Mark 12:28-34
As John Grassmick says in the Bible Knowledge Commentary on these verses…”It is a commitment to the Lord that is comprehensive and whole hearted. The heart, as the control center of your life, the soul as your self consciousness, the mind our thought capacity and strength our bodily powers”
And when we learn how to love the Lord like this the result is love for others.
So in this series what I would like to do is help us understand that this type of loving God comes from instituting Spiritual Disciplines in our life.
7th grade seeing another guy with a “note”
(I will never forget the first note from Amy… I cherished it and the main reason why is because I felt like somebody)
The simple fact that God gave us His Word displays we are important.
But some say…
1. I don’t need God and His Word, I know I am important and I have the answers. (Pride and rejection of the Lord)
2. Or the Christian response sometimes is… “I hear you, I know I am important to God, but I don’t really need to spend time learning more about Him or how I should respond to Him unless something is going wrong”. (Ignorance)
My appeal to you tonight is… I want us all to realize that we have the great privilege of having communication from God to us and that means we need spend time reading, memorizing and studying every aspect of it to develop our love for the Lord Jesus.
The Bible is what we should…
• fill our hearts with. (Heart love) How? Psalm 119:9-16 Meditation and memorization
Many times people are only interested in something when they are dealing with it…but as a student of God’s Word, in order to fill your heart in order to spur your heart on to love the Lord, we should expose ourselves to teaching before you deal with them.
When you hear things you “already know” you will reevaluate your life to make sure you are still practicing them. (Lets look at like this we fill our hearts and minds with information that leads to transformation and we need reminders)
I would go so far as to say if there is a Biblically based teaching and you say you got nothing from it. You have some kind of a problem. –maybe with the person teaching it? –maybe it is convicting you? -maybe you are apathetic? -maybe your heart is hard? –maybe you did not pray before you read or heard the Word?
I was never out of my Bible. John Bunyan
• study and question for ourselves. (Mind Love) (my pastor said so should not be your answer) The Bible is everyone’s book Acts 17:10-12 the Berean’s (George Kuhn)
Never let good books take the place of the Bible. Drink from the Well, not from the streams that flow from the Well. Amy Carmichael.
I am a man of one Book. John Wesley.
• pass down to the next generation (Strength love) .Deut 6:7-10 Teach the Scriptures. This is hard physical work.
Much of it is in the delivery (Tom Allen’s illustration about yelling at your kids)
• learn about who to hope in. (Soul love) In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Jesus’ life fulfilled the scriptures to give us salvation GOSPEL
People do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.
Romans 15:4 this is not only true of future hope but it is true of hope in any circumstance we find ourselves in.
Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today--if only we would read and believe. Ronald Reagan
When you start to realize that God’s Word has what you need and offers hope you start to develop a love for it and it becomes something you do not want to live without.
Evangelist Robert L. Sumner tells about him in his book The Wonders of the Word of God. Of a man in Kansas City was severely injured in an explosion. Hiss face was badly disfigured, and he lost his eyesight as well as both hands. He was just a new Christian, and one of his greatest disappointments was that he could no longer read the Bible. Then he heard about a lady in England who read braille with her lips. Hoping to do the same, he sent for some books of the Bible in braille. Much to his dismay, however, he discovered that the nerve endings in his lips had been destroyed by the explosion. One day, as he brought one of the braille pages to his lips, his tongue happened to touch a few of the raised characters and he could feel them. Like a flash he thought, I can read the Bible using my tongue. At the time Robert Sumner wrote his book, the man had "read" through the entire Bible four times.
Through the Discipline of being in God’s Word we learn to love Him with our heart, soul, mind and strength.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
"Seeing Jesus in the Psalms": His Name is Jesus
Community Group Questions
1. Share a time in which your love for another person had to endure a hardship.
2. Share a time in your life that you felt God’s power working through a situation.
3. Do you feel you are known by others as a joyful person?
4. In what area of life do you feel the most needed and useful?
5. How has a broken trust from someone you trusted changed the way you look at Jesus?
This psalm is what is known at Hallel Psalm which is a song of praise about the works of the Lord in the lives of His people.
Most likely the last hymn sung by Jesus with His disciples at the last supper.
Through this Psalm of praise we will learn at least three things.
1. The enduring love of the Lord Vrs 1-4
Enduring love- we should be comforted by the fact His love has staying power and endures even though we do not deserve that love, it is like a pursuing love.
Parent endures under the disobedience of a child. (Prodigal Son)
Why because it is steadfast which means it is firm, pointed with purpose and unwavering.
From the Lord we learn that this is the type of love we need to have for those around us.
As Christians we should endure, when people wrong us. We endure when people don’t follow through with their commitments to us. We endure when things don’t change as quick as we think they should.
Bottom line is we need to emulate the love of the Lord.
Next we will see…
2. What the Lord is capable of giving to you and me. Vrs 5-18
-Salvation Vrs 5 Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13-21
-Someone to trust. Vrs 6-9 Is the One we can trust. Trust in the Lord not in man. (You may not be able to trust anyone)
-Power. Vrs 10-13 We get power from the Lord. “I can do all things through Christ”
-Joy. Vrs 14-16 Salvation should result in joy. In this passage we see the psalmist in song.
Because it is valiant (bold, heroic)
-Purpose Vrs 17 The Lord keeps us alive to bring glory to Him while we are here. People want purpose…ask a child what they want to do when they grow up.
When the Lord does something for us it is a great thing to do to make it known.
-Security Vrs 18 The Lord disciplines those He loves (Tim Keller father illustration I really act like a father when I have to discipline)
The final thing we learn is who the Lord is
3. The Lord’s name is Jesus and He is... This is important because this Psalm never says the name of Jesus but these last 11 verses are clearly about Jesus,
-The Gate Vrs 19-21 Jesus is the gate John 10:1
-The Stone Vrs 22-23 The Messianic value Matt 21:42-44
Jesus is the stone
Jewish leaders are the builders of the nation…the kingdom would be taken from them and given to others Matt 21:43
-The Creator Vrs 24 He is creator of the day John 1:9 “World made through Him”
-The Life Giver Vrs 25 He gives success John 10:10
-The One we waited for. Vrs 26 More prophecy John 12:13
-The Light Vrs 27 He is the light of the world John 12:46 and
-The Sacrifice His sacrifice is that light 1 Cor 5:7 “Christ our Passover lamb has become our sacrifice” GOSPEL
In Conclusion Vrs 28-29 we praise Jesus for what He is capable of doing for us and the fact that His love endures.
1. Share a time in which your love for another person had to endure a hardship.
2. Share a time in your life that you felt God’s power working through a situation.
3. Do you feel you are known by others as a joyful person?
4. In what area of life do you feel the most needed and useful?
5. How has a broken trust from someone you trusted changed the way you look at Jesus?
This psalm is what is known at Hallel Psalm which is a song of praise about the works of the Lord in the lives of His people.
Most likely the last hymn sung by Jesus with His disciples at the last supper.
Through this Psalm of praise we will learn at least three things.
1. The enduring love of the Lord Vrs 1-4
Enduring love- we should be comforted by the fact His love has staying power and endures even though we do not deserve that love, it is like a pursuing love.
Parent endures under the disobedience of a child. (Prodigal Son)
Why because it is steadfast which means it is firm, pointed with purpose and unwavering.
From the Lord we learn that this is the type of love we need to have for those around us.
As Christians we should endure, when people wrong us. We endure when people don’t follow through with their commitments to us. We endure when things don’t change as quick as we think they should.
Bottom line is we need to emulate the love of the Lord.
Next we will see…
2. What the Lord is capable of giving to you and me. Vrs 5-18
-Salvation Vrs 5 Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13-21
-Someone to trust. Vrs 6-9 Is the One we can trust. Trust in the Lord not in man. (You may not be able to trust anyone)
-Power. Vrs 10-13 We get power from the Lord. “I can do all things through Christ”
-Joy. Vrs 14-16 Salvation should result in joy. In this passage we see the psalmist in song.
Because it is valiant (bold, heroic)
-Purpose Vrs 17 The Lord keeps us alive to bring glory to Him while we are here. People want purpose…ask a child what they want to do when they grow up.
When the Lord does something for us it is a great thing to do to make it known.
-Security Vrs 18 The Lord disciplines those He loves (Tim Keller father illustration I really act like a father when I have to discipline)
The final thing we learn is who the Lord is
3. The Lord’s name is Jesus and He is... This is important because this Psalm never says the name of Jesus but these last 11 verses are clearly about Jesus,
-The Gate Vrs 19-21 Jesus is the gate John 10:1
-The Stone Vrs 22-23 The Messianic value Matt 21:42-44
Jesus is the stone
Jewish leaders are the builders of the nation…the kingdom would be taken from them and given to others Matt 21:43
-The Creator Vrs 24 He is creator of the day John 1:9 “World made through Him”
-The Life Giver Vrs 25 He gives success John 10:10
-The One we waited for. Vrs 26 More prophecy John 12:13
-The Light Vrs 27 He is the light of the world John 12:46 and
-The Sacrifice His sacrifice is that light 1 Cor 5:7 “Christ our Passover lamb has become our sacrifice” GOSPEL
In Conclusion Vrs 28-29 we praise Jesus for what He is capable of doing for us and the fact that His love endures.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"Seeing Jesus in the Psalms" The Work of Jesus
Psalm 110 is the only “purely prophetic” meaning it finds its full meaning only in Christ.
From this Psalm we will learn at least 3 things about the work of Jesus. 1. What is the Work of Jesus? 2. Who should be involved in the work of Jesus? & 3. What can we trust about the work of Jesus?
What is the work of Jesus?
Matthew Henry is his commentary states about Psalm 110 “Christ as our Redeemer, executes three roles King (V1,3,5,6)” Prophet (v2), & Priest (v4)
King-a ruler or judge Vrs 1
Prophet-speaks and teaches truth. Vrs 2 proclaiming
Priest-is a go between or a mediator to God Vrs 4
Gen 14:17-24 Melchizedek… King and priest of Salem brought bread and wine as a reminder to Abram after He returned from the defeat of those who were against the Lord, that the Lord was the One who gave Him the victory
Abram’s response was giving a 10th to Melchizedek and total commitment to the Lord
What is our response to the victory we have in Jesus. It should be generosity and commitment.
Who should be involved in the work of Jesus?
-Christians Vrs 3
We should freely offer ourselves in service, we should not be coerced or guilted into working with and for the Lord.
If you are not working for the Lord…
-You will not grow
-You are failing the body of Christ because you are not using your gifts
-You are being disobedient (selfish)
-You will miss out on blessings
“the day of your power in holy garments” Probably a reference to Revelation chapter 19 in which we see all the Christians/saints of all time clothed in “fine linen” at the wedding supper of Jesus after that we then see Jesus riding a white horse out to battle with the saints following Him clothed in “fine linen” riding on white horses do Jesus’ work with Him. (the fine linen “are the righteous deeds of the saints”)
Nelson Study Bible notes say it this way “From the womb of the morning describes the volunteer army in their robust and fresh vigor; they are ready for a holy battle”
We understand through the book of Revelation that at the end of this world there will be a battle and Christ will win…but another question that we must ask is…Is there are battle going on right now that those who are in “holy garments” are in?
The answer is Yes the spiritual battle for souls, the church (us) needs to advancing in battle for the souls of the people in the community. Eph 6
Some of the biggest enemies of the church is the church itself. Parable of Wheat and Weeds
-Laziness (don’t want do anything)
-Comfort (I like the way things are why change it)
-Apathy (I really don’t care)
-Internal struggles (Things have to be my way or there is going to be a problem)
What can we trust in about work of Jesus?
-He does not change His mind.
Vrs 4 this is the way it is…it is only through Jesus.. this is the plan. No matter what culture tells us, no matter how politically incorrect it may sound the Gospel is the Gospel. GOSPEL
We are not going to a get to a certain time in which God says “you know what I am going change that up on you guys”
God in the OT and NT are the same
-He is more powerful. (then anything you can imagine)
Vrs 5
Do you really believe that Jesus is more powerful then anyone or anything? A little test…How do you respond when you are harshly mistreated?
Many times we retaliate and we don’t rest in the fact that God is more powerful and takes care of our enemies.
-He is a just judge. Vrs 6 When Jesus is judging we know that we can trust His judgment. Remember there is no love without righteous judgment.
-He proves to be trustworthy because of His Sacrifice. (humility and exaltation) GOSPEL
Vrs 7Drank from the bitter brook, Romans tells us that “He who did not spare His own son will He not then also graciously give us all things”
We can be sure our salvation is complete through the “Work of Jesus”
From this Psalm we will learn at least 3 things about the work of Jesus. 1. What is the Work of Jesus? 2. Who should be involved in the work of Jesus? & 3. What can we trust about the work of Jesus?
What is the work of Jesus?
Matthew Henry is his commentary states about Psalm 110 “Christ as our Redeemer, executes three roles King (V1,3,5,6)” Prophet (v2), & Priest (v4)
King-a ruler or judge Vrs 1
Prophet-speaks and teaches truth. Vrs 2 proclaiming
Priest-is a go between or a mediator to God Vrs 4
Gen 14:17-24 Melchizedek… King and priest of Salem brought bread and wine as a reminder to Abram after He returned from the defeat of those who were against the Lord, that the Lord was the One who gave Him the victory
Abram’s response was giving a 10th to Melchizedek and total commitment to the Lord
What is our response to the victory we have in Jesus. It should be generosity and commitment.
Who should be involved in the work of Jesus?
-Christians Vrs 3
We should freely offer ourselves in service, we should not be coerced or guilted into working with and for the Lord.
If you are not working for the Lord…
-You will not grow
-You are failing the body of Christ because you are not using your gifts
-You are being disobedient (selfish)
-You will miss out on blessings
“the day of your power in holy garments” Probably a reference to Revelation chapter 19 in which we see all the Christians/saints of all time clothed in “fine linen” at the wedding supper of Jesus after that we then see Jesus riding a white horse out to battle with the saints following Him clothed in “fine linen” riding on white horses do Jesus’ work with Him. (the fine linen “are the righteous deeds of the saints”)
Nelson Study Bible notes say it this way “From the womb of the morning describes the volunteer army in their robust and fresh vigor; they are ready for a holy battle”
We understand through the book of Revelation that at the end of this world there will be a battle and Christ will win…but another question that we must ask is…Is there are battle going on right now that those who are in “holy garments” are in?
The answer is Yes the spiritual battle for souls, the church (us) needs to advancing in battle for the souls of the people in the community. Eph 6
Some of the biggest enemies of the church is the church itself. Parable of Wheat and Weeds
-Laziness (don’t want do anything)
-Comfort (I like the way things are why change it)
-Apathy (I really don’t care)
-Internal struggles (Things have to be my way or there is going to be a problem)
What can we trust in about work of Jesus?
-He does not change His mind.
Vrs 4 this is the way it is…it is only through Jesus.. this is the plan. No matter what culture tells us, no matter how politically incorrect it may sound the Gospel is the Gospel. GOSPEL
We are not going to a get to a certain time in which God says “you know what I am going change that up on you guys”
God in the OT and NT are the same
-He is more powerful. (then anything you can imagine)
Vrs 5
Do you really believe that Jesus is more powerful then anyone or anything? A little test…How do you respond when you are harshly mistreated?
Many times we retaliate and we don’t rest in the fact that God is more powerful and takes care of our enemies.
-He is a just judge. Vrs 6 When Jesus is judging we know that we can trust His judgment. Remember there is no love without righteous judgment.
-He proves to be trustworthy because of His Sacrifice. (humility and exaltation) GOSPEL
Vrs 7Drank from the bitter brook, Romans tells us that “He who did not spare His own son will He not then also graciously give us all things”
We can be sure our salvation is complete through the “Work of Jesus”
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
"Seeing Jesus in the Psalms" Jesus the Conqueror
Psalm 68 “Jesus the Conqueror” this Psalm is a Victories (King)Messiah over the power of His enemies.
What we will learn is Jesus conquers &…
Some fear and some praise Vrs 1-6
-Enemies fear because they are against Him and His power is greater then theirs.
-Those who trust the Lord find comfort and therefore praise Him for things like…
-Fathers the fatherless
-Protector of the widow
A good king takes care of the downtrodden and those in need
-Leads prisoners out (delivers)
Traditionally when a King would conquer his enemy he would go and retrieve and release the prisoners
Q1. Which side are you on… “fearing” or “praising”? GOSPEL
It reminds us of what He is capable of. Verses 7-18
This would be a reference of how God delivered the Israelites into the promised land. David would be singing this to remind himself and others that God is far more then capable to deliver His people through any difficult time.
It is a staunch reminder that we can have faith in the Lord because He has kept His promises.
We as Christians need to spend time reflecting on what the Lord has done in our lives to be reminded that He is capable of bringing us through whatever we are going through.
Often times we get to where we are in life and forget to praise the Lord for what He did. We feel like we delivered ourselves.
Q2 What has God done in your life that it is evident now that it was only possible because of Him?
____
I want to point out Vrs 18 is where are Messianic value of this psalm hinges.
Vrs 18 “Leading a host of captives in your train”
We were prisoners to sin and now we are delivered and not turn back to prison but to use our gifts in service of the King.
You see we are no able to be effective without Jesus empowering us.
Ephesians 4:8 gives us the reason why God led us out of the slavery of sin…
The chapter talks about how Christians need to be unified and work together and serve one another and the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
To give you a clearer picture it is like we were captured by the enemy and then Jesus came and conquered set us free and then enlisted us into His service and gave us gifts to serve and be His people and His church in the world until He comes back.
Then Ephesians 4 talks about our new life with Jesus, no longer are we slaves to sin but we are children and servants of King Jesus to do His work. This means that we should not fall back into what we used to be…a prisoner.
When we see the work of God’s people the church on this earth it makes us realize that He is capable of using us…sinful people, who were once incapable prisoners… to do His work.
It saves His people Vrs 19-31
-Our personal sin v 19-20 GOSPEL
-Deliverance of His people. Vrs 21-33
For the people of Israel it meant that only their King (the Lord) can save His people.
For us that means that God takes care of His church (gates of hell shall not prevail)
The church in general has suffered many attacks but Jesus still uses His church. But we need to continue to pray for the church globally and locally because we are the representative of Jesus on the earth.
Q3 What would you like to see us as church do better?
Please start praying about how the Lord may use you as an agent of change.
We should respond in praise Vrs 32-35
When I read this it makes me realize a Christian without joy is contradiction in terms.
Our praise should be to the Lord and for others to see how great He is. This is the reason why when a battle is won we have parties and parades, because for so long we were in misery but deliverance has come so we have a good time and praise.
What we will learn is Jesus conquers &…
Some fear and some praise Vrs 1-6
-Enemies fear because they are against Him and His power is greater then theirs.
-Those who trust the Lord find comfort and therefore praise Him for things like…
-Fathers the fatherless
-Protector of the widow
A good king takes care of the downtrodden and those in need
-Leads prisoners out (delivers)
Traditionally when a King would conquer his enemy he would go and retrieve and release the prisoners
Q1. Which side are you on… “fearing” or “praising”? GOSPEL
It reminds us of what He is capable of. Verses 7-18
This would be a reference of how God delivered the Israelites into the promised land. David would be singing this to remind himself and others that God is far more then capable to deliver His people through any difficult time.
It is a staunch reminder that we can have faith in the Lord because He has kept His promises.
We as Christians need to spend time reflecting on what the Lord has done in our lives to be reminded that He is capable of bringing us through whatever we are going through.
Often times we get to where we are in life and forget to praise the Lord for what He did. We feel like we delivered ourselves.
Q2 What has God done in your life that it is evident now that it was only possible because of Him?
____
I want to point out Vrs 18 is where are Messianic value of this psalm hinges.
Vrs 18 “Leading a host of captives in your train”
We were prisoners to sin and now we are delivered and not turn back to prison but to use our gifts in service of the King.
You see we are no able to be effective without Jesus empowering us.
Ephesians 4:8 gives us the reason why God led us out of the slavery of sin…
The chapter talks about how Christians need to be unified and work together and serve one another and the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
To give you a clearer picture it is like we were captured by the enemy and then Jesus came and conquered set us free and then enlisted us into His service and gave us gifts to serve and be His people and His church in the world until He comes back.
Then Ephesians 4 talks about our new life with Jesus, no longer are we slaves to sin but we are children and servants of King Jesus to do His work. This means that we should not fall back into what we used to be…a prisoner.
When we see the work of God’s people the church on this earth it makes us realize that He is capable of using us…sinful people, who were once incapable prisoners… to do His work.
It saves His people Vrs 19-31
-Our personal sin v 19-20 GOSPEL
-Deliverance of His people. Vrs 21-33
For the people of Israel it meant that only their King (the Lord) can save His people.
For us that means that God takes care of His church (gates of hell shall not prevail)
The church in general has suffered many attacks but Jesus still uses His church. But we need to continue to pray for the church globally and locally because we are the representative of Jesus on the earth.
Q3 What would you like to see us as church do better?
Please start praying about how the Lord may use you as an agent of change.
We should respond in praise Vrs 32-35
When I read this it makes me realize a Christian without joy is contradiction in terms.
Our praise should be to the Lord and for others to see how great He is. This is the reason why when a battle is won we have parties and parades, because for so long we were in misery but deliverance has come so we have a good time and praise.
Monday, June 20, 2011
"Seeing Jesus in the Psalms" The Glory of King Jesus
Psalm 45 The Glory of Jesus Glory = greatness and majesty
Relationship with God and His people like a wedding.
-The response to His Glory V1 Psalmist praising the Lord (King)
When we see something amazing we are normally inclined to respond.
J.S. Bach said, "All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub."
-Description of His Glory Verses 2-8 (the Groom)
Vrs 2a handsome and gracious speech. The appearance of the Lord in eternity.
V2b Reign is forever
V3 Protector
V4-5 Conqueror
Verese 6-7 Character is excellent Go to Hebrews 1:1-9 (Messianic value)
Righteousness and joy
Verses 8 Possessions are Excellent
Ivory palace
This psalm we see is about an Ordinary man but not ordinary man.
-Impact of His Glory (on His bride…the church) Verses 9-15 Heb 2:10 “many sons to glory” He brings us with Him
The union of Christ with His people We are the bride Our glory is Jesus
Emphasis is her relationship with the king.
***Men we have to remember if we have a bitter wife and unruly children we have to look at ourselves because they will reflect us to some degree. Maybe we are treating them the wrong way and they are responding to that. That does not excuse their actions but it does bring a reminder of the mans responsibility.
V9 at His right hand (We should always be looking at what the Lord wants us to do)
V10 she looks forward to her commitment in marriage (leave and cleave, the Lord is more important then family))
V11 He delights in her (The Lord delights in us)
V11 honors Him as her Lord. Honor the King as your Lord, know “whose” you are.
V 12 Others begin to notice her place of importance (your testimony will dictate how the world outside treats you)
V 13 She is blessed (we are blessed)
F.E. Marsh has pointed out some of God's blessings:
An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).
V14 led to Him (the more we pursue purity from sin the closer we get to Jeus James 4:8 Draw near)
V15 Enters His palace. We are able to enter into the Lord’s presence through prayer and when we leave this earth we will go to the house of the Lord.
We are impacted by the Glory of Jesus Its not about us its about Jesus… His Glory shines through us and is passed down.
-His Glory continues. Verses 16-17
Vrs 16 children loyal children are the fruit of this marriage. Christians make more Christians
The bride is the means by which the King brings birth to royal children. A call to evangelism.
It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction. Christian Theology in Plain Language
What do you do when your child just does not want to be involved? Explain our purpose.
Vrs 17 How you handle your family situations can cause others to recognize who the Lord is.
Closing Rev 19:6-8
Relationship with God and His people like a wedding.
-The response to His Glory V1 Psalmist praising the Lord (King)
When we see something amazing we are normally inclined to respond.
J.S. Bach said, "All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub."
-Description of His Glory Verses 2-8 (the Groom)
Vrs 2a handsome and gracious speech. The appearance of the Lord in eternity.
V2b Reign is forever
V3 Protector
V4-5 Conqueror
Verese 6-7 Character is excellent Go to Hebrews 1:1-9 (Messianic value)
Righteousness and joy
Verses 8 Possessions are Excellent
Ivory palace
This psalm we see is about an Ordinary man but not ordinary man.
-Impact of His Glory (on His bride…the church) Verses 9-15 Heb 2:10 “many sons to glory” He brings us with Him
The union of Christ with His people We are the bride Our glory is Jesus
Emphasis is her relationship with the king.
***Men we have to remember if we have a bitter wife and unruly children we have to look at ourselves because they will reflect us to some degree. Maybe we are treating them the wrong way and they are responding to that. That does not excuse their actions but it does bring a reminder of the mans responsibility.
V9 at His right hand (We should always be looking at what the Lord wants us to do)
V10 she looks forward to her commitment in marriage (leave and cleave, the Lord is more important then family))
V11 He delights in her (The Lord delights in us)
V11 honors Him as her Lord. Honor the King as your Lord, know “whose” you are.
V 12 Others begin to notice her place of importance (your testimony will dictate how the world outside treats you)
V 13 She is blessed (we are blessed)
F.E. Marsh has pointed out some of God's blessings:
An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5).
A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (I Colossians 3:21-23).
A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9).
V14 led to Him (the more we pursue purity from sin the closer we get to Jeus James 4:8 Draw near)
V15 Enters His palace. We are able to enter into the Lord’s presence through prayer and when we leave this earth we will go to the house of the Lord.
We are impacted by the Glory of Jesus Its not about us its about Jesus… His Glory shines through us and is passed down.
-His Glory continues. Verses 16-17
Vrs 16 children loyal children are the fruit of this marriage. Christians make more Christians
The bride is the means by which the King brings birth to royal children. A call to evangelism.
It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction. Christian Theology in Plain Language
What do you do when your child just does not want to be involved? Explain our purpose.
Vrs 17 How you handle your family situations can cause others to recognize who the Lord is.
Closing Rev 19:6-8
Sunday, June 12, 2011
"Seeing Jesus in the Psalms" Jesus and Karma
Psalm 41
Community Group Questions
1. Have you ever did something good and reaped a reward?
2. Have you ever did something good and something bad happened to you?
3. Have you ever paid the consequence for a personal sin?
4. Have you ever did something bad and it seems like you got away with it?
5. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is willing to pay your sin debt?
6. How have you been acting like Jesus to those around you?
Read verse 1. As I read this first I stopped and had this thought…”this sounds like Karma” Many of you have herd of the concept of Karma, you may have herd about it in two different ways…religious as in Buddhism or Hinduism which pretty much states. “The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.” It is about balance bad needs to be paid for and good is rewarded. And pop culture Karma which pretty much states “what goes around comes around”
Now the problem with the first is that the Bible does not teach reincarnation and the problem with the second is that it does not always work. (Example a person doing good gets injured, a hard working honest person loses their job and good wife or husband fall victim to a cheating spouse and the list goes on). But then it reminds of a Biblical concept of “Reaping what we have sown”. Which then leads us to the question… Do we really reap what we sow? The answer is yes and no. Why? Because we have to look at the temporal life (here and now) and eternal life (eternity)
I read a book this week called “The Karma of Jesus” Do we really reap what we sow? By Mark Herringshaw
In the book he dealt with these issues by sharing a dialogue he had with a skeptical Karma trusting student that raised some questions in one of his lectures.
Tonight we are looking at Psalm 41 and I believe it teaches us at least three things in regards to the concept of “Reaping and sowing”
Verses 1-3 The Lord Rewards good deeds.
Vrs 1 Do good and the Lord rewards
Vrs 2 Matthew Henry says to this passage “The goodwill of God that loves us is sufficient to secure us against the ill will of those who hate us”
We will endure hardships from the doings of others but God will bring us through those suffering and troubled times. As we have seen in our last two Psalms that we studied.
Vrs 3 Sustaining power of the Lord to heal those who are spiritually sick
This passage leads us to a question… Does Jesus reward or give good health to people that “consider the poor”? Is this a hard and fast rule? Galatians 6:6-10 sheds some light on that.
Temporally we can say this does not always work but Galatians 6 tells us that in “due season” when we do good we will reap a eternal reward.
Verses 4-9 Sin has to be paid for.
Verses 4 Prayer of confession and healing for his sinful condition.
Verses 5-8 enemies take advantage of his vulnerable condition and are kicking him when he is down. Could possibly be referring to his personal sin that affected others made enemies for him.
In life we realize that when we sin against others it can get very ugly, relationships are broken. Maybe you have spoken hurtful words to another person. Maybe you let someone down, maybe your lack of concern discouraged someone. The list goes on, but the bottom line is our personal sin can radically affect others.
Verse 9 True of David 2 Sam 16:20-17:3, 23 Ahithophel betrayed David and hung himself.
True of Jesus John 13:18 betrayal by Judas. (Messianic value)
Maybe you have felt betrayed by someone…Maybe you felt betrayed by God because you did good but it seems like only bad is coming in return. Realize this Jesus was betrayed on your behalf.
To be sure in eternity there is reward for good and there is payment for sin and that is exactly the reason why we need Jesus to step in. Grace breaks in and changes the way of things.
Verses 10-13 Grace breaks in
Verse 10 “Be gracious” don’t give me what I deserve and…
Verse 11 show me
Bono “At the heart of every world religion is the idea of Karma, yet along comes this idea of Grace comes in”
“I would be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge…It does not excuse my mistakes, but I am holding out for Grace. I am holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the cross. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and our sinful nature does not reap obvious death”
Jesus reaped what we have sown.
Herringshaw said in his book. When we start to realize there has to be a payment people respond in different ways.
1. Deny the crisis
2. Attempt a bit of magic (figure out a cover-up)
3. Look for a loophole (a way out)
4. Concede and throw ourselves on the mercy of the judge and ask for grace
On the Cross Jesus said a few phrases one we looked at last week “My God, My God”
2 others were saying…
-Jesus asked the Father to forgive (I am willing to forgive)
-Said to the prisoner today you will be with me in paradise (I have forgiven because you believe I can)
E. Stanly Jones says “Buddhism says that life is suffering: What is wrong. Hinduism says that life is Karma: What is right.
But Jesus says life is exchange: What is, can be made right.”
We reap what we sow…but not entirely because Jesus stepped in and reaped death because we have sown sin.
Vrsw 12 The reward “His presence” in our lives now and forever.
In conclusion… As Christians…If we are rewarded for the good we do and escape payment for the sin…how do we respond?
Someone once said it like this…In Jesus’ ugly death He becomes us, in life we need to become Jesus.
Vrs 13 Doxology closing of book 1
Community Group Questions
1. Have you ever did something good and reaped a reward?
2. Have you ever did something good and something bad happened to you?
3. Have you ever paid the consequence for a personal sin?
4. Have you ever did something bad and it seems like you got away with it?
5. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is willing to pay your sin debt?
6. How have you been acting like Jesus to those around you?
Read verse 1. As I read this first I stopped and had this thought…”this sounds like Karma” Many of you have herd of the concept of Karma, you may have herd about it in two different ways…religious as in Buddhism or Hinduism which pretty much states. “The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.” It is about balance bad needs to be paid for and good is rewarded. And pop culture Karma which pretty much states “what goes around comes around”
Now the problem with the first is that the Bible does not teach reincarnation and the problem with the second is that it does not always work. (Example a person doing good gets injured, a hard working honest person loses their job and good wife or husband fall victim to a cheating spouse and the list goes on). But then it reminds of a Biblical concept of “Reaping what we have sown”. Which then leads us to the question… Do we really reap what we sow? The answer is yes and no. Why? Because we have to look at the temporal life (here and now) and eternal life (eternity)
I read a book this week called “The Karma of Jesus” Do we really reap what we sow? By Mark Herringshaw
In the book he dealt with these issues by sharing a dialogue he had with a skeptical Karma trusting student that raised some questions in one of his lectures.
Tonight we are looking at Psalm 41 and I believe it teaches us at least three things in regards to the concept of “Reaping and sowing”
Verses 1-3 The Lord Rewards good deeds.
Vrs 1 Do good and the Lord rewards
Vrs 2 Matthew Henry says to this passage “The goodwill of God that loves us is sufficient to secure us against the ill will of those who hate us”
We will endure hardships from the doings of others but God will bring us through those suffering and troubled times. As we have seen in our last two Psalms that we studied.
Vrs 3 Sustaining power of the Lord to heal those who are spiritually sick
This passage leads us to a question… Does Jesus reward or give good health to people that “consider the poor”? Is this a hard and fast rule? Galatians 6:6-10 sheds some light on that.
Temporally we can say this does not always work but Galatians 6 tells us that in “due season” when we do good we will reap a eternal reward.
Verses 4-9 Sin has to be paid for.
Verses 4 Prayer of confession and healing for his sinful condition.
Verses 5-8 enemies take advantage of his vulnerable condition and are kicking him when he is down. Could possibly be referring to his personal sin that affected others made enemies for him.
In life we realize that when we sin against others it can get very ugly, relationships are broken. Maybe you have spoken hurtful words to another person. Maybe you let someone down, maybe your lack of concern discouraged someone. The list goes on, but the bottom line is our personal sin can radically affect others.
Verse 9 True of David 2 Sam 16:20-17:3, 23 Ahithophel betrayed David and hung himself.
True of Jesus John 13:18 betrayal by Judas. (Messianic value)
Maybe you have felt betrayed by someone…Maybe you felt betrayed by God because you did good but it seems like only bad is coming in return. Realize this Jesus was betrayed on your behalf.
To be sure in eternity there is reward for good and there is payment for sin and that is exactly the reason why we need Jesus to step in. Grace breaks in and changes the way of things.
Verses 10-13 Grace breaks in
Verse 10 “Be gracious” don’t give me what I deserve and…
Verse 11 show me
Bono “At the heart of every world religion is the idea of Karma, yet along comes this idea of Grace comes in”
“I would be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge…It does not excuse my mistakes, but I am holding out for Grace. I am holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the cross. The point of the death of Christ is that Christ took on the sins of the world, so that what we put out did not come back to us, and our sinful nature does not reap obvious death”
Jesus reaped what we have sown.
Herringshaw said in his book. When we start to realize there has to be a payment people respond in different ways.
1. Deny the crisis
2. Attempt a bit of magic (figure out a cover-up)
3. Look for a loophole (a way out)
4. Concede and throw ourselves on the mercy of the judge and ask for grace
On the Cross Jesus said a few phrases one we looked at last week “My God, My God”
2 others were saying…
-Jesus asked the Father to forgive (I am willing to forgive)
-Said to the prisoner today you will be with me in paradise (I have forgiven because you believe I can)
E. Stanly Jones says “Buddhism says that life is suffering: What is wrong. Hinduism says that life is Karma: What is right.
But Jesus says life is exchange: What is, can be made right.”
We reap what we sow…but not entirely because Jesus stepped in and reaped death because we have sown sin.
Vrsw 12 The reward “His presence” in our lives now and forever.
In conclusion… As Christians…If we are rewarded for the good we do and escape payment for the sin…how do we respond?
Someone once said it like this…In Jesus’ ugly death He becomes us, in life we need to become Jesus.
Vrs 13 Doxology closing of book 1
Monday, June 6, 2011
"Seeing Jesus in the Psalms": Jesus Delivers in Suffering"
Psalm 22 “Jesus Delivers in Suffering”
Community Group Questions
1. Have you ever been caught in the rut of just “crying out” during suffering?
2. Have you had an experience in life in which suffering led to a blessing?
3. Have you ever had someone ridicule you because of your faith?
4. Have you ever had a situation in which you felt that the hand of God drastically changed things?
5. Do you take the time and praise Him for what He has done in your life?
Sermon
As a pastor many times I feel very inadequate when people are experiencing suffering because I really have come to the conclusion that I can be there but there is nothing that I can say or do that will stop the suffering the individual is going through. Through the study of this Psalm it has become clear to me that when we observe the suffering of Jesus and the anguish that He went through not only does He know how suffering feels to the fullest extent but this Psalm teaches us that at the end of the day…during suffering all that you really have is the Lord…it really is about your relationship with Him and even at the lowest time when it seems that He has abandoned you…He is ultimately there to provide deliverance but the deliverance may not look the way you think it should.
Written over 1000 years before Christ “Typico-prophetic Messianic Psalm” = Psalmist uses language to describe his personal experience, but the language goes beyond his experience , and becomes historically true only in the Lord. (Dr. Allen Ross)
In many senses this Psalm coupled with Christ’s sufferings on the cross typifies every Christians sufferings.
-We cry out. The common response to suffering
Vrs 1-2 “Why does Jesus say this” because that in a nutshell is what suffering feels like and Jesus felt it because of our sin.
Suffering feels like we have been abandoned, feels like there is no way our, feels like we want to go back in time, feels like we want someone to say it is going to be alright, etc.
Is there a way out of this?
Jesus is appropriating the entire Psalm to Himself. This means He will never abandon us because He abandoned Christ in our place.
-We see how God worked in the past. 3-5 I see what you are capable of. It is an act of trust to say to the Father I believe you have what is best in mind for me. It is important for us as Christians to look at the faith of those before us.
It is a great comfort and help to learn and be encouraged by those that God delivered from certain suffering.
Whether it was suffering due to personal sin like Chuck Colson who was incarcerated in 1974 for covering up the Watergate burglary, then went on to become a Christian and start a worldwide ministry in 113 different nations called Prison Fellowship to help rehabilitate prisoners and lead them to Jesus. Not only that but author over a dozen books and a radio teacher. God used his high profile sinful decision to bring Him to Himself and then go to use Him for His glory.
Or random suffering because we live in sin wrought world and suffering happens like Charlotte Elliot who was confined to bed for 50 years with a debilitating disease the doctors could not figure out. Wrote “Just as I am”
-We are ridiculed for trusting Him. How some will react to us when we trust the Lord in suffering
Verses 6-8 What people say to those who suffer that trust the Lord. As a Christian when you suffer it sometimes becomes and opportunity for the unbelieving to mock your faith. We see that in Job when his wife tells him to curse God. We see that in Jesus’ crucifixion
When we are mocked it makes us angry at those who mock but there is a temptation to be angry with God because He has not delivered.
-We realize He is with us. God is there in the suffering. Verses 9-11 Jesus is the example of that. I know Jesus is with me when I suffer because of this next passage
-We look at Jesus’ suffering. Verses 12-18 Suffering can get ugly. Jesus suffering for sins (ultimately sin separates)
We go it alone with the Lord when we suffer. If your relationship with the Lord is not solid it will not go well. Others can not have faith for you. When sin is present there will always be suffering and that was what Jesus was suffering for.
As ugly as it can get God can use it in your life.
Somerset Maugham, the English writer, once wrote a story about a janitor at St Peter's Church in London. One day a young priest discovered that the janitor was illiterate and fired him. Jobless, the man invested his meager savings in a tiny tobacco shop, where he prospered, bought another, expanded, and ended up with a chain of tobacco stores worth several hundred thousand dollars. One day the man's banker said, "You've done well for an illiterate, but where would you be if you could read and write?" "Well," replied the man, "I'd be janitor of St. Peter's Church in Neville Square."
Helen Keller said "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. How?
-We pray through it. Petition Verses 19-21 (keeping focus) Remember it is all about your relationship with the Lord that will see you through.
-We praise Jesus for deliverance. Allow the situation to result in praise.
The overlying theme of this praise is to make it known to others what the Lord has done. David shared with the congregation what the Lord did for him. Verses 22-31 (Read and comment)
Maybe you have not been delivered from suffering yet and you don’t feel like praising Him. You still have a deliverance to praise Him for and tell others about…salvation the GOSPEL
Community Group Questions
1. Have you ever been caught in the rut of just “crying out” during suffering?
2. Have you had an experience in life in which suffering led to a blessing?
3. Have you ever had someone ridicule you because of your faith?
4. Have you ever had a situation in which you felt that the hand of God drastically changed things?
5. Do you take the time and praise Him for what He has done in your life?
Sermon
As a pastor many times I feel very inadequate when people are experiencing suffering because I really have come to the conclusion that I can be there but there is nothing that I can say or do that will stop the suffering the individual is going through. Through the study of this Psalm it has become clear to me that when we observe the suffering of Jesus and the anguish that He went through not only does He know how suffering feels to the fullest extent but this Psalm teaches us that at the end of the day…during suffering all that you really have is the Lord…it really is about your relationship with Him and even at the lowest time when it seems that He has abandoned you…He is ultimately there to provide deliverance but the deliverance may not look the way you think it should.
Written over 1000 years before Christ “Typico-prophetic Messianic Psalm” = Psalmist uses language to describe his personal experience, but the language goes beyond his experience , and becomes historically true only in the Lord. (Dr. Allen Ross)
In many senses this Psalm coupled with Christ’s sufferings on the cross typifies every Christians sufferings.
-We cry out. The common response to suffering
Vrs 1-2 “Why does Jesus say this” because that in a nutshell is what suffering feels like and Jesus felt it because of our sin.
Suffering feels like we have been abandoned, feels like there is no way our, feels like we want to go back in time, feels like we want someone to say it is going to be alright, etc.
Is there a way out of this?
Jesus is appropriating the entire Psalm to Himself. This means He will never abandon us because He abandoned Christ in our place.
-We see how God worked in the past. 3-5 I see what you are capable of. It is an act of trust to say to the Father I believe you have what is best in mind for me. It is important for us as Christians to look at the faith of those before us.
It is a great comfort and help to learn and be encouraged by those that God delivered from certain suffering.
Whether it was suffering due to personal sin like Chuck Colson who was incarcerated in 1974 for covering up the Watergate burglary, then went on to become a Christian and start a worldwide ministry in 113 different nations called Prison Fellowship to help rehabilitate prisoners and lead them to Jesus. Not only that but author over a dozen books and a radio teacher. God used his high profile sinful decision to bring Him to Himself and then go to use Him for His glory.
Or random suffering because we live in sin wrought world and suffering happens like Charlotte Elliot who was confined to bed for 50 years with a debilitating disease the doctors could not figure out. Wrote “Just as I am”
-We are ridiculed for trusting Him. How some will react to us when we trust the Lord in suffering
Verses 6-8 What people say to those who suffer that trust the Lord. As a Christian when you suffer it sometimes becomes and opportunity for the unbelieving to mock your faith. We see that in Job when his wife tells him to curse God. We see that in Jesus’ crucifixion
When we are mocked it makes us angry at those who mock but there is a temptation to be angry with God because He has not delivered.
-We realize He is with us. God is there in the suffering. Verses 9-11 Jesus is the example of that. I know Jesus is with me when I suffer because of this next passage
-We look at Jesus’ suffering. Verses 12-18 Suffering can get ugly. Jesus suffering for sins (ultimately sin separates)
We go it alone with the Lord when we suffer. If your relationship with the Lord is not solid it will not go well. Others can not have faith for you. When sin is present there will always be suffering and that was what Jesus was suffering for.
As ugly as it can get God can use it in your life.
Somerset Maugham, the English writer, once wrote a story about a janitor at St Peter's Church in London. One day a young priest discovered that the janitor was illiterate and fired him. Jobless, the man invested his meager savings in a tiny tobacco shop, where he prospered, bought another, expanded, and ended up with a chain of tobacco stores worth several hundred thousand dollars. One day the man's banker said, "You've done well for an illiterate, but where would you be if you could read and write?" "Well," replied the man, "I'd be janitor of St. Peter's Church in Neville Square."
Helen Keller said "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. How?
-We pray through it. Petition Verses 19-21 (keeping focus) Remember it is all about your relationship with the Lord that will see you through.
-We praise Jesus for deliverance. Allow the situation to result in praise.
The overlying theme of this praise is to make it known to others what the Lord has done. David shared with the congregation what the Lord did for him. Verses 22-31 (Read and comment)
Maybe you have not been delivered from suffering yet and you don’t feel like praising Him. You still have a deliverance to praise Him for and tell others about…salvation the GOSPEL
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)