A Study in Colossians Week 04

Colossians 4 1-18

Verse 1 actually belongs in Chapter 3, as it is a continuation of what our attitudes must be if we really know Christ. Our attitudes are not the results of rules, but a response to the One who gave us so great a salvation.

The Verses

2-6 If we know and love Christ, the evidence will be that we speak with Him in prayer, walk in His wisdom and speak of Him with enthusiasm.

Paul was in prison and yet wanted to be certain that he reacted correctly.

You need to know how to explain the gospel so that others will understand their choice: to accept Christ or not.

7-15 This section is similar to Romans 16. It is a roster of believers who lived, moved and had their being in the pagan culture of the Roman Empire and yet lived for Christ.

Tychius was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Ephesus.

Onesimus (whom we will study in our next book: Philemon) was a slave who belonged to Philemon.

Aristarchus was Paul’s friend in prison, as were Mark and Justus. They were “converted” Jews, who worked with Paul to spread the gospel.

Epaphras was the pastor at Colosse, but was in prison, too.

Luke was the beloved physician.

16-17 Here Paul encourages the Colossians to share his letter with the Laodiceans. (You can learn more about that church in the book of the Revelation of of Christ, chapter 3, verses 14-22).

Finally, in verse 18, Paul informs the Colossians that he has written this letter in his “own hand,” in order that they would know that it was he who was teaching them and that they would know that he meant what he said.

“Remember my Chains” had become a motto of those who took over the witnessing of the gospel after Paul was imprisoned.

His final exhortation was for the Colossians to grasp the grace (God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense) that had been poured out upon them.

Colossians’ themes are: faith; love, hope and unity.

The OBJECT of the Epistle is to counteract the false teachings that had emerged in the church, by setting before the Colossians their true standing in Christ alone (exclusive of all others), the majesty of His person, and the completeness of the redemption He has given us.

Those false teachers were teaching wrong things to the Christians at Colossae. The false teachers were saying that the Christians must be more like the Jews. ‘You must obey the same rules that God wanted the *Jews to obey’, they were saying.

You must learn to identify false teachers.

The key to identifying false teachers is their treatment of Christ and the meaning of His gospel.

Paul taught that the Colossians (and, indeed all Christians) ought to be conformed to their risen Lord, and to exhibit that conformity in unity in their daily lives.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Were It Not for Grace-Larnelle Harris

A Study in Colossians Week 03

Colossians 3 1-25

1-4 The Greek word translated “if” in KJV or “since” in the NIV is “ei”: a primary particle of conductivity. That means it connects this thought to the previous.

Paul had been speaking about being set free from the Law (remember: it was nailed to the cross.) by having Christ in your heart. That is assumed as the beginning point for what follows.

In other words: because of your new relationship with God through Christ, you should focus on those things that are the opposite of what this world has to offer.

Verse 3 is one of dozens in the New Testament that speak of “dying to self-interests.” (Romans 6:8, 11, 13, etc.)

In verse 4 we are reminded that Christ IS our life. (John 1:4 - “In Him was life…” Romans 6:13 - “…brought from death to life…” II Corinthians 3:6 – “…the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” Galatians 2:19 – “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God”)

5-11 “Put to death…” demands that we make a specific effort to rid our lives of worldly things. Paul gives us a list, not of rules, but of examples of the kinds of things we should put to death by faith in Christ.

12-14 Any time you remove something from your life, you create a vacuum that must be filled. If you don’t deliberately fill that vacuum with something, something you might not like will fill it. So, choose to fill your life with things of the Spirit: compassion, kindness, humility, patience, etc.

15-17 “Let” implies that you have both a choice and the power to allow Christ’s peace to rule your heart.

Paul reiterates his “unity” theme of being one body in Christ. Have an attitude of gratitude, stay in the Word. Admonish each other (not to be confused with lecture), but do it with wisdom, not opinion.

“Whatever you do…do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

18-24 A Christian would, if focusing on spiritual things, never forget the lesson of “submission.” Remember Ephesians 5:21? “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Men prefer to start at verse 22, but that misses the point).

Put simply: Treat each other nice, work hard (as though you are working for the Lord, which, of course, you are).

There is an inheritance from the Lord for those who live in Christ.

3:25-4:1 Don’t worry, those who don’t live in Christ have a reward, too…albeit a negative one.

God does not play favorites (is not a respecter of persons). You are either a “saint” or an “ain’t.” There is no middle ground.

You can’t be a “pretty good Christian,” a “nominal Christian,” or a “great Christian” and expect a positive reward.

Your inheritance comes only when you are a part of the Family of Christ by trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Touch of the Master's Hand-Wayne Watson

A Study in Colossians Week 02

Colossians 2 1-23

There were five errors that endangered the Colossian church: (1) Enticing words, (verses. 4-7; (2) Philosophy, (verses 8-13); (3) Legality, (verses 14-17); (4) Mysticism, (verses 18, 19); (5) Asceticism, (verses 20-23).

Colossians is a sort of synopsis of the essence of Romans, I Corinthians; and Galations

1-5 Notice that in verse 2 Paul reiterates his admonition of unity. There is a purpose to his insistance on unity in the Body of Christ (the Church): to demonstrate that we know Christ.

Paul warns against falling prey to arguments that sound good but are not imersed in the gospel message: sin separates; sin requires repentance; repentance leads to faith in Christ’s finished work at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection. (verse 4).

Verse 5 equates orderliness with a picture of firmness in the faith. “Order” is a military term, meaning to stand shoulder to shoulder.

6-8 Paul admonishes the Christians in Colossi not to be caught up in human traditions.

9-15 Here Paul contrasts traditions with the spiritual truths of Christ’s power, authority and completeness. In other words, it is Christ, Christ, Christ and only Christ plus absolutely nothing else. “Fullness” is pleroma. This is a clear-cut statement of the deity of Christ.

Verse 14 may be the most important verse of Scripture outside of John 3:16. Here Paul clearly says that the written code, with its rules and regulations has been removed from us and nailed to the cross.

16-19 Paul assures us that in Christ we have absolute freedom…not freedom to sin, but freedom from sin. We are free to worship when we wish, celebrate when we wish (yes, even on Sunday). He says once again that all reality is found in, and only in, Christ.

A believer is not to observe ordinances that are only ritual and liturgical, as they have no value.

The Law was a picture of Christ. Now that Christ has come, we have the reality…the presence of the person of Christ and we no longer need the pictures.

20-23 If you are truly in Christ, it is impossible for you to be caught up in the world’s rules and regulations. Some churches specialize in rules about this and rules about that, but Paul says they are based on the false premise of human understanding and commands. They seem wise and necessary, but they lack any value at all. They accomplish nothing.

Read Galations 3:1-14 again and be reminded of what Paul wrote to them.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?




On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!




And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,

A home and a country should leave us no more!

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!




Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

A Study in ColossiansWeek 01

Colossians 1 1-29

Paul wrote this letter in about A.D. 62

CHURCH AT COLOSSE:
Paul had never been to Colosse when he wrote this epistle (Colossians 2:1). He was in Ephesus for about two years where he had his most fruitful ministry (Acts 19:8-19). Colosse was 75 to 100 miles east of Ephesus, and visitors from Colosse had heard Paul and had come to know Christ. Apparently Philemon was one of these. A church came into existence in Colosse (Philemon 2). Epaphras was the minister of the Colossian church (Colossians 1:4-8; 4:12, 13). Paul intended to visit there when he was released from prison (Philemon 22). Paul wrote to this church as though it were his own.

THE PROBLEM AT COLOSSE:
Colosse, located in southwest Phrygia in Asia Minor, near Laodicea, was beset with oriental mysticism. Gnosticism had intruded into the church, with its Greek pantheistic philosophy of the demiurge. (The demiurge is a concept from the Platonic, Neopythagorean, Middle Platonic, and Neoplatonic schools of philosophy for an artisan-like figure responsible for the fashioning and maintenance of the physical universe).

GNOSTIC CHARACTERISTICS: The teaching that the realization of Gnosis (esoteric or intuitive knowledge) is the way to salvation of the soul from the material world.

(1) They had an exclusive spirit (were aristocratic in wisdom).
(2) They held speculative tenets on creation —that God did not create the universe directly, but created a creature who in turn created another creature, until one finally created the physical universe. Christ was considered a creature in this long series of creations.
(3) Their ethical practice was asceticism (influenced by Greek Stoicism) and unrestrained
licentiousness (from Greek Epicureanism).

The Verses

1-2 - Paul’s greeting, as usual, emphasizes God’s grace (God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense) and His peace (that passes all understanding).

3-14 – In verses 3-4, Paul gives thanks directly to “God…the Father.” This is His redemptive provision (John 3:16). Gnosticism did not believe one could go directly to God, but rather through the emanations of God.

Paul links a trinity of elements to GRACE: faith; love and hope.

He emphasizes the need to accept the gospel and to bear its fruit.

Paul’s prayer, in verses 9-14, is all about the Colossian’s commitment to the gospel.

15-19 – This section is a direct refutation of Gnosticism. In it he describes the characteristics that differentiate Him from all other ideas about “religion” and philosophy.

He lists nine (9) marks that make Him different:
1. (Verse 15) “Image” (Greek:eikon). Christ is the incarnate God. If you’ve seen Him, you’ve seen the Father.
2. “…the first-born of all creation” is what John 3:16 is about.
3. (Verse 16) “By Him were all things created” reinforces John 1:3.
4. He created all things for Himself.
5. (Vs 17) He is pre-incarnate – He existed before His earthly birth in Bethlehem.
6. Jesus keeps the universe together and causes it to obey His laws of physics.
7. (Verse 18) He is the head of the body, the church.
8. The will of Christ must prevail throughout all of creation
9. (Verse 19) He is 100% God in relationship to the Father (15); to creation (16-17); to the church (18-19) and to the cross (20).

Objective work of Christ for sinners

(Verse 20) — Christ “made peace through the blood of his cross” (Romans 5:1). God is not a big policeman waiting around the corner ready to pounce on the sinner. God has His arms outstretched and is saying to the sinner, “Come, and I will give you redemption rest.”
Reconciliation is toward man. The cross of Christ reconciles God. He is asking man to be reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

“All things” is limited to all things appointed for reconciliation (in just such a way as “the loss of all things” is limited to what things Paul had to lose [Philippians 3:8]).

“Things in heaven” indicate that not only must we be made ready for heaven, but heaven must be made ready to receive us. The Lord Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). By the incarnation, God came down to man; by the blood of Jesus, man is brought up to God. Notice that it does not add, “things under the earth” (Philippians 2:10).

(Verse 21) — “Enemies in your mind” reminds us that there is mental alienation from God as well as moral alienation. This explains the fierce antagonism to God on the part of some so-called intellectuals.

(verse 22) — “Body of his flesh” is an explicit declaration, as Docetic Gnosticism stated that Christ suffered in appearance but not in a real body.
“Un-blamable” means without blemish. This was the requirement for a sacrificial animal.
“Un-reprovable” means un-accusable; un-chargeable. “It is God that justifies.”

(Verse 23) — This is not conditional, based on the future. It is not something that shall be if something else is. Rather, this is the “if” of argument, often used by Paul. It could be translated, “Since ye continue in the faith….”

(Verse 24) — A free translation could be, “Now I, Paul, rejoice in the midst of my sufferings for you, and I am filling up in my flesh that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake, which is the church.” It was necessary to fill up that which was lacking of the suffering of Christ.

(1) There are sufferings of Christ that we cannot share:
(a) Human suffering;
(b) Suffering as the Son of God;
(c) Suffering as the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
(2) There are sufferings of Christ that we can share:
(a) Suffering for righteousness’ sake;
(b) Suffering in the measure we identify ourselves with

Christ for the Proclamation of the Gospel.

(Verse 25) — “Dispensation” is economy; stewardship.

(Verse 26-27) — “Mystery” is a sacred secret. This looks forward to the day when we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2). We are in Christ down here at present.

(Verse 28-29) — “Perfect in Christ Jesus” means complete. This was the goal of Paul.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Battle Hymn of the Republic-Morman Tabernacle Choir

A Study in Philippians Week 04

Philippians 4 1-23

Remember the themes of Philippians are: 1) the gospel; 2) unity in the Body of Christ and 3) living joyfully in Christ.
The Verses

Verse 1 “Therefore…” This is Paul’s logical conclusion from what he has been saying. The sentence, stripped of its modifiers, is: “Therefore, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord.”

How is that?

First, focus on the gospel and the gospel alone.

Second, be humble, as Christ was humble. Notice that Christ’s humility did not keep Him from expressing the difference between those who loved the Lord and those who loved themselves.

Third, be unified, with no arguing or complaining.

Fourth, put your confidence in Jesus, not in the world.

Fifth, keep on keeping on, even when keeping on is tough.

2-9: Agree with each other in the Lord; rejoice in the Lord; relax and focus on the good things.

10-23 Here Paul expounds on the benefits of having an attitude of gratitude.

Notice how often Paul speaks of the Lord as the reason for our behavior.

Remember in 2:9-11 Paul tells us that every knee will bow and evrery tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The word, Lord, is a disignation of ultimate authority.

The late, great S.M. Lockridge, former pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California expresed the Lordship of Jesus this way:

My King

My King was born King.

The Bible says my King is a seven-way king.

He's the King of the Jews; that's a racial king....He's the King of Israel; that's a national King....He's the King of Righteousness....He's the King of the Ages.....He's the King of Heaven....He's the King of Glory....He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords

That's my King.

Well....I wonder, if you know Him?

David said, "The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

My King is a sovereign King.

No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supplies. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings

He's enduringly strong....He's entirely sincere....He's eternally steadfast....He's immortally graceful....He's imperially powerful....He's impartially merciful!

Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world.

He's God's Son....He's a sinner's Savior....He's the centerpiece of civilization....He stands alone in Himself....He's august....He's unique....He's unparalleled....He's unprecedented.... He’s Supreme…He’s preeminent…He's the loftiest idea in literature....He's the highest personality in philosophy....He's the supreme problem in higher criticism....He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology....He's the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion....He's the miracle of the age.... He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him....He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior...... I wonder if you know Him today?

He's the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously…He supplies strength for the weak....He's available for the tempted and the tried....He sympathizes and He saves....He strengthens and sustains....He guards and He guides....He heals the sick....He cleanses lepers....He forgives sinners....He discharges debtors....He delivers captives....He defends the feeble....He blesses the young....He serves the unfortunate....He regards the aged....He rewards the diligent....and He beautifies the meek.

Is that the King you know today?

Well, my King is the key to knowledge....He's the wellspring to wisdom....He's the doorway of deliverance....He's the pathway of peace....He's the roadway of righteousness ....He's the highway of holiness....He's the gateway of glory....... He’s the master of the mighty…He’s the captain of the conquerors…He’s the head of the heros…He’s the leader of the legislators…He’s the overseer of the overcomers…He’s the governor of governors…He’s the Prince of princes…He’s the King of kings…and He’s the Lord of lords.

Do you know Him?

Well....His office is manifold....His promise is sure....His light is matchless....His goodness is limitless....His mercy is everlasting....His love never changes....His word is enough....His grace is sufficient....His reign is righteous....and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.

I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable....He's incomprehensible....He's invincible....He's irresistible.

The heavens of Heaven cannot contain Him…let alone a man explain Him.

You can't get Him out of your mind....You can't get Him off of your hands....You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him.

The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him....Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him....The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree....Herod couldn't kill Him....Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him.

That's my King.

He always has been…and He always will be…He had no predecessor…He’ll have no successor…There was nobody before Him…and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him…and He’s not going to resign.

"Thine is the Kingdom....and the Power....and the Glory...."

All the power belongs to my King.

You may talk about black power, white power, green power…but it’s God’s power.

Thine is the power…and the glory!

We’re trying to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His.

Yes, Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever and ever, and ever…How long is that? And ever...and ever... and ever, and ever… and when you get through with all the forevers, then.... AMEN!....AMEN!

by Dr. S.M. Lockridge

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-He Made a Change-Signature Sound

A Study in Philippians Week 03

Philippians 3 1-21

Remember the themes of Philippians are: 1) the gospel; 2) unity in the Body of Christ and 3) living joyfully in Christ.

The Verses

1-6 Paul repeats what he has written in 2:18…that we should be happy and satisfied in our relationship with God in Christ.

In verse 2, Paul warns against those who pervert the gospel by requiring physical signs of “sanctification.”

Circumcision was a ritual intended by the Jews to show identity with Yahweh (God.). But Paul says such outward signs are not needed because Christ is our circumcision. He insists that belonging to Christ is a spiritual matter (verse 3).

Paul gives his testimony in verses 4 & 5 of what he was before coming to Christ He totally rejects the idea of any kind of legalism leading to righteousness.

7-11 Verse 7 finds Paul refuting his own attempt to satisfy the law by realizing that it was all worth no more than the scum at the bottom of the dumpster.

Nothing we can do compares with actually knowing Christ through faith. This leads to a
righteousness quite unrelated to deeds, but totally resting in realizing the power of Christ’s
resurrection from the dead.

12-16 Paul admits his imperfection, even as a Christian, but determines to press on to “take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

So…for what has Christ taken hold of you?

Verse 13 says forget the past. You can’t change it and feeling all mully-grubby about it does no good at all. As the old Youth Musical says, “Yesterday has come and gone. Tomorrow hasn’t yet arrived. The only thing we have is now.”

Live in the now for Christ while anticipating the marvelous goal set before you of Heaven and an eternity with Christ in the very presence of the God-head.

The prize is not given out for our good behavior. It is given out because of our faith in Christ Jesus. The prize is not a crown, but a heavenly presence of Christ Jesus.

Thinking like this is a sign of maturity in Christ.

17-21 Following Paul’s example does not mean doing the things that he does, it means living in, through and for Christ Jesus.

The cross of Christ is not popular with the world. The world of Islam rejects it entirely. Most of the secular world not only rejects it, but exhibits strong animosity toward it…hating the very thought of it.

Verse 20 teaches us that we are note even citizens of this world. We are in it, but not a part of it. We are living here, but it is not our home. Our citizenship is (not will be) in Heaven.

We can rejoice that our bodies will be transformed! No more infirmities, no more heart attacks, no more arthritis, no more cancer! We will be like Christ and our bodies, whatever form the take, will be GLORIOUS!

All of this is possible when, and only when, we place all of our faith and trust in the finished work of Christ Jesus at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection. We do this by realizing our sin (Romans 3:23); repenting of our sin (Acts 17:30); and appropriating John 3:16 for our personal selves.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Mercy Came Runnin'-Phillips, Craig and Dean

A Study in Philippians Week 2

Philippians 2 1-30

Back in I Corinthians we saw Paul leaning heavily on the theme of unity in the Body of Christ. In Philippians we find the same theme, coupled with following Christ’s example of humility.

The Verses

01. 1-11 Unity begins and ends with Christ (the Greek word for Messiah). He is our example and He is the one who can make us brave, strong, happy and kind-hearted.

Paul exhorts the Philippians to make him happy by being unified (agree, in verse 2) We in the church should act as one person with only one purpose.

So many people make up rules for the church, try to take the church in so many different “socially relevant” directions and use the church as their sphere of influence. Paul asks us to be single minded, and that single-mindedness must be only for the gospel.

Verses 6-11 seem to come from a song. Maybe its one of the songs he was singing
when the prison doors flew open when he and Silas were in prison.

02. 12-18 God has provided our salvation from the power, presence and consequences of our sin, and we should live like we’ve been saved.

Suppose you fell from a cliff and were doomed to die when you hit the ground. Suppose that a little more than half-way down someone lassoed you and kept you from falling to the ground. What emotions and feelings would you have? Would you show gratitude? Would you feel relief? Would you recognize your second chance at life?

All of these should be a part of our response to the GRACE God has poured out on us in Christ.

Verse 14 addresses one of the important things we must give up to achieve unity in the body: grumbling. Grumbling is all about not getting one’s own way.

Our obedience should not come from knowing the “rules,” or from self-righteousness, but from a confidence that Gospel has provided so rich a salvation.

That confidence should make us lights in this world. Remember the words of Jesus: “Ye are the light of the world…”? Well here Paul reiterates that thought.

Paul reminds us not to be afraid of death, but to relish it and find happiness in it (verse 17). If that seems strange, then we may need to re-evaluate our position in Christ or our understanding of what He has done for us.

03. 19-30 In verse 21 Paul reiterates that we should not be self-seekers. (See also I Corinthians 13).

Verses 25-30 Epaphroditus belonged to the group of Christians at Philippi. The
Christians at Philippi had sent him to Rome. He had brought gifts from them to Paul.
(See chapter 4:18.) Epaphroditus had been very ill while he was at Rome. But God
had made him well again.

Verse 30 Epaphroditus could help Paul because he was at Rome with Paul. He was helping on
behalf of all the Christians at Philippi.

SENT TO ME BY A FRIEND:

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"

His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?

The son replied, "I do know!"

"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"

"That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'
=======
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.

"Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk.

"Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.

========

"Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world.There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."

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A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter.

Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read:"I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.."

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There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program.. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets."

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While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage.

The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."

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A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?"

A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy.

"Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked.

"You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "

========

A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.

"Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip."

The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

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People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention.

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Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.

The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt."

Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.

He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."

========

The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play.

"Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But, you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."

During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."

At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner."

And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Mass in B Minor-J.S. Bach

A Study in Philippians Week 1

Philippians 1 1-30

DEFINING GRACE


We know that Jesus was executed by the Romans on a cross. We also know that it was the Jewish leaders who put such pressure on the Romans that they had to respond by executing Jesus.

What we usually miss is the personal responsibility we bear for His dying on the cross.

If we had not sinned, His death would have been unnecessary.


The truth is, I killed Jesus.

The Jews were only the “tools” God used to accomplish His work of grace for me.

If a Jew is accused of killing Christ, you should respond by telling him/her that I, Joe Scoggins, killed Jesus.

I betray Him daily, and I do it even in acts of love for Him.

One might think that at some point He would tire of trying to get me to be what He wants me to be and just walk away from our relationship.

But He does not.

Every moment of every day He remembers His covenant with me and pours His grace out on me.

INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPIANS

Ten miles inland from the harbor city of Neapolis was Philippi, one of the principle cities of Macedonia and was historically famous in the annals of both Greece and Rome.

It was founded by and named after Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.

Philippi was best known for the battle that took place there in 42 B.C. between the Second Triumvirate (Octavius, Antonius, and Lepidus) and the republicans of Rome under Brutus and Cassius, which resulted in the defeat and death of the latter. After the victory, Octavius made Philippi a colony (cf. Acts 16:12).

Philippi considered itself as being an entirely Roman city. Its citizens were Roman citizens who enjoyed all the rights and privileges of such: exemption from scourging, from arrest except in extreme cases, and the right to appeal to the emperor.

The official language was Latin.

From our point of interest, Philippi is the first place in Europe where the gospel was preached.

The story of the founding of the church at Philippi is told by Luke in Acts 16:11-40.

Apparently, the Jewish population of Philippi was so small that they did not even have a synagogue in which to worship, only a “place where prayer was customarily made” by the riverside.

Paul and Timothy were in prison together when the letter to the church at Philippi was written.

Numerous references to the prison experience are noted in Philippians.

The letter is a description of what the Christian’s life should look like.



The Verses


1-2 Paul prays for the believers who live in Philippi. His prayer was not for physical comforts, but for their depth of love for the gospel and knowledge of it.

“…filled with fruit and righteousness”…refers to winning people to Christ with the gospel, which brings praise and glory to God.

3-11 What had happened to Paul? He had been charged with preaching the gospel, which was not allowed.

Freedom of religion was not a part of Rome’s rule. They would not have understood: “Congress shall make NO law respecting an establishment of religion…or preventing the free exercise thereof.” (First amendment to The Constitution of the United States of America.”

Most of our politicians today don’t understand it either.


12-26 Paul used his circumstance (not a pretty one) to promote the good news of eternal life through
Christ’s finished work at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection (in other words, the gospel).

His theme is the joy we should exhibit because of Christ, not because of our circumstances.

In verse 15, he reveals the folly of “philosophical” or “theosophical” preaching.

We have only one message: Christ crucified, buried and resurrected for the remission of sin and for the
gain of eternal life with Him.

27-30 Paul’s continual emphasis in this section is that we should conduct ourselves in a manner that would bring honor to the gospel.


We should emphasize the joy of the gospel in our lives without fear (“…perfect love casteth out fear.” I John 4:18).

We are to fight against enemies of the good news. The believers at Philippi were in trouble because
they were Christ’s people. Paul was also in trouble for the same reason. So they were in the same
‘fight’.

In some countries today, you go to prison (or worse) for being a Christian. If that happens to us (and it
might some day soon), it should be a source of joy for us for the sake of the gospel.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GOSPEL.

AND YOU THOUGHT BLACKBERRIES WERE FOR EATING!

(From a friend of a friend):

When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter.

I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grand kids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way.

I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.

That was before one of my grand kids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting world..

My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.

The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box under my tool bench with the Blue tooth [it's red] phone I am supposed to use when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble talking to my wife and everyone in the nearest 50 yards was glaring at me. I had to take my hearing aid out to use it, and I got a little loud.

I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside that gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time. Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say, "Re-calc-u-lating." You would think that she could be nicer. It was like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then tell me to make a U-turn at the next light.. Then if I made a right turn instead.

Well, it was not a good relationship..

When I get really lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she loves me.

To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless phones in our house. We have had them for 4 years, but I still haven't figured out how I can lose three phones all at once and have to run around digging under chair cushions and checking bathrooms and the dirty laundry baskets when the phone rings..

The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I go to the grocery store.

You would think they could settle on something themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid looking confused, but I never remember to take them in with me.

Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's their turn to stare at me with a blank look. I was recently asked if I tweet. I answered,

No, but I do toot a lot."

P.S. I know some of you are not over 50 . Us senior citizens don't need anymore gadgets. The tv remote and the garage door remote are about all we can handle.

ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Days of Elijah-Twila Paris

A Study in I Kings Week 22

I Kings 22 1-53

The Verses

1-28 An agreement between Ahab and the king of Syria brought three years of peace. Ahab asked 400 false prophets whether he should wage war on Syria with Jehoshaphat’s army by hiw side. We know they were false prophets, because they worshiped idols and Jehoshaphat (a good king, who served the Lord God) didn’t like them.

A prophet who had been in prison, Micaiah, comes along and proclaims that the Lord would give them success.

The difference between a true prophet and a false prophet is that 100% of a true propher’s predictions come true.

29-40 Ahab's fundamental dishonesty and cowardice emerge in his proposal in verse 30. He disguised himself as a common soldier but insisted that Jehoshaphat wear his royal robe into the battle.

Ahab's disguise should have guaranteed his survival.

Verse 35 notes that Ahab's lifeblood ebbed from his body into the bottom of the chariot.

This detail is important because verse 38 mentions that the chariot was washed in Samaria after Ahab's body had been returned to his capital for burial. And as the chariot was being washed, the dogs licked up the blood of Ahab, fulfilling the word of Yahweh to Elijah in 1 Kings 21:19.

41-50 Jehoshaphat became the king of Judah (Southern Kingdom). He ruled 25 years and “did right in the sight of the Lord.” He followed the example of his father, Asa.

He died and was succeeded by Jehoram, his son.

51-53 Ahaziah , son of Ahab, became king of Israel. He ruled only two years. Like Ahab, Ahaziah was a wicked king and angered the Lord God.

So, what was the point of all of this?

1Kings systematically subverts all the institutions that Israel might be tempted to trust in.

Think that a wise king will preserve Israel's prosperity and peace? Take a look at Solomon.

Think that prophets will save Israel? They might, but no one listens to them.

Think that keeping the Law will save Israel? Take a look at Josiah, the perfect Law-keeper, who cannot save Judah from destruction.

Think that the Temple will save Israel? Tell me again about that heap of smoldering ruins on the mountain of Jerusalem.

When Israel breaks covenant, Israel dies.

And when Israel dies, neither king nor temple nor Torah can bring her back to life.

I and II KINGS AND THE GOSPEL

(We will get to II Kings in the near future, but in these paragraphs you will get a brief preview.)

1-2 Kings is a gospel text in part because it points Israel to her only source of hope, new life, and renewal: Yahweh. 1-2 Kings is also a gospel text because of what it reveals about Yahweh, God of Israel.

First, it reveals a God whose patience with His people is uncanny.

Yahweh warns Solomon that the temple will be destroyed if Solomon turns from Him (1 Kings 9), but several centuries pass before the temple is destroyed (2 Kings 25).

The man of God from Judah warns Jeroboam about a king named Josiah who will destroy Jeroboam's altar (1 Kings 13), but Josiah doesn't come for centuries (2 Kings 22-23).

Yahweh tells Elijah that He will raise up avengers to destroy the house of Ahab (1 Kings 19), but years pass before they appear.

Kings does not reveal a God with a hair-trigger temper; it reveals a God who is, if anything, irresponsibly indulgent toward His favored people.

Second, Kings reveals a God who is faithful to His promises to David's house.

Again and again, David's house is nearly destroyed.

The kingdom divides, and David's house is left with two tribes. Athaliah kills all the princes of the Davidic dynasty (2 Kings 11), but the Lord preserves Joash by the skin of his teeth. Assyria destroys Samaria (2 Kings 17) and threatens Jerusalem, but Yahweh delivers (2 Kings 18-19). Babylon destroys Jerusalem, but the last scene of 1-2 Kings shows Jehoiachin elevated above all the captive kings in Babylon.

Here is the gospel of 1-2 Kings: The long-suffering God of Israel will not leave David in the grave; on the third day, he will rise again. And Yahweh alone will have the glory.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Sing to Jesus-Fernando Ortega

A Study in I Kings Week 21

I Kings 21 1-29

The Verses

1-7 The law said that nobody must make a permanent sale of his land. People must not pass land from tribe to tribe. (See Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:7.) Naboth was right to refuse the king.

If Naboth sold the field to the king, he (Naboth) would not be obeying God’s law. So this was not merely a business matter or an ordinary argument. Naboth could not obey the king, because such an action would be against God’s law. So Naboth firmly refused Ahab’s request. Naboth chose to stand for God.

Ahab was angry. He had everything that he needed. But he was not happy without Naboth’s vineyard. Jezebel promised to get the land for him.

She thought that the king should be like a god. If Ahab did not behave like one, she would!

8-16 During a trial the panel, or accused person, was placed on a high seat, in the presence of all the court; but as the guilty person was supposed to be unknown, the setting of Naboth on high among the people must have been owing to his being among the distinguished men of the place.

Naboth’s trial was like the trial of Jesus. In both cases, false witnesses said that they had spoken against God and the king. (See Luke 22:70-71; 23:1-3.) So, although Naboth was innocent, people killed him.

We can see that Ahab and Jezebel were becoming even more wicked. They were ready to use false (lying) witnesses to accuse people who upset them. And they were not afraid to kill an innocent man.

But God knew about their sin.

17-29 Elijah took God’s message to Ahab. This terrible announcement made a deep impression on the king's heart, and led, for a while, to sincere repentance. Going softly, that is, barefoot, and with a pensive manner, within doors, he manifested all the external signs, conventional and natural, of the deepest sorrow.

He was wretched, and so great is the mercy of God, that, in consequence of his humiliation, the threatened punishment was deferred.

Fact is, Ahab’s attitudes and actions seem unforgivable, but he had been strongly influenced by his Ba’al worshiping wife, Jezebel.

John wrote to a church where an evil woman was controlling some people. He warned the members of that church about her. They would suffer greatly if they continued to obey her. He called that woman by the name ‘Jezebel’ (Revelation 2:20-25).

True repentance leads to eternal forgiveness by God. But this only comes when we place our faith in and only in the finished work of Christ at Calvary.

There is a need for revival in the church today. That revival will only come when we admit that it is we who need it most. Then God can use us as He wants to use us.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Acappella Medley-The Martins

A Study in I Kings Week 20

I Kings 20 1-43

The Verses

1-21 Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria

The scene shifts dramatically in chapter 20. God had told Elijah at Mt. Horeb that judgment was coming on Ahab. The anointing of Jehu was an announcement of the end of Ahab's reign. Chapter 20 describes the historical process that God began to use to bring about the end of Ahab's dynasty.

The king of Syria (Aram), Ben-hadad, laid siege to Ahab's capital of Samaria. Ahab is forced to pay tribute and it appears as if the entire kingdom might be lost.

Yet a prophet of God offers Ahab the opportunity to experience grace one more time. When Ahab responded positively, God gave the Syrian army into his hands and Israel won a great battle.

However, Ben-hadad was allowed to escape, and so further trouble lay in the future. Ahab failed to obey God by sparing Benhadad.

21-34 Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad

Ahab got his counseling from a prophet, Ben-Hadad from his servants.

It appears that Ahab had ignored the prophet's counsel, and Israel was not prepared for battle; their army was small. In a picturesque comment, the author of 1 Kings compared Israel's small army to two little flocks of goats dotting the hillside.

On the other hand, the Aramean army filled the whole country. As before there appears to be no military hope for Israel.

35-42 A Prophet Condemns Ahab. The judgment of God is pronounced upon Ahab (v. 42). God had wanted Ahab to punish Benhadad. Instead, Ahab made an agreement with him. This showed that he did not trust God.

As a result, Ahab died in a battle against the soldiers from Syria. Later the soldiers from Syria attacked the nation and it suffered greatly.

God is fair when he punishes people for their sins. Nobody will be able to say that He is not.

Sin is the basic problem with man. The realization of sin starts with an understanding of who God is: the Mighty, Sovereign, Righteous God of all that is.

When we understand His righteousness, we begin to see how depraved we are and how much in need of a Savior we are.

It is when we realize our depravity that we understand our need to repent.

Repentance is the beginning of salvation.

Salvation is the result of trusting in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Thy Throne O God-Kelly Willard

A Study in I Kings Week 19

I Kings 19 1-21

The focus of attention in chapter 19 is on Elijah. After two chapters of overwhelming prophetic success, after two chapters of seeing the hand of God at work in powerful ways, we might expect Elijah to be spiritually invincible. However, this chapter focuses on Elijah's depression and his inability to function spiritually at all.

The Verses

1-3 Here the circumstances leading to his spiritual crash landing are briefly described..

Ahab told Jezebel about the death of the 450 prophets of Baal. She responded with the kind of anger and hatred that is so characteristic of sin.

Never mind that the drought destroying her people had ended. Never mind that Baal's prophets had totally failed in the contest of Carmel.

Never mind the facts; Jezebel responded out of the self-centeredness of sin and she promised vengeance. She sent a messenger to Elijah with the grim promise that she would kill Elijah within twenty-four hours. Elijah's response was fear, flight, and depression.

4-18 Elijah is comforted by the angel of the Lord. When we see “an angel” in the Old Testament, the reference is to a messenger of God. When we see the angel of the Lord, most often the reference is to Jesus.

Because of the words of the text, it is not certain that this particular incident is speaking of Jesus, it may or may not be.

When asked his purpose, Elijah, like so many of us, points out his accomplishments, as if to impress the Lord. Then he whines that his “reward” does not match his contribution.

Verses 11-12 show us that God controls nature, but He is not nature.

The Psalmist tells us, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

God does not cause the disruption of the elements except when He has a specific lesson to teach, such as Jesus’ calming of the sea when the disciples were afraid. (Matt. 8:23-27)

Verses 15-17 speak of “anointing.” Anointing is used synonymously with appointment (Judges 9:8), and is applied to all named, although Jehu alone had the consecrated oil poured over his head.

19-21 Elisha the son of Shaphat—Most probably he belonged to a family distinguished for piety, and for their opposition to the prevailing calf-worship.

Elijah had been educated in the schools of the prophets, and the throwing on of the mantle was an investiture of the prophetic office. Elisha was being “ordained” as a prophet.

Elijah tells Elisha that he has been called by God, not man.

There are many ceremonies that we observe as institutes of man, not God. God does not depend upon those ceremonies. He calls whom He calls, quite apart from earthly “ordinations,” etc.

Elisha took care of his responsibilities and then followed Elijah as his minister.

In the New Testament, some men were fishing. They too did not hesitate when Jesus called
them. They left their nets and they followed Jesus. See Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20.

What about you. Would you leave what you are doing to follow Christ?

GROCERY BAG ANYONE?

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Then Came the Morning-Signature Sound

A Study in I Kings Week 18

I Kings 18 1-46 (More)

Few figures of the Old Testament have the power of identification that Elijah has. He seems to be a classic example of a prophet.

In some ways he is the Simon-Peter of the Old Testament. His bold, forthright faith epitomizes what we would like to be in our highest wishes.

Elijah comes on the scene when Ahab and Jezebel had taken the Northern Kingdom to its lowest ebb of idolatrous Baal worship. Elijah, whose very name means "Yahweh is my God," comes to stand in the gap and turn the tide.

The Verses

1-15 For three years there had been famine, as Elijah had predicted. Ahab summoned Obadiah to help out. Obadiah was faithful to God and had safely hidden hundreds of God’s prophets.

Obadiah and Elijah meet. Obadiah expresses fear when asked to go to Ahab to tell him of Elijah’s presence.

Doing what the Lord wants you to do can sometimes be a fearful thing, as it sometimes defies human logic.

16-19 Elijah confronts Ahab and reveals that it is Ahab who has brought trouble to the land by worshiping Ba’al instead of God.

This is one of the most spectacular chapters of Scripture. The meeting between Elijah and Ahab is again dramatic. Note the 3 times it is announced, “Behold, Elijah is here” (vs. 8, 11, 14).

The contest is sensational as Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal (vs. 21-24). It is Elijah versus 450 prophets of Baal.

John Knox was right — “One with God is a majority.” The prophets of Baal used every kind of incantation to bring fire down upon the offering in the name of Baal. Elijah looks on with a bored and skeptical eye. He uses the rapier of irony and sarcasm.

They yell louder and become more frantic but to no avail.

Like all false gods, their god was without any real power whatever. The Bible does not deny that the devil still has some power (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8). Satan is much weaker than God is. Jesus, by his death, has already defeated the devil completely (1 Corinthians 15:55; Hebrews 2:14).

20-46 Elijah, after the prophets of Baal retire in defeat, repairs the altar of 12 stones, showing that the nation Israel is one.

He then arranges the wood and the sacrifice.

When barrel after barrel of water is brought up from the blue Mediterranean to Mount Carmel and poured on the altar, Elijah utters one of the great prayers of Scripture, brief but effective (vs. 36, 37).

After slaying the prophets of Baal, he announces the approach of a rainstorm from out over the Mediterranean Sea.

God told the Israelites to kill those who led them to worship other gods. We would not do that today, but, in Colossians 3:5 and 3:8, Paul uses a similar description. He is explaining how, with God’s help, Christians must end their own wrong desires.

Only the grace of God will allow you to do that.

A CACOPHANY OF EASTER JOY!

(From the 70s) HE IS ALIVE - From "Celebrate Life" by Buryl Red



AND NOW "HALLELUJAH" BY G.F. HANDEL!






HAVE A BLESSED RESURRECTION SUNDAY EVERYBODY!

A Study in I Kings Week 17

1 Kings 17 - 18

God say’s “I have had enough.”

Time of Elijah …God raised up Elijah to call the Israelites back to himself

17:1 Elijah brings drought to Israel (Deut. 11:16,17)
2-6 fed by ravens at the Wadi Cherith
7-24 lives with a widow in Zarephath
7-16 a jar of flour and a jug oil last until the rain returns
17-24 Elijah brings a dead child back to life

After 3.5 years of drought and hiding for Elijah, God says it's time to bring things to a head

18:1-46 Elijah confronts Ahab and defeats the prophets of Baal
1-2 Elijah sets out
3-15 Elijah appears before Obadiah in the road
16-39 Elijah wins the miracle contest with the prophets of Baal

The Baal prophets related to Baal through CHANT (18:26a), RITUALISM
(18:26b) and SELF_ABASEMENT (18:28). They did all these things to get
Baal's attention, to merit his favor, to manipulate him into doing what they
wanted.

By contrast:
Elijah talks to God PERSONALLY.
Elijah approaches God under GRACE
Elijah relates to God submitting to his WORD

40 Elijah has the prophets of Baal killed

41-46 rain returns and the drought ends

The people repent, delaying God's judgment (exile) for another 150 years.

HE DID IT FOR YOU

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH-Gaither Homecoming w/ David Phelps

A Study in I Kings Week 16

I Kings 16 1-34

The Verses

1-7 Baasha’s evil reign lasted for 24 years.

8-14 Elah his son succeeded him but reigned only 2 years. Zimri, a captain, slew Elah while he was drunk.

15-20 Zimri destroyed every male member of the house of Baasha. He reigned only 7 days, for Omri, captain of the host of Israel, besieged Tirzah and captured it. Zimri committed suicide by burning down the house in which he was.

21-28 The northern kingdom was divided between Omri and Tibni for 4 years. Tibni died and Omri reigned alone for 8 years. Omri built Samaria and made it the capital of the northern kingdom. He plunged Israel into the depths of evil (v. 25). His pattern was Jeroboam (v. 26).

29-34 Ahab, son of Omri, succeeded him (v. 28). He was worse than his father; he was the worst king of all (v. 30). He compounded evil by marrying Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians and high priest of Baal

Deuteronomy 7:3-4 had forbidden marriage with people from the surrounding nations. However, Solomon had openly and thoroughly violated that command of God.

No individual in Israel's history, male or female, was as aggressive in promoting Baal worship and persecuting Yahweh worship as Jezebel. Ahab did a previously unthinkable sin by "marrying the baalist daughter of a baalist king." Phoenicia was the center of Baal worship at that time, and Ahab's wife brought an evangelistic zeal for Baal with her.

What evil designs Ahab did not think of, Jezebel did.

Let’s look at what’s going on here.

The Jews were God’s chosen people. Why did God choose the Jews? Was it because of their goodness? Was it because He knew that they would always obey Him?

No, it was because He is God and He gets to choose. He could have chosen anybody. He chose the Jews.

What did He choose Israel to do? Did He choose them to show the world how to behave and how to faithfully serve God? Did He choose them because they were good writers and could “write the Old Testament for Him?”

No, He chose them to bring His plan of salvation to the world through Jesus, His Son, Messiah.

He gave them that honor, and when His plan of salvation entered the world, they rejected Him, ridiculed Him, attacked Him at every possible moment and had Rome crucify Him.

Other nations have remained jealous of Israel to this day, even though they don’t always know why. It is because they were not chosen, and they have not enjoyed the attention God afforded Israel.

Remember that there were not supposed to be any kings (I Samuel 8:4-22). But the people insisted, and it was all down hill from there.

Make no mistake, sin is a serious thing, whether you are saved or not.

Sin began in the Garden of Eden and its “spiritual DNA” has been passed from generation to generation.

Its result is eternal separation from God in Hell. Only Jesus can save you from that fate.

A Study in I Kings Week 15

 I Kings 15 1-34

Abijah, son of Rehoboam, succeeded his father on the throne of Judah (Southern Kingdom). He was as wicked as his father (v. 3). (Jeroboam became the standard of evil for the kings of Israel (Northern Kingdom.)

The Verses

1-8 Abijam was not like David. David continues as the standard of excellence for the kings of both Israel and Judah (v. 5). Abijam did not serve God. But because of David’s love for God, God allowed David’s descendants to continue to rule in Jerusalem.

Abijam seems to have expected God’s help because he performed all the “religious ceremonies” properly. But God is not pleased with ceremonies. God wants us to trust Him and Him alone.

9-24 Asa ( in the Southern Kingdom) compares to David (v. 11). He led in the first revival of the nation. First Kings gives only half a chapter to his reign, but 2 Chronicles gives three chapters (chapters 14, 15, 16).

Asa did have to bribe Ben-hadad, king of Syria, and he warred with Israel continually.

Jehoshaphat succeeded Asa as king of Judah.

25-26 Nadab, son of Jeroboam, succeeded Asa as king of Israel (Northern Kingdom). He was evil (v. 26).

04. 27-32 Baasha led a conspiracy against Nadab, slew him, and reigned in his stead (vs. 27, 28).
Baasha, in the Northern Kingdom, continued war against Asa, in the Southern Kingdom (v. 32).

Principles of Interpreting OT Biblical narratives:

1. Narratives rarely teach doctrine directly.
2. Narratives usually illustrate doctrinal truths that are taught directly elsewhere in the Bible.
3. Not every narrative has a "moral of the story." Some narratives present - without comment - behavior that is the very opposite of what we should do.
4. What people do in Biblical narratives may not be a good example. Just because a Biblical character did something does not mean that it is right.
5. No Biblical characters apart from Jesus were perfect, nor were their actions.
6. Narratives do not always tell whether an action or word was right or wrong.
7. Narratives will not answer all our questions. They are constructed to accomplish the author's purpose, not to answer our questions.
8. Narratives may teach directly or indirectly.
9. God should be understood as the hero of all Biblical narratives.
10. Try to discern how the OT narrative relates to the gospel and the coming of Messiah.

The Jewish had to constantly repent from disobeying God. As one Rabbi put it: "To sin and then say, 'I repent,' and to sin again, and again say, 'I repent,' repeatedly means that there is no repentance."

Only God could truly discern the hearts of the kings and the people and know if the repentance should or should not lead to restoration. As Richard Nelson states, "God keeps promises, but is not bound by human expectations."

Repentance is essential to salvation (John 13: 1-5). It is the recognition of the need for a Savior.

A CONVERSATION WITH A FALSE TEACHER

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF FAITH

Damaris Carbaugh and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "He's Been Faithful"

A Study in I Kings Week 14

I Kings 14 1-31

This chapter, which describes the reigns of Jeroboam and Rehoboam, sets the pace for the sordid record of the kings of the divided kingdom.

There was not one good king in the northern kingdom of Israel. There were 19 of them, and all were bad.

In the southern kingdom there were 20 kings — 12 of them were bad. Only 8 of them could be labeled good kings. Out of the 8, only 5 were outstanding.

The Verses

1-20 King Jeroboam was concerned about his sick son, Abijah. He sent his wife, disguised as a peasant to Ahijah, a prophet from Shiloh, who foretold to Jeroboam that he would become king (I Kings, 11:29) to find out what would become of his son.

When his wife came to the door, Ahijah, having been told by God she was coming, called her “Wife of Jeroboam.”

You can’t fool God, no matter how hard you try. Her disguise was useless.

Ahijah told Jeroboam’s wife that her child would die. But he would die for an unusual reason. That son had pleased God. In other words, the son was obeying God. So God would cause the son to die in order to save him from an awful punishment. Everyone else in Jeroboam’s family would die because of sin. People would not even bury their dead bodies because God was so angry with them. But that son was different. People would bury him in honor because he had pleased God.

Jeroboam’s son died. But Jeroboam did not turn back to God. Instead Jeroboam fought wars and he continued to rule by his own strength.

A man who lives by his own desires will die, because of his desires. But a man who lives by the Spirit will always live, because of the Spirit.’ (See Galatians 6:7-8.)

21-31 The Bible does not say anything good about Rehoboam. During his rule, the people turned away from God. They were worse than in the time of the Book of Judges.

The stones were like images of male gods. Both men and women offered their bodies for sex. They did this as part of their religion. People believed that this would give them good crops. The gods would send rain and sun.

Remember, Solomon had worshipped false gods when he was old. During Rehoboam’s rule, the people were following those evil religions and their wicked practices. These sins were terrible. They caused God to be angry.

Sin makes things worse, not better. ‘They said that they themselves were clever. They said that they understood many things. But really, they became fools. They refused to worship the great and good God who can never die. Instead, they made and worshipped false gods. Their false gods were like human people, who must die…They refused to believe the true things about God. Instead, they chose to believe something that is not true’ (Romans 1:22, 23, 25)