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Seeking His Kingdom Ministries

Opposing Worldviews

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Introduction:

Opposing Worldviews

Define worldview:

Your worldview is the lens through which you see and interpret the world around you.

A worldview is the way a person sees and understands the world. It includes their beliefs, values, and experiences that shape how they think and act.

Who was missing during Saul’s reign?

The most important commandment. (Given to the people of Israel long before this time.)

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NLT
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

As Saul’s reign progressed, his relationship with God deteriorated significantly. One pivotal moment occurred when Saul disobeyed God’s explicit command regarding the Amalekites. (iAsk)

1 Samuel 15:10-28 NLT (When Saul did not completely destroy the Amalekite nation.)

The Lord Rejects Saul
10 Then the Lord said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.”  …
Saul Pleads for Forgiveness
24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”
26 But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”
27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. 28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you.

Contrast:

Acts 13:22 NLT
22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’

2 Samuel 6:12-23 NLT

Michal’s Contempt for David 

12 Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 13 After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. 15 So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.
16 But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.
17 They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. 18 When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 19 Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.
20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”
21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 23 So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life. 

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 6:12-23 NLT (See 1 Chronicles 15:25-16:3)

Michal’s Contempt for David

12 Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.”

  • God’s blessing on the household of Obed-Edom showed David that the Lord’s anger had been appeased.

So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 

From the previous lesson:

  • The Ark represented the presence of God.

Exodus 25 NLT (selected verses)
10 “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. … 16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.
… 21 Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. 22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

The Ark could be seen as the earthly throne of Israel’s God. 

13 After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps,

Note: men were carrying the Ark.

The men were transporting the Ark properly.

Go to 1 Chronicles:
1 Chronicles 15:26 NLT
26 And because God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 

David sensed that things were going well. (No one was struck dead.) 

David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 

God’s blessing was on the Levites. (1 Samuel 15:26 shown above.)

David responded by offering sacrifices to the Lord.

David sacrificed here and in verse 17.

David was worshipping the Lord.

  • David worshipped God by sacrificing a bull and a fattened calf. 

14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might,

Psalm 149:3 NLT
3 Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp. 

Psalm 150 NLT (the last Psalm)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Exodus 15:20-21 NLT
20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. 21 And Miriam sang this song:

“Sing to the Lord,
    for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
    into the sea.” 

  • Praising the Lord with dancing is Biblical. 

wearing a priestly garment. 

David was dressed as a priest, not a king. (David was not a descendant of Aaron.)

A garment usually reserved for priests and those ministering before the Lord. 

15 So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. 

  • David and all the people of Israel were celebrating as they transported the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. 

16 But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window.

  • Michal is identified as the daughter of Saul, not David’s wife, in verses 16, 20, and 23.

Was Michal more David’s wife or Saul’s daughter?

Some background:

Michal was originally married to David.

Following David’s escape from Saul, Saul gave Michal in marriage to Palti (or Paltiel), son of Laish (1 Samuel 25:44).

After Saul died and Ish-bosheth (Saul’s son) became king, David demanded that Michal be returned to him as part of a political alliance (2 Samuel 3:13-16).

Who helped Michal shape her worldview? 

When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.

  • When Michal saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.

David was not acting like she thought a king was expected to act.  In her eyes his behavior was undignified.

It appears that Michal had no appreciation for the significance of the event.

Michal may have wanted David to remain a warrior, rather than a man of God. 

17 They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it.

Go to iAsk or Chat GPT.
David placed the Ark of the Covenant in a tent, often referred to as the “Tent of David,” on Mount Zion. This was separate from the tabernacle that Moses had constructed, which was located at Gibeon at the time. David wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and set it up in a special place for worship. Later, his son Solomon built the Temple, where the Ark was ultimately placed. (Chat GPT) 

And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. 

Burnt Offering: Represents complete surrender and devotion to God.

Peace Offering: Expresses fellowship and communion with God.

  • David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.

More worship. 

18 When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 

19 Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.

  • David ended this time of celebration by giving every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. 

20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him.

She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”

A linen ephod vs. a royal robe.

  • Michal completely missed the significance of bringing the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. 

21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. 

  • David’s action were for the delight of the Lord, not for the servant girls. 

22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!

But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 

  • David and the servant girls had a worldview that was very different than Michal’s worldview. 

 23 So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.

A punishment for her pride.

  • Michal’s childlessness prevented her from providing a successor to David’s throne from the family of Saul.

Pressing toward the Goal

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Introduction:

Pressing toward the Goal

Exhortation to Know Christ

Paul uses himself as an example (vs. the Judaizers).

Note: In this passage Paul is speaking about himself.

  In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says:
 1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

In this lesson we will only scratch the surface of the rich content of this passage.

Philippians 3:10-16 NLT
Pressing toward the Goal
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

 Examine the Scriptures:

Exhortation to Know Christ
Philippians 3:10-16 NLT
Pressing toward the Goal 

Note: This is Paul speaking about himself.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says:
 1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 

10 I want to know Christ

  • Paul wants to know Christ (and become one with Him).

Refer back to verse 8.

Philippians 3:8-9 NLT
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. 

Discuss:

What does it mean to really know Christ?

Knowing Christ goes beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment or familiarity with His life and teachings; it involves a deep, personal relationship with Him.  (iAsk)

To know by experience.

This is a prayer of Jesus.

John 17:1-3 NLT
17:1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 

Paul has a burning desire to know Christ more intimately as his Lord. 

and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.  

  • Paul wants to understand and experience the power that raised Christ from the dead.

Romans 8:10-11 NLT
10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

  • The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us.
  • Paul wants us to understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for those who believe in him.

Philippians 4:13 NLT
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,  

  • Paul wants to suffer with Christ, sharing in His death.

Paul knows that when he shares in the death of Jesus a good thing happens.

2 Corinthians 4:10-12 NLT (Paul’s testimony)
10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

Suffering for being a Christian is not a bad thing.

1 Peter 4:13-16 NLT
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 

James 1:2-4 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Paul wanted to become more like Christ. 

11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

  • Paul is looking forward to experiencing the resurrection from the dead! 

1 Corinthians 15:23 NLT
23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. 

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.

Paul knows that he is far from being perfect.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT
12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

  • Sanctification is a lifelong process. 

But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 

Galatians 6:9 NLT
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 

Paul pursued Christlikeness with the enthusiasm and persistence of a runner in the Greek games.

  • Paul is pressing on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling him.
  • Press on. Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead.

We can look forward to the heavenly prize of eternal life.

Colossians 3:1-2 NLT
3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things.

  • If you are really perfect/mature, you will realize that you are not yet perfect/mature.

Eternal things are most important in life.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 

If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.  

16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. 

Press on.

Pursue Christlikeness.

Focus on the Biblical principles you understand.

Do the things you know you should be doing.

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Moving the Ark to Jerusalem

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Introduction:

Proverbs 9:10 NLT
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NLT
12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.

Deuteronomy 6:2 NLT
2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 

Discuss:

What does “Fear of the Lord” mean?

(reverence, respect, and obedience to God)

The concept of fearing God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.

Luke 12:4-5 NLT
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

2 Samuel 6:1-11 NLT
Moving the Ark to Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 13:1-14)
6:1 Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2 He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. 3 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart 4 that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 5 David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.
6 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.
8 David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today.
9 David was now afraid of the Lord, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?” 10 So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 11 The Ark of the Lord remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 6:1-11 NLT
Moving the Ark to Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 13:1-14)

6:1 Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2 He led them to Baalah of Judah (This is another name for Kiriath-jearim which is located about 10 miles west of Jerusalem.) to bring back the Ark of God,

  • David is planning to move the Ark from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem, the new capital of Israel.

Background scripture:

1 Samuel 7:1-2 NLT (This is before Saul became king.)
7:1 So the men of Kiriath-jearim came to get the Ark of the Lord. (Returned by the Philistines.) They took it to the hillside home of Abinadab and ordained Eleazar, his son, to be in charge of it. 2 The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a long time—twenty years in all. During that time all Israel mourned because it seemed the Lord had abandoned them.

1 Chronicles 13:3 NLT (Here David is speaking.)
3 It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”                                                                                                                              

There is almost no mention of the Ark during Saul’s 40 year reign.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 NLT
13 So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium 14 instead of asking the Lord for guidance. So the Lord killed him and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

  • The Ark represented the presence of God.

Exodus 25 NLT (selected verses)
10 “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. … 16 When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.
… 21 Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. 22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

The Ark could be seen as the earthly throne of Israel’s God. 

which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. 

Psalm 99:1 NLT
1 The Lord is king!
Let the nations tremble!
He sits on his throne between the cherubim.
Let the whole earth quake! 

Isaiah 6:1-3 NLT
6:1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Revelation 4:6-11 NLT
6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Isaiah 5:16 NLT
16 But the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be exalted by his justice.
The holiness of God will be displayed by his righteousness.

  • “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
  • We must always fear the Lord our God. 

3 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. 

Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart 4 that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 

  • At this point in time, David and his troops were not fearing God. (Is this a true statement?)

Why or why not?

The Ark of God was to be carried by Levites who would bear it on their shoulders, it was not to be transported on a cart.

Even the Priests could not touch the Ark.

Numbers 4:15 NLT
15 The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.

Exodus 25:14 NLT
14 Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.

Numbers 7:9 NLT
9 But he (Moses) gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders. 

5 David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. 

  • All of Israel was celebrating the fact that the Ark was being moved to Jerusalem. 

6 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God.  

  • While pulling the cart that was being used to transport the Ark, the oxen stumbled.
  • Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 

7 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this.  

  • The Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead.

So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God. 

  • Touching the Ark was a direct violation of God’s law.

David should have known this.

1 Samuel 6:19-20 NLT
The Ark Moved to Kiriath-Jearim
19 But the Lord killed seventy men from Beth-shemesh because they looked into the Ark of the Lord. And the people mourned greatly because of what the Lord had done. 20 “Who is able to stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?” they cried out. “Where can we send the Ark from here?” 

8 David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah.

  • David was angry.

Discuss this. 

He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today. 

9 David was now afraid of the Lord,

  • David was now afraid of the Lord.

Is this the “Fear of the Lord” we were discussing? 

and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?” 10 So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David.

  • David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David.

The story of the Ark being moved to Jerusalem takes place in the next lesson. 

Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 

Obed-edom was a Levite.

1 Chronicles 16:38 NLT
38 This group included Obed-edom (son of Jeduthun), Hosah, and sixty-eight other Levites as gatekeepers.

11 The Ark of the Lord remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household.

The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

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The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

Introduction:

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 

A warning against confidence in the flesh.

Philippians 3:1-9 NLT
The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ
3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Examine the Scriptures:

Philippians 3:1-9 NLT
The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ 

3:1 Whatever happens,

Paul’s circumstances.

2:23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here.  

  • Paul was uncertain of his future. (As we all are.) 

my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.

Philippians 4: NLT
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

James 1:2-4 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

  • Always be joyful. 

I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

  • Repetition of Biblical truths is a good thing.

We need reminders.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NLT
6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children.  

2 Watch out for those dogs,

Here Paul is describing Judaizers, not Gentiles.

those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 

Warning.

Judaizers.

In the early church, those who taught a combination of God’s grace and human effort were called “Judaizers.” The word Judaizer comes from a Greek verb meaning “to live according to Jewish customs.”
A Judaizer taught that, in order for a Christian to truly be right with God, he must conform to the Mosaic Law. Circumcision, especially, was promoted as necessary for salvation. Gentiles had to become Jewish proselytes first, and then they could come to Christ. The doctrine of the Judaizers was a mixture of grace (through Christ) and works (through the keeping of the Law). (Got Questions)

Think about:

      • Judaizers were teaching what they had been taught when they were growing up.

2 Peter 2:1 NLT
2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them.

2 Timothy 4:3 NLT
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

  • Beware of false teachers. 

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised.

  • True circumcision is an inner transformation, a cutting away of sin and selfishness from our hearts, allowing us to fully love and obey God.

Colossians 2:11 NLT<11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

Not performed by human hands, but by the Holy Spirit.

not “outward and physical.”

Deuteronomy 10:15-16 NLT
15 Yet the Lord chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today. 16 Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn.

Truly circumcised – a changed heart. 

We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,

  • Those who put their trust in Jesus Christ are the ones who are truly circumcised.

Romans 2:28-29 NLT
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. 

Warning against confidence in the flesh.

  • Do not put your confidence in human effort. 

 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

Paul had a strong Jewish background.

5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

  • Paul had practiced the strictest obedience to the Jewish law and was extremely zealous for the Jewish religion.

Galatians 1:14 NLT
14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

Salvation does not come through power, position, or performance.

 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 

  • When it comes to salvation, power, position, and performance are worthless. 

9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

  • God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

John 6:28-29 NLT
28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  

Romans 10:9 NLT
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Jesus tells us to abide in Him. 

John 15:4-5 NLT4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

1 John 5:11-13 NLT
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

1 John 5:20 NLT
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. 

  • Apart from Christ you can do nothing.

 

Note: 

After we are made right with God, we do have work to do. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Galatians 6:9 NLT
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lord Blesses David

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The Lord Blesses David

David Conquers the Philistines

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

2 Samuel 5:11-25 NLT
The Lord Blesses David in Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 14:1-7)
11 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. 12 And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 After moving from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more concubines and wives, and they had more sons and daughters. 14 These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Conquers the Philistines
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold. 18 The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. 19 So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”
20 So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “The Lord did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”). 21 The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them.
22 But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim. 23 And again David asked the Lord what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. 24 When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” 25 So David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 5:11-25 NLT
The Lord Blesses David in Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 14:1-7) 

11 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David,

Tyre: An important Phoenician seaport on the Mediterranean coast.

(Tyre is part of Lebanon today)

King Hiram formed an alliance with Israel for trading purposes.

Israel dominated the inland trade routes.

Tyre was dependent on Israelite agriculture for much of its food.

1 Kings 5:1 NLT
5:1 King Hiram of Tyre had always been a loyal friend of David.

  • King Hiram and King David had a good working relationship. 

along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. 

A palace symbolized kingship.

King Hiram provided:

Cedar timber
Carpenters
Stonemasons

Tyre was dependent on Israelite agriculture for much of its food.

  • The King of Tyre helped David build his palace. 

12 And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel

The same story in 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 14:1 NLT
14:1 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace.  2 And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Review a previous occurrence:

2 Samuel 5:1
5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’” 

Over 300,000 men of war.

  • David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel. 

A reminder for us.

Philippians 1:6 NLT
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Romans 8:28 NLT
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Psalm 46:8-11 NLT (A song of the descendants of Korah)
8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.  

and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 

  • God blessed David’s kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
  • David understood that God had a plan for His chosen people and he, David, was a part of that plan.

A reminder for us.

 Jeremiah 29:11 NLT (A message to the exiles in Babylon.)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

13 After moving from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more concubines and wives, and they had more sons and daughters. 14 These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Perhaps this was seen as a reflection of David’s growing success and power as Israel’s king.

1 Chronicles 3:5 NLT
5 The sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Their mother was Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel.

  • As time passed David’ dynasty became stronger and stronger.
  • One way David’s dynasty became stronger was by David marrying more wives and having more sons. 
  • Marrying into neighboring royal families to create political alliances was a common practice in the ancient Near East.

Deuteronomy 17:17 NLT
17 The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself. 

Review 2 Samuel 3:1-5

David’s Sons Born in Hebron

1 As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.
2 These are the sons who were born to David in Hebron:
The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.
3 The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.
The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
4 The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.
5 The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife.
These sons were all born to David in Hebron.

David Conquers the Philistines 

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him.

These events most likely took place between verses 3 and 6.

Note: During King Ishbosheth the Philistines controlled large sections of Israel.

The Philistines knew that David would be a bigger threat to them if he became the established king of both Israel and Judah. 

But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold. 

David stayed in strongholds during the time he was being pursued by Saul.

1 Samuel 22:4 NLT
4 So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his stronghold.

1 Samuel 23:14 NLT
14 David now stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness and in the hill country of Ziph. Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn’t let Saul find him.

18 The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim.  (Northwest of Jerusalem) 

19 So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

David did the right thing.

      • Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
        5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
        do not depend on your own understanding.
        6 Seek his will in all you do,
        and he will show you which path to take.

The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.” 

20 So David went to Baal-perazim (location unknown) and defeated the Philistines there. 

“The Lord did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” 

So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”).  

  • David credits God for his victory over the Philistines.

Ephesians 3:20-21 LT
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

21 The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them.

The Philistines carried images of their deities into battle in hope that this would secure victory.

Israel had done the same thing in the past.

1 Samuel 4:1-3 NLT
1…At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek. 2 The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men.3 After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.”

The Israelites’ decision to take the Ark into battle was similar to what other pagan nations did with their gods, carting them into battle to hope for better fortune in the outcome.

1 Chronicles 14:12 NLT
12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, so David gave orders to burn them.

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 NLT
25 “You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you, for it is detestable to the Lord your God. 26 Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction. 

22 But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim.  

23 And again David asked the Lord what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. 24 When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.”  

  • Again David inquired of the Lord. God responded with very specific instructions.

A reminder for us.

1 John 5:14 NLT
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

Matthew 7:7 NLT
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 

25 So David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer (18 miles NW of Jerusalem). 

 

Psalm 115:1 NLT (Arthur unknown)
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

 

 

 

 

Paul “Practiced What He Preached”

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Paul “Practiced What He Preached”

Paul’s plans for Timothy and Epaphroditus.  Two men who were very important to Paul.

Introduction:

  • Paul “practiced what he preached”.

Do the things that you advise other people to do.

Paul taught:

Philippians 2:3 NLT
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Romans 12:10 NLT
10 Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.

Ephesians 5:21 NLT
21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1 Peter 5:5 NLT
5 … . And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”

  • Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:4 NLT
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

  • Paul had a genuine concern for the Philippians.

Note how Paul treats these two men in this passage.

Paul was not certain of his own future.

How did Paul die?

The Bible does not say how the apostle Paul died.

It is universally accepted that he died a martyr. Based on historical events, the Romans beheaded him. (Christian.net)

The accuracy of this tradition is impossible to gauge. Again, the Bible does not record how Paul died, so there is no way to be certain regarding the circumstances of his death. (gotquestions.org)

Paul knew that his release or death could come at any time.

Notice how Paul put others before himself.

Philippians 2:19-30 NLT
Paul Commends Timothy
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus
25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away. 

Examine the Scriptures:

Plans for Timothy and Epaphroditus

Philippians 2:19-30 NLT

Paul Commends Timothy 

19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, 

If the Lord Jesus is willing.

Paul was not certain of his own future.

  • Paul knew that his release or death could come at any time.

James 4:13-17 NLT
13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. 

I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit.

Paul is planning to send Timothy to Philippi so that he can encourage the believers at Philippi and report back to Paul how the Philippian Church is doing.

  • If Paul ever needed Timothy it was while he was there in Rome under house arrest. Yet he was willing to sacrifice Timothy’s companionship so others could be helped. 

Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 

  • Paul’s letter and Timothy’s visit would encourage the believers at Philippi.
  • Good news about the Philippians would be an encouragement to Paul. 

20 I have no one else like Timothy, 

Several translations use the word “likeminded”.

  • Timothy was one in thought, feeling, and spirit with Paul in love for the church. 

 who genuinely cares about your welfare. 

  • Timothy has a genuine concern for the welfare of the Philippians.

Philippians 2:4 NLT
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 

21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 

Living for self vs. living for Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Did Paul mean to include everyone he had ever known, or did he mean those who were with him in Rome?  Most likely the latter. 

22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself.

The Philippians knew Timothy.

Timothy’s qualities were unexcelled. 

Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 

Timothy “served” with me …

Most translations use the word “served”.

Some translations use

toiled

labors

slaved

worked

Paul and Timothy had a father son relationship.

  • Timothy was Paul’s beloved son in the faith.

1 Timothy 1:2 NLT
2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.

Philippians 1:1 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1:1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.

Timothy had a servant attitude.

23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here.  

This may be referring to the outcome of Paul’s trial. 

24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.

Paul most likely wrote this letter to the Philippians during his first Roman imprisonment (A.D. 60-62). It is believed that Paul also wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, the other Prison Epistles during this same time period.

It is possible that Paul never saw the Philippian Christians again (but see 1 Timothy 1:3, about AD 63.) (also see Acts 28:30)

Paul Commends Epaphroditus

This is a story of selfless affection.

25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you.

  • Little is known about Epaphroditus.

Epaphroditus was from Philippi.

  • Epaphroditus was the messenger who had delivered gifts to Paul from the Philippian church.

Philippians 4:18 NLT
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.

Epaphroditus was most likely delivering Paul’s epistle (Paul’s Letter to the Philippians) to Philippi. 

He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier.

  • Paul described Epaphroditus as a brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier.

Fellow soldier suggests the difficulties, opposition, and dangers encountered in Christ’s work.

Epaphroditus is an example of genuine Christian love.

  • Paul loved and needed Epaphroditus. 

And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 

The messenger sent by the Philippian Church with gifts to the imprisoned Paul. 

26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died.

While in Rome, Epaphroditus had become seriously ill and almost died.

Epaphroditus was distressed about the Philippians hearing that he was ill.

  • Epaphroditus longed to return to Philippi.

He was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 

But God had mercy on him—and also on me,

God’s healing was a result of God’s mercy on both Epaphroditus and Paul.

 so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 

28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 

Paul did not want the Philippians to be worried about Epaphroditus.

  • Paul had the best interests of the Philippian believers and Epaphroditus at heart. 

29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 

People like Epaphroditus deserve honor.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NLT
Paul’s Final Advice
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.

Epaphroditus could do things for Paul that the Philippian believers living in Philippi could not do.

Paul was indeed selfless.

Galatians 5:22 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love …

 

Let Your Light Shine

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Introduction:

Let Your Light Shine

This lesson is a repeat of the last lesson we had last school year with some revisions.

Scripture is full of passages telling us how we should live our lives.

            Lessons for us as well as lessons for our students.

As we begin another school year remember that your faithful service is an offering to God.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Paul’s Final Greetings
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

Philippians 2:14-17 NLT
Let Your Light Shine
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; … 17 … your faithful service is an offering to God. …

 Examine the Scriptures:

Lessons for us as well as lessons for our students.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Paul’s Final Greetings
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

As we are beginning another school year a good component to our prayers could/should be to ask God to help us to:

Be joyful.

Grow to maturity.

Encourage each other.

Live in harmony and peace.

  • Be joyful.
  • Grow to maturity.
  • Encourage each other.
  • Live in harmony and peace.

Expect the God of love and peace to be with you.

Philippians 2:13-18 NLT
Let Your Light Shine
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

  • God empowers and energizes believer’s lives.

2 Peter 1:3 NLT
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 

John 15:5 NLT
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

1 Corinthians 12:6 NLT
6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

  • Among other things, God uses scripture and the Holy Spirit to work in us.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
For the word of God is alive and powerful.

John 16:13 NLT
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.  

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 

More specific instructions for Christians.

Here Paul is speaking to the church at Philippi, but the same principles would apply to us.

Do everything

Without complaining.

No complaining.

No muttering or grumbling.

Complaining about our circumstances could be seen as a contradiction to recognizing God as sovereign and all powerful.

Without arguing

No arguing.

No disputing.

No questioning.

No criticisms.

  • Do everything without complaining and arguing.

2 Timothy 2:23 NLT
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.

 Titus 3:9 NLT
9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.

Replace complaining and arguing with:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:8 NLT (Later in Paul’s letter)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

  • Always be joyful. Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

15 so that no one can criticize you.

  • It’s hard to have an effective testimony for Christ when you are always arguing with the people around you.

Philippians 2:2 NLT
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 

  • Christians need to show themselves as united and as one in Christ. 

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,

Become blameless and pure … without fault. (NIV)

Not perfection, but wholehearted devotion to doing God’s will.

Above reproach – undiluted, not weakened.

(Don’t be like wine that has been diluted or metal that has been weakened)

Romans 14:13 NLT
13 …. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

  • Relate to others in such a way that you do not cause them to stumble.

Go back to Paul’s prayer (1:9-11)

Philippians 1:9-10 NLT
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

Progress in your spiritual maturity.

  • Keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

Matthew 10:16 NLT
16 “Look, I (Jesus) am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 

shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 

Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Ephesians 5:8 NLT
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

We too are living in a world full of crooked, unscrupulous, and perverse people.

For the most part, our nation has turned it back on God and on Biblical principles.

  • We should shine as lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 

16 Hold firmly to the word of life;

Believing God’s Word and following it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Share God’s Word with the lost and the dying.

  • Believe God’s Word and follow it.
  • Share God’s Word with the lost and the dying. 

17 …  your faithful service is an offering to God. 

  • Our faithful service is an offering to God.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

David Becomes King of All Israel

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Brief review of 1 Samuel 1 through Samuel 2:4

Hannah’s prayer for a son.

Samuel’s birth and dedication.

Israel’s desire for a king.

1 Samuel 8:4-5
4 Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. 5 “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”

God gives Israel a king.

The story of Saul and Ishbosheth.

The nation of Israel is falling apart.  Its leadership is gone, and the nation is on the verge of an escalating civil war.

2 Samuel 3:1 NLT
3:1 That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.

Saul is dead.

Abner and Ishbosheth have been murdered.

We are about to see how God uses David to restore Israel and Judah back into one nation.

2 Samuel 5:1-10 NLT
David Becomes King of All Israel
5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”
3 So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 5 He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
David Captures Jerusalem
6 David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. 7 But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.
8 On the day of the attack, David said to his troops, “I hate those ‘lame’ and ‘blind’ Jebusites. Whoever attacks them should strike by going into the city through the water tunnel.” That is the origin of the saying, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.”
9 So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward. 10 And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 5:1-10 NLT

David Becomes King of All Israel

This story is also found in 1 Chronicles 11:1-9

5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 

Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was dead and the northern kingdom (Israel) no longer had a king.

The Northern kingdom is asking David to become their king.

All the tribes of Israel.

In 1 Chronicles 12:23-40 the tribes are listed along with the number of warriors from each of the tribes.

1 Chronicles 12:38 NLT
38 All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel. In fact, everyone in Israel agreed that David should be their king.

They recognize the fact that Judah and Israel come from the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

  • The Northern kingdom asked David to become their king. 

2 In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’” 

David was an Israelite. (Deuteronomy 17:15)*

David was Israel’s best warrior and commander.

The Northern kingdom knew that it was God’s will for David to be their king.

  • David was God’s choice to be Israel’s king.

God is sovereign and had a plan for David long before this story began.

  • David anointed king by Samuel

1 Samuel 16:1 & 13 NLT
Samuel Anoints David as King
Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”

13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

This anointing in 1 Samuel 16 was a private ceremony.

  • David was anointed king by the people of Judah. (His second oil anointing.)

2 Samuel 2:1-7 NLT
David Anointed King of Judah
2:1 After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?”
“Yes,” the Lord replied.
Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?”
“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
2 David’s two wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. So David and his wives 3 and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron. 4 Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah.
When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, 5 he sent them this message: “May the Lord bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. 6 May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. 7 Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.”

Another reminder of God’s sovereignty.

2 Samuel 3:10 NLT
10 I’m (God is speaking here) going to take Saul’s kingdom and give it to David. I will establish the throne of David over Israel as well as Judah, all the way from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.” 

3 So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel.

David as well as all of the Elders of Israel took this appointment very seriously.

  • King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 NLT

Guidelines for a King
14 “You are about to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you. When you take it over and settle there, you may think, ‘We should select a king to rule over us like the other nations around us.’ * 15 If this happens, be sure to select as king the man the Lord your God chooses. You must appoint a fellow Israelite; he may not be a foreigner.
16 “The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or send his people to Egypt to buy horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You must never return to Egypt.’ 17 The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself.
18 “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. 20 This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

And they anointed him king of Israel.

David anointed king here in 2 Samuel 5

In a public ceremony. (A third oil anointing.)

  • David is anointed King of Israel in a public ceremony. (A third oil anointing.)
  • The 12 tribes were once again unified.

Application for today: (Apply to our current events.)

Romans 13:1 NLT
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Daniel 2:21 & 21 NLT
20“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
21 He controls the course of world events;
    he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the scholars.

Proverbs 21:1 NLT
21:1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
he guides it wherever he pleases. 

  • God controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. 

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 5 He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

David Captures Jerusalem

This story is also found in 1 Chronicles 11:4-9

  • David reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. 
  • David decides to relocate the capitol. 

Jerusalem was excellently fortified because of its elevation and the surrounding deep valleys.

Jerusalem had a good water supply, the Gihon Spring.

Jerusalem was close to trade routes. 

6 David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there.

The Jebusites were Canaanites still living in the Promised Land.

Joshua 15:63 NLT
63 But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.

The city of Jerusalem had remained under Jebusite control from the time Joshua entered the Promised Land. 

The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. 

The Jebusites were overly confident of their security.  They felt that their fortress was so secure that even the blind and lame could keep out David and his men.

7 But David captured the fortress of Zion, 

  • David captured the fortress of Zion.

which is now called the City of David.

The city had not been completely conquered previously.

8 On the day of the attack, David said to his troops, “I hate those ‘lame’ and ‘blind’ Jebusites.
Whoever attacks them should strike by going into the city through the water tunnel.”

It appears that David knew of a secret tunnel.

A tunnel that channeled the city’s water supply from the Gihon Spring outside the city walls.

1 Chronicles 11: 6 NLT
David had said to his troops, “Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!” And Joab, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David’s armies. 

That is the origin of the saying, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.” 

David may have begun calling his enemies the blind and the lame. ? ? ? 

9 So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. 

Read:

1 Chronicles 11:4-9
David Captures Jerusalem
4 Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (or Jebus, as it used to be called), where the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land, were living. 5 The people of Jebus taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here!” But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.
6 David had said to his troops, “Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!” And Joab, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David’s armies.
7 David made the fortress his home, and that is why it is called the City of David. 8 He extended the city from the supporting terraces to the surrounding area, while Joab rebuilt the rest of Jerusalem. 9 And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

Mount Zion and Mount Ophel were consolidated into one entity.

On the border between Judah and the northern territories.

He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward.  

  • David extended the city.

10 And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

God was with David.

 

 

 

Welcome Back (2024-2025 School Year)

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Welcome Back (2024-2025 School Year)

We all know the importance of spending time in the Word.  We need to act on what we know.

We all know:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

  • The Word of God is alive and powerful. It is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
  • God uses scripture to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

This morning, I want us to focus on a phrase found in Hosea chapter 4.

Hosea 4:6 NLT
6 My people are being destroyed
because they don’t know me. …

 This verse communicates a powerful message to all of us who are living in the 21st century. 

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.

 These are God’s words directed to his chosen people, the Israelites.

These words certainly apply to the 21st century church.

  • God’s people are being destroyed because they do not know God.
  • The next generation will be destroyed if they do not know God.

Hosea 4:6 NLT
6 My people are being destroyed
because they don’t know me. …

As parents and teachers we have an incredibly important and challenging, and at times seemingly overwhelming, God given assignment.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) starts out by saying:
Train up a child in the way he should go:

Proverbs 22:6 NLT
6 Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it. 

  • Train up a child in the way he should go.

Where do we start?

Scripture tells us:

Proverbs 1:7 NLT
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

ESV The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Scripture also says:

Mark 12:30-31 NLT
30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” 

We need to:

  • Create an atmosphere where children have the opportunity to “fear the Lord”.
  • All of us here have a part in this ministry.

We are One body with many parts.

1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

  • God has put each one of you just where He wants you.

Look at:

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 NLT
6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 

  • Some of us plant the seed, some of us waters the seed, but what’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

Hosea 4:6 NLT
6 My people are being destroyed
because they don’t know me. …

God’s people are being destroyed because they do not know God.

The next generation will be destroyed if they do not know God.

You can be used by God in this ministry.

Acts 4:13 NLT
13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. 

They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (More on this later.) 

  • God uses ordinary people with no special training in the scriptures.
  • God is equipping each one of us for this ministry.
  • Resources available to each of us here today include the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures.

The Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 NLT (A promise to the apostles)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

John 14:26 NLT
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Acts 2:38 NLT
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”

(Baptism is an act of obedience, not a requirement for salvation.)

John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 10:9 NLT
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 8:9-11 NLT
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 

  • The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. 

God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit.  He also gave us:

The scriptures.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

The Word of God is alive and powerful.  It is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

God uses scripture to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

What happens when we spend time in the Word?

2 Peter 1:2-4 (NLT)
2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 

  • Knowing God better should be a number one priority in our lives.
  • As we come to know God better, God is giving us everything we need for living a Godly life.
  • As we learn to know God’s promises, we are able to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Acts 4:20 NLT
20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

We are all

Changed lives changing lives.

 

Hosea 4:6 NLT
6 My people are being destroyed
because they don’t know me. …

God’s people are being destroyed because they do not know God.

The next generation will be destroyed if they do not know God.

 

 

 

Shine Brightly for Christ (Part 2)

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Shine Brightly for Christ (Part 2)

Introduction:

Remember: Your faithful service is an offering to God.

Philippians 2:14-18 NLT
Shine Brightly for Christ (Part 2)
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Examine the Scriptures:

Philippians 2:14-18 NLT
Shine Brightly for Christ (Part 2) 

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 

More specific instructions for Christians.

Here Paul is speaking to the church at Philippi, but the same principles would apply to us.

Do everything

Without complaining.

No complaining.

No muttering or grumbling.

Complaining about our circumstances could be seen as a contradiction to recognizing God as sovereign and all powerful.

Without arguing

No arguing.

No disputing.

No questioning.

No criticisms.

  • Do everything without complaining and arguing.

2 Timothy 2:23 NLT
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 

Titus 3:9 NLT
9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.

Complaining and arguing should not be a part of our lives.

Jude 16 NLT
16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires.

  • Complaining and arguing arise from self-centeredness.

Replace complaining and arguing with:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:8 NLT (Later in Paul’s letter)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

  • Always be joyful. Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

15 so that no one can criticize you.

  • It’s hard to have an effective testimony for Christ when you are always arguing with the people around you.

Philippians 2:2 NLT
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 

  • Christians need to show themselves as united and as one in Christ. 

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,

Become blameless and pure … without fault. (NIV)

Not perfection, but whole hearted devotion to doing God’s will.

Above reproach – undiluted, not weakened.

(Don’t be like wine that has been diluted or metal that has been weakened)

Romans 14:13 NLT
13 …. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

  • Relate to others in such a way that you do not cause them to stumble.

Go back to Paul’s prayer (1:9-11)

Philippians 1:9-10 NLT
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

Progress in your spiritual maturity.

  • Keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

Matthew 10:16 NLT
16 “Look, I (Jesus) am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 

shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 

Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Ephesians 5:8 NLT
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

John 8:12 NLT
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

We too are living in a world full of crooked, unscrupulous, and perverse people.

For the most part, our nation has turned it back on God and on Biblical principles.

  • We should shine as lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 

16 Hold firmly to the word of life;

Believing God’s Word and following it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hold forth. Share God’s Word with the lost and the dying.

John 6:68 NLT
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.

  • Believe God’s Word and follow it.
  • Share God’s Word with the lost and the dying. 

then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 

3 John 4 NLT
4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

2 Timothy 4:7 NLT
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

  • I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 

17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,

Pouring out wine onto the altar or onto the ground.

Illustrating a life “poured out” for God’s service.

2 Timothy 4:6 NLT
6 As for me (Paul), my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 

Just like your faithful service is an offering to God.

Romans 12:1 NLT
12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 

The Philippians’ faithful service is an offering to God.

Genuine faith is active and working.

Faithful service is hard work.

Philippians 2:12 NLT … Work hard to show the results of your salvation … 

  • Our faithful service is an offering to God.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 

And I want all of you to share that joy. 

  • Share in the joy of serving the Lord. 

18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. 

Philippians 4:4 NLT
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  (NIV)