Friday, December 30, 2016

The Ten Commandments



Written in Stone

Theme: Rules to live by

Objectives:
Know: God gave the Israelites ten commands that promoted a good relationship with God and their fellow man.
Think: Be conscious of the fact that the principles drawn from the Ten Commandments can guide every interaction with God and man.
Do: live out the principles of the Ten Commandments out of love for God and those around us.

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-21

Notes and questions:
B1 The purpose of the Ten Commandments
  • God is King of a kingdom. These are the summary of God’s rules.
  • These reflect God’s character. He does not murder, lie, covet, etc.
  • The universe and all the people on earth live best and at peace living these rules.
  • The rules affect thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
B2 Two groups of laws
  • Those in humanity’s responsibility towards God.
  • Those in humanity’s responsibility towards each other.
B3 Nine of the ten are repeated in the New Testament. The only one not repeated is the Sabbath.
B4 Are rules and laws still needed?
B5 What is the general attitude and actions of humanity? Do we obey or disobey? See Romans 3:10-18
B6 Exodus 20:1, who spoke these words to Israel?
B7 Exodus 20:2,
  • Who brought Israel out of slavery?
  • How does God identify Himself?
B8 Exodus 20:3-6,
  • Why is He the one and only God?
  • Why are they not to make an image and worship it? See Isaiah 44:6-20
  • Isn’t jealousy wrong? Why, then, does God describe Himself as a jealous God?
    • There is a difference between jealousy and envy.
    • Envy is wanting something another has, or equal or better than another person.
    • Jealousy is wanting what is ours but stolen, etc.
  • Why are descendants of evil people punished by God?
    • This passage contrasts God’s grace and mercy with punishment.
    • Descendants suffer from the actions of their ancestors. An example might be one who gambles all his money away and leaving the children suffering from need. Sometimes the children cannot recover financially. Guilt is not passed down, but the bad choices and consequences thereof often do get passed down. See Jeremiah 31:29-30 and Ezekiel 18:2-32
B9 Exodus 20:7, What does taking God’s name in vain mean? What are some examples?
B10 Exodus 20:8-11
  • What kind of work could the Jews do? See Matthew 12:1-15 and John 7:22-23. The Jews accused the Lord Jesus of being evil, but He tells them the true interpretation of Exodus 20
  • Could a Jew hire a Gentile to do the work that the Jew could not? See Exodus 20:10
  • What does Exodus 20:11 state about creation?
B11 Exodus 20:12, How do we honor our father and mother? Consider this article: https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/june-2013/honor-your-mother-and-your-father/
B12 Exodus 20:13, What is murder?
  • Here the Hebrew word is different than the ordinary word for kill. Some say there are 7 different words in Hebrew for kill. The word here is raw-tsakh' (H7523) and is used for premeditated, planned, killing of people. See Numbers 35:16-21, Judges 20:4, 1 Kings 21:19, Psalm 94:6, and Jeremiah 7:9.
  • See also Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:21, and Proverbs 6:16-19.
B13 Exodus 20:14,
B14 Exodus 20:15,
  • What is stealing? How many different ways do we steal in work, family, home, and church?
  • What does God hate stealing?
B15 Exodus 20:16,
  • Why does God hate liars?
  • What is the core characteristic of God? Truth!
  • Is there a difference between a little white lie and big lies according to God’s standards?
  • Is reality a truth? Or, is reality what we choose it is?
  • If truth is only relative, does being short changed by the cashier also? Would anyone just accept whatever change is returned?
B16 Exodus 20:17,
  • What is coveting? See Joshua 7:21.
  • What is the underlying problem with covetousness?
  • See Ephesians 5:5. Why is being covetous so dangerous?
  • How does covetousness affect the church?
  • Sometimes this is called the respectable sin, why?
  • What are we to be seeking? See Matthew 6:33.
  • How does this sin affect relationships in the home and work?
B17 What is the fear of the Lord? How is this different from what the demons do (James 2:19)?
B18 How is society failing on its treatment of others?
B19 What do we do when we are convicted by God that we have sinned? What is one proof that we have repented? See 2 Chronicles 33:10-20 and Luke 19:1-10.
B20 How do we find contentment? I’m not a big fan of John MacArthur, but this article summarizes it well. http://www.gty.org/resources/Questions/QA149/What-Is-the-Secret-to-Contentment
B21 How does truth help us?
B22 Next week

  • Harmful Substitutes
  • Theme: The snare of Idolatry
  • Scripture: Exodus 32:1-35

Sunday, December 25, 2016

1 John 5:1-12

1 John 5:1-12

A1 Christian proofs 1 John 5:1-4
  • Belief
    • Jesus is the Christ
    • The Messiah from all eternity
    • The Messiah of Jews and Gentiles
    • My Messiah
  • Love
    • For the Father
    • For fellow believers
  • Obey
    • God's commandments
    • Not Old Testament law but the New Testament rules given 
      • By Jesus directly
      • By Jesus through the Apostles
    • In thoughts, desires, words, and deeds
    • Not burdenshome (compare the difficulty of Old Testament law)
  • Overcome
    • World (the system with its
      • Beliefs
      • Standards
      • Actions
    • Condition to be able to overcome (born again)
  • Faith
    • Believes God
      • What He says (Scriptures)
      • What He does (for example, the miracles the Lord Jesus did)
    • Has the element of trust, too. We need both for salvation. We must met God's conditions.
    • The necessity to overcome
A2 Christian overcoming 1 John 5:5-12
  • Faith
    • Jesus is the Son of God
    • Jesus our example
      • He overcame the world
      • He came by water and blood
  • Identity
    • Witnesses
      • Heavenly
        • God the Father 
        • God the Son
        • God the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7 is questionable authority, but see the writings of Dean John Burgon)
      • Earthly
        • Water
        • Blood
    • Accepting testimony/witness
      • Challenge do we accept the testimony of a man but not God's?
      • Faith is 
        • Reasonable
        • Personal
        • Deciding
  • True faith VS False faith
    • Believe God's testimony
      • Eternal life
      • The life of the Son
    • Not believe God's testimony
      • No eternal life
      • No life of the Son

Advent Calendar, 25 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Christmas Eve or Day: Christ is born--John 1:1-18 or Matthew 1:18-2:23

Candle lighting: Two purple candles followed by the pink candle, then the third purple candle, and finally the Christ candle (the white candle)
Scripture memory: John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
"IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (John 1:1-18, NKJV)

Suggested Hymn: What Child Is This?

Bonus Hymn: O Holy Night

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Advent Calendar, 24 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html

Saturday Matthew 2:1-23 “The Visit of the Magi”
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”  Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.”  Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matthew 2:1-23, NKJV)

Suggested Hymn: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Advent Calendar, 23 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Friday Matthew 1:18-25 “The Birth of Jesus Christ”
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS." (Matthew 1:18-25, NKJV)

Advent Calendar, 22 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Thursday Luke 2:1-7 “The Birth of Jesus”
"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7, NKJV)

Advent Calendar, 21 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Wednesday Luke 1:39-45 “Mary Visits Elizabeth”
"Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? “For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." (Luke 1:39-45, NKJV)

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Advent Calendar, 20 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Tuesday Luke 1:26-38 “The Birth of Jesus Foretold”
"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:26-38, NKJV)

Monday, December 19, 2016

Advent Calendar, 19 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Monday Luke 1:5-25 “The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold”
"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people." (Luke 1:5-25, NKJV)

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Advent Calendar, 18 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Week Four: Royalty: Christ is King--Isaiah 9:1-7

Candle Lighting: Two purple candles followed by the pink candle, then by the third purple candle
Scripture memory: Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.
Daily Scriptures:
Sunday Isaiah 9:1-7 “To Us a Child Is Born”
"Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, And garments rolled in blood, Will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:1-7, NKJV)

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Advent Calendar, 17 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures


I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:
<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Saturday Revelation 6:9-11 and Revelation 22:12-21 “Jesus Is Coming”
"When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." (Revelation 6:9-11, NKJV)

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 22:12-21, NKJV)

Suggested Hymn: How Great Our Joy!