John 17:17-19 - God's Means of Sanctification

John 17:17-19

17 Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. 18 As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 

Message: God's Mean's of Sanctification

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: Here is another request by Jesus in this prayer that he is offering for the disciples. He says, "Sanctify them in the truth." This idea of sanctification I feel like was already mentioned by Jesus in verse 11 when He prayed, "Holy Father, keep them in Thy name." The idea of keeping them and now also here in verse 17 to "Sanctify them in the truth" seem very similar. 

The difference between these two prayers is one is the idea of being kept in Thy name and the other to be kept or sanctified in the truth. To be sanctified is to be kept holy. I Thessalonians 4:3 links moral purity or freedom from lust and abstaining from sexual immorality. But here more particularly sanctification means we are set aside for a special use. But it goes further than moral purity.

Jesus explains further the meaning in verse 18, "I also have sent them into the world." So our sanctification is teased out and experienced further as we are sent out into the world to preach the gospel. But i still see a similarity in 'keeping' and 'sanctifying' as we go out and experience life, and work in spreading truth to our world. 

I know from previous verses that Jesus has mentioned the world is not fond of us. We are not people of the world (v. 14). The world hates us (v. 14). Yet, we are to be in the world (v. 18). What a sort of depressing array of tension this represents in life. It seems to be our relationship with the world right now is complaining about it more and talking about how bad it is, rather than going into it and being a voice to it. [Maybe this is what I share in class as well and find a way to look into the outreach idea of getting us involved more in our community. Iron sharpens iron sort of thinking.] 

I have been thinking of these words as I have been reading, but also wondering how they work together as I dive into my life. It is true that so much of my life is spent with people that are saved. That I spend free time with those friends that I have so much in common. I appreciate the online conversations for they help me continue to talk to others about spiritual matters, but I don't feel like I'm doing this much at work. For some, I have, and they are not very responsive. I've tried, but I've also stopped trying it would seem. 

Our prayer here is for those of us who are saved. But even in these words of prayers is a challenge to stay engaged with the world. 

One additional thought Jesus gives is in verse 19 when He says He will sanctify Himself. He says, "for their sakes I sanctify Myself." Who is "for their" - the disciples or possibly the world. Jesus is preparing to offer the ultimate sacrifice. And as Jesus does what He is going to do, He does it so "that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth." We are to be the benefactors of his sanctification. It is like the disciples purpose is to make other disciples. But we just fight against this so much because we desire so much to make our own lives better. 

For the disciple, sanctification was moving oneself further from a life of sin and closer to a life of living as Jesus lived. For Jesus, sanctification was offering his life for sin so that He could make us living our life for others. Yet, both in our sanctification and Jesus' - we are both in service to God, but the results are different. He sanctifies me so that I can be of service to Him and be of service to the Kingdom of God, which is the gathering of the saints for eternal life. 

And Jesus continues to have the goal of the life of the disciple. All of what He has been speaking in this book has been abut us - our eternal life - and our well being. But in our well being is also a work to benefit others. 

Summary: Jesus will offer himself for people, in obedience to God, so that we will be sanctified in truth to be set apart for Him and offer this truth to those in the world. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, we are equipped to go into the world as Jesus did, proclaiming the truth without compromise and calling people to repentance and faith. 

Prayer: Lord, what I notice more and more is my life in this world is training me a certain way. There is joy in this world, in living it and getting to know it and the joy of going places and experiencing other places, but Lord, I need to be careful to not simply be about this world and living according to its ways and forget the people in this world and how you came for them just as you came for me. Awaken me to this daily Lord. Retrain me. Thank you for praying for me - to be kept in Your word, to be sanctified, and to have joy. 

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

John 12:12-15 - Greeting the King

John 12:12-15

12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel.” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT." 

Message: Greeting the King

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: In the first 11 verses of Chapter 12 the main idea of this text is the anointing of Jesus by Mary. She does it. Not sure what prompts her to do this and not sure if she was aware what she was doing. Hard to say. But there was a significant purpose in it, as it anticipated the burial of Jesus. Now maybe He is the only One that knew when this burial would be soon, but nevertheless it was significant. 

And now in this passage is another offering of sorts or another recognition of sorts of Jesus. Passover is near or beginning and many have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Jesus is 2 miles away in Bethany and word of Him has spread. But in verse 12 it mentions that He is headed to Jerusalem and in anticipation of this people come bringing branches of palm trees and speak words from Psalm 118:26, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord." The words from Psalm 118 could have referred to the Messiah, but they could have referred to anyone that was coming to Jerusalem or coming to the Temple to present an offering. Jesus will be soon presenting the ultimate offering, sacrificing Himself for the sins of mankind. 

Hosanna can take on the meaning "Save us Now." And that phrase is not found in Psalm 118. So perhaps by using this word, it takes the message from Psalm and tweaks it so that it speaks of Jesus. Jesus is the one who will save them. 

After this occurs, Jesus then finds a donkey. The donkey signifies Him arriving in humility. Again, He will be one who sacrifices Himself. He is not there to conquer His foes or to wage war against them. He is not coming on a war horse, but coming on a donkey. Jesus has a different foe - sin, Satan, and death. A humble animal could be ridden even of a victorious king like in I Kings 1:33. 

This last phrase is a quote from Zechariah 9:9 - "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This verse mentions a king coming, a king that is different. And now applies to Jesus. And John points us to this here. 

Summary: Jesus is intentional, being greeting in Jerusalem with palm branches and then riding on a donkey, humble with a foe of sin, Satan, and death.

Promise: We need to approach the Jesus that came and not the one we want. Let us seek to follow Jesus as He reveals Himself in the Bible. 

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for revealing Yourself. And thank you for the bridge that is brought from the Old Testament words to Your coming. 

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

TABLETALK - December 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. 

• December - To God Alone Be The Glory (June 12, 2023 - July 3, 2023)
• November - Vocations (March 8, 2023 - June 11, 2023)
• October - Sacraments (December 16, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
• September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 15, 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 - 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 Divine Angle of Glory

The Primacy of Divine Glory - Everything God does is for His Own Glory and to be a true servant of God is to seek His glory. The Light of Glory - One of the central aspects of divine glory is bright, shining brightly, light. The Glory of Divine Beauty - There is a divine beauty that God bestows on His children, clothing me with perfect righteousness. The Eternal Weight of Glory - The Glory of God is to be of high value in my life and therefore He is what I focus on more than anything else in my life.  Glory and Purity - In God's glory is holiness and purity or light. God is light. Jesus is light. Light exposes darkness. Jesus is holy and pure. The Sovereign Glory of God - God, in his control, establishes Himself and thereby His glory over everything in heaven and earth (His creation). God's Glory and Our Joy - Our greatest joy will be found when we glorify God. God's Consuming Glory - God's glory is a consuming fire which means we cannot see it until we are in heaven, like Him, without sin. 

The Human Angle of Glory

God's Glory as Creator - God possesses great Glory as the creator of all things. He is worthy to receive glory from us. God's Glory in Salvation - God's Glory is evident in salvation as His glory is shown both on those He shows mercy and those that receive wrath. God's Glory in Judgment - God's glory in judgment will be clearly seen in the end. Christ the Glory of God - We can know God's divine glory by knowing Jesus and reading about Him in God's word. The Church as the Glory of God - We receive a derived glory from Jesus and we the Church are to be a light to our world, all in unity. Ascribing Glory to God - In the way I live - speak, look, act - my life is to ascribe to God the glory due Him. The Coming Knowledge of God's Glory - Glory is seen by all people as creation testifies of the knowledge of God's Glory and is also seen as people turn their lives over to following Jesus.  Seeing God As He Is - Nothing is more satisfying than God Himself and our satisfaction will never be greater than when we see the beauty of divine glory face-to-face. 

The Doctrine of Last Things: Eschatology

Death and the Immediate State - Before we arrive in the presence and glory of God, Christians, after death will be in an intermediate state in the presence of Christ. The Resurrection of Our Bodies - At Christ was raised from the dead, so we in Christ are linked to Him by the Spirit living in us after receiving and trusting in Him - and so we will be resurrected to a new imperishable life with Christ for eternity. The Millennial Reign of Christ - Christ is ruling and reigning now and despite different views of the Millennial, we must remain united in Christ. The Glorious Return of Christ - We can all agree that Jesus Christ will return. In the meantime, we are to focus on being His witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Eternal Punishment - Eternal punishment for all that are resting on their own righteousness, yet the degree of their sin and the extent of revelation will impact the type of punishment they receive. 

Immanuel - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) - Man was made to be with God. As Isaiah prophesied to Israel of the coming of Jesus, he called him Immanuel, "God with us." God established an earthy tabernacle and temple as the place He dwelt with His people. By bringing God to us, in Jesus, means that In Christ we are in Him, in the Temple, per se. God chose to dwell with us. Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them." 

What is the Mind - R C Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - We think, have ideas, but what is the source? We think it is in our head. Injuries to the brain can affect thinking. At all times we are thinking, even when we sleep and dream. We think and behave and hopefully, as Christian, behave in a way that is obedient to the law of God. We believe that we possess a will. Jonathan Edwards said, "The will is the mind choosing." The mind is vital to the Christian life. Scripture tells us to renew our minds so that our thinking conforms to the will of God and pleases God. 20th century psychologist B.F. Skinner concluded that all of our responses are determined by our environment and by our physical makeup. Where is the accountability in this? 

The House of God - L. Michael Morales (Professor of biblical studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) - The tabernacle - One, it was the house of God and the place of His dwelling. Two, it was the way to God with sacrificial rituals providing the atonement and cleansing needed to dwell with God. Three primary sacrifices: One, purification offering focused on blood to be forgiven and cleansed before God. Burnt offering, burning the entire animal apart from skin shows us a total consecration to God. Third, Peace offering was a feast with family and friends in God's presence. Thus its meaning can be seen through the Creation, the Covenant and Christ. Originally, the entire cosmos was the house of God, but once polluted by sin, a secondary house or tabernacle arose. God in creation builds a 3 story house (heaven, earth, and seas) and then God takes up residence in it, followed by resting on the Sabbath. Seven days parallels seven speeches about the tabernacle (Exodus 25-31). The tabernacle reaffirms God's call from Genesis to dwell with His people. There is also a 3-fold sentiment in scripture echoed, "I will be your God, you will be My people, and I will dwell in your midst.” Mount Zion was God's permanent dwelling place, but David wanted a place for God - a temple, but it was Solomon who equipped to build it. And yet in 2 Samuel 7:11 is the remark that God will make the house - "The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you." But then it is Jesus who becomes flesh and tabernacles among us (John 1:14). The temple arrives again at Christ in the form of the church where Christ dwells through His Spirit. 

The Altar of Burnt Offering - Dr. T. Desmond Alexander (senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland) - The altar of burnt offering is the most visible feature of tabernacle and temple. It is located outside of the sanctuary (one must be consecrated before entering sanctuary). Before ascending to the Mount of Sinai, the dwelling place of God, sacrifices had to be offered, thus the tabernacle. 3 parts to tabernacle - Most Holy Place (the top of the mountain), Holy Place (side of the mountain), and Courtyard (foot of the mountain). The Priests were made holy before entering the Holy Place. Being daubed with blood from sacrifices, they were cleansed from defilement of sin. Even after initial, twice a day they had to be re-consecrated. This shows us that people must be clean before seeing God and they are cleansed through multiple sacrifices or Jesus, once for all. But annually on Day of Atonement priest would taking blood to apply to mercy seat on top of the ark. 

The Bronze Basin - Justin E. Estrada (senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Kingsville, Maryland) - In the courtyards, sacrifice was messy. To clean oneself for worship, the bronze basin of the tabernacle and molten sea of the temple were there. Not specific details given of the basin other than where it resides and yet the proclamation significant, "So they shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they will not die (Exodus 30:21)." Solomon with the molten sea erected a the temple a sizeable receptacle (I Kings 7:23-26). The frequent washings shows their defilement, it did not purge them of sin. Like the church, we are presented before God, washing by His word. It gets the people ready for what is to come. And so it is like baptism, showing they have broken from their old lives and are presented before God for sanctification. 

The Lampstand - John D. Currid (Chancellor's Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary) - One of 3 objects standing in the Holy Place of the tabernacle is a lampstand. It's purpose is to give light. It is to be made out of pure gold. It looked like a tree and symbolizes life and blessings God has given his people. It looks back to the tree of life (eternal life) in the garden and forward to the tree of life in new heavens and earth. It had 7 branches (completeness; 7 day creation week). Jesus is now our light and lamp - Rev. 21:23 - "And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb." To Aaron he was told the lamp must always be luminating (Exodus 27:21); God's light is everlasting. 

The Table of Showbread - Michael G. McKelvey (Associate professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss.) - Located at the right side of the Holy Place, made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, it can be similar to our dining room table and how we gather there in our homes. It could be moved, to carry. It's purpose to hold the bread of the face set before the presence of Yahweh. Each Sabbath, 12 loves sat on table for 12 tribes of Israel. Table emphasizes God's provision for His people. He provides us daily bread. Also highlights our intimate fellowship with God. These are shadows of what we have in Christ. Jesus is the bread of life. Also points to the Lord's Supper and Marriage Supper of the Lamb. 

The Altar of Incense - Iain Duguid (professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia) - At the holy place all of our God created senses were used - sight (Lampstand), smell (Incense), taste (show bread), and hearing (bells on priests). Incense only offered by priests, the mediator between God and man. Also incense connected with sacrificial rituals - sin offerings for priest and people and burnt offerings. Smoke from incense rising symbolized people’s prayers constantly ascending to God. Incense essential for temple and tabernacle but now Jesus is our advocate and Jesus has taken His blood and cleansed His people forever. May our thankful prayers rise daily like incense. 

The Curtain - Benjamin Shaw (professor of Old Testament at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida) - After sinning in the garden, the cherubim separated people from God’s presence. The curtain or veil was between the Holy Place and Most Holy Place in the temple to divide the two. The Holy Place was where God spoke to Moses and where the ark with mercy seat resides. Once a year the priest could enter. At the point of Jesus’ death the Synoptic gospels the curtain torn from top to bottom. Jesus entered not just the Holy place of the temple but heaven itself and entered permanently. Hebrews 10:19-20 days we enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. The guarding cherubim removed. 

The Ark of the Covenant - Bryan D. Estelle (professor of Old Testament at Westminster Seminary California) - 20 different designations given of ark in the Bible. Made of gold-plated acacia wood with 2 winged cherubim facing one another and under wings the mercy seat. High priest yearly on day of atonement sprinkled blood to propitiate and expiate sins. Included inside 10 commandments, Aaron’s rod and a bowl of manna. 

The Church as the Temple of God -

Conflict in Light of Eternity - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (senior pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - As a pastor, he mentions that a lot of what He does as a pastor is help people that have been injured by other people, and often those are other people in the church. Much can be done to help, but one that is overlooked often is to remind people of eternity. We often stare at our circumstances, caught up in our own fights amongst ourselves, and yet ultimately we need to see that as His children, anchored in Him, our ultimate goal is eternity. 

When you want Someone Else's Gift - Melissa Kruger (Women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - It is easy to look at one another and think other people have more value than ourselves because of a position they have or possessions they have. Paul speak to us of spiritual gifts and reminds us, "there are many parts, yet one body (I Cor. 12:20)." We need one another. We are all vital. Yes, we all are different and look different, but we all glorify Him. 

Scattering Seed - Kevin Gardner (Associate editor of Tabletalk and graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary) - You can't predict how people's spiritual journey will turn out. Recalls working iwht a student in youth ministry. Young man good-natured, attended events but not interested in gospel. Then after going to college, discovered him at one of our camps in leadership, having come to faith. Reminded of Paul's words in Ephesians 1:15 when he says he "heard of [the Ephesians] faith" and some critics have thought this meant Paul didn't write Ephesians because he would already know of their faith and not simply heard of it. But it could have been 5 years since he visited Ephesus and wrote the letter to them. There is time often in preaching the gospel and people coming to faith. There is no set time table. The sower in Jesus' parable reminds us we are called to scatter seed (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). We hope it bears fruit and that one day the sower and reaper will rejoice together (John 4:36-38). But we never know. 

Being a Goer and a Sender - Jonathan Leeman (editorial director at 9Marks and an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Am I goer and sender? I am called to be both. I am to be on mission in my local area, but I am also to be a sender and help those that have been called into missions. The church sent Paul and Barnabas to places the gospel had never been preached (Acts 13:3). And elsewhere there are similar statements of sending out people on mission (Col. 4:3-4, 3 John 6-8, Titus 3:13). Work locally and send out. 

Instruments of Revelation - Aaron L. Garriott (production manager of Tabletalk magazine and student at Reformed Theological Seminary) - How does God speak to us today? Heb. 1:2 said, God, ...in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. Chosen men wrote the Bible, commissioned by Jesus. God speaks to us through His apostles as recorded in scripture. 

As I Imitate Christ - Tom Ascol (senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida) - Our goal is to be like Christ and so in discipleship we need to tell others and show them what it means to be a follower. Paul said, "“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Jesus' example is perfect for us. We are to pattern our love for others after His love for us, to also be a servant and to suffer as He did. Paul not only instructed but lived it out (Phil. 4:9). 

Teaching Children about the Lord's Supper - Don Bailey (Associate pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida) - The understanding is a child taking the Lord's Supper needs to have a personal understanding of the sacrament having had a profession of faith. I Corinthians 11:23-29 gives this idea when it acknowledges we are to "take", "eat", "drink", and "proclaim" (v.26) and "examine oneself." Toward our children, we are to teach them to repent daily and trust Jesus, reminding them we are also sinners. 

Our Grounds for Supporting Capital Punishment - 

Thank you 

Scriptures Call to Christian Living - John Calvin - Call to Christian Living. I love simplicity - 2 main parts - a love of righteousness must be implanted and poured into our hearts - and we need a model so as to not lose our way in our pursuit of righteousness. 1. Be holy as He is Holy. We cling to His holiness to be holy. We follow him. 

I Chronicles 16:28-34 - Ascribing Glory to God

I Chronicles 16:28-34

28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come before Him;

Worship the Lord in holy array.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth;

Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord;

For He is coming to judge the earth.

34 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Message: Ascribing Glory to God

Time: 1 Chronicles has a mystery writer and focuses on David's reign though doesn't repeat David's sin with Bathsheba. It was written in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah or 538-333 BC while the Jews were dispersed throughout Persia, some having returned from Israel. The book lists genealogies, priests, Levites, armies, temple officials, and other leaders of various ministries and devotes significant attention to proper worship of Yahweh and adherence to the regulations of the Law. It focuses on obedience that results in God’s blessing, the priority of the temple and priesthood, and the unconditional promises to the house of David.

What the Lord is Saying: "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him." To ascribe is to attribute something to. A part of our purpose as His followers, His children is for me to identify glory due His name. It is to bring an offering before Him, which for me today, is to bring myself as a living sacrifice. 

Romans 12:1-2 - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

I am to come before God unfettered or unrestrained or with no association to anything else. 

“How is the body to become a sacrifice? Let thine eye look upon no evil thing, and it hath become a sacrifice; let thy tongue speak nothing filthy, and it hath become an offering; let thy hand do no lawless deed, and it hath become a whole burnt offering. But this is not enough, we must do good works also; let the hand do alms, the mouth bless them that despitefully use us, and the ear find leisure evermore for the hearing of Scripture. For sacrifice can be made only of that which is clean; sacrifice is a first fruit of other actions. Let us, then, from our hands, and feet, and mouth, and all our other members, yield a first fruit unto God” (St. John Chrysostom - 347-407 AD)

When I pray, I often close with the request to give glory to God, in everything I say, in everything I do. This is the plea of me. My goal is to live in such a way that I should never have to apologize. For me, it is to have patience when people are talking and to not hope that they would not talk anymore. It is to accept people's words without inside thinking, "I'll show them." I am finding that there is a lot of patience in doing good. It is serving my wife, my father, without wishing I didn't have to serve him. It is also to do all of these things without complaining, without making fun of him behind his back. It is speaking always with the idea that the person I am speaking about is in front of me, hearing what I am saying. O God, so much of how I live and breathe and operate is thinking I am holy and yet speaking in a dishonoring way about others. And then it is also doing. It is calling Scott when I think about it versus just continuing to bury those thoughts. I think of telling people that I don't respond to them when I am busy. Does this busy including sitting in front of the TV for multiple hours watching TV? Last night I told my oldest son something that he did not find welcome, but at least I voiced it without just speaking about him behind his back. 

This is how I am to live, because I want to give glory to God. I am not to live like this with the motivation of gaining acceptance by God. 

James 1:16-17 -- Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

This is how I am to live. It is not simply showing up at a service and lifting my hands up to show I am praising God. It is that, but so much more. 

Summary: In the way I live - speak, look, act - my life is to ascribe to God the glory due Him. 

Promise: We do not design worship for unbelievers but for the glory of God and the edification of His people.

Prayer: O Lord, how wicked I am and holy that You are. For me to truly give glory to You, I must yield my entire life to You. I want to do this. I will fail, but I have a goal to glorify You in all I do and say which includes my thoughts. Lord you deserve this and I pray my life is honoring to You. 

Leviticus 7:11-15 - The Lord's Supper and Fellowship

Leviticus 7:11-15

11 ‘Now this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which shall be presented to the Lord. 12 If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil. 13 With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread. 14 Of this he shall present one of every offering as a contribution to the Lord; it shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings.

15 ‘Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning.

Message: The Lord's Supper and Fellowship

Time: There is sufficient evidence that Moses penned Exodus and Leviticus including references to Leviticus by New Testament authors. Its name means "pertaining to the Levites" and its purpose was to instruct the Israelites on right living and proper worship. The most likely time for this is 1446 BC. The book communicates that receiving God’s forgiveness and acceptance should be followed by holy living and spiritual growth.

What the Lord is Saying: There has been disagreement among Roman Catholics and Protestants about the Lord's Supper. Some in the Roman Catholic church believe that the Lord's Supper is a propitiatory offering. But there is no support for this in scripture and instead one has to then say that this is an extra-biblical teaching. Propitiatory offering means:

The mass is said to be something more than a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. It is properly a “propitiatory sacrifice” - that is, a sacrifice offered “for sins.” “The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered to God…to appease Him, make Him due satisfaction for our sins, and to help the souls in Purgatory, and hence it is called Propitiatory” (Catechism of St Pius X).

The Old Testament sacrifices are varied -- a few examples are peace offerings, thanksgiving offerings, burnt offerings. The Burnt offering is mentioned in Leviticus 1 "that he may be accepted before the Lord" (v. 2) and "to make atonement on his behalf (v. 4)". Thus, a propitiatory offering that foreshadowed the final wrath-satisfying atonement of Christ. In this offering the entire animal is offered to the Lord and none of the animal was eaten. 

Peace offerings however included eating of the animal. And the peace offering could also be a thanksgiving offering. This would bring a parallel then between the New Testament Lord's Supper and these offerings as in the Lord's Supper today we feed on the body and blood of Christ. 

Thus, like the peace offering and thanksgiving offering we are remembering the goodness of God for our redemption and offering up praise to Him of thanksgiving and worship. We eat of the animal or eat of unleavened cakes and wafers as today's passage mentions. And eat of the body and blood of Christ in today's Lord's Supper, and thus the parallel. Thus our fellowship with Christ is confirmed. 

Summary: The Lord's Supper is an offering to the Lord of thanksgiving, peace, and fellowship whereby we partake of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance of his goodness and redeeming us. 

Promise: From Tabletalk: We do not fellowship over food with our enemies but typically only with our friends and family. Christ invites all who believe in Him to His table. If we have faith in Him alone for salvation, then the eating and drinking signifies that we are at peace with Him and impresses the reality of this peace and fellowship on our souls.

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for the goodness of Your Word and the parallels between the Old and New Covenants and weaving it all together. May I be a person that continually remembers You and the Goodness of Your Sacrifice for me. Thank you for dying for me and granting me new and forever life in You. Help me to continue to celebrate and remember You as I engage in the Lord's Supper, thanking you for the union I have with You in Christ. Thank you for making the Lord's Supper distinct and special. 

Deuteronomy 4:29 - John Calvin's Offering To The Lord

Deuteronomy 4:29 - But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for him with all your heart and all your soul. 

Message: John Calvin's Offering to the Lord

Time: Moses wrote the Book of Deuteronomy. It is a collection of sermons given during the 40-day period prior to Israel’s entering the Promised Land. He restates the Law to a new generation and provides a discourse on how to live a blessed life in the Promised Land. The year was 1406 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

John Calvin (1509-1564) is one of the more controversial figures of Christian History. He is revered and despised at the same time based upon people's view of theology. Let's face it -- this 500th year celebration of the Protestant Reformation also is a period of history in which there was a separation of religious thought, many moving away from Catholicism which became more established it appears in the 3rd century. Calvin was born in Noyon, France to a father that worked for the cathedral church and therefore, it seems the 4 sons of the 5 children to his mother were expected to enroll in the priesthood. While John started out in this direction, he changed his course of study to law. Then later, sometime around the years 1528-1532 Calvin converted to Christ. He seems to have alternated between universities of Paris and Orleans and his hometown and then later Switzerland to study Hebrew and the works of Augustine. He was thrown out of the Universities in France due to his writings on Protestantism since the leading thought was the Roman Catholic way. After encouragement to stay in Geneva, this is where he remained for the rest of his life. 

He seems to be more of a scholar than administrator. From him we have commentaries on almost the entire and probably the best writing on systematic theology in Institutes of the Christian Religion. 

Calvin's motto -- I offer my heart to thee, O Lord, promptly and sincerely. 

Summary: Today, we benefit from John Calvin's commentaries on nearly the entire Bible and his writings. 

Promise: God is choosing men and women who search after Him with their whole heart. 

Prayer: O God, you are good and gracious. Thank you for John Calvin and his life and his heart for you. Thank you for giving him the wisdom you did regarding scripture and his impact on people still today. 

The Man Who Pioneered Faith - Abraham, The Friend of God, Charles Swindoll Bible Study Guide

The Man Who Pioneered Faith

This Abraham study is about him being a friend of God. And it begins talking of Abram as being a pioneer of faith. His life was one of faith and simplicity. Colossians 2:6 -- Therefore as you have received (by faith) Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him (by faith). “Walk by faith, not by sight” the song goes. What does this look like? I trust Jesus Christ by faith. Faith is to trust or believe in God. This is simple and should be simple in our lives. Our lives begin in Christ with simplicity. 

I saw this text: Psalm 37:1-5: 

Do not fret because of evildoers,

Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

For they will wither quickly like the grass

And fade like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord and do good;

Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Let my life be about faith and living by faith and cultivating a life of faithfulness. 

Prayer: Oh Lord, I got started today on a journey with you and Abraham and his life to better understand you and better understand my life with You. I pray that my life is lived by faith. Help this to transcend me and in turn, help me to encourage others - here at home, online, everywhere. But I want to live by faith. And I want to know what this means each day to live a life by faith. 

The point is made that ‘faith expands understanding.’ God gave Abram promises - 

Now the Lord said to Abram,

“Go forth from your country,

And from your relatives

And from your father’s house,

To the land which I will show you; 

And I will make you a great nation,

And I will bless you,

And make your name great;

And so you shall be a blessing;

And I will bless those who bless you,

And the one who curses you I will curse.

And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” [Genesis 12:1-3]

Abram followed God before the promises seemed attainable. He followed. He loved the promise of land, but he loved more the promise of an heir. He didn’t know how it would occur as Sarai was barren. He thought it might be his servant that would be the heir, but God corrected him and said it would be “one who shall come forth from your own body.”

Prayer: Lord, I do want to follow You first. Not follow then wait for rewards. Let’s face it, you have already given me so much. 

Children follow - with a simplicity. Jesus made mention of this - “unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Abraham (“father of a multitude”) and Sarah (“princess”) seem to have this type of faith - throughout their lives. They would have a son, Isaac (“he laughs”) after God promises to them. 

Q: In whom or in what are you placing your trust? 

• It is supposed to be ‘in God’ but it feels more likely that my trust wallows back and forth between wanting to be in God and more likely in His blessings. I wonder if that is the same thing. At times, it is, but am I only happy and content if I have what I need and want? If I am in want - am i still trusting? 

Q: And what kind of eternal dividend will that investment yield? 

• The eternal dividend of trust in God yields peace with God and life with Him. Heaven should not be a surprise but should echo the life I am living now toward God. 

The faith that Abraham displayed in offering his son as a burnt offering, only to be stopped by the angel of the Lord prior, is a faith that very few have duplicated. One is the appearance of an audible intercession by the Lord that I do not encounter today. The other is sometimes not feeling like I experience these kind of tests. But also Abraham, while following God, anticipated God to intercede - so he seemed to anticipate God interceding. 

Encoutering death is something Abraham did when Sarah died and then he prepared for his own death. 

Q: How would I respond if I was told I had very little time to live? 

• I would want my family to be prepared for my passing. To be ready to go on without me. 

Q: If this was my last day, how would I live it? 

• Saying goodbye to those I have loved and have loved me. 

The Life of Abraham - Genesis 11-25

11 - Terah is his Abram’s father; Abram takes Sarai as wife and they settle in Haran with Terah and Sarai

12:1-3 - Abrahamic Covenant - “a great nation, I will bless you, and all the families shall be blessed.” Abram departs from Haran (w/ Lot - his nephew) at age 75 - possibly in Southern Turkey and now Harran and arrives in Shechem - 14 hours drive south of Harran today; Lord “I will give you this land” and Abram built an altar, then he went to Mountain east of Bethel, then to Negev; then to Egypt.

12:11-20 Encounters Pharaoh and misleads him, saying Sarai (beautiful) is his sister, leading to the Lord striking plagues onto Pharaoh, and his men escorted them away; Pharaoh, tho he does not follow God knows the plagues are from God. 

13:1-14 - They leave Egypt (w/ Lot) to the Negev, b/w Bethel and AI - Lot and Abram each had lots of flocks, herds, tents and so they decide it is best to separate for the land cannot sustain them both - Lot goes east to Sodom (valley of Jordan); Abraham settled in Canaan

13:15-18 - Lord says, “Look, all that you see is for you and your descendants” and he went to Hebron and built an altar

14:1-12 - Lot is removed,  he and his possessions, from Sodom; Abram rescues Lot

14:17-24 king of Salem, Melchizedek, blesses Abram; Abram takes nothing in return

15:1-5 - Abram receives a message from God through a vision; Eliezer, his servant will not be his heir, but one born of him. Your descendants will be counted like the stars. 

15:6-11 - Abram believe in the Lord and He reckoned to him as righteousness

15:12-15 - Your descendants will be strangers, enslaved and oppressed 400 years, but God will judge the nation they serve and they will come out with many possessions; Abram will live a long life.

15:18 - Lord made a covenant with Abram - “i have given this land to your descandants”

16:2 - Sarai tells Abram to go into Hagar (maid) to obtain children, 10 years after living in Canaan

16:5 - strife exists now b/w Sarai and Hagar

16:9-12 - Angel says to Hagar, “Return to Sarai and submit to her and I will greatly multiple your descendants. Your child will be called Ishmael. He will live to the east.”

16:16 - Abram is 86

17:1 - Abram is 99

17:2-8 - The Lord gives covenants to Abram - “I will multiply you exceedingly” and “You shall be the father of a multitude of nations.” Your name is now Abraham which means father of a multitude. “I will make you exceedingly fruitful” and “I will make nations of you” and “kings shall come forth from you” and “everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants” and “I will give you and your descendants the land of Canaan” 

17:9-14 - The Lord says, “You shall keep My covenant”; “You shall be circumcised as a sign of the covenant” and this includes servants

17:15-27 - Sarai is now Sarah (princess) and I will give you a son by her and bless her and Abraham laughed as he wondered how this would happen to Sarah who is 90. Lord said, “his name will be Isaac and I will also establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” Ishmael will be blessed and made fruitful and become the father of 12 princes. BUT, my covenant will be with Isaac. Then Abraham circumcised himself, and all in his household.  

18:1-15 - Three appear before Abraham, thought to be 2 men and the Lord and Abraham prepares food for them. They are looking for Sarah to tell her that a son will be born to her at this time next year. Sarah laughs at this and then denies it for “Is anything too difficult for the Lord” is what is said

18:16-33 - Abraham intercedes for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and with God he sort of bargains for the fate of those in the city stating that if there are 50, then 40, then 30, then 20, even 10 righteous ones in all the city, then all the city will be spared. Before this God said that he is going their to decide the fate of those in the City. 

19:1-29 - 2 angels come to Sodom, and Lot welcomes them into his home, but the men of the City want those men in order to have relations with them. Lot pleads with them to not act in this evil manner, even offering his virgin daughters, but they insist. The angels intercede and strike these wicked men with blindness and then ask Lot to gather him and his family to spare them for the Lord has sent these men to destroy this city because of its wickedness. The angels say to Lot and his family to escape to the mountain, but Lot bargains with them and asks instead to go to the town of Zoar. Fire and brimstone then fell on Sodom and Gomorrah. After being told to not look back, Lot’s wife does indeed look back, and became a pillar of salt. It is said that God remembered Abraham in allowing Lot and his family to live.

19:30-38 - Lot’s daughters think that there are no men left to have children so they get their father drunk and lie with him in order to preserve the family. The first born gives birth to Moab (father of Moabites) and the younger to Ben-ammi (father of the sons of Ammon).

20 - Abraham goes to land of Negev, then to Gerar where he comes up king Abimelech and once again says Sarah is his sister. The Lord spoke to Abimelech and he called Abraham wondering why he would say this to him. Abraham thought there was no fear of God in this place and would kill him. Following this Abimelech gave Abraham sheep, oxen, male and female servants. Previously, having been made barren Abimelech’s wife because of this incident, Abraham intereceds for Abimelech and his wife and maids now bore children. 

21 - 3 things happen in this chapter. First, the birth of Isaac is mentioned and Sarah laughs because she and Abraham have bore children at an old age. Second, she sees Hagar, the mother of the child that was bore with Abraham and she wants Hagar to leave, stating that the offspring blessing is now reserved for Isaac. But the Lord says that while Hagar needs to leave, her offspring will still be blessed. So she leaves. Third, a treat is made between Abimelech and Abraham. Abimelech is the leader of the army and a covenant between him and Abraham is established. There is an episode of his servants seizing water from a well, but Abraham provides an offering for this it would seem to provide a sign that all is well between he and Abimelech. 

22 - This is the story of the offering of Isaac whereby God calls thim to make this offering. He must journey several days to the place of the offering, taking his son, a donkey and servants, and wood. The son wonders what the sacrifice will be and Isaac assures him that an offering will be provided. He leaves the servants once he arrives at the place and just as he is ready to slaughter his own son, God intercedes and perhaps Abraham hears the lesson that was needed hear - that Abraham is willing to forsake all for following the Lord. Immediately, a ram instead is provided for the sacrifice and Abraham builds an altar saying, “God will provide” and remains living in Beersheba. At the end fo the chapter, the offsprings of Abraham’s brothers is mentioned. 

23 - This chapter is about the burial place for Sarah, who has died at the age of 127. Abraham mourns for her, but spends time picking a burial place that is then promised to Abraham as a burial place. It is a cave.

24 - Abraham tells his servant where they are to go to find a wife for Isaac. After a long journey, and wanting to make a right decision, Abraham’s servant says that upon a woman coming who says to him, “Let down your jar that I may drink” will be the one. Immediately, Rachel appears and provides her jug for the servant to drink from. Rebekah had a brother Laban who provides a place to rest for Abraham’s servant. Rachel is a daughter of one of Abraham’s brothers - Nahor. Nahor hesitates in letting Rebekah go back with the servant, asking for her to stay 10 days, but then asks Rebekah and she says it is fine, so Rebekah then leaves and arrives at home and upon seeing Isaac in the field they are immediately wed. 

25 - After Sarah’s passing, Abraham takes another wife, Keturah and has more children. Abraham lived to the age of 175. Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave that I believe Sarah was also. 

Can I identify some of the struggles that Abraham faced? What is going on in my life right now and what struggles am I facing? 

Abraham: The life and times of Abraham is from age 75 to 175. Much of that is written about Abraham isn’t necessarily what he experiences but what others experience around him (Lot, Sarah, his servant) and besides this God bestows on Abram great gifts and providence. I suppose Abraham is challenged to listen to God and do what he says in offering his son Isaac. He also can’t believe that he can enter a town without lying. So he struggles with lying at times. He also sees his friends struggling and intercedes for them (christians living in Sodom and Gomorrah). He also has a wife that tells him to do a sin and he goes along with it.  

Me: So far my Christian life has been from 14 to 52. In that time one of the big things I’ve struggled with is anger. And I’ve also noticed I struggle with feeling a need to please others. And also feeling like I am never doing enough. In my walk with God, I often struggle wondering what more I can do. I feel that like God has provided me with alot and I’m not sure I’m taking care of others the way I need to do; so like Abraham what am I doing with the gifts He provides. The Lord will provide and does provide. I know I do good things and people tell me so, but still I wonder.  

Mark 1:40-45 - The Disobedient Leper

Mark 1:40-45
40 And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. 43 And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44 and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere.

Message: The Disobedient Leper

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

At first glance, when I look at this passage, I see that on the heels of Mark mentioning that Jesus' purpose in ministry is to preach the gospel, the next scene Mark gives us is of a man being healed. The man comes to Jesus basically begging to be healed, believing that Jesus can heal. He doesn't give Jesus his sob story, but simply states that If you are willing (or I believe you have the power), you can make me clean. Jesus obliges I am willing; be cleansed, and the man is healed. And then in response Jesus gives him a command. Now, isn't this similar to what Jesus asks of each of us. Each person comes to Jesus and believes in him and then Jesus blesses them. Jesus doesn't ask each person to do something first and then he blessed, but Jesus simply blesses. But, afterwards he does ask something of this man and asks something of us, his followers.

He tells him to: (1) say nothing to anyone, (2) go to the priest, (3) make an offering. But instead the man goes and spreads the news. And Jesus has to retreat to smaller villages to continue his mission. Jesus loves people. He has a compassion to heal them, but he also has a mission and he understands that many will not approve of him.

Old Testament Law had very specific rules about lepers. Lepers had to take precautions to prevent the spread of their disease. They had live outside the camp, away from God's special presence. The leper could only re-enter the camp once healed - but this re-entry was preceded by the priest conducting a close investigation of the leprous man or woman and offer sacrifices to restore the person to ritual purity. In Old Testament law, purity was obtained through sacrifices. It is interesting that this is the command that Jesus gives. The priests could not heal, but their intent was to confirm the healing and restore them to purity. So while Jesus healed this man, he intended the man to go the priest ready to be restored, not mentioning how he had been cleaned, but to take the proper procedures to re-enter the city. He wanted the man to follow the correct procedures and keep his healing a secret, in a way.

Thus, Mark does communicate here that Jesus does continue to have a mission, but he also brings to the attention that people are enthralled and amazed and see the potential of saving their ailments at the hands of the healing master Jesus. But, Jesus is still about his purpose and thus, everything he continues to do is to preserve that purpose.

Promise: Jesus hates what sin has done to his creation, and He is full of compassion for those who suffer the effects of the fall. Despite knowing what this man will do, the Lord heals him anyway, which is a remarkable display of His patience, compassion, and grace to undeserving sinners.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being about compassion. Thank you for loving your people. And thank you for having a purpose. Lord, there will be different times that I am sidetracked throughout my day, but keep me focused on You and Your purposes and Your plans in my life. I am on mission to proclaim You, but I also have responsibilities in life. Keep me focused. Thank you for your example and showing me the way.

Psalm 119:105-112 - A Lamp to Our Feet

Psalm 119:105-112

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.
¹⁰⁷ I am exceedingly afflicted;

Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
¹⁰⁸ O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your ordinances.
¹⁰⁹ My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.
¹¹¹ I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

Message: A lamp to our feet

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I am reminded always of Amy Grant's song, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. Nothing will I fear, as long as you are near. You are right beside me." Its a fitting verse for this passage, reminding me that the intent of God's word is to give me a personal lamp and then to light my path. As I walk, I can continue to trust Him (v. 105).

As I walk on the path I will keep Your righteous ordinances (v. 106). This is important. This is my pledge to God that he lights and I walk according to his ways. Keep training and those near me to walk in this manner.

The Psalmist writes in v. 107 that he is greatly afflicted. This could be pain and suffering and it could be something affecting his health. Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. I am revived according to God's word. It keeps me in check. The Word of God encourages me and and revives me, pulling me up from the state of affliction. 

Verse 108 says O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth. Every week, they take up an offering at church. It is an opportunity to take that which is mine and offer it to the Lord for his service. In the way, my mouth can do this as I offer glory, praise, adoration, thanksgiving to God. And once again, the verse says And teach me Your ordinances. Verse 106 says I will keep your ordinance and now it says to teach me. The ordinances of God are always to be on my mind. 

My life is continually in my hand as it reads in verse 109 which means my life is constantly in danger. The Psalmist writes that the reality is his life is in danger. I tend to just coast along and don't see life as being in danger, and yet it is. I am can be at any moment be swept away. Yet I do not forget Your law, so God's word is always on my mind. 

And in verse 110, the wicked have laid a snare for me, The world is laying a snare for me, trying to get me off course, trying to trap me, trying to bring me down. Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts. This is a message that just keeps getting repeated. His precepts are near and I'm committed to staying close to them. He continues in verse 111 with I have inherited Your testimonies forever, God's testimonies of things that he has done remind me continually. For they are the joy of my heart. God's testimonies is what keeps me going. 

This isn't a momentary thing, but an everlasting part of my life. In verse 112 - I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end. I will not give up.


Promise: Grant us grace to do what You command God, even when it is difficult.

Genesis 4:1-5 - Worship from the Heart

Genesis 4:1-5

4 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.” ² Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. ³ So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. ⁴ Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; ⁵ but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

Message: Worship from the heart

Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying:

Adam and Eve have a child: Cain. Cain brings an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground, perhaps grain or produce. Abel brought an offering from an animal. The Lord accepted Abel's offering. But, he did not accept Cain's. Cain became angry. The offering itself, whether an animal or fruit from the ground, doesn't appear to be the issue. Cain didn't accept God's correction. He welled up with pride and maybe was steeped in competition, but either way, the problem could have been what was brought, but it also seems to be the fact that Abel brought the firstlings of his flock. He brought the top layer or the best of what he had. Perhaps, God wanted an animal. Did Abel get it right? Not sure. It's not known if Abel was coerced or told. It's not known if Cain was told. Maybe their was pride and maybe Cain was strong-willed and said, "I know what the Lord God wants." Either way, God was not rejecting Cain, but what he offered. 

According to Tabletalk for this day, there are four subjects in the Bible that receive the most sustained attention. They are: 1) The Character of God; 2) The Work of the Messiah; 3) The Plight of Humanity in Sin; 4) The Kind of Worship our Lord Desires (God, Messiah, Sin, Worship). We need to know who God is, who the Messiah is, our condition and our response. In this study of the Wisdom Literature, worship has been taken a primary focus.

In worship, as I am reading from Ligonier's Tabletalk, form is important but even more so it is that worship comes from a life that is wholeheartedly devoted to God. For example, the words of Matthew 15:8-9 state, "‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” In Abel's offering, he brought the firstlings.

Promise: I must work as hard as we can to make sure that our hearts and minds are in our praise.