and confession of the Lord Almighty. As Rahab is listed as justified by James, and of faith (Heb. 11:31), we should take her salvation as of Lord, “only Rahab shall live.” Rahab is brought out of the city of Jericho by the spies she once saved, along with her family and goods. Joshua had “saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had, and she found a home in Israel.” Rahab's salvation came by promise. She found not only a deliverance from the sure destruction of Jericho, but a place in which to live. All of God's elect know of this deliverance: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
God speaks of the wicked as those who are as “wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever” (2 Peter 2:17). This picture of the fate of the wicked is seen in the destruction of Jericho. This city is to be “burnt with fire,” with the warning that it is not to be rebuilt: “Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city of Jericho.” The desolation of Jericho would remind each generation that the destruction of the wicked is by divine power. To lay another foundation upon the ashes which God so wills, is like putting your own son to death. “Nor did Joshua utter this curse at his own suggestion; he was only the herald of celestial vengeance” (Calvin).
We must not miss the glory of our Savior in this picture of God's salvation of His people. Did not the angel of the Lord give this name to Him who was born of the virgin, Mary, saying, You shall call His name Joshua, “for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Though we use the name Jesus today, we must remember His name means “Jehovah saves”! He was sent by the Father, that believing in Him we might have life (John 3:15-17). There is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Therefore, acknowledging our sin against God, we repent and turn our eyes upon Jesus (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:36-38).
Discussion: What does it mean to receive salvation from the Lord?

MAY 2011 -- CHRIST IS KING

2011-05-06T18:44:00.001-05:00

Of One Mind

May 1, 2011
Lesson: Philippians 2:1-11
Key Verse: Philippians 2:5

Introduction

As a member of Christ’s Congregation we set our eyes upon Him and His Word. In other words we are of one mind. We may have various differences, but we set our minds and hearts upon our Savior and His Written Word. Thus we judge our behavior by His Word and not ours. We seek to worship Him according to His Word, and not our thoughts. In other words we belong to Christ alone. One with another we are to reveal the nature of our Lord as He is revealed in Holy Scriptures.
During that night in the upper room, where Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins,” He was speaking of our entrance into the Household of our Father in heaven, having paid the ransom price for our souls upon the Cross of Calvary. This redemptive work of the Cross is also seen in these words of our Savior, “In my Father’s house are many (dwelling places)… I go and prepare a place for you” (Matt. 26:28, John 14:2). Near the end of the evening, knowing that the hour had come for the Son to be glorified by the Father, and the Father by the Son, Jesus spoke to His Father saying, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:22-23).
The glory (Doxa), of which Jesus refers to in John 17:22, is that of recognition, of being seen as the person you really are. Doxa, or glory, is the appearance or reputation of the person, his honor or importance, etc. When we are told that we have transgressed against God, coming short of His glory (Rom. 3:23), we see ourselves as not being what our Lord intended us to be. We then bear the name “Ichabod”-meaning without the glory of God, lacking His image and moral character. In Christ the glory of God is returned to us as His very own people. Thus Christ in us makes us perfect to bring us to completion in His image and glory.

Be Like-Minded 2:1-4
Though there were many good things to be said about the congregation at Philippi, there was an inner tension which would bring about disunion if not checked by the word of God. The undercurrent of bickering, disagreements, gossip, etc., can eventually bring about a split among the people of God. Sometimes the tensions of false beliefs, clashed personalities, etc. are hidden, hoping that they will go soon go away. However, a desire among the people of God to be obedient to the word of God should be a cleansing balm in their relationship with their Lord and one another. We need to be reminded by the faithful minister of the word that Christ alone is our glory, and in Him we will find the healing that is needed. It is in Christ that we are enabled to be humble in our relationship with one another, to repent and forgive with the desire to be reconciled in love and friendship.
Paul turns the eyes of the saints to Jesus. He gives them a fourfold incentive to be like-minded, one with another. If the following statements are true (which they are) then there is no reason that we cannot attain that unity which will reveal the glory of Christ in us. A. If there is any consolation in Christ, there is any encouragement, any strengthening of our faith that we belong to God our Father in Christ, and then we can be like-minded. B. If there is any comfort of unconditional love in Christ, and then we have a great incentive to love one another, to be like-minded. C. If there is any fellowship if the Spirit of God, there is great encouragement from God Himself that we be like-minded. D. If there is any strength of compassion from within, any spirit of tender mercies, then it is within the character of the Christian to be like-minded. Prove yourself that you belong to Christ by showing Christ-like love and unity among the brethren.
Therefore Paul charges the saints to fulfill his joy by being like-minded. This like-mindedness is to be shown by the saints in these three ways. 1. Having the same love which results in “being of one accord, of one mind.” Being of one accord signifies a community of love. It concerns the soul or life of the people of God. 2. Having a “lowliness of mind,” esteeming others better than themselves. “When grace changes the heart, submission out of love and true humility is born. By Paul this virtue is associated with those of tenderheartedness, kindness, forbearance, longsuffering, meekness” (Hendriksen). 3. Having a concern for the needs of others, the Christian looks “on the things of others.” In our covenant relationship with our Lord, who loves us, we are to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of God” (Gal. 6:10). If you have the heart of Christ, you will then have a heart for one another.
Discussion: What does it mean to be like-minded?

Be Like Christ 2:5-11
To love one another, to be of the same mind, is to have the mind of Christ. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” We look to Scriptures to see the mind of Christ. Matthew 11:29 reads, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly at heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Our Lord refreshes our souls with His presence as His longsuffering and tender mercies infuse our lives with healing and joyful ointments. Therefore, we are able to be like-minded with one another. For a Christian is this: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
The mind of Christ is revealed in His incarnation, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” The Messiah or Christ is God. It was not robbery to state this equality with God, for it is true that He is the second Person of the Godhead. “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God,” testifies Peter by the authority of the Spirit of God. Christ is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; for by him were all things created” (Col. 1:15; John 1:1). Nor did His position as the Son of God in the Godhead hinder Him from taking upon Himself the flesh of His creation, mankind. He lowered Himself that He may save His people from their sins. As Christ took upon Himself the form of a servant, so we must take on that form as we become a blessing to one another, with that same love with which our Lord loved us.
Christ our Lord, “found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Christ’s death upon the cross was the ultimate demonstration of His obedience to His Father in heaven. He prayed, saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Our love for one another, being of the same mind as Christ, reveals a measure of sacrifice. There are times when the burden of love taxes or tests our souls. However, may we, in the grace and strength of our Savior, pray, “Not my will but Thine be done” in that situation in which He has placed us. Think upon the cross of Christ as you seek the mind of Christ in the fellowship of believers.
Because of Christ’s obedience, the Father exalted Him. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things; under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” It is God the Father who exalted His Son. If there is any exaltation, any glory that is ours, it must come from our Father in heaven through Jesus Christ. The glory which is ours is Christ’s alone. There is no one who can claim a name above Christ’s. For, before the Person of Christ Jesus every knee shall bow. All things are under His feet. For He alone is the King of kings and Lord of lords. By the authority of Christ all things of heaven and hearth are subject to Him. It is Christ alone who should shine through our deeds of love and mercy. Our obedience to Christ as Lord must reveal His preeminence, His supremacy as the risen King! Therefore, every nation, every language should confess that Christ Jesus is Lord. “It is to the glory of God the Father to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is His will that all men should honor the Son, as they honor the Father, John 5:23. Whatever respect is paid to Christ overflows to the honor of the Father” (M. Henry).
Discussion: What does it mean to be like Christ?

The Throne of Heaven

May 8, 2011
Lesson: Revelation 4:1-5
Key Verse: Revelation 4:2

Introduction
Our Lord gives His beloved Apostle, and us, a vantage point from which is seen the life and victory of God’s people, God’s great Congregation of which Christ is King and Head. The vantage point is the ‘throne of heaven’-what John learns is of divine revelation: “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Rev. 7:15-17). Though we look forward to the last day when all tears will be wiped away, we must also know that our Lord is continually dwelling with His people, wiping their tears, giving them victory in their faith from generation to generation.
This feeding of the sheep by the Good Shepherd is illustrated in John’s writing to the congregation of the Laodiceans: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14). The Christians of Laodicea are fence riders, wondering whether to move to the right or to the left, being neither hot nor cold. The Lord counsels them “to buy of me gold tried with fire, that thou mayest be rich.” Isaiah spoke of this grace: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isa. 55:1). God’s grace is priceless: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev. 3:19). Turn to the Lord and you will find forgiveness of your sins, and an eternal fellowship: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and him with me” (3:20). This is a picture of a Christian who, having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, loves Him: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).

The Voice of the Throne –Revelation 4:1-5
After writing to the seven churches of Asia, John is drawn to an open “door in heaven.” He was given a view of God’s people as God sees them. The first voice John heard “was as it were a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.” The congregations of Asia, and beyond, are to hear of those things which must be, by the Lord’s providential care. The voice of God is as a trumpet, claiming loudly and firmly what is of divine truth. In a sense John brings with him the people of God in that generation and every generation that all may see what God in Christ Jesus has in store for His people.
John records: “I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight unto an emerald.” By the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, John was brought before the heavenly throne. John’s sees the Glory of the Almighty Creator and Savior, which no physical eye can see, except as the Glory-Cloud of heaven. The people of God, as they traveled from Egypt saw their Deliverer: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way” (Ex. 13:21). Jesus spoke of Himself as the Risen Deliverer who would be with them during the time of the Tribulation: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30). This is the Risen Christ whom John witnesses, the rainbow representing the covenant promise given to Noah and witnessed by Ezekiel: “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one hat spake” (Ez. 1:28). Thus, when the Spirit teaches us through His Word, so we are brought face to face with the glory of God in Christ Jesus; and so we worship and serve Him with much thanksgiving.
John records that he saw “round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.” These are those who represent the true and eternal Congregation of whom Christ is King and Head. They reign with Christ as true under-shepherds of Christ’s redeemed flock. The number twenty four teaches us that they not only represent the Body of Christ, the Church (Congregation: God’s called-out, gathered people), but that God’s people also reign with Christ. Which is attested to John’s seeing “out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” These lightnings and voices which proceeded out of the throne, Matthew Henry wrote, “that is, the awful declarations that God makes to his church of his sovereign will and pleasure. Thus he gave forth the law on mount Sinai; and the gospel has not less glory and authority than the law, though it be of a more spiritual nature. He saw seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are explained to be the seven Spirits of God, the various gifts, graces and operations of the Spirit of God in the churches of Christ.”
Discussion: How is our faith made strong in John’s vision of the heavenly throne?

God’s Salvation

May 15, 2011
Lesson: Revelation 7:9–17
Key Verse: Revelation 7:10

Introduction
John’s vision on the Isle of Patmos revealed those who were slain for the Word of God, “and for the testimony which they held” (Rev. 6:9). These saints cried out with a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on earth” (6:19). However the seal had been opened and heaven’s promise was seen, “rest yet for a little season, unto their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled” (6:11).
The church was warned by their Lord that there would be persecution. Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). However, we claim the victory with the apostle Paul, “Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:9). The Christian’s character is revealed in these words of our Lord, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10).
Those who have gone on before are wearing the white robes of the righteousness of Christ. They wait for others to come. They are being fed and comforted by their risen Lord. We too are fed by the good Shepherd. He is the Savior who leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He directs our paths through the valley of death. However, we come daily to the mount called Zion, to the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to “an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:22-23).

A Loud Voice –Revelation 7:9-10
John’s vision is greater than any other thought we may have of heaven. It is mixed with symbols and the reality of angels, and of the risen Lord Himself. His conversation with the Lord is real. The Lord reveals the mighty power of His Word, of His promises. We see that vision through the written Word, and by the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us be the Church that remains anchored upon the Word, written and preserved for us through the ages. The author is God. He will interpret His Word, writing it clearly upon our hearts and lives
John looks and sees “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” The gates of hell will not stand before His Body, the Congregation on earth in every nation, and in every generation. We are not only great in number, but great in the strength of our Savior. This multitude stands before “the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands.” They are pure in spirit, and have seen God! Christ placed His righteous robes upon the sinned scarred backs, and they were soothed with balm of Gilead. Taste, today, and see that the Lord is good. Earthly blessings come from the hands of a gracious God.
Their cry before the throne is one of worship and praise with much thanksgiving. With a loud voice they testify, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb” (see John 3:16). Have you read the Great Commission lately? It is our duty to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord. We are to be discipled by the Word of God; we are to disciple others, the Spirit teaching others by His Word. It is our joy to tell others that Christ Jesus is our Savior. It is our privilege to claim Christ as the King of kings, the one rules in our hearts, our homes, His church, and in this world.
Discussion: Do we know much about Christ and His Word that we can shout His praises with a loud voice?

The Throne –Revelation 7:11-12
The throne of God is central to John’s vision. All the angels stand around the throne, along with the elders and the four beasts. They all fall before “the throne on their faces, and worshiped God.” They worshiped God with these words, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.” The angels are God’s messengers. The elders are His prophets. The four beasts have the honor to be the protector and proclaimer of God’s glory (Rev. 4:6-8; 5:8, 14; 15:7-8). They had the privilege to announce the coming of the King of kings upon His white horse (Rev. 6:1-2). And they are all in agreement “Amen” as to who should receive the worship, glory, and honor (see also Rev. 19:4-6).
Discussion: What agreements with these words of praise do you express in the worship of God as a gathering of God’s people?

The Lamb –Revelation 7:14-17
One of the elders speaks to John, saying, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?” The question directs John’s eyes to the multitude, saying, “Sir, thou knowest.” They answered, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Every child of God, and sheep of the Lamb slain, had only garments of filth, guilty sinners whose wages were eternal death. “It was like a garment with the leprosy in it. Some stained with blood, …some with adultery; some with disobedience to parents; with pride, falsehood, evil-speaking, all were stained. Everyone was convinced that he could not make himself clean. …Jesus was revealed to him, and His precious blood shed for sinners, even the chief, saying to the heavy-laden, Come to me. …All are washed in blood. It is their only way of standing. Have you been washed in blood? You will find not one in heaven who went there in any other way. You think to go to heaven by your own decency, innocency, attention to duties. Well, you be the only such one there: all are washed in blood. Come and let us reason together” (R. M. McCheyne).
The saving grace of God, through the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, is what delivers the saints from tribulation. Therefore the saints that have gone on before stand before the throne of God, serving Him day and night in His presence. The tears have been wiped from their eyes, their lips are no longer dry, their stomachs no long growl, they no long depend upon the sun for light or heat. For the Lamb who is the Shepherd of Psalm 23 will feed them and “lead them unto living fountains of waters.”
Discussion: Have your filthy robes of unrighteousness been cleansed by the precious blood of Christ? (1 Peter 1:18-22)

All Things New

May 22, 2011
Lesson: Revelation 21:1–8
Key Verse: Revelation 21:5

Introduction
Paul is persuaded, and so are all of God’s children, “that neither death, nor life, no angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, …shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39). However, there is a marked difference between the child of God and the children of darkness. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-6).
When the time had come for our Savior to go to the cross of Calvary, He told His disciples about a very special gift. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s (household) are many (dwelling places) …I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2). He also promised that He would “come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (14:3). Here is the Good News! Christ Jesus shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins, in order that those for whom He died would have a place in the household of God. We who are His children, having put our faith in Christ as our Savior, have been received into the presence of God. It is also the great desire of the Son that we also may be where He is.
David understood the meaning of repentance and forgiveness. And he knew the promise of God that he would dwell in His presence because of this forgiveness. It is God who would purge away the sins of His people. Then comes the true joy of fellowship: “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple” (Psa. 65:4).

A New City –Revelation 21:1-2
The risen Lord reveals to His beloved apostle, John, “a new heaven and a new earth.” The first heaven and earth are passed away. This new heaven and new earth are not ‘new’ in the sense of brand new, but in the sense of being resurrected: just as we will receive a new resurrected body whereby we will be recognized as Andrew or Marilyn or John or Lois, so the heaven and earth will be recognized, but without sin and the curse. It will be beautiful because God will have restored it to His good pleasure. There will be no sea. This is the sea from which evil ascends: “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy” (Rev. 13:1). The sea in John’s vision reveals the great divide between man and his Creator. No one can pass over this sea except those who have victory over the beast (15:1-3). This victory is found only in Christ. The new planet will have nothing in it that will separate us from our Father.
What happens next, after the establishment of the new heavens and earth? John saw “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (21:2). The holy city or new Jerusalem is the redeemed people of God. Our Savior has achieved what He has promised. He had, by way of His shed blood, prepared a place in the presence of the Holy God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The children of the household of God, wearing the righteous robes of their Savior and King, will descend upon the new earth.
We have a glorious taste of this new resurrected life today. Our hope is in the reality of being part of the new Jerusalem. Martyn Lloyd Jones wrote of his assurance in Christ: “I am a part of him; I have died with him; I have risen with him. He is my life and I am in him. So, being in him, I am as secure as those who are with him in heaven, and it is because he has dealt with every barrier and hindrance and obstacle to our receiving this blessed life” (Saved in Eternity).
There are two characteristics of the holy city. One is that it comes down from God out of heaven. His people are with Him in His heavenly presence until the new earth is resurrected. Then they come, presumably with their new resurrected body to earth. Then there is the beautiful picture of the Body of Christ as His bride, whom He redeemed with His own precious blood. We rejoice with one who will be with us in that day: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isa. 61:10).
Discussion: How does his hope of a new city help us in our daily walk with God?

Tabernacle of God –Revelation 21:3-4
These verses cover us with the comfort of the Holy Spirit; for He reveals to us that the warfare and discomforts of this life are little to bear to what is ahead. God Himself is with us, now and forever. As He shepherds us daily, He will, because He is our God, finally wipe away all our tears, eternally walk with us, for there will be no death (spiritual or physical), and no more pain, misery or weariness. These things belong to the former things of this world, not of the world to come. The emphasis of our eternal life is in Christ, and in the knowledge that God Himself is with us.
Discussion: In what ways has God in Christ Jesus given you so freely of His comfort?

Water of Life –Revelation 21:5-8
John now hears the words of the King of kings. The Lord tells us that it is He who makes all things new. There is only one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Again (Rev. 1:2-3, 18-20) the risen Lord tells John to write, “for these words are true and faithful.” All that Christ has revealed to John will be done, for He is the “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Therefore, it is Christ alone who gives life, saying, “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” Do you know the promise of Christ? “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
The comparison between the righteous in Christ and the wicked is again revealed, in order, first, that we may know that it is with much grace and unmerited love that our Lord brings us into His kingdom. We have an inheritance established in heaven (Eph. 1:11-12). We have the promise of being called sons, children of God (1 John 3:1-2). The second death belongs only to the unrepentant transgressors of the moral law of God.
Discussion: What is it that God in Christ Jesus has so freely given to you?

The Tree of Life

May 29, 2011
Lesson: Revelation 22:1–9
Key Verse: Revelation 22:2

Introduction
Matthew Henry introduces this section of Revelation with these words: “The heavenly state which was before described as a city, and called the new Jerusalem, is here described as a paradise, alluding to the earthly paradise which was lost by the sin of the first Adam; here is another paradise restored by the second Adam. A paradise in a city, or a whole city in a paradise! In the first paradise there were only two persons to behold the beauty and taste the pleasures of it; but in this second paradise whole cities and nations shall find abundant delight and satisfaction.” Through the Redemptive sacrifice of Christ the divine nature of the “Garden of Eden” is again the place of God’s People; and within this garden is “the tree of life.” The Prophet Ezekiel was given the privilege of having a taste of the wonder and beauty of this eternal garden, the eternal abiding place of God and His people: “And (the Lord) said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come hither: for they shall be healed: and every thing shall live whither the river cometh” (Ez. 47:6-9). The eternal abode of God’s people is expressed in these words of our Savior to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise!”

Water of Life –Revelation 22:1-4
John had been given the vision of the “holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”—and he “heard a great voice,” saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with, and be their God” (Rev. 21:2-3). Within in this new Jerusalem would be a unique tabernacle: “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (21:22).
John’s eyes are now drawn to this throne: “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Before the fall of man God had placed Adam in a beautiful garden, which He had planted, “And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it parted and became into four heads” (Gen.2:8-10). This water was to nurture the earth, bringing life to every part of the land. However, Adam’s transgression would bring judgment upon the generations of man. Adam and Eve had eaten of the tree of good and evil, which teaches us the nature of sin. Before Adam had sinned he was being taught how to take care of the land and what was the nature of the animals, etc. He had received true knowledge from his Creator. Now, Scripture teaches us, that the Triune God said, “Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil” (3:22). In other words, man took upon himself to be as gods, as those who had the authority and means to define what is good or what is evil. They took the place of their Creator. Thus God took from the tree of life that they might once again look to their Creator as the only One who can give life.
Within the new Jerusalem the tree of life was returned: “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielding her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Life was returned to man and his dwelling place because of the redemptive work of Christ the Son: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope be in God” (1 Peter 1:18-21).
Christ confirms our hope and faith when He gave the beloved apostle this vision of eternal glory: “And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.” As servants whose lives are made new by the Word of God, we proclaim the Glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That which is our life in Christ today will be truly manifested in the new Jerusalem: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18). All those who are redeemed of the Lord Jesus bear the name of the Father upon their foreheads; “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
Discussion: How does this vision of John give hope to the Christian in persecution?

The Faithful and True Word –Revelation 22:5-9
Within in this great city, the new Jerusalem, John records this vision: “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” There will be no longer any wondering or questions of what is right or wrong; the Lord will be what He always was, the true authority of what is good and evil. Our eyes will behold the Light which alone will teach us. And because of this the saints will reign with Him for ever and ever. We will surely understand that we serve only the King of kings and Lord of lords; there is no other teacher: “These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.”
We should remember that we are reading that Book which is called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”—“which God unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Rev. 1:1). Thus, when we note that John is moved by an “angel” he is confronted by Christ Jesus the risen Lord; as in the first verse of chapter 20: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.” Only the Son of God has such a judgment upon the unrepentant sinner. Only the Son can give the saints, especially those who face tribulations, the hope of his imminent coming: “Behold, I come quickly; blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” The tribulation of A.D. 70 was below the sunrise and the saints needed this confirmation that Christ would be present with them as was prophesied. The eternal Temple is to be revealed in their generation by Jesus: “Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name” (Rev. 3:11-12).
The response of John to this revelation of Christ Jesus is this: “I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.” Understanding that he represents Christ alone, the angel replies, “See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.” How easy it is to be subjective in our worship of God as He is revealed in Scriptures. We love to have our ears tickled by man, our hearts moved by our emotions, claiming that we have worshipped because we have truly felt good. Look to Christ alone in worship. Entertainment turns our eyes inward and we trip over our robes of self-righteousness. Look to Christ who alone is our salvation, His Word which alone is Truth, to our Father who first loved us and sent His Son to take our place upon the cross of Calvary, and to the Spirit who gives us that new birth that we may hear His teaching of that precious Word. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into his grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2). Thus we worship God, not by feelings but by faith which honors God and His Word.
Discussion: Wherein lays our hope both in tribulations and peace?

April 2011 The Word of God

2011-04-02T07:24:00.002-05:00

Teaching the Word of Truth

April 3, 2011

Lesson: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 Introduction Christians are to act like soldiers of the King, as well as bearing the agape love of our Father in heaven. We are to comfort one another with the comfort we have received from the Holy Comforter. And, we are to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, for the harvest is great, and there will be rejoicing in heaven over the sinner who repents. However, there is still the need for a soldier’s armor in this world of darkness and strife. We are to put on the whole armor of God that we might be able to stand against the evil devices of the devil (Eph. 5:10-12). To endure hardness means that we must be prepared, through the Word and Spirit, to do battle, to withstand the evil arrows of the unregenerate. A superficial understanding of the Gospel cannot meet this need. We need the wisdom and full counsel of God, and a soul which cries out for the “living God” (Psa. 84:2). “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee: in whose heart are the ways of them. …They go from strength to strength” (Psa. 84:5-7). Paul encourages Timothy to take action, saying, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2:2). The minister of the Word has a responsibility to teach the truth as revealed in God’s Scriptures, especially to those who are faithful elders or teachers in the congregation, that they should be able to teach others. Sometimes the emphasis has been wrongly put on the gift of teaching rather than on the ability to teach the truth as revealed in God’s Word. As Paul has transmitted the truth to Timothy, Timothy is to transmit this truth to others, and so on and on. This means that there must be much preparation in the Word of God, whether we are teachers, evangelists or parents, etc. Thus, we become faithful Disciples of Christ, obeying the commission to make disciples of all nations.

Be Faithful – 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Paul encourages his son in the faith, Timothy, to be strong in his faith and service. Timothy is to remember “that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bond. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” A Christian is one who has faith, looking unto Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Joy comes when the task is finished and God’s glory shines. Therefore the Christian is fully convinced that what God has revealed is true, and his faith is confirmed: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it elders obtain a good report” (Heb. 11:1-2). There are those, as in the day of Paul, who would lead believers to doubt the resurrection of Christ, and therefore His saving grace. We are reminded that God’s promise is kept, Christ is the seed of David; His resurrection is true. Though Paul is in bonds because of false accusations, the Word of God is not hindered in its power to redeem. Paul is free to endure all things, even false imprisonment, for the sake Christ’s elect. The elect are delivered from evil because of the efficacy of the Gospel, which is in Christ Jesus. We can trust the Word of God, for if we die with Christ, we will also live with Him; if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with Him. We must not deny Him, for He will deny us. We must believe, for even in our weaknesses He is always faithful and cannot deny Himself. This encourages our daily repentance and faith in Christ our Savior. Our faith rests upon the unchangeable Christ and His Word.

Discussion: What is faith in Christ?

Show thyself approved -2 Timothy 2:14-15

Paul urges Timothy to “put in remembrance” to the congregation those things which they were taught of the Lord, “charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” Congregations are easily led astray, thus leading others away from the true Word, when they chitchat about little words of no meaning. Paul gives us this picture in another of his epistles: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; or they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9). Matthew Henry gives us this understanding: “Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strife’s never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in his name and from his word.” The Word of God is to be placed before the congregation, those Scriptures which “principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (Shorter Catechism A. 3). Therefore, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This may be illustrated in the work of a craftsman who has studied and practiced his work and is not ashamed to put his finished product on display for all to see. To ‘study’ means to act speedily, to be diligent in your labor to learn what the Spirit is teaching. To be ‘approved’ means that your study when tested will not be found wanting. ‘Rightly dividing’ is to be correct in knowing and understanding the divine message. Let our prayers be: “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forevermore” (Psa. 86:11-12).

Discussion: Why is it profitable to study the Word of God?

The Christian’s Keeping

April 10, 2011

Lesson: Jude 17-25

Key Verse: Jude 24-25

Introduction

The Christian has something the wicked do not have, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, of whom the universal Church testifies, that “the third person of the Holy Trinity, of one and the same essence, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son; and therefore is the true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us” (Belgic Confession). Along with the Father and the Son the Spirit is able to keep us. The Holy Spirit “is true and coeternal God with the Father and the Son; …He is also given me, to make me a true faith, partaker of Christ and all His benefits, that He may comfort me and abide with me for ever” (Heidelberg Confession). God’s Scriptures “manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only” (Westminster Larger Catechism). Thus we understand that God “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). In the midst of sorrows, tribulations, and persecutions, the Christian knows that there is nothing that can separate them from the love of Christ. The Scriptures confirm that victory we have in Christ Jesus: “For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:36-39). This is the spirit of the Epistle of Jude, written before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70). Persecution and apostasy has been building up. The Christian congregations are receiving epistles, letters from Paul, Peter, and others, including, “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ,” who wrote to those who are “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called” (Jude 1). The hope of these Congregations is set upon the truth that they belong to God who has called them into His marvelous Light, and will certainly be preserved in that Light, Christ Jesus.

Kept in the Love of God –Jude 17-23

The Congregations, not only face the persecutions from without, the must also deal with those who act ungodly within the fellowship: These are murmurers, complainers, walking in their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage” (16). Their advantage meaning that by their actions, they personally profit in one way or another. Jude encourages the Congregations, “But beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” It is no surprise for the Christian that they would be tempted by those who would mock their faith, and would act from the lust of their flesh and not from the love of God. Their hearts and their actions are of their father the deceiver because they do not have the Holy Spirit. They walk according to their ungodly lusts, separating themselves from that which is righteous and good. Christians, being so warned, receive this admonition, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life.” Note that we are called “beloved”—as those who are thought of as well by the Lord, as precious in His sight. In this special relationship with our Father in heaven, through Christ, we are able to build ourselves up in our most holy, most moral, a divine faith. This is our faith in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, which produces fruit in our lives to the glory of God. This building process is nurtured in the Word of God, in our prayers which reveal our fellowship with God, by which we are kept in the love of God. As we study God’s Word, pray in the power or authority of the Holy Spirit, we look for, and anticipate an answer from our Father, which is nothing less that tender mercies of our Savior operating in our lives “unto eternal life.” The Congregations are told that they not only will be building their faith, but that they will make a difference. How do we make a difference? We make a difference by our compassion toward one another; by our living in Christ whereby the gospel is shown through word and deed, that some will be saved “with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Matthew Henry’s give us this understanding: We must watch over one another, must faithfully, yet prudently, reprove each other, and set a good example to all about us. This must be done with compassion, making a difference. How is that? We must distinguish between the weak and the willful. Of some we must have compassion, treat them with all tenderness, restore them in the spirit of meekness, not be needlessly harsh and severe in our censures of them and their actions, nor proud and haughty in our conduct towards them; not implacable, nor averse to reconciliation with them, or admitting them to the friendship they formerly had with us, when they give evident or even strongly hopeful tokens of a sincere repentance: if God has forgiven them, why should not we?

Discussion: How are we to grow in our faith?

Kept by God –Jude 24-25

Jude shows us the wonder of being kept in the love of God by way of a doxology, a celebration of the glory of God in Christ Jesus: “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Not only does our Lord keep us from falling, or failing, but He does so that He, as our Advocate and Mediator, present us as “faultless” (without blame) before the glory of The Heavenly Triune Majesty. Paul, writing to the faithful saints at Colosse, that Christ “having made peace through the blood of the cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight” (Col. 1:20-22). Since Christ paid the penalty for our transgressions before the Father, being judged as sinners on our behalf, Christ would not hesitate to keep us in His righteousness before such a glorious Majesty. Our celebration should be nothing less than glorifying the Triune Creator and Savior, and therefore enjoying Him forever: “To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” We know victory and joy in our Lord for He is Sovereign, having full dominion and authority over all things, for He is the Creator and Sustainer of both material and authorities: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33-36). Thus we both live and praise Him, day by day, year by year, with joy, in the presence of our most gracious and merciful Lord and Savior.

Discussion: Why are able to praise our Lord and give Him thankful hearts?

Hosanna!

April 17, 2011

Lesson: Mark 11:1-11

Key Verse: Mark 11:9

Introduction Christ came as a King with a kingdom, to His temple which He called, “My house of prayer.’ The song of David proclaims this twofold activity of the Messiah, saying, “Praise waits for thee, O God, in Zion; and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O Thou that hears prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come” (Psa. 65:1-2). Our Lord is to be praised because He has called us to be in His kingdom. Our Lord would hear our prayers because he has prepared a place for us in His presence. Thus, when Christ came to Jerusalem, He heard His people sing his praises. We too are called to raise our voices in song, “Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord” (Ps. 113:1). Praise (Halal) is the picture of brightness. We are to celebrate the glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Hosanna of Mark 11:9 is found in Psalm 118:25-26, “Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.” The house of our Lord, the very Body of Christ, is to reveal this praise in our prayer life with the Father. Thus we are to be called His house of prayer. Let us be careful not to make our fellowships dens of thieves, twisting His word that we may gain treasure at the expense of others.

Thy Kingdom Come, Mark 11:1-11

King Jesus set the time and the place, and rode into Jerusalem with majesty and honor. He came as the Savior and King of His people. When Christ and His disciples came to the mount of Olives, He commanded two of His disciples to find a colt. They were to say to the owner, “the Lord hath need of him.” The Lord had prepared a colt to ride into Jerusalem. He would ride as a victorious King. He was the King whose purpose it was to set His face toward Jerusalem; for He was set apart at birth, having been given the name ’Joshua,’ which means, Jehovah is salvation; He would save His people from their sins. He had said to His disciples about this last visit to Jerusalem, saying, “I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). This place would be in the household of God the Father. The preparation for this reconciliation would take place on His cross of Calvary. His words to the disciples would ring true from that cross. Such as when He claimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Christ is the Captain of our salvation, the “author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9); the faithful High Priest through whom we come to the “throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in time of need” (4:16). Nothing is left to chance in God’s plan of salvation for His people. The Son was given the name above all names; in Christ alone we are be saved, our sins forgiven; and the promise given, that we have in Him the gift of eternal life. Each step of our Savior was prepared and fulfilled. The donkey was prepared for His entry into Jerusalem, as true as the Cross for our entry into the Father’s presence. Let us give much thanks and praise for our King and Savior who was “crowned with glory and honor; that (Christ) by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). By our Lord’s sacrifice we know the truth that we “are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels” (Heb. 12:22). The company we keep as children of our Father in heaven are mighty in strength and number. We claim with the un-numerable number of saints “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,” standing before the throne of The Lamb, saying, “Salvation is of the Lord …Blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7:9-12). Many had come to the feast of the Passover. Hearing of the coming of Jesus, they were moved to meet Him outside the city. They spread their clothes before Jesus, along with branches which they cut from the trees. The King of kings, the ruler of nations, came to God’s City as it was told by the prophets: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zech. 9:9). The people cried with loud voices: “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” Pray that the daughters of Zion, the Redeemed people of God, would cry out with such praise. We live in an age of entertainment, churches and so called Christian leaders, working the crowd to an unholy frenzy. True rejoicing and praise that ring out for all to hear come from hearts, which cannot hold in the wonderful truth of Christ and His saving grace, of the King and His righteous dominion.

Discussion: What is the meaning of Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey?

We Worship the Living Lord

April 24, 2011

Lesson: Matthew 28:1-10

Key Verse: Matthew 28:9

Introduction

The resurrection of Christ Jesus speaks both about His victory over sin and its death penalty on our behalf. We have been given a new birth by the Spirit. We also look for our own resurrection in Christ. Paul, not wanting the church at Thessalonica to be ignorant concerning those who have died in the Lord, that we "sorrow not," states our hope in Christ’s resurrection, writing, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. ...For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:13-17). When we received Christ as our Savior, we witnessed the glory of being resurrected from the darkness of sin and its consequences. Now we look forward to the resurrection of our bodies that we might live with our Savior for all of eternity. “Christ is risen; therefore, the bodies of the saints must rise. Christ did not rise from the dead as a private person, but as the public head of the church; and the head being raised, the rest of the body shall not always lie in the grave. Christ’s rising is a pledge of our resurrection. ‘Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus’ 2 Cor iv 14. Christ is called the first-fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor xv 20. As the first-fruits are a sure evidence that the harvest is coming, so the resurrection of Christ is a sure evidence of the rising of our bodies from the grave" (Thomas Watson).

The Angel from Heaven (28:1-7)

“As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,” Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre: “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.” Heaven testifies to the resurrection of Christ by sending a divine Messenger. The body of Jesus was put to rest on the sixth day of the week and it was raised new on the first day of the next week. The Son of God had commended Himself to the Father after making atonement for the sins of His people. On that third day Christ claimed His body, a new and resurrected body. The glory of God is revealed in the divine Messenger. “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.” The earth itself shook as it gave up the body. The guards also shook for fear, “and became as dead men.” The wicked shake at the sign of the glory of the Lord: Thus “the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing” (Psa. 2:1). When the Gospel is clearly preached and the presence of the Lord is shown, the wicked shake and cry, keep your religion in the pew. Why such a fear? The Lord declares that He has set His King “upon the holy hill of Zion.” The banner of the Church of our Savior declares Him to be the King of kings. Our victory resides in the resurrected Lord. For the Savior testifies, “I will declare the decree; the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psa. 2:6-8). Christ, having accomplished His redemptive work on the Cross of Calvary, spoke out to the Father, “into Thy hands I commit my spirit.” He now sits at the right hand of God the Father. His resurrection reveals that the words of the Psalmist are true. The angel of the Lord spoke to the women, “Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified.” The presence of the Lord is always comforting in the midst of our trials and tribulations. The angel points to the open tomb, saying, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” The women, having seen the tomb empty, were told to go quickly “and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him.” The apostle John began his first epistle with these words, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life; …That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” We witness to the death and resurrection of our Savior through eyes of faith and the teaching of God’s Scriptures. Our witness must be of that which we have seen and heard by the Spirit through His Scriptures. Our joy is that in Christ, we not only testify to His saving grace, but also that because He is our Redeemer, we have fellowship with our heavenly Father. We rejoice also that this fellowship is with one another. To this fellowship we share the Gospel of Christ to others.

Discussion: What witness do we have today that Christ is our risen Lord?

The Risen Lord! (28:8-10)

The women departed quickly from the tomb “with fear and great joy.” The women have hearts filled with the combination of fear and joy. Mark records that the women fled quickly from the tomb “for they trembled and were amazed” (16:8). They had witnessed the glory of heaven as they saw the angel and heard that Christ was alive. They were beyond themselves, unable to fathom all that they have seen and heard, their hearts filled with awe and joy. Truly their Lord was their resurrection and life. As they went to see the disciples, “Jesus met them, saying, All hail.” A quiet word of greeting brought the women to bow down before Him: holding Him by the feet, they worshiped Him. Jesus took the fear from their hearts and gave them the message that when His disciples go to Galilee, there they would see Him. “Christ is nearer to his people than they imagine. They needed not descend into the deep, to fetch Christ thence; he was not there, he was risen; nor go up to heaven, for he was not yet ascended: but Christ was nigh them, and still in the word is nigh us” (Henry). Because Christ is present with us today, we can look upon Him by faith. We acknowledge His presence through the Written Word of God. The Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit that, in Christ, we cry out in prayer, “Abba, Father!” Our faith is not a religious experience, but an actual means of fellowship with God. This presence of Christ in the life of every true believer is expressed rightly in these words of Thomas Watson, who wrote that “Faith is a Christ-prizing grace, it puts a high valuation upon Christ. ‘To you that believe he is precious’ I Pet ii 7. Paul best knew Christ. ‘Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?’ I Cor ix i. He saw Christ with his bodily eyes in a vision, when he was caught up into the third heaven; and with the eye of his faith in the Holy Supper; therefore he best knew Christ. And see how he styles all things in comparison of him. ‘I count all things but dung, that I may win Christ’ Phil iii 8.. Do we set a high estimate upon Christ? Could we b e willing to part with the wedge of gold for the pearl of price?” Faith not only acknowledges the presence of the risen Lord, but expresses the truth that with eyes of faith we see Christ. We obey Christ and His Word because He is truly with us. By faith we are made more and more like Christ, and so declare His presence as we grow in His righteousness, truth, and justice. “As a Chameleon is changed into the colour of that which it looks upon , so faith, looking on Christ, changes the Christian into the similitude of Christ" (Watson). If our worship and praise do not glorify Christ, does not reveal who He is and what He has accomplished in His death and resurrection, then there is not real worship and praise. If our prayers and Bible studies do not reveal the presence of Christ, then we have not rightly prayed and studied. The resurrected Lord has called us to witness, telling us to go and teach the nations, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:20). We teach because the Teacher is present. He is not only risen, He is with us!

Discussion: How does the resurrection of Christ strengthen our faith?

March 2011 - Serving One God and Mediator

2011-03-19T08:03:00.001-05:00

One God and One Mediator

March 6, 2011
Lesson: 1 Timothy 2:1-6; 3:13-16
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 2:5

Introduction
Our witness and the object of our worship is that “There is but One only, the living and true God” (S.C. 5). This is an uncompromising statement. The Christian receives this truth as coming from the divine Creator through His Word: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deut. 6:4-5). The Christian Congregation, of which Christ is the Head, sees Scripture as God’s Word to us, and not as what man thinks about God: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21). This “One God” is revealed as three distinct persons: “There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory” (S.C. 6).
Our Mediator between God and ourselves is of the divine Godhead. It is within the Godhead that we find One who alone can be called our Mediator: “The only Mediator of the covenant of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, of one substance and equal with the Father, in the fullness of time became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two entire distinct natures, and one person, for ever” (L.C. 36). The Father who so loved us that He sent His Son that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom. 5:8-10).

One Mediator -1 Timothy 2:1-6
Since there is One God and One Mediator then the only message of the Gospel is Christ as Savior who is able to bring about reconciliation between God and man. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy (and through him to the Congregation) is “that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks, be made for all men.” It would be foolish to pray for others if there was no God to pray too, and especially, if there was no divine Lord who was able to actually answer that prayer. The Christian is convinced that there is a Creator who has created us, male and female, to bear His image. And is convinced that God, (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is able to redeem the soul.
Paul writes that prayers and supplications to the One God will produce fruit: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Therefore, pray for, “kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honest.” What is our prayer for those in authority? Our prayers should be that those who are in authority from kings to tyrants, from presidents to senators, governors to mayors, or any authority local communities, prayers should be that they act righteously as to the Supreme Ruler, Christ the King of kings; therefore, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). For such prayers are “good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
Further, Paul understands that “God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” And what is this truth, this saving grace? “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” “For all”—out of every nation and tongue the Lord will draw men to himself, for by grace we are saved, for Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, all come to the Father through Him. Calvin wrote, “Accordingly, whenever we ought to pray to God, if we call to remembrance that exalted and unapproachable majesty, that we may not be driven back by the dread of it, let us, at the same time, remember “the man Christ,” who gently invites us, and takes us, as it were, by the hand, in order that the Father, who had been the object of terror and alarm, may be reconciled by him and rendered friendly to us. This is the only key to open for us the gate of the heavenly kingdom that we may appear in the presence of God with confidence.”
Discussion: How and why are we to pray for those in authority?

The House of God -1 Timothy 3:12-16
Paul calls Timothy’s attention to the office of Deacon: Let the deacons be the husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” The Deacon as well as the Elder must have a ‘boldness’—a confidence in their faith in Christ and in the knowledge of the truth as the Spirit teaches in His Scriptures. “It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be proved” (M. Henry).
Paul continues to encourage Timothy in the faith, “that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” A familiar revelation is that received by Jacob (Gen. 28), who, on his way to Haran, on a particular night, took stones for his pillow and laid down to sleep: “And he dreamed and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.” From the top the Lord spoke, saying, “I am the Lord God Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac.” He further heard, “And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.” When Jacob “awakened out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Where the Lord is, there is the house of God. Where His Congregation is, there he is. As our Lord is the King and Head of His Congregation, He is the gate of heaven. How then are Timothy, and each one of us who has been gathered together in Christ, to be careful in our behavior in the “house of God” which is the Congregation that has been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Our behavior in the fellowship of believers, the Congregation, is also conditioned by the fact that we are” the pillar and ground of truth.” Calvin asks, “Is anything more venerable, or more holy, than that everlasting truth which embraces both the glory of God and the salvation of men?” The words which we use are most precious when they speak of what the Spirit has taught us through His Word. Paul admonishes Timothy to charge the Congregation: “strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim.2:14-15). Paul illustrates the truth that is to be preserved and taught as a mystery revealed: “God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, receive up into glory.” This is the object of our faith, Christ Jesus the Son of God!
Discussion: What is Timothy to do and teach within the Congregation?

The Mystery of the Faith

March 13, 2011
Lesson: 1 Timothy 3:1-13
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 3:9

Introduction
In the days of the Apostles the disciples “were multiplied” (Acts 6). Such was the quick growth that it was noted that the ministry to the widowed were being neglected. A congregation of disciples were gathered together by the Apostles and said unto them, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” The neglect of the widows was a sign that other physical needs of the congregation of believers were being neglected. Therefore, the Apostles encouraged them, “Brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” These men, who would be called Deacons, were to serve under the ministry of the Apostles, yet not separate from the ministry, for they would both serve the King and Head of the Church to His word and glory. M. Henry wrote, “Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to the ministers, appeared and acted publicly, and had a great trust reposed in them.” Deacons are to have an honest report in the community, revealing the leading and teaching of the Holy Spirit in their study of the Word, heads of households, in the fellowship of believers, and their witness to the gospel of Christ.
Continuing in Acts 6, the Congregation of believers responded to the Apostles request, having thus known the character and life of the men, chose “Stephen, ‘a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte from Antioch: whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed; they laid their hands on them.” The result of having such men of the Lord and Spirit as the apostles and deacons, it is recorded: “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Today, elders and deacons are to be men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit, mature in the Word of God, and witnesses of the gospel in their homes and in the congregation. Thus their character in Christ and His word is to be manifested in their lives before they are elected to the office.

The Elder desires a good work -1 Timothy 3:1-7
What Paul is to teach Timothy of holding an office in Christ’s body, the Church (Congregation), is of such importance that close attention must be made: “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” The term ‘bishop’ reveals the work of a pastor or elder as one who is an overseer, one who shepherds the sheep of God’s pasture or household, or vineyard. ‘Bishop’ is further defined as Paul taught the elders in Ephesus: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers (bishops), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The congregation of God, purchased by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, belongs to Him, and thus He is truly the King and Head of the Church.
Paul continues in giving to Timothy the outward fruits of an overseer, or under-shepherd of the Great Shepherd: “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one who ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” Herein we see the character of the work of an under-shepherd, an overseer. He must be blameless, without scandal, above reproach, as good a work as possible that the name of Christ be glorified. The fruit of righteousness proceeds from his faith in Christ, and is seen in his love for his wife, care of his finances, mature in his decisions, not coveting for those things which come from a selfish heart. And, therefore, is able by the grace of God to be a blessing to the flock of which he was appointed by Christ.
Therefore the bishop, the under-shepherd, is not a novice. For the novice has a greater temptation, “lest being lifted up with bride,” he would thus “fall into condemnation of the devil.” The bishop “must have a good report” in the community,” lest it be seen as one whose outward work does not match his inward character, and “he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” For the under-shepherd must feed the souls which have been given him by Christ: It is a good work, a work of the greatest importance, and designed for the greatest good; M. Henry wrote that “the ministry is conversant about no lower concerns than the life and happiness of immortal souls; it is a good work, because designed to illustrate the divine perfections in bringing many sons to glory; the ministry is appointed to open men's eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.” (Note Acts 26:18.)
Discussion: What is the character and work of a bishop?

The Deacon likewise -1 Timothy 3:8-13
The deacons whose task of service has to do with the certain needs of the people, i.e. the widow or widower, financial needs, comfort of the Spirit, etc; they must be of the same character as that of the elder, as serving Christ their Savior: “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” The deacon is to be grave, to be honest in all things. They are not to go about telling stories, speaking from both sides of their mouth. They are to be in control of their lives, being able to take care of their finances. Thus “holding the mystery of their faith,” that which is revealed of the Spirit through His Word. The deacon needs to know the Scriptures and how to apply them as they minister to others. Calvin wrote, “yet it would be exceedingly absurd to hold a public office in the Church, while they were ill informed in the Christian faith, more especially since they must frequently be laid under the necessity of administering advice and consolation, if they do not choose to neglect their duties. It is added, in a pure conscience, which extends to the whole life, but chiefly that they may know how to obey God.”
Deacons, as well as elders, are to proved, trained, discipled in the Scriptures, that in word and deed they may show themselves worthy of such an office: “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” They also proved themselves in their relationship to their family, revealing also that same faith in their wives: “Even so must their wives be grave (honest), not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”
Not only will such deacons be a blessing to the members of Christ’s Congregation, they will also receive a blessing from their Lord, which will result in a “great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” The deacons will manifest their faith in Christ Jesus as they minister to His people. They will serve Christ with much boldness.
Discussion: What should you look for in one who would serve as a deacon?

Continue in Sound Doctrine

March 20, 2011
Lesson: 1 Timothy 4:6-16
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:16

Introduction
The Holy Spirit has placed in the hands of the Redeemed, the Congregation of our Savior, a precious writing that we may “what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (L.C. Q 5). These “Scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God” (Q 4). Thus we are encouraged by the Spirit to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Then we, with God’s Word written, are to “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine (truth); continue in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16). In other words, we study and practice the Word of Truth and in so doing the Spirit builds us up and in His power we are able to witness to others of the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus.

The Good Servant -1 Timothy 4:6-7
Timothy receives instruction from his father in the faith, Paul, as how he is to conduct himself in the congregation, and then, how he is to instruct the saints under his care as an under-shepherd. Timothy is to bring to remembrance those things of which he has just spoken and, by being an example of a good minister. As a good minister “of Jesus Christ,” Timothy is being “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine.” Timothy is becoming mature in the Word of God. It is sad that some congregations make such a demand upon a pastor that he is unable to be nourished in faith and doctrine, unto which he has been called by His Savior.
A good servant, minister of Christ, a very faithful servant, a saint who claims the name of Christ, needs to be nourished in faith and truth. Faith is being convinced in that salvation which has been revealed in Christ Jesus, by the Spirit and His Word. Doctrine (Truth) reminds us that the teaching of Scripture nourishes the soul, both in faith and works of obedience.
This exercise in godliness also demands that the opposite of righteousness be lacerated from one’s life. We are to “refuse profane and old wives fables.” We are to refuse to listen to, and purposefully avoid lying tales, myths which are the product of men’s minds rather than God’s truth as He reveals it to us. We are to refuse to listen to the profane empty babbling of the wicked. The ungodly have no insight worthy of our attention. Our exercise is in Christ and His Word alone.
Discussion: What should be included in our daily exercise of godliness?
A Good Profit -1 Timothy 4:8-9
Bodily exercise is good. However, very little good is accomplished in comparison to our exercise in godliness. Godliness is profitable in all things. This is so because it has a “promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Compare this “faithful saying” with the promise of evolution. Evolution, and its comparable “wives’ tales” of psychology and social humanism, would have men believe that there are millenniums behind us, but no hope for an eternity. That man as an evolved animal, without a soul, must rule its existence, at best, by fables of pluralism and of chance without hope.
God’s Scriptures claim life, abundantly and forever, for those who know His Christ as their Lord and Savior. For those who deny His existence through their fables will know life forever, but not in its glory or abundance. The wage of this transgression is death, eternally. The benefits of our being justified by grace through faith in the sacrifice of Christ for our sins, of our being adopted into the family of God our Father, and of our being set apart in righteousness by the Holy Spirit, are, “assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end” (Shorter Catechism # 36). This promise man cannot give or guarantee, and so they listen to the tales of men.
Discussion: What is the promise connected with the exercise of godliness?

A Good Example (1 Timothy 4:10-16)
We, as Christians, labor and “suffer reproach,” because “we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe.” We have faith, a gift of our Creator, whereby we are fully convinced that the living and true and only God is our Savior. We believe in and hear only the truth that comes from the three Persons of the Godhead. We know, by God’s Word written and interpreted to us by the Spirit that the Father has loved us so that He sent His Son, that the Son, our Savior, died on the cross for our sins, and that the Spirit has quickened us and continues to teach us of the things of Christ.
These are the things which Timothy, and we, are commanded to teach. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the only words which “direct us how we may glorify and enjoy” God; and the only teachings which tell us what is to be believed “concerning God, and what duty God requires” of us (Shorter Catechism # 2-3). It is because of the truth of God’s Word and the faith that Timothy has, that he is told that no man is to despise his youth. He is to be, as we should be, examples as, believers in the Word, having actions that reveal true righteousness, our love in Christ, a spirit of kindness, etc, and our faith in Christ.
Though we are not waiting for Paul as Timothy was commanded to do, we still ought to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of our Lord and Savior. Timothy is admonished to give his daily attendance to reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Many people rely on their own reason, based on little reading and much hearsay, to proclaim what they believe is to be true. Experience becomes the foundation of what one should believe or do, and the social climate becomes the means by which God’s Word is interpreted. One must read, then exhort, and then make sure that what is said and believed is true doctrine, that which is taught by the Spirit through the Word of God, written.
Timothy is not to neglect the gift which is within him. Yes, the gift of faith, but also that special gift which was given to him as a chosen servant of Christ. He is to remember that gift of faith which was first in his mother Eunice, in his grandmother Lois, and in Paul also. He is to remember that gift he received being set apart in the ministry: “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:6-7). Timothy, as well as each servant of Christ, need to “Meditate on these things” that by the Word of God the chosen servant of God may continue to grow in doctrine and in the proclamation of the glorious saving grace of God, in their lives and in the lives to which they have been called to minister.
Discussion: In what ways are we to be true servants of Christ?

Labor in Word and Doctrine

March 27, 2011
Lesson: 1 Timothy 5:1–4, 17–21
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 5:17

Introduction
The Congregation is a gathering of people whom God has chosen to be His own. When the Congregation meets they are to be of one mind, they are to see Christ Jesus and hear His Word. Our song is “How majestic is His name in all the earth.” Therefore we as God’s Congregation are to see his majesty as King and Head of the Body of Christ, His eternal and everlasting Church. The gathering of God’s people are to witness the “Father of glory,”—and “what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church (ekklesia=gathering of people, the congregation), which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:17-23).
This is the Christ whom we serve and worship. This is the Great Shepherd who has chosen men to serve Him as elders, under-shepherds in His Congregation. These elders are those of whom Paul speaks, Timothy being one of those elders, saying, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Tim. 5:17). It could be said then that those who minister faithfully are those who by the Spirit communicate to the people that which is the truth, to teach that which is the true doctrine which God has communicated to us by his written Word. Matthew Henry wrote that “The work of ministers; it consists principally in two things: ruling well and labouring in the word and doctrine.” We understand that elders rule well when they are ministering as under-shepherds in the love and grace of the Great Shepherd of the sheep.

The elder as a father -1 Timothy 5:1-4
Continuing to instruct Timothy Paul admonishes, “Rebuke not an elder.” The congregation needs to look at the chosen elder with their eyes upon Christ, to be a blessing to one another in their fellowship and worship: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Heb.0:24). Thus Paul admonishes the congregation see the elder “as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder woman as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.” The congregation is a family, the more mature to love and encourage the younger; those who are in special need are to be served with kindness and love, giving them the fellowship that sorely need—for example: “But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents (the children and grandchildren, nephews, are to do all they can to help the parents in any need): for that is good and acceptable before God.” There is a happy fellowship in the congregation that looks to the needs of each other. The Westminster Confession understands this: “Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God: and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities, and necessities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Discussion: How do we show our love for one another in the congregation of which Christ is the Head?

Worthy of Reward -1 Timothy 5:17-21
Paul encourages the minister to persevere in their service: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” Not, “give them double honor,” for this gives the devil opportunity to tempt them to think more highly of themselves than they are. “Count them worthy,” treat them as such that they may be encouraged in the tasks to which they have been chosen by the Shepherd. They receive such an honor because their faithfulness in communicating the Word of God, and in their desire to grow in the knowledge and understanding of the Truth as revealed by the Spirit of God. Paul goes to Scripture that there is a special need to support the faithful minister: “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the laborer is worth of his reward.” Elders, who are under-shepherds of Christ, can be muzzled by the fellowship by their selfish words and deeds. Calvin wrote of the necessity that “elders should not be neglected,” and that for the “preserving the good order of the Church.” And that “due regard should be paid to them; for what could be more unfeeling than to have no care about those who have the care of the whole Church?” He continues writing that Paul “enjoins that support shall be provided chiefly for pastors, who are employed in teaching Such is the ingratitude of the world, that very little care is taken about supporting the ministers of the word; and Satan, by this trick, endeavors to deprive the Church of instruction, by terrifying many, through the dread of poverty and hunger, from bearing that burden.”
If there be such viable accusations against the elder, then they must be brought before him by “two or three witnesses.” Thus, knowing that one has truly sinned, “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” Confession of sin and the repentance and forgiveness that could follow, would give others to turn from their sin. It must be noted that Paul here is speaking about sins that are of a heinous or scandalous nature, being public must be shown publicly. As for sins where the sinner can be personally brought to repentance, it need not be shown publically. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John1:7-9).
Paul’s words to Timothy encourage his ministry: “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” Timothy is to minister to each one of the congregation without thought of who deserves better over another. The minister must see each of saints in the flock as being most precious; for he himself stands amongst those of heaven, first before God the Father and the Son and the Spirit, among those who are the elect angels. The glory of heaven keeps the minister in humble service, which will feed the lambs with love and kindness, which alone comes from Christ.
Discussion: What does it mean to be a worthy servant of Christ?

February 2011 - Christ, the Son of God

2011-03-19T07:55:00.001-05:00

The Messiah

February 6, 2011
Mark 8:27-91
Key Verse: Mark 8:9

Introduction
The Holy Spirit is our divine Teacher. We cannot know nor understand the Scriptures except the Spirit is our Teacher. Thus the Word of God, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are known as “God-Breathed”—and the understanding of them also of divine Revelation. We are encouraged to study that which the Holy Spirit teaches us through His written Word. The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches us that “it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing: which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary: those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased” (I. I.). The Scriptures are to be seen as the “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life,” acknowledging “the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word” (W. I. VI.).
When Jesus asked the question of His disciples, “whom say ye that I am,” He was teaching them how they came to know His glory as the Messiah sent by the Father of the Triune Godhead. In Romans 11:36 we read of Christ that “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever. Amen.” The term ‘glory’ reveals the need for an unfailing and trustworthy Word (revelation). ‘Doxa,’ translated glory, recognizes a person for whom he is, whether it is for honor or dishonor, integrity or corrupt. Scripture reveals that all have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In other words, lost in our transgressions and sin, we lack the righteous and moral character that God had intended us to have, being made after His image. How then do we know what righteousness is, what moral character is, who God is in all His majesty of Creator, Lord, and Savior? Only by the revealed word and will of God do we know. To glorify God is to testify to His character and nature as He has so revealed Himself in His Word.

Who is the Messiah? –Mark 8:27-30
While Jesus was traveling with His disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi, He asked them, “Who do men say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; some say, Elijah; and others, One of the prophets.” Jesus then asks them, “But who say ye that I am?” Following Christ is a demanding task. However, the task is accompanied by Christ himself.
Following Christ is a demanding but promising task. Christ is the only Good Shepherd who enters into the very life of His followers. The followers of Christ have been given a Book of Truth, a rule of faith and practice. The disciple has to be taught. However, he also has the Holy Spirit Himself to teach him. We know our King and Savior by personal revelation through His Word, written. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” How did Peter come to that conclusion? Jesus said to Peter, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (See Matt.16:15-17). The true nature of Christ is revealed by the Spirit of God. We come to the knowledge of who the Son is and why He was sent to take on our flesh is revealed by God alone.
Jesus charged his disciples “that they should tell no man of him.” They still had a lot to learn about Jesus and His work. The Christian needs to learn the lesson that there is more to be learned as one becomes a follower of Christ. It is in fellowship with Christ, that we follow and serve Him. The King does not remain apart from His chosen army. He is before them and with them in service and in battle. By His authority, given Him in heaven and in earth, He sends His servants to “Go . . . and, lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28:18-20). His disciples follow Him with this promise, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor” (John 12:26).

The Rebuke –Mark 8:31-33
Jesus teaches His disciples, “that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” That gracious act of our Savior on the cross must come before any man can become a follower or disciple of Christ. Our life begins on the cross. We have been redeemed, purchased from the wrath of the Father by the suffering and death of Christ on His cross. Though we will not suffer or pay the death wages of our sin which Christ did in our place, we must suffer with Him in our service on earth. It is written that we are children of God, “joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17).
Like Peter we rebuke or criticize the idea of suffering. We claim His blood but not His suffering at the hands of the Father for our guilt and sin. At least we don’t like to think about it. Peter was rebuked by Christ with these words, “Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.” Peter spoke, not the words of truth, but of the deceiver. We still battle that sin which is within us, the sin which speaks more of Satan than of God. We must weigh our words carefully in our witness and teaching of men and of nations. We carry the banner of our Lord, not of the enemy.
Discussion: What does Christ say about His suffering?

The Suffering –Mark 8:34-35
Jesus calls His disciples together that they may learn the lesson of suffering and denial. For these things are integral parts of the life of a follower of Christ. The characteristic of a servant of Christ is this: “Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” To deny self means that one removes self from anything that hinders his service to and fellowship with Christ. The word ‘cross’ in this verse speaks of an instrument of torture. It speaks of Christ’s suffering for our sins. It speaks of His disciples as suffering or enduring affliction for the sake of His Gospel. This denial is further illustrated in this Biblical truth that “whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and gospel’s, the same will save it.” The follower of Christ depends wholly upon Him who chose Him. We must not substitute our criterion for service for God’s demand for obedience.
Discussion: What does it mean to deny oneself for Christ and His Gospel?

The Exchange –Mark 8:36-37
A follower of Christ knows that His soul has been delivered from the darkness of eternal death to the fellowship of the Father in His eternal light. Christ asks the question, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” TV rosters seem to gain more award shows each year. Icons are made of those who pass away that their memory may be honored. The exchange is made. Of what profit is there for the one who gains world recognition but loses his or her soul? The question which Christ raises emphasizes the greatness of denying self and following Christ.
A Christian becomes a profitable citizen of the Kingdom of God as a follower of Christ. There is no greater fellowship in this world. There is a greater exchange, being delivered from death to life. Onesimus became a child of God and a son in the faith of Paul’s. And so he wrote of Onesimus, “Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me” (Philemon 11). Would that we be so profitable to our Master and Savior Christ Jesus?
Discussion: What great exchange do you see in your service to Christ?

The Kingdom –Mark 8:38-9:1
Christ spoke to His disciples, saying that there would be some of them who “shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” John the Baptist was sent by God to preach that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 3:2). Christ told His followers to seek the “Kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Christ’s disciples belong to His Kingdom. John Calvin (Institutes) wrote that the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 11:13) “gave a foretaste of that wisdom which was one day to be clearly manifested, and showed it afar off. But where Christ can be pointed to with the finger, there the kingdom of God is manifested. In him are contained all the treasures of wisdom and understanding, and by these we penetrate almost to the very shrine of heaven.”
Followers, be not ashamed of your Savior, and Christ will not be ashamed you when He comes “in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” You have entered His Kingdom through His death and resurrection. Now serve Him in His Kingdom here on earth. Serve Him as father and mother, sister and brother, as church member and officer, as witnesses to His Gospel. All of life is lived in the Kingdom of God on earth as it in His heavens.
Discussion: How is the Kingdom of God manifested on this earth?

The Beloved Son

February 13, 2011
Lesson: Mark 9:1-13
Key Verse: Mark 9:7

Introduction
The Gospel is made clear in these words of Christ, words which speak of the God the Father’s love for His people, and of the showing of this love in God the Son: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Begotten” reminds us that the Second Person of the Godhead was chosen to the “propitiation” for our sins; that the Son would take our place before the Father on our behalf receiving the just punishment that we deserved: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood” (Rom. 3:23-25); “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).
This is the Christ who is the “Beloved Son” (Mark (:7). When Jesus was baptized by John, “lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; and a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:16-17). The Son, the great High Priest, is of the divine Godhead, beginning his ministry on earth with the blessing of the Father and the Spirit. “This is the sum of the whole gospel; it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that God has declared, by a voice from heaven, that Jesus Christ is his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, with which we must by faith cheerfully concur, and say, that he is our beloved Saviour, in whom we are well pleased” (M. Henry).

Christ Transfigured –Mark 9:1-8
Jesus, as he traveled in the area of Caesarea Philippi, gathered a number of people together along with disciples teaching them of his coming death and resurrection; by which His kingdom would be recognized as being present on earth: “Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” Note the emphasis of “some of them that stand here,” indicating that the coming of the Kingdom would be in their time, the authority of the divine Kingdom of God recognized in the death and resurrection of Christ the Son.
Six days later Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to “to a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them.” A change would take place in the appearance of Christ: “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Snow could be seen on the mountain ranges of Lebanon, symbolically used to give understanding to the greatest whiteness or pureness of an object. We read in Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Christ is seen as being “exceeding white as snow,” as one who is without sin, his divine nature, the Savior who purged us of our sins upon the Cross of Calvary. Therefore, “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7; see also 1:9). No “fuller” or clothier on earth can make raiment as white; our faith confirmed that Christ the Son of God is able to save us from our sins.
The generations past, the prophets of the Old Testament times, are set before the Disciples of Christ, that they may understand that the promises of deliverance by the Savior is assured and kept in each generation. Elijah and Moses were seen talking with the Messiah, that we may understand these prophets, though generations apart, could fellowship with one another and, especially with the Beloved Son. There is no separation for the redeemed children of God after the death of the body. Thus we rejoice in the hope of our own resurrection and life.
Men like to build statutes and hang up memorials, when life is more precious than these. Peter wants a memorial, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” However, it was not out of understanding but out of fear that Peter spoke. Memorials are not for those who go on before us, but for our hope; yet it does not express the glorious hope that is in Christ. Look for the blessing which has been written upon our hearts that loved ones have placed there during the years of fellowship. And greater still, look upon that great love of God in Christ written upon our hearts and confirmed in His holy Word. The most important truth that His disciples were to learn is of who He is: “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, hear him.” Christ is with us! Hear Him!
Discussion: What have we learned about Christ Jesus?

The Son –Mark 9:9-13
As they came down the mountain Christ charged His disciples “that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.” They kept their experience on the mountain in their hearts, “questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean,” asking Christ, “Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come?” His answer was, “Elijah verily cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be not at naught. But I say unto you, That Elijah is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.”
As the disciples discussed the resurrection of the dead, they expressed what the scribes were teaching that “Elijah must first come.” The scribes taught the physical coming of the prophet, rather than the truth that one would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. The angel of the Lord spoke to Zacharias, about the birth of son whom they were to name John, he said, “And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth, for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord …And many of the children of Israel shall turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:14-17). John the Baptist had come in the spirit and power of Elijah. The Messiah, the Savior had also come. Therefore the disciples are not to be confused, for what was written in the Scriptures about the coming of ‘Elijah’ and the ‘Christ’ is true.
What is written of our Lord and Savior was recorded in the 103th Psalm, words about the wonder and grace of Christ, of whom John would be the forerunner: “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared him throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.” Heed, therefore, the words of God the Father, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him!”
Discussion: In what ways are we encouraged following Christ and obeying His Word?

Christ the Son of man

February 20, 2011
Lesson: Mark 10:35-45
Key Verse: Mark 10:45

Introduction
The ministry of Christ, the Son of God, is first seen in His humility, in His incarnation; “in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross” (Shorter Catechism # 27). Christ is the Good Shepherd who came to seek and save those who are lost. He came to do the will of the Father. He was the Suffering Servant who came to save His people from their sins. We were like filthy rags before the holiness of God. “Christ took our flesh that he might make the human nature appear lovely to God, and the divine nature appear lovely to man. …Christ taking our flesh, makes this human nature appear lovely to God. As when the sun shines on the glass it casts a bright lustre, so Christ being clad with our flesh makes the human nature shine, and appear amiable in God’s eyes” (Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity).
When we first see Christ, we see Him as our Savior. The Gospel has risen in our hearts and we, by faith, come to Him with thanksgiving and praise. We praise the Holy Spirit who has given us a new birth whereby we have repented of our sins, knowing that forgiveness has come by Christ and His shed blood. What a glorious Savior! “Jesus Christ is the sum and quintessence of the gospel; the wonder of angels; the joy and triumph of saints. The name of Christ is sweet, it is as music in the ear, honey in the mouth, and a cordial at the heart” (Watson). So we see Him as our Lord.

The Request –Mark 10:35-37
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus, saying, “Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” What could motivate the disciples to come to Jesus with such a request? It should not surprise us, for we too, in our prayers, ask of God those things which would answer our desires. Such askings reveal an anxious spirit. We know that we live and receive blessings by the gracious promises of God. However, we anxiously want more. And, that is understandable, as we see the many blessings of the Lord.
Christ asks His disciples, “What would ye that I should do for you?” There is no doubt that Christ desires the best for His people. The Shepherd feeds His sheep, we shall not want! The Lord promises, “And I will make them and the places around about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; and there shall be showers of blessing” (Ez. 34:26).
What do the disciples ask for? They say to their Master, “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” From what kind of heart is such a request made? James and John are Christ’s disciples. They have come to follow and to love their Master. Would we not like to sit beside Him? Would we also desire a seat of prominence above the brethren? Is there not a head table at most church dinners? If we wish to sit next to Jesus we must first learn to sit at His footstool.
Discussion: What was the request of the disciples to Jesus?

The Answer –Mark 10:38-40
Jesus answers James and John, revealing the liability or weight of such a position; for one to sit at the left and the other at the right of their Master. “Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Whatever we ask of Christ we must be willing to be identified with Him. The cup which Christ drank was the cup of obedience and sacrifice. To be baptized with the baptism of Christ declares an obedient heart that is willing to be identified with Christ and be set apart in His work. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). When we are identified with Christ we are also identified with His cross. Jesus says to His disciples, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:38).
James and John replied to Jesus, saying, “We can.” Jesus confirms for His disciples that they shall indeed drink the cup which He drank, and be baptized with the baptism with which He is baptized. The one who claims the name of Christ will drink the cup of Christ. The disciple is not above his Master. We who claim to be a follower of Christ will bear the image of Christ, or we will bear the image of a hypocrite.
Jesus taught His disciples, early in their relationship with Him, that He would be glorified in His death and victory: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). The principle of service through sacrifice and obedience is seen in the next verse 25: “He that loveth his life shall lose it: and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” In this context Jesus expresses the character of those who follow Him: “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor” (26).
We do not serve the church, society, or even one another, we serve Christ. We become a true blessing to those around us, in the home, church, society, when we, in our service to Christ, are not ashamed to be identified with Him, in His death and resurrection. We are not ashamed to show obedience to His Word, in our faith, life, and duty.
Discussion: What does it mean to serve Christ?

The Great Minister –Mark 10:41-45
The other disciples were displeased at the request of James and John, to want to sit at the left and right of Jesus in eternity. However, Jesus calls His disciples to Himself, reminding them that there are those who rule over the Gentiles, but as to their rule in this world, it is this: “whoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” We are to minister (diakonos, deacon, one who is to render service), for Christ to the benefit of others. This is illustrated in the office of a true magistrate, or governor, who knows his responsibility under God: “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:4).
For a pastor, ruling elder, deacon, or any office one holds within the Body of Christ, His congregation, to see it as a place of domination does not bear the cross of Christ, does not bear the image of the Savior in his service. “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” One must always keep the cross of Christ before him if he is to faithfully serve Christ. We were bought with a price. This price our Lord paid on Calvary. Have we counted the cost? What price will we have to pay? Is it to lose one’s life that we might gain it?
Discussion: What does it mean to be a servant of Christ within the Congregation?

Christ, His Power and Glory

February 27, 2011
Lesson: Mark 13:14-27
Key Verse: Mark 13:26

Introduction
The Messiah has come in great power and glory, and continues to come to be our Deliverer with great authority and glory during times of persecutions. Paul wrote to the Congregation at Thessalonica about the year 50 A.D., encouraging the saints to be faithful during these times of trial: “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches (congregations) of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of our own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews. Who hath killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thess. 2:12-16). The power and glory of Christ is seen in the saints as they fervently study the Word of God, which effectually works in their hearts and lives. The Congregations of God encourage each other, for they suffer together the persecutions of the enemy of God who seek to deny us to openly preach the wonderful Gospel of Christ Jesus. Those who war against Christ and His Church (Congregations of faithful saints) face the wrath of God for their sins, “for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

Tribulation and Hope –Mark 13:14-23
The persecution that the Thessalonica Church felt in A.D. 50 was but a beginning of what would be called the great tribulation of A.D. 70. Christ Jesus spoke of the coming of the tribulation less than 40 years before: “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let him that readeth understand).” The prophecy of Daniel spoke of the desolation to come upon Jerusalem: “for the overspreading of abomination he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolation” (Dan. 9:27). May he who reads this prophecy understand, which is given to us in words of Christ: “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Luke 21:20). “Standing where it ought not,” is understood in these words of Christ, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination, spoken of in Daniel, the prophet, stand in the holy place” (Matt. 24:15). Pagan Rome would come upon Jerusalem and the temple in that time of tribulation of A.D. 70. The hand of the Almighty Lord would bring about this desolation. When the Congregations of the Lord would see this coming, “then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains.”
At the coming of this judgment of the Lord when Jerusalem and the temple would be made desolate, there would be those who would flee Jerusalem and Judea, with great urgency, “And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of the house: but woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!” This urgency is seen in the desired prayer, “that your flight be not in the winter;” giving the example of God’s Creation, that all things are in His hands, “For these days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.” The Lord shows His mercy toward His people, that whatever comes about because of the war against God and His people, the time will be shortened that His saints will know great deliverance.
Christ continues to strengthen his saints in the coming time of tribulation and desolation: “And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there, believe him not: for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, even the elect. But take heed; behold, I have foretold you all things.” The false self appointed saviors, even those who bear the name of Christ, become impatient on the one hand, and on the other, take advantage of the times of persecution to advance their own agenda, enjoying power at the expense of others. However, the chosen people of God, the Christian Congregations made up of the faithful, will not bow before the liars, for Christ who has forewarned us is the Lord who is with us.
Discussion: How does the warning of Christ about the desolation that would come, help us to stand firm in our faith?

The Coming of Christ –Mark 13:24-27
Christ gives to His disciples the hope of endurance and victory through the coming tribulation of A.D. 70: “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Though we may think of that last judgment day of the physical coming of Christ Jesus, we need to recognize that there is the spiritual coming of Christ, the Second Person of the Godhead at various times of tribulation and desolations. We take note of the words of Christ recorded by the Spirit in Matthew 24:29—“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” He is not referring to a far distant day, but in those days when desolation will come. Christ emphasizes that these things will happen in their generation: “Verily, I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matt. 24:34).
It is that generation, to which Christ speaks: “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” From that generation to each generation to follow Christ the King and Savior will gather His saints into His Kingdom, until that last day when all of the Redeemed of the Lord will be gathered together for that great resurrection upon a new heaven and earth.
Christ spoke these words some 40 years before the coming the Tribulation of A.D. 70. Some thirty years later the Spirit would write through Peter and Paul and John, and others, epistles to prepare and strengthen the Congregations of Christ. In the epistle of first Peter to the scattered congregations of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, the apostle teaches them that they, by the resurrection of Christ, they have “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you;” and that “the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” This appearing will be their victory at the coming tribulation. The beloved apostle, John, also sent out his epistle (Revelation of Jesus Christ) to the churches in Asia. We too are being prepared, and our faith strengthened, for times of persecution; some of our brethren unto death. May our prayers be for the coming of Christ into the trials of this day, that we may see his power and glory.
Discussion: How is the presence of Christ seen in the Congregations today, as they face the trials of persecution?

JANUARY 2011 - THE FAITHFUL WORD OF GOD

2010-12-20T16:12:00.003-06:00

The Word of our God

January 2, 2011
Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Key Verse: Isaiah 40:8

Introduction
As there is no other Name (Jehovah God) under heaven whereby we are saved, there is no other written Word whereby we are comforted. This Word, written, is not of men but of God. We have been given His Word. It is the grass that withers, “but the word of our God shall stand forever.” The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God. The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches us that is by the inward work of the Holy Spirit we are fully persuaded and assured “of the infallible truth and divine authority” of Scripture. And that “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture.”
The Gospel is nothing more or less that Isaiah’s statement that “the word of our God shall stand forever. Paul testifies that his preaching was not “with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:4). It was the Spirit and His authority, or word that made the preaching of the Gospel of Christ efficacious. It was the wisdom of God, not of man, that must be preached. Paul said that he spoke “the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory” (2:7). It is that which was hidden and now revealed by God that we preach Christ. For “it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (2:9).

Comfort My People –Isaiah 40:1-2
Who are those who need comfort? They are the people of God! How can we be a comfort to those around us when we do not know our Lord’s comfort? When we look at the world and condemn its sins, forgetting that log wedged into our own eye, then we do not know the comfort of our Lord. The Lord speaks to Isaiah that he may proclaim clearly, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”
It is in a sense of unworthiness that we find our best comfort in Christ. It is then we feel the breath of the Lord upon us. The compassion of the Lord breathes heavily upon those who come to Him, knowing that He alone can and will deliver us from our transgressions and despair. This comfort is found in Christ our Good Shepherd, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4).
Isaiah is to speak to the people “comfortably,” or from a heart of deep concern and understanding. The one who gives such comfort knows that “Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it… The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Prov. 16:22-24). The message from the Lord that Isaiah is to preach, is that His people’s “warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.” The reason for God’s forgiveness is that “she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” The Lord’s justice has been accomplished. He has given to Israel what justice demands, no more, no less. In Christ, by the grace of our Father, we have received justice. Christ took upon Himself our sins, guilt, and deserved punishment. In Him we are comforted, having our iniquity pardoned.
Discussion: What is Isaiah’s message to God’s people?

The Glory of the Lord –Isaiah 40:3-5
That pardon, given to His people, Israel, is justified in Him who will come. For the “voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Receiving “double” or true justice for their sins, the people of God hear the promise of redemption. In the desert there will be a straight way. The valleys and mountains will be made as one land, that all may see, having no crooked paths or rough places to walk. The highway will be for God’s walk, not ours. It will be His way of salvation. His Son will be sent, and no one will be able to hinder His coming.
The Gospel writers are moved to see this verse as fulfilled in John the Baptist, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matt. 3:3). The One who walks this straight path is confirmed by John, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). In Him who is the only Way, Truth, and Life, will we see the glory of God. In that straight path, that provision and promise kept, will the glory of God be seen. ‘Glory’ meaning all that is revealed of our God and His Messiah; as He is revealed in His Word. He and His marvelous work of grace will be revealed, “and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
Discussion: How is the glory of the Lord revealed?

The Enduring Word –Isaiah 40:6-8
What the “mouth of the Lord” has spoken, will endure forever. For “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Every gift comes by the Word of the Lord. He spoke, and the earth was formed. The Lord spoke, and creation was his from the minutest cell to the mighty sun. The grass soon turns brown, the flower loses its beauty, but “the word of our God shall stand forever!” It is the flesh of man that is like grass. So is their goodness. For the good they may do comes from the lust of their flesh. Both will pass away. Only the Word of God will stand firm. Only His goodness that He manifests in His people will stand.
It is the Lord who “breathes” upon the flesh of man and the flower of the field. In His breath there is life. It is He who gives life, and who takes it away. It is the Lord who sends forth His Spirit, and they “are created; and thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the Lord shall endure forever; the Lord shall rejoice in his works” (Ps. 104:30-31).
Discussion: What does it mean that the Word of the Lord stands forever?

The Lord’s Herald –Isaiah 40:9-11
Who is the Lord’s Herald? The Teaching Elder or Pastor is set apart to teach, admonish, and comfort; they are Ministers of the Word. However, who is to do the work of the Herald? Are we not all to be Heralds or Evangelists? It is the Family led by the father; it is the Congregation lead by the under-shepherds; the people of God getting that High Mountain, and not hiding the Word under a basket. The Lord says, “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain.” That we might get the full meaning of this, the Lord repeats the same thought in other words, “O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength.” This command to be God’s Herald is not to say that we have to add something to our list of certain gifts. It is saying that one of the basic characteristics of the Church of our Savior is that of a Herald. This is what Zion, Jerusalem, His Congregation, is a Herald. This is part of the nature of the Church. Therefore, get into that position where the voice of the Gospel will be heard. We do this with the strength and authority of our King and Savior. Therefore we are not to be timid or afraid, but proclaim to the people of God, “Behold your God!” It is the Lord who will come with a strong and authoritative hand. He will rule with majesty. His reward is with Him, for what He will say and do will be accomplished to the glory of the Father. His word is efficacious as the Gospel is heralded. It will be seen in the reward that all that comes to Him will not be lost. Scripture teaches this of Christ: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
It is the Church that needs to hear this message. We cannot preach Christ unless first Christ is preached to us. We cannot give glory to God in our daily lives unless we have seen the glory of God in our fellowship as sheep of our Good Shepherd. O Zion, proclaim the Word of God, the full counsel of our Lord, clearly and strongly. In Christ, then, we will see the glory of the Triune Godhead.
Discussion: Who is to be the Herald of the Good News of Christ?

Redeemed in Christ!

January 9, 2011
Lesson: Isaiah 44:21-23
Key Verse: Isaiah 44:22

Introduction
The Gospel of our Lord and Savior is being preached in every nation, Congregations belonging to Christ being discipled in the glorious Word of God. The hearing of the people of God has to be first tuned to the Word of God. Though the Word before us was first written to God’s Israel in the time of Isaiah, it is a Word to His people today. In the first few verses of Isaiah 44 we are told that God’s servant, Jacob must hear, “and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee … For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, …I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessings upon thine offspring” (44:1-4).
Though the sins of His people are bringing affliction to their lives, “God is never so angry with His Church as not to leave some room for mercy …The consequence is, that the prophets, whenever they threaten, always add some consolation as an abatement” (John Calvin). We have God’s prophetic, infallible Word with us, and we should heed His warnings and know His grace. Grace, however, comes to those whom God has chosen to be His servants; “for we do not serve God, because we are entitled to it, or deserve it, but because he renders us fit by a free election. …election comes first in order, and therefore David says that he was God’s ‘servant’ before he was born, because even from his mother’s womb he had been received into God’s family” (Calvin).
We have united into a Congregation saved by the grace of God, meeting together to express our love for God in our service and worship. We have been chosen to be His Congregation, the Body of Christ that we may know His love and mercy, and thereby moved to obedience and love. Therefore, it is the Lord Jehovah who alone is our salvation, who calls His people to repentance, even the nations who must hear the Word of their King.

Thou Art! –Isaiah 44:21
We must remember that it is not God but the world around us that deceive us in following another savior, to preach another gospel. Whether it is the babbling of psychology or the political correctness of the false prophets, man carves his own god to worship and ask, “Deliver me; for thou art my god” (Isa, 44:17). Is there an Authority beside Jehovah? Shall we too, fall down before the stock of a tree (44:19)? Shall we feed upon the ashes of the promises of government or courts that set their own standards of morality?
We must remember that men are fashioning their gods after images that are “profitable for nothing” (44:10). Remember what God is teaching us, how to discern good from evil. Remember this, “O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me” (44:21).
Jacob God has loved, unconditionally; He has shown mercy out of His good pleasure. God has chosen Israel; He has kept His covenant to be their God, and they His people. Abraham was accepted as righteousness because of his faith, for by grace are we saved through faith, a gift of God. In Adam we have all sinned, transgressed the law of God; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death. In Christ we have received forgiveness of our sins, for He took upon Himself our guilt and paid the penalty. In Christ we have an abundant life for we are clothed with His righteousness.
Therefore, we see the Church as God has formed her, to be His servant. He will redeem His Israel, His Congregation of His Redeemed, for He has chosen for Himself a people, and they will not be forgotten by Him. Do not forget God for He has not forgotten you.
Discussion: What is our position or relationship to God?

I Have! –Isaiah 44:22
Where is our boasting? Shall the clay say to the potter, I have no need of you? Has our independent spirit said, we have chosen Thee, and therefore Thou shall bless us? Why does God continue to forgive us as we continually deny Him through our disobedience? The Lord says, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”
Why do we return, day after day, in repentance, expecting that He who is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins? Is it not because He has redeemed us? Has He not redeemed us “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19)? Our Father has placed a thick cloud between us and our sins, that they may not claim us, but that He may claim us in Christ. Therefore, there is no reason for us not to return to God, who is the salvation of our souls. God has done this, will you not return to Him at this very moment?
Discussion: Who is it that calls us to repentance and faith?

Sing! –Isaiah 44:23
We come across the names of Jacob and Israel. Jacob reminds us of the words of God, “Jacob I have loved” (Rom. 9:13). In the same manner has God loved His chosen people, the Body of His Son, the Church (His blessed Congregation). He loves us personally (Gal. 2:20), and corporately (Eph. 5:25-27). Israel should remind us that God has kept His covenant to His chosen people, that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Surely we have a reason to sing; “for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.” We can only sing, along with the heavens, when Christ, our King and Savior, is glorified in His Church. We can only break forth in singing, along with His creation, when we know that He is our Creator and Lord. Much worship today is a celebration to lift us up, rather than a celebration to lift up the person, and therefore, the glory of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For He is our salvation!
Discussion: How does Psalm 126 help us sing of what has spoken to us in Isaiah?

Chosen to Serve

January 16, 2011
Lesson: Acts 9:1-22
Key Verse: Acts 9:15

Introduction
The book of Acts is a revelation of the Holy Spirit's work with people, with the souls of those who have transgressed, repented, and believed. There are also the souls of those who rebel and forever know the wrath of God. The preaching of the gospel and the growth of the God’s Congregations should be as visible today as it was then. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, today, as it was when the darkest of hearts came to know Jesus then.
And one of these souls was Saul, whose name was changed to Paul. His threats would be changed to witness. His persecution would turn to the love of the brethren. And what a love it was. Paul expressed his darkness, saying, "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it" (Gal. 1:13). He declared the light which pierced the darkness as that of the grace of God: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace" (Gal. 1:15). This divine transformation of the soul resulted in God's glory: "And they glorified God in me" (Gal. 1:24).

Who Art Thou? –Acts 9:1-7
Saul was a Pharisee “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” He went to the high priest requesting letters of introduction to the Damascus synagogues that he roots out those found in the way of Christ, to “bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” After his conversion Paul testified to his desire to harm the Christians, especially in Jerusalem: “and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them” (Acts 26:10-11).
As Saul came near the city of Damascus a light shown suddenly from heaven. He heard a voice speak to him, saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Is not the church of our Lord Jesus Christ His body? You cannot reject the body without doing harm to the Head. Saul must also learn that to persecute Jesus is to reject Him as the Messiah sent from the Father. Jesus said, “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him” (John 12:48). Also: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad” (Matt. 12:30).
Sovereignly God reaches down from His throne of grace and lays hold upon His chosen servant. He will not only save Saul but use him for His glory. Saul would become Paul with much thanksgiving and rejoicing. The heart of Saul is being humbled. No longer being able to direct his wrath against Jesus, he quietly asks, “Who art thou, Lord.” Paul is convicted of his sin and then moved to repent: “And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” The word of the Lord will not return to Him empty, it will accomplish what He wishes to accomplish. The Lord seeks to save.
Saul confesses his new found faith in Christ as his Savior and Master, saying, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" To which the Lord answers, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." As with every newly born again Christian, Saul must wait to hear what his discipleship will include. For we not only grow in the Word of God but we also serve in that Word. As Saul was used with the gifts given him of the Lord, so must we wait on Him and see what gifts will be ours in the service of the King.
Discussion: How do the wicked persecute Christ today?

Lord's Disciple –Acts 9:8-12
Saul rose from the earth he opened his eyes and was unable to see anyone; those who were with him “led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.” There he stayed for three days “without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”
Meanwhile, in the city of Damascus, there was a disciple whose name was Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, “Ananias.” He replied, “Behold, I am here, Lord.” Again, a servant of the Lord Jesus finds peace when called upon in a vision. The heart of the disciple is prepared to hear from the Lord. Ananias hears his Lord, saying, “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”
When the Spirit of God gives us a new birth, by which we know the Love of the Father, and saving work of Christ in behalf us, we become disciples of His Word, we know who is speaking to us. We become obedient disciples, as Ananias did in obeying the Lord as where to meet Saul. The Lord is, at the same time, working in the heart of Saul, for He is telling Saul about Ananias. As we become faithful witnesses to the Gospel, the Holy Spirit is already working in the hearts of those we may speak to. Ananias is told that he is to be an instrument of healing, Saul would receive his sight. The Lord sovereignly acts in the lives of His saints. What a glory these saints beheld as they were bought face to face with their Savior.
Discussion: What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?

Sight Received –Acts 9:13-20
Ananias speaks his heart, for he has heard of the evil this man Saul had accomplished among the saints at Jerusalem, and the authority he carried from the chief priests in order to “bind all that call on thy name.” The assurance that the Lord gives to Ananias is grounded in this one particular fact, that the Lord has chosen Saul to be an instrument of obedience in His hand. The Lord says to Ananias: “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."
Paul was to be a chosen vessel or instrument in the hand of the King of kings. So Ananias, another chosen disciple of Christ, went to Saul, and putting his hand on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately he received his sight, and was baptized. Saul was united with Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, now made a saint, set apart as the servant of the Lord.
Saul, soon to be called Paul, later defended his commission as an apostle of Christ, saying that it was through Ananias that he received the command of the Lord: “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15). It was Jehovah, the Triune God who chose Paul to see Jesus and hear his voice and to testify to all men of what he had seen and heard. And so Paul preached Christ.
We must also see our calling as having a divine source as well as having a divine nature. It is not that we have chosen to serve, but that our Savior has chosen us to serve Him. We are not volunteers, as if we can claim the time and place of our service. Neither are we observers, looking for others to do what ought to be done. The Lord has placed us in His body, the church. We are not all ears or hands, but, with the talents and gifts and time, etc., that the Lord has given us, he places us in His body to do what He wants to be done. We are to exercise our calling with the strength and obedience that He has gracious given us.
Discussion: What does it mean to receive a calling from God?

Paul Preached Christ –Acts 9:20-22
Saul had breathed out “threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” The Lord would meet Saul on the road to Damascus and would breathe into him the breath of life. As Saul, soon to be called Paul, would write, “that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). On that road the voice of the risen Lord spoke, saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” The risen Lord had chosen him to be His apostle. The risen Lord spoke to His disciple, Ananias, “Go thy way; for (Saul) is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” Ananias put hands on Saul, to let him know that he has been set apart by the Lord for the preaching of the Gospel, saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Saul now preached Christ “that he is the Son of God.” In persecuting the Christians, Saul was denying the death and resurrection of Jesus; thus repudiating the truth that He was God’s Messiah. He had met the risen Lord. He now heralded, proclaimed vociferously that Jesus was the Messiah, the anointed Savior. He also clearly affirmed in his preaching that Christ Jesus was a partaker of the divine nature of God. Saul, who once went to the chief priests for letters of approval to bind the Christians for destruction, now preached Christ. Saul increased in strength, confounding “the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ.” Trained well in the Scriptures, and by the Spirit of God, Saul brought forth arguments and proofs from God’s prophecies, fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He spoke the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 2:7), a revealed mystery of heaven. He summed up his wisdom in these words, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
Discussion: What does it mean to preach Christ?

Out of Every Nation

January 23, 2011
Lesson: Isaiah 49:1-7
Key Verse: Isaiah 49:6

Introduction
The theme of the Book of Isaiah is “Salvation is of The Lord!” The sin of the nation is recorded in Isaiah 4:1, “Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” Their hope is seen in these words, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation” (Isa. 12:2). God’s salvation is an everlasting salvation: “But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded, world without end” (Isa. 45:17).
We would see Jesus Christ, the Deliverer and Savior of Israel, of the spiritual Israel, the Church, of whom Christ is the Head. We pray that the Spirit will set Christ before our eyes; as “it is customary with the prophets, when they discourse concerning the restoration of the Church, to bring Christ into view, not only because he would be the minister of the Church, but because on him was founded the adoption of the people” (John Calvin).

The Father’s Servant –Isaiah 49:1-4
God-Breathed words cascade from the heart and mouth of God’s prophet, Isaiah. God’s Messiah, the Son of God, speaks to His people, and to those beyond the seas, saying, “Listen, O Isles, unto me, and hearken, ye people, from afar.” It is the Father’s Christ who speaks, revealing the origin of His coming as God’s Messiah & Deliverer: “The Lord hath called me from the womb!” From the womb of God’s people, Israel, God the Father raises up His Son, the Messiah. We read in Revelation 12:5 that Israel “brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and to his throne.” The incarnate Son of God, our Savior, was name “Joshua” (Jesus) for He would save His people from their sins. “Christ was clothed with our flesh by the appointment of the Father, in order that he might fulfill the office of Redeemer, to which he had been appointed” (Calvin).
We come to Christ, today, “as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious” (1 Peter 2:4). Our redemption is in Christ who was foreordained before the foundation of the world, and revealed to us in His incarnation; “as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver or gold, …But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:18-20).
Christ reveals His nature as God’s Messiah as one whose mouth has been made “like a sharp sword.” The authority and strength of our Savior are revealed in His teachings, which alone can be found in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit …and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Christ is The Truth; His doctrine (teaching) is efficacious, all powerful, carrying out the will and intention of God, that which is pleasing in His sight. Christ and His Word are faithfully protected by God the Father: “In the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me.”
This also true of God’s Congregation, the Body of Christ, that His Words be faithfully proclaimed and taught, in the power and protection of Almighty God. Isaiah recognizes that he receives the Word of the Lord as a servant. In the Lord he will be glorified. As he labors, he understands that he would not have spent his “strength for nothing and in vain.” For his reward is with the Lord, as well as his work. Thus our service and labor in the Lord are not in vain, as we faithfully proclaim the Word of God, which He Himself will bring to fruition.
Discussion: What are some of the characteristics of the Messiah?

The Lord Redeems –Isaiah 49:5-7
The Father has given Christ from the womb of Mary “to be His Servant.” The Lord’s Servant, His Messiah, is to “bring Jacob again to him.” The true Israel will again know fellowship with their Father in heaven. In this work as Redeemer of the people whom the Father has chosen to be His own, the Son will be glorious in His eyes. The Father declares, “Thou art my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” In Christ’s work of the cross, in His resurrection and eternal rule as King of kings, the Lord will continually be His strength. Though Israel or men would despise Him, He will testify, “ye shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.” This is also true of His church and especially His ministers, as they faithfully proclaim the His Gospel.
This is not a “light thing” or a small matter. For the Father’s Redeemer-Servant will not only “raise up the tribes of Jacob,” restoring Israel, the Church, to the Father through His precious blood, but He has also been given “as a light to the Gentiles, that (Christ) should be (the Father’s) salvation unto the end of the earth.” Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, speaks of Himself to His disciples, saying, “I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). We, bearing the image of Christ, being redeemed by the Light of the world, rejoice in this new nature. Christ has said of us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. …Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16).
Let us not forget that Christ is despised by the world. At times of our own transgression we turn against our Lord by words and acts of disobedience. The “Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and (the Father’s) Holy One,” “man despiseth.” Because of whom He is, and what He does, excites others to abhor Him. This abhorrence is seen in the words of those who stood before the cross despising the Lord, while wagging their heads, saying, “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” And the chief priests also mocked him, saying, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” (Matt. 27:40-42; see also Psalm 22:7-8). Christ Jesus, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. …Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:23-24).
This same Lord whom man despises will be honored and worshiped by kings and princes, “because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel.” He who has chosen His Son to be the Savior of His people, has promised, “He shall choose thee!” Thus, is our election; by grace we have been saved. For “God, who is rich in mercy,” has loved us, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (Eph. 2:4-5).
Discussion: What is the work of Christ as God’s “Holy One?”

In Christ we are healed

January 30, 2011
Lesson: Isaiah 53:1-12
Key Verse: Isaiah 53: 5, 11

Introduction
We are familiar with the phrase, “Suffering Servant.” God reveals His Son as the Servant who was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). The suffering was for the purpose of satisfying the law of God, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin” (Isa. 53:10). We must not think of this Servant as an example for men, as if in suffering there is a way out of our dilemma. For the difficulty that we find ourselves in is not redeemable by what we can do. The Lord tells us that we have all sinned, and that wage of this sin is death.
The Heidelberg Catechism (Q. 12) asks this question, “Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favor?” That is, the favor of God. The reply given is, “God will have His justice satisfied: and therefore we must make this full satisfaction either by ourselves, or by another.” The implication is that the law of God has been broken by all people and satisfaction must be made in full for that transgression.
To understand Christ as Servant or Suffering Servant we must first acknowledge that we have sinned against God. The Larger Catechism (Q. 24) defines sin as “any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature.” (See 1 John 3:4.) This transgression of God’s law brought upon all the “displeasure and curse” of God, “so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come” (W.L.C. # 27).
We are back to the previous question, who can satisfy the law or justice of God, ourselves or another? Both the punishments of this life and the next cannot satisfy God unless it is eternal. Therefore, we cannot save ourselves. Only the Suffering Servant can save us. His ‘Suffering’ here on earth; especially that which He suffered on His cross, is the only satisfaction which God the Father can and will accept. “Christ made penal satisfaction, by suffering the very penalty demanded by the law of sinners” (Robert Dabney). Christ, being Divine, could take upon Himself our sins, being punished in our place, and so satisfying the justice of God. The penalty for our sins was poured out upon Him. He paid the ransom price. This is Christ’s work of suffering, to satisfy the justice of God, reconciling us to the Father. Trusting then in His work we know that our sins have been forgiven and we have been given eternal life.

Wounded Servant –Isaiah 53:1-5
The prophet has declared that the Christ would be exalted and proclaimed (Isa. 52:13). The Christ will also “sprinkle many nations” (52:15). His Word would go out to the nations and the mouths of kings will be shut. Both kings and nations will be astonished at the preaching of the Gospel. The King of kings is Sovereign over nations today. Let them be astonished or rebellious. However, let us not be weak-kneed when it comes to proclaiming His Word.
The prophet’s heart is heavy as he asks, “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” Isaiah represents all those who preach the gospel and wish to see men turn to God in repentance and faith. Calvin calls us to “groan and complain along with the Prophet, and let us be distressed with grief when we see that our labour is unprofitable, and let us complain before God.” We do not rejoice in man’s rejection of the gospel. We must cry over Jerusalem as did Christ. Should we not shed tears for the seed that falls by the wayside or among the thorns, when we know how beautiful is the soul redeemed by the precious blood of Christ? Paul relates himself and all ministers of the Word to Isaiah, saying, “Lord, who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed” (Rom. 12:37-38).
Christ has grown from “a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground; he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” The human eye will see only the desert. But the eye of faith will see the beauty of the King and His kingdom. Truly Christ is “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him.” Men continue to reject Christ as Lord and Savior. Ingratitude is written on their hearts and in their actions. They don’t believe they have sinned. They deny the Savior who can save them. Christ is “despised, and we esteemed him not.”
Yet, this is the Christ who has “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” The wicked look at the suffering Christ as wounded by God for some sin of His own. They judge Christ by their own standards. The truth is that Christ “was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” The reason for our Lord’s suffering is that the justice of God be satisfied. On the cross of Calvary our Savior took upon Himself our filthy sin and washed us clean with His precious blood. He ransomed us with His life from our bondage to sin and all its consequences.
We are healed, redeemed, cleansed from all unrighteousness by the saving work of Christ. Our peace was upon Him. There is no peace between us and our heavenly Father except in Christ. Paul wrote, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ …For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly …being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:1-9).
Discussion: Why was Christ “wounded?”

Obedient Servant –Isaiah 53:6-9
The following word of Isaiah brings us to the cross of Calvary by first revealing to us the need for such a cross. To know the depth and height of the love of God in Christ, we must first know the darkness that has been our daily habitat. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” The quilt is ours to bear as transgressors of the law of God. And so is the punishment. We have determined to follow our own self-made road. But this is the road that leads to death. Contrast this life with that which Christ gives us. He is the Shepherd who has not only laid down His life for the sheep, but He has reached out and gathered His sheep in His everlasting arms. The Good Shepherd, who knew no sin, has accepted what the Father has laid upon Him, “the iniquity of us all.”
That which was laid upon our Savior, He received without any complaint, “he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before the shearers.” He was punished by the Father on His cross for our sins. He “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). He was taken from prison to be put to death, a sentence we deserved. Christ died. He was “cut off from the land of the living.” He took the wrath of God which means that He took our eternal punishment. He took our cry, “Why hast thou forsaken me.” Forsaken for our transgressions, He made His grave “with the wicked.” This grave would have been ours for eternity.
Discussion: How should we view our sin as we look at Christ and His cross?

Glorious Servant –Isaiah 53:10-12
Isaiah writes that “it pleased the Lord to bruise him.” It was the Father’s delight to put His Son to grief. How could our heavenly Father find such pleasure in bringing such sorrow to His Son? For the love of His chosen ones! When the Father made the soul of Christ an “offering of sin”, the Son would “see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”
The Bible reveals this pleasure in the Son of God, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Christ saw the “travail of his soul.” The Father testifies that by the Son’s “knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” There is no chance of failure on the part of God. His Word does not return void. For those whom Christ died, they will be saved.
Our Lord reigns today as the victorious King and Savior. That which was promised is kept. The Lord spoke clearly to Isaiah, declaring the work of His Servant to be accomplished years before the coming of Jesus. The Father promised that He would “divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Christ did die for the sins of His chosen people. He came to redeem. He found His lost sheep and drew them to Himself. He continues to draw His sheep to His caring arms. His days are prolonged for He has risen from the dead. His victory is assured. The ministry of Christ continues as the Gospel is faithfully proclaimed. He has poured out His soul on His cross for many. He has born our iniquities. He conquered death and the devil. He once suffered. He now reigns as our King. He is our Mediator. Let us give thanks as we continue to look to Him with faith and wonder.
Discussion: How did Christ our Savior justify us as righteous?

DECEMBER - THE COMFORT OF OUR GOD

2010-12-20T16:02:00.002-06:00

God Comforts His People

December 5, 2010
Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Key Verse: Isaiah 40:1

Introduction
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.” Isaiah speaks of this comfort to Israel and Gentiles, like a river and flowing stream: “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isa. 66:12-13). It is not the comfort which we may give but the comfort which God gives. It is a comfort which delivers us from fear: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psa. 23:4). The redeemed of the Lord will sing the song of Comfort in the presence of God’s people. They will be like a “watered garden,” for God will turn “their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow” (Jer. 31:11-13).
The Congregations of whom Christ is Lord and Head, who find rest in Christ, who walk in the “fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:31). Paul reassures our faith in reminding us that those things which were written are for “our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). This is the comfort which walks alongside of us, encouraging and exhorting us, comforting us as an advocate, rightly counseling us in all things. It is this comfort with which we are to comfort others. For it is God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

God’s Glory –Isaiah 40:1-5
The command of the Lord to his prophet is that he is to be a preacher of comfort: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.” The Lord goes on to say that Isaiah is to speak “comfortably to Jerusalem.” The Prophet is to speak to “the heart of Jerusalem.” He is to speak to the very soul of Jerusalem that they may know that the God of all comfort and mercy is going to bring an end to their affliction. Isaiah is to cry out, proclaim loudly, to herald as from a mountain top, the good news of deliverance.
And what is the message? First that her terrible condition, which resembles that of a nation ravaged by war, is coming to an end; God’s punishment of his people comes to an end as the mercy of God is poured out from his throne of grace. Second that her “iniquity is pardoned;” that sin and guilt which have brought about her awful condition before God is forgiven. God is now satisfied because atonement has been made for their sins (the Son who went to the cross of Calvary made atonement, satisfying the justice of God for all whom the Father gave him). The justice of God is satisfied, Isaiah publishing the glad tidings of grace! For God’s people to receive double for her sins from the Lord’s hand is but an announcement that God’s grace is sufficient for her healing. Though the punishment was seemingly great, it was deserved, how much greater the grace that redeems.
Often the people of God, Israel of the Old Testament or the Church of today find themselves in a wilderness empty of the refreshing streams of grace. A voice cries out saying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” The Lord’s hand will not be hindered from saving his people. Whether it is the sin of the heart or the evil of Satan and his likenesses without, the salvation of the Lord will have a clear path. No valley or mountain of obstruction will be allowed to hinder the saving work of God. The King of kings will ride with victory along the path made smooth by his strength. Salvation will come, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
This day of salvation will reveal “the glory of the Lord.” Glorious is the work of redemption that no one is able to say that it was not of the Lord. Not without much hypocrisy; for evil man denies the truth which is so many times clearly seen. The Lord redeems his people before the eyes of the nations. When the mouth of the Lord declares his salvation, it thunders and shakes the very foundation of the world.
Question: What two promises does the Lord give to his people for their comfort?

God’s Word –Isaiah 40:6-8
The Psalmist sings: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psa. 19:7-8). The Word of the Lord is a life giving Word. The Scriptures were written by God, and are taught by God. It is of divine authority as its Author is the Creator and Savior of this world. Therefore, the Word of God is effectual in the heart of believer and unbeliever alike. For, as it goes forth from the heart of God it will not return void of effectiveness to him.
The voice of heaven calls upon his prophets to cry out. And what shall they cry out? The Lord will give his prophets those words which are of a divine nature and authority. The power, wisdom, and authority of the prophet is this, that they are to declare only what they are commanded to say by the Lord God Almighty. The message to those in the wilderness, those who need the redeeming love of God, is this truth: “All flesh is grass, and all the goodness thereof is as the flower of the field; the grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.”
These verses sound very discouraging at first. Are we truly like that flower which may please the eye today and tomorrow fades away? Yes. Whatever beauty or goodness we possess as men and women cannot be held on to, for it too will fade and die. Man likes to say that our eternity is what we leave behind us. God declares that our “righteousness are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6), and so must be discarded. God, in declaring us as the grass of field, is uniting us to that which is life itself. By denying self as having any intrinsic value, we find life in Christ and his Word. Isaiah declares the word of the Lord: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Man cannot offer life to man. Life comes only from the Creator.
Our comfort does not come from man but from God. The Lord does not give us words of discouragement but of hope. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a light to those in darkness. Life flows from our Father in heaven through Christ Jesus our Savior. The Holy Comforter leads us into all truth, converting the soul and enlightening our eyes. We may have been like the grass that withers. But now our testimony, because the saving grace of our King, is that we have been “born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass …But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:23-25).
Question: What is the difference between the Word of God and the flower that withers?

God’s Flock –Isaiah 40:9-11
The Lord continually speaks words of comfort to the hearts of his people. Israel has been in the clutches of the enemy. They have been in captivity because of their disobedience. Their darkness has surrounded them. However, God’s saving arm has pierced the darkness with the light of his tender mercies. Deliverance has come and now the people of God are to herald the praises of their Savior: “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Psa. 107:2).
The Word of the Lord has come to Israel. Isaiah calls upon Zion to bring the glad tidings to all of the people. God is in the midst of his people. This is the good news! “O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” The Church today looks for the comfort of their Lord. There is no greater comfort than to know that our Lord and Savior is with us. If we do not have this comfort then we are unable to comfort others who need to the Christ who has risen, and is with us always.
Verses of the Bible sometimes divide thoughts and ideas which should not be divided. Verse ten is not another thought but must be read with the previous verse. Say to the cities, to the people, to the church, “Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with a strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him.” The Lord God who can be known to be in the midst of his people is the One who is the King of kings, who with his strong hand and arm effectively accomplishes his purpose. He both saves his people and judges his enemy. He rewards his people as he is the Savior who has saved them.
Who is he that has redeemed his people, and how does he present himself as our Savior? He is the good Shepherd who has laid down his life for his sheep. He is the Shepherd who came to seek and save the lost lambs of his flock. He is the Shepherd who laid down his own life as a lamb slain, a sacrifice for the sins of his people. Therefore, the Lord will “feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” He is the Shepherd who knows his own, and his own know him. He holds us in His arms and will never let us go.
There is great gentleness in the Lord who has reached down to cradle us in his arms. There is great comfort to know the Shepherd who has come, first to the manger of Bethlehem, and then to his cross on Calvary’s hill. From there he chose to embrace us with forgiving love. And in his resurrection he chose to feed us, eternally and abundantly.
Question: What does it mean to belong to the flock of the Good Shepherd?

The Lord will keep You

December 12, 2010
Lesson: Isaiah 42:1-8
Key Verse: Isaiah 42:6

Introduction
The Servant of the Lord is the Messiah, the Son of God. He is the Redeemer of his people, Israel. He will also “bring forth judgment upon the Gentiles” (Isa. 42:1), and he will be “for a light of the Gentiles” (42:6). In other words, Christ came as an appointed Servant to the nations of this world. The Father says to the Son, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possessions” (Psa. 2:8). In judgment the Lord shall “break them with a rod of iron” (2:9). In grace and mercy he will gather from every nation those for whom he would give his life as a ransom: “Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon my altar; mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people. The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, besides those that are gathered unto him” (Is. 56:7-8).
This Servant belongs to the Lord. His obedience and loyalty belongs to the Father. The Servant-King is present in this world because he has faithfully obeyed the Father in accomplishing the salvation for his people in his life, death, and resurrection. He continues to be the Mediator-King of all nations, fulfilling the will and counsel of the Triune Godhead, of which he is the ‘Second Person.’ His eternal Dominion over all nations is declared in Revelation 11:15, as the great voices of heaven, the divine proclamation of God, saying, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body. As Head of the Church he is also Supreme Ruler of all nations.

Christ Shall Not Fail –Isaiah 42:1-4
The Lord gives Israel a chance to state their cause (Isa. 41:21). Has the Lord dealt unjustly with his people? Then set your case before him. However, they could not find a voice, a counselor that would stand in their stead (41:28). God’s justice was true, “Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing; their molten images are wind and confusion” (29). Who will lift up God’s elect (from every tongue and nation) that they may receive justice and mercy?
The gods of this world offer no hope. The governments of this world desire unquestionable service without the hope of redemption from their greed and self-indulgences. The Lord himself sends a Servant who will not fail: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”
Christ is God’s preeminent servant, majestic in character and works. He is called God’s servant because he alone is capable and able to carry out the will of the Father in the redemption of his people. He alone was able to take upon himself, “the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a men, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:7-8). Christ is the appointed Servant in whom his soul delights. When Jesus spoke to John the Baptist, saying, “Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness,” He was faithfully carrying out the counsel of God. Thus the Father spoke from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:15-17). His endearing pleasure with the Son was again voiced at the time of Christ’s transfiguration, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5). Christ Jesus is called a ‘Servant,’ “because God the Father not only enjoined him to teach or to do some particular thing, but called him to a singular and incomparable work which has nothing in common with other works” (Calvin).
The attributes or character of God’s Servant is revealed as one who unresistingly carries out the will of the Father; for “He shall not cry, not lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.” He does not need the applause of the crowd, only the delight of His Father in heaven. Would that we would so serve our Lord, worshiping and proclaiming that we might please only him whom we serve. Our Lord will not break a bruised reed. He will “bring forth judgment unto truth.” He seeks not to harm the weak but to lift them up in his strength. In justice and truth He brings forth refreshment to those who are His. His voice comforts us as He calls us to His side (Matt. 11:28-30).
The Servant will not be discouraged, nor will he fail. Discouragement is a sign of weakness. Perseverance in obedience and hope does not fail. He shall “set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.” The Lord will discharge his employment as a Servant. All creation waits for his doctrine, his law to take effect. Christ’s ministry will be fruitful.
Discussion: Why is God the Father pleased with His Servant?

The Servant’s Service –Isaiah 42:5-8
Who is he that has called the Son into such a service as His Servant? He is Creator of the heavens and earth. He is the one who has breathed out life “unto the people upon it, and spirit to them walk therein.” The Lord gives us “clear proofs of the power of God, that all may be aroused by the mention of them, and may be convinced that he who created all things out of nothing, who spread out the heavens, who produced vegetation, who gave life to animals, and who upholds and defends all things by his power, will easily perform what he promises concerning the reign of Christ” (Calvin).
Our Father in heaven is the Lord who has called his Servant “in righteousness.” He will do that which is right and honorable, truthful and pure. He is able to redeem his people. He “will hold thing hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” He takes us by his hand, to hold us close that we might persevere to the end. He will never let us go, nor forsake us. All “the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20). Christ is the Deliverer of the blind and the prisoner. Those who walk in darkness need his light. Those who are trapped in the prison of this world’s transgressions need his salvation. It is Christ who has “delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13).
The foundation of our deliverance, our escape from the guilt and punishment of our transgressions, is found in Christ alone. We are not saved by works but by him who is able to save. Our salvation is in the person of our Lord. The Rock of our salvation is seen in this declaration, “I am the Lord; that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” There is no other person under heaven whereby we are saved. He will not give his attributes, his character, his glory and praise, to any other. Only the Lord, as he has revealed himself in Holy Scripture. His Word is able to deliver. Our Lord is singularly jealous of his being (Ex. 20:5). For anyone or thing to take his place of worship and praise is an abomination to him. The Lord is not deceitful in his promises as the world is. Therefore, to commit one to the ways and thoughts of the world is more than mere foolishness. It is an act of disobedience and transgression against the Word of God.
Therefore, come to God’s Servant, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Come, and he will give you refreshment. You, who are weary and burdened with sin, come to him who is calling you to himself. He who took upon himself your sins and guilt will lead you to repentance and faith. In Christ you will not be disappointed. “For wherever you seek you will be disappointed, but if you do but seek unto the Lord Jesus Christ, there you will find a fullness of everything which your weary soul wants” (Whitfield).
Discussion: What does it mean to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior?

The Kingdom of our Lord

December 19, 2010
Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-9
Key Verse: Isaiah 11:5

Introduction
Boaz took Ruth as his wife and she bore him a son. The women of the town said to Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel” (Ruth 4:14). They called his name Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of David. Boaz became Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer. He purchased or ransomed back her inheritance. Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He has ransomed our souls and given us an inheritance. Christ speaks of himself, saying, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Therefore we are to give thanks to our Father in heaven who “hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:12-14).

The Righteous King –Isaiah 11:1-5
From the royal family of Jesse and of the house of David there has come, according to promise, “a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” The Lord gathers his remnant, and he has raised “unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer. 23:5-6). Though Assyria would be a rod, or tool of God’s indignation (Isa. 10:5), He would raise a rod of his own, His Son, “The Lord our Righteousness.” Though God would cut down Israel for their sins, he would raise up a Righteous Branch for their redemption.
His judgment is righteous when he states that “your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Is. 59:2). However, His hand is not shortened, “that it cannot save” (59:1), for “the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord” (59:20). When we look upon Christ as he is revealed we will testify with David, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Psa. 17:15). Righteousness declares the honesty, justice, and integrity of Christ. He is able to save because he is able to carry out the will of God for the redemption of his people. He is able to fulfill the moral character of God’s people in their stead. He is able to obey the moral law for us.
Christ is the Divine King. He is of the Father and of the Spirit, the second person in the Godhead. Thus it is recorded that the “Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him.” He is the Divine Messiah in who is the “Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Therefore his delight (quick understanding) will be in the fear of the Lord. The Christ will receive strength, authority, knowledge, and understanding. For he will take upon himself our flesh, and by the Spirit “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt upon us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Christ Divine in nature, truly man as well, shall with righteousness “judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Christ reigns, clothed in righteousness, truth, and faithfulness. Christ calls to himself those who are poor in spirit that they may see God, the meek that they may have a glorious inheritance.
Discussion: What are some of the characteristics of Christ our King?

The Righteous Kingdom –Isaiah 11:6-9
The Lord gathers together his people into a righteous kingdom. The character of Christ’s Kingdom is revealed in that the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the goat, the calf and young lion will graze together. This peaceful fellowship is complimented by the picture of a child leading them. Disorder and cruelty shall be absent from the Kingdom of our Savior. The world shall be reconciled to God and to one another. This is both the peculiarity and the promulgation of the Kingdom that we bear and broadcast the reconciling work of Christ our King. For “all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
Out of corruption will come righteousness; out of disorder will come order. The peace that passes all our understanding is seen in the picture of a child leading the wild beasts, or playing in the nest of the wildest snake without fear. When we are in a state of peace or favor with God, then we are being made after the image of Christ, worthy of living in his Kingdom. This state of acceptance begins here and is perfected in the new heavens and earth. It is a peace brought about by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Christ gives us this new reconciliation with the Father, saying, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Jesus promises his disciples strength and victory in a world of sin and hopelessness. Speaking about his teachings about himself, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The nature of our Lord’s Kingdom is seen in our new life. For we “shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.” We are no longer servants of our transgressions, but servants of Christ’s righteousness. The moral law of God is written upon our souls, not the immoral codes of men. We either obey that sin which is “unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Rom. 6:16). We must thank God, that being once servants of sin, we now “obey from the heart that forms of doctrine which was delivered (to us). Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (16:17-18).
We pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We look for the earth to be full of His goodness; “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Calvin speaks of those who are of God’s holy mountain, that those who “follow righteousness have a settled residence in the temple of God, that they may dwell there for ever. It is, therefore, a distinguishing mark of the genuine Congregations of Christ, that they are free from all desire of doing injury to others. Hence, also, we infer, that it is a remarkable gift of the Spirit of Christ, that men abstain from being evil-doers; for by nature, ambition, pride, cruelty, and avarice, always prompt them freely and voluntarily to commit acts of injustice.”
This nature of Christ’s Kingdom should be revealed through his Church today. He has said we are not to be afraid. We are to reveal righteousness, truth, and justice in our relationship with our Lord, and with one another. Thus, we become light and salt on this earth. Our gospel preaching centers upon the righteousness of Christ, who gave his life that we might have life.
Discussion: What does it mean to call God’s Kingdom a righteous Kingdom?

The Prince of Peace

December 26, 2010
Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-7
Key Verse: Isaiah 9:6

Introduction
Isaiah 9:1-7 has been fulfilled in these words of the Son which was given to us by the Father: “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:13-16).
When Jesus was born of the virgin Mary the angel of the Lord said to the Shepherds, as the glory of the Lord shone round about them, “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:9-11). When the angel of the Lord came to Mary to tell her that she found favor with God, and that she would conceive a Son and his name would be Jesus (Heb, Joshua: for he shall saved his people from their sins), the angel spoke of him, saying, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:30-33).
Only the Word of God can tell us about Christ, about the Good Shepherd who has come to lay down his life for his sheep. Men may write books about Jesus, some even to ridicule and deny the truth of his being, but none can reveal the glory of him in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells. For only the Holy Spirit who breathed the words of Scripture through his servants can reveal the majesty of the King of kings and Lord of lords. We have in our new birth seen the glory of our heavenly Father, who has made us acceptable in his beloved Son, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches his grace.”

The Great Light –Isaiah 9:1-2
Our Scripture lesson begins with these words: “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did nor grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.” The immediate picture that Isaiah paints for us is the darkness of the world brought about by the invading Assyrians. Disobedience had come upon Israel the hand of the Lord God Almighty.
However, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Who can restore light to a people who have loved darkness, who have no hope in their disobedience? Christ Jesus came that this prophecy should be fulfilled: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matt. 4:16). The true meaning of the passage is seen in Christ and His message, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17).
David speaks the words of the Lord in song, praising God for his marvelous light, “And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty that thou mayest bring them down. For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness” (2 Sam. 22:28-29). Those wrapped in the darkness of sin need the saving grace of the Light of the world. This darkness is “the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron,” (Psalm 107:10-11) brought upon by rebellion against the Lord and his Word. We who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ are to bring forth from our lips and lives “the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:6-10).
The deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Babylon is a glorious picture of the deliverance of God’s people from darkness, of the salvation of their souls. The Bible teaches us that all are dead in sins, unable to save themselves, forever living in the land of the shadow of death. It is the Lord Jesus, the Prophet, Priest, and King, who calls upon the dry bones to rise to life. For the Lord God is our resurrection and the life. As the Lord our God has said, “Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put my Spirit in you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:12-14).
Discussion: How is Christ Jesus our light?

The Broken Yoke –Isaiah 9:3-5
Isaiah continues to proclaim the glory of God in the salvation of his people, saying to the Lord, “Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” The KJV rendering of this passage seems to indicate a negative joy because of God’s blessing upon the people. Keil and Delitzsch translated this verse, “Thou multipliest the nation, preparest it great joy; they rejoice before Thee like the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they share the spoil.” The NKJV reads, “You have multiplied the nation / And increased its joy; / They rejoice before You / According to the joy of harvest, / As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” The KJV, in light of the blessing and joy of the Lord, should be understood in this spirit, “The Lord has multiplied the nation, therefore, would he not also increase their joy?”
Keil and Delitzsch comments, “It would be a joy over blessing received, as the figure of the harvest indicates; and joy over evil averted, as the figure of dividing the spoil presupposes: for the division of booty is the business of conquerors. This second figure is not merely a figure: the people that are so joyous are really victorious and triumphant” (Prophecies of Isaiah).
The cause of such a joy is explained by Isaiah. He speaks to the Lord, saying, “For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. The people of God are to remember the burden and affliction that were theirs in the darkness of the oppressor. It was by the awesome sword of the Lord that the Midianites were conquered in the time of Gideon. By broken pitchers the enemy was driven away, to show the glory of God and his mighty works.
The Lord God Almighty is the soul author of our faith, and therefore the only Savior who can deliver us from our sins. It is in Christ alone that we have life, for “In him was life; and the life was the light of men … the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:4, 9). Therefore, we come to Christ to drink of the water whereby we shall never thirst again. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (Jesus, John 4:14).
Discussion: As Christians, why is there much joy in our lives?

The Mighty God Isaiah 9:6-7
A royal throne is placed in the midst of God’s people, a throne upon which sits the Father’s anointed and beloved Son. When the risen Lord chose Paul to be his apostle to the Gentiles, he gave him this commission: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). With his commission from the King of kings, Paul went about “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence” (Acts 28:31).
This is the King of whom we speak when we proclaim the gospel of Christ from the hill of Zion, the Church and Body of Jesus Christ. This is the Christ of whom Isaiah speaks: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace.”
Not only have the people of God been delivered from the oppressor, but they have been given a new Sovereign. He is a Sovereign who not only saves but who cares and provides for them as a Sovereign should. We have a King who has delivered us from the darkness of hell and from the power of Satan. Our King is also our High Priest, who offered himself as a sacrifice on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins. Our King has also guaranteed an inheritance which is holy and eternal.
The prophet has listed a number of titles by which this Sovereign shall be called. To call Him by these names means that we recognize and pay homage to him as the Sovereign King and Savior of our lives. He is wonderful! As our Counselor our King advises and admonishes us according to his wisdom and knowledge, which is eternal and not of this world. As our God, it is in his might and strength that we have victory. As our Everlasting God we have the assurance of an eternal life that he will never let us go, that his work of righteousness endures eternally. As our Father we acknowledge that in him alone we have life that in him we are adopted into the Family of God. As our Prince or Great High Priest we can depend that what he has accomplished upon the cross of Calvary what no one else could. He made peace between us and the Father. Therefore, in the Spirit, we are able to cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Discussion: How do these titles of Christ teach us about the Son in whom dwells the glory of the Godhead?

November - God is Wonderful

2010-11-15T19:02:00.002-06:00

The Wonderful Works of God

November 7, 2010
Lesson: Psalm 9
Key Verse: Psalm 9:1

Introduction
David’s song should be the sung or shouted out by the faithful congregations of whom Christ Jesus is King and Head: “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works” (Psa. 9:1). From our heart our voices will proclaim the glorious works of our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Lord has reveals his glory in his works which are of a divine nature, which are shown in and through his people. We are to honor our Lord who has revealed himself as the Supreme Creator, Savior, and Governor who sustains guides us in all areas of our lives. “David’s language,” writes John Calvin “is an acknowledgement that he was preserved of God, not by ordinary means, but by the special power of God, which was conspicuously displayed in this matter; inasmuch as he had stretched forth his hand in a miraculous manner, and above the common and usual way.”
We look to heaven for a bolt of lightning, some supernatural phenomenon that will wipe away the enemy or clear up our weary eyes, that we may say, “Look and see what the Lord has done!” Our Lord speaks in kindly whispers, with healing in His wings and mercy in his love. With a still small voice he commands the heavens and provides for the salvation of his people. Everything that God does, he does so according to who he is, there is no change in his being or in his purposes. The Lord speaks to us daily in his marvelous Creation, giving us understanding through his wonderful Word, written; and by his Son in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells.
Sarah “laughed” saying, “Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?” The Lord’s reply was, “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son” (Gen. 18:13-14). The Spirit uses the same word that he used in Psalm 9:1; nothing is to ‘hard” or ‘marvelous’ for the Lord! When Moses was appointed as a deliverer of his people, the Lord declared, “And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof; and after that he will let you go” (Ex. 3:20). It is the Lord’s ‘wonders,’ His marvelous works that are always active as He providentially cares for us. When we look for some spectacular bolt from heaven to give us hope, we miss the glorious works of the Lord that permeate our daily lives, the springs of living water that fills our souls. Therefore, we “will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; (we) will show forth all thy marvelous works.”

His Marvelous Works –Psalm 9:1-2/7-10
When Moses was sent to God’s people as a ‘deliverer’ he spoke to the Lord, saying, “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, the God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name?” (Ex. 3:13). By asking the question, “What is his name,” the people would be asking about the authority or character of that person. In other words, by what authority are we to listen, or is he able to accomplish what he has said he will do? Keil & Delitzsch gives us this understanding that by saying, “I am that I am,” God “designated himself by this name as the absolute God of the fathers, acting with unfettered liberty and self-dependence.” I AM THE LORD claims that he alone is the eternal and everlasting God. When the Lord faces the wicked of this world, he alone is the Judge, executing justice, as Scripture testifies, “Let them be confounded and troubled forever; yea, let them be put
to shame and perish; that men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth [incl. Nations]” (Ps. 83:17-18). Zion, or the Church, rejoices because of the righteous judgments of the Lord, “For thou, Lord, art high above the earth; thou art exalted far above all gods (authorities)” (Psa. 97:8-9). There is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved, no other water to satisfy our thirst than the wells of salvation. For “God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation” (Isa. 12:2-3).
David’s eyes are upon the Lord, his lips sing praises, but it is his heart, his whole being that is saturated with praise. Our integrity and sincerity is revealed in our praises. Our praises reveal the truth of who God is according to his Word, that we are faithful in our witness to the Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Only when we know the marvelous works of our Savior, only when we can see with eyes of faith how he has made our hearts warm with his teaching, only when our obedience reveals the law of the Lord, will we truly be able to tell others of his marvelous works. Then we will be able to sing with David, “Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations” (1 Chron. 16:23-24).
There will be much rejoicing in the heart of the Christian, of the Congregations of Christ, of Zion, as the Great Preaching of the Gospel is trumpeted, making disciples of all nations, to the glory of our God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Yea, “We will sing praises to his Name!” For he alone is able to deliver us from the darkness to his marvelous Light!
Discussion: What does it mean to us that God alone is our Authority?

The Lord Shall Endure! –Psalm 9:7-10
The Lord alone is our Righteous Judge and Refuge, in whom we put our faith and trust. The strength of faith is confidence. The strength of belief is conviction. The strength of hope is trust. In other words, the child of God is fully persuaded that the Lord alone is their Deliverer, their Savior, as well as their Creator. He is the Sovereign Lord who shall rule righteously from his eternal throne. We have confidence that the Lord will not fail, that every word he utters will bring about its intended purpose. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3). The ‘worlds’—everything that exists in time and space, was established, his work was finished, complete. They were ‘framed,’ created as he so planned and purposed, organized and providentially cares for. Therefore, we, with confidence, can say the Lord is our Refuge, our Rock, and our Security, “my God, my strength in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psa. 18:2).
Those who are oppressed in times of affliction or trouble will find a refuge, as a cliff that is inaccessible to the enemy. Matthew Henry wrote, “Perhaps God may not immediately appear for them as their deliverer and avenger; but, in the midst of their distresses, they may by faith flee to him as their refuge and may depend upon his power and promise for their safety, so that no real hurt shall be done them.” David encourages those who are in distress, that “they that know thy name will put their trust thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” As we minister to those around us, as we see the disasters that surround the people, we must show them, by our faith in Christ, that the only hope of deliverance is the King of kings, and not the government or programs of men. Our compassion flows with deeds from hearts that trust in the Lord for all things.
Discussion: What does it mean that our faith is strong?

The Mercy of the Lord! –Psalm 9:11-15
David encourages the people of God to sing with him, to declare loudly and in truth, to sing with him to the Lord. Christians in worship forget that when they sing praises, they are singing to the Lord. What words does he hear? Are they the words that the Spirit has written upon our hearts? Is he pleased with our meager and foolish words? The joy of our Savior dwells in our souls, declaring that our God has declared his glory in Christ Jesus. God has revealed his glory in his Word. It is the Lord who teaches us and not us Him. Listen carefully to David’s words as he directs our praises to the Lord, saying that the Almighty Lord, to whom we sing praises, of him who “dwells in Zion!” He is in our midst. And David gives the content of our songs of praise, to “declare among the people His doings!”
We are to sing praises to our Lord, to declare his saving grace among the people. That grace which is sufficient in time of need. For “When (the Lord) makes inquisition for blood, he remembers them; he forgets not the cry of the humble.” The Lord diligently examines the case of those whose blood has been shed; specifically those who have caused the death. The Lord remembers marks them well in his mind, for he loves his own, and will not forget those who are meek before him, those who bow their hearts before him. The blessed ‘Meek’ are those who cry out, “Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death.” What a wonderful picture of the people of God who bow down in humility before their Savior, and the Almighty Lord who bows down with hands of grace. In humility we bow before our Lord, in mercy, unconditional kindness, our Lord reaches into our souls that we may prevail on this earth. With care the Great Shepherd cares for His own sheep: “Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:11-12). There are those who are murderously being persecuted in many places of this world. The Christian finds all kinds of tribulation and hatred from those who hate the Lord. We must learn to “cry out;” to be earnest in our prayers for deliverance from evil. Calvin wrote, “Express mention is made of crying, to encourage all who desire to experience God as their deliverer and protector, to direct their wishes, groanings, and prayers to him.”
Discussion: What does it mean to receive the mercy of the Lord?

Arise, O Lord! –Psalm 9:16-20
How is our Lord known? He is known by the judgment that he executes. His justice is true and righteous. The wicked stand before him and their transgressions are revealed. They receive that which they deserve. For by their own hands will they be condemned. John Calvin understands God’s acts of judgment as an eye-opener to strengthen our faith: “If God, therefore, in this way manifestly display, at any time, the power of his hand, let us learn to open our eyes, that from the judgments which he executes upon the enemies of his Church our faith may be confirmed more and more.” God is our righteous Judge. We are, however, judged in Christ Jesus who satisfied the Father’s justice by receiving what we deserved, eternal punishment for our transgressions and guilt. Because of the righteous judgment of the Lord the wicked “shall turn into hell.” Hell is the place of eternal punishment. Mathew Henry wrote that the “depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.” The deeds of the wicked are like “stolen waters which are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell” (Prov. 9:17-18).
David cries out, “Arise, O Lord!” For man must not prevail, and will not prevail before the Lord. The nations of this world are under the rule of the King of kings and Lord of lords. David’s prayer should well be ours today, “Put [the wicked] in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men.” Men brazenly set themselves as the authority over others, when their office, whether king or senator, mayor or elder, are positions of ministry under the Lord. They foolishly think that by teaching evolution they can rid their responsibility to their Creator. Arise, O Lord! Let their souls fear and bow down before Thee. Let them know their transgressions. For, Thou shalt have no other gods before Thee. Then, with our repentance also, may Thy righteousness exalt the nation, and bring glory to your NAME!
Discussion: In what ways are we able to glorify the name of our Lord?

Our Creator and King

November 14, 2010
Lesson: Psalm 24
Key Verse: Psalm 24:10

Introduction
Our faith rests upon the truth of who God is. We testify to the truth of these words of Scripture: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God” (Psa. 90:2)
At the beginning of the War of the States, Stonewall Jackson was given a commission of Colonel of the Virginia forces and ordered to take command at Harper’s Ferry. Thomas Jackson wrote to his wife, “I expect to leave here about half-past two P.M. today, for Harper’s Ferry. I am thankful to say that an ever-kind Providence who causes ‘all things to work together for good to them that love him,’ has given me the post which I prefer above all others, and has given me an independent command. To His name be all the praise. You must not expect to hear from me very often, as I expect to have more work than I have ever had, in the same length of time, before; but don’t be concerned about me, as an ever-kind Heavenly Father will give all needful aid.” This quote from Jackson’s biography by Robert Dabney shows that the Christian can understand and see in his own life the providential work of our Lord. For, by Scripture, we come to the assurance that our Lord is working all things together for our good and to his glory.

Christ our King
The Son, who rules all nations and its inhabitants, claims such authority or kingship on the grounds that all things belong to him by virtue of the fact that he is the Creator; “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). The Son, who is King and Head of the Church, calls his own to enter into his Kingdom; “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). 3. The Son is the King of Glory, the only one who has entered in the holy of holies, into heaven itself, that we might follow him; “but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12).

The King of Nations
Christ is also the Lord over all nations, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psa. 24:1-2). The Lord, the “I AM” Almighty Triune God, Sovereign and Majestic, is the owner of the earth. All of the contents thereof, are the Lord’s. The world, the globe, and all it inhabitants, belongs to the Lord. “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness” (Ps. 9:8). God governs the world. Therefore, his Creation is called upon to rejoice, “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth; with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity” (Psa. 98:8-9). The Lord has complete authority to rule over his Creation. “The Psalmist here confirms the truth, that men are rightfully under the authority and power of God, so that in all places and countries they ought to acknowledge him as King. And he confirms it from the very order manifested in the creation; for the wonderful providence of God is clearly reflected in the whole face of the earth” (John Calvin).
The Lord “has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.” God created the heaven and the earth. “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2). The Lord established his creation where man or chance could not. We have been given an earth filled with the fullness of God’s gifts. There is nothing wanting in his Creation: “Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty … He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; …by them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation which sing among the branches. …
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth” (Psalm 104).
The Creator, each and every day, reveals his Lordship over the globe and all its inhabitants, over all authorities, whether in the home, business, or governments. “Let us remember,” writes Calvin,1 “whenever each of us contemplates his own nature, that there is one God who so governs all natures that he would have us look unto him, direct our faith to him, and worship and call upon him. For nothing is more preposterous than to enjoy the very remarkable gifts that attest the divine nature within us, yet to overlook the Author who gives them to us at our asking.”

The Kingdom of The Lord
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face O Jacob. Selah” (Psa. 24:3-6). Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, his mount Zion, his holy place? He who has clean hands, innocent, free from guilt. Christ paid the ransom price, took our guilt upon himself and satisfied the justice of God. Those who are adopted of God are enabled to enter His Zion, his Household, his Kingdom of Righteousness. Scripture teaches, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:22-23). Therefore, “he who occupies a place in the church is more related to him. All those, therefore, whom God receives into his flock he calls to holiness; and lays them under obligations to follow it by his adoption” (John Calvin). David Dickson gives us further understanding, “God has chosen a church out of all the earth, to be his peculiar people, with whom he many converse, and to whom he may give privilege of communion for ever with himself; he hath his own holy and high hill, he hath his own holy place, to wit, a holy universal church, represented by the hill of Zion.”

The King of Glory
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory” (Psa. 24:7-10). Christ is anointed “to be our eternal King, who governs us by his word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in (the enjoyment of) that salvation, He has purchased for us” (Heidelberg Catechism).
David saw, as in a mirror, the glory the eternal Kingdom, of whom Christ is the King. Scripture teaches, “For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it” (Psa. 132:13-14). The King of Glory has first entered into his Mount Zion. He entered in triumphantly! The great doors of impregnable curtains were torn apart. Majestic doors were put in its place, Everlasting Doors, permanent divinely established. The King of Glory enters and tabernacles with his people for whom he died.
The angel of the Lord spoke to Mary, “and behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JOSHUA1 (Jesus). He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33). The Son of God is our Lord, strong and mighty. For He alone “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). Therefore, come to Christ your Savior and King, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Ps. 100:4). David Dickson gives this invitation: “We have need again and again to hear the offer of Christ’s grace, and to be wakened up to observe Christ and his glory; need to be exhorted again and again to open our hearts wide to him” Lift up your heads, ye gates.”

For Discussion: What does it mean for Christ to be both King of the Church and of the nations?
Let us continue to bless our Creator and Lord: Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion” (Psalm 134).

Jehovah is Salvation!

November 21, 2010

July 28, 2002
Lesson: Psalm 67:1-8
Key Verse: Psalm 67:3

Introduction
Praise may affect the emotions of a Christian, but praise is not just an emotional experience. The attributes of Praise are, to speak out, to sing, or to confess. Praise is the expression of truth as revealed to us in and through God’s Word. It is the communication of what God has taught us about himself and his creation. Praise is especially seen in the nature and saving work of the Lord. God’s grace and love are revealed in our Praise. In other words, what are we expressing about our Lord and his works in our praise? Our praise always goes before the Lord for it is good (excellent, beautiful, precious): “Praise ye the Lord; for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely (suitable)” (Psalm 147:1).
The term ‘glory’ adds to the word ‘praise’ the depth of the character of the person or thing we are talking about. To glorify God is to show the honor and majesty of his character, and the greatness of his works. His glory is truly revealed in the Son. He prayed, “Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee” (John 17:1). Thus the heaviness and darkness of our sin without Christ weigh heavily as we have been judged by the Lord: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). So we rejoice and give God the full glory, for what was lacking in us was not lacking in Christ. We stand in his stead, with much “joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (4:11).
Discussion: What does it mean to praise and glorify God?

God Be Merciful 67:1-7
We should receive Psalm 67 as a prayer which claims the coming and establishment of the Kingdom of God in this world. It is a Psalm which gives meat to the words which Christ taught us, saying, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, the kingdom come, thy will be done.” Those who belong to the Father, having been adopted into his household, receive blessings of grace and strength in the midst of a warring world.
We come before our Father with knees bent that we might know his blessing. The blessing that we are seeking is that God will “be merciful unto us,” that he will show much favor toward us in Christ. The mercy and loving-kindness that we need comes when our Lord causes “his face to shine upon us.” For the mercy we need comes from the very presence of our Lord. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12). When the Lord causes his countenance to shine upon his people they are most blessed. Our prayer for mercy should always be for the whole church. It is “Our Father” and his kingdom on earth that give acceptance to our prayers. We desire all of God’s people to know his presence; “Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart” (Ps. 4:6-7).
When we pray that the face of the Lord shine upon his church, we are to expect a certain result: “That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” This is the spirit of true evangelism that, not only will people be added to the number, but that they grow in the knowledge of the Lord and the life he would have us live. There is moral fiber to evangelism. For, by the divine authority of Christ Jesus in heaven and in earth, we obey the command, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations . . . Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always” (Matt. 28:18-20). The face of the Lord is always upon us in the keeping of this commission.
Discussion: Why should we pray for the face of the Lord to shine upon us?

Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, is “the saving health among all nations.” The source of saving grace, our salvation, is found in Christ alone. Through Christ alone we come to the Father (John 14:1-7). For the Son gives “eternal life to as many as” the Father has given him; “And this is life eternal, that they might know” the Father, “the only true God, and Jesus Christ” whom the Father has sent (John 17:2-3).
Therefore, the Psalmist calls the people to praise God, to acknowledge him and confess him as he has revealed himself in our salvation: “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.” Out of every nation will come his people, and they will “be glad and sing for joy!” Why? Because the Lord shall “judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.” We have the Lord as our Governor, our Sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords. It is true that the wicked will feel the wrath of his judgment. But those who live in the righteousness of the true King and his moral law will find a character of life that is victorious and joyful.
Thus, the people of God will praise the Lord. “O God; let all the people praise thee!” As the people of the kingdom of God on this earth continue to praise, to acclaim and proclaim the Triune God in voice and life, the earth shall “yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.”
We may wonder at times if the Kingdom of the Son is advancing on this earth; for we are faced with much of the negative through all types of media. Leaders depend upon themselves and their laws to guide them through tragedy after tragedy. However, we look through the eyes of the Lord and his Word. We must ask ourselves what our Lord is doing and how shall we live as subjects of the King. As we receive blessings from our Lord, we hold out this grace before the world. And, because our Lord is blessing his people, “all the ends of the earth shall fear him.” His church shall be victorious. The wars against the church of our Lord and Savior only confirm that his face is shining upon us that he is the King which goes forth in this world, leading his people in the way they should go.
The dragon may blaspheme the name of the Lord through the warlords of this earth. However, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints” (Rev. 13:10). Jesus Christ is the King of kings today. He is the one who is called “Faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. . . . And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:11-16).
God shall bless us and the earth shall fear him! Let all of us continue to praise him! In praise we must stand strong. Therefore, “take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13). “Be but so faithful as to do thy best, and God is so gracious that he will pardon thy worst. David knew this gospel-indulgence when he said, ‘Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments,’ (Ps. cxix.6) – when my eye is to all the commandments. . . . so stands the saints heart to all the commands of God; he presseth on to come nearer and nearer to full obedience. Such a soul shall never be put to shame” (Wm. Gurnall).
Discussion: What does it mean that Christ is our King?

Wonderfully Created

November 28, 2010
Lesson: Psalm 139:1-6, 7-14, 23-24
Key Verse: Psalm 139:14

Introduction
Have you thought about your life in relationship to your Creator? Raise up your soul to heaven and see what God has done, that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Set your eyes upon your own anatomy and you will see that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” You do not have to sit through a class on anatomy to know how complex your body is. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “We cannot begin too soon to bless our Maker, who began so soon to bless us; even in the act of creation he created reasons for our praising his name, ‘For I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ Who can gaze even upon a model of our anatomy with wonder and awe?” David Dickson wrote, “The right sight of God’s workmanship in our very bodies, will force us to praise God’s unspeakable wisdom: ‘I will praise thee; for I am wonderfully made.’
By the counsel and wisdom of the Triune God we were created, created in the image of God. The Lord God “created man male and female; formed the body of man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of man, endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it” (Westminster Larger Catechism, A. 17). The body and the soul were united to express the glory of God. The body will be redeemed as is the soul: “That not only my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ its Head; but also, that this my body, being raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ” (Heidelberg Catechism A. 57). The Scripture reveals the invaluableness of the body: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:42-44). As we look forward to the resurrection of the body, we must, therefore, care for and treat our bodies as precious and able to glorify our Creator.

Thou Hast Searched Me –Psalm 139:1-6
God’s knowledge is perfect. God knows what we need before we ask; and he is working all things together as we pray. He knows exactly our thoughts, motivations, and desires. The Psalmist acknowledges that the Lord has already searched him, and knows him. God already knows, is fully acquainted with who we are. There is nothing about us, past, present, and future, that God does not know. Our Lord has perfect insight into and understanding of us, knowing every action we take. No word that passes our lips is a surprise to God. Before the foundation of the world we were so known by our Creator. We look back and see his hand upon us; today we look and we see his hand upon us; we look ahead and his hand is upon us. “We believe that the same God, after He had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that He rules and governs them according to His holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without His appointment” (Belgic Confession, Article 13).
The Lord knows us and providentially cares for us, “Thou knowest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.” This is further understood in the words of our Savior, “I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14-15). Our paths are made right by the Good Shepherd, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.” For “God’s works of providence are, His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures, and all their actions” (S.C. 11). We cannot attain such knowledge, it “is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Paul writes to the saints at Rome, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counselor?” (Rom. 11:32-33). Let us put our confidence, our faith where it truly belongs, even in the secret counsels of the Almighty God. Therefore, we testify with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, But Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Discussion: Why is it important that we testify to God’s knowledge?

Thou Art With Me –Psalm 139:7-14
Not only does God know our every thought and deed, He is omnipresent. There is no where we can go to flee from the presence of the Lord. If I go to heaven, God is there. If I go to the place of the dead, he is there. If I had wings to fly, or able to swim like a fish, God is where I am. Even in the depth of the sea God will hold my hand. His right hand of authority and salvation will be my strength. Even the darkness cannot hide the presence of God. Darkness and light are the same to the Lord. He is the Creator of darkness and light. Even the darkness of wickedness is under the authority and control of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Christ Jesus.
The night may hinder our sight, but not God’s. Men may do their evil deeds in the dark, thinking that no one will catch them. However, the Lord is always present, knowing our deeds of evil or good. For the Christian there is no darkness, physical or spiritual, in this world that will obstruct the presence of the Lord Jesus. Christ is a friend that is closer than a brother. There is no place we can go that our Savior is not with us, holding us close with his hands. The grave cannot hold us because the Lord has prepared for us a place in the very presence of our heavenly Father. Jesus said, “I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).
The Scripture reveals the preciousness of the life in the womb. The Psalmist testifies, by the Spirit, “For thou hast possessed my reins; thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.” The Lord possesses our very souls, the seat of our love and devotions. The Lord protects us, is our defense even in the wombs of our mothers. Those who abort life as if there is no life are obnoxious, repugnant to God who is the Creator of life. Matthew Henry wrote, “Under the divine inspection; my substance, when hid in the womb, nay, when it was yet but in fieri–in the forming, an unshapen embryo, was not hidden from thee; thy eyes did see my substance. By the divine operation; as the eye of God saw us then, so his hand wrought us; we were his work. According to the divine model; in thy book all my members were written. Eternal wisdom formed the plan, and by that almighty power raised the noble structure.”
Discussion: How precious is that life in the womb to the Lord our Creator and Redeemer?

Thou Wilt Try Me –Psalm 139:23-24
There is something quite awesome in these words: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Two things are declared in the desire of the Psalmist to be examined thoroughly; first is that God knows what is in our hearts, and, second, that we have faith that God will act graciously and just in his examination of our deepest thoughts. Matthew Henry writes, “That God knows all things, is omniscient, that he is everywhere, is omnipresent; truths are acknowledged by all, yet they are seldom rightly believed in by mankind. God takes strict notice of every step we take, every right step and every by-step.” We come to the Word of God to hear what the Lord has to say about himself and us that we may grow in his righteousness and truth. Let the Lord be our examiner that he may test and try us that we may truly die to our sin and live to Christ. The Word of God is made a quickening word to our hearts and souls. The Word is “powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). The Spirit will “see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” For the Lord chastens us, disciplines us in the way of righteousness, “for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness (character of God). Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; never the less, afterward it yeildeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb. 12:10-11).
Discussion: What are we asking for when we pray that God would “try” us?