2 Kings 17:33

7 October 2010

So they feared the LORD but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. (2 Kings 17:33)

Three points:

1. Feared God

To fear God is to worship Him. It is to recognize His authority. It is to realize that someday there is our judgment.

2. Served their own gods

Not much different from today. People go to church and worship God on Sunday, but they do their own thing the rest of the week.

3. After the manner of the nations

Today most "Christians" look like the world, act like the world, talk like the world, treat people like the world, and think like the world. We need to start doing all this God's way. Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is-what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

(Romans 12:2)

Luke 23:2

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. (Luke 23:2)

Three points:

1. Perverting the nation

A lie. Jesus wasn't into politics.

2. Forbidding to give tribute to Caesar

A lie. Jesus said, (Mark 12:17)

"And Jesus answering said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him." Jesus believed in paying taxes.

3. Is Christ a King

This was true, but since the first two were lies, people will assume the last statement is a lie, too. A fancy way of lying sometimes has the liar telling a few lies, then a truth. Because the first things are lies, the other person will think the last statement is a lie also. Let us be beware and check out what people are telling us.

Mark 11:26

Mark 11:26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.

Three points:

1. Forgive

Forgiveness is not a forgetting and no punishment. Forgiveness is giving the whole thing over to God himself. If God punishes, it will be the perfect punishment, and who wants to fall into the hand of the living God? But perhaps, God will wait until the offender repents. This would be the best of all. A great deal of anxiety can be thrown away by turning the situation over to God. A person might have to do it many times, because of flash backs, etc. Give the whole mess over to God and find peace; the offender usually bothered by what they did.

2. Don't forgive

If we don't forgive, neither will God forgive us. This is for those who repent and humble themselves coming to us and asking forgiveness. We like to be forgiven don't we, so also they want forgiveness. Humility is needed by both parties.

3. Our sin

We have many offenses, too. We need to humble ourselves to ask God's forgiveness as all sin, lawbreaking, is against Him. If we have offended others, causing them to sin, then we need to humble ourselves and ask for their forgiveness.

Jeremiah 1:16

Jeremiah 1:16
And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

1. When people forsake God, it is to do wickedness, that is, break God's Law.

D1 People forsake God.
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)
D2 God forsakes people.
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. (2 Chronicles 24:20)
D3 They forsake Him for sin.

E1 Serve their own laws and their own "god"--themselves and their sin.
E2 Chose the devil's way, thoughts, desires, and deeds.

2. Idolatry

Idolatry is worshipping anything but the true God. It is worshipping self or deciding which "god" they want to serve. They want a "god" that is comfortable and allows them to do what they want; all without guilt.

3. Worship what they choose, rather than what is--only one God, Yahweh.

At one time they knew God but refused to worship and be thankful. This has consequences. The LORD has spoken: "Those who rule Judah are doomed because they rebel against me. They follow plans that I did not make, and sign treaties against my will, piling one sin on another. (Isaiah 30:1). and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. (2 Timothy 3:13).

Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Three Points:

1.God knows us before birth

Foreknowledge - knowledge of an event before it occurs (WordNet). God knows, not decrees, the future. It is one of those amazing things about God. This is the basis of prophecy. This is why God's prophecies and prophets are 100% accurate. We can take comfort in God's many promises and prophecies, for they will happen.

2. God knows what our response to Him will be, so God sanctified, that is, separated Jeremiah to be a prophet.

When God sanctifies someone, He sets that person apart to be a servant for His purpose. Exodus 28:41 And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Our prayer should be that we are sanctified wholly. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. A prophet to the nations, not just Israel.

God has concern for all people, not just a certain group. The Lord Jesus came to die for all nations. Revelation 7:9 After these things, I looked and lo, a great multitude, which none could number, out of every nation, and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands. He cares for you.

Jeremiah 1:16

Jeremiah 1:16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

Their sins

1. Forsaken me.

That is, they have known but turned away. Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2. Burned incense

This is to please the gods. There is only one God. We should seek to please Him. Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

3. Worshipped the work of their own hands.

Basically we worship what we want to worship--ourselves. We choose what to worship--what is comfortable, pleasing, appealing, and serves us well. It will leave us without guilt, sorrow, or troubles.

This is all false. We will a slave to this type of god. We will still have guilt, sorrow, and troubles, for "(Isaiah 57:21) There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."

Will we turn away, be unthankful, and worship idols?

Hebrews 7:25

Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He lives forever to make intercession for them.

Three points:

1. He is also able

The "He" here is the Lord Jesus. The word "able" refers to the ability, power, and strength to do something. I am able to walk; I am not able to fly. Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.

2. Save to the uttermost

Uttermost is the farthest reach possible. Save is to deliver. He is able to deliver us from evil, from falling, from denying Christ. Thank you Lord Jesus for your ability to do this. It is spiritual things that He saves us from. There may be a deliverance from things in this life, but mainly it is talking about spiritual things as our salvation.

3. Intercession

Intercession is prayer; it is asking for God to help another. The Lord Jesus prays for us. He is praying for you now. He prays for our faith to be strong. He is a High Priest that never dies, never gets tired, never gets discouraged. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you in order that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.

1 John 4:8

7 July 10

1 John 4:8
He who doesn't love, doesn't know not God; for God is love.

Three Points

1. We all need love.

Some animals need group/pack acceptance. People need love. We need tenderness, compassion, gentleness, time, and a feeling of being special, having more attention and priority than others. Love is a choice. There may be an emotional part, but it is not always there. Love is more about giving then getting. God is the ultimate example. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.


2. Where will we get love?

All need love. In desperation they often seek it in wrong places and wrong people. Many manipulators will lie to get what they want. For the first step we need to repent (turn from our sins) and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Then we are reconciled to God and will have God's love and care instead of wrath. It doesn't mean everything will be smooth and easy, for often it means rejection and troubles. If people showed love like God does, the world would be better, but people will not because we are born narcissists.

3. God is love.

Seeing the many disasters and wars in the world, most have a hard time believing this. The disasters and wars are from people seeking their own, rather than God's will. James 4:1-3 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Do not they come from your pleasures that war in your members? You lust, and do not have. You kill, covet, and cannot obtain. You fight and make war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask, and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures.

Philippians 2:19

Philippians 2:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Three points:

1. Salvation

This is not salvation from sin. It may be deliverance from prison, but the basic idea is that whatever happens, God is able to deliver. (Matthew 10:28) "And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." And )1 Peter 3:14) "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear, neither be troubled." There is safety in God's care. Things may be terrible and terrifying, but God can bring peace to our souls as well as deliverance.

2. Through prayer

We are to (Galatians 6:2) "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ," which is based on (John 13:34) "A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." We need to pray for one another. Prayer may be work, even boring, but we need one another. If we love one another, we will pray for each other.

3. Supply

God gives the help that is needed. He may use humans (think of the widow that Elisha was sent), situations (as when Paul was in prison and there was an earthquake), even an angel (remember Peter in prison and the doors opening of themselves?). We may have to wait and learn patience, (James 1:4) "But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing." We have an example, so (James 5:10) "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience."

2 Thessalonians 1:9

2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Three points:

1. Everlasting destruction

Everlasting, never ending, going on forever and forever. Imagine walking on and on, never is there time for rest, food, water; just walking. Never stopping destruction. Destruction means destroyed. We think of destruction as being done then over with, but this destruction just goes on and on. Pain that never ends, sorrow that never ends, no hope, no encouragement, no pleasure, no one to care about you--it is too late.

2. Presence of the Lord

They will be far away from God. We were created for fellowship with God, to be with Him. Instead of being with Him, they are far away never to be close to His blessing, comfort, or glory. To be always in the presence of a king meant to be able to have your petition heard by him, to work with him, to have him bless you.

3. Glory of His power

To never see His glory and feats of healing strength for you and others. The destruction that is going to happen to those who sin will come from God's glorious power. He wants all to repent. He warns all of the punishment for breaking the Ten Commandments. Finally, punishment comes.

1 Corinthians 3:21

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's

Three points:

1. People are put on a pedestal.

In this chapter, Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter) are thought of as important people. You can sense the meaning, "Cephas lead me to Christ and baptized me, but you only had Joe the janitor." So thoughts of pride enter our hearts. God wants us to understand that we are not to do this. Truly Godly people do not want this attention.

2. Glory

To give glory and receive glory; to feel proud to be a part of a group of people who have been helped, preached to, baptized by, and taught by. We should give our glory from the Messiah--Jesus. Psalms 39:6 "Surely every man walks about like a shadow! Surely they are stirred up in vain. He heaps up the produce, and does not know who shall gather it." Our boasting...Jeremiah 9:24 "...but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am Jehovah, doing kindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says Jehovah."

3. All things are your's

Romans 8:28 "And we know, that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose." Even if things are difficult and uncomfortable, God has His ways to bring good in and from that situation. The greatest that God has given is His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus. Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Matthew 15:9

And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " Matthew 15:9

Three points:

1. Worship

It is interesting that they WERE worshiping. BUT all their worship was in vain; it was not accepted by God, because it was not true worship. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to them that put their trust in him. Since every word is true, we need to worship God the way He has instructed us. Isaiah 58:1-7. The problem is we may have the right form, but the wrong reasons.
"Cry aloud, do not spare, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. 'Why have we fasted,' say they, 'and you do not see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge?'"Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold, you fast for strife and contention, and to strike with the fist of wickedness: you do not fast this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? "Isn't this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Isn't it to distribute your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh?

2. Teaching

We are commanded to teach. How else do we learn? We can teach by word, example, sharing experiences, etc, but something is wrong when we teach error. James 3:1 My brethren, be not many teachers, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation.

3. Commandments of men

You know about the Ten Commandments. Those are right and true. Jesus himself said, (Matthew 11:29) "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." How different the commandments of men with their long lists and impossible demands. Let us be safe in the rules that Jesus gave us in the New Testament.

1 Timothy 1:5

1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.

Three points:

1. The end

End here means the stopping point, the finish line, and also means the conclusion. The commandment's goal, the effect, is love, good conscience, and faith. Romans 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there is any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love works no ill to one's neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Emphasis-editor).

2. Love out of a pure heart

This love is a giving love, a love of choice, not necessarily the love of emotion. This love must come from a pure heart. There must be no manipulation in this love, there must be nothing false, a true heart and a true love. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

3. Good conscience

Conscience is "Internal or self-knowledge, or judgment of right and wrong; or the faculty, power or principle within us, which decides on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of our own actions and affections, and instantly approves or condemns them--Webster 1928. Of course, the standard that underlies this is God's law. No one is innocent, other than the Lord Jesus, so here would be who has confessed, asked forgiveness, and repented. A conscience can be thrust away: 1 Timothy 1:19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith, and seared: 1 Timothy 4:2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared.

4 Faith unfeigned

Faith is believing God, so it is believing what He has given in His Bible. Unfeigned is a faith that is not faked, not a hypocritical faith. Faith here is referring to faith in Jesus Christ--who He is, what He did, and what He taught. It is a saving faith.

Luke 9:13

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
(Luke 9:13)

Three points:

1. Jesus at Work

His work was to do the Father's will. He was preaching the true Gospel and healing the people. The day was long and His disciples noticed the people were tired and hungry, so they said, "Send them away." In essence they were asking a prayer.

2. Jesus' Response

"You give them something to eat." This was the unexpected answer. The disciples had requested and expected the Lord Jesus to send the people away into the surrounding area for lodging and food. They showed compassion and thought a good solution to the problem.

3. What We Learn

What we pray for and expect for an answer to might be totally different. As it turns out here, Jesus' solution to the problem was different then they expected. Let us be encouraged; God's answer may be different then what we expect, but it is a better answer to our prayers.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

Three points:

1. Roughly 20% of Americans are divorced. About 10% of first time marriages end in divorce. The percent of marriages also is also dropping.
Why these horrible statistics? What can be done?

2. A lack of applying the above verses will answer both.

3. Some things to stop
a. Bitterness: Defined by WordWeb as, "A feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will". This usually rears its head after being hurt from insults, physical abuse, lies, verbal abuse, etc.
b. Wrath: This is passion, the look of anger, yelling, screaming, verbal abuse, calling someone names to hurt another's feelings.
c. Anger: This is that deep hatred of anger. The sneer when you see someone you don't like, the unkind actions. In punishment this is correct, as government anger against a murderer, but in relationships it is wrong. It is only to hurt someone deeply and repeatedly.
d. Outcry: or clamor. This is shouting, screaming at some one in anger.
e. Slander: This is a type of lie meant to hurt and insult another. When told to others it is meant to have those hearers hate, despise the person as well.
f. Malice: the foundation of all the about. It is a loathing, an hate, a way to hurt someone in any way possible.
Haven't we seen this in some relationships? It is time to STOP.

Some things to start
a. Kindness: This is thinking about the other person to help them in distress, hurt, pain. It is listening to another and being aware of their needs.
b. Tenderhearted: This is being sympathetic, caring, hoping to help someone. It is the tenderness to help when someone needs it maybe doing another's chores if they are sick, etc.
c. Forgiving: This is turning all hurt and pain over to God himself to deal with as HE sees fit. It is the release of revenge to Him; maybe that sinner will repent. God knows that which is why we need to turn all over to Him. Forgiving doesn't mean that nothing happens, no punishment, no consequences, no nothing. This in NOT true. Life has consequences. That is why forgiveness means turning everything over to God to punish, chasten, teach, motivate someone to do what is right. If God himself forgives, then we MUST forgive, too.

Zechariah 8:16

These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; (Zechariah 8:16)

Three points:

1. Truth

When we make a decision, this is the first thing to do. We have to know the truth and find the truth. This make take some time. Truth is the facts.

2. Justice

Fair and correct, a decision based on the facts, not making decisions based on favoritism, bribery, anger, revenge, or pressure.

3. Peace

Lack of conflict. There is peace when a correct decision is made and done with a right attitude. There is a rest when things are done in the right way.

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. (Proverbs 12:1)

Three points:

1. Love

Love is the deep, emotional bound of tenderness and care. It is a thing placed higher in our priorities than other things. Here it is to love instruction, to learn, but the learning is not in the sense of learning secular topics; it is learning by correction, rebuke, and experience. Knowledge is skill as in one who has learned something and is an expert. Instruction has the idea of being corrected by constructive criticism, chewed out, even including physical punishment.

2. Hate

The absence of love as cold is the absence of heat and dark is the absence of light. It is a despising and acting out in mockery or verbal abuse. Correction means to correct with words, talking to someone to show them the facts and experience of a certain course of action.

3. Stupid

Brutish in the King James Version. It has the idea of being thinking like an animal. No one can sit and rationally discuss issues with an animal, so the comparison. In God's eyes we need to be open to rebuke especially when it is the plain, normal reading and understanding of the Scripture.