October 17, 2014

From Gary... Cheese!!!


Just a family of Meerkats; nothing special, but wait....  This picture in fact says quite a bit. There is the loner (far left), the parents (with the clinger of the family) The two oldest (to the right of the parents), the group (to the right of the oldest) and lastly, the guy with the ATTITUDE (check out that snarl!!!).  Truth: A picture is worth a thousand words!!!!  This is an old saying, but, it couldn't be more true!!! The apostle Peter gives us insight to aid in our unity as the "family of God", and he does it with a single verse.
1 Peter 4:8 NASB
(8)  Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Face it, there are going to be problems with complex nature of inter-personal relationships within the body of Christ, but there is hope, because 1 Peter 4:8 is still in the Bible.  Sunday will be another opportunity to worship God- and when you go to church, think of this picture and say "Cheese" !!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading October 17


Bible Reading   
October 17

The World English Bible


Oct. 17
Proverbs 24-26

Pro 24:1 Don't be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
Pro 24:2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
Pro 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
Pro 24:4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
Pro 24:5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
Pro 24:6 for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
Pro 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.
Pro 24:8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
Pro 24:9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
Pro 24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
Pro 24:11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
Pro 24:12 If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
Pro 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
Pro 24:14 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.
Pro 24:15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting place:
Pro 24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
Pro 24:17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
Pro 24:18 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Pro 24:19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
Pro 24:20 for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
Pro 24:21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:
Pro 24:22 for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both--who knows?
Pro 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
Pro 24:24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--
Pro 24:25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
Pro 24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
Pro 24:27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
Pro 24:28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.
Pro 24:29 Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
Pro 24:30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Pro 24:31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
Pro 24:32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
Pro 24:33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
Pro 24:34 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.
Pro 25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Pro 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Pro 25:3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Pro 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
Pro 25:5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Pro 25:6 Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
Pro 25:7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
Pro 25:8 Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
Pro 25:9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don't betray the confidence of another;
Pro 25:10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
Pro 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Pro 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
Pro 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Pro 25:14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
Pro 25:15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Pro 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Pro 25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Pro 25:18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Pro 25:19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
Pro 25:20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Pro 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
Pro 25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
Pro 25:23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
Pro 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Pro 25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Pro 25:26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Pro 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
Pro 25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Pro 26:1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Pro 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
Pro 26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
Pro 26:4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Pro 26:6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Pro 26:7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Pro 26:8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
Pro 26:9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Pro 26:10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
Pro 26:11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Pro 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Pro 26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
Pro 26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
Pro 26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
Pro 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
Pro 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Pro 26:18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
Pro 26:19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
Pro 26:20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
Pro 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Pro 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
Pro 26:23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
Pro 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
Pro 26:25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Pro 26:26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Pro 26:27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
Pro 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

 
Oct. 17
Philippians 2

Php 2:1 If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
Php 2:2 make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
Php 2:3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
Php 2:4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Php 2:5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
Php 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
Php 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php 2:12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputes,
Php 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
Php 2:16 holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.
Php 2:17 Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.
Php 2:18 In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.
Php 2:19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.
Php 2:20 For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.
Php 2:21 For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.
Php 2:22 But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.
Php 2:23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me.
Php 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.
Php 2:25 But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;
Php 2:26 since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.
Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
Php 2:28 I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Php 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor,
Php 2:30 because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

From Mark Copeland... Exhortations To The Beloved (Jude 17-23)

                         "THE EPISTLE OF JUDE"

                  Exhortations To The Beloved (17-23)

INTRODUCTION

1. Up to this point, Jude has established the "need" for his readers to
   contend earnestly for the faith...
   a. With reminders of God's righteous condemnation of the ungodly
      - Jude 5-7
   b. With a vivid depiction of the ungodly men who have crept in
      unnoticed - Jude 9-16,19

2. Now Jude provides a series of exhortations designed to make sure
   that they stand strong in the faith "once for all delivered to the
   saints" - Jude 17-23

3. Twice in these verses, Jude addresses his readers as "beloved"
   - Jude 17,20
   a. As an appellation, the term "beloved" is used frequently in the
      Scriptures
      1) By Paul in Ro 12:19
      2) By the author of Hebrews - He 6:9
      3) By Peter in 1Pe 2:11
      4) By John - 1Jn 4:1,7,11
      5) And by Jude at the beginning of his epistle in Jude 3
   b. It describes those addressed as being very dear to the heart of
      the one using it

4. It is with such love in his heart that we find Jude giving the
   exhortations necessary to keep from being misled by the ungodly

[As we consider these "Exhortations To The Beloved", let us bear in
mind that as God's children we too are "beloved" (beloved of God - Ro
1:7) and that these exhortations are therefore directed to us as well.

The first exhortation, designed to keep us from stumbling, is to...]

I. REMEMBER THE WORDS SPOKEN BEFORE (17-18)

   A. REMEMBER WHO SPOKE THEM...
      1. They were the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ
      2. That is, those duly appointed and sent out by Jesus Himself
      3. To heed them is to heed the Lord Himself - cf. Jn 13:20

   B. REMEMBER WHAT THEY SAID...
      1. That there would be mockers in the last time - cf. 2Pe 3:1-3
      2. That they would walk according to their own ungodly lusts
         - cf. 2Ti 3:1-5; 4:3-4

[For us today, we must remember what they wrote.  This implies diligent
study of the Word of God on our part.  The need for such study is also
implied in the next exhortation...]

II. BUILD YOURSELVES UP IN THE MOST HOLY FAITH (20)

   A. TO "BUILD UP" SUGGESTS GROWTH...
      1. It is not enough to just lay down one level of knowledge and
         understanding
      2. We must continue to build upon it, as Peter expressed it:
         "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"
         - 2Pe 3:18
      3. We therefore need to take advantage of opportunities to study
         and learn

   B. TO BUILD UP "YOURSELVES" SUGGESTS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY...
      1. While God, family, and brethren will be there to encourage you
      2. You must accept personal responsibility and make the effort

   C. "THE MOST HOLY FAITH" IS THAT "FAITH ONCE DELIVERED..."
      1. It is that body of doctrine in which our personal faith is to
         rest
      2. It is that body of doctrine which has been revealed "one time
         for all times"
      3. Which of course pertains to what our Lord Jesus Christ has
         done and will do for us!

[These first two exhortations stress the importance of our "continuing
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" (Ac 2:42), that is, to study
diligently and apply the Word of God to our lives.

But Bible study alone will not suffice; there is also the need to...]

III. PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (20)

   A. PRAYER IS THE NECESSARY COMPLEMENT TO THE WORD OF GOD...
      1. By the Word of God, God speaks to us; by prayer, we speak to
         God
      2. The Word of God is a source of strength and comfort to us; but
         then, so also is prayer - cf. Php 4:6-7
      3. Think of prayer and the Word of God as the "two legs" upon
         which our spiritual well-being stands; both are need to be
         well-balanced in our spiritual growth

   B. WHAT IS MEANT BY PRAYING "IN THE SPIRIT"?
      1. Jude does not elaborate, nor does Paul, who uses the
         expression in Ep 6:18
      2. But Paul does use the expression "walk in the Spirit" (Ga 5:
         25), which suggests walking or living according to the
         Spirit's direction as found in the Word of God
      3. Perhaps "praying in the Spirit" simply emphasizes that our
         prayers be in harmony with what the Spirit teaches in the Word
         of God, which is akin to what John wrote in 1Jn 5:14

[Diligent Bible study and prayer are certainly essential to keep from
falling.  But as we continue to consider Jude's "Exhortations To The
Beloved", we learn there is more we need to do...]

IV. KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD (21)

   A. AGAIN, WE SEE THE NEED FOR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY...
      1. We are called upon to "keep yourselves..."
      2. The word for "keep" is the same word translated "preserved" in
         Jude 1
      3. So while we are indeed "preserved in Jesus Christ", our
         remaining preserved in Christ is affected by our willing
         cooperation with God
      4. As Peter wrote, we are "kept by the power of God through
         faith" - 1Pe 1:5
         a. The power of God is the divine contribution to keeping us
            safe
         b. Remaining faithful is the human contribution to being kept
            safe

   B. KEEPING OURSELVES IN GOD'S LOVE...
      1. Jesus taught that keeping the commandments is the key to
         abiding in God's love
         a. It is how we will be loved by our Father - Jn 14:21,23
         b. It is how we will loved by the Son - Jn 15:9-10
      2. This is not legalism, but a simple recognition of the
         importance of doing what God (and Christ) commands...
         a. Observing the commandments of Christ are an essential
            element of recognizing the Lord's authority and keeping the
            Great Commission - Mt 28:18-20
         b. Keeping the commandments of God is what really matters, as
            far as Paul is concerned - 1Co 7:19
      3. It is also the ultimate proof that we love God and His
         children - cf. 1Jn 5:2-3

[So to Bible study and prayer we must add the actual application of
God's Word to our lives if we wish to keep from falling.

But to avoid turning our efforts to keep the commandments of God into
legalism or thinking that we somehow earn our salvation, we need to
heed the next exhortation...]

V. LOOK FOR THE MERCY OF OUR LORD (21)

   A. WE MUST ALWAYS BE LOOKING FORWARD...
      1. Looking forward to "the blessed hope and glorious appearing of
         our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" - cf. Tit 2:11-13
      2. Looking forward to "the coming of the day of God" - 2Pe 3:
         10-12
      3. Looking for that "new heavens and a new earth in which
         righteousness dwells" - 2Pe 3:13-14

   B. ESPECIALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO ETERNAL LIFE AND MERCY...
      1. Eternal life is not something we earn, but is graciously given
         in Christ Jesus - Ro 6:23
      2. We are saved, not by works of righteousness, but according to
         mercy, that we might become heirs according to the hope of
         eternal- Tit 3:4-7
      3. Thus, the prayer that Paul had for Onesiphorus should be the
         prayer that we all have for ourselves:

         "The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord
         in that Day" - 2Ti 1:18

[The final exhortation speaks not so much to what we can do to keep
ourselves from falling, but what we should do to save others in
danger...]

VI. BE COMPASSIONATE, WITH FEAR (22-23)

   A. THE NEED FOR COMPASSION...
      1. First, to save ourselves, for mercy will only be shown to the
         merciful - Jm 2:13
      2. But also to save those who are in danger
         a. Compassion is needed to move us to action - cf. Mt 9:36-38;
            10:1
         a. Compassion is needed to properly handle those in danger
            - Ga 6:1; 2Ti 2:24-25

   B. THE NEED FOR FEAR...
      1. Lest we be caught up in the same error of the wicked - cf.
         Ga 6:1
      2. That we might be motivated to persuade those in danger of
         being lost - cf. 2Co 5:10-11

CONCLUSION

1. Here, then, are Jude's final "Exhortations To The Beloved"...
   a. Remember the words spoken before (17-18)
   b. Build yourselves up in the most holy faith (20)
   c. Pray in the spirit (20)
   d. Keep yourselves in the love of God (21)
   e. Look for the mercy of our Lord (21)
   f. Be compassionate, with fear (22-23)

2. These exhortations might easily be called:
   a. "How To Keep From Falling"
   b. "How To Contend Earnestly For The Faith"
   -- For that is what Jude is seeking to do in writing these words of
      exhortation

3. Do we not see the need for heeding these same exhortations
   ourselves?
   a. Do we not face the same danger today?
   b. Do we not desire the same blessings promised to the original
      recipients of this letter?

4. May these words of Jude to his beloved serve as a guide for us
   today...
   a. Imagine the blessedness of a congregation in which every member
      is heeding these exhortations!
   b. Imagine the blessedness of seeing everyone in this congregation
      receiving the mercy of the Lord on that Day!

Beloved, are you keeping yourselves in the love of God today by keeping
His commandments...?

From Mark Copeland... Jude's Closing Doxology (24-25)

                         "THE EPISTLE OF JUDE"

                    Jude's Closing Doxology (24-25)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the course of his short epistle, Jude has had to write some
   necessary, and to some degree, unpleasant things...
   a. A plea to contend earnestly for the faith - Jude 3
   b. A warning about ungodly men who have crept in unnoticed - Jude 4
   c. A reminder of God's righteous condemnation in times past - Jude 5-7
   d. A description of the depravity of the ungodly dreamers - Jude 8-16
   e. Counsel on how to keep from stumbling - Jude 17-23
   -- One might think that such unpleasant tasks would leave him in a
      depressed state of mind

2. Yet we find that Jude is moved to end his epistle with a
   "doxology"...
   a. The word means "an expression of praise to God"
   b. Doxologies are common in Scripture
      1) Usually at the end of an epistle - cf. Ro 16:25-27
      2) Sometimes in the middle of one - cf. Ep 3:20-21
   c. The format of a doxology is usually in two parts:
      1) An address to the one being praised, including reasons for the
         praise being offered
      2) The expression of praise itself

3. In "Jude's Closing Doxology", we find this epistle closing...
   a. On a very high note, not in doubt and fear
   b. With a beautiful expression of faith and hope

4. That we might be sure to live with a strong assurance of faith and
   hope, let's take a few moments to carefully examine this "expression
   of praise" preserved for us in this epistle

[Jude begins his doxology by describing...]

I. THE PERSON TO WHOM PRAISE IS ASCRIBED (24-25a)

   A. "TO HIM WHO IS ABLE..."
      1. "to keep you from stumbling"
         a. That God is in view is evident from verse 25
         b. But the emphasis appears to be on His ability to keep us
            from "stumbling"
            1) "stumbling" does not refer to the occasional sin
            2) But to stumble so as to fall away completely - cf. 2 Pe 1:10
         c. This is reassuring in an epistle filled with warning about
            ungodly men who would seek to lead one astray
         d. God's ability to keep us from stumbling was implied at the
            very beginning of this epistle - cf. Jude 1 ("preserved in
            Jesus Christ" )
         e. But as we have suggested in previous lessons, our faith
            must cooperate with God's power if we are to keep from
            "stumbling" - cf. 1Pe 1:5; 2Pe 1:5-11
         f. Indeed, we must heed the exhortations given by Jude
            himself:
            1) "Remember the words spoken before..." - Jude 17
            2) "building yourselves up on your most holy faith" - Jude 20
            3) "praying in the Holy Spirit" - Jude 20
            4) "keep yourselves in the love of God - Jude 21
            5) "looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto
               eternal life" - Jude 21
         g. If we continue in faith, heeding such exhortations, we know
            that God is able to keep us from falling!
         h. God's ability is stressed by Paul in his "doxology" - cf.
            Ep 3:20-21
      2. "to present you faultless before the presence of His glory
         with exceeding joy"
         a. Here, the focus is on God's ability to produce the ultimate
            goal of redemption
         b. That goal is expressed here as presenting us before God...
            1) "faultless"
               a) As Paul expressed it in Ep 5:27...
                  1] "not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing"
                  2] "holy and without blemish"
               b) This is necessary if we are to be permitted in the
                  presence of God's glory
            2) "with exceeding joy"
               a) Without a doubt this will be the condition of those
                  so blessed!
               b) But let's not discount the joy God will experience
                  when He sees His redeemed ones at last!
         c. Through His divine providence, God will bring His scheme of
            redemption to pass - cf. Ro 8:28-30

   B. "TO GOD..."
      1. "our Savior"
         a. At this point Jude is about to ascribe praise to God
         b. So this phrase may be a summary description of what was
            stated in verse 24
         c. I.e., that the God who is able to keep us from stumbling
            and present us faultless is truly our Savior!
      2. "who alone is wise"
         a. His wisdom is seen in His ability to keep us from stumbling
            and present us faultless
         b. Again, a summary description of God in view of verse 24

[Having described God, Jude proceeds to offer his praise.  A feature
noted in Jude's epistle is his love of triplets...

      - His description of his readers - Jude 1
      - His prayer for them - Jude 2
      - His three examples of God's righteous condemnation - Jude 5-7
      - His preliminary description of the ungodly dreamers - Jude 8
      - His three examples of Old Testament apostates - Jude 11
      - His summary description of the ungodly dreamers - Jude 19
      - His threefold exhortation to his beloved - Jude 20-21

Now in His doxology, we find one more triplet, actually a triplet of
doublets, being used in..]

II. THE PRAISE ASCRIBED TO GOD (25b)

   A. "GLORY AND MAJESTY"
      1. "glory" comes from "doxa" {dox'-ah}, and is used to suggest
         dignity and honor
      2. "majesty" comes from "megalosune" {meg-al-o-soo'-nay}, meaning
         "greatness"
      3. These terms are closely related in concept, suggesting that
         which is worthy of awe, praise, and worship
      -- Thus Jude seeks to have all glory and majesty given to God

   B. "DOMINION AND POWER"
      1. "dominion" is from "kratos" {krat'-os}, and means "might,
         power, strength"
      2. "power" is from "exousia" {ex-oo-see'-ah}, and refers to
         "authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength"
      3. Also closely related in concept, the use of these words
         demonstrate that Jude recognizes that it is God who rightly
         deserves and exercises authority over all
      -- Not only does he recognize it, it is his fervent prayer that
         it continue (as we read on...)

   C. "BOTH NOW AND FOREVER"
      1. Jude's fervent prayer is that dominion and power, glory and
         majesty remain God's
      2. Not just for the present, but for eternity!

CONCLUSION

1. With a single word ("amen", i.e., "so be it"), Jude ends his
   doxology and the epistle itself

2. And so it WILL be...
   a. Despite the efforts of any to turn the grace of our God into
      licentiousness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus
      Christ
   b. God will bring into judgment all who are ungodly
   c. God will preserve in Jesus Christ all who remain faithful to Him
      1) God will keep them from stumbling
      2) God will present them faultless before His presence with
         exceeding joy

3. And to Him WILL be...
   a. Glory and majesty
   b. Dominion and power
   ...both now and forever!

But brethren, for us to enjoy the blessedness promised the faithful, we
must heed Jude's call...

   - To remember the words spoken before
   - To build ourselves up on our most holy faith
   - To pray in the Holy Spirit
   - To keep ourselves in the love of God
   - To look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus unto eternal life
   - To extend compassionate effort to those in danger

...for only then will it be true that we heeded the exhortation "to
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the
saints"!

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From Mark Copeland... Ruth's Noble Choice: "I Will Go" (1:1-22)


                           "THE BOOK OF RUTH"

               Ruth's Noble Choice:  "I Will Go" (1:1-22)

INTRODUCTION

1. The book of Ruth is a beautiful "interlude of love," set in...
   a. The period when judges ruled Israel - Ru 1:1
   b. An era marked by immorality, idolatry, and war - cf. Judg 21:25

2. It tells a heartwarming story of devotion and faithfulness...
   a. Concerning a Moabite widow (Ruth) who leaves her homeland
   b. To live with her Jewish mother-in-law (Naomi)  in the land of
      Israel

3. God honors Ruth's commitment...
   a. By guiding her to the field of Boaz (a near kinsman to Naomi)
   b. Where she gathers grain and finds a place in the genealogy of
      Christ!

4. It has been said the book serves two purposes...
   a. To illustrate how Jehovah rewards those who make wise spiritual
      choices and show steadfast filial loyalty
   b. To explain how Ruth, a Moabitess, came to be an ancestor of David,
      and ultimately, the Messiah - cf. Ru 4:21-22; Mt 1:5-6

[While the book's brevity and beauty makes it easy to read in one
sitting, we will let it serve as the basis for four sermons, one for
each chapter.  In chapter one, we learn of "Ruth's Noble Choice"...]

I. A FATEFUL SOJOURN IN MOAB

   A. FAMINE PROMPTS THE JOURNEY...
      1. The setting - Ru 1:1
         a. In the days of the judges (prior to the period of the kings
            of Israel)
         b. There is famine in the land of Judah
         c. A family of four leave Bethlehem to dwell in Moab
            1) Bethlehem, city located 5 mi. S of Jerusalem; birthplace
               of David and Jesus
            2) Moab, country located due E of the Dead Sea
               a) Descendants of Lot - Gen 19:36-37
               b) Sometimes enemies, friends, of Israel - Judg 3:12-30;
                  1Sa 22:3-4
      2. The family - Ru 1:2
         a. Elimelech the father, Naomi the mother
         b. Their two sons:  Mahlon and Chilion
         c. Ephrathites - Bethlehem was also known as Ephrath - Gen 35:19; Mic 5:2
      3. The move
         a. Prompted by the famine
         b. Perhaps indicating a lack of faith in God, who made
            provision for when His children became impoverished - cf.
            Lev 25:35

   B. DEATH STRIKES THREE TIMES...
      1. Elimelech dies - Ru 1:3
         a. Leaving Naomi a widow with two sons
         b. Rabbinic tradition suggests his death was punishment for
            greed or having forsaken his homeland (Expositor's Bible
            Commentary)
      2. Mahlon and Chilion marry women of Moab - Ru 1:4
         a. Mahlon married Ruth, Chilion married Orpah - cf. Ru 4:10
         b. Such marriages with women of Moab were strongly suspect,
            if not wrong - cf. Deut 23:3; 1Ki 11:1-2; Neh 13:23-27
         c. They live in Moab about ten years
      3. Mahlon and Chilion die - Ru 1:5
         a. Rabbinic tradition suggests it was because of leaving Judah,
            and their marriages
         b. Leaving Naomi a widow and childless, which she took as
            divine judgment against her - Ru 1:13,20-21

[Elimelech and his sons went to Moab to find bread, instead they found
graves (Baxter).  Bereaved of her husband and two sons, Naomi gives
thought to return to her homeland...]

II. A FAITHFUL RETURN TO JUDAH

   A. NAOMI CHOOSES TO RETURN HOME...
      1. The famine in Judah had ended - Ru 1:6
         a. The Lord's blessings had return to Judah
         b. The Lord had given them bread
      2. Naomi encourages her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab - Ru 1:7-9
         a. As they were on their way to leave
         b. Naomi encourages them to return to their mothers' house
         c. Naomi prays God's blessings upon them
            1) To treat them kindly, because their kindness to her
            2) To find rest in the homes of future husbands
         d. Prompting sorrowful displays a great affection

   B. RUTH CHOOSES TO RETURN WITH HER...
      1. At first, both daughters-in-law desire to go with Naomi - Ru 1:10
         a. Willing to return with her to her people
         b. Which speaks highly of their love for Naomi and duty as
            daughters-in-law
      2. Naomi seeks to dissuade them - Ru 1:11-13
         a. She has no sons to offer them
         b. She is too old to have a husband
         c. If she did marry and have sons, would they wait until they
            were old enough?
         d. It grieves her to see them suffer because of God's
            chastisement of her
      3. Ruth cannot be dissuaded - Ru 1:14-18
         a. Weeping, Orpah kisses her mother-in-law and leaves
         b. Ruth clings to her mother-in-law, and Naomi tries once again
            to persuade her to return
         c. Ruth's noble choice
            1) To go wherever Naomi goes
            2) To live wherever Naomi lives
            3) To make the people of Naomi her people
            4) To make the God of Naomi her God
            5) To die and be buried where Naomi is buried
            6) To let nothing but death come between them
            -- In making such a choice, Ruth has become a proselyte to
               Judaism
         d. Naomi realizes Ruth is determined to go with her

   C. NAOMI AND RUTH ARRIVE IN BETHLEHEM...
      1. Their arrival sparks excitement in the city - Ru 1:19
      2. Naomi believes she should be called Mara - Ru 1:20-21
         a. No longer Naomi ("Pleasant"), but Mara ("Bitter")
         b. For she feels the Lord has dealt bitterly with her
            1) She left Judah full, and has returned empty
            2) She believes the Lord has testified against her, and has
               afflicted her
         c. This may be true - cf. Deut 28:15-19
            1) Yet not all suffering is indicative of divine
               chastisement (cf. Job)
            2) She may have been the innocent victim of others' sins
      3. Naomi and Ruth settle in Bethlehem - Ru 1:22
         a. Naomi, a woman without husband and sons
         b. Ruth, the Moabitess living in a strange land

CONCLUSION

1. Their arrival was at the beginning of the barley harvest...
   a. Which sets the stage for the events in the next chapter
   b. Which portends a new beginning in the lives of Naomi and Ruth

2. This story certainly illustrates the importance of making choices...
   a. Choices come with consequences, sometimes good, sometimes bad
   b. Elimelech and his sons made choices...
      1) Which may have appeared to be a good business decision
      2) But ultimately left a wife and mother a widow and motherless in
         a strange land
   c. Ruth made a choice
      1) To leave family and false religion, for the true God and His
         family
      2) One that would have provide both temporal and eternal blessings
         - cf. Mk 10:29-30

Sometimes the choice is not between right and wrong, but between good
and better.  Yet any choice we make will be the right one if made with
these words of Jesus in mind:

   "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
   these things shall be added to you." - Mt 6:33

"Ruth's Noble Choice" to follow Naomi and her God illustrates the truth
of Jesus' words!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... Ruth's Lowly Service: "Let Me Glean" (2:1-23)

                           "THE BOOK OF RUTH"

             Ruth's Lowly Service:  "Let Me Glean" (2:1-23)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous study, we saw how Ruth came to be the daughter-in-law
   to Naomi...
   a. The journey to Moab of Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons
   b. The death of Elimelech, and marriages of the sons to Naomi and
      Orpah
   c. The deaths of the sons, and Naomi's return to Judah accompanied by
      Ruth

2. We noticed the "noble choice" that was made by Ruth...
   a. To leave her home and religion of Moab
   b. To adopt Naomi's home and God as her own - cf. Ru 1:16-17

3. Noteworthy throughout this story is the filial devotion Ruth has
   toward her mother-in-law...
   a. We saw it in her "noble choice"
   b. We will see it again in her "lowly service"

[The chapter begins where the previous one ended:  at the time of the
barley harvest.  In such a setting we read how...]

I. RUTH GLEANS IN THE FIELDS OF BOAZ

   A. RUTH  REQUESTS TO GLEAN IN THE FIELDS...
      1. We are introduced to Boaz - Ru 2:1
         a. A relative of Naomi's husband, Elimelech
         b. A man of great wealth
      2. Ruth gains permission from Naomi to let her glean - Ru 2:2
         a. Hoping to find favor (kindness) from a landowner
            1) The Law forbid owners from reaping the corners and
               gathering the gleanings of the harvest - cf. Lev 19:9-10
            2) In this way God provided for strangers, the fatherless,
               and widows - Deut 24:19-22
         b. Perhaps not all land owners respected this law
            1) Especially toward "strangers"
            2) We are reminded eight times in this book that Ruth was a
               "Moabitess"
      3. Ruth "happened" to come upon the field belonging to Boaz - Ru 2:3
         a. Gleaning after the reapers, as the Law allowed
         b. She "happened" to come to the field belonging to Boaz
            1) The word suggests it was by "chance", which may how it
               first appeared
            2) The overall context of the book reveals it was by
               "providence"

   B. BOAZ INQUIRES ABOUT THE WOMAN IN THE FIELDS...
      1. We see the respect between Boaz and his workers - Ru 2:4
         a. He entreats the Lord's presence upon them
         b. They bid the Lord's blessing upon him
      2. Boaz asks his foreman about the strange woman - Ru 2:5-7
         a. Who relates her Moabite background, and her relation to
            Naomi
         b. Who recounts her request to glean, and her diligent labor

[With Boaz now aware of Ruth's identity, we next learn how...]

II. BOAZ EXTENDS KINDNESS TO RUTH

   A. HIS INITIAL KINDNESS...
      1. Boaz encourages her to glean in his field alone - Ru 2:8-9
         a. To stay by his young women
         b. To know that his young men have been commanded not to touch
            her
         c. To drink when thirsty the water drawn by the young men
      2. Ruth inquires why he is so kind to her, a foreigner - Ru 2:10-12
         a. Boaz has heard of her devotion to Naomi, and her "noble
            choice"
         b. Boaz prays the Lord will bless her in return for seeking His
            refuge
      3. Ruth is comforted by his kindness - Ru 2:13
         a. She hopes to continue to find favor in his sight
         b. For his kindness toward one who is not one of his
            maidservants

   B. HIS EXTENDED KINDNESS...
      1. Shown to her at the noon mealtime - Ru 2:14
         a. Inviting her to eat with the rest of the workers
         b. Passing roasted grain over for her to eat
      2. Shown by the instructions given to his young men - Ru 2:15-16
         a. To let her glean even among the sheaves without reproach
         b. To purposely let stalks fall from the bundles for her to
            glean
      3. Allowing her to reap an ephah (about 30-50 pounds) of barley
         - Ru 2:17
         a. A rather large amount for someone to glean from scraps!
         b. But then she had a lot of help from the "clumsy" workers!

[At the end of the day, Ruth returns back to the city where...]

III. NAOMI RESPONDS WITH GREAT JOY

   A. RUTH SHARES HER PRODUCE WITH NAOMI...
      1. Ruth shows her mother-in-law what she gleaned - Ru 2:18
      2. Ruth gives Naomi her excess grain - Ru 2:18

   B. NAOMI REJOICES OVER GOD'S KINDNESS...
      1. In response to Naomi's questions, Ruth tells her about Boaz
         - Ru 2:19
      2. Naomi blesses the Lord - Ru 2:20
         a. For His kindness to the living and the dead
         b. For Boaz is a close relative (who would have a duty to
            preserve the name of a dead relative)
         c. Note the contrast to her earlier feelings - cf. Ru 1:13,20,
            21

   C. NAOMI COUNSELS RUTH TO CONTINUE...
      1. Ruth tells of Boaz' instructions to continue gleaning among his
         workers - Ru 2:21
      2. Naomi encourages her to stay with the women laborers in Boaz'
         field - Ru 2:22
      3. Which Ruth does until the end of the harvest, while living with
         Naomi - Ru 2:23

CONCLUSION

1. In this chapter we have seen two noteworthy examples of righteous
   character...
   a. Ruth's humility and willingness to minister to the needs of her
      mother-in-law
   b. Boaz' kindness and sense of propriety in his treatment of the
      foreign woman in his field

2. We also saw Naomi's faith in God's care reassured...
   a. Even though she believed her earlier loss was due to God's
      discipline
   b. She was convinced that God had not forsaken His kindness to the
      living and dead

In this story of "Ruth's Lowly Service," we also see another truth
displayed, that God gives grace to the humble:

   "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to [your] elders.
   Yes, all of [you] be submissive to one another, and be clothed
   with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the
   humble."  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
   that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him,
   for He cares for you." (1Pe 5:5-7)

Are we willing to render lowly service to those around us, humbling
ourselves before God?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011