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.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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?"
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?"
Monday, May 17, 2010
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.
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.
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