Binding The Hands of Jesus

Mark 15:1

In Mk 15:1, we read of how the enemies of Jesus bound Him in preparation for sending Him to Pilate...

“Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate.”

As we read this, it is easy for our hearts to be filled with sadness, and even with a touch of “righteous indignation” for that crowd that bound Jesus in such a way. And yet, there are few today who are not guilty of binding the hands of Jesus in a “figurative” way! To see what I mean, consider some of the various ways we can be guilty today of “Binding The Hands of Jesus”...

We can bind the hands of Jesus by refusing to obey the Gospel. In His great love for us, Jesus stretched out His hands and died for our sins. Even today, through His gospel, He pleads with all to take advantage of His vicarious suffering. He does not want us to suffer for the guilt of our own sins. In truth, then, His “tender invitation” of Mt 11:28-30 is still being offered today. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."’ But when one refuses to obey the Gospel the hands of Jesus are bound! There is no way such a person can then receive the benefits of Jesus death! For him or her, the death of Jesus was in vain!

Is this true of you? It is...if you have not yet accepted the gospel by obeying the commands of Jesus – Mk 16:15-16 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”; Ac 2:38 “And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” And if it is, then you will one day have to face the righteous indignation of Jesus Himself! 2 Th 1:7-9 “and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,”

But even those who obey the gospel can be guilty of “Binding The Hands Of Jesus”. How? One way is by refusing to be transformed. Christ will is that we be transformed. This transformation involves a renewal of the mind - Ro 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”; Ep 4:20-24 “But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” This renewal occurs as we read, study, and meditate upon the Word of God - 1 Pe 1:23-2:3 “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”; Ph 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Many Christians neglect the instrument by which we can be renewed. We do not “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” - Ja 1:21b. Allowing other things to take precedence in our lives, we so “bind the hands of Jesus” that we do not change! Are you/we guilty of this? We are, if we neglect to study the Bible on our own! We are, if we fail to take advantage of opportunities to study with others! Neglect the transforming power of the Word of God, and we are just as guilty of “binding the hands of Jesus” as were those who delivered Him to Pilate!

We can also be guilty of “Binding The Hands Of Jesus” by refusing to pray. Jesus has become our “High Priest.” He became man for this very purpose - He 2:17-18 “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” He’s made it possible for us to boldly approach the throne of grace in prayer - He 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” As our high priest He is able to save those who come to God through Him - He 7:25a “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him,” He “ever lives” to make intercession for us - He 7:25b “since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

When we do not pray as we should Jesus cannot be our high priest, our intercessor! Figuratively, we’ve taken the “praying hands” of Jesus and “bound” them behind His back! Are you/we doing this? If so, what a travesty this is! For here is Jesus, who “lives” to intercede for us, but Who can’t, because we prevent Him from doing so by our failure to pray!

There is yet another way to be guilty of “Binding The Hands Of Jesus” by refusing to do our part in the church. The church is described as the “Body of Christ”… - Ep 1:22-23 “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” As His body, we are individually members of one another - 1 Co 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” As members of one another, we are to care for one another - Ep 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” It is through such “mutual edification”, that Christ provides much of His help for the members of His body!

But when we fail to do our share, again Jesus is “Bound”…! Just as our physical head can do little if our bodily members fail to follow its leading, so it is with Jesus and His church! Jesus could do so much more for His members, if only more of the members did their part! Have you ever considered it this way…? That by failing to do our part, we “handicap” the body of Christ? That because of our neglect, or apathy, or lukewarmness either the whole body of Christ suffers or others are forced to do “double duty” in order to make up the difference?

Yes, there are many ways we can be just as guilty of “binding the hands of Jesus” today as were the religious leaders in delivering Jesus to Pilate! But consider just one more... By refusing to share the Gospel with the lost… Jesus has made His disciples to be his “hands and feet” in taking the Gospel to the lost. Consider Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16; 1 Pe 2:9. In every case of conversion recorded in Acts, Jesus used a disciple to tell the good news. Jesus works the same way today! But to the degree that we keep the good news to ourselves we have “bound the hands” of Jesus once again! We hinder Jesus from telling others of His wonderful grace! Are we “binding the hands of Jesus” in this way? Every day, countless souls die with no hope of eternal life. This need not be, if more made sharing of the gospel the primary concern in their lives! Sadly, in too many cases the primary concern of Christians is the pursuit of pleasure and acquisition of worldly treasures!

Yes, one does not have to literally “bind the hands of Jesus” to be guilty of the same sort of offense that we read about in Mk 15:1; as we have seen, there are many other ways as well! Why not today, resolve to “loose the hands of Jesus” so that in us and through us He may accomplish His full desire? Which is:

To save us!

To transform us!

To use us!

Sins Of God’s Grandchildren - Cont.

Malachi 1:1-3:18

Having reviewed the situation and deteriorated relationship between God and His people we will now look at God's `Grandchildren' today. Such were the circumstances in the generation or two that followed the restoration of Israel. Today, many of us are a generation or two removed from a similar restoration by our ancestors. Might we be guilty of similar sins...?

Do we doubt God's Love…? It is not uncommon for some to question God's existence, let alone His love! Especially, if their faith is not a biblical faith. One that requires a firm conviction in the existence of God - He 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.", 6 "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." One that comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."; Jn 20:30-31 "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Without such faith, they do not experience God's love. For faith leads to obedience - Ro 1:5 "through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,"; 6:17 "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,". And it is in the keeping of God's commandments that we experience His love - Jn 14:21-23 "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

-- Without the same saving faith of their parents, the physical offspring of God's children will never experience the love of God, thereby possibly doubt God's love.

Do we dishonor God's name by attending services and offering spiritual sacrifices, but with little effort? Today we are to offer the sacrifice of praise to God - He 13:15 "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." Yet the praise of God often pails in comparison to the praise of our favorite sports team, movie star, political leader, etc. We too can be guilty of sinning by offering halfhearted worship. For we are to sing "with grace in our hearts to the Lord" - Co 3:16. Will God be pleased with `blemished sacrifices' today?

-- Can one truly expect to receive God's blessings in their lives if they dishonor His Name by offering anything less than our best?

Do we desecrate His covenant by taking marriage and divorce lightly, though divorce and remarriage are strongly condemned by Jesus - Mt 5:31-32 `"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." With one exception provided by the Lord - Mt 19:9 "And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery."' Yet divorce and remarriage for unscriptural reasons has become rampant today. Despite the damage it does to the spouse and children. Despite the damage it does to our relationship with the Lord - 1 Pe 3:7 "Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."

-- When children of God's children don't have the same faith as their parents or grandparents, we should not be surprised to see a rise in divorce and remarriage.

Do we disparage God's patience by questioning His eventual justice by saying "Where is the promise of His coming?" - 2 Pe 3:3,4 "knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."' We may not say it in so many words, but do our lives reflect as much? We can try God's patience and longsuffering if we continue in sin; if we think lightly of sin - 2 Pe 3:9 "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." God's response will be "the day of the Lord" in which Jesus comes again - 2 Pe 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." God's response will be to judge the world! - 2 Th 1:7-10 "and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed."

-- Living like there will always be a `tomorrow', many of God's `grandchildren' give little thought to God's longsuffering and the need to repent.

Do we desert God's ordinances? Are we guilty of deserting or forsaking God's ordinances in His church such as baptism for the remission of sins? - Mt 28:19-20; Ac 2:38. Such as the Lord's Supper in memory of His death? - Ac 20:7; 1 Co 11:23-26. Are we guilty of deserting other commands of our Lord such as the command not to forsake assembling? - He 10:24-25. Such as the command to lay by in store, giving as we prosper? - 1 Co 16:1-2.

-- If we take such ordinances and commands lightly, is that not an indication that we may be God's `grandchildren' instead of His children?

Do we despise God's service? Jesus would have us seek the kingdom of God - Mt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Do we despise God's service to make His rule and righteousness the first priority in our lives? With the assurance that He will provide for our necessities do we question the veracity of His words? Suggesting that it would be vain to serve God first in our lives? Implicating that those who put jobs or family first will be the blessed ones?

-- Those who are God's `grandchildren' will more likely trust in their own strength than in the value of serving God first.

We can see many similarities in the book of Malachi between those of his day who were a generation or two from the faith of their parents and many today who are `second or third generation Christians' -- Which is why the OT was written and preserved for our admonition - 1 Co 10:11. But notice toward the end of Malachi's message there is hope.... Those who feared the Lord spoke to one another - Mal 3:16a "Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another." The Lord took note, and a `book of remembrance' was written - Mal 3:16b "The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name." The Lord promised to make them His `jewels' and spare them - Mal 3:17 `"They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him."

-- It would become easy to discern between the righteous and the wicked, by their service to God - Mal 3:18 "Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him."

May we likewise encourage one another to serve God from the heart, out of personal conviction, that we may truly be God's children, not guilty of the "Sins Of God's Grandchildren"...!

Sins Of God’s Grandchildren

Malachi 1:1-3:18

The title of our study is actually a misnomer.... For God does not have `grandchildren' per se. He has only `children', who become such through faith in Christ - Ga 3:26-27 "for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." -- Yet I seek to stimulate your thinking with this title. True children of God do have children, physical offspring who often appear to follow in the footsteps of their parents' faith. Yet it is not uncommon for them to lack the same conviction. -- It is these `grandchildren' to which I have reference in this study. In the book of Malachi, we find a similar situation.... The restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah occurred several generations earlier. The descendants of those restored Jews did not have the same zeal and focus in their faith. -- Malachi was sent to rebuke the sins of this later generation.

There are parallels today, when children are blessed to have Christian parents or grandparents. The sins of the `grandchildren' of Malachi's day often appear in the `grandchildren' of today. To see how, let's first review the sins of God's "grandchildren" in Malachi's day.

1.) They doubted God's love! They evidently questioned His love for them . God reasserted His love for Israel - Mal 1:2 `"I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have you loved us?" "Is not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob,"

2.) They dishonored God's name by offering blemished sacrifices. They offered to God what they would be embarrassed to offer men. The Lord even wished someone would shut the doors so they could not sacrifice - Mal 1:6-11 `"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, 'How have we despised your name?' By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying that the LORD's table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts."

By offering halfhearted worship. Profaning God's name by saying His service was contemptible and a weariness. Those who continued to bring blemished sacrifices would fall under God's curse - Mal 1:12-14 "But you profane it when you say that the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. But you say, 'What a weariness this is,' and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations."

3.) They desecrated God's covenant by marrying heathen women. They dealt treacherously and profaned the covenant made with their fathers by marrying pagan women ("the daughter of a foreign God") - Mal 2:10-12 "Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob, any descendant of the man who does this, who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts!" This problem is described more fully in Ezra 9-10; Neh 13:23-24. Malachi prayed that the Lord would cut off from Jacob those who did this – see Mal 2:12; Ezr 10:7-8; Neh 13:23-28. They desecrated God's covenant by divorcing their Jewish wives - Mal 2:13-16 "And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD's altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. But you say, "Why does he not?" Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. "For the man who hates and divorces, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."' Despite their weeping, God was no longer regarding their sacrifices. For they had dealt treacherously with the wives of the their youth (i.e., Jewish wives) by divorcing them:

1) Even though they had entered into a covenant (e.g., "Till death do us part")

2) Even though God had made them one (cf. Gen 2:24)

Therefore God hated divorce for it covered one's garment with violence (e.g., against the wife and children). It was treacherous to so deal with one's spouse in that way! - Mal 2:16 "For the man who hates and divorces, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."'

4.) They tried and disparaged God's patience, wearying Him with their words, especially by questioning His justice. They said that those who do evil is good in God's sight, that He even delights in them. They asked, "Where is the God of justice?" - Mal 2:17 "You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say, "How have we wearied him?" By saying, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them." Or by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"' God's response was to send His Messenger(s). First, the `messenger' (John the Baptist) who would prepare the way. Then, the `Messenger of the covenant' (Jesus) who would purge His people - Mal 3:1-5 "Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. "Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts."

5.) They deserted God's ordinances God charged them with deserting His ordinances - Mal 3:7 "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, 'How shall we return?'" Their tithes (the lack thereof) as a case in point - Mal 3:8-12 "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts." They had robbed God by their failure to offer their tithes - Mal 3:8. For this reason the whole nation had been accursed - Mal 3:9. They were challenged to bring the tithes, and to see the blessings that would follow - Mal 3:10-12.

6.) They dispised God's service. They said it was vain to serve God - Mal 3:13-15. Their words were harsh against God - Mal 3:13 `"Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, 'How have we spoken against you?'" They questioned what profit there was in keeping His ordinances - Mal 3:14 "You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts?" Calling the proud blessed, saying the wicked are raised up, and those who tempt God go free - Mal 3:15 "And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.'"

Such were the circumstances in the generation or two that followed the restoration of Israel. Having reviewed the situation and deteriorated relationship between God and His people we will next look at God's `Grandchildren' today.

Does the Lord's House Lie in Ruins - Cont.

Haggai 1:1-15

Is it time to dwell in paneled homes, and let the Lord’s house lie in ruin? Evidently some think so, if they say: “I will serve the Lord as soon as I...”

1) “...finish my schooling”

2) “...get on top of the responsibilities of my job”

3) “...raise my children”

In each case, is not the bottom line the same?

1) The Lord’s house lies in ruin

2) While we go about our own way with our own lives

In Haggai’s day, it was not time to put other things before the Lord’s house; nor is it time to do so today!

1) We must put the kingdom of God first - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

2) We must put the Lord first - Mt 10:37-39 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Might we need to “consider our ways”? Are things not going the way they should? Perhaps there is a divine reason for the “drought” in our lives? Perhaps the Lord in His providence is telling us something! If we will put the Lord and His kingdom (house) first God will provide our necessities - Mt 6:31-33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God will multiply our seed for sowing - 2 Co 9:6-11 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” If we neglect the Lord’s work we won’t have God’s providence helping us; we may even experience God’s loving discipline - Hag 1:9-11; 1 Co 11:31-32; He 12:5-11

We saw that the Jews took to heart the message of Haggai - Hag 1:12 “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.” What we did not stress was the Lord's response: “I am with you, says the LORD.” (Hag 1:13). The phrase “I am with you” is interesting. It is similar to the promise made by Jesus in the Great Commission - Mt 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Thus we have the assurance that if we observe all that Christ commanded He will be with us always even as God was with Israel. Yet this blessed assurance is for those who do not let the Lord’s house lie in ruins while they dwell in paneled homes. Are you doing your part to build the Lord’s house?

Does the Lord's House Lie in Ruins

Haggai 1:1-15

About 600 years before Christ, Judah was taken captive to Babylon. Jerusalem with its temple was plundered and burned. Seventy years later, the Jews were allowed to return. It was the Lord's intention that the Jews rebuild the temple. He stirred up Cyrus of Persia to let them do this - Ezr 1:1-5. But once the people returned to Jerusalem, other things began to take precedence. God then sent Haggai to the Jews with a simple message. The message was “Build the temple!” This same message has an application for the church today.

Turning in our Bibles to Hag 1:1, let's take a closer look at Haggai’s message and the attitude of the Jews. “The time has not come for the Lord's house to be built” - Hag 1:2. Their reasoning can be inferred from Hag 1:3-4 “Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” They were too busy building their own homes! They put building their own homes before the Lord’s house! Their attitude is made clear in Hag 1:9b “Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” While the Lord’s house lay in ruins every one was concerned with their own home!

The message of Haggai is, “Is it time to dwell in paneled homes while the temple lies in ruins?” - Hag 1:4. The Lord’s challenge: “Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways!” - Hag 1:5. Things had not been going well - Hag 1:6 “You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.” They should have been building the temple - Hag 1:7-8 ‘"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD.” Because they had put building their homes before the Lord’s house they prospered little; what little they had the Lord blew away - Hag 1:9 “You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” The Lord even called for a drought in judgment upon them - Hag 1:10-11 “Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors."’ The preaching of Haggai proved successful; in reverence the people obeyed and completed the construction of the temple (Hag 1:12-15).

Since this was written for our admonition (1 Co 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”), let’s now consider Haggai’s message and make a similar application to the church. We face a similar task, although not the building of a physical structure. For God does not dwell in temples made with hands - Ac 17:24 “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,”. The temple of God is now the church - 1 Co 1:2 “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:”; 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Though a spiritual structure, God’s temple is still undergoing construction. The foundation is the work of Jesus, apostles and prophets - Ep 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” It grows as people are converted by the preaching of the gospel - 1 Co 3:5-9 “What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.” It grows internally as those converted do their part - Ep 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” -- So we have a similar task to “Build the temple!” (a never-ending task).

Haggai’s message is very applicable today. Does the Lord’s house lie in ruins, while we run to our own homes? The Lord’s house (the church) does lie in ruins if we allow other things to keep us from doing our part to evangelize the lost. Or if we neglect to do our part in edifying the body of Christ. Whatever our abilities and opportunities, we have a responsibility in the building of the Lord’s house today. It may involve teaching or serving - Ro 12:3-8 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”; 1 Pe 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” It may involve going or sending - Ro 10:14-15 “But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"’ Through exercising our abilities we can build the temple of God today; otherwise the Lord’s house will lie in ruins!

What Does The Lord Require of You? - Cont.

Micah 6:6-8

Having looked at some of the things God required of Israel beyond mere ritual in the first part of this lesson, we will now look at what God requires of us. What God requires of us (you) is:

To do justly. To act toward God according to His divine law - Mt 7:21 ‘"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” To act toward man according to His divine law - Ep 4:25-29 “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

To love mercy. To show a compassionate warm-heartedness toward man, toward widows and the fatherless - Ja 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Even toward our enemies - Lk 6:35-36 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

To walk humbly with our God. The only way to enjoy His fellowship and continual cleansing by the blood of Jesus - Ja 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”; 1 Jn 1:7-9 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Such close communion and fellowship with God requires daily:

1) Listening to God - studying His Word to learn His will - Ja 1:21 “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”; 1 Pe 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation”

2) Talking to God - praying for strength and forgiveness, praising Him for blessings

received - He 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”; Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

3) Walking with God - by doing His will in humble submission - Ep 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”, 8 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”, 15 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,” -- By walking humbly with God, we are more likely to keep in proper balance the demands to do justly and love mercy

Even though we live under a different covenant, the Lord still requires us:

To do justly

To love mercy

To walk humbly with our God

-- Our “rituals” may be different (with respect to worship), but the basics are still the same!

Are you doing what the Lord requires of you? Consider this, have you done justly (by obeying the gospel of Christ)? Do you love mercy (demonstrated by accepting God's mercy offered in Christ)? Are you walking humbly with your God (by living a dedicated and obedient Christian life)?

-- If not, then all the church services you may attended, all the sermons you may have heard, all the prayers you may have offered, will benefit you nothing!

May we in all earnestness do what the Lord requires of us!

What Does The Lord Require of You?

Micah 6:6-8

The text for our study is Mic 6:6-8 ‘"With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

A passage considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive and all-embracing statements in the Old Testament in which Micah raises the question: “What does the Lord require of you?” Micah answers his own question, and makes some important points.... Not only for the sake of Israel of his day; but for the benefit of the Lord's church today. -- For as with all of the Old Testament, it was written for our learning - Ro 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

As we seek to learn from this passage, let's first consider the question, what did the Lord require of Israel? Let’s start with considering what Israel may have thought. Some possibilities, even some absurdities: year-old calves as burnt offerings; thousands of rams; ten thousands rivers of oil; offering of the firstborn child? Some observations are: God did indeed speak of some of these things. Like the offering of calves and rams -see Lev 1:1-13. But the absurd amount of oil and offering of the firstborn are examples of hyperbole for the sake of emphasis. From the context, it appears ritualistic sacrifices alone did not please God. One could not please God by simply offering innumerable sacrifices, even things precious to the worshiper. For religious rituals properly ordained of God to be accepted, they must be accompanied by other things just as essential (more detail on this point will be cover later in this lesson).

What did God really require of Israel? To do justly. This means “to act toward God and man according to the divine standard of righteousness revealed in His law.” (Hailey). This did involve the offering of sacrifices commanded by God, but it also involved treating their fellow man in a way that was right and fair. -- Failure to do "justly" was one of the main reasons Israel went into captivity – see for example Zec 7:8-14; 8:16-17.

To love mercy. This means “to show a compassionate warm-heartedness toward man.” (Hailey). Not only treat others fairly, but to show mercy when mistreated themselves.

-- One reason they were to love mercy was because God Himself delighted in showing mercy - Mic 7:18-19 “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

To walk humbly with your God. This means living “in humble and submissive obedience to His desire and will.” (Hailey). It can only happen when we “recognize the absolute holiness and righteousness of God.” (Hailey). -- It is the humble of heart and spirit that greatly pleases God - Isa 57:15 “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”; 66:1-2 “Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”

These three things God required of those who would come before Him. Not instead of the ritual observances, but in conjunction with them (Mt 23:23 ‘"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”). Now for an application of our text to those who are Christians today. What does the Lord require of us? Let’s consider what some might think. Some might think all the Lord requires is the observance of certain rituals. Like attending church on Sunday and partaking in the Lord’s Supper, as though if one does this, they have done all that is required. I sometimes wonder if people really believe this. That’s the impression one receives by their example. That’s the answer often received from some. Certainly attending the services of the church is important. It is essential to obeying God - He 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” It is required if we expect to grow spiritually - He 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” In fact, I am persuaded that failure to attend every service can be displeasing to God - Ep 5:15-17 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” When absent, are we making the most of our time? Do we really believe our absence is the Lord’s will for us? This attitude can explain the lack of several things, such as the lack of spiritual growth, the lack of commitment in the work of the church, and the lack of close fellowship with God and other Christians. -- Yes, I am convinced that it is essential that we observe what “rituals” God has ordained for us; but the Lord requires more than just “attending church”. But what does the Lord require of us today? We will look into this in our next part of this lesson.

Neither Shall They Learn War Anymore - Cont.

Micah 4:1-3

In looking at our response to evil in the previous part of this lesson we will now look at what it means to be partakers of the divine nature. First, in order to be like God - Lk 6:35-36 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." God is described as:

Kind, even to unthankful and evil men - Ro 5:8 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Just, as will be manifested one day - Ro 2:5-8 "But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury."

God expects His spiritual kingdom to demonstrate His mercy:

By proclaiming the gospel of mercy - 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

By demonstrating mercy in our lives - Lk 6:36 "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

God expects earthly governments to exercise His vengeance:

They are His ministers to which we are to submit - Ro 13:1-3 "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,"

They are to execute wrath on the evil doer - Ro 13:4 "for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer."

Unless we are proper representatives of the government, it is not our place to administer

justice to evildoers. We must leave vengeance (justice) to God - Ro 12:19 "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."' We must let His governmental agents execute wrath - Ro 13:4 "for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." -- With the exception of "church discipline" - 1 Co 5:1-13; 2 Th 3:6-15. As "sons of the Highest", our duty is to show mercy, or active good will. Showing kindness to our enemies - Ro 12:20 "To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."' Refusing to be overcome by evil (i.e., brought down to their level) - Ro 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." -- As we respond to evil with mercy and goodness, we are more likely to obtain our third reason for reacting to evil in this way...

To overcome evil - Ro 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." How can we best hope to overcome evil and change the evil person? If we react as:

1) Avenger, defender or passive resister

2) We only convince the opposition that might makes right

If we react as:

1) Runner or helpless

2) We may only confirm the opposition's view that we are cowardly or weak

The most likely way to both overcome evil and change the evil person is by reacting with active good will! Is this not how God sought to change the world? - Ro 5:8 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."; Jn 3:16 `"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."; Ro 2:4 "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" Is this not how Jesus sought to change the world? - 1 Pe 2:21-25 "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." Certainly Jesus' example demonstrates a better way to handle conflict and evil... His humility and sacrificial love has motivated many to turn from sin. And we are called to walk in His steps!

Those who do often follow Jesus' example make a powerful impact on others: Kim Joon-gon has seen 2,000 out 20,000 people on Chunnam Island murdered by the Communists. They dragged his family to a spot where 160 people from two villages had gathered to beat the Christians. There Kim's father and wife were beaten to death and Kim was left for dead. When he revived and sought safety at an acquaintance's house, he was turned over to the Communists. Only the sudden appearance of an American ship off the island coast saved him this time, for the Communist soldiers hurried away to battle. He hid out in the countryside until the South Korean army captured the island. The Communists who had killed his wife and father were arrested. Because it was wartime, the police chief had authority to execute without trial. But as the chief prepared to kill the men, Kim pleaded, `Spare them. They were forced to kill.'

The police chief showed great surprise. `It was your family they killed! Why do you now ask for their lives?' Kim replied quietly, `Because the Lord, whose I am and whom I serve, would have me show mercy to them.' The Communists were spared execution because of Kim's plea. News of his action spread among other Communist supporters in the area. When Kim later ascended a mountain to preach to Communists hiding out, he was not killed. Many of the Communists became Christians, and when Kim finally left the island there was a flourishing church of 108 members. - Dictionary Of Illustrations, p. 188

We may never be called upon to manifest the power of responding to evil with good in such a remarkable way... We can begin though by how we respond to personal abuses we often receive from others. We can react to evil treatment even on a small scale with active good will. How? By showing that we are different from sinners; demonstrating that we are trying to be sons of the Highest we are more likely to overcome evil and convert the sinner. Reacting to evil with good will does not always convert the evildoer.... Jesus was crucified on the cross, enduring hostility by sinners - He 12:2-3 "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." In such cases we must commit our cause to God, as did Jesus - 1 Pe 2:21-23 "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly."; 4:19 "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." While the physical government may step in and exercise the judgment of God, our duty as citizens of the spiritual kingdom is to show mercy:

"Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful"

Whenever we show mercy (or active good will) in response to evil, we fulfill one of the many promises of the Messianic age:

"Neither shall they learn war any more."

Speaking of mercy, have you accepted the invitation of God to respond to His loving mercy through obedience to the gospel...?

Neither Shall They Learn War Anymore

Micah 4:1-3

One of many Messianic prophecies is found in Mic 4:1-3 (“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore;”), in which we read that the mountain of the Lord's house will be established and the Word of the Lord will go forth from Jerusalem. -- Fulfillment of this wonderful age began with the spread of the gospel and establishment of the Lord's church, or kingdom - Lk 24:44-47 “Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”; He 12:18-24 “For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned." Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”, 28 “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”. Those willing to come to the mountain of the Lord's house will be taught concerning the Lord's ways and walk in His paths - Mic 4:2. Among the things they will learn, is not to use war anymore - Mic 4:3. While the ancient kingdom of Israel often resorted to war, such would not be the case with the kingdom of the Messiah. Its kingdom would be spiritual, not advanced or defended by the use of force - Jn 18:36 “Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world."’ Its citizens would learn a new way to respond to evil and handle conflict

In the words of Micah (and Isaiah, see for example Isa 2:1-4), “Neither Shall They Learn War Anymore.” In what way do we see this fulfilled? One way is in the teaching of Jesus concerning reacting to conflict and evil. The following are ways people are known to react:

The Avenger: retaliates with force with the objective to punish.

The Defender: uses force only for the sake of self-preservation.

The Passive Resister: resists without the use of force, daring the evil person to harm an unarmed person (for example, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, et al).

The Runner: flees from abuse, seeking to escape.

The Helpless: unable to flee or defend, passively allows others to mistreat them/

Let’s now look at some scripture text to see how Jesus taught us to react. Consider the words of Jesus and His apostles - Lk 6:27-31 ‘"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”; Ro 12:17-21 “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” When we examine these verses carefully, we note the following. We are not being taught to:

1) Be a Passive Resister (contrary to Ghandi, King, et al).

2) Be a Runner (though Jesus taught the principle of fleeing elsewhere – see for example Mt 10:23).

3) Stand Helpless.

We are being taught to:

1) React to evil in a positive way.

2) To overcome evil with good.

Jesus taught the principle of “responding to active evil will with active good will”. Someone does us evil, we are to react with good. Note the examples used by Jesus: when someone...

1) Curses you, bless them.

2) Spitefully uses you, pray for them.

3) Strikes you, offer the other cheek.

4) Takes your cloak, give them your tunic.

5) Ask for something, give it to them.

6) Take something from you, don't ask it back.

-- In each case, one reacts to evil with active good will (i.e., love)

Thus Jesus teaches us another way to deal with conflict and respond to evil abuse: not by using instruments of war, nor by simply remaining passive or necessarily fleeing, but by reacting to evil with positive expressions of good will towards the offender! Why does Jesus teach us to do this...? The reason to react with active good will is to be different from sinners - Lk 6:32-34 ‘"If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.” It is human nature to show good will only to friends. To react to enemies as:

1) Avenger

2) Defender

3) Passive Resister

4) Runner

5) Helpless

We are called to be partakers of the divine nature - 2 Pe 1:2-4 “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” We Are to put off the old man, with its typical reaction to abuse - Co 3:5-9 “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.” Putting on the new man, reacting to abuse in a new way - Co 3:10-14 “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

-- As we do so, we become more like Christ, which leads to the second reason...

In being called to be partakers of the divine nature how can we be like God? We will examine this in the second part of this lesson.

A Fammine For the Word - Cont.

Amos 8:11-14

The present famine also produces similar results as noted in the previous portion of this lesson! Amos described a sad picture in Am 8:13-14:

1) Young people fainting from "thirst"

2) Others falling and not rising again

Doesn't this describe the daily lives of many Christians today?

1) Suffering from a lack of "spiritual food"... They are easily overcome by temptation! Even the common trials of life overwhelm them!

2) This may help us understand why some new Christians fall away. Young people often lose interest! The behavior of some elders, preachers, and teachers is what it is!

There are two things that are necessary to resist trials and temptations:

1) Faith in God: believing that He will provide a way of escape - 1 Co 10:13"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

2) Fear of God: awesome reverence that motivates us to turn from evil - Pro 16:6"By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil."

-- The Word of God is designed to impart both! - Ro 10:17"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."; Deu 17:18-19`"And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,"; 31:10-13"And Moses commanded them, "At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess."'

The condition of many churches today is one of "spiritual malnutrition"! Influenced by materialism, immorality, and a lack of true spirituality, by choice many people have imposed a famine on themselves for the Word of God! This helps to explain the discouragement and defeat in the lives of so many Christians today! What can be done about it? How can we end this self-imposed famine for the Word of God?

In order to end the famine we must first appreciate the power of God's word. It possesses the power of creation demonstrated with the creation of the physical realm - He 11:3"By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."; Gen 1:3"And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light."It has similar power in the spiritual realm, producing true regeneration! - Jn 6:63"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."; 1 Pe1:23"since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;"; Ja 1:18"Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

It possesses the power of sanctification as praised by David in his psalm - Ps 19:7-11"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."As mentioned by Jesus in His prayer - Jn 17:17"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

It possesses the power of preservation. The young are instructed to keep their ways pure by it - Psa 119:9"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word."The elders are exhorted to keep the church pure by it - Ac 20:28-32"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."A lack of knowledge has always destroyed God's people - Hos 4:6"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

It possesses the power of salvation and condemnation. It can save our souls when properly received - Ja 1:21"Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."It will be the standard by which we will be judged - Jn 12:48"The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." -- Should this not motivate us to learn the Word of God? Would it not be foolish to neglect such power in our lives?

In order to end the famine we must first appreciate the power of God's word, and then we must feed upon it! Like newborn babies longing for their mothers' milk, so we need to long for the word of God! - 1 Pe 2:2"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation". I contend that nothing less than daily reading of God's Word is necessary! We appreciate the value of daily nourishment for our bodies. Do our souls deserve any less? They were created in the image of God! They are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! One soul is more valuable than the whole world put together! - Mt 16:26"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?"

A simple practice of Daily Bible Reading will go a long way to ending this famine for the Word of God! A reasonable goal at first is to read a chapter a day. I recommend reading through the New Testament first and then meditating on what you read. At the rate of one chapter a day, one will easily read the NT in a year. Once the habit of daily Bible reading has been established, reading three chapters a day will enable one to read through the entire Bible once a year. That is really not too much to do, yet many Christians have never read the Bible through once! It takes the average reader only 20-30 minutes a day. The use of some sort of Bible reading chart or checklist may be helpful. As you read, make it a time for meditation and prayer. Meditating upon the Word - Psa 1:1-3"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."Praying for wisdom and help to obey God's word - Psa 119:18 "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.",33-37"He. Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.""is desirable in order to serve God; that we may do so aright, we should seek to have our eyes opened to behold His truth, and earnestly desire fully to understand it. To encourage us in prayer for divine aid in adhering to His truth, we are permitted to believe that by His help we shall succeed. "the way of thy statutes" --that is, the way or manner of life prescribed by them. The help we hope to obtain by prayer is to be the basis on which our resolutions should rest." (JFB)

It must have been terrible for the Israelites; taken away as captives to a strange land. Unable to feed on the wonderful Word of God! But how tragic for those who impose a famine for the Word upon themselves today...! By their own neglect they languish from spiritual malnutrition. By their own neglect they remain captives to sin. Their tragedy is increased when we realize their neglect is not just one related to the Word of God as it existed in Amos' day. But they are neglecting the full and final revelation of God's Word given through Jesus and His apostles! -- By God's grace they have so much more to enjoy, yet they turn aside from this spiritual feast! I challenge everyone to make the commitment not to neglect the all-powerful Word of God! Feast daily upon that Word which can save your souls! As Paul told the Ephesian elders as he bid them farewell:

"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." – Ac 20:32

A Fammine For the Word

Amos 8:11-14

About 750 B.C., an obscure farmer and shepherd was called by God to be a prophet.... The man’s name was Amos. His mission: to warn Israel of God’s coming judgment if they did not repent! Sadly, the nation did not heed the call to repent.... As a result, they were led into Assyrian captivity. Part of Amos’ prophecy that was fulfilled concerned an unusual famine that would come upon the people: A Famine For The Word Of God! - Amo 8:11-14‘"Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "when I will send a famine on the land-- not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. "In that day the lovely virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst. Those who swear by the Guilt of Samaria, and say, 'As your god lives, O Dan,' and, 'As the Way of Beersheba lives,' they shall fall, and never rise again."’Today, there is also a famine for the Word of God.... Different in some ways, yet similar in other ways, and producing similar results!

In our study today, we will compare the present-day famine with the one foretold by Amos... In the present day famine, how different is it? The present famine for the Word of God was not sent by God. On the contrary, it is evident God has provided for a “feast”, not a “famine”! We enjoy an abundance of Bibles. Never before in the history of mankind has the world enjoyed such free access to God’s Word. Indeed, today’s famine for the Word of God is self-imposed! Despite such access to the Bible, the following “Diary Of The Bible” illustrates what is often so true:

January: A busy time for me. Most of the family decided to read me through this year. They kept me busy for the first two weeks. I’m now forgotten.

February: My owner used me for a few minutes last week. He had an argument and was checking references.

March: Grandpa visited us. He kept me on his lap for an hour, reading 1 Cor 13.

April: I had a busy day. My owner was appointed a leader of something and used me. I got to go to church the first time this year...Easter Sunday.

May: I have a few grass stains on my pages. Had some early spring flowers pressed in me.

June: I look like a scrap book. They have stuffed me full of clippings. One of the girls got married.

July: They put me in a suitcase today. I guess we’re off on a vacation. I wish I could stay at home, as I will have to stay in this thing for a month.

August: Still in the suitcase.

September: Back home again, and in my old place. I have lots of company. Two “True Stories” and four “Funny Books” are on top of me. I wish I could be read as much as they are.

October: They used me a little today. One of them is sick. Right now I’m all shined up and in the center of the table...I think the preacher is coming.

November: Back in my old place.

December: They are getting ready for Christmas. I’ll be covered under wrapping papers and packages.

Why is there this present-day famine for the Word of God? The answer may be found as we compare this famine with the one foretold by Amos and notice how similar it is. The present famine is the result of similar causes, such as, material luxury. In Amos’ day, this became the cause of pride which God hated - Amo 6:1-8‘"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria, the notable men of the first of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! Pass over to Calneh, and see, and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is their territory greater than your territory, O you who put far away the day of disaster and bring near the seat of violence? "Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away." The Lord GOD has sworn by himself, declares the LORD, the God of hosts: "I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds, and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it."’

Their luxury prompted them to “put far off the day of doom” in their minds (i.e., they did not want to think about the future). God had warned Israel that it might cause some to forget God - Deu 8:11-14‘"Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,”, 17“Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'”Likewise, Jesus warned that riches could choke those who had received the Word- Lk 8:14“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”

Today, many in their search for wealth forget about God. Others have so filled their time enjoying their luxuries, they have no time for the Word of God. For example, consider the moral corruption around us. Consider how corrupt the people had become in the days of Amos - Amo 2:6-7“Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals-- those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned;”Who can deny that immorality is having its effect on the church today?The world’s standards often become the standards of those in the church. When this happens, people will not want to feed upon the Word of God. If they did, it would make them very uncomfortable, because of its ability to reveal our true selves - He 4:12-13“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Consider religious corruption, even within the church. The people of Israel couldn’t wait for religious days to be over - Amo 8:4-10“Hear this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, "When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of the wheat?" The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: "Surely I will never forget any of their deeds. Shall not the land tremble on this account, and everyone mourn who dwells in it, and all of it rise like the Nile, and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?" "And on that day," declares the Lord GOD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist and baldness on every head; I will make it like the mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.”Today, many people can’t wait for services to be over so they can work or play. If they are unwilling to spend time in sincere worship it is easy to see why they won’t take time to feed daily on God’s word!

Dare To Be a Daniel - Cont.

Daniel 1:8-21; 6:1-10

Having laid out the character and principles of Daniel from our text we will continue this lesson in a second part noting some lessons we can learn and apply to our Christian walk.

People admire persons of principle. Outwardly they may ridicule them, but inwardly they wish they had the same intestinal fortitude. And when they need someone that can be trusted, and depended upon to carry through with an assigned task, who do you think they will turn to? God also admires individuals who will stand by their principles, and by their words – Psa 15:1-5 “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”

Our society is in great need of people with principle. Those who “Dare To Be A Daniel”, and demonstrate by example the value of being led by “principle” rather than by “price”, are not only highly valued by God but also by their fellow man.

But having purpose and principle is not all...another element for true success is needed. What that element is can be seen when we observe that Daniel was a man of purity. His opponents could not find any fault. He was faultless when it came to management of his business affairs - Dan 6:1-4 “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.” This would help to explain his rise to positions of great responsibility and power. Of course, his purity in business affairs was related to his overall purpose to please God first and the fact that as a man of principle he could be trusted.

The Christian is also to maintain purity of conduct. Whether young or old - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”; Ti 2:6-8 “Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Whether slave or free - Ti 2:9-10 “Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” People who maintain purity in their dealings with others are often given positions of great responsibility and privilege, because they can be trusted to use them wisely.

Yes, Daniel was a man of purpose, principle, and purity (and how the world needs more like him!). But the element that likely tied all these together in such a way to receive blessings from God and favor from man is the fact that Daniel was a man of prayer. What follows is just a glimpse of his “prayer life”. - Dan 6:10 “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” He knelt in prayer, a demonstration of his humility. He prayed three times daily, a demonstration of his continual dependence upon God. He gave thanks in the midst of persecution, a demonstration of his gratitude and the fact that he had not lost sight of God’s blessings. His prayers were a “custom since early days”, demonstrating his persistence and faithfulness in his service to God -- Is it not likely that his “custom” to pray so diligently helped him to remain a man of purpose, principle and purity, despite his rise to power and preeminence over the empire?

Christians would do well to follow Daniel’s example. “Let us learn the lesson that the finest of God’s servants must maintain regular and fixed prayer habits in order to continue steadfast in devotion to the Lord.” (Strauss). As Christians, we too are to pray often - 1 Th 5:17-18 “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”; Co 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” If our efforts to live purposeful, principled, and pure lives are not what they should be, could an undisciplined “prayer life” be the reason? Are we willing to “Dare To Be A Daniel” in regards to prayer?

There is a false assumption that to “get ahead” in this world one must conform to the sinful practices of the world. But even today there are many Christians who demonstrate that when one “dares to be a Daniel” they can succeed in the affairs of men without selling their souls to the world. How about you? Will you “Dare To Be A Daniel” by becoming a person of Purpose, Principle, Purity, and Prayer?