Joshua 22 - The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Joshua 22 

Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away from following the Lord this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle. (verse 29)

Message: The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter begins with Joshua summoning the Reubenites and the Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh saying "You have not forsaken your brothers....and now the Lord your God has given you rest." And then now they are to "be very careful to observe the commandments which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep the commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

I appreciate these words. This encouragement that has been provided to God's people everywhere and for all times. God has given us rest and yet we need to be careful to remain obedient to Him, to love Him, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments, holding fast to Him, and serve Him. The reality is God provides us so much. Not as a reward always, like when he gave Israel this land of Canaan. And yet the life of a Christian is one of obedience, but this obedience doesn't earn our way to God, but is needed in life to make us better people and to honor God. We honor God through our good works. 

Then in verse 10, these same individuals build an altar (verse 10), an imposing altar, but then the congregation of the Lord state in verse 16 that this is rebellion against the Lord. The altar is mentioned in verse 19 as being for themselves and in fact it was in the wrong location. Achan is mentioned as a poor example of going his own way, being unfaithful (v 20). Altars need to commemorate our service to the Lord (v. 27). This chapter concludes with the mention that this altar was in fact a proper altar as  "between us that the Lord is God. (verse 30)" 

I like the words of John Gill (1697-1771) on this:

...it was not for sacrifice, but to be a testimony of their being one with their brethren on the other side Jordan, in worship, faith, and fellowship:  

for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God; is the one God, the God of them both, of all Israel, whether on the one or the other side of Jordan; to be worshipped by them in one and the same manner, and their sacrifices to be offered to him on his altar before the tabernacle. 

Summary: Arriving home, the 2 1/2 tribes build an altar, first misunderstood its purpose, then understood as a witness between them and the Lord, on the other side of the Jordan. 

Promise: We should be concerned always for the pure worship of God, according to scripture. 

Prayer: O Holy God, you are faithful and rich in Mercy and compassion. You want me and us to be a people of unity and to worship You in Spirit and Truth. Make us a people holy to You God and I pray our worship upholds and praises You at all times. Work on my heart so that I am obedient to You always, for the right reasons, in the right ways. Thank you for being with me.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Various Scripture - Angels

Isaiah 6:1-7 

2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,

The whole earth is full of His glory.”

Message: The Seraphim Worship our Holy God

What the Lord is Saying: God fights for His people through the angelic host. In Joshua is seen "the commander of the army of the Lord" - pre-incarnate Son of God in Joshua 5:13-15. The Greek word for "angel" (angelos) is more often used than the Greek word for "sin" (hamartia). Little known though about angels, yet God shows us they are key players in the outworking of His purposes. Isaiah 6:1-7 gives us much information though. Seraphim worship the Lord. They have wings. They are in a distinct class of their own. They focus on worshipping the Lord alone. They can be an example to me. 

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Revelation 4

8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

Message: The Living Creatures around the Throne of God

What the Lord is Saying: Revelation has much to say about angelic beings. In Revelation 4, angels are also present worshipping God in heaven. Unlike Isaiah though they do not cover their eyes. This could be a metaphor or image as is common in Revelation. Worship must be of first importance in our lives. Worship is a big focus clearly in heaven. 

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Daniel 12:1

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued."

Message: Unseen Warriors

What the Lord is Saying: Angels act in creation and do things, but we should not be too active in our imagination of what angels are like as scripture does not reveal much. Angels are involved in stories of God, but they seem to be secondary in their importance. Angels are active in miracles as in Matthew 28:1-10 they rolled the stone away form the tomb of Jesus. Angels have also been assigned to nations and territories as in Daniel 12:1. Angels and Demons have fought. Angels go to battle for believers as recorded in Hebrews 1:13-14. 

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Luke 1:5-38

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Message: Messengers of God

What the Lord is Saying: The word of angel in the Greek, angelos, also takes on the idea of carrying a message. At the birth of Jesus, the angel Gabriel was given this message to announce the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and the birth of the Savior to Mary (Luke 1:5-38). The appearance of angels to people is rare as when it happens it solicits great fear in people. Thus, angels are messengers of God, though Jesus remains the greatest messenger of God.

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Summary: We can learn from angels, but we must be careful not to imagine too much what they are like and focus what we know: they are models to us on worshipping God and bringing forth the message of God to people.   

 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 8:30-35 - Covenant Renewal on Ebal

Joshua 8:30-35

Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord...just as Moses had commanded...of uncut stones...and they offered burnt offerings....and sacrificed peace offerings, and he wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses...and all Israel....half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal...he read all the words of the law. 

Message: Covenant Renewal on Ebal

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: As expected, after the Lord has led the people to conquer Jericho and Ai, performing a significant work for the Lord, an altar is built to commemorate the event and memorialize this event. Lives had been lost at Ai unfortunately, but now a time of worship was in order. Moses is referenced as the one that directed or commanded this. And they read from the word of the Lord at this event. 

From Tabletalk, "The worship occurred in the valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (v. 33). This valley lay twenty miles north of Ai, in the hill country, and the city of Shechem was located there. God appeared to Abram at Shechem centuries earlier, promising to give his descendants the land (Gen. 12:6–7). Jacob later owned land and dwelled near the city of Shechem (33:18–20). God was indeed keeping His promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, for Joshua and the nation stood in the very place pledged to the descendants of the patriarchs.

This event at Mount Ebal was commanded previously in Deuteronomy 27:1-8, "1 Now Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep the whole commandment that I command you today. 2 And on the day you cross over the Jordan to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall set up large stones and plaster them with plaster. 3 And you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over to enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you. 4 And when you have crossed over the Jordan, you shall set up these stones, concerning which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall plaster them with plaster. 5 And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; 6 you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut1 stones. And you shall offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God, 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and shall eat there, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God. 8 And you shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

Each Sunday we gather at our churches - to recommit ourselves to the covenant of the Lord, hear the curses for rejecting the Cross, and agreeing with the blessings for obeying it. We are to worship the Lord and be in covenant responsibility toward the Lord always. Each week we commit again to the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, trusting Him for eternal life. We think about where we have failed Him and we commit once again to live lives in obedience to Him. 

Summary: Joshua leads Israel to build an Altar at the Mount of Ebal, at Shechem as commanded previously, to worship the Lord, renewing our commitment to Him. 

Promise: All of God’s people—children and adults—should participate in the corporate worship of our God

Prayer: Thank you Lord for reminding me what church is about. It is a time for me each week to gather with other believers and renew my commitment to the Lord. I am to see that You have saved me, that there is a consequence for not committing my life to the Lord and each week I am renewing my covenant before You - to live in a way that honors You. I am reminded of truths and there are many of these truths given to me. At times Lord, I admit feeling overwhelmed by my responsibility to love and honor You. I have trouble grasping it all but keep me centered on your Grace and while I need to remain committed, you shower me with grace and forgiveness and it is you that are working. You began the good work in me and you will complete it. Thank you for living in me and reminding me each week of how you are working. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

TABLETALK - August 2018

I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines. 

• January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - July 23, 2023) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ. 
• February 2018 (July 24, 2023 - August 10, 2023) John 2:23 - 3:36 - Regeneration and our need to believe in Christ for Salvation
• March 2018 (August 13, 2023 - September 30, 2023) John 4:1 - 5:29 - Christ is the incarnate Son of God
• April 2018 (October 1, 2023 - November 6, 2023) John 5:30 - John 7:36 - Jesus is as necessary to our souls as food is to our body; Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Booths
• May 2018 (November 7, 2023 - December 22, 2023) John 7:37 - John 9:41 - Jesus experiences opposition and there is a sin-motivated resistance people have toward being enslaved to sin.
• June 2018 (December 23, 2023 - January 21, 2024) John 10:1 - 11:57 - Jesus as our shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep, but some won't hear Him. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in order to impact the faith of the disciples. 
• July 2018 (January 22, 2024 - March 14, 2024) John 12:1 - 13:20 - Jesus as Savior and Judge; salvation comes to Jesus' disciples and the judgment comes to all who reject Him. 
• August 2018 (March 15, 2024 - April 12, 2024) John 13:21 - John 14:31 - Warnings Jesus gave on the night of the Last Supper and the blessed promise of the Holy Spirit. 

Chapter 13 (continued)

The Betrayal of Christ (John 13:21-30) - Jesus identifies the one who will betray Him, though the disciples don't understand the significance of this at the time. 

The Glorification of the Son of Man (John 13:31-33) - History to date culminates in Jesus being glorified when the Son of Man fulfills His mission for mankind with God receiving Glory and Jesus returning to the Father in Heaven. 

A New Commandment from Christ (John 13:34-35) - Jesus tells us to love one another as He has loved us so that all will know that we are His disciples. 

Peter's Overconfidence (John 13:36-38) - Simon wants to follow Jesus and go where He goes when He is glorified, but Jesus lets him know that He will come later, but first Peter will deny Jesus 3 times. 

Chapter 14

A Place Prepared for us (John 14:1-3) - Jesus to Peter and disciples promises that though He is leaving, He is preparing a place for them and He will return and they will be where He is going. 

The Only Way to the Father (John 14:4-6) - Like Peter, Thomas does not know where Jesus is going when He says is going away, but Jesus confirms He is the only way to the Father. 

The Father Revealed in the Son (John 14:7-10) - Jesus continues to try to help his disciples understand completely Himself, namely that seeing Jesus is seeing Father and that the Father is in Him. 

The Works We Will Do (John 14:11-14) - Jesus tells his disciples once again the importance of believing in Him and through His words He brings them comfort, letting them know he will work as they ask Him.  

Showing Our Love for Christ (John 14:15) - Christ gives us a simple admonition to show our love for Him by being obedient to His commandments. 

The Promise of Another Helper (John 14:16-17) - Jesus is leaving, but He is sending to those who believe in Him a Helper and this Helper will always be with those that believe in Jesus. 

The Coming of Jesus (John 14:18-20) - Jesus continues to comfort His disciples promising that He will come again. He lives and we will live and like He is in the Father, we will always be in Christ. 

The Indwelling of the Father and the Son (John 14:21-24) - Disciples are to love Jesus and in the process, Jesus will disclose Himself to us, the Father and the Son, growing in closeness to God. 

Our Teacher the Holy Spirit (John 14:25-26) - Jesus reminds His disciples He abides with them and the Holy Spirit will be out teacher, reminding us always of Jesus' promises to us. 

Peace from Jesus (John 14:27-28) - Jesus leaves his disciples with His peace, asking them also to rejoice because Jesus goes to the Father. They are to have no trouble or fear. 

Sovereign over Satan (John 14:29-31) - Jesus comforts His disciples, assuring them of His ongoing commitment to them and His decree to die for man, once for all. The ruler of the world is coming, but God's purposes are still clear.

Various Scriptures - The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is one person of the Trinity, empowering us for ministry, equipping us but also working in us to create works of beauty. We are given courage by the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit changes hearts towards redemption as the Father draws. Upon conversion, we never lack the Holy Spirit, but as New Testament believers we not only are regenerated but we are progressing in holiness, sanctified by the Spirit. 

The Great Shepherd - Characteristics of a shepherd: guardian, protector, gentle, strong, tender and courageous, caring and fierce. They can also be skilled hunters and warriors. Jesus in John 10:14 says, "I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me."  This reading reminds me of ways the shepherd protects His flock. A sling was used by David to stop predators at a distance, but a rod was also used to throw at close predators or even the sheep. The staff could pull them away from a rock or thickets. As such discipline may be necessary. We may need to be corrected. Sheep will wander and the Shepherd brings them back. The shepherd is our protector. 

The Psalm of David the Shepherd - David began as a shepherd, but then became king over Israel, his new flock, despite being the youngest of his brothers. As one of the oldest occupations, shepherd is a metaphor often for leading people. God is called a shepherd and elements of a shepherds life are attributed to God's activity. His life as a shepherd impacted his ongoing life, such as leading people, and depending on God when he fought Goliath. A shepherd is constantly caring for a flock, watching, but also caring for needy sheep, and the environment. As a shepherd he was responsible for providing sheep with water, often not easy to come by, and food, locating grass for them. They kept their flocks together, guiding them without the use of fences. He would protect them from predators as well, also gathering them as they would flee to hills or mountains to avoid prey. Thus, there was a close bond between shepherd and sheep, sheep learning to trust and listen to his voice, and his leading. As Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want - As a boy, seeing the book of David as shepherd, painted as the model child, was not what the author represented. And yet a boy did not write Psalm 23, as the words of this Psalm represent a well-tested believer. Psalm 23:1 echoes words from Genesis 48:15-16 when Jacob blessed Joseph and his two sons, "The God who has been my shepherd all my life." God pursued Jacob, like a shepherd pursuing sheep. And the words of 'not lacking' or 'shall not want' are present elsewhere in Scripture, like Deut. 2:7 Moses said, "These 40 years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing."  The Father provides for all of our needs. And Jesus would give everything one day for His sheep so that we have everything we need, lacking nothing ("I shall not want"). 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters - Shepherd is a metaphor for kingship in the ancient Near East. Getting to green pastures or grass was an often dry (needing water) and difficult terrain to cross. But getting there is a glorious ending after a hard trek. And the Shepherd makes the sheep lie down, providing their refuge. The ultimate place of rest for God's people is with God, is being in Christ. In God, in Christ, we have really everything we need. 

He restores my soul - In Ezekiel 34, the Lord condemns the shepherds of Israel for not bringing back sheep that have strayed (v.4). It is the task of the shepherd to bring them back. We were dead in our trespasses and sins and He brought us back. He turns our mourning into dancing. He restores the individual, but he restores also the entire flock. It takes time. He restores us and we can restore the soul of others. 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake - We rest in green pastures, but then we keep walking. In Luke 15:5 Jesus speaks of a shepherd rescuing a lone sheep and carrying it home. Jesus is intent on leading us away from evil, out of peril, into safe paths. God never gives up and He is always pursuing. I do not boast (Romans 3:27) as every act of salvation is His doing, but I still walk in the path of righteousness. He leads. I walk. And I remain on the path. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me - The journey to the Promised Land is fraught with dangers and perils, thus we need a Shepherd. The Shepherd-Ruler tradition goes as bar back as written history. Like Hammurabi (1750 BC) called himself the Shepherd. God himself speaks of this in Hosea 4:16. The valleys have been applications - chronic physical and mental anguish and disease, economic hardship, worry and anxiety about loved ones, enemies, betrayal and loss - and we have the comfort that God is with us, with me. 

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me - The rod and staff is what the shepherd use to govern his flock. The rod warded off predators; the staff was a tool to hook onto the sheep to bring them back. Christ watches over us. Jesus has compassion on His people as they were sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34), possibly thinking of Zechariah 11:10 and the termination of a previous covenant. The Word is our light (Ps. 119:105) and the Spirit is with us, we have leaders (pastors) speaking truth and helping guide us - all instruments (rod/staff) that God uses to comfort us. 

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies - Now we have the best for the end. David's enemies are observers at the feast. Often in our world, the Christian thinks God has forgotten him, like suffering and bad times are winning. Sheep receive their reward while enemies are cast out into darkness, but here are watching. Jesus has promised us to welcome us into His kingdom on the last day, to feast, but not alone but with everyone else He has gathered. The enemies can only watch. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows - David at times has to treat diseases in his flock. We have been purchased and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The 2nd time a lamb wanders away the shepherd breaks one of its legs and the lamb would be carried. The lamb was hurt but for the benefit of the lamb, to stay close. Oil smooths troubled water and nourishes. Despite all that Christ suffering on the cross, His cup was overflowing and He had unshaken peace. May oil always bring us peace. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - The goodness and mercy of God are following his children every step of life. 'Surely' means there is no doubt of this. God is perfectly good in His character and flawlessly good in all His actions. His mercy is His unconditional love. Goodness and Mercy are constantly following us. There will not be a single day that He is not close to us. We go astray but He is always near. We can never escape His love. 

And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever - Psalm 26:8, "O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells." God's house is the journey's end. But the Shepherd is our host taking care of us. And we will be in a place more glorious than Eden. 

Blessings of Repentance - Repentance is changing our minds about sin and turning our lives back to God, through faith in Jesus Christ. We turn and are confident in Christ because of faith. Jesus' perfect life and sacrificial death reconciles us to God. Our Father loves us. The Holy Spirit makes our hearts new. We have faith, we have repentance. The blood wipes our sin as far as east from the west and we are free. After faith when we sin, we confess, not to restore our righteous status for that cannot be changed, but it removes the stain on our spirit. We are refreshed. 

Where Do You Find Your Identity - Author mentions that in Luke 16 Jesus talks of a rich man and Lazarus and how the rich man's name is not identified. Lazarus carried to Abraham's side (in heaven); rich man to Hades. Doesn't mean that rich men go to Hades as Jesus mentions what is impossible with man is possible with God. In Germany, author notices that many in the community where he started a church, people identity themselves based upon their wealth. With wealth they are good; when things go sour there isn't much to the person. Perhaps this is why Jesus doesn't mention the man's name in Luke because wealth is all the person is. But our identity should be first in Christ, anything else and we are utterly forsaken. Trusting in Jesus is eternal, an idol temporary satisfaction. We are complete by God's grace, as children of God. 

The Theater of Glory - The fingerprints of God are everywhere. God gave us brilliant colors and stunning variety in creation, from the Milky Way to the millipede. May it ignite our hearts with worship. 

Scars of Sanctification - Scars are often with us for life. Something that happens at a young age can remain with us for life. They remind us of healing that has occurred. And yet scars often bring pain as some always hurt. They give us lessons. In heaven, our scars will be gone (Eph. 5:27). The only scars in heaven are Christ's. 

Becoming What We Behold - Each Christian longs to be more like Christ, to constantly be different and this is prompted by the Holy Spirit, who gives new birth (John 3:5-8) and fills us to walk not by the flesh but by the Spirit. We become like Jesus as we worship Jesus. Genesis 1:27 shows us that we are designed to be His image bearers, reflecting either our Creator or something else in creation. In the OT, God's people turn to idols -- Israel bows down to the golden calf, elsewhere they go after false idols. Whatever we worship will reap ugly vices in our lives. So we need to be conformed to the image of Christ. Submit to the Spirit and allow Him to speak to you through His word. How to worship: 1. Contemplate/Meditate - ponder His goodness; think on the Lord; read His word thoughtfully. 2. Praise/thanksgiving/singing - Sing and make melody to the Lord, lightening the heart and engaging the body. 3. Obedience/action/service - find tangible expressions in works of merciful neighbor-love. Be empowered by the Spirit and become like Him. 

New Covenant Worship: Lift Up Your Hearts - In corporate worship, believers are united with God in heaven (Heb. 12:22). "Sursum Corda" is a liturgical assertion that God, by His Word and Spirit, lifts the hearts of believers into His heavenly presence. But this presence is not gained by our performance of communion, but rather by God dwelling with us, by the sending of His Spirit. Worship is a union the believer has with the presence in Christ. Jesus offers Himself and we draw near to God. In Hebrews, we learn that Mount Sinai was a temporary place of worship and the tabernacle a shadow of things eternal. Mount Zion is a better covenant with permanent promises (8:6). We don't need to go to a specific place to worship because we are in His presence now. But still in both covenants is our need to offer acceptable worship. So let us set our hearts on things above (Col. 3:2) and prioritize our meeting together (Heb. 10:25). We are redeemed to proclaim God both now and forever (I Peter 2:4-5, 9-10). 

Why We Don't Share the Gospel - No one loves rejection, but maybe it is not bad as we think. Two primary fears for not sharing Christ with others: (1) Fear of rejection - The gospel is offensive to many people. But we can learn during times of rejection and it can help us grow. It is part of the path of following Christ. The reality is when we talk to others about Jesus, we don't know where the conversation will go and we have to trust the Holy Spirit. So we need to replace our fear of rejection of people with a proper fear of God. (2) Fear of failure - We are called to be faithful, not win every task. Even when people do not come to faith, we please our Father. The gospel, not our answers, is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). 

Finding a Pastor - 1. Prepare. 2. Agree. 3. Lead. 4. Search. 5. Propose. 6. Preach, pray, and talk. 7. Recommend. 8. Consider. 9. Vote. 10. Welcome. 11. Encourage. 

John 4:23-24 - How God Must be Worshipped

John 4:23-24

"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirt and truth."

Message: How God Must be Worshipped

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus in the last lesson has mentioned worship and today's passage has always been an interesting one to me as Jesus speaks of true worshipers. Jesus is pointing us toward worshiping the father in verse 21 and now again here in these verses to "worship the Father in spirit and truth." For us, maybe this is not as significant as it was in that day. But maybe it is because Jesus seems to be pointing out the importance of how we worship rather than where we worship. 

Tabletalk mentions this and I think it is significant:

Due to the connection between sacred space and proper, divinely appointed worship, first-century Jews and Samaritans debated the location God chose for people to bring Him sacrifices. The Samaritans believed Mount Gerizim, not Mount Zion, was the place the Lord had chosen. Upon learning that Jesus was a Jewish prophet, the Samaritan woman asked Him to weigh in on the debate. Interestingly, Jesus gave an answer she was likely not expecting—the debate between worship on Zion or Gerizim was about to be rendered obsolete. People would worship not only on Zion or Gerizim but anywhere they approach God in spirit and truth (John 4:21–24).

I do think that phrase "In spirit and truth" is an interesting phrase. Jesus has been mentioning the spirit often in the last few chapters, during his time in Judea and Samaria. The little 's' spirit is the place in our human spirit where the Holy Spirit of God resides. This is another way in which man stands out and is different. He has a spirit and the spirit is a place the Holy Spirit speaks to us and resides. The Holy Spirit will operate and then our lives will be lived out in such a way to express the Spirit's work in and through us. I love going back to chapter 3, verse 5 and seeing where Jesus says that "we must be born of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God." The Spirit must awaken in us a desire for things of God. Our sin is exposed and now we can choose to surrender our lives and follow Him or not. 

Thus, "in spirit" has no limitations on time and space. Places are not bad but the essence of our faith is not being caught up in a church structure but rather in the matter of worshipping God within our spirit. And it is noteworthy that spirit precedes truth. We need the spirit to be defined to know the truth. We align ourselves with Him and worship with Him there is spirit and in truth. Truth is in harmony with the will of God and His nature. 

Summary: True worship is not at a building though this is not bad, but true worship is God's Spirit speaking to our spirit and walking in the truth of the will of God and His nature. 

Promise: True worship does not consist in merely going through the motions but in setting our hearts to love, thank, and praise our Maker while we come before Him privately and publicly.

Prayer: God, what an exciting passage to behold the community I have with You that is distinct and different. Thank you for speaking to me and for your Holy Spirit making known to me the beauty of worshipping you. You speak to me in a way that I don't always comprehend and yet you give me truth in this communication. It is different. You have sent your spirit to be with mine and I praise you for this and thank you for the special union we have. Thank you for awakening me and help me be a conduit to others. Help me understand better how to communicate to others these true words. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 4:16-22 - Debating Theology with Jesus

John 4:16-22

He said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband''; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews." 

Message: Debating Theology with Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has now told the Samaritan woman about living water and that this living water, when requested, He provides her something that causes her to actually never thirst again. He provides her eternal life. Interesting how eternal life is likened to living water. Water is something we need to survive each day on this earth. It sustains us. Even when we are fasting, we are drinking water. And Jesus says to take living water from Him merits eternal life. 

I also think back to Jesus' words in chapter 3 and he remarks, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Could there be a link between the two? Is the water in chapter 3:5 referring to the living water that Jesus is speaking of here? 

Next up in our study of the encounter Jesus has with the Samaritan woman is Jesus asking about her husband and she admits she does not have a husband and Jesus clarifies with this woman that she actually has had five husbands. Again, this woman, is an outcast. She most likely comes to the well by herself, not the common practice, because no one will come with her. She was rejected in her community by her sexual immorality. She's had five husbands already and the man she is with right now is not her husband. She admits this. Upon Jesus confronting her, she does not lie or hide. Before him, she admits that she has no husband. Could it be that because of the way Jesus speaks to her she has a need to be honest and admit her sin? "the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." And yet she at first tries to hide by saying she has no husband. 

Upon hearing this, though, the woman is astonished and further understands Jesus as being someone different. He's already mentioned living water. And now he know about her and her past. And yet she knows he is still speaking to her. I am reminded that this is significant because Jews were very careful about associating with anyone or anything that was deemed unclean. Surely this woman would be an example of someone unclean. And yet Jesus in these back to back passages speak to a religious leader and a social outcast and both have the same need - spiritual rebirth. 

Even though the woman is an outcast she has understanding of spiritual matters. She understands the difference between the Samaritans and the Jews. The Samaritans only worshipped here and only recognized the first 5 books of the Old Testament and other alterations. And Jesus acknowledges this but also makes me mention that the past ritual of where one should worship is not the issue of the moment - but rather the issue first and foremost is salvation and it is from the Jews (v. 22). 

Jesus makes it clear that where you worship or the surroundings will not be important. There will not be limitations to worship. Salvation will be different. In chapter 3, I saw something significant and that is the ability of a person to even see their need to believe and be born again (v.16) came about from the Spirit (v. 6,8) and in this awakening their sin is exposed (v.19).   

There is clearly something really different here. And it is like it isn't over yet and there is more to understand. 

Summary: The woman's sin of being with a man not her husband is exposed by Jesus and Jesus points to her a time when worship will be different and salvation from the Jews. 

Promise: In the Gospel, our sin is exposed and we acknowledge our estrangement from God. The Gospel does more than make life better. It improves and satisfies the condition of us. 

Prayer: Father, you are real and true and Jesus is true and Holy Spirit, you have awakened me to know You and have salvation in You. Thank you for continuing to teach me through the reading now of Your word. Keep enlightening me and others and help me to speak the truth of Your gospel to others. Expose people. Expose their sinful nature so they see you are the answer. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple

John 2:13-17

13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”

Message: Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus has just done a miracle by turning water into wine but in the process revealed things possibly about Himself - basically that the best has come. The past was good but now pales in comparison to what He is doing now. 

The Passover is a time of remembrance of God rescuing His people. What excused the people of Israel from judgment was blood on their doorposts. God struck the Egyptians at this time but he saved the Israelites. Previously the Israelites had been slaves but no more. It is a celebration to remind us that God remembers His people but what sets them apart is the blood. John records that "The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." This is the time of Jesus' arrival. 

When Jesus approaches the temple, what He sees is people using the temple not for its purposes but for their own selfish purpose. They have taken the temple and used it as a place to sell and earn money. They have missed the point of it. So he commands them to take the things out. Stop making the Father's house a place of business. 

This is a familiar passage to me but it is not present at the beginning of Gospels but rather at the end, like in Mark 11:15-17. In that passage the circumstances are slightly different, but the idea is the same - people are not using the temple for its intended purpose. 

And in this, the disciples remember a text from Psalm 69:9, "For zeal for Your house has consumed me,

And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me." They quote this directly. But why? That Psalm starts with "Save Me O God." The Psalmist is experiencing opposition. The desire for true worship is being opposed. And so there is a parallel here of Jesus being opposed. 

And yet at that moment, John could be using this passage to emphasize again that Jesus is coming to rock the boat. What was in the past is the past and who He is now will be different. But also in Jesus' words is authority. The people of that day do not have the authority that He has. He will tell them what is the Father's business. 

Summary: Here, Jesus alerts people and provides his authority about ensuring the Father's business is carried out, true worship occurs in the temple and nothing else. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "We should be grieved to see the church polluted by false worship and bad theology. And when we see such things, let us work to improve them, insofar as we are able."

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for this lesson that You have shared with me this day and helping me recognize that Jesus is in charge of the Father's business and making sure people are conformed to this. Lord, are there things that I need to be doing that I am not doing? Am I living my life for You in any way that is not proper? Cleanse me Lord. Help me to not be proud or diminish Your real purpose for me. I get on my kicks of getting things done but I do not want to forget you or make it out that I have it all figured out. Thank you for saving Your people and using blood to save them. It reminds me of your purposes and that they are consistent and your message is whole and complete and the same from beginning to end. Thank you for the joy of reading Your word and studying it. 

TABLETALK - September 2017

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. 

• September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 12, 2022)
• August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
• July - The right use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
• June was justification by faith alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
• May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
• April, salvation by grace alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
• March, the sovereign providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)  
• February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
• January, the doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019). 

The Elements of Worship

Redeemed to Worship - We are people that are meant to glorify God, to worship the Lord. 

The Importance of Reverence in Worship. Guidance in Worship - Start with scripture and let scripture define our ways in worship. Reverent Worship - We must take care to worship God with reverence, according to God's word.

What it Means to Worship in Spirit and Truth

Worshipping in Spirit and Truth and the Place of Worship - Worship is not limited to a place, but true worship is the Holy Spirit being with me and testifying the truth of God. The Time of Worship - Christ's resurrection took place on the first day of the week and so there is ample warrant for setting aside Sunday as the time of obligatory Christian worship. Heavenly Worship - The city of the living God is mount Zion, in heaven and so when we worship God we enter into this heavenly city while we are also here on earth. Reading Scripture in Worship - From the earliest history of God's people, we have gathered to hear God's word read aloud. Exhortation and Teaching in Worship - In addition to reading, there is also teaching scripture in the context of the day and then exhortation or application of putting it in practice today. Prayer in Worship - Prayer is a private devotion, but also a public proclamation that we need to do in a public setting. Sacraments in Worship - Sacraments are public ordinances and we participate in them rightly in the context of public worship. At a minimum these acts should include baptism and Lord's Supper. Oaths and Vows in Worship - These are promises or pledges we make each Sunday as we gather, as we sing songs, about God but also about who we are in Christ. If we speak these words, may they be so in our lives. Fasting in Worship - When we fast, we are driven to more urgent prayer and to remember our creaturely dependence. Thanksgiving in Worship - Giving thanks is a part of our prayers that we make thanking God for all that He has done. It can be part of special occasions and it can also be a part of our weekly coming together time on Sunday morning. Living Sacrifices in Worship - A living sacrifice in worship is to give God all of me, to give him my best and this means I turn from doing those things that don't honor him in any way.

The Intersection of Arts and Worship

The Beauty of Worship - The beauty of the Lord is seeing what God has made in His creation but also in His temple and specified in people's attire, in our talents and spiritual gifts. All of these colors help us to worship God. Ritual vs Ritualism - The problem is not with rituals themselves but with ritualism, which happens when we go through the motions without an inner disposition to worship the Lord. Forms and Their Communication - It is not the form of our worship that matters as much as the purpose for why we gather and assemble in our churches - to edify one another and be devoted to Him. The Power of Music - Music was created by God. And as his creation, he uses it to testify of Him and to minister to us. Music and Theology - Good worship music invite us to move deeper into God's word to learn more and more about Him. In all of its forms, hymns, contemporary songs, our hearts can be focused on him. The Arts and the Worship Space - Places of worship are normal and should be present, either small places in homes or larger spaces that are rented or purchased. What is important is not always the form, but the function.

Here also is a summary of the articles from Tabletalk for August 2017.

Rescuing Souls from Death - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30). This is the earliest hint of soul winning in the Bible and pictures the unrighteous seeing the fruit of the righteous and saving their lives. Throughout the Bible is the idea of being rescued. Doing good goes beyond evangelism to kindness, parenting, helping people in crisis. If we truly believe that God calls people to Himself then any of our works of righteousness can be used to bring people to Him. 

Wisdom, New and Old - RC Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - We tend to focus too much on the future, on what is new, thinking it is always better than what is old or the past. It is true that our understanding of things is developing, but people are not necessarily getting more intelligent. Life is often repeating itself, just with a new zip code. God revealed Himself to people in the past and gave us truths we can still live by today, that are still relevant today. 

God: The Winner of Souls - David Strain (senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Miss.) - God is the Evangelist. He is in hot pursuit of sinners. God so loved the world that He gave his only Son...God sent His Son...John 3:16-17. The initiative behind the work of Christ on behalf of sinners is God. God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8. You have given Jesus authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him (John 17:2). The Holy Spirit is an evangelist, giving new life to dead sinners (John 6:63 - It is the Spirit who gives life). At every point of Christ's ministry, the Holy Spirit rested upon Christ. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear (Acts 2:33). The church preaches the good news by the Holy Spirit (I Peter 1:12); the Church is sent to pronounce forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. Never forget it is God that is the true and great soul winner. The Father purposed to save sinners in love by sending His Son with the Spirit uniting us with Christ and empowers us in turn to bear witness for Christ. 

The Sovereignty of God and Soul Winning - Joel R. Beeke (President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary) -  If God chooses people in His sovereignty then we don't need to evangelize - False - God calls us to preach the gospel, to pray for laborers to go out into the harvest. We are his co-workers. He calls us to be involved. Calvin wrote the gospel "does not fall from the clouds like rain" but is "brought by the hands of men to where God has sent it." Calvin even started a lot of missions and churches in his time. Many evangelists and missionaries went out from the reformers including Laurence Chaderton, William Perkins, John Owen, John Eliot, David Brainerd, George Whitefield, William Carey, Adoniram and Ann Judson, John and Maggie Paton, Andrew Gordon and Andrew Watson, Ebenezer Erskine, Charles Spurgeon, Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1. We are to be bold in evangelism (Acts 18:9-10). 2. We are to be patient in evangelism, not trying to manipulate or force people into the kingdom (2 Timothy 2:24-25). 3. We are to be confident in evangelism (Isaiah 55:11). 4. We are to be submissive in evangelism (Romans 10:1, 9:22, 9:16). 5. We are to be worshipful in evangelism (I Corinthians 3:6-7). 

Winning the Souls of Unbelievers - Dr. Jon D. Payne (pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC) - Evangelism is a way of life. It liberates and challenges us to reach out to our spheres of influence. To witness is compulsory for every sincere follower of Christ (Matt. 5:13-16). Yet we lack zeal and prayer. Let's recommit our lives. We have examples from Jesus and the Apostles, but we do not have to duplicate their ministries. It is primarily an overflow of a sincere walk with God. I am right where I need to be (Ps. 115:3; Acts 17:26-27). Our home and work location is for a reason. It is less a task and more a way of life. Are we willing and ready to identify and act upon the evangelistic opportunities that God brings our way? In prayer we remain steadfast and utterly dependent on Him. We are to be in steadfast prayer. It is to be centered on Christ - God's holiness and requirements of His Law (Lev. 11:45, Gal. 1:10-11). Man is fallen, miserable and depraved (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3). God sent His Son to fulfill the Law (John 3:16; Rom. 5:18-19) and satisfy divine justice on the cross (Ps. 22:1; I John 4:9-10) and rise from the dead on the third day (Rom. 4:22-25), to reconcile man to God by grace through faith in Him (2 Cor. 5:19; Eph. 2:8-9). In the judgment, to heaven or to hell (Matt. 25:31-46). It is hard to be silent about what we cherish most. 

The Ordinary Means of Soul Winning - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk, copastor of Saint Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Florida) - Greatest trick by the devil is convincing the church that it needs to be like the world to reach the world. In a desire to be like the world they have become counter-ecclesial (relating to a church). Pastors study the fads of culture more than the unchanging principles of God's Word. They claim that there is no explicit command in the Bible against it, so they can use it to reach people. Parsons discovered the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the answer to Question 88. It is through the Word, sacraments and prayer that salvation is made known to people. We are to follow the example in Acts and worship God according to His Word and according to the means God has ordained. Thus, true Churches needs to be observing the Lord's Supper regularly, praying deeply, preaching the Gospel. Instead changing church for people, people need to see the witness of the Church. 

Winning One Another - Carl D. Robbins (senior pastor of Woodruff Road Presbyterian church in Simpsonville, SC) - The closing of the book of James shows how real Christians care about their members (James 5:19-20). We can wander by giving up essential tenets of the faith like deny exclusivity of Christ or justification by faith alone or understandings of biblical sexuality. Paul warns in I Corinthians 10:12: "Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." We are to reorient one another toward righteousness. Warn people of the road to destruction they are walking on. The Lord sent Nathan to King David to call him to repent (2 Samuel 12). We are to do this to save their soul from death and confirm the Blood of the Lamb as atoning cover for their sins. 

One Kingdom Will Continue - Jason Helopoulos (associate pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - "I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill" (Ps. 2:6). Promise: Christ reigns. Terrorists, church members slayed, upholding heterosexual views - in American society, it often doesn't look like Christ reigns. Jesus said in John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world." This is a spiritual kingdom that doesn't show up on the evening news and it will continue and last and God shalt break them (nations) with a rod of iron, shatter them like earthenware (pieces of a potters clay) (Ps. 2:9). It was on Good Friday that it appeared the world had won over Jesus and He had been defeated. People didn't see it at the time but God was working, setting His King on His holy hill, establishing His Son's kingdom for all eternity; He who sits in the heaven's laughs (Ps. 2:4). Every Nebuchadnezzar falls; every Ahab reaches his end; the head of the serpent is crushed. His kingdom is established and will continue forevermore. So Fear God, not men. 

Looking over the Fence - Melissa B. Kruger (women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church (PCA) in Charlotte, NC) - Consider others, but in the right way. We often look at what others have and want it. And then at times we don't like people's opinions. Or perhaps we just don't think about our neighbor. But filled with Jesus I can view others through the lens of love. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain contempt, but in humility consider others better than yourselves (Phil 2:3 NIV84). We need to encourage others in their faith, noticing what people are doing and how they are serving God (Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works). And considering our leaders, not their failures but their faith for the Gospel gives us a new mindset continually on all things (Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. - Hebrews 13:7). 

A Life Worthy of the Gospel - Aaron L. Garriott (production manager of Tabletalk magazine) - Unity made Paul's heart leap hearing of it from the church at Philippi whom he thought of as his "joy and crown" (Phil. 4:1). He said his joy would be complete if the church members were of "the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose" (Phil. 2:2). Yet, arrogance over self-advancement engenders disharmony. People don't drift towards unity. Instead self-advancement and self-exaltation is often the mindset. In Philippians 2, the blueprint for unity is given: humility. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than oneself; do not look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others (2:3-4). Why? Because of Jesus who "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men, was humbled to the point of death on a cross, then exalted, that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord - to the glory of God (Phil 2:5-11)." Now there is a difference in Jesus emptying Himself and us emptying ourselves. Jesus emptied Himself of infinite riches as the co-owner of eternal. Our emptying is one of emptying ourselves from the mindset that we are greater than we truly are. For us to be of one-mind with one another it starts by each of us humbling ourselves individually. And here is the goal: Paul reminds us to "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ...standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Phil. 1:27-28)."

The Direction of Leadership - Dr. Jonathan Leeman (editorial director of 9marks and elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Leadership even in scripture is full of metaphors about "up" being good, and "over" others - "God reigns over the nations" (Ps. 47:8); His throne is "high and lifted up" (Isa 6:1); elders have "oversight" (I Peter 5:2). But being a leader is more than being over others, it is also coming down to their level, kneeling down and lifting others up. Psalm 18:31-35 says God has equipped me with strength....sets me upon my high places...trains my hands for battle...given me the shield....Thy gentleness make me great. A good reminder to help those under me and work for their success. Christ tells us He came to serve, not be served (Matthew 20:25-28). 

Moments of Praise - Rev. Joe Holland (Pastor of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church in Culpeper, Virginia) - We can praise the Lord, even with short bursts of prayer, like is mentioned with Psalm 117, the shortest chapter in the Bible. In seconds we can praise God and pronounce a call to Missions. God is not constrained by word counts. We want long drawn out times with the Lord in large chunks but don't miss quick bursts as well. 

Knowledge without Zeal - Joshua S. Brice (senior pastor of Pray's Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, Georgia) - We are to not simply attend the right churches, but have a real zeal for God. James Montgomery Boice commented that "millions are drifting along through life, manipulated by the mass media, particularly television, and hardly know it." Our thinking of eternity has left us and we are too focused on the hear and now. Remember the reformation as it was a desire for the word of God. The Catholics remained only on listening to lectures of the Bible in Latin rather than God's word in our language. We need to have a proper zeal to serve God. 

Handling Abuse in the Church - Rev. Brad Hambrick (Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC and instructor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC) - We need to be willing to be uncomfortable and realize that people are being hurt, even among the church body we are in. Engage a social workers with experience with domestic violence and child abuse. We need to talk about it more in trainings and even from the pulpit. By talking about it then people believe this is a safe place to discuss this. 

The Real Story of Christianity and Abortion - Dr. R. Albert Mohler (President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY) - Recently, many are giving the idea that Christians are late to the table in calling abortion evil. In fact, several so-called Christians are even stating that Abortion is morally right and the scripture supports this. But in reality Christians have always been opposed to Abortion and this can be seen by the Didache in AD 80-120, Clement of Alexandria (AD 15-215) and Tertullian (AD 160-240) who all have words about the crime of abortion. Don't believe the culture, ever. 

The Context of the Early Church - David R. Briones (Associate professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary) - Context is vital to our daily communication. Example - steel sinks could mean at Lowe's or Home Depot purchasing a steel sink, but in a class at college taught by a professor of material science it could mean steel that sinks in the water. So, understanding the context of God's word is very important. Note, Phil 2:12 and "work out your salvation." The word your is actually not me, but rather our and is meant to convey the entire church coming together to do the work of salvation. So context helps us be better readers of the text and it adds color to our reading of the text, as through it we can see better the beauty of God's word. Example is Jesus at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem at Passover and spreading palm branches before Him. To see the significance of the palm branches we look at the books of the apocrypha and see that in 165 BC during the intertestamental period when a Jewish family was revolting against Syrian forces and King Antiochus who prohibited Jewish religion. But then Judas Macabeus destroyed every Syrian detachment and moved back into Jerusalem with the people celebrating and as part of that celebration, a new festival of Hanukkah commenced and the people celebrated with palm branches and became a national symbol for the Jewish people. National Jews thought Jesus would destroy Roman opposition, but instead they drove nails into His hand and then through His death and resurrection liberated people from sin and death. And Jesus then entrusted Himself not to Jews, but His Church. 

2 Chronicles 5:1 - The Arts and the Worship Space

2 Chronicles 5:1 - Thus all the work that Solomon performed for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver and the gold and all the utensils, and put them in the treasures of the house of God. 

Message: The Arts and the Worship Space

Time: Originally one book, 1 and 2 Chronicles was separated into 2 books around 200 BC when the Greek version of the Old Testament was translated. Many historical sources were compiled to detail this history of God's people. It covers the time from Solomon’s ascension to the throne (971 BC) until the southern kingdom of Judah was finally carried into exile in Babylon in 586 BC. It focuses on Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: Churches began in people's homes and then larger spaces were found to meet. As Christianity was legalized in Rome (323 AD), dedicated Christian sanctuaries were built and eventually from the 5th to 15th centuries more Gothic cathedrals and structures were built while some continued to meet in plainer buildings. Today, churches are even meeting in hold movie theaters or setting up daily at school auditoriums until their own buildings can be built or acquired. Thus, where we go is not as important as that we gather. 

It is normal and continues to be normal for houses of worship to be dedicated spaces for worshipping the Lord. 

Even in today's passage is the mention of gathering what is most precious to people and bringing them to the place in which people worshipped, the house of God. At the beginning of the history of God's people is the mention of the tabernacle and then later the temple of God was built. And so it seems likely that structures have been built for over 3,000 years. So it is normal for us to build these structures in all of their different sizes and dedicate places to the Lord. 

Summary: Places of worship are normal and should be present, either small places in homes or larger spaces that are rented or purchased. What is important is not always the form, but the function. 

Promise: While it is true that God can be worshipped anywhere, we are not to neglect the corporate worship of God's people. 

Prayer: Lord, again, I thank you for church and thank you for the gathering of people. I have so many memories of gathering with like-minded people in different places, from homes to apartments, to restaurants and basements (at Baylor), to small theaters and larger spaces, and even grandiose buildings of size and stature with beautiful artwork and special designated spaces for Worship. There have been many different forms, but the Word of God and the People of God has always been central. Thank you for working through us in this way and making You always the focus. Help me to continue to make this a priority and for those around me as well to make it a priority. 

Psalm 101:1 - Music and Theology

Psalm 101:1 

I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, to Thee, O Lord, I will sing praises. 

Message: Music and Theology

Time: Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, with multiple authors. David wrote 73 Psalms, though for 50 or so the author is unknown. Psalms means songs of praise. The writings span 1,000 years. They encourage us to praise God, illuminate the greatness of God, affirm His faithfulness in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His word. 

What the Lord is Saying: In addition to being a great theologian, Martin Luther also wrote hymns. He realized that hymns were important for the development of our faith. His hymns were often written around different themes, like Advent, Christmas, Easter or on topics of the Ten Commandments. Wikipedia lists 41 hymns he wrote in German. His best known hymn is a Mighty Fortress is our God based after Psalm 46 and written in 1529. 

It is interesting that music and hymns can be used to communicate to us truths of God but can also teach us theology. I read through the Lyrics of a Mighty Fortress is our God and was shocked a little and interested to read how much it speaks of the Satan and the Prince of Darkness and devils filled. 

There have been arguments in the church about music and hymns or more contemporary songs. Hymns were contemporary songs in their days and perhaps we need to focus more on what the song is saying than the form. On my home yesterday from work, I heard this song by REM called Everybody Hurts. I've read a little about the song and its writing and it is hard to tell if it was written with much meaning as it simply chronicles the hurt we all experience in life and that we are not alone. Now God is never mentioned, but as I listened I was reminded of the meaning and that I am not alone. 

I have not spent much time going over hymns and studying them. I always remember my mom in church and hearing her sing and how she often knew so many of the hymns. She sang so much by memory. These were her songs that she sung to God. I grew up with the Baptist Hymnal. Here is a copy of one with songs from 1991. It also reminds me of how organs are often accompanying hymns. 

Many songs written are based upon the Psalms. For me, I love tunes from scripture and where I can see the link of why it was written. For praise songs, I do like the one's that speak of God's attributes, like Great is thy Faithfulness, but also like songs that are sung directly to God. There is a recent song I heard by Kristian Stanfill (worship pastor at Passion City Church) that fits this:

I want to love You with all of my heart 

I want to love You with all of my soul 

Jesus you’re my one ambition 

With every breath You give I’ll give You 

Another praise, another praise, another praise

I need help speaking to the Lord and praising Him and I appreciate these lyrics that help me direct my thoughts toward Him. 

Summary: Good worship music invite us to move deeper into God's word to learn more and more about Him. In all of its forms, hymns, contemporary songs, our hearts can be focused on him. 

Promise: The biblical psalms model the kind of complexity that good sacred music has to offer.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for music again and specifically the music that we have sung in the church. I appreciate the choruses that I have sung growing up and then in small groups like at Chi Eta that helped define my faith and my praise of You and then all the songs of the day now that offer praise to You but also can help define my dependence on You. Thank you for being present and speaking to Me in so many different ways through these writers. Help me to continue to give praise to You in these ways and to sing from my heart. Thank you for giving me such a great Mom who patterned this in my life and gave me such a great example of praising You and Singing to You. It is great to see this carried on in my brother. 

I Corinthians 14:40 - Forms and Their Communication

I Corinthians 14:40 - But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner. 

Message: Forms and Their Communication

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

This verse in 1 Corinthians that is today's focus is the last verse of the chapter and is the last verse after 5 paragraphs have been given in chapter 14 on the proper way we are to exercise our gifts in the church. And so it ends with the statement, "But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner." 

In the devotional today from Tabletalk, they are emphasizing the heart devotion we are to have in worship, stating that what we do or are practices or what we keep are not as important as our devotion to the Lord, or the heart behind what we do. Therefore, some churches have moved away from the rituals of liturgies in favor of less elaborate church services. Yet, we should recognize that even in these forms there is still ritual. For instance, the Quakers (and I recall a Quaker church I attended in 1995 in Houston with Bruce) assemble in a circle and then agree to a system wherein everyone is quiet until "moved by the Spirit." So in any worship service there is a potential for going through the motions and our hearts not knowing what we are really doing. 

I like this verse -- I Corinthians 14:26 -- that begins a paragraph:

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 

These verses remind me first that church is not optional, but it is an assumed practice that we have. But then as we come together, the goal is edification (the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually). The goal is moral improvement of man and so our services can include ritual practices in many different forms, but we need to remember that our hearts and minds are to be focused on the truth of God. We/I need to always stop and take a moment to get my heart right. Even as I study the Word of God, it is important to stop and take a moment to pray that the time in the Word studying is beneficial. If anything, we need to be extra sensitive always in making sure that our time in the Word is done with a correct heart focus. 

Summary: It is not the form of our worship that matters as much as the purpose for why we gather and assemble in our churches - to edify one another and be devoted to Him. 

Promise: All of our forms of worship communicate something. We need to be intentional always and as leaders think carefully about what we do in worship and how it is done. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for these lessons on worship and this one particularly which reminds me of the reason we come together in a church and that is to edify one another. Solo bible study is great, but assembling together is also needed. Lord, I pray that you would restore your church and you would make it a priority among Your people everywhere to continue to assemble together. Lord, help me to not ever be at a place where I think church attendance is optional. Keep me grounded always in your truth and the study of Your words. Thank you for the many different flavors of churches in our world today even those that are lead by leaders in our local congregations. Lord, again, may your name be praised and lifted up always. Help us all to congregate and assemble in a way that honors You and helps one another. We need each other. I need one another. 

Psalm 27:4 - The Beauty of Worship

Psalm 27:4 - One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. To behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. 

Message: The Beauty of Worship

Time: Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, with multiple authors. David wrote 73 Psalms, though for 50 or so the author is unknown. Psalms means songs of praise. The writings span 1,000 years. They encourage us to praise God, illuminate the greatness of God, affirm His faithfulness in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His word. 

What the Lord is Saying: 

Wow, that is a great verse. That could be a life verse for me, to dwell with the Lord, in His house, to behold His beauty and meditate in His temple, on His words. And this is my plea to God, make me this my priority in life. Psalm 27. What a great Psalm. Verse 11 says "Teach me Thy Way, O Lord." 

As I continue to study and look at worship, according to Tabletalk this lesson is based upon sermons given by RC Sproul about "Recovering the Beauty of the Arts." Today's passage mentions "To behold the beauty of the Lord." But how do we see the beauty of the Lord when the Bible tells us that God is invisible (Hebrews 11:27 - 'Him who is unseen;' John 1:18 - 'No one has seen God at any time;' Colossians 1:15 - 'Jesus is the image of the invisible God;' I Timothy 6:16 - 'No man has seen or can see;' Note: I could not find verses from the Old Testament about God being invisible, but there are verses that say we can't see God like Exodus 33:20 - "No one can see God and live.")? 

The Old Testament speaks much about God's temple or his tabernacle. It seems to give the idea that our churches can be places that we build and craft with ornaments and decorations in order to see beauty and see the beauty of the Lord. Exodus 28 speaks of the priests attire. Exodus 31 talks of the tabernacle and its furnishings. One of my favorite verses in Romans 1 says in verse 20, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes...have been clearly seen through what has been made." The creation that we can see allows us to see God that we cannot see. 

I love to go walking in creation. The streets of my neighborhood are nice because I can see plants and trees planted and look up at the sky but when I go hiking everything that I see is his creation. And in this there is such beauty. And in the process I am often moved to worship. Right now, I look out my window and see the clouds rolling by with the sun coming over the mountain and it creates a beautiful picture of creation giving me wonderful colors in the sky. I see this and in way I am seeing the beauty of the Lord. 

Not all churches I think are beautiful. Some are ordinary or in a shopping mall. And simply being there together with others helps us experience God's presence. But many of our churches are beautiful places with high ceilings and stained glass radiating the light from outside and furniture that is distinct. In all of these places there is the beauty of the Lord. In all that is pleasing to our eye, there is beauty of the Lord. And therefore, there is beauty of worship. 

Summary: The beauty of the Lord is seeing what God has made in His creation but also in His temple and specified in people's attire. All of these colors help us to worship God. 

Promise: Pursue beauty and excellence in worship. Use our talents and spiritual gifts to create beauty. 

Prayer: Thank you for beauty God, for the beauty of creation which includes what you have planted and have provided with mountains, streams, rivers, water, trees, plants, flowers and what we can put in place in our churches through paintings and paint and furniture and then also in each other. I thank you for the wonder of my wife and her smile and her features. In all of these things I praise you God and I worship You. 

 

Esther 9:20-22 - Thanksgiving in Worship

Esther 9:20-22 

20 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, 22 because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Message: Thanksgiving in Worship

Time: Unknown author and book named after the start of the story, a young Jewish girl named Hadassah taken from her guardian, Mordecai, and forced to compete for the affection of the king. As an unlikely contestant for a beauty pageant she became queen of Persia and was renamed Esther, meaning "star." The events in the book of Esther occurred from 483 BC to 473 BC, during the first half of the reign of King Xerxes, who chose Esther as his queen. It is the only book in the Bible not to mention the name of God, however it is one of the most skillfully written books of the Bible, but God's sovereignty permeates the book. Its focus is the feast of Purim. This book reminds us of how God weaves out our lives and all of its events for His glory. 

What the Lord is Saying: Purim is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman. Haman was king Ahasuerus evil second-in-command. He cast the lot, called "pur" in order to determine the days the Jews would be executed (Esther 3:7-9).  Esther and Mordecai though would foil the plan. Esther, the wife of Ahasuerus and thus, the queen of Persia. 

Mordecai discovers a plot to kill Ahasuerus. Haman is appointed as second in command but refuses to bow to Mordecai, then discovers he is a Jew and casts lot to then determine a time to execute all Jews. In response Mordecai and other Jews enter a time of intense mourning and lamenting and fasting. Esther discovers what has happened and begins an exchange of conversation with Mordecai. Her husband does not yet know she is a young Jewish girl. After back and forth deciding and delays she finally reveals to her husband she is Jewish and the plan to exterminate all Jewish people. Ahasuerus instead has Haman hanged on the gallows he had set up for Mordecai. A decree is then given that allows enemies of the Jews to be killed and this results in 75,000 killed. Mordecai becomes second in command and institutes the annual commemoration of this saving of the Jewish people - known as the Purim and is celebrated today as a joyous time, with maybe a carnival, exchanging of gifts and donations to the poor.

It is interesting that at the time there was another example of fasting after the people heard of the difficulty that would be coming their way. Again mourning and lamenting and fasting here are also going hand in hand.  And even in the church today there can be special times of thanksgiving to commemorate different events or special milestones including Thanksgiving holiday, paying off mortgage, or staff anniversaries. 

And yet thanksgiving is also a part of normal worship. I was taught the acronym ACTS to pray which stands for Adoration-Confession-Thanksgiving-Supplication. It reminds me that there are many things to do when we pray before asking. And giving thanks is part of this. I see churches do this in thanking God for his forgiveness of their sins and also there is a thankful spirit of all that God has done. Yesterday, we sang the hymn "When we All get to heaven" and that song gives an attitude of the joy and thankfulness we will have when we enter a new life in Christ. 

I miss this at times. But, I am very thankful for the wife God has given me and the children he has given me and the parents. Even though my dad doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ he has always supported me in my faith. I am thankful for all of the little things my mom did to encourage me in my faith. I pray I can be a fraction of this towards my wife and children and now grandchildren. And a thankful heart needs to continue to be a part of me. My favorite chapter of Romans 1 marks that the first thing I see that goes in unregenerate man is not having a thankful heart. Romans 1:21 says, "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

Summary: Giving thanks is a part of our prayers that we make thanking God for all that He has done. It can be part of special occasions and it can also be a part of our weekly coming together time on Sunday morning. 

Promise: Cultivating thankful hearts will help us remember who God is and why He is worthy of our praise.

Prayer: God, how quickly at times I forget to give things and get out of this practice and instead get in the practice of wanting more and more and dissatisfied with the way things are going and want a better way. This is all consuming me at times and takes over my body. Lord, there is so much you have provided to me that I can be thankful for and I am indeed grateful to You. Thank you for giving me salvation and sending Your Son to live a better life for me to emulate but also to be my sacrifice and the perfect sacrifice for all. Thank you Jesus for rising again and perfectly redeeming me so that I would live forever in heaven with you. Keep that thankful attitude in my life continually and forgive me when I get off center from this.