How to Provide and Protect Your Family | Psalm 127:1-5
How to Provide and Protect Your Family | Psalm 127:1-5

Series: The Psalms

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-5 (main); Luke 15:11-32

Title: How to Provide for and Protect Your Family

Heavy credit: (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage:

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss in your groups:

Psalm 127

OPEN: How many siblings did you have?

What was the biggest family that you knew?

Can you name all their kids?

CONSIDER (V. 2): What causes you the most worry?

What do you tend to lose sleep over?

Does this verse help at all? Why?

CONSIDER (WV. 3-5): In today's society, what have you heard are the disadvantages to having children?

From what you have read in the Bible and heard

in the church, what are the advantages?

Which are you inclined to believe?

APPLY: Acknowledge that God can run your business and family better than you can.

Give God control of your business and family through sincere prayer.

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

For further study, note Genesis 11 illustrates this Psalm.

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening story:

Hawkeye scene (See YouTube)

Video clip to open the message: https://youtu.be/DCkaS2ygh-Y Stop after “good job Hawkeye” (1:00)

While this Psalm applies to mom’s and dad’s, it feels very fatherly in tone and emphasis. Even in the gender in the NIV “Blessed is the man” is the translation. So I am applying this to Fathers in particular today believing that wherever this is taken to heart stronger marriages and families will follow. That leads to stronger neighborhoods, cities, and nations. That leads to a better world. But more likely it leads to a stronger church in a dark world.

Psalm 127 is written by either David to Solomon or by Solomon himself. Beloved is possibly a covert reference (concealed signature) to Solomon’s God-given name of Jedidiah since they use the same root word. (2 Sam 12:25) The point is that this is a special work by a father and what he does in life.

Ironically, much of Solomon’s wisdom was lost on him.

  1. His building (literally and figuratively) became reckless,

  2. His kingdom a ruin, and

  3. His marriages a disastrous denial of God.

Warning: If we’re not careful, we’ll also have wisdom we ignore in life.

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

I. THE FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:1-2) (WILLMINGTON)

A. What is necessary (1-2)

    1. The home must be built by the Lord.

    2. The home must be protected by the Lord.

B. What is needless (3-5): The breadwinners need not burn the candle at both ends and be overly anxious, for God will supply rest and what we need.

II. THE FRUITS FROM A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:3-5) (WILLMINGTON): Children

A. The parents will be honored (3-4): Children are a reward and like sharp arrows.

B. The parents will be helped (5): They will not be ashamed in front of their accusers. (At the city gates i.e. in court (public?))

I. Labor is in vain without God’s providence. (1-2) (BKC)

II. Children are evidence of God’s providence. (3-5) (BKC)

“Children are some of the Lord’s providential blessings. They are a reward from the LORD. Sons help defend the family for they are like weapons (arrows) in the hand of a mighty man. Sons are capable of defending the family in civil cases (at the gate civil cases were discussed and decided). The images of arrows and of defense “in the gate” was natural for a nation endangered from without and within.” BKC

CSB Study Bible

House = physical building and/or home, family connecting

Food = hard work + favorable conditions + favor of God

Children = uncertainty of childbirth + favor of God

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

THE FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:1-2) (WILLMINGTON)

I. Prosperity and security are not ultimately your accomplishments but God’s gifts. (127:1) (Keller)

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-1

3 Universal Preoccupations of humanity:

  1. Building (Creator, producer)

  2. Security

  3. Raising a family

What are we spending our time building?

Will it last?

Will we wish we had worked more on our death bed?

Watchmen (security)

Uvalde shooting???? Are our children safe? Can we sleep at night?

“In vain” ≠ vanities in Ecclesiastes, though still sweeping

“Anxious toil” or “toiling” of late comes from same root word used in Gen 3:16 where Eve hears from God some of the consequences of her actions.

Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last

II. So overwork, worry and strain are a) foolish, and b) wrong. (127:2) If you know that the one who loves you

unfailingly is in complete charge of history, you will be able to sleep well (verse 2).(Keller)

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-2

Work still harder is no answer to worldly success: it can be a fresh enslavement, in fact. Not simply that projects fail (some bread) but that they lead nowhere.

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, …discipline and diligence isn’t enough (Sorry Jocko)

Why? Because the LORD gives sleep zzzzzzzzz to his beloved—true rest and peace that allows you to sleep when the enemy is out there (today’s war on children in general)

Being anxious over food…

Working long hours…

Vain unless the LORD is in it.

Trusting in the Lord leads to rest and peace because we’re not carrying the full burden but recognizing that we cannot—but He can.

Hard work + Discipline + Divine Suppor = Fruitful life in all that you do

Transition: From here on, Solomon gives the alternative to our elaborate failures.

THE FRUITS FROM A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY (127:3-5) (WILLMINGTON)

III.-V. So too thriving, happy children are God’s doing. (127:3-5) (Keller)

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-3

“Helicopter” parenting and over involvement in our children’s lives, cannot ensure their health and happiness. (Keller)

Unless the Lord enters their lives, all our watching is in vain. (Keller)

Giving our children to God is the ONLY WAY we get to keep them. (Keller)

If you know that the one who loves you unfailingly is in complete charge of IEStory, you will be able to sleep well. (Keller)

And if you are overworked and over stressed, you are forgetting who God is. Jesus wait it most bluntly: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

What do parents worry about most? Their children’s future.

They are: a heritage from the Lord (he is the gracious ultimate source).

Heritage = a person’s unique source of family identity: the values, traditions, culture and artifacts handed down by previous generations.

Repeated: a reward ( a good blessing) from him (ultimate source).

Genesis 11 illustrates this Psalm:

  1. Man builds for glory and security to achieve is only a fiasco “in vain” whereas

  2. God quietly gives to the obscure Torah a son whose blessings havre proliferated ever since.

  • Wealth isn’t the issue.

  • An upstanding family is wealth and honor enough.

IV.

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-4

Simile

How are they a heritage and reward? Like arrows to an archer—warrior/protector/rescuer readying for battle.

Full quiver of arrows represented prestige and protection in that day. (CSB)

“Like arrows for a warrior, children were useful in the agricultural society. The man who had many children also enjoyed respect in the near eastern society.” (CSB)

We’re in a war. Every day.

V.

“Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-127-5

Something he launches in the battle to defend and win the battle.

Our battle isn’t against flesh and blood (Ephesians 2) but against rulers and principalities beyond this world.

Are we preparing our children for that??!

Simile continues…

Someone he launches into life to enter the fray (equipped??) on their own two feet.

Assuming the Lord builds his house resting on the Lord,

  • He will be blessed

  • His children will not be put to shame when they battle

    • In court

    • In war

    • In life

Because if they all with the Lord too (most raised this way will) then they’ll have nothing to be ashamed of. Therefore, peace no matter the short-term outcome.

And long-term

Conclusion

Bottom Line: Hard work + Discipline + Divine Support = Fruitfulness that will last; “For apart from me you can do nothing.” -Jesus

Prodigal Father scripture Luke 15:11-32

References/Bibliography:

“Psalms 73-150” by Derek Kidner

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“The Songs of Jesus” by Tim Keller

“Treasury of the Psalms” by Charles Spurgeon

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

CSB Study Bible

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipFather's Day, Psalm 127:1-5, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabirel, Bible-believing, non-denominational church, Ladson, SC, provide, protect, family, The Psalms
How to Live Out the Beatitudes Today | Matthew 5:10-16
How to Live Out the Beatitudes Today | Matthew 5:10-16

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-16 (main)

Title: How to Live out the Beatitudes Today

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Coming out of who Citizens of the Kingdom are in the beatitudes, Jesus describes what those citizens get to do in a dark and tasteless world.

Bottom Line: Jesus follows how to BE like Christ with how to DO like Christ. (Fruitfulness Matrix) (draw?)

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss in your groups:

1. British pastor and author John Scott said at the Cape Town Lausanne Conference, “The greatest hindrance to the advance of the gospel worldwide is the failure of the lives of God’s people.” What do you think about John Stott's claim? Do you agree or disagree, and why?

2. Where do you see decay around you? Where do you see darkness?

How can you be salt and light in these places?

3. What is the connection between the Beatitudes and Jesus's call in verses 13-16?

4. How does a pure life impact our witness to the gospel? How might impurity also affect our witness?

5. What might it look like for your life to be "useful" in the kingdom?

6. What are some ways we can lose our saltiness and become useless in the kingdom of God?

7. How does this passage command and inspire international missions?

8. How do many Christians hide their light under a basket? What causes us to do that?

9. How does the light of the Christian lead to God's glory?

10. Consider the questions at the end of this chapter. Which strikes you as most convicting? Why?

Final Questions

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening to Sermon:

There is a salt and pepper shaker collection in our home that has generated much conversation over the years.

  • Who gets them when mom kicks the bucket?

  • Why are the ones on the table always empty?

  • Which ones will we use next?

  • Who gave us that set?

Use matzah to help people taste no salt. As each person comes into the room, give out to each person along with a slip of paper that says:

This cracker is to eat at sometime in this service. The explanation will come during the message. Feel free to eat it now or when I explain it in the message. God bless you.

The idea will be to show people a sample of how bad tasteless is.

We move from the beatitudes where Jesus describes to us what his people look and act like. We get more detail to this as we work through the entire sermon on the mount. But Jesus laid the foundation in verses 1-12. We’ll pick this up in v. 13 but I’m going to start reading in v. 10.

In v. 13-16 we’re going to answer the questions that Jesus answers on behalf of his fellow Kingdom citizens:

  1. Who am I? (In light of being a kingdom citizen), and

  2. What do I get to do as a kingdom citizen?

““You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:13-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.13-16.NIV

Notice right away that the words “You are” are grammatically emphatic. Jesus says what is true. You can reject it or you can believe and embrace it. But he says what is true. In Christ, you are salt and light. The question is, do you receive and believe this? (John 1:12)

Once again we see that Jesus acts as one with “All Authority.” This series is called “All!” because Matthew wants us to see that Jesus has all authority so that all nations will give him all of their allegiance. This is seen throughout the book of Matthew.

  1. Who am I? What do I get to do?

    1. This is a question of identity. We ask this question more than we think. Because intuitively we know that what we do flows from who we believe we are. Not necessarily from who we want to be or someone tells us we are. But who we really believe we are. This is why faith is so important.

    2. Also, it’s not you CAN be salt and light. You ARE salt and light. You have all that you need in Christ to do what these imply you can do.

    3. Jesus answers this question in 2 ways using metaphor:

      1. We are the salt of the earth.

        1. Why salt? Salt can do a lot of things. One commentator listed 11 things that salt does. But I agree with Hughes who tells us the passage gives us the one that matters to Jesus here. Salt flavors things. Salt is NaCl and it flavors things. Which is why you don’t usually choose to eat unsalted food. (Health reasons not withstanding)

        2. Warning: Don’t lose your saltiness (i.e. usefulness—flavoring power)

        3. Our flavoring power is a metaphor for us to bring flavor of Christ into our world. Now we still acknowledge that flavor can be received one of two ways:

          1. Some will like it.

          2. Some will hate it.

          3. People respond to Christ in one of two these ways when he confronts them with the gospel.

            1. They gladly receive it or

            2. They reject it.

      2. We are the light of the world. “This little light of mine” (sing?)

        1. Why light?

          1. Jesus said he is the light of the world in John 8:12. So why this? Jesus chooses to reveal himself to the world through his people. This is his strategy of blessing the world through us to bless us in the process.

          2. Light does a lot of things too. But again context pushes towards the more obvious thing: Light shines. Light illuminates.

        2. Warning: Light was meant to be seen. Therefore, don’t hide it. This implies we will be tempted to not “let” our light shine. If we don’t, what happens?

          1. Good works don’t happen in our world in and through us. (Sin)

          2. God doesn’t get the glory (light!) he deserves and uses to bless.

  2. How does this fit with 1-12? When we live this way—meaning it’s the pattern of our lives—we will be persecuted.

    1. Ex. When a husband loves and serves his life well in another country where maybe men don’t typically do that, he will stand out.

      1. Some men will make fun of him and even be angry with him for suggesting this is appropriate.

      2. Some men will see the good in it and change. Maybe even repent and believe.

  3. Imagine a church—or a movement of churches—where everyone lived salty, bright lives in dark places! Boy wouldn’t they stand out! Like a bright city on a hill!

    1. And yes there would be fireworks! Some would lead to peace-filled lives.

    2. And some would lead to conflict where we’d have to love our enemies publicly.

    3. But both would bring glory to God.

Conclusion

“David Brainerd, missionary to the American Indians, died at the age of 29. Reflecting on his life and calling from God, he said, Here I am, Lord, send me; send me to the ends of the earth; send me to the rough, the savage pagans of the wilderness; send me from all that is called comfort on earth! send me even to death itself, if it be but in thy service, and to promote thy kingdom. (Edwards, Life of David Brainerd, 224)” —Akin, p. 21

“Ion Keith-Falconer (1856-1887) was a Scottish missionary and Arabic scholar who died at the age of thirty-one. He won the world cycling championship in 1878 at the age of twenty-two but would leave all that behind and go to Egypt and later Yemen as a missionary for Jesus. He died from malaria after being married to his missionary wife Gwendolen for only three years. In the preface to his biography, Robert Sinker wrote,

A career of exceptional promise was early closed in the death of Ion Keith-Falconer. The beauty of his character, his ardent missionary zeal, his great learning, form a combination rarely equaled. . . . How noble a life his was. (Memorials, v)

What was it in this man that would cause him to give up all for the glory of King Jesus and the lost among the nations? I suspect it was this conviction buried deep in his heart that settled the issue:

"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light." As was true of Ion Keith-Falconer, may it also be true of us: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!" —Akin, p. 22

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Akin (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, All, Matthew 5, Beatitudes, Darien Gabirel, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, church, Bible-believing
What Does Kingdom Blessing Look Like? | Matthew 5
What Does Kingdom Blessing Look Like? | Matthew 5

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 5: (Main), Phil 2:5-8, John 15:1-6; Proverb 4:23

Title: What does Kingdom blessing look like?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of passage: Kingdom citizens follow Jesus by being poor in spirit, mourn over sin and brokenness, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and are persecuted peacemakers. Their allegiance to Christ is seen in the fruit of the Spirit outlined here.

Bottom Line: The pathway to kingdom blessing and life starts by dying to self.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss

1. Matthew 5:1-3 teaches that spiritual beggars will possess the kingdom of heaven. How does recognizing ourselves as spiritual beggars affect the way we live each day? How can we cultivate this identity more?

2. Citizens of God's kingdom should grieve over their sin and sin in the world. Are there some sins that seem easier for us to grieve over and some that we too often overlook? Why or why not?

3. What does it mean to give God a blank check? Is that call something you find inviting or scary?

4. How does God satisfy those who hunger and thirst

for righteousness?

5. Explain what "mercy" is. Why is being merciful a

requirement for receiving mercy?

6. How can we tell whether we are "pure in heart"? What does this mean for us, knowing that we will not be completely perfect until Christ returns (cf. 1 John 3:2-3)?

7. How does peace play a central part in the Bible's story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration? How can we reflect and participate in that story with our own peacemaking?

8. Why is persecution a necessary part of the Christian life? How does Christ's death and resurrection give us comfort in the face of

persecution?

9. How has persecution been a fuel for the spread of Christianity? What rewards does God promise for those who are experiencing persecution?

10. The Beatitudes describe a high calling for the Christian. How do our relationship to God and our relationships to one another give us the ability to act in these ways?

Final Questions (optional)

  • What is God saying to you right now?

  • What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening to Sermon:

Jesus as the new Moses comes to fulfill the law in a way that looks like he’s destroying it. But, of course, he doesn’t destroy it. He brings it to full fruition by bringing new life through it.

We need to law to show us we can’t earn or deserve kingdom blessings. We need to surrender fully to Jesus Christ so he can rescue us and restore us. The law shows us our need for a savior. The gospel tells us the good news that even though we cannot earn our way into the kingdom, he has still made a way for us to get there…through Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross. His death, burial and resurrection!

“Jesus did not destroy the Law by fighting it; he destroyed it by fulfilling it!” —?

Illustration: You can destroy and acorn in 1 of 2 ways:

  1. You can smash it between 2 rocks.

  2. You can plant it in the ground and let it fulfill itself by transforming into an oak. —?

The point here is that the acorn was created/made to be broken. But when it’s broken as God intends it leads to life. If planted, it will dry out (die), and then life will come. It will sprout a new stem and leaf and begin to grow. It’s miraculous.

  • It’s a picture of what Jesus did at the cross.

  • It’s a picture of what Jesus does in those who are born again. (New life)

  • It’s what water baptism is supposed to picture. (Immersion specifically)

Jesus is calling us to come and see, come and follow, come and fish for people, come and die.

Have you ever been in a long line—say at Disney World—and you think you’re about to arrive at the ride itself only to turn the corner and see that you still have a long way to go?

Sometimes that’s what spiritual growth feels like. You grow and are making progress. But just as you start to feel like maybe you’ve arrived, you turn a spiritual corner and realize you are barely any closer than you were. You’ve come to realize (through scripture, grace) that God is way more holy than you imagined and that you have not progressed nearly as much as you think you have.

How does Jesus follow up his teaching, preaching and healing in Matthew 4? What will he do next? He lays out his kingdom manifesto. He wants to the world to know, understand and trust in how to become a citizen of his kingdom instead of the enemy’s. He lays out the blueprint for how his kingdom works.

Jesus shares who in the world receives supernatural and lasting blessings in life. Kingdom blessings.

  1. It comes from God,

  2. Through the Son,

  3. By the Spirit.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-3

Poor in Spirit = bankrupt of pride and self-sufficiency. Recognition that you have nothing on which to rely on for God’s blessing. Not…

  • Your reputation

  • Your holiness, purity, righteousness

  • Your pedigree, family

  • Your good works, church work, church position

  • Your special abilities

  • Your goodness

Like a branch cut off from the vine, we have no life or worth—we’re fire-worthy only.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-4

Those who mourn = Grieve over

  • Our sin

  • Other’s sin

  • Consequences of sin in our world

  • World’s brokenness

  • Our church’s lack apathy towards the gospel and sharing it

  • Lack of love for God himself

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-5

Meek ≠ Weak; Meekness is power under control (like a racehorse or stallion after broken)

We too need to be broken (over our sin) before we can truly run with power under control.

Meekness is humble strength that belongs to the one who has learned to submit to difficulties believing God is working for your good through those difficulties (circumstances and people). —O’Donnell

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-6

“Hunger and thirst” - Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness. He acted justly, loved mercy and walked humbly with the Father. He did this fervently, zealously and wholeheartedly.

Jesus craved a world where relationships would be restored—vertically and horizontally.

Represents a constant pursuit of righteousness in our world and in your life.

By Kenneth Bailey:

“Once in my life I nearly died of thirst. While living in the south of Egypt, a group of friends and I traveled deep into the Sahara Desert by camel. As our trek began, the temperature soared to above 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, and there was no shade. On our way, one goat-skin water bag leaked all of its precious contents.

With consumption high due to the heat, we ran out of water, and for a day and a half we pressed on while enduring intense thirst. The goal of the excursion was a famous well named Bir Shaytoun, deep in the desert. Our guide promised us that it was never dry—ah, but could we survive to reach its life-giving liquid silver? My mouth became completely dry, and eating was impossible because swallowing felt like the rubbing of two pieces of sandpaper together. My vision became blurred and the struggle to keep moving became harder with each step. We knew that if the well was dry, our armed guards would probably have forcibly seized our three baggage camels and ridden them back to the valley, leaving the rest of us to die. As I staggered on, my mind turned to this verse and I knew that I had never sought righteousness with the same single-minded passion that I now gave to the quest for water.

Yes, we managed to stagger to the well, and it was full of “the wine of God,” as water is named by desert tribesmen in the Middle East. In the process I learned something of the power of Jesus’ language. In a world where water was scarce and travel arduous, his listeners would have known what it meant to “hunger and thirst” after food and water, and thus could understand what Jesus was saying about an all-consuming passion for righteousness.”

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Ken Bailey, pp. 76-77

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-7

We love to receive mercy.

We do not love being merciful. Ex. Cancel culture

Being merciful and giving others what you think they deserve. It’s not judging them. It’s letting God judge them. (Unbelievers)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-5-8

Pure = unpolluted by sinful attitudes, beliefs, words, actions or inactions. Bullseye living.

“Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect.”

“Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (5:9)

Pacemaker vs. Peacemaker

Pacemaker = A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device. This device senses when your heart is beating irregularly or too slowly. It sends a signal to your heart that makes your heart beat at the correct pace. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007369.htm

Peacemaker = Someone who senses when someone else’s heart is beating irregularly or too slowly and sends a signal that makes your heart beat with God’s again.

  1. Peace is about more than the absence of conflict, violence, or war. It denotes a wholeness, completeness, orderliness and prosperity to the core of who we are as human beings. A blessing and manifestation of divine grace.

  2. A peacemaker is one who actively pursues the making of peace at every level: From financial peace to relational peace with people to spiritual peace with God. As God’s children, we pursue what our papa pursues. And that is, fundamentally, peace (shalom). It’s what our soul craves and the kingdom brings about. Our leader is not called the Prince of Peace for no reason.

E. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Cf. 5:3) Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  1. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness, show mercy, keep a clean heart before God, and are a peacemaker, the world, the flesh and the accuser will attack you. You will be persecuted when you reflect this way of life. If they persecuted the prophets who lived and spoke this way, and they persecuted Jesus who lived and spoke this way, why would you not receive the same exact treatment.

  2. Our bottom line again: We are called to Jesus’ vision to live as kingdom citizens in a fallen world.

  3. We now have heard what that looks like—the good and the bad.

  4. Jesus says, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” for living this way.

  5. Notice: Jesus is at the center of it.

Chiasm

Conclusion

Jesus was spiritually poor, though he never sinned. He humbled himself (Phil 2:5-8). Yet he fully relied on the Father and the Spirit while human.

Jesus mourned over the sin in our world. He was called a man of sorrows for this reason.

Jesus modeled meekness—divine power under control. He restrained or emptied himself to be fully human. What a sacrifice.

Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness.

One of the criticisms of the police in Uvalde, TX shooting was that they did not put their lives on the line to save those children but stayed back because of the belief that the children were safe even though the gunman was not secured. They lacked the moral courage that compels one to put their life on the line to save those who cannot save themselves.

What about us?

Are we willing to live and die for the cause of Christ and to rescue those far from him but close to us?

"Satanic Slumber"

Conclusion (last week)—Iranian woman quote

The film cites one Iranian couple that had the opportunity to move to the U.S. After living in America for a matter of months, the wife decided she wanted to move back to Iran, telling her surprised husband: “There is a satanic lullaby here. All the Christians are sleepy and I’m feeling sleepy.” http://godreports.com/2019/09/fastest-growing-church-has-no-buildings-no-central-leadership-and-is-mostly-led-by-women/

She sees the temptation to fall asleep spiritual (spiritual napping) to be of greater danger than to live with the threat of death in Iran as a Christ-follower there.

On Thursday, our son in law had surgery for his torn ACL. We went to his house to help our daughter get him inside because they checked him out with him still very asleep due to the anesthesia. So we met up there to carry him in. And he was awake enough to help us with his one leg. But he was out of it. He was asleep. But he didn’t realize it. For ex., he couldn’t figure out why all these people were there to help get him inside. He thought he could just get the crutches and hop inside. He was awake but just barely. But the danger in it was that he wasn’t aware that he was asleep.

According to this Iranian woman, this describes the American church in general. We’re asleep. Now I’d like to think I am not. But am I ready to blow her assessment off? No way. The stakes are too high.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes" by Kenneth E. Bailey

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipBeatitudes, Darien Gabirel, David Platt, non-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Bible-believing, church, Ladson, SC, Matthew 5, ALL, kingdom blessing, Douglas Sean O'Donnell
How Do I Follow Jesus? | Matthew 4:18-25
How Do I Follow Jesus? | Matthew 4:18-25

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-25 (Main);

Title: How do I follow Jesus?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Bottom Line: Following Jesus Christ is to believe he is who he says he is so fully that we daily surrender all to him.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss

1. How would you explain what it means to "repent" to someone who had never heard the term?

2. Following Jesus costs us everything. What might that look like practically in our own culture? How might this look different in a hostile Muslim context?

3. If we must abandon everything for Christ, then how does God's grace play a part in our salvation?

4. In what ways has the call to follow Jesus been watered down in our culture?

5. Explain the idea that every disciple is to be a disciple-maker. What might this look like for a mom with young kids? For an accountant? What about a college student?

6. Explain the following statement:

"The New Testament pattern for discipleship is more about 'go and tell' than 'come and see."

7. What are some of the costs of non-discipleship that you see around you?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening:

Today I’m going to tell you how to follow Jesus as one of his very first disciples describe it.

Andy Stanley defines faith as believing that Jesus is who he says he is and that he’ll do all that he’s promised to do. So, to follow Jesus would be to daily, gladly submit to who him and walk in all that he’s promised to do.

  • Question: Is following Jesus Christ life-giving for you?

    • Does it invigorate you?

    • Does it challenge you?

    • Does it bring you joy?

    • Or is it just a casual religious experience squeezed into your weekend long enough to assuage your guilt?

Nets

  • From engineering to full-time ministry: My story (briefly)

  • Do you still have your nets? I tossed mine last year.

I. Who’s “me”? (Outline eavily influenced by David Platt)

A. Matthew 1…me = Jesus; Jesus is…

    1. Savior - The Lord saves; rescuer

    2. Messiah - anointed one

    3. Son of David - dynasty, king

    4. Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Matt 2…Jesus is…

    1. Sovereign over wise

    2. Shepherd over weak

C. Matt 3…Jesus is…

    1. Savior king

    2. Righteous judge

    3. Filled with spirit of God

    4. Loved by the Father

D. Matt 4

    1. New Adam who passed the test

    2. True Israel who passed the test

    3. Salvation = light of the world

    4. Hope for the nations

E. Therefore, me is he and he is…

    1. Worth far more than casual church attendance

    2. Worth all allegiance from all people of all nations (Including me); it’s appropriate to surrender all to follow him

II. What does “Follow me” means?

A. Repent & Believe

    1. Repent from your current way of thinking and going to the way of Christ

    2. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and that he’s to be Lord (authority) of your life

    3. By grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9)

B. Follow

    1. More than just walking alongside of him

    2. Following his…(Show Bullseye of becoming a Disciple; matrix by Mike Breen)

      1. Character (Ways)

      2. Competency or Example (Works)

    3. Notice 2 sides of salvation: (Platt)

      1. God’s sovereign authority (all authority)

      2. Humanity’s (all nations) appropriate response (all allegiance)

    4. Notice what they leave behind

      1. Family

      2. Friends

      3. Career

      4. Dreams

      5. Security

      6. Comforts

C. Go Fish! How?

    1. Teach - in synagogues (insiders; Jews)

    2. Proclaim - herald (outsiders; Gentiles)

    3. Healing - miraculous healings and exorcisms validated his message & mission

D. Where? Around the corner and around the world—Where we live, work, learn and play.

Conclusion:

  • Do you still have your nets? I cut mine loose last year.

  • My story concl

  • Come forward for prayer, healing, and surrender

My Other notes:

Outline: (by David Platt)

I. Me?

A. Jesus is (Matt 1)

    1. Savior

    2. Messiah/Christ - anointed one

    3. Son of David - dynasty

    4. Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Jesus is (Matt 2)

    1. Sovereign over the wise

    2. Shepherd over the weak

    3. Deliverer - Inaugurates the new exodus

    4. Restorer - ends the mournful exile

    5. Loves his fiercest enemies

C. Jesus is (Matt 3)

    1. Savior King

    2. Righteous judge

    3. Filled with the Spirit of God

    4. Loved by the Father

D. Jesus is (Matt 4)

    1. New Adam

    2. True Israel

    3. Light of the World

    4. Hope for all people

E. Jesus is, therefore,

    1. Worthy of far more than church attendance and casual observance

    2. Worthy of total abandonment and supreme adoration

II. Follow

A. Live with radical abandonment for his glory.

    1. We leave all things behind.

    2. We live for one thing: honor the king.

B. Live with joyful dependence on his grace.

    1. He takes the initiative to choose us.

    2. He provides the power to use us.

    3. He gets the glory through us.

C. Live with faithful adherence to his person.

    1. We aren’t casual listeners.

    2. We aren’t convinced listeners.

    3. We are committed learners and disciples.

D. Live with total trust in his authority.

    1. He is the master of every domain in our lives.

    2. He is the Lord of every detail in our lives.

E. Live with urgent obedience to his mission.

    1. Every follower of Jesus is a fisher of men.

    2. Every disciple of Jesus is a disciple-makers.

    3. This is an unconventional plan that demands an universal response.

III. Will you follow Jesus Christ?

A. Consider the cost of discipleship.

B. Consider the cost of non-discipleship.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Darien Gabirel, Matthew 4, How do I follow Jesus?, follow Jesus, fishers of men, David Platt
A Message for All | Matthew 4:12-17
A Message for All | Matthew 4:12-17

A Message for All - Matthew 4: 12-17


Galilee – the northern province of Palestine, small 25 by 35 miles in size, but quite densely populated. Estimated to be around 350,000 people with 100,000 being Jews. It was a farming and fishing community, far from Jerusalem.


Jesus began His public ministry to both Jews and Gentiles.


Repent

Means to admit your sin - confession

Express sorrow over your sin - contrition

Turn from your sin - conversion

“True repentance is never too late, but late repentance is seldom true.” Matthew Henry

Read More
Ken DorrityGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Ken Dorrity, Matthew 4, Bible-believing, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC
How to Deal with Temptation | Matthew 4:1-11
How to Deal with Temptation | Matthew 4:1-11

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 (Main); Hebrews 2:18, 4:15; James 1:13-15; 4:7;

Title: How to deal with temptation

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of chapter: “The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.” (Outline Bible)

Bottom Line: We handle temptation by following Jesus’ examples of preparation and action.

  1. Jesus’ temptation was…

  2. God-ordained but not God-inflicted. Therefore, we trust God’s sovereign authority. (Spirit leads)

  3. When his flesh was weak. Therefore, we deny ourselves and rest in his power. (Weakness)

  4. Unique yet universal. Therefore, we rest in his faithfulness.

  5. He resisted with the word of God. Therefore, we believe his word.

  6. Tough but temporary testing. Therefore, we embrace the season of testing.

Opening:

In the Lord of the rings trilogy Frodo Baggins has to deal with the temptation that comes whenever he put on the ring of invisibility or the ring of power. Because with that power he could envision himself doing all kinds of things. That power was corrupting him over time and tempting him to change. It is a reminder of how the enemy tempts us through power.

We’re all tempted every day via flash, by the world views were surrounded by, and by the enemy himself. Temptation itself is not evil. Being tempted is part of the test. Sin comes when we give into temptation.

  • Last week we said sin has consequences.

  • Two weeks ago we said repentance and faith removes the penalty of sin.

  • This week we’ll deal with the enemy, the flesh and the world tempting us to sin.

Discussion questions for group and personal study:

Note: We encourage you to use our sermons and discussion questions to gather with some friends and talk about the passage together. Pray and ask God to guide you. He is faithful. Questions? Email us at info@GraceToday.net

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Goal: The goal isn’t to ask every question. The goal is to encourage people to engage the scriptures together.

Reflect and Discuss

1. What images come to mind when you hear about demons and spiritual warfare? Are these thoughts biblical? If not, explain why.

2. List some things that distract us from seeing the spiritual battles all around us. What are some specific ways we can battle our ignorance and apathy toward spiritual warfare?

3. Which sins are especially prevalent in our culture today?

4. Explain how Jesus' triumph through temptation is both our example and the basis for our own victory in temptation. What is the danger if we only see Jesus as our example?

5. How would you answer the following question: "If Jesus was fully God, then how can His victory over temptation help a weak and sinful person like me?"

6. Of Satan's three temptations in this passage, which one do you struggle with the most? What promise from Scripture might help you battle that temptation?

7. Explain the following statement: Jesus triumphed where Adam and Israel failed.

8. What attributes of God strengthen you during temptation?

9. How do Satan's temptations seek to undermine the purpose of the cross?

10. How does the promise of eternal life and the believer's future reign with Christ affect your everyday battle with sin?

Scripture:

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.4.1-11.NIV

Opening:

We all struggle with temptations. (Examples in my life??)

God helps us when we are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18)

God sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15)

So we’re looking at Jesus’

  • Identity

  • Example

Outline:

5 Characteristics of Jesus’ temptations so we can become resistors of temptation

Jesus’ temptations were…

I. God-ordained but not God-inflicted. Therefore, we trust his sovereign authority.

A. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (God-ordained) to be tempted/tested by the devil (not God-inflicted).

B. Jesus is both

    1. Tested: Is he really the true Son of God? Will he hold fast to God’s plan of salvation?

    2. Tempted:

      1. To exalt himself

      2. To avoid the pain and suffering of the cross

      3. To bow to Satan’s rule

C. Lesson: “If you want to follow Jesus, know that the road to Heaven is not paved with gold and lined with daisies. Jesus who was loved by God was sent into the wilderness to be tested. If you are his follower, you can expect the same.” —DSO

“Perhaps you have heard the story of a congressman from Tennessee who, after serving his first term in Washington, was seeking reelection. He returned to his home state of Tennessee to seek support for reelection, and in those efforts he went to the home of a wealthy farmer who had been a key supporter in his first election. The congressman said to the farmer, “I’m running for a second term. Will you support me again?” The farmer shook his head no and said, “No, I’m sorry, Mr. Crockett. I’m not going to support you again.” He continued, “Do you remember what happened last year when there was a fire in Washington that displaced people from their home? You voted to give the displaced people the money they needed to build a new house. You didn’t take that money from your own pocket, but you voted to take it from mine.” In other words, the money distributed by the congressman had not been his to give.”

Excerpt From Matthew - An Expositional Commentary, R.C. Sproul

II. When his flesh was weak. Therefore, we deny ourselves and rest in his power.

A. Wilderness/desert, no shelter, hostile nature, extreme weather, no creature comforts.

B. Solitude - alone, no companionship.

C. No food.

D. “We should be prepared to fight when we are most weak.” —DSO

Or think about Adam and Eve. Read what James Montgomery Boice says about them in contrast to Jesus:

“Adam and Eve were in paradise; Jesus was in the vast, desolate wilderness of Judah. Adam and Eve were physically content and satisfied. They were

free to eat from any of the trees of the garden, save the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; Jesus was hungry, having fasted for forty days and forty nights. Adam and Eve were together. They had each other for company and mutual support; Jesus was alone. Yet Adam and Eve rapidly succumbed to Satan's wiles, carrying the entire human race into sin, misery, destruction, and both physical and spiritual death, while Jesus stood firm as the Savior who was to bring life and salvation to the race.

What Adam didn't do, Jesus did. P. 85

III. Unique yet universal. Therefore, we rest in his faithfulness.

A. Unique temptation—because he is unique

    1. Remember who he is: (Matt 3:17; Psalm 2; Isaiah 42)

      1. Son of God

      2. Suffering Servant

      3. Of course, this is why Satan’s point of attack centers on

        1. Questioning his identity, and

        2. Challenging him to take the crown without the cross.

B. Universal temptations—Aren’t we all tempted to grab the crown without the cross?

    1. To think that the physical > spiritual?

    2. Seek out the gospel through gimmicks, entertainment, and worldly means—our own version of turning stones to bread?

    3. By the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life. (1 John 2:16)

    4. From holy reliance on the Father to an unholy independence?

The tempter tempts him to take the shortcut to glory by bypassing Gethsemane and Golgotha. That's what all these temptations are about.

Just look at the least obvious—verses 3, 4. Here it's as if Satan says,

“Look, Jesus, you're hungry. The whole world is hungry. If you can turn these stones into bread, which I know you can- because you're God's Son!—then feed yourself, and feed the world. Use your power for what people most need and want—their bellies to be filled—and then watch the whole world

"run after you like sheep, grateful and obedient." You will have the world literally eating from your hand. Give people what they really want—not the Word of God but food from God.” -Douglas Sean O’Donnell, p. 87

IV. Resisted with the word of God. Therefore, we believe in his word.

A. While we could go to the sword analogy (Eph 6:17) as the word of God, DSO suggests we go to the shield analogy instead: The shield of faith.

B. Because we acknowledge God’s word is powerful. But do we really believe it? Do we live by “every word” of God?

C. The shield of faith is more defensive by nature. It extinguishes the fiery darts of the enemy.

    1. Not darts tempting towards obvious evil but good things that can trip us up as well.

    2. Romans 10:17 Faith comes from hearing…

D. Questions to consider

    1. Do you know the word of God? It’s content?

    2. Do you know how to interpret it correctly?

    3. Do you trust what God has said and written?

V. Tough but temporary. (10-11) Therefore, we embrace the season of testing.

A. James 4:7

B. 1 Cor 10:13 makes it clear, there’s no temptation that is

    1. Not common to everyone,

    2. Not beyond your ability to resist with our Lord’s help (Heb 2:18),

    3. From which God does not provide a way of escape—if you say “NO!” he will go.

C. “Our God only allows Satan to tempt us for our good, to try and test and refine our faith.

Conclusion:

  • Satan cannot break jesus because…

    • He rests in his identity

    • He prays

    • He fasts

    • He’s following the Holy Spirit

    • He knows the word of God

    • He knows the future

    • He speaks the word aloud in the face of the enemy believing it’s power

Let’s do this and lead others to do the same!

Pray

My Other notes:

Resist seems a key action (requires faith)

Fasting seems a key strategy or power source (prayer = faith in action)

Scripture seems a key weapon (requires faith) (truth)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://james.bible/james-4-7

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://1peter.bible/1-peter-5-9

Verse 1

  • “Then” - follows his baptism where he’s affronted in his character and identity as the Son of God.

  • “led” - Jesus followed, didn’t just lead.

  • “By the Spirit” - Holy Spirit/Spit of God is who Jesus followed modeling this perfectly for us.

  • “Into the wilderness” - the most uncomfortable place to be is away from shelter, food, family, and friends. Especially for an extended length of time.

  • “To be tempted” - This is why the Holy Spirit led him there. This is the Spirit testing and preparing Jesus for what is to come.

  • “By the devil” - the Tempter, the Accuser; Father of lies.

Verse 2

  • “40” - A significant Bible number—combination of 4, earthly things and 10, divine perfection. A long time to not eat! No wonder he was hungry! Also, the number of years Israel wandered in the desert with Moses being tempted, tested and led by the Spirit of God.

Verse 3

  • “the Tempter” - Satan, the devil; what he does.

  • “Came to him” - Has Jesus in his crosshairs.

  • “‘If you are the son of God’” “If” is his way of introducing doubt. Satan knows exactly who Jesus is.

  • “Son of God” - who Jesus Christ is.

  • “Tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus could have done this. He likely was tempted as a man. Yet he did not give in.

Verse 4

  • He resisted this temptation by fasting, praying, and recalling scripture and quoting it to Satan.

  • “Answered” - Jesus dialogues with Satan, whom he knows well.

  • “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” LIfe is spiritual as well as physical. God’s word feeds our soul and faith even as food feeds our body. We need both. And God still speaks (through) his word.

Verse 5

  • “Took” - Jesus willingly follows Satan to the highest point on the temple; could have been literally or just visually. This would have also been the highest point in Jerusalem overlooking the city and the region.

Verse 6

  • “If” - once again, Stan questions/raises doubts to tempt Jesus to doubt his own identity.

  • “Throw yourself down” - i.e. test. Psalm 91:11-12 by jumping so the angels will rescue you. But to what end? To prove to himself he’s really Son of God? To prove to Satan? The world?

  • “He will command his angels concerning you…” - The Lord protects his son when he wants to…but not before and on the cross.

Verse 7

  • “It is also written” - more scripture to combat temptation.

  • “Don’t put the Lord your God to the test.” There’s a only one time in scripture where God says test me and this isn’t it.

Verse 8

  • “Again” - third time

  • “Took him to a very high mountain” - another epic view. This time of the entire world. “Showed him all the kingdoms of the world.” To tempt him to rescue the world without having to go to the cross.

Verse 9

  • “All this I will give you…if you will bow down and worship me.” - Because Satan has this authority right now. Price? Allegiance and worship of Satan. This is what Satan ultimately wants.

  • Jesus responds with scripture once again to resist temptation powerfully as his leaning on the same authority that gave Satan temporary authority over the world.

  • “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” - Ourallegiance is to the Lrod God alone. Even the Son of God bows to him while in the flesh. He submits to him as well (the cross; incarnation)

Verse 10

  • “The devil left him“

  • - Satan cannot break jesus because…

    • He rests in his identity

    • He prays

    • He fasts

    • He’s following the Holy Spirit

    • He knows the word of God

    • He knows the future

    • He speaks the word aloud in the face of the enemy believing it’s power

Verse 11

  • “Angels came and attended him” - His physical needs are eventually met.

Notes from RC Sproul’s commentary

  • Temptations rise from within.

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:13-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • Therefore, God isn’t tempting Jesus—Satan is.

  • God led Jesus there knowing that would happen and using it to test him.

  • Adam & Eve failed a similar test but under much different conditions:

    • They were in paradise (Garden of Eden) vs. the wilderness/desert that Jesus was in.

    • They had unlimited food around them vs. Jesus fasting for 40 days and nights.

    • They had each other (plus the Father each night) vs. Jesus being all alone.

Yet, same issues is at stake: The serpent came to Adam & Eve with a question: “Has God really said…?”

In the wilderness, Satan suggested three times, “If…”

The Devil’s point of attack is the same in both cases—the trustworthiness of God’s word. Adam and Eve did not believe God’s word. Jesus did. RCS

Jesus submitted to baptism in part to identify with his people.

Maybe a bigger miracle is Jesus’ sinless life. If he’s not sinless, then he’s not an acceptable sacrifice. No cross, no salvation. So all that is on the line here in the wilderness.

Could Jesus have sinned?

  • Divinely speaking, no.

  • Humanly speaking, yes. But he didn’t. As a man, Jesus had the ability to sin, or he’d not have been truly human nor truly tempted. It would have all been a scam.

  • Satan used a simple desire to satisfy a legitimate need to tempt Jesus.

  • Satan plants the suggestion that if Jesus really was the son of God, he’d not have to endure suffering but use divine authority to eat.

  • “It is written” is Jewish shorthand for the words of God or scripture.

  • Life requires more than physical food. We need bread plus spiritual food.

  • What else? “Every word” not just some words of God.

  • “Jesus’ meat and drink was to do the will of the Father. He had a zeal that consumed him.”

  • “The word that came from the Father was more important to him that his bread.”

  • “Let’s see if the Bible is true. Jump and see if the angels catch you.”

  • Hermeneutics - laws/rules that govern the interpretation of scripture.

    • First principle: the “analogy of faith” = scripture Has it’s own interpreter. That is we interpret scripture with scripture.

    • God never speaks a lie.

    • God’s word is coherent and unified.

    • God never contradicts himself.

  • Therefore, what he says in Judges can never contradict what he says in Ephesians.

  • Therefore, if we set one part of scripture against another we violate this first principle of bible interpretation.

  • This is exactly what Satan is doing.

BQ: Have you ever considered your personal point of vulnerability if Satan were to come to you with a test?

What would he put in front of you?

  • Glory?

  • A kingdom? (A company, an organization, an institution)

  • Riches?

  • Power?

He offered all of these things to Jesus in exchange for one thing—worship.

Jesus already knew he was getting all of that. But Satan was tempting him to get it with a shortcut—without the cross.

BQ: How do you respond to Satan’s temptations when you’re alone and no one can see you?

“Get our of here, Satan!”

Notes from Warren Wiersbe’s commentary

Temptation 1: Satan appealed to the body; the flesh.

Satan suggests that if Christ were God’s son, he wouldn’t let Jesus stay hungry as if God were holding out on him. (Does God really love you? Answer, see Matt 3:17)

God tests us in ordinary things in life.

Word > Bread

Temptation 2: Satan appealed to Jesus proving himself.

Satan leaves out “in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11-12) when quoting this Psalm.

Temptation s3: Satan appealed to Jesus with an “easier way” to become king. Appeal to by-pass the cross and suffering.

  • Kingdom already promised to Jesus (Ps 2:6-9)

  • Kingdom received after dying on the cross.

“Whatever we worship (what we order our lives around) is the god we serve.” -WW

We cannot serve both God and god. Matt 6:24

Says Jesus was tested so that every creature would know that Jesus Christ conquerors. Jesus exposed Satan’s tactics and defeated him.

We have victory because he was victorious here and ultimately at the cross.

Adam & Eve Jesus vs Satan

Garden of Eden Wilderness/Desert

Plenty of food, drink Fasting

Shade, shelter No shelter from the weather

Companionship Alone

Suggestion 1: Satan always suggesting that God is depriving you of what’s good (is God really good; does he really love you?); he must not love us!

Suggestion 2: Use your divine power to meet your own needs and those around you.

“When we put our physical needs ahead of our spiritual needs, we sin.” -WW

“Jesus could have turned the stones into bread, but he would have been exercising his powers independently of the Father; and he came to obey the Father.” -WW

God’s word IS our food. John 4:32-34

Third temptation: Shortcut to the kingdom.

  • “Satan has always wanted worship, because Satan has always wanted to be God.” -WW

“Worshipping the creature instead of the Creator is the lie that rules our world today.” -WW

“If we want to share in the glory, we must also share in the suffering.” (1 Peter 5:10)

No cross—no crown

“Whatever we worship, we will serve.”

Worship and service go together.

Jesus calls others to obey after he obeyed.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Darien Gabirel, Matthew 4
Does God Hear Me? Does God See Me? | Genesis 16, 21
Does God Hear Me? Does God See Me? | Genesis 16, 21

Scripture: Genesis 16, 21

Title: Does God Hear Me? Does God See Me?

Heavy credit: See below for bibliography

“In Genesis, God sees, hears, knows and understands.” -JW

Bottom Line: When I take matters in my own hands and make a mess of things, God hears my cry, sees my misery and meets me there with revealing hope.

Discussion questions for group and personal study:

  • We encourage you to use our sermons and discussion questions to gather with some friends and talk about the passage together. Pray and ask God to guide you. He is faithful. Questions? Email us at info@GraceToday.net

  • Goal: The goal isn’t to ask every question. The goal is to encourage people to engage the scriptures together.

CHAPTER 16 Questions, CSB Life Connections Bible (LCB):

OPEN: Growing up, who was the main decision maker in your family?

CONSIDER (vv. 1-2): What do you find most surprising about Sarai’s words? What do you think drove Sarai to this course of action? CONSIDER (vv. 3-6): In your opinion, who is to blame for this situation? What problems are evident in Abram’s family? What could have been done to resolve this conflict?

CONSIDER (vv. 7-16): Where did Hagar find comfort or confidence in the angel’s words? APPLY: What have you been praying about for a long time? Where can you find encouragement and support to stay on the right path until your prayers are answered?

FOR GROUPS (vv. 13-14): Pass a mirror around the group as an object lesson. Encourage group members to hold the mirror and contemplate the God Who Sees.

Opening:

Bottom Line: God hears my cries and sees my misery. When I realize this, he will open my eyes leading me to see my hopeful future in Christ.

Even as the constraints of the pandemic era have begun to lift, the current pressures felt by working moms have yet to alleviate.

In a recent Barna survey, working mothers shared with Barna that they are feeling overwhelmed, navigating workplace shifts and desiring time to prioritize self-care, findings we’ll take a closer look at in this article.

Working mothers are twice as likely to feel overwhelmed as working fathers coming out of the pandemic.

1. Working Mothers Are More Likely Than Working Fathers to Feel Overwhelmed

With moms historically having shouldered the burden of domestic responsibilities and care of children and loved ones—a pattern that COVID exasperated—it comes as no surprise that employed mothers are feeling overwhelmed, even forgotten.

2. Mothers’ Shift to Work-from-Home Dynamic Was More Drastic than Fathers’

While many mothers left the workforce during the COVID-19 crisis, the ones who are currently employed—whether they stayed through the pandemic or are among the percentage of women reentering the workforce—continue to navigate changes in their work environments and work expectations. Barna's data surrounding these shifts hint at a lower level of satisfaction in working mothers’ relationships both within and outside work, as well as lower satisfaction with their job in general, when compared to working fathers.

3. Working Mothers Desire Time to Prioritize Reflection & Self-Care

Working mothers, more than working women without children in the home, tell Barna they could achieve better work-life balance if they “had more quiet time to regain perspective” (30% vs. 19%) They are also more likely than all other women to say better work-life balance could be achieved if they had “more opportunities to exercise” (30% vs. 18% working women without children in the home, 15% all other women).

…Amid a season of transition, overwhelm and a struggle to balance personal and professional responsibilities, working mothers could benefit from the support of their community, including local church congregations. Yet pastors and congregants may not know how to best rally around working mothers in this time—or even be aware that they need to. Indeed, one in five Christian working moms (22% vs. 11% of working dads) says they are not attending church right now.

Story: https://www.barna.com/research/challenges-working-moms/

He is the God who sees/hears.

  • Trusting yourself vs. Trusting God, the Promise Keeper

  • Trusting the Flesh vs. Trusting the Spirit of God

  • Flesh vs. Faith

Egypt (Land of Self-reliance) vs. Promise Land (Land of Resting Faith)

God is our rescuer/promise-keeper/Hero—God / Angel of the Lord

  • He hears/sees

  • He shows up aware because he cares

  • He brings hope, despite consequences

**Salvation isn’t fixing the flesh. Salvation is crucifying the flesh. We are called to come and die to self-reliance. Leave Egypt and enter the Promise Land.

Outline based largely on Kent Hughes

I. Human Chaos (1-6)

A. Scheming (1-2)

B. Fall! (3-4)

    1. Sarai’s action parallel to Eve’s

    2. Abram listened to his wife (2)

    3. Sarai took Hagar (3a) just as Eve took the fruit (3:6a)

    4. Sarai gave Hagar to her husband (3b) just as Eve gave the fruit to hers (3:6b)

    5. And in both cases the man willingly and knowingly partook

    6. Free-fall! “God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption” Galatians 6:7-8

C. Chaos (5-6)

    1. Logically Sarai was wrong to place all the blame on Abram…it was her idea

    2. But actually she was right. He was the patriarch. He was the head of the house. God had spoken to him, not to her. He should never have allowed the situation. Abram was truly responsible for the “wrong” (lit. violence) she was suffering.

    3. Abram should have taken responsibility here.

    4. Abram should have affirmed his love for her here.

    5. Abram should have sought the wisdom of God in prayer.

    6. Instead, he capitulated to familiar Mesopotamian ways.

    7. He allowed Sarai to demote Hagar from wife/concubine back to slave.

    8. Sarai mistreated Hagar causing her to flee. Hagar = run away

    9. None of these three were honorable in how they handled things.

    10. Abram was the worst. He didn’t really care for either of these women.

    11. Neither woman had compassion for the other. Sarai was the worst.

    12. Both women were victims. Hagar the greatest.

    13. This all started when people failed to trust God’s word. (Trust in God)

    14. Instead they tried to take matters into their own hands. (Self-reliance/trust in self)

II. Divine Intervention (7-16)

A. Divine Discovery (7-9)

    1. Hagar fled scared.

    2. The Angel of the Lord found her—a stranger; God himself.

    3. This Angel knew everything. Saw, heard, knew…

    4. …understood

    5. …authoritative “Return to your mistress and submit to her”

    6. Why? Because of the future…

B. Divine Revelation (10-12) - God initiated this.

    1. Out of 6 promises in the OT for descendants, Hagar is the only woman to receive such a promise.

    2. God honored Hagar with many descendants. Fruit of the Abrahamic covenant.

    3. Ishmael

      1. You will have a son

      2. You will name him Ishmael because the Lord has heard (Ishmael - God has heard)

      3. He will be nomadic Bedouin

      4. He will be in perpetual conflict with others around him (Sound like Arabs?)

      5. Ishmael’s promise is part of the Abrahamic covenant—not it’s own

    4. Abram’s and Sarai’s shortcut would impact our world for millennia causing oceans of blood. Sin has consequences. When we take matters into our own hands and get out in front of God, this is what tends to happen:

      1. We mess things up; trouble

      2. We sin and sin has consequences

      3. We blame each other

      4. We divide or move away from each other

      5. We hurt and hurt each other (and ourselves)

      6. We damage the future and miss out on some of the blessings

      7. We grieve God and quench his Spirit

C. Hagar’s Response (13-16) - As a result of God seeing her, she sees God and…

    1. She named God and that place

      1. “the God who sees me.”

      2. “the well of the living one who sees me”

    2. She worshiped God. Instead of reveling in the good news God gave, she revels in God himself.

    3. She believed and trusted God. This led to her submission and obedience.

    4. She obeyed God. She returned and submitted to Sarai.

    5. She came to understand that

      1. God hears

      2. God sees

      3. God knows my situation

      4. God understands what I’m going through

      5. Therefore, she trusts, obeys and worships God in the midst of her difficult circumstances.

Conclusion

The consequences of taking matters into our own hands can be tragic and devastating. We cannot change the past.

However, God’s mercy and grace leads to forgiveness when we confess our sins and move forward by grace through faith in Him.

Perhaps you find yourself in the wilderness right now. Perhaps you feel abandoned, alone, and abused.

God hears.

God sees.

God knows.

God understands.

God reveals, guides and provides if you’ll look to him and rest in his protection and provision. He is faithful.

Jen Wilkins shared these thoughts as she wrapped up her thoughts on this chapter:

Paul calls us to, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”

(‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/php.2.14-16.NIV)

The Lord reminds us in the Psalms, “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://psalm.bible/psalm-147-4)

“And each of you—we—are one of those stars as we shine like stars in the sky of this dark world as we hold firmly to the word of life. And then we will be able to boast on the day of Christ that we did not run or labor in vain.” —JW

Pray

Other notes:

Outline Bible - Genesis 16:

VIII. THE COMPROMISE BY ABRAM (16:1-16)

A. The rationale for his compromise (16:1-3)

1. The problem (16:1): Sarai is still unable to bear a son.

2. The plan (16:1-3): Sarai convinces Abram to marry Hagar, her servant, in order to have a son through her.

B. The results of his compromise (16:4-16)

1. Hagar's marriage to Abram (16:4): After Hagar conceives, she begins to look down upon Sarai.

2. Hagar's mistreatment by Sarai (16:5-6): After suffering harsh treatment from the frustrated Sarai, Hagar flees into the desert.

3. Hagar's meeting with the Lord (16:7-14)

a. The Lord advises her (16:7-9): The angel of the Lord comes to her by a well and tells her, "Return to [Sarai] and submit to her authority.

b. The Lord assures her (16:10-14): The angel of the Lord tells Hagar that she will have innumerable descendants through her unborn son, who will be called Ishmael ("God hears").

4. Hagar's mothering of Ishmael (16:15-16): She gives birth to Ishmael when Abram is eighty-six years old.

Notes from Jen Wilkin’s message on Gen 12-16

We should ask ourselves two questions every time we study scripture:

  1. What is true about God here? (Knowledge of God), and

  2. What is true about me in light of what is true about God? (Knowledge of self).

Gen 16

  • Hagar was a female, Egyptian slave!

  • Remember, Egypt is the archetype of self-reliance.

  • Sarai— taking matters into her own hands.

  • This was a legal way to produce a legal heir using your maidservant to bear a child. But it’s illegal in God’s legal system.

  • Abraham listens to Sarai instead of God. (Reminds me of Eden)

  • How much say did Hagar really have in this plan? She’s a victim, though not blameless.

  • There’s a lot of blame shifting going on here by Sarai and others. (Like in Eden)

  • Sarai was physically (not just verbally) harsh with Hagar. “Mistreats” (NIV) in v. 6

  • *Why this extreme reaction?

  • Because up to this point, Sarai knew that her barrenness could have been because of Abram instead of her. But now that Hagar is pregnant, she realizes it’s because of her.

  • So she bears the full reproach/shame/scorn of a culture that said that the only thing a woman is good for is bearing children. Her world crashes.

  • 16:8 God is gently drawing Hagar in…

    • Hagar is extremely vulnerable now.

    • She’s safer with Abram and Sarai even.

    • Plus God gives her assurances about her and Ishmael’s future.

  • “There are no minor characters in the Story of God” -JW

  • Apparently, Abram (and maybe Sarai) believed Hagar’s story as seen in that Abram names her son Ishmael instead of coming up with his own as was his right and role.

  • “And God said…” “and it was so” (pattern)

—Story of self-reliance vs. Sovereignty of God

—Trust in me vs. Trust in Thee

My other notes

In previous chapters, Abram listened to God and exercised faith. But here he listened to his wife instead of God and revealed his unbelief.

Both Abram and Sarai tried to help God’s promise happen instead of resting in that promise and waiting on God to work in his perfect timing. For Isaac came 13 years later when Ishmael could live on his own. (No father going forward was devestating)

Sarai blames God for her barren condition. This is actually true as God is sovereign. (Rom 8:28 applies here) But she hints he’s not good in doing so which is not true.

Hagar is quite the victim here. And yet when empowered does harm back.

God does not acknowledge Hagar as Abram’s wife even though this was a legal path to getting a legal heir. She is still a slave in God’s eyes.

First mention of the Angel of the Lord. Theophany? Christophany?

“When God spoke to Abram, he was identified the second time as the angel of the Lord (22:1,15).”

Ishmael — God will hear. (11)

Hagar — flight, run away (LCB study notes)

“GO TO MY SLAVE. Sarai knew of the Sumerian custom of using a concubine to obtain a male heir in the case of a wife’s barrenness. A concubine did not have the same rights as the wife.” (LCB study notes)

“Childlessness was a great burden to women, for it was seen as a lack of blessing from the Lord. Hagar’s pregnancy placed her in a more favored position.” Ibid

“16:12 WILD DONKEY. A promise of Ishmael’s eventual nomadic lifestyle. EVERYONE’S HAND WILL BE AGAINST HIM. Points to the hostility between the de-scendants of Isaac (the Israelites) and Ishmael (the Ishmaelites).”

Practical lesson: “Whenever we run ahead of God, there is trouble. The flesh loves to ‘help’ God, but true faith is shown in patience (Is 28:16). We cannot mix faith and flesh, law and grace, promise and self-effort.” BKC

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Genesis Commentary, Kent Hughes

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Genesis 12-16 Message by Jen Wilkin from her Genesis study

Outline Bible, D Willmington

Life Connection Bible, Lyman Coleman, study notes

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Genesis 16, Mothers Day, Darien Gabriel, Hagar, Sarai, Abram
What is Repentance? | Matthew 13:1-17
What is Repentance? | Matthew 13:1-17

Series: All!

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-17

Acts 2:37-38, 3:19, 8:22, 20:21, 26:20

Title: What is Repentance?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Summary of chapter: “John the Baptist begins his ministry and baptizes Jesus. The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus and God declares that he is pleased with his Son.” (Outline Bible)

Bottom Line: Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of living. Entering the Kingdom of God requires repentance of sins.

Story: CWP letter, finger prints and my trip to the Goose Creek police department on a Friday afternoon. (3:58)

“Lord, keep me close and keep me clean.” -Dr. Bill Bennett, pastor and professor

Discussion questions for group and personal study:

Note: We encourage you to use our sermons and discussion questions to gather with some friends and talk about the passage together. Pray and ask God to guide you. He is faithful. Questions? Email us at info@GraceToday.net

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Goal: The goal isn’t to ask every question. The goal is to encourage people to engage the scriptures together.

1. Why is it significant that John's first command had to do with repentance?

2. What is the difference between regretful confession and true repentance?

3. How are some church attenders similar to the Jews who counted on family heritage for salvation?

4. How would you counsel someone who professes Christ but shows no marks of repentance?

5. How did the arrival of the kingdom point to the nearness of both salvation and damnation?

6. How would you explain to a non-Christian that a

"hellfire and damnation" sermon expresses love?

7. Explain why John's baptism and Christian baptism appear to exclude infants.

8. How are all three members of the Trinity present in Matthew 3:15-17?

9. Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin?

10. What is the difference between resolving to be good before salvation In resolving to be obey God after salvation?

Scripture:

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” Matthew‬ ‭3:1-7, 9-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://matthew.bible/matthew-3-17

Opening:

"…Additionally, the ancestry was important to demonstrate that Matthew's Gospel did not pertain to a mythical character or hero. To the Jew, the ancestry testified to historical reality.

Several years ago a friend of mine, a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators, worked among a people who had never heard the gospel in their language. The people could not write or read, so all their communication was oral. The missionary's first task was to learn the language of the tribe. Then she had to change that oral language into written form and teach the people to read and write it. It was a laborious task that took many years. Only after all that was accomplished could she undertake the task of translating the Bible into this language. She began with the Gospel of Matthew. To expedite the project she skipped the genealogy to get to the meat and substance of the story of Christ, and then she sent her translation work off to be printed by a publisher in a distant city. She waited months for the first copies of Matthew to arrive at the compound, and when the trucks came in with the Bibles, or, at least, the Gospel of Matthew, the people were much more interested in the trucks than they were in the translation. After having spent ten years on the project, she was crushed when she saw that the people didn't care at all.

Nevertheless, she persevered in her task, and in the second edition of Matthew she included the genealogy. When that arrived the missionary explained the genealogy to the tribal chief, and he said, "Are you trying to say that this Jesus you've been telling us about for ten years was a real person?" She replied, "Yes, of course." He said, "I thought you were telling us a story about some mythical character."

Once he understood that this Christ was real in space and time, the chief came to Christ, and shortly thereafter the whole tribe came to Christ.”

—Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Outline based largely on David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell

I. The ministry of the Baptist: Prepare the Way (aka Tell the World)

A. The man

  1. Prophesying boldly

  2. Living simply

  3. Baptizing openly

  4. Serving humbly

B. The message (What we do and Why)

  1. Repent…How?

    1. What is repentance?

      1. It is changing your mind in such a way that you change your actions; 180 degree about-face

        It’s necessary to believe and follow Jesus Christ and enter into his Kingdom

    2. Repentance involves confession (admission of sin)

    3. Repentance involves contrition (sorry over sin)

    4. Repentance involves conversion (turn from sin)

  2. …for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near (which means that the King has come near as well)

  3. Repentance is for everyone

  4. See Acts for other sermons and thoughts on repentance including:

    1. Acts 2:37-38 “They were cut to the heart…what shall we do? Repent and be baptized”

    2. Acts 3:19 “Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out”

    3. Acts 8:22 “Repent of this wickedness and pray…that he may forgive you”

    4. Acts 20:21 “they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

    5. Acts 26:20 “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance but heir deeds”

    6. See the 7 churches of Revelation 2-3 as well

C. The method

  1. The baptism of Jews

    1. Renounce your dependence on self

    2. Rely on mercy of God

  2. The baptism of Jesus

    1. The Son obeys

    2. The Spirit anoints

    3. The Father speaks

II. The ministry of the Church today: Tell the World

A. Repent and be baptized.

B. Resolve to proclaim this good news yourself. (Bearing fruit…leading others)

Conclusion

This is what we want to be known for. Loving our neighbors so well we’re willing to risk rejection to show and tell them about the mercy and grace of God found in and through Jesus Christ.

Let’s do this and lead others to do the same!

Pray

Other notes:

Why do people get baptized?

Because the Bible says to.

Because they see others who trust Christ do this.

To go public with their faith.

To testify to what Jesus Christ did for us

To testify to what Jesus Christ did in them

In our country, this is no big deal. They will likely not be threatened or abandoned because of this.

In other countries, they would do this a great personal threat to their literal lives.

Why do it then? Because they have come and seen who Jesus is and what he’s done. God has opened their eyes to see clearly. And they have believed what they have seen as more evidence that all God has said is trustworthy.

What about you?

What do I want you to know? The gospel

What do I want you to do? Believe and receive the gospel and live accordingly. It’s more than a game-changer. It’s true life-change. Transformational.

At the end I will invite you to do what many in this room have already done. To consider who Jesus is and what he’s done and then responding as you see fit.

My hope is that by believing you’ll find true and abundant life in his name. At the very least, I hope it will lead to more conversations about this for you in the near future.

We’re going to look at this through the eyes of a couple of women who witness stuff before anyone else does. Just walking through these 10 verses as if we were these ladies. They are not telling us what they believe happened. They are telling us what they saw and heard. We have it recorded reliably in the thousands of biblical texts/transcripts. Over 25,000 partial and/or complete. Overwhelming evidence.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, All, Matthew 13, Ladson, SC, Bible-believing, church, christian, repentance
What is Jesus Up To? | Matthew 28:16-20
What is Jesus Up To? | Matthew 28:16-20

Series: All!

Scripture: Matthew 1-1, 28:16-20; Genesis 12:1-3

Title: What is Jesus up to? (The Great Commission)

Bottom Line: “Jesus has all authority so that all nations might obey all he has commanded.” -Douglas Sean O’Donnell

Outline

Intro - Series title “All!” Credit Douglas Sean O’Donnell for the series title and bottom line for today.

Pop Quiz (index cards) (How many are in the room?)

  1. Yes or no: Do you know where the phrase “the Great Commission” comes from?

  2. Define, write or summarize the Great Commission:

According to the Barna Research group in 2018, “Only 17% of regular church attenders could identify and define the Great Commission.”

Jesus knows what we crave because he created us to crave those things. He wants us to obey all he’s commanded because he knows it leads to our greatest joy.

I. Matthew 28:1-10 - Come and see, go and tell

A. When we come and see what Jesus has done (Know gospel)…

B. We go and tell why Jesus has come. (Share gospel)

The book of Matthew is about the Great Commission. It’s about the

  1. Calling of the disciples to the GC,

  2. Counting the cost of following the GC, and

  3. Content of the GC.

Transition: Matthew’s gospel is a gospel of discipleship.

Disciple = Someone learning with the intention to put into practice what they are learning.

II. Matthew 28:18-20 - tail end of the gospel of Matthew will reinforce front end of Matthew by design.

A. All authority

    1. Jesus made the audacious statement, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (18)

    2. Not even Obama would say that. Not even Trump would say that.

    3. If he has ALL authority, then it means as his creation I am under his authority.

    4. And, like it or not—believe it or not—one day I will bow to his authority. “Every knee should bow” “Jesus Christ is Lord” Phil 2:9-11

    5. Don’t miss this: He’s sending us out as ambassadors UNDER AND EMPOWERED BY his authority.

B. All nations Therefore, in light of v. 18

    1. “Make disciples of ALL nations—all ethnicities, peoples, tribes, languages, all nations

    2. Why? Because this is what he’s doing—making all things new and placing them appropriately under his authority. (Eph 1, Col 1)

    3. How? Baptizing them to obey “everything” (= All) “I have commanded you”

    4. You have a decision to make here!

C. All allegiance

    1. He calls us to count the cost and go to all nations with his authority to show and tell them the way to eternal life.

    2. We pledge allegiance to the Lamb as he says surely he will be with me to the ends of the earth.

D. O’Donnell says it this way, “

E. Hughes also says that Matthew’s gospel is a gospel of discipleship meaning that Matthew speaks of

    1. The Call of discipleship

    2. The Cost of discipleship

    3. The Content of discipleship

Transition: So if you want to learn why and how to follow Jesus Christ (as one of his disciples), his gospel is for you! You need to do more than just sit and listen. You need to get a good grip on it as you

  1. Listen

  2. Read

  3. Study

  4. Memorize

  5. Meditate on

Transition: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all have a very similar baseline (bass-line). Life, death, resurrection of Christ. But they have different melodies as they sing the song and tell the story.

Matthew’s melody is Jesus as son, savior, and Christ/Messiah. We looked at these over Christmas (See December messages on YouTube.com under Grace Christian Fellowship Summerville)

III. Matthew 1 & 2 - front end of the gospel

A. Matthew 1 - From Genealogy to back from Egypt to Nazareth.

    1. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ (anointed one or king), the son of David” - about King Jesus; 2 Sam 7 David’s offspring would establish God’s kingdom forever. Eternal, sovereign rule.

    2. Then from son of David to son of Abraham. Why? Abraham was first non-Israelite Father of Israel. Abraham wasn’t a Hebrew until he became one. Abraham matters because of God’s covenant promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3.

    3. “The point of these 2 persons and promises is this:

      1. Jesus will be that David King

      2. who will reign over that eternal kingdom

      3. that will be a blessing to all peoples of the earth.” -O’Donnell

B. Matthew 1-2 - From Birth to preschool (Jesus); From Naz to Bethlehem to Egypt back to Naz.

    1. Jospeh accepts Jesus as his son.

    2. Magi visit Jesus as king.

      1. Jesus is king.

      2. Jesus is king of Jews and Gentiles.

      3. Therefore, this king is to be worshipped.

      4. Matt 2:1-11 is maybe the best summary of how to worship Jesus well by very non-Jewish people.

      5. They have come to worship Jesus and pledge their allegiance to him.

      6. Have we?

    3. Escape to Egypt

    4. Return to Nazareth

      1. Time passes…25+ years

IV.

Conclusion

What is Jesus up to?

Showing us how to bring glory to God in such a way that we find satisfaction in all our God-given desires.

Bottom line: “Jesus has all authority so that all nations might obey all he has commanded.“

Will you

  1. Acknowledge Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth?

  2. So that all nations (all peoples) will

  3. Gladly submit and give all allegiance to him?

Pray

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” & “NT Sermon Outlines” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Aiken (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)


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Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Darien Gabriel, Matthew, The Great Commission, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Bible-believing
Why the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matters Today | Matthew 28:1-10
Why the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matters Today | Matthew 28:1-10

Series: All! Pre-series message (Easter)

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Title: Why the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Matters Today

Bottom Line: When we come and see what Jesus has done, we will go tell the world why he has come.

Open

Years ago, a young member of our (Nicky Gumbel’s church in England) congregation at HTB had a job working in the library of a major national newspaper. This newspaper kept files of old cuttings about every well-known person. The files were kept in rows of long shelves and were separated into ‘living people’ and ‘dead people’.

One day, the young man was looking through the files of dead people and came across a large file marked ‘Jesus Christ’. He glanced over his shoulder to check that no one was looking and quickly moved the file from the ‘dead people’ section to the ‘living people’ section.

Jesus Christ is alive. He is risen from the dead. To anyone looking for him among files of dead people, the angels would say, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’ (Luke 24:5–6).

Mary Magdalene - Jesus cast out 7 demons from her

Mary mother of James “Other Mary” - Mother of James the lesser (disciple, son of Alpheus)

The women…

  • Appear to be the last to leave the tomb on Friday (along with Joseph of Arimathea) and the first to arrive at the tomb Sunday morning (besides the angels and guards, of course)

  • Were prepared to anoint Jesus’ wrapped and partially anointed corpse (Mark 16:1)

  • Meet the angel who’s perched there waiting for them, his job almost complete (Angel = messenger)

  • Unconcerned with guards but very concerned with angel

  • Receive the message from God via angel about what just happened

    • “Don’t be afraid”

    • I know you’re looking for Jesus

    • “Who was crucified”

    • “He’s not here ; he has risen (has been raised)

    • “Just as he said” (he would be)

    • “Come and see”

    • “Go quickly and tell”

    • “Now I’ve told you.”

  • As a result of seeing what they saw,

    • They obeyed promptly and completely because

    • Afraid yet filled with joy

    • Ran to tell his disciples (brothers)

    • Ran into Jesus suddenly (though I doubt it hurt very much;-))

    • Are greeted by Jesus casually and familiarity

    • Respond to his humanity (clasp his resurrected feet) and worship his divinity

    • Are still afraid and filled with joy; it’s dangerous to oppose the Romans or Jewish leaders; hard to be women in a male-dominated culture; they had little power and influence; would anyone believe their story?

    • Go and tell the brothers to go to Galilee where they’d all see Jesus again—resurrected and fully alive!

Key applications

  1. “Don’t be afraid” is a command to trust the Lord so fully that fear is unnecessary. Both the angel and the Lord command this. Why not:

    1. It won’t help or change anything to be afraid (Matt 6:25-34)

    2. It will keep you from seeking Jesus

    3. It will discourage obedience to Jesus

  2. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt 6:33); this is the antidote to fear

  3. Come and see—see the empty tomb

    1. Jesus, who was crucified for 6 hours (after being tortured nearly to death and carrying the crossbar until he couldn’t anymore) died publicly.

    2. Then wrapped tightly in a mummy-like combination of fabric, spices and ointments to keep it all together begins.

    3. His body is gone when they look, but not stolen.

      1. His enemies could have stolen and then revealed the body later to prove not resurrected; clearly they didn’t; instead they accused the disciples of stealing it

      2. His friends could have stolen the body (no, not really) but they’d be perpetuating a lie; why would they all willingly die for that lie? What’s the point?

      3. No one is taking the body of Jesus unwrapped

      4. It wasn’t unwrapped but it’s like his body just evaporated leaving the shroud in tact; headpiece neatly folded

    4. No one else has been inside. Angel opens it up for these women first. (Guards outside in shock or fainted)

  4. Come to believe that Jesus has in fact risen from the dead. Historically confirmed by friendly and enemy sources (Josephus, Tacitus, Apostles)

  5. “Go and tell”

    1. What you saw

      1. Empty tomb

      2. Resurrected Jesus

    2. What he said

      1. Don’t be afraid (though tempted)

      2. Go to Galilee where you will see me

  6. Cling and worship

    1. to the crucified Jesus (humanity; die together i.e. baptism) and

    2. resurrected Jesus (divinity; worship him)

Conclusion

Bottom Line: When we come and see what Jesus has done, we will go tell the world why he has come.

What do I want you to know?

The Gospel: Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh, was tempted as we are, yet did not sin, died on the cross (in our place) for our sins so that we could live in his place as his brothers and sisters. He was raised up by the Father vindicating his life and death and showing the Father’s pleasure over his obedience.

What do I want you to do?

Surrender your whole life to Jesus Christ and let him forgive you, cleanse you, free you from sin and death, shame and guilt, and hell itself. Do this by grace through faith. Walk with the rest of us as we learn how to do just that together.

Pray and Lord’s Supper

Another picture. Like baptism, a commanded ordinance we perform. This one we do regularly. This one reminds us of the gospel as does baptism. It doesn’t save. It does sanctify as it reminds us why we live this way.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“the Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

"Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" by Martin—Lloyd Jones

“Exalting Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount” by Daniel Aiken (CCE)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

“The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World” by Sinclair Ferguson

Outline Bible, D Willmington

DA Carson, Jesus’ Sermon, 45

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

"Kingdoms in Conflict" by Charles Colson

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Easter, Matthew 28, Darien Gabriel, Resurrection Sunday
Who is the King of Glory? | Psalm 24:8
Who is the King of Glory? | Psalm 24:8

“Who is the King of Glory?” (Psalm 24:8)

Exodus 12: 1-14

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2 “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb[a] for his family, one for each household. 4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire—with the head, legs and internal organs. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.

12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

14 “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.

+ First month of the year – Nisan

+ slaughter a spotless lamb and put some of its blood on the doorframe

+ Deliverance from death…”when I see the blood, I will pass over you”…

+ a precursor to the events of Holy Week with Jesus as the spotless lamb.

Matthew 21:1-6

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: (the prophet Zechariah)

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

1. Jesus spent a considerable amount of time prior to this event healing and teaching, but even telling those he healed not to tell anyone about this. By getting on a donkey and riding into Jerusalem, Jesus announced that he was coming as Israel's messianic king. He was presenting himself as Israel's promised king. By his actions, he was saying, "Behold, your king comes to you”

2. There were over 300 prophesies about the Messiah in the Old Testament, and Jesus fulfilled all of them. The odds of that happening…3” square tiles over the face of the earth, one with a red dot on the back

Genesis 49:10-11

The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,[a]
until he to whom it belongs[b] shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.

In Jacob’s blessing on his son Judah, he is also pronouncing that Israel’s true king will come from the tribe of Judah…even referring to the donkey

In ancient times, when a king rode into a city, it was usually with a show of power and wealth, on a horse in times of war, and a donkey in times of peace.

Matthew 21:8-9

8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

What is only hinted at in Genesis was made plain in the Gospel: Jesus, the Son of David, from the tribe of Judah, rode into Jerusalem as Israel's rightful king.

Hosanna: “save now”…where did that come from??

Psalm 118:25-26

Lord, save us! (That is the word Hosanna)
Lord, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.[a]

Just above this is verse 24:

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day; (This is the day the Lord has made)
let us rejoice today and be glad.

1. This is the day…every day…yes, but not just any day

2. This psalm is not just referring to any day…it could be referring to Psalm Sunday

Daniel 9:25 (written around 530 BC)

25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One,[a] the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.

Nehemiah 2:1-5

2 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem - The king wrote letters for Nehemiah’s safe passage to go rebuild Jerusalem.

1. We know from history that King Artaxerxes began his reign in 465 BC

So 20 years into his reign would have been about 444 BC…

-When they don’t refer to a specific day, it was the first of that month.

Nisan 1, 444 BC = March 5, 444BC (somewhere between March and April).

- First, there will be 7 sevens from the time of this decree (seven 7 year periods, or 49 years), then 62 sevens, or 434 years

- Add the 49 years to the 434 years = 483 years

- The Hebrew calendar had 360 days…so…

- 360 (days) x 434 years = 173,880 days

Take the first day of Nisan, 20 years into the king’s reign…around March 5, 444 BC, and add 173,880 days, you end up with a date of around March 30, 33 AD…which could very well have been Palm Sunday. (This is the day the Lord has made)

Daniel 9:26

After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.[b] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.

Just a few days later, some of the same people who were yelling “Hosanna” were yelling “crucify Him”

In the year AD 70, the Romans destroyed the temple.

This is the day…

Luke 19:41-44

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on THIS DAY what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”






Jesus comes to greet his subjects with all humility and meekness.

The king's gentleness is symbolized by his mode of transport.

In some way, you can see how some of the same people that were saying “hosanna” later in the week were saying “crucify Him”.

Their expectations were not in line with the King’s will, but their own.

They understood the prophesy enough to know that He was the messiah, but not enough to get past their own notions of why He was there and what the Messiah was going to deliver them from.

What are your expectations of the King? Are they in line with His will or with yours?

Do you know that our King isn’t here to make you rich? Or to make you happy? Or to help you take control of society with power. Our king said “in this life you will have trouble” and “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

-2 weeks ago, I lead worship and pointed out in a song about God’s faithfulness, that the writer says “you’ve never failed me yet”…and how much I didn’t like the work “yet”. God will never fail you, but it doesn’t mean He will give you everything you want.

In reality, like those along the road to Jerusalem, acknowledging that Jesus is Lord-do we want something from Him that isn’t part of His will?

Do we yell “Hosannah” with our mouths and “Crucify Him” by our actions?

Perhaps the best word to describe it is "meekness," which means power under control.

If we are saved by such a gentle king, then we should serve him with all gentleness. Gentleness is one of the marks of the Christian, the fruit of God's Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:23). Sadly, many Christians are harsh in their judgments, abrasive in their opinions.


1. Embrace that Jesus is the King

2. Acknowledge that He knows what’s best for us

3. Praise him by setting your expectations of Him in alignment with His will

That same king who came riding a donkey into Jerusalem as a peaceful conquering king, conquered sin and death, delivered us from an eternity without God, and is coming back to vanquish the enemy.

Revelation 19:11-16

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

king of kings and lord of lords.

Bible verses for Palm Sunday – April 10, 2022

Exodus 12: 1-14

Matthew 21:1-6

Zechariah 9:9

Genesis 49:10-11

Matthew 21:8-9

Psalm 118:24-26

Daniel 9:25

Nehemiah 2:1-5

Daniel 9:26

Luke 19:41-44

Revelation 19:11-16


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Guest UserPalm Sunday, King of Glory, Chris Karpus, non-denominational church, Bible-believing, church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, Psalm 24
What Does Fellowship in the Harvest Look Like? | Colossians 4:7-18
What Does Fellowship in the Harvest Look Like? | Colossians 4:7-18

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “ What does fellowship in the harvest look like?”

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18 (main); 1:3-14-20; 2:9-10; 3:1-4

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Last week’s Bottom line: We devote ourselves to prayer by being watchful in, grateful for, and helpful to the mission God has called us to.

Bottom line: Fullness in Christ leads to fellowship with God’s people in the harvest where we’re meant to be.

Opening story:

Whenever I have gone to a new country on a mission trip, meeting the believers there who are active in the harvest is like meeting family. There’s a hard-to-explain bond with them that I believe is the fellowship which is a fruit of the fullness of Christ in us.

Context revisited:

  • Paul’s under house arrest—chained to a Praetorian guard 24/7.

  • 1,000 miles away, Epaphras, founding pastor of Church of Colossae and disciple of Paul, is burdened for his church due to false teachers infiltrating with heretical teachings.

  • His growing church is under attack from sinister, heretical movement of lies that say Christ could not be creator nor God in the flesh.

  • Between secret passwords and ascetic disciplines rooted in platonic philosophy, the gnostics teachings were robbing the Colossians of their joy. Epaphras has do to something.

  • He travels to Rome to find Paul.

  • Paul’s heart aligns with E’s immediately. He begins praying and then starts dictating a letter to them. Colossians is the result.

Paul’s argument for full-hearted faith:

  1. He celebrates the miracle of Colossae. (1:3-8)

  2. He prays for them. (1:9-14)

  3. He presents the heart of his full-hearted argument. (1:15-18)

  4. Colossians 1:19-20

  5. Colossians 2:9-10

  6. Colossians 3:1-4

Christ is supreme is 4 ways:

  1. He’s first in rank and honor. (15) Visually and personally displayed God to humanity.

  2. He’s supreme as Creator. (16a)

    1. Einstein estimated that there are 10 octillian stars in the universe.

      1. 1,000 thousands = one million

      2. 1,000 millions = one billion…

      3. 1,000 septillions = one octillion…10 octillian stars

    2. Stars he created with a word ex nihlio

    3. Stars he named

  3. He’s supreme as sustainer of the universe he created. (17) He is holding all things together.

  4. He’s the goal of creation. (16b) “for him” or “toward him”

Transition: In a world that seems doomed and hopeless to change, we can be part of true and lasting change as we devote ourselves to God and his mission through prayer.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://1john.bible/1-john-1-3

Crosses racial and religious barriers:

  • 3 Jews and 3 Gentiles working together

  • Different languages, national pride, cultures, traditions = still unified in Christ

  • Transcends grievances

  • produces wholeheartedness

Tychicus (8) came with Paul from Ephesus and to Jerusalem; faithful servant and roadie. He likely came to the Lord under Paul’s missionary work in Ephesus. Paul sent him to Colossae to

  1. Deliver the letter to the Colossians

  2. Give an update

  3. Encourage them with 1 & 2

  4. Help Onesimus get back

He was a Gentile. He would have been around during the riots in Ephesus most likely.

Onesimus (9) was Philemon’s runaway slave transformed by the gospel and found Paul in Rome. The book of Philemon describes this story. He’s a Gentile who would travel back with Tychicus.

(John) Mark, (10) another Jew, the cousin of Barnabus is the same Mark that started the first missionary journey with Paul and Barnabus. He greatly disappointed Paul when he bailed on the expedition early-on. For this reason, Paul didn’t want him to join them on their second missionary journey. Barnabus disagreed and they eventually split up as a result. Here we see the Paul has warmed back up to Mark 12 years later. Wrote gospel of Mark. (Peter’s account)

Aristarchus (10) was a fellow prisoner and Jew who’d been with Paul in Ephesus when the riots happened. He also traveled with Paul to Jerusalem to deliver the special offering to the poor there. He would have seen Paul caught up in the mob there and traveled with him after his arrest to Caesaria and later Rome where they were when Paul wrote Colossians. Seen during Ephesians riot (Acts 19:29); singled out; stuck by Paul

All three Jews were a comfort to Paul in his imprisonment surrounded by Gentiles.

Jesus who is called Justus (11) (his Roman name) means the Lord saves. Justus means one who obeys the law. He’s also a Jew.

Epaphras (12-13) was a Gentile from Colossae and maybe the founding pastor. He’s the one who traveled 1,000 miles to see Paul about how false teachers were infiltrating the church there and undermining what was becoming a beautiful local church network. (Including Laodicea and Hieropolis.

Epaphras prayer had 5 characteristics:

  1. He prayed constantly “always” (12)

  2. He prayed fervently “agonizingly” (12)

  3. He prayed personally “for you” (12)

  4. He prayed definitely (specifically)

  5. He prayed sacrificially (13) “great zeal” “much distress”

And traveling 1,000 miles to see Paul gave him plenty of time to pray.

“Praying that costs me nothing accomplishes nothing.” -John H Jowett

Luke, (14) the doctor and historian so faithful to Paul over the years. He wrote Luke and Acts. Only Gentile writer that we know of in the Bible. Joined Paul at Troy’s on missionary journey

Demas (14) is mentioned 3 times in scripture by Paul: 1) He’s a “fellow worker” in Philemon 24; 2) He’s just here with Luke; and 3) He’s deserted Paul in 2 Tim 4:10. Gentile who enjoyed the fellowship of this team but in the end deserted.

“For Demas, because he loved the world, has deserted me and has gone” 2 Tim 4:10

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.2.15-17.NIV

Conclusion/Applications

Bottom line: Fullness in Christ leads to fellowship with God’s people in the harvest where we’re meant to be.

  • Complete the ministry God gave you.

  • Embrace the fullness of Christ in your life. Believe it’s there and live as if you believe it’s there. (Like Clark Kent believing he’s really Superman underneath that business suit.

  • Remember…

    • Paul’s chains—he’s suffering but he knows he’s far from home.

    • Your chains—you may be suffering but your homecoming is not far either.

Pray


———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians

  • Gospel Transformation Bible

  • NIV Study Bible

  • The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipBible-believing, non-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, Colossians 4
How to Devote Yourself to Prayer | Colossians 1:15-20
How to Devote Yourself to Prayer | Colossians 1:15-20

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “How To Devote Yourself to Prayer”

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20; 4:2-6 (main); Matt 6:8-13; 7:24-27

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Last week’s Bottom line: When we gladly submit to God’s design for our work life/career/vocation, we will thrive in the fullness of life.

Bottom line: We devote ourselves to prayer by being watchful in, grateful for, and helpful to the mission God has called us to.

Review Col 1:15-20


Opening story:

‘Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence,’ -Spurgeon

"Prayer is the way we can escape the gravitational pull of the flesh and enter GOD's orbit. It's the way we escape the atmosphere and enter into HIS space. It's the way we over come human limitations and enter into the extra-dimensional realm where all things are possible." Author unknown

Mark 9:23 “’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 235 • Devotional

The Gracious Hand of God


Things happen to us. So much of life is simply the set of circumstances we find ourselves in.

For example, our parents, our genetic design, the weather, much of our education and our government are all things that we experience as ‘happening to us’. In Greek grammar, these things are expressed in what we call the ‘passive voice’.

However, we also make things happen. When I initiate an action and do something, this is expressed in the ‘active voice’.

But Greek grammar also has a third voice – the ‘middle voice’. This is neither wholly active nor wholly passive. When I use the middle voice, I am participating in the results of an action.

Christian prayer is spoken in the middle voice. It cannot be in the active voice because it is not an action I control, as in the ritualistic pagan prayers where the gods do our bidding.

Prayer is not in the passive voice either, in which I’m at the mercy of the will of gods and goddesses.

In Christian prayer, as Eugene Peterson puts it, ‘I enter into an action begun by another, my creating and saving Lord, and find myself participating in the results of his [gracious] action.’

In one sense, the whole of the Christian life is prayer. We welcome God’s gracious hand in our lives, and we participate in what he is doing in the world. God involves you in his plans. Of course, he could do it all on his own, but he chooses to involve you. He gives you freedom, yet he remains in control. -Nicky Gumbel

The Power of Prayer

Archbishop Justin Welby and Pete Greig (founder of 24-7 Prayer) have launched an initiative calling hundreds of thousands of Christians, of many churches and denominations to a great wave of prayer for the evangelisation of the nations during the week before Pentecost Sunday. The week culminates in beacon events in packed cathedrals and churches around the world over the Pentecost weekend. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, asked people to pray for three things: ‘That all Christians find new life in Jesus Christ… That all those you meet… might see something of Jesus… For the church to overflow with the reality of the presence of Jesus.’

Pete Grieg has described it as ‘a groundswell; a movement from the grassroots up’. He said he had been very moved to hear of one boy who’d prayed for five friends, three of whom had since become Christians!

Prayer is spiritual nutrition. Just as the body needs physical food, so the soul needs spiritual food. Prayer changes us. However, the Bible goes much further than this. Prayer is powerful. It is, as Charles Haddon Spurgeon put it, ‘the slender nerve that moves the muscles of omnipotence.’ Prayer has the power to change circumstances, other people and even the course of history.

Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 176 • Devotional

Of course, the Lord’s Prayers are very instructive.

Matt 6:9-13 is the Lord’s answer to his disciples’ question, “How do you pray?”

John 17 is a lengthy example of Jesus praying on the eve of the cross.

Context:

Epaphras has visited Paul in Rome (who’s in prison for sharing the gospel) to ask for help in dealing with the false teachers in the church of Colossae. Paul writes this letter to this church and sends it back with Epaphras.

Transition: In a world that seems doomed and hopeless to change, we can be part of true and lasting change as we devote ourselves to God and his mission through prayer.

My Outline

I. What? “Devote yourselves to prayer.” (4:2) How? By…

  1. “Being watchful”

    1. Watch yourself

      1. Inwardly

      2. Outwardly

    2. Watch around the corner (locally)

    3. Watch around the world (globally)

  2. “Being thankful”

    1. To God.

      1. Pray with others.Ex. Prayer Team 6 (online and in-person)

      2. Say 3 things you’re thankful for each day (Ann Voskamp, 1,000 Gifts book)

    2. To People.

  3. Being Missional

    1. Praying for Open Doors

      1. For the message of the mystery of Christ

      2. For clarity of the message, despite the chains

      3. Note: Doesn’t pray for his cell door to be opened

    2. Praying for wisdom

      1. For the way to act towards outsiders

      2. For gracious, salty conversation

      3. For wisdom in those conversations

Applications

  • Be watchful: inwardly and outwardly; pray with someone else daily (prayer, 8 am) even weekly; journal your prayers

  • Be thankful: say aloud three things you’re thankful for today every day; do this as family around the table ideally

  • Be missional:

    • interceding: pray for others;

    • pray for kingdom expansion (Open doors)

    • Be an answer

    • Be in conversation

This mindset of the great commandment and the great commission are seen in the Lord’s supper where Christ calls us to look back, look up, look inside and look ahead. 1 Cor 11:23-26

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.11.23-26.NIV

This transitions us towards the Lord’s Supper where we remember why we do all of this—because of what he did for us at the cross.

Conclusion

I heard about a preacher who preached the same sermon week after week after week. When finally asked by as people why he said I’ll preach a new sermon when you all get this one. This point is clear: until we become doers of the word will be on a path of destruction as only hearers of the word.

Matt 7:24-27 parable of how to build your family to thrive in a world of chaotic evil. This is Jesus’ summary and fitting conclusion of application to his “sermon on the mount” which is essentially his kingdom manifesto. This is also appropriate for how to thrive in our vocation/work/career.

Back to Jesus’ parable about the 2 houses and the 2 foundations:

  1. “The assumption in Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders is that our homes necessarily have to endure a barrage of torrential storms.”

  2. “The assurance of his parable is that those who build their homes according to God’s blueprint can withstand life’s onslaughts.”

In other words:

  1. Building on the world’s philosophies will lead to family and societal collapse.

  2. Building on the Lord’s blueprint will lead to stability, security and peace despite the devastating storms around us.

Bottom line: When we gladly submit to God’s design for our work life/career/vocation, we will thrive in the fullness of life.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Other

Kent Hughes

V. Servants/Slaves/Employees (3:22-25)—

  • Not advocating for slavery.

  • Staying silent on this institution for the simple reason that there’s a battle to be fought first that lays the foundation for victory later achieved.

  • “Through the example of Christ, the apostles understood that the great rest need for social and cultural change was a spiritual transformation through the power of the gospel.” -Pace, p. 110

VI. Masters/Bosses/Employers (4:1)—

  • His purchase of our freedom/forgiveness establish his ownership of us.

  • 1 Cor 6:19-20; Romans 6:17-18

  • Christ is our ultimate Lord and master, King and authority over all of us. He created us and redeems us!

  • Christ modeled this by being equal to the Father and yet submitted to his command to come and die for us. Should we do any less?

“Paul’s instruction for masters and servants mirror his emphasis for all members of the household: ‘Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.’” (3:23)

“This verse (3:25) summarizes and reiterates his general directive for all believers in v. 17” reminding us:

  • WHAT we do matters “whatever you do”

  • HOW we do it matters “do it from the heart” and

  • WHY we do it matters “as something done for the Lord”

What’s your foundation: Rock or Sand?

Sand—Worldview of entitlement, blame, and selfishness.

Rock—Worldview of selfless, sacrificial love for all people surrendering al land gladly submitting to proper authorities starting with God at home.

Hearing the word AND doing the word lead to growth in Christlike being and doing (character and competency) = Fruitfulness

Cross-references

Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Matthew 7:24-27

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians

  • Gospel Transformation Bible

  • NIV Study Bible

  • The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Darien Gabriel, Bible-believing, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, prayer
How to Thrive at Work | Colossians 3:22-4:1
How to Thrive at Work | Colossians 3:22-4:1

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “How To Thrive at Work”

Scripture: Colossians 3:22-4:1; 2 Cor 5:10; Galatians 3:28; Gen 1:28; 2:15; Matt 7:24-27; Ephesians 6:1-9

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Last week’s Bottom line: When we gladly submit to God’s design as the blueprint of our family, we (with our spouse) will build our home/family to thrive even in chaotically evil times.

Bottom line: When we gladly submit to God’s design for our work life/career/vocation, we will thrive in the fullness of life.

Opening story:

Matt 7:24-27 parable of how to build your family to thrive in a world of chaotic evil. This is Jesus’ summary and fitting conclusion of application to his “sermon on the mount” which is essentially his kingdom manifesto. This is also appropriate for how to thrive in our vocation/work/career.

Context:

It is estimated that there were 60,000,000 slaves in the Roman Empire. That’s about 50% of the population.

  • Work was considered beneath the dignity of the slave-owning free Roman male.

  • Practically everything was done by slaves—even doctoring and teaching.

  • Though some exceptions, back to Aristotle slaves were classified as things; living tools.

  • Varro classified farm implements into 3 classes:

    • The articulate (slaves)

    • The inarticulate

    • The mute

  • If you buy a farm, it was said to toss out the old slaves to die, because they’re broken tools.

  • Gauis, the Roman lawyer, said, “…universally accepted that the master possesses the power of life and death over a slave.”

  • If a slave ran away, he was branded on the forehead with the letter “F” for fugitive. Sometimes put to death with no trial.

  • This created a national melancholy over millions.

  • Into this rang out the gospel raising the tensions—and the hope.

  • Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are one in Christ Jesus.”

Paul’s advice/instruction was “ultimately revolutionary” though not immediately.

for in time it led to the collapse of slavery as an institution.

How was it revolutionary?

  • It led to systemic change eventually.

  • It brought “fullness of Christ” to slaves immediately.

It was both

  • a personal/domestic issue for it affected the family.

  • today it’s more a professional issue as the principles relate to our work as employers/employees.

  • Work is so important in our culture today that it often defines people. It shouldn’t but it does. “Hey, my name is. What do you do?”

Transition: In a world where what we do becomes our dominate identity, we must cling to God’s original definition and design for work if we are going to thrive in these chaotically evil times.

Paul’s outline shows 2 sides of relationships in relation to the male leader outside the home.

In order of priority they are:

We’ve already seen 1 & 2.

  1. Wives/husbands (marriage)

  2. Children/fathers (family; parenting

  3. Slaves/masters (work/culture)

My Outline: (based on Kent Hughes commentary heavily)

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:22-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/col.3.22-25.NIV

A powerful example of someone who lived out verses 22-25 is Joseph in Genesis starting in ch. 37 when he’s sold into slavery by his brothers.

I. A Full Life (Thrive) for servants/slaves/employees (3:22-25)—Should diligently work for their master/boss/employer.

  • Who’s side are you on, Paul? This command of submission and obedience is tough!

    1. Obey master/employer

    2. In everything

    3. Not as a people pleaser but

    4. With sincerity of heart

    5. Whether boss present or not

    6. As unto the Lord

    7. Fearing the Lord—Mother Teresa in Calcutta, “Taking Matthew 25 seriously, she believed that when she and her Ssiters of Charity were cleansing sores and touching the ill for Christ, they were doing it to Christ.”

      1. Don’t over romanticize

      2. Most of us are doing less than noble work; “nothing” jobs pushing paper, moving dirt, etc.

      3. This transformed the Roman empire

      4. Christian slaves brought higher prices because of this work ethic

      5. Pagan slave served his master bound by fear vs.

      6. Christian slave served his master better because he feared God.

    8. Because God will reward you with an inheritance of

      • Either good

      • Or bad

      • No partiality

      • Based on performance

      • Second judgment

      • “All believers, though under the ultimate forgiveness of Christ, will have their works judged.” 2 Cor 5:10

Paul’s teaching regarding he work of slaves (employees) in the Colossian Church is found in 22-25.

How should this impact our work ethic?

  1. Don’t assume that if you live up to the Biblical standard that all will go well with you on the job. At times you’ll be…

    1. Treated poorly

    2. Passed over for promotions and raises

    3. Misunderstood

    4. Wrongly accused

    5. Taken advantage of

    6. Fired for no good reason

  2. Don’t use this to justify overworking or workaholism. Capitalism/Free enterprise is easily perverted to the worship of work or self-promotion.

  3. We should be the best workers out there. Instead, we are sometimes the opposite.

    1. 2 seminary students observed to spend lots of time standing around talking about God to each other

    2. One student came out of the restroom after 20 minutes and said to his friend, “I just read 3 chapters of John in the john.”

    3. We should have the best

      1. Attitude

      2. Dependability/reliability

      3. Integrity/trustworthiness

    4. We should see and value the intrinsic nobility and gift of work given to us by God. Before the Fall and sin…

      1. God called Adam “to work (the Garden) and take care of it.” (Gen 2:15)

      2. God called Adam and Even to “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it; rule…” (Gen 1:28)

II. A Full Life (Thrive) for masters/employers/bosses/owners (4:1)—Should justly provide for their slaves/servants/employees.

“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://colossians.bible/colossians-4-1

  1. Command is for masters of slaves (employers/bosses/owners today as well)

  2. Provide—slaves own little to nothing.

  3. Your provision should be just and fair.

    1. Employers, you will answer to God for how you treat your employees.

    2. These words would have sounded strange to non-Christians—slaves and masters alike—because slaves effectively had no rights.

    3. This might have been more difficult to carry out for the masters than for the slaves.

      • If he treats his slaves “right and fair”, fellow slave owners were likely to ostracize them hurting their finances, social standing and more.

    • Guiding reality for both master and slave: Both have the same Lord. (4:1)

  4. Reason: because you have a master too and he commands this.

    1. Fullness in life will elude you to the extent that you ignore this command.

    2. God wants us to receive fullness in our domestic and professional lives. Fullness from God follows in the wake of glad submission and glad obedience to the Lord.

    3. This fullness should overflow into our world as faithful fruitfulness to the great commission to love God and love people by making disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Transition: The risen Lord Jesus Christ calls us to follow his design for domestic and vocational living. This is the foundation of rock the wise man built his house on in Matthew 7. When we do this, it leads us to the full life—a life of thriving in the midst of chaotic evil like we have in today’s world.

This leads us to live lives that demand a gospel explanation. In other words, people will see how you live and want to know why and how you live that way.

This is the mission: To explain the life we live that can only be explained by the gospel. This is why gospel fluency is essential for every Christian to master. This is why we’re heading towards Matthew starting at Easter. This is why we major on the New Testament in our teaching and preaching.

This mindset of the great commandment and the great commission are seen in the Lord’s supper where Christ calls us to look back, look up, look inside and look ahead. 1 Cor 11:23-26

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.11.23-26.NIV

This transitions us towards the Lord’s Supper where we remember why we do all of this—because of what he did for us at the cross.

Conclusion

Back to Jesus’ parable about the 2 houses and the 2 foundations:

  1. “The assumption in Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders is that our homes necessarily have to endure a barrage of torrential storms.”

  2. “The assurance of his parable is that those who build their homes according to God’s blueprint can withstand life’s onslaughts.”

In other words:

  1. Building on the world’s philosophies will lead to family and societal collapse.

  2. Building on the Lord’s blueprint will lead to stability, security and peace despite the devastating storms around us.

Bottom line: When we gladly submit to God’s design for our work life/career/vocation, we will thrive in the fullness of life.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Other

Kent Hughes

V. Servants/Slaves/Employees (3:22-25)—

  • Not advocating for slavery.

  • Staying silent on this institution for the simple reason that there’s a battle to be fought first that lays the foundation for victory later achieved.

  • “Through the example of Christ, the apostles understood that the great rest need for social and cultural change was a spiritual transformation through the power of the gospel.” -Pace, p. 110

VI. Masters/Bosses/Employers (4:1)—

  • His purchase of our freedom/forgiveness establish his ownership of us.

  • 1 Cor 6:19-20; Romans 6:17-18

  • Christ is our ultimate Lord and master, King and authority over all of us. He created us and redeems us!

  • Christ modeled this by being equal to the Father and yet submitted to his command to come and die for us. Should we do any less?

“Paul’s instruction for masters and servants mirror his emphasis for all members of the household: ‘Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.’” (3:23)

“This verse (3:25) summarizes and reiterates his general directive for all believers in v. 17” reminding us:

  • WHAT we do matters “whatever you do”

  • HOW we do it matters “do it from the heart” and

  • WHY we do it matters “as something done for the Lord”

What’s your foundation: Rock or Sand?

Sand—Worldview of entitlement, blame, and selfishness.

Rock—Worldview of selfless, sacrificial love for all people surrendering al land gladly submitting to proper authorities starting with God at home.

Hearing the word AND doing the word lead to growth in Christlike being and doing (character and competency) = Fruitfulness

Cross-references

Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Matthew 7:24-27

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians

  • Gospel Transformation Bible

  • NIV Study Bible

  • The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Colossians, thrive at work, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel
How to Build Your Family to Thrive During Chaotic Times | Colossians 3:18-25
How to Build Your Family to Thrive During Chaotic Times | Colossians 3:18-25

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “How To Build Your Family to Thrive During Chaotic Times”

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-25, Ephesians 5:21-6:9, Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Romans 6:17-18

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Last week’s Bottom line: We exchange the gross life for the good life when we embrace God’s peace and God’s word as God’s people…with thanksgiving.

Bottom line: When we gladly submit to God’s design as the blueprint of our family, we (with our spouse) will build our home/family to thrive even in chaotically evil times.

Opening story: Matt 7:24-27 parable of how to build your family to thrive in a world of chaotic evil. This is Jesus’ summary and fitting conclusion of application to his “sermon on the mount” which is essentially his kingdom manifesto.

He ends this with how to build a family that will thrive in chaotically evil times. Boy do we need to hear this!

Foundation = Rock = Jesus Christ = Living word

Sand = any other foundation material i.e. the worldly philosophies

House = Family (Home):

  • Place of rest (in every way)

  • Place of refuge from the world (relationally+)

  • Place or base of operations (missionally)

Rain, floods, winds = storms of life (from all directions)

Hear only = foolish living = devastation

Hear + Obey = wise living = stability, security, peace

Genesis 2-3 show how God created a good world and how humanity wrecked it by our sinful and rebellious disobedience.

Domestic code of Paul’s day included gender confusion, domestic role confusion, and the evil slave/master dynamic.

At the same time, God says that all people, tribes, languages, ethnicities and nations are equally precious and valuable in his eyes. He send his son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of all people. That’s what we mean when we talk about the cross.

Transition: In a world and at a time when the world is trying to redefine the family, we must cling to God’s original definition and design if our families are going to thrive in these chaotically evil times.

Paul’s outline shows 3 pairs of relationships in relation to the male leader in the home.

In order of priority they are:

  1. Wives/husbands (marriage)

  2. Children/fathers (family; parenting)

  3. Slaves/masters (work/culture)

Ultimately, God is our authority. All submission to people is submission to God when done correctly.

My Outline: (based on Outline Bible)

I. Wives (3:18)—Should respectfully lift up their husbands.

  • God said it’s “not good for man to be alone” Gen 2:18

  • Marriage - one flesh Matt 19:1-6, Eph 5:31

  • Submit ≠ obey like children or slaves are to obey; it’s in context of mutual submission per Eph 5:21

  • Submission is a voluntary offering of self to another in willing support motivated by glad submission to Christ who died for you

  • Submission is not

    • Abusive

    • Tyrannical

    • Domineering

    • Arrogant

    • Controlling

II. Husbands (3:19)—Should sacrificially love their wives.

  • As Christ loved the church and gave himself for her (Eph 5:25)

    • Sacrificially

    • Selflessly

  • Responsible for her emotional, physical and spiritual needs (ultimately met by Christ)

  • Out of his love for Christ

  • Undeserved, yet freely given

Aside: “Marriage is a covenantal union that can be defined this way:

  • A sacred and exclusive union

  • Performed by God

  • That spiritually joins the husband and the wife with the bonds of

    • Sacrificial love and

    • Unconditional devotions,

  • Reflects the relationship of Christ and his church, and

  • Is ceremoniously celebrated and

  • Physically consummated

  • Before the Lord.

III. Children (3:20)—Should humbly listen (obey, honor) to the parents; to hear is to obey.

  • Eph 6:1-4 First command with a promise

  • Exod 20:12

  • Out of submission to Christ

IV. Fathers (Parents) (3:21)—Should faithfully lead their children.

  • Parallels submission to their Heavenly Father and teaches this, even as submission to both parents is appropriate and implied here.

  • Home - where children’s hearts are cultivated to love God and submit to his authority.

  • Parents should:

    • Disciple their children

    • Discipline their children

    • Not discourage their children

V. Servants/Slaves/Employees (3:22-25)—Should diligently work for their master/boss/employer.

  • Not advocating for slavery.

  • Staying silent on this institution for the simple reason that there’s a battle to be fought first that lays the foundation for victory later achieved.

  • “Through the example of Christ, the apostles understood that the great rest need for social and cultural change was a spiritual transformation through the power of the gospel.” -Pace, p. 110

VI. Masters/Bosses/Employers (4:1)—Should justly provide for their slaves/servants/employees.

  • His purchase of our freedom/forgiveness establish his ownership of us.

  • 1 Cor 6:19-20; Romans 6:17-18

  • Christ is our ultimate Lord and master, King and authority over all of us. He created us and redeems us!

  • Christ modeled this by being equal to the Father and yet submitted to his command to come and die for us. Should we do any less?

“Paul’s instruction for masters and servants mirror his emphasis for all members of the household: ‘Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.’” (3:23)

“This verse (3:25) summarizes and reiterates his general directive for all believers in v. 17” reminding us:

  • WHAT we do matters “whatever you do”

  • HOW we do it matters “do it from the heart” and

  • WHY we do it matters “as something done for the Lord”

This transitions us towards the Lord’s Supper where we remember why we do all of this—because of what he did for us at the cross.

Conclusion

Back to Jesus’ parable about the 2 houses and the 2 foundations:

  1. “The assumption in Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders is that our homes necessarily have to endure a barrage of torrential storms.”

  2. “The assurance of his parable is that those who build their homes according to God’s blueprint can withstand life’s onslaughts.”

In other words:

  1. Building on the world’s philosophies will lead to family collapse.

  2. Building on the Lord’s blueprint will lead to stability, security and peace despite the devastating storms around us.

Bottom line: When we gladly submit to God’s design as the blueprint of our family, we (with our spouse) will build our home/family to thrive even in chaotically evil times.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Other

My notes

Paul is giving his plan for building the church by building families. It’s built around the shared leadership of the parents who are equal in value while complementary in their roles.

Leadership is built around male leadership (1 Cor 5 & 11). There are 2 considerations here:

  1. Male headship was clearly a cultural issue. Men ran the world in nearly every domain and therefore called the shots in most homes and arenas. Our culture has changed much of that for the better as women are more empowered than ever before. This is good for women, girls, the family and the culture.

  2. Male headship is clearly a theological issue. Men are called to be the head of the home by God. While this goes against the grain in western culture in particular, the NT points to the creation account and the fall of humanity as the main reason for this. Eve was deceived, the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy. She and Adam are both accountable for their rebellion but Paul points to Eve—not Adam—as the one deceived implying that Adam, unlike Eve, knew exactly what he was doing and yet did it anyway. In short, Eve was deceived. Adam intentionally rebelled. That said, and because Adam was created first, God appears to have ordered his family design around male headship.

We see this here in this passage as Paul talks marriage and parenting.

Aside: I can see how this might not sit well with women today. After all, I often feel like Anita is a much better spouse and parent than I’ll ever be. But God isn’t’ making this call based on our abilities. He’s basing this decision on his original design which has been distorted and corrupted by sin at the Fall. So he’s letting it play out as he tends to do with sin. Sin has consequences. Genesis 3 explains that one of those consequences is that husbands and wives will have a contentious relationship in marriage and parenting. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

It is not inevitable.

But it is out starting point.

By God’s grace, we can and should learn how to grow in our maturity as we learn together how to love unconditionally as fellow sinners saved by grace.

Other notes

I. “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting to the Lord.” 3:18

Ephesians adds, “For the husband (not just good ones) is the head of the church his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

This is not saying wives are to be a doormat.

This is not saying wives are to be treated poorly.

This is not saying wives are to be less than God made them to be.

Women are equal to men in value and worth in God’s eyes.

Women are skilled with many abilities just like men are. Often their skills exceed those of men.

Wives are complementary in their roles to men, however. God did not give husbands and wives the exact same roles.

  • Men lead the family ultimately as they follow the Lord.

  • Women give birth.

  • Wives are to help their husbands succeed in leading the family well.

  • Husbands need their wives for the family to be healthy.

  • Women are free to do just about anything her husband can do. The Bible only rules out shepherding a church or group of men.

  • Women are born sinners just like men are.

II. Paul turns from wives to husbands to place the full weight of the accountability and leadership on husbands when he calls them to “love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” (3:19)

There is a lot more in Ephesians 5 to go with this. Mostly, it’s love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave his life for her. He’s willing to die for her even if she’s been unfaithful to him. To me, this is the answer to the man who wants to leave his wife who’s been unfaithful to him. Did Christ leave you when you were unfaithful to him? I didn’t think so.

This is the kind of love we’re talking about—unconditional, sacrificial love. One for life. As long as we both shall live.

If you have regrets about past marriage decisions, I hurt for you. Living with these regrets is no way to live. If you wish you had it to do over, confess your sin—your part of the pain. Own your part of the broken relationship. Repent of your sin nad then believe that God is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and will cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

This relationship’s health impacts parenting big time. If you’re struggling with your kids misbehaving, one common reason is because they feel insecure because they sense the disunity and lack of love between their parents. They may not see it consciously but they sense it. They know things aren’t good. This causes them anxiety which manifests as misbehavior or worse. They feel insecure.

Remember, Paul is giving us God’s plan for building a healthy family, church, culture and world by reminding us this flows from our identity in Christ. When we follow Christ, we love and respect like Christ.

When we follow Christ’s blueprint for the family we…

  • Gladly submit to one another as unto Christ

  • Love one another as Christ loved us through the cross

  • Are self-controlled bearing spiritual fruit with our spouse and kids

  • Teach and discipline our kids to respect, obey and honor authority starting with God and parents (1st commandment with a promise)

  • Lead humbly and respectfully our co-workers and subordinates

  • We do all of this with sincerity of heart and reverence for Christ

  • We do it looking forward to our inheritance

  • We do it per Matt 7:24-27–because its wisdom; not foolishness

This sandwiched between 2 sections on how to move from the gross life to the good life.

  • Setting our hearts and minds on things above

  • Putting off sin and self

  • Putting on the new self being renewed daily through

    • Scripture

    • Holy Spirit

    • Church family

  • Remembering who we are in Christ

    • God’s chosen people

    • Holy

    • Dearly loved

  • Behaviors befitting of our Lord and Savior

What’s your foundation: Rock or Sand?

Sand—Worldview of entitlement, blame, and selfishness.

Rock—Worldview of selfless, sacrificial love for all people surrendering al land gladly submitting to proper authorities starting with God at home.

Hearing the word AND doing the word.

Cross-references

Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Matthew 7:24-27

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians

  • Gospel Transformation Bible

  • NIV Study Bible

  • The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Colossians 3:18-25, Grace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, family, chaotic times
How To Exchange the Gross Life for the Good Life | Part 2 | Colossians 3:15-17
How To Exchange the Gross Life for the Good Life | Part 2 | Colossians 3:15-17

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “How To Exchange the Gross Life for the Good Life” part 2

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Last week’s Bottom line: We exchange the gross life for the good life when we take off our nasty, selfish, fleshly, worldly ways and replace them with our gloriously good and Godly ways. Our motive is from a healthy understanding of who we are in Christ: “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.”

This week’s Bottom line: We exchange the gross life for the good life when we embrace God’s peace and God’s word as God’s people…with thanksgiving.

Apron (represents the good life where we love and serve others)

  • You’re wearing it already

  • It’s covering you like armor

  • It’s a symbol of who we are and what we’re to be doing (serving God by serving others)

  • It catches some of the mess allowing you to press on in the midst of messing ministry

Opening story: War in Ukraine

We have another war in Europe. This time Russia attacking Ukraine. We pray for the people of Ukraine. It’s hard for us to relate to what’s happening there. We’ve never experienced an invasion on US soil like this. 9/11 and Pearl Harbor are the closest things.

I suspect if this war rages on it will affect us too. If it spreads it will really impact us. How will we respond as a nation remains to be seen.

But how will we respond as individuals? As the Church?

I suspect we’ll be tempted to respond with fear, anger, rage, slander, filthy language, etc. The gross life.

I would suggest we embrace the good life instead. How?

Exchange the gross life for the good life (nasty bib for humble apron) by doing the following each day:

My Outline:

I. Embrace the peace of God with gratitude. (3:15)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A. “Let the peace of Christ…”

    1. “Let” - if you’re in Christ, you already have this gift of profound, lasting, inner peace.

    2. “Peace” - not like the world thinks of peace. More. John 14:27, Phil 4:7

    3. “of Christ” - He is the source of this profound peace through his blood. Col 1:20 “by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

B. “rule in your hearts…”

C. “since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

D. “And be thankful.”

Embrace the peace that surpasses all understanding and that will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. And do so with thanksgiving even as Paul says in Phil 4.

II. Embrace the word of Christ with gratitude. (3:16)

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A. “Let the message of Christ…”

    1. “Let” - again, this is already with and in you. The gospel is a message that transforms. (Illustration: Transformer movie and toy)

    2. “The message of Christ” - this is more than a particular sermon or the ABCs of the gospel. This is the comprehensive message of the good news that we’re sinners apart from Christ and that our only hope of salvation is through his sacrificial death on the cross can we find mercy and forgiveness. He took our place!

    3. “dwell among you…” - dwell = live; we immerse ourselves in this message; gospel fluency is like language fluency or music fluency. When you can communicate or make music spontaneously without any helps or sheet music, you are truly free to express yourself beautifully. The main problem in the church today is that we don’t do this well, if at all. We see the gospel as a fire insurance policy instead of a way to live.

    4. “richly” - as in abundantly; fully from a God who has no limits. He owns it all and can create more from nothing whenever it is needed. And he’s your father!

    5. “as you teach and admonish…” what we’re we do with and for each other whenever we gather. This is assumed by Paul that you’re gathering regularly with each other in places where conversation can and does happen. Conversation about more than sports or the weather.

    6. “one another…” and the others with you are first brothers and sisters in Christ. But hopefully there are others not there yet all around to see the power of this unity and love in action.

    7. “with all wisdom…” - this wisdom comes from God. Our wisdom is inferior in quality (worldly vs godly) and in quantity (limited vs infinite).

    8. “through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit…” speaks to the purpose and diversity of song lyrics and styles. God is infinitely creative. We should embrace all forms and styles of music knowing that music is powerful and should be used wisely and often. It’s purpose is not simply musical or for pleasure, although that is worthy enough. It is also didactic. It is for teaching and warning. It is a tool to nurture gospel fluency. Illustration: children’s choirs.

      1. Psalms are likely THE Psalms of the Hebrew bible. Hymns are formal Christian songs and could include choruses. Spiritual songs could be simple Christian songs written in advance or even spontaneous and original. The point is the variety is to be embraced and to be edifying in the process.

      2. “One another” indicates this is primarily used in corporate worship because it blesses others through it’s beauty and content.

    9. “singing to God…” our primary audience

    10. “with gratitude in your hearts.” Don’t miss this. It’s not just punctuation. Paul means to underline all of these verses with this attitude of gratitude.

Embrace the peace of God and the word of Christ with gratitude. And…

III. Embrace your identity in Christ with gratitude. (3:17)

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A. “Whatever you do…” is comprehensive in nature.

    1. “Whatever you do” where you live, work, learn and play covers your whole life.

    2. “whether in word or deed” is comprehensive in that it includes your words and actions.

B. “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Do it in his name as you identify with him as his family. The son of the Father and the brother of the Lord Jesus. Either way you are royalty and have been rescued to rescue; saved to save; delivered to deliver; discipled to disciple.

C. “giving thanks to God the Father through him.” More of the trinity on display here. Remember, one God who expresses himself as three beings. The underlying theme here continues to be gratitude for who God is and for what he’s done in us.

Do it how?

    1. “Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus (wholeheartedly), and

    2. “Giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Gratefully)

Conclusion

Imagine if I came into your house for supper at your invitation. And imagine that you told me to make myself at home. Now imagine that after you walked into the kitchen to finish up preparations I started moving around the furniture in your den. Now you come back in and I’ve moved the easy chair in front of and up close to the TV. I’ve also moved over the nice end table right beside said easy chair so I had a place to set my drink. And I’m reclined scrolling through the channels…making myself at home.

After all, I move the furniture around at my house whenever I want. (OK, and when Anita isn’t home)

Would you have expected that? No. You didn’t really mean it! It was just an expression or idiom meaning to make myself comfortable WITHIN REASON!

I wonder if we don’t do this with God.

God calls us to surrender our lives to him trusting him as His people no matter what’s happening. To exchange lies for truth. To exchange distress, uncertainty and loss with his peace.

We sing, “I surrender all” but we don’t really mean it, do we? I mean I surrender all WITHIN REASON!

What if God really meant for us to truly exchange our gross ways of living in our own strength and wisdom for a better way—his way. What if he was calling us to truly embrace his word, his peace, and his identity? And to be grateful and glad to do it?!

My hope today is that you’ll hear (maybe for the first time) how you can exchange this gross life of sin and self, stress and fear, for the good life full of truth, peace and gratitude that moves you to worship your Creator as a grateful recipient of his gracious care as his creature. Made new by the blood of Christ. Will you entertain the notion that there are profound reasons to exchange the gross life for the good life?

When we remember our identity as followers of Jesus Christ, we readily embrace God’s word and God’s peace, and we do that with gratitude.

Imagine what it would be like if everyone did this.

Imagine if we all embraced the word of God that includes the commands love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Imagine if we all embraced the peace of God that transcends all understanding.

Imagine if we all embraced our identity in Christ that we carry his name and therefore are called to live like we are Christ-followers.

Imagine if we did all of this with thanksgiving all the time.

What a different world this would be.

This is what God calls us to. To display his grace and truth in word and deed. No matter where we are or what we’re doing. We never stop showing and telling the love of God.

Bottom line: We exchange the gross life for the good life when we embrace God’s peace and God’s word as God’s people.

May we find ourselves doing this by grace through faith with thanksgiving.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Other

Good summary of 3:1-10

“Verses 1-10 set forth what has been described as the indicative and the imperative (standing and state) of the Christian. The indicative statements describe the believer’s position in Christ: He is dead (3); he has been raised with Christ (1); he is with Christ in heaven (3); he has ‘taken off the old self’ (9); and he has ‘put on the new self’ (10). The imperative statements indicate what the believer is to do as a result: He is to set his heart (or mind) on things above (1-2); he is to put to death practices that belong to his earthly nature (5); and he is to rid himself of practices that characterized his unregenerate self (8). In summary, he is called upon to become in daily experience what he is positionally in Christ.” NIV Study Bible, p. 1816

When we see as God sees we’ll respond as we should respond. Worship is seeing God for who he is and responding in faith about who we are. This impacts what we live for and how we live.

NIV Study Bible says:

“Hymns” are songs that praise God for who he is.

“Spiritual Songs” are songs that thank God for what he’s done.

“Psalms” are the OT Hebrew Scriptures that do both of these things.

We should sing songs to

  1. Praise God for who he is,

  2. Thank God for what he’s done,

  3. “Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

  4. In sum, the songs we teach and sing should adore and honor God for who he is, what he’s done and for teaching us how to follow Christ and lead others to do the same.

FF Bruce indicates these 3 categories could be:

  1. Psalms = Psalms in OT

  2. Hymns = might be Christian canticles (some of which are reproduced, in whole or in part, in the NT text) ex. Phil 2:6-11

  3. Spiritual songs = might be unpremeditated words sung ‘in the Spirit,’ voicing holy aspirations. FF Bruce, p 159

Too rigid a distinction here does not serve us well. Rather, we should realize that music is a powerful and beautiful tool to be used to frame and facilitate the words of Christ deep and wide in us as we share it with others.

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians

  • Gospel Transformation Bible

  • NIV Study Bible

  • The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Colossians, Bible-believing, Darien Gabriel, Ladson, Grace Christian Fellowship
How to Exchange the Gross Life for the Good Life
How to Exchange the Gross Life for the Good Life

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “How to Exchange the Gross Life for the Good Life”

Scripture: Colossians 3:5-14

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Last week’s Bottom line: We keep good things from becoming God things when we set our hearts and minds on things above.

This week’s Bottom line: We exchange the gross life for the good life when we take off our nasty, selfish, fleshly, worldly ways and replace them with our gloriously good and Godly ways. Our motive is from a healthy understanding of who we are in Christ: “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.”

Opening story:

Our new grandson visits us about once a week for the day. I’m getting new material from him all the time.:-)

This week I was reminded of the grossness that is the bib.

Tension: “Too often, we’re more concerned with feeding our desires more than ministering to those in need. Instead, we must take off our spiritual bibs and put on spiritual aprons that reflect the compassionate heart of our Savior by loving others and willingly sacrificing on their behalf.” -Scott Pace

He’s a little over a year old now and learning to feed himself. But he needs a bib. The bib doesn’t do a lot but it does reduce the damage done by the amount of food and drink that misses his mouth and lands on his belly. What’s even more gross are those marsupial bibs that have the pouch in front to catch all the food trying to run for it’s life.

Paul uses a clothing metaphor to help us picture the contrast between the way of the world and way of Christ.

We’re created in God’s image but are still wearing the grossness that is our old, nasty, selfish passions, practices and pride. We need to be wearing spiritual bibs. Our actions can just be plain gross in God’s eyes (and each other’s).

We know that we should shed the bib and exchange it for the apron—a symbol of spiritual humility to willing and sacrificially serve God by serving others.

It’s not a coincidence that the pre-runners to the Deacon were men serving tables for the widows in their local church. (See Acts 6)

From gross spiritual bib of sexual immorality, greed, and rage, to the good spiritual apron of godly love: humble, sacrificial acts of service to God on behalf of others.

Outline: (based on Pace and Hughes outlines)

I. Taking off (putting to death) the gross life (the bib): The Challenge (5-9a)

A. Put to death our sinful passions. (5-7)

B. Put off our sinful practices. (8-10)

C. Put down our sinful pride. (11)

II. Taking off the gross life: The rationale (9b-11)

III. Putting on the good life (the apron) (12a)

A. Why? Because we’re God’s chosen people

B. What are God’s chosen people like?

    1. Holy

    2. Dearly loved

IV. Wearing the apron. (12b-13)

A. So we clothe ourselves with

    1. Compassion

    2. Kindness

    3. Humility

    4. Gentleness

B. Along with

    1. Patience (long-suffering)…bear with one another

    2. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you (cf. Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your FAther will not forgive your sins.”)

V. The ultimate apparel. (14)

A. Love is the ultimate apparel. Why?

B. It binds it all together into perfect unity.

Conclusion

Bottom line: We exchange the gross life for the good life when we take off our nasty, selfish, fleshly, worldly ways and replace them with our gloriously good and Godly ways. Our motive is from a healthy understanding of who we are in Christ: “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.”

Choose to exchange.

Choose to believe.

Walk as God’s chosen person, holy and dearly loved.

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Other

Pace Outline:

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

Our girls would sometimes watch the TV show The Suite Life of Zack and Codie. This has nothing to do with today’s message. But it comes from the “sweet” connection to something called the good life—something we all likely are drawn to. But what is the good life?

What is the meaning of the good life?

Webster’ s dictionary defines the good life

1 US : the kind of life that people with a lot of money are able to have.

Philosophy = love of wisdom. So let’s see how some philosophers define “the good life.”

How does Socrates define the good life?

Socrates definition of the good life is being able to fulfill the “inner life” by inquiring and expanding the mind to the greatest extent possible. ... Socrates proposed his idea of the good life in his encounter with Crito which was written by Plato.

Kant believes that the highest good for a human being is the conjunction of happiness and complete virtue and how it is possible for an individual to attain these two things at the same time. ...

What is the key to a good life?

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence,” he said. Epicurus observed that the key to a good life is avoiding pain, abstaining from unnecessary desires and beinggrateful for what you have in life.

How does Plato define the good life?

Like most other ancient philosophers, Plato maintains…happiness or well-being is the highest aim of moral thought and conduct, and the virtues are the requisite skills and dispositions needed to attain it.

What is a good life to Aristotle?

Aristotle argues that what separates human beings from the other animals is the human reason. So the good life is one in which a person cultivates and exercises their rational facultiesby, for instance, engaging in scientific inquiry, philosophical discussion, artistic creation, or legislation.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians

  • Gospel Transformation Bible

  • NIV Study Bible

  • The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, Colossians, Supreme, Bible-believing, church, Ladson, SC
How to Keep Good Things from Becoming God Things | Colossians 3:1-4
How to Keep Good Things from Becoming God Things | Colossians 3:1-4

Series: Colossians: Supreme!

Title: “How to keep good things from becoming God things”

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

(Commentary helps listed at the end)

Bottom line: We keep good things from becoming God things when we set our hearts and minds on things above—where Christ sits. That is when we live in light of eternity.

Opening story:

This week we move from warnings (we had 4 last week) to coaching. Paul is coaching them in the direction that they should go.

Many of us had a coach growing up who was influential in our life. Through sport (or dance or some other extracurricular activity) we learned not only that sport but discipline, people skills, emotional skills and in some cases spiritual wisdom.

As a coach for our high school ultimate team, I’m now learning things from the other side of this relationship. One thing I know: coaching is essential for growing up into maturity. This is true in every area of life—not just the spiritual.

I’ve actually hired my first coach. I’ve had coaching in ministry before, but I’ve never actually hired someone to help me assess, diagnose, evaluate, strategize, and be held accountable to work through the things God is calling me to do. It’s humbling because you have to face your current reality with someone with nothing to lose in being totally honest with you. But it’s encouraging because that’s exactly what we need in life.

Parents, you’re not just a disciplinarian. You’re a coach too (among other things). You are there to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness along with many other practical things in life. Do not take this lightly. And never stop learning. Leaders are learners. When we quit learning, we quit leading.

So Paul coaches the Colossians, the Laodiceans, and, well, us if we’re FAT Christians (F.A.T. = Faithful, Available, Teachable).

And what do coaches do? They call their team to greater heights. They train and inspire. They call us from the warnings in practice to the calling for the game. They call us to victory! Paul calls us to victory in Christ, the hope of glory!

But it’s natural for a player to wrestle with the flesh and fight against the training and discipline and yearn for the easy road to glory and gain. This tension is what Paul aims to empower us to overcome.

Paul is giving us the antidote(s) to a preoccupation with

  1. Materialism: Wealth, possessions

  2. Narcissism: Status, Achievements (professionally, academically, religiously)

  3. Hedonism: Sensuality, Pleasures, gratifications

A preoccupation with these good things making them God things leads to stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, hopelessness, and the desire to just give up. Ever feel any of those? Well, if you have, you’ve made something temporary into something eternal that was never meant to be. This is a poisonous mindset. We need an antidote.

The antidote to making these good things God things is orienting your whole life around Christ Jesus as your Lord and King.

Outline:

In light of who Christ is, what he’s done and the warnings Paul has given, Paul calls/coaches the Christians in Colossae, Laodicea and beyond to:

I. What should they do? Focus on Christ’s priorities:

  1. Set your heart(s) (1)

    1. Feelings

    2. Passions

    3. Will

  2. On things above

    1. Heavenly agenda

    2. God’s agenda

    3. “Where Christ is”

    4. “Seated at the right hand of God” because he’s your King’s

  3. Set your mind(s)—What you think about and aim for (2)

  4. On things above (see above)

  5. Not on earthly things, like:

    1. Possessions, wealth

    2. Achievements

    3. Status

    4. Pleasures, gratifications

    5. Religiosity

II. Why do it? Because of who they are in light of Christ since they believed:

  1. Because you died with Christ (3)

      1. Crucified with Christ (CROSS)

    1. Justified

    2. Freed from the penalty of sin

  2. Because you are hidden with (in) Christ

    1. Concealed (BURIED)

    2. Identifying with (BAPTIZED)

    3. Safe (Show YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/LNZ-ZBsPpgk)

  3. Because you will be glorified with Christ

    1. Christ is your life

    2. He’ll appear here one day

    3. You’ll then appear there on that day

Conclusion

Bottom line: We keep good things from becoming God things when we set our hearts and minds on things above—where Christ sits. That is when we live in light of eternity.

Place our piece of paper with our name on it into our bible.

The antidotes to materialism, narcissism, and hedonism is simply centering and focusing your life in Christ and his priorities. When you rest in Christ and what he’s doing, you’ll

  1. Serve others instead of seek to be served.

  2. Deny yourself and give instead of pursuing wealth at all costs.

  3. Live simply and give the rest away.

And you’ll do all of this in Christ’s name and by his power for his glory.

And when he appears here you’ll appear there with him hearing, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter into your glory.”

Pray

Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Other

Pace Outline: Title: Our faith in Christ raises us to new life (3:1-4)

Through our identity in and union with Christ, Jesus transforms our pursuits, perspective, and purpose in life by resetting our trajectory heavenward toward Christ Jesus. (Name on paper in the Bible illustration)

I. Jesus redirects life’s pursuits. (1) …from our worldly efforts for happiness to his heavenly presence in our hearts bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

  1. To redirect our pursuits requires us to recalibrate our hearts desires. How do my pursuits align with Christ’s kingdom, Christ’s mission, and building Christ’s church?

  2. Our hearts, captivated by Christ, will more naturally help us filter and evaluate our pursuits.

“Ultimately, our union with Christ should stir our affections for him and redirect our pursuits.” P. 79

II. Jesus reshapes life’s perspective. (2)…through the nenewing of our minds. Reshaping/renewing the mind is foundational to transformation. This is necessary for several reasons:

  1. Primarily, it “enables us to fulfill the great commission by loving God with our entire selves, including our minds.”

  2. “Also essentially because it protects us from the world’s influence as the world attempts to conform our thinking to its pattern. Through the constant renewing of our minds, we can experience God’s transformation in our lives (Rom 12:2).”

Fruit

  1. This renewed perspective also guards our hearts and minds with God’s peace as we dwell on things above.

    1. Phil 4:6-8

    2. Prov 4:23

  2. Also, by focusing on what’s eternal (above), we can renew our hope in the midst of temporary afflictions/trials.

    1. 2 Cor 4:16-18

    2. Rom 8:6-8

    3. 1 Cor 2:16

Therefore, Jesus redirects our life pursuits and reshapes our life perspective as we set our hearts and minds on things above—namely Christ and his priorities.

III. Jesus redefines life’s purpose. (3-4) Our identity in and union with Christ also redefines our purpose. So why are we to set our hearts and minds on things above?

  1. For you (we) died and

  2. Your (our) life is hidden in Christ.

The Flow

  1. Established past… “You (we) died” (crucified; justified; freed from penalty of sin) to

  2. The present… “Your (our) life is hidden” (buried; sanctified; freed from the power of sin) show videohere (https://youtu.be/LNZ-ZBsPpgk) to

  3. The future… “You (we) also will appear” (resurrected; glorified; freed from the presence of sin)

“We died with Christ, we were buried with Christ, and we have been raised with Christ and therefore will appear with Christ in glory.” -D Moo

How does this present reality (Identity and union with Christ) reset our trajectory towards things above (eternity):

Our hidden life in Christ:

  1. Signifies our personal relationship with Christ,

  2. Affirms our security of our salvation in Christ, and

  3. Certifies our glorious inheritance with Christ.

Therefore, both

  1. Our “hidden” life in Christ, and

  2. His indwelling “life” in us will be fully revealed when he returns “in glory” (1 John 3:2)

This future fulfillment of our current identity in Christ should redefine our purpose in multiple ways:

  1. The glory of Christ’s return reminds us of there temporal nature of this world and the fleeting value of it’s possessions and pleasures. Therefore, we shouldn’t be deceived by vain pursuit of earthly wealth, achievement, status, or gratification.

  2. The certainty of Christ’s return gives us assurance that allows us to live with confidence in a world filled with uncertainty. Therefore we can endure hardships and persevere by fixing our hope on the grace and glory tha twill be revealed at the coming of Christ.

  3. The imminence of Christ’s return should motivate us to live with urgency.

    1. Christ brings hope and

    2. Christ brings judgment

Therefore

  1. We anticipate eternal union with Christ but

  2. We work urgently to lead others to come with us

Therefore

  1. We live as ambassadors of Christ as

  2. We rest in the comfort of our eternal future with Christ

Therefore

  1. We celebrate his presence

    1. Here and now

    2. Hereafter, but also

  2. We live as citizens of heaven full of

    1. Hope

    2. Urgency

“…we should collectively seek and set our minds on things above that we share in common with other believers. We should live with holy anticipation of Christ’s return as we celebrate our new life in him and devote ourselves to the mission of seeing others liberated from the bondage of sin to inherit the eternal promises of King Jesus!” P. 82

Hughes’ outline: Title: “The Seeking of Things Above”

I. Instructions (Coaching) regarding our fullness (1-2)

Seek is present (continuous) imperative (commanded). Therefore, a continuous command.

How do we seek Christ?

Kind of like you should seek your future husband or wife (not just a date):

  • Pray for opportunities to be together

  • Get to know them through conversation

  • Treat them as you wish to be treated; love as you want to be loved (lust ≠ love)

  • Serve them

  • Be honest with them

  • Listening >> talking, but to talk is to be vulnerable, approachable; conversation should be like tennis. Return a returnable ball. Too many people just answer the other person’s question. They rarely realize it’s their turn to return with a question. We have an amazing lack of interest in other people. Love inquires. Love listens. Love cares enough to inquire and listen.

  • Write and read love letters

  • Pray together

  • Make disciples together

  • Affirm God’s gifts in each other

  • Worship together

  • Introduce them to your parents and ask for their blessing before pursuing the relationship further (both guys and gals here)

II. The reasoning behind Paul’s instructions (Coaching). (3-4) There are at least 2:

  1. Past…

    1. “You died…”

    2. “Life hidden…” imperfect = ongoing effects of dying/continuous dying to self because we are in Christ and Christ is in God, we are inseparable and secure

    3. Paper with my name on it in the Bible = “in Christ”

    4. Christ’s fullness fills our emptiness apart from Christ

  2. Future…

    1. When he appears here

    2. We will appear there (in glory);

      1. We’ll join him there in our new bodies

      2. Phil 3:20-21

      3. Romans 8:29-31 (not written for unbelievers)

Therefore, “Let’s covenant to not fix our thoughts on the material and immaterial things of this world, but to 1) pray for minds set on things above, to 2) hold the scriptures close to our hearts, to 3) reflect on our past history, and to 4) rejoice in anticipation of our future in him.” P. 299

Application:

  1. Pray for minds set on things above,

  2. Hold the scriptures close to our hearts,

  3. Reflect on our past history, and

  4. Rejoice in anticipation of our future in Christ.

OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:

Print this and cut this out to share with your people to insert into their own bibles.

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Name:

Understanding that, as a Christian, you are “in” Christ Jesus revolutionizes how you see yourself, your self-image, your identity and how you understand your value to God.

Write your name on a piece of paper. Take hold of your Bible to represent Christ. (John 1:1-18) Place the paper in the book and close it. You are in Christ. Where the book goes you go. Where the paper goes he goes. You are not part of the book, but you are now identified totally with the book.

Paul uses the expression, “In Christ Jesus”, over and over again. God has taken hold of you and placed you “in Christ.” In Christ, you have received “every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). All of the blessings, including those that the Old Testament speaks about, are yours in Christ.” -Nicky Gumbel

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MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:

  • Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace

  • Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes

  • ESV Global Study Bible

  • Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel

  • Bible Knowledge Commentary

  • The Outline Bible, Wilmington

  • Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians

  • Gospel Transformation Bible

  • NIV Study Bible

  • The Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren Wiersbe

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipBible-believing, non-denominational church, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, Colossians 3, Supreme