November 8, 2014

From Mark Copeland... The Kingdom Of Great Value (Matthew 13:44-46)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                 The Kingdom Of Great Value (13:44-46)

INTRODUCTION

1. During His earthly ministry, the key theme of His preaching and 
   teaching was "the kingdom of heaven"...
   a. He began His ministry proclaiming it was at hand - Mt 4:17,23
   b. He sent His apostles on the limited commission to proclaim the
      same message - Mt 10:7

2. He taught many parables to illustrate great truths about this 
   kingdom...
   a. Through which He revealed many things that had previously been
      secret - Mt 13:34-35
   b. Like the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great
      price - Mt 13:44-46

3. In these two parables, Jesus illustrated the kingdom to be one of
   great value...
   a. So great that one who stumbles upon it sells all to obtain it
   b. So great that one searching for it sells all to buy it

4. In this lesson, I wish to address several questions that come to 
   mind...
   a. What is this "kingdom"?  
   b. Why is it considered to be of such great value?  
   c. Is it really worth it?
   d. What will it cost us?  

[Let's begin, then, with the first question...]

I. WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?

   A. IT INVOLVES FOUR INTER-RELATED IDEAS...
      1. God's kingship, rule, or recognized sovereignty
         a. The term "kingdom" as used by the Jews often stressed the
            abstract idea of rule or dominion, not a geographical area
            surrounded by physical boundaries
         b. It is used this way by Jesus in Mt 6:10 - "Your KINGDOM 
            come; Your WILL be done..." (note the connection between 
            kingdom and will)
            -- Thus, the "kingdom of heaven" would involve the rule of
               heaven in the hearts of men
      2. This rule of heaven is spiritual in nature
         a. It is not a physical kingdom - cf. Jn 18:36
         b. But one that is spiritual - cf. Ro 14:17
      3. Its visible manifestation today is in the form of the Lord's
         church
         a. For the church is that community of souls in whose hearts
            God is recognized as Sovereign
         b. That the church constitutes the kingdom of God on earth, 
            consider:
            1) How the term "church" and "kingdom" were used 
               interchangeably - Mt 16:18
            2) Comments made to those who were in the church - Col 1:13;
               1Th 2:12
            3) The description of those in the churches of Asia - Re 1:
               4,6,9
      4  It has a future element as well as a present one
         a. Its future aspect is spoken of by Jesus, Paul, Peter 
            - Mt 25:34; 1Co 15:50; 2Ti 4:18; 2Pe 1:10-11
         b. Peter described the coming of its future state in 2Pe 3:
            10-13

   B. THE KINGDOM IS THEREFORE BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE...
      1. In the present sense...
         a. It is found wherever the sovereignty of God is accepted in
            the hearts of men
         b. It is a spiritual kingdom, for God rules in the hearts of
            men
         c. Its outward manifestation today is the Lord's church
         d. This rule or kingdom of God was "inaugurated" on the Day of
            Pentecost (Ac 2)
      2. In the future sense...
         a. The rule or kingdom of God will be "culminated" with the 
            coming of the Lord
         b. It will involve that "news heaven and a new earth in which
            righteousness dwells", described by Peter and John - 2 Pe 3; Re 21-22
         c. It will be experienced only by those in the church who are
            submitting to God's will today! - cf. Mt 7:21-23; 2Pe 3:
            13-14

[Submitting to the rule of God so that we become part of His church is
how one enters the kingdom of heaven, both present and future.  This 
leads to our second question...]

II. WHAT IS THE GREAT VALUE OF THIS KINGDOM?

   A. IT IS A REFUGE FROM THE POWERS OF DARKNESS - Col 1:13
      1. Outside the kingdom, one is in the kingdom of Satan! - Ep 2:
         1-3
         a. Under his influence
         b. Trapped in various sins
      2. In the kingdom of Christ, we find deliverance and refuge
         a. Set free from sin to serve God - Ro 6:17-18
         b. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to
            bear - 1Co 10:12-13

   B. IT IS A DOMAIN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY - Ro 14:17
      1. Righteousness which comes through faith in Christ - Php 3:8-9
      2. Peace from God through prayer which surpasses understanding 
         - Php 4:6-7
      3. Abiding joy in the Lord, no matter the circumstances - Php 4:4;
         2:17-19

   C. IT IS AN UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM - He 12:25-29
      1. It will never be destroyed - Dan 2:44
      2. Of this kingdom there will be no end - Lk 1:33
      3. It is truly an everlasting kingdom - 2Pe 1:10-11

   D. IT WILL BE PRESENTED TO GOD WHEN CHRIST RETURNS - 1Co 15:21-26
      1. At that time, those who are now "sons of the kingdom" will
         "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" 
         - Mt 13:41-43
      2. From then on, those in this kingdom will dwell in the presence
         of God - Re 21:1-7

[The value of this kingdom can be seen further as we consider our third
question...]

III. IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

   A. IF I COULD HAVE SOME "SPECIAL GUESTS"...
      1. I would ask Stephen to say if he thought it was worth it 
         - cf. Ac 7:54-60
      2. I would ask the early Christians who joyfully accepted the
         plundering of their goods and eventually received the promise
         - Ac 8:1-4; He 10:32-36
      3. I would ask the apostle Paul - 2Ti 3:10-13; 4:6-8,18
      4. I would ask one of your loved ones, a friend or relative, who
         died in Christ
      -- I am confident that they would all say forcefully, "Yes! It is
         worth giving up all!"

   B. IF I COULD, I WOULD HAVE JESUS...
      1. Who gave up all to die on the cross - Php 2:5-8
      2. Who became "poor" that we might become "rich" - 2Co 8:9
      -- I am persuaded that as He showed you His pierced hands and
         feet, He would say with love and great urgency, "Yes! My 
         kingdom is worth giving up all!"

[But what exactly must we give up?  To put it another way...]

IV. WHAT WILL THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN COST US?

   A. WE MUST PAY THE PRICE...
      1. Of repentance - cf. Mk 1:15
      2. Of being born again - cf. Jn 3:3-5
         a. Involving both outward and inward submission to the will of
            Christ
         b. A submission that will affect our whole life
      3. Of putting the kingdom first - Mt 6:33
         a. Before our riches - Mk 10:23-25
         b. Before our families - Mk 10:28-31
         c. Before ourselves - Lk 9:23-26

   B. ARE WE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE...
      1. Consider the parable of the dinner - Lk 14:15-24
      2. Are we guilty of the same?
         a. Putting financial concerns first?
         b. Putting family first?
      3. Our actions demonstrate whether we are willing to pay the 
         price; for example:
         a. Our devotion to the Word of God and prayer
         b. Our devotion to others in the church (kingdom) - He 10:
            24-25; Ro 15:1-3
         c. Our devotion to the lost - Col 1:28-29

CONCLUSION

1. The kingdom is truly one of great value...
   a. It was established through its purchase by the blood of Christ 
      - Ac 20:28
   b. Can we expect the Lord to accept anything less than our utmost
      devotion for the privilege of being in His eternal kingdom?
      1) We are admonished to walk in a manner worthy of the kingdom
         - 1Th 2:10-12
      2) But it may cost us greatly to be considered worthy - cf. 2 Th 1:4-5

2. Our actions will demonstrate whether we value the greatness of this
   kingdom...
   a. By whether or not we obey the gospel!
   b. By whether or not we remain zealous and faithful in our service
      to the God!

3. I hope that in some way I have persuaded you that any price we pay
   is worthy of "The Kingdom Of Great Value"

If you are convinced that it is, and desire assistance in becoming or
remaining a faithful "citizen" of the kingdom, then let us know...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... The Death Of John The Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                The Death Of John The Baptist (14:1-12)

INTRODUCTION

1. A sad story in the Bible is that of "The Death Of John The Baptist"
   a. His imprisonment occurred near the beginning of Jesus' ministry
      - Mt 4:12
   b. Some time later, John sent two of his disciples to Jesus - Mt 11:
      1-3
   c. Eventually he was beheaded by Herod - Mt 14:1-12

2. The sadness of the story, though, is tempered by the contrast
   between John and those responsible for his death...
   a. A remarkable contrast between a godly man and a depraved family
   b. A contrast that certainly provides several object lessons,
      encouraging godly living

3. In this study, we shall review what is said about "The Death Of John
   The Baptist"...
   a. Noticing the four key persons in this narrative
   b. Considering a few lessons and points that might be gleaned from
      this passage

[We begin with...]

I. THE FAITHFULNESS OF JOHN

   A. JOHN PROVED TO BE A FAITHFUL PROPHET...
      1. His message was a call to repentance - Mt 3:1-2
      2. He called the religious leaders to repentance as well - Mt 3:
         7-8
      3. Nor did he back away from pointing out the sins of the king
         - Mt 14:3-4
         a. Herod had married his brother Philip's wife, Herodias
         b. It was an unlawful marriage, for several reasons:
            1) Philip was still living, making it adultery - Ro 7:1-3
            2) She was Herod's niece, making it incest  
            3) The Law prohibited marrying a brother's wife - Lev 18:
               16; 20:21
      4. Rather than change his message to accommodate the king, John
         was willing to go to prison and ultimately die for the Word of
         God!

   B. HIS FAITHFULNESS SHOULD INSPIRE US TODAY...
      1. To be true to God's Word, even when not politically correct
      2. To proclaim God's law on marriage, even if it angers others
         a. God's law on marriage goes all the way back to the creation
            - Mt 19:4-8
         b. Christ defined the one circumstance when one may divorce
            and remarry - Mt 19:9
         c. Therefore not all marriages are "lawful"; there may be 
            times when we must tell one:  "It is not lawful for you to
            have her" - Mt 14:4
            
[The faithfulness of this godly man stands out, especially when 
contrasted with the members of the ungodly family we now consider.  
Beginning with...]

II. THE SHAMELESSNESS OF SALOME

   A. SALOME WAS A GIRL WITH NO SHAME...
      1. Of course, she was the daughter of a shameless woman - Mt 14:6
      2. From the Greek, Robertson describes her dance as "some kind of
         rapid motion...a shameful exhibition of lewd dancing"
         (Robertson's Word Pictures)
      3. She danced this way, not just before Herod, but his guests as
         well - Mk 6:21-22

   B. HER SHAMELESSNESS IS OFTEN REPEATED TODAY...
      1. Much modern dance is similar to the lewdness of Salome's 
         dancing
         a. Designed to arouse fleshly passions
         b. "Because of its physical appeal, dance lends itself to 
            erotic purposes and has been practiced to these ends by 
            both sexes." - Encyclopedia Britannica, "The Art Of Dance"
      2. Such shamelessness is condemned as lewdness (lasciviousness,
         licentiousness)
         a. The Greek word for "lewdness" (aselgia) is "unbridled lust
            ...wanton acts or manners (including) filthy words,
            indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and
            females" (Thayer)
         b. Condemned as a work of the flesh - cf. Ga 5:19-21
      3. Christians (esp. women) are to possess a sense of
         "shamefacedness" - 1Ti 2:9 (KJV)
         a. That is, a sense of propriety (NKJV), that which is proper
         b. The Greek word (aidos) means "a sense of shame, modesty"
            (Vine)
         c. "Aidos would always restrain a good man from an unworthy
            act..." (Trench)

[The shamelessness of Salome contributed to the death of John the 
Baptist.  Similar lack of propriety among men and women leads to much 
trouble today as well.  Of course, this young girl was undoubtedly 
influenced by her mother...]

III. THE VENGEFULNESS OF HERODIAS

   A. HERODIAS WAS A VENGEFUL WOMAN...
      1. She was the subject of John's rebuke to Herod - Mt 14:3-4
         a. She had been married to Philip, Herod Antipas' half-brother
         b. Herod had been married to the daughter of Aretas, an 
            Arabian king of Petraea
         c. After Herod had been a guest in Philip's home, he and
            Herodias eloped while still married to their spouses
         d. At some point they married, for which John rebuked them
            - Mk 6:17-18
      2. In her vengefulness...
         a. She prompted Herod to imprison John - Mk 6:17-18
         a. She wanted to kill John, though temporarily prevented from
            doing so - Mk 6:19
         b. She prompted her daughter to ask for John's head on a 
            platter - Mk 6:22-25
   
   B. SUCH VENGEFULNESS OFTEN DESTROYS LIVES TODAY...
      1. Through vengeance people often resort to desperate measures
         a. E.g., Simeon and Levi, whose vengeance killed those of
            Shechem - Gen 34:1-31
         b. It moved Joab to kill Abner, an honorable man - 2Sa 3:27;
            1Ki 2:29-33
      2. Vengeance led to the downfall of such people as:
         a. Haman, who tried to kill Mordecai and the Jews - Esther 3-7
         b. The Edomites and the Philistines, who took vengeance on 
            Judah - Eze 25:12-17
      3. Vengeance destroys families, friends, associates; hurting most
         those who exercise it
      4. Which is why we are commanded to leave vengeance to God - Pro 24:29; Ro 12:17-19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9
   
[Finally, we consider the king who was manipulated like a pawn, as we
look at...]

IV. THE WEAKNESS OF HEROD

   A. HEROD ANTIPAS WAS A WEAK MAN...
      1. Son of Herod the Great, we see his weakness manifested by:
         a. His superstition, supposing Jesus to be John raised from
            the dead - Mt 14:1-2
         b. His unfaithfulness, in leaving his first wife and marrying
            Herodias - Mt 14:3-4
         c. His fear of the multitude and John himself, which prevented
            Herod from killing him at first - Mt 14:5; Mk 6:20
         d. His manipulation by Salome and Herodias - Mt 14:6-8
         e. His fear of his guests, before whom he was afraid of
            ridicule - Mt 14:9
      2. His weakness eventually led to his death
         a. For Herodias later prompted him to join her in appealing
            for favors from Caesar
         b. But they were accused of high treason and banished to Lyons
            in Gaul, where he died in great misery (Josephus, 
            Antiquities Of The Jews)

   B. SUCH MORAL WEAKNESS CAN BE A PROBLEM TODAY...
      1. We can be destroyed by weakness through:
         a. Succumbing to temptation
         b. Allowing others to pressure us in doing evil - 1Co 15:33
      2. Christians need to stand strong...
         a. Cf. The example of young men as Joseph and Daniel - Gen 39:
            1-12; Dan 1:8
         b. Looking to God for help and strength - 1Co 10:13; Ep 3:16;
            Php 4:13
         c. Seeking the approval of God, not men - Ga 1:10

CONCLUSION

1. In "The Death Of John The Baptist", it initially appears that evil
   was the winner...
   a. Herod succeeded in imprisoning and killing John
   b. Herod and Salome succeeded in manipulating Herod and getting rid
      of John

2. There are times today when it seems that evil people are the ones
   who win in life...
   a. People who blatantly disregard God's law on divorce and
      remarriage
   b. Young people who gain popularity through shameless conduct

3. But as revealed by the Psalmist (Ps 73:1-28), such apparent success
   is fleeting...
   a. God will eventually bring the wicked into judgment
   b. Sometimes judgment is received even in this life, as with the 
      exile of Herod and Herodias    
   c. Whose shoes would you want to be in now?  Herod's? Herodias'? 
      Salome's?

May the faithfulness of John remind us that serving God is the only way
to eternal life and true happiness...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

Must the Children Suffer? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=4185

Must the Children Suffer?

by  Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Arriving at the border of the Promised Land, the Israelites sent out 12 spies to reconnoiter the areas. When 10 of the 12 spies brought back an “evil”(Numbers 13:32) analysis of Canaan’s conditions and the people accepted their faithless assessment. God condemned the population to 40 years of desert meandering until all those 20 years and older had died (Numbers 14:29). God would only permit the next generation to enter the land (Numbers 14:30-31).
But what, in the meantime, were these children, the younger generation, to do? Must they actually suffer for their parents’ sin and wander in the desert for 40 years as well? Notice God’s answer: “And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity…” (Numbers 14:33). Other translations render the last phrase “suffer for your unfaithfulness” (NASB, NIV; cf. ESV, RSV). The children would suffer for the unfaithfulness of their parents. Many people simply do not accept this biblical principle. They cannot see how the innocent can suffer for the sins of others. This misconception easily leads to further error: seeking to offset the unavoidable consequences of man’s disobedience to God (cf. Numbers 14:40-45).
When parents forsake the assembly (Hebrews 10:25), their sin takes its toll on their children in the form of lost teaching, poor parental example, absence of Christian association, etc. The children suffer for their parents’ sin.
When parents abuse their bodies by taking drugs, drinking alcohol, smoking, contracting venereal disease, etc., their children experience physical problems at birth and later hardships in the form of inadequate nutrition, insufficient finances, neglect, etc. The children suffer for their parents’ sin.
When parents hypocritically instruct their children to conduct themselves in certain ways, but then fail to follow their own advice and excuse their behavior by telling their children to “do as I say, not as I do,” the children grow up rejecting the parents’ good instruction. The children suffer for their parents’ sin.
When parents divorce and remarry in violation of God’s law, forming an adulterous union that, in God’s sight, cannot continue, the children experience rejection, loneliness, bewilderment. If the parents obey God and terminate the unlawful marriage, the children will live in a home environment that’s not all it could have been. The children will suffer for their parents’ sin. But such is no justification for encouraging the parents to continue committing adultery in order to minimize the children’s suffering.
Must the children suffer? Sadly, tragically, yes—when parents sin. But rather than change God’s law, doubt God’s mercy, or dodge the consequences of sin, put the blame where it belongs: man’s defiance of God. Then, obey God—no matter what.

From Jim McGuiggan... USING GOD FOR OUR PURPOSES


USING GOD FOR OUR PURPOSES


As 1 Samuel closes and 2 Samuel continues Saul dies, David is publicly proclaimed king over Judah and civil war breaks out between the northern ten tribes and the two southern tribes [Judah and Benjamin], which constitute the “house of David”. Following the victory of David’s forces, Abner’s coming over to David and the death of Ishbosheth [which ends any hope of a Saulide dynasty] the ten tribes acknowledged David as king over them as well. [See 2 Samuel chapters 2—5.]
But the unity is fragile and it will remain that way throughout the reign of Solomon and will finally fracture when Rehoboam begins to reign. David is well aware of the brittle nature of the union and is anxious to secure his place on the throne over all Israel and this is where the events of 2 Samuel 6:1-11 enter the picture.

The ark of the covenant was the visible sign of God’s presence and his Kingship—see passages like Numbers 7:89; 1 Samuel 4.4; 2 Samuel 6.2.
To serve their own ends Israel brought in the God they were dishonoring [note 1 Samuel 7:3-4 and 8:8] to defeat the stronger Philistines but God would not be so used [1 Samuel 4].

The Philistines then used the Ark of the Covenant to proclaim their glory and the power of their gods but God would not be so used [1 Samuel 5—6].
In 2 Samuel 6 David tried to use the ark to secure his place as king over all Israel but God would not be so used [6:1-11].

In the Ark was the law of the Lord God, the manna by which the Lord had sustained Israel and Aaron’s rod that proclaimed God’s decision on how Israel would access his presence.

But above all that, and what gave all that its meaning and power, was the King who sat enthroned above the cherubim, which were on the lid of the ark [see the texts above]. This King would not be controlled, would not be used, not by any person or persons and not for any reason!

When the kingdom later divided due to the wickedness of David’s son Solomon and his son Rehoboam God gave kingdom authority over the ten northern tribes to Jeroboam, son of Nebat [I Kings 11:26-40]. God made promises to Jeroboam similar to those he made to Saul but Jeroboam wasn’t content with God’s promise; he felt he must secure his throne even if it meant disobeying the King.

1 Kings 12:25-33 explains his reasoning and his disobedience. He didn’t want the twelve tribes going to Jerusalem to worship because he feared that would bind them to the house of David so he sets up alternative places of worship. His purpose in establishing worship centers away from Jerusalem was not to bring honor to God but to secure his personal dominion and his dynasty. Of course, if God got glory also that would have been all right with Jeroboam but that was not his intention.

This was precisely David’s thinking when he brought the ark up to Jerusalem to a tent he had set up for it. He wanted to ensure tribal loyalty from the northern tribes by bringing the ark up to Jerusalem so that they would come there to worship but we need to note that his stated concern was [2 Samuel 6.9], “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” In his eagerness to secure his throne his behavior led to the King’s throne being manhandled by Uzzah. Uzzah keeps the King’s throne from falling in order that David’s throne to be made secure.
The Samuel and Kings literature is written [among other things] to teach Israel that thrones rise and fall, that kings are made and unmade by the King and he will not be used. God sets up kings whose authority is to be used to glorify the King and further his kingdom purposes [it’s at this point that the Lord Jesus’ glory shines brightest].

Jeroboam and David [in this instance] insult the majesty of God, the King of Kings; David in one way and Jeroboam in another. But David learned his lesson and the rest of 2 Samuel 6 has him not only transferring the ark of the Lord correctly [in accordance with Mosaic instruction and with added reverence] but by behaving in a way that humiliated himself instead of exalting himself [6:14-23], in a way that exalted God who gives the throne to whom he will [6:21-22].

Major questions for all kings and those in authority would include these: Is God to serve your purposes or are you to serve His? Are you the rulers or is God?

[The questions, of course, must be addressed in their own contexts to all who are called by Him to his service as well as to those who have not yet heard and obeyed the gospel. The questions will or should lead us to examine our programs and ask ourselves if we are glorifying God or ourselves and if our programs are such that they will honor and further God’s kingdom purposes.]
 

November 7, 2014

From Gary... A cold hard fact and a soothing blessing!!!






















The love of my life said to me this morning: "Is it Friday, already? How quickly the times go by!!!"  And my response was something about being retired and enjoying life.  The thing is: not everyone feels like this.  There are Christians in the Middle East and in the Ukraine who are suffering just because they believe in Jesus as LORD!!!  If they would (or perhaps even COULD) send us a letter- I wonder what would be in it?  Perhaps something like...

2 Corinthians, Chapter 1
 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.  6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
For some Christians, life is like the winter scene above- cold and dark!!!  Yet, as surely as the sun will rise, warmth and blessing will eventually come their way.  If not in this life, then in the next!!!!!   When I think of all the suffering around the world, I realize that even suffering can be a blessing and at the same time a lesson for us all.  Please, today, say a prayer for those suffering for the cause of the Christ!!! And for ourselves as well- that we might learn from the strong confident faith that resides within those who are suffering!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading November 7



Bible Reading   
November 7

The World English Bible



Nov. 7
Isaiah 45-48

Isa 45:1 Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:
Isa 45:2 "I will go before you, and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of brass in pieces, and cut apart the bars of iron.
Isa 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel.
Isa 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.
Isa 45:5 I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me;
Isa 45:6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else.
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things.
Isa 45:8 Distil, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it.
Isa 45:9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker-- a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, 'What are you making?' or your work, 'He has no hands?'
Isa 45:10 Woe to him who says to a father, 'What have you become the father of?' or to a mother, 'To what have you given birth?' "
Isa 45:11 Thus says Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons, and you command me concerning the work of my hands!
Isa 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and I have commanded all their army.
Isa 45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward," says Yahweh of Armies.
Isa 45:14 Thus says Yahweh: "The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They will go after you. They shall come over in chains; and they will bow down to you. They will make supplication to you: 'Surely God is in you; and there is none else. There is no other god.
Isa 45:15 Most certainly you are a God who hid yourself, God of Israel, the Savior.' "
Isa 45:16 They will be disappointed, yes, confounded, all of them. Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together.
Isa 45:17 Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting.
Isa 45:18 For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn't create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other.
Isa 45:19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn't say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I, Yahweh, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right.
Isa 45:20 "Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can't save.
Isa 45:21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven't I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; There is no one besides me.
Isa 45:22 "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Isa 45:23 By myself have I sworn, the word has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24 They will say of me, 'There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.' " Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed.
Isa 45:25 In Yahweh shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Isa 46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are on the animals, and on the livestock: the things that you carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary animal.
Isa 46:2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
Isa 46:3 "Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne by me from their birth, that have been carried from the womb;
Isa 46:4 and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
Isa 46:5 "To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
Isa 46:6 Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down--yes, they worship.
Isa 46:7 They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands, from its place it shall not move: yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
Isa 46:8 "Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, you transgressors.
Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me;
Isa 46:10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;
Isa 46:11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.
Isa 46:12 Listen to me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness:
Isa 46:13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Isa 47:1 "Come down, and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, daughter of the Chaldeans: for you shall no more be called tender and delicate.
Isa 47:2 Take the millstones, and grind meal; remove your veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers.
Isa 47:3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and will spare no man."
Isa 47:4 Our Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 47:5 "Sit in silence, and go into darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms.
Isa 47:6 I was angry with my people, I profaned my inheritance, and gave them into your hand: you did show them no mercy; on the aged have you very heavily laid your yoke.
Isa 47:7 You said, I shall be mistress forever; so that you did not lay these things to your heart, neither did remember the latter end of it.
Isa 47:8 "Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
Isa 47:9 but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come on you, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments.
Isa 47:10 For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, None sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you, and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me.
Isa 47:11 Therefore evil will come on you; you won't know when it dawns: and mischief wil fall on you; you will not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come on you suddenly, which you don't know.
Isa 47:12 "Stand now with your enchantments, and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth; if so be you shall be able to profit, if so be you may prevail.
Isa 47:13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from the things that shall come on you.
Isa 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before.
Isa 47:15 Thus shall the things be to you in which you have labored: those who have trafficked with you from your youth shall wander everyone to his quarter; there shall be none to save you.
Isa 48:1 "Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Yahweh, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness
Isa 48:2 (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Armies is his name):
Isa 48:3 I have declared the former things from of old; yes, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they happened.
Isa 48:4 Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass;
Isa 48:5 therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, 'My idol has done them, and my engraved image, and my molten image, has commanded them.'
Isa 48:6 You have heard it; see all this; and you, will you not declare it? "I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.
Isa 48:7 They are created now, and not from of old; and before this day you didn't hear them; lest you should say, 'Behold, I knew them.'
Isa 48:8 Yes, you didn't hear; yes, you didn't know; yes, from of old your ear was not opened: for I knew that you did deal very treacherously, and was called a transgressor from the womb.
Isa 48:9 For my name's sake will I defer my anger, and for my praise will I refrain for you, that I not cut you off.
Isa 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
Isa 48:11 For my own sake, for my own sake, will I do it; for how should my name be profaned? and my glory I will not give to another.
Isa 48:12 "Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel my called: I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Isa 48:13 Yes, my hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spread out the heavens: when I call to them, they stand up together.
Isa 48:14 "Assemble yourselves, all you, and hear; who among them has declared these things? He whom Yahweh loves shall perform his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
Isa 48:15 I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him; I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
Isa 48:16 "Come near to me and hear this: "From the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I." Now the Lord Yahweh has sent me, with his Spirit.
Isa 48:17 Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am Yahweh your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way that you should go.
Isa 48:18 Oh that you had listened to my commandments! then had your peace been as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea:
Isa 48:19 your seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of your body like its grains: his name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.
Isa 48:20 Go you forth from Babylon, flee you from the Chaldeans; with a voice of singing declare you, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth: say you, Yahweh has redeemed his servant Jacob.
Isa 48:21 They didn't thirst when he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he split the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
Isa 48:22 "There is no peace," says Yahweh, "for the wicked." 
 
Nov. 7
2 Timothy 1

2Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
2Ti 1:2 to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Ti 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
2Ti 1:4 longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy;
2Ti 1:5 having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in you; which lived first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and, I am persuaded, in you also.
2Ti 1:6 For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
2Ti 1:7 For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
2Ti 1:8 Therefore don't be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
2Ti 1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.
2Ti 1:11 For this, I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
2Ti 1:12 For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
2Ti 1:13 Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 1:14 That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2Ti 1:15 This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
2Ti 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
2Ti 1:17 but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me
2Ti 1:18 (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord's mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.

From Mark Copeland... The Challenge Of Following Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

               The Challenge Of Following Jesus (8:18-22)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Jesus went about His earthly ministry, He was often followed by
   large multitudes...
   a. Drawn by His teachings - Mt 7:28-8:1
   b. Attracted by His miracles - Mt 8:16-18

2. Some of those who followed Him wanted to become His disciples...
   a. Willing to be taught by Jesus - e.g., Mt 5:1-2
   b. Wanting to follow Jesus as their Lord and Master - e.g., Mt 8:19

3. Jesus would later command His apostles to make disciples of all the
   nations...
   a. As found in The Great Commission - Mt 28:19-20
   b. Clearly Jesus wanted people to become His disciples

4. But Jesus never misled the multitudes...
   a. It would not be easy to be His disciple
   b. Following Him would be a challenge!

5. In our text for today's study (Mt 8:18-22), we find Jesus responding
   to two individuals regarding the matter of discipleship...
   a. "The hasty scribe" who wanted to become a disciple
   b. "The reluctant disciple" who needed to be reminded of what it
      meant to be a disciple

[This passage should remind us of "The Challenge Of Following Jesus",
taken seriously by all who would be His disciples.  For instance, in 
the case of "the hasty scribe" we learn...]

I. ONE MUST BE WILLING TO COUNT THE COST

   A. THE SCRIBE'S OFFER...
      1. He expressed a willingness to follow Jesus anywhere - Mt 8:19
      2. A commendable offer, but does he know what it means?

   B. THE MASTER'S REPLY...
      1. Jesus informed the scribe that He was homeless - Mt 8:20
         a. As an itinerant preacher, Jesus had no place to call home
         b. Many a night might be spent with no roof overhead
      2. To follow Jesus at that time would mean to leave all
         a. As was necessary for Peter, Andrew, James, and John - Mt 4:
            18-22
         b. As was encouraged of the rich young ruler - Mt 19:21

   C. ONE NEEDS TO COUNT THE COST BEFORE BECOMING A DISCIPLE...
      1. As Jesus told the multitudes who followed Him - Lk 14:25-33
      2. One does not have to become homeless to follow Jesus today, 
         but we must still:
         a. Love Him more than family and life
         b. Forsake all by making Him the Lord and Ruler of our lives
      3. In our zeal to win souls, do we neglect to tell people the 
         cost of becoming a disciple of Jesus?
         a. The cost of observing all that Jesus commands? - Mt 28:20
         b. A cost that might require a radical change in one's life?
            1) E.g., quitting jobs that interfere with holy living
            2) E.g., leaving friends who seek to lead one astray
            3) E.g., changing lifestyles, or getting out of unlawful
               marriages
         c. That one's repentance is fundamental to the gospel message? 
            - cf. Lk 24:46-47; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31; 20:20-21

[When a person wants to follow Jesus, that is wonderful!  But we should
remind people there is a cost involved, one they need to consider 
before they commit.

For those who are already disciples, we must not forget "The Challenge
Of Following Jesus".  In the case of "the reluctant disciple", we are
reminded that...]

II. WE MUST BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE

   A. THE DISCIPLE'S REQUEST...
      1. He desires to forego following Jesus in order to bury his
         father first - Mt 8:21
      2. Sounds like a devoted son, what harm is there in his request?

   B. THE MASTER'S RESPONSE...
      1. Jesus tells him to follow Him and let the dead bury their own
         dead - Mt 8:22
         a. I.e., let the spiritually dead bury the physical dead
         b. Others could handle such familial tasks, his responsibility
            was to answer to a higher calling
      2. Jesus often made it clear...to follow Him meant putting Him
         before family
         a. As we saw earlier - Lk 14:26
         b. As He taught His disciples in preparing them for The 
            Limited Commission - Mt 10:34-37
         c. As He set the pattern on one occasion when His family was
            seeking Him - cf. Mt 12:46-50

   C. WE NEED TO PAY THE PRICE OF BEING DISCIPLES...
      1. As disciples, we are taught there may be a price to pay to
         remain faithful
         a. As Paul taught the new disciples on his first journey 
            - Ac 14:21-22
         b. As Paul wrote to Timothy at the end of his life - 2Ti 3:
            10-12
      2. Far too often, disciples today want to first "bury the dead",
         such as:
         a. Putting family responsibilities before the Lord
            1) E.g., missing services to entertain visiting family or
               friends
            2) Did not Jesus tell Martha some things take precedent
               over the desire to be a gracious host? - Lk 10:38-42
         b. Accepting jobs when they know it will hinder their service
            to the Lord
            1) E.g., occupations that are so demanding, one has little
               time or energy left
            2) You might think them necessary to support family, but
               did not Jesus promise that God will provide if you put
               the kingdom first? - Mt 6:31-33
      3. In our zeal to provide for our families, do we forget that we
         are disciples of Christ?
         a. There are many good and noble things that can be done in
            relation to kin and occupation
         b. But as disciples of Christ, we have a higher and more noble
            calling - 1Pe 2:9-10
            1) As a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy 
               nation, God's own special people
            2) To proclaim the praises of God who called us out of
               darkness into His marvelous light
         c. If we can't "bury the dead" without neglecting our service
            to Jesus, then we must "let the dead bury the dead"!

CONCLUSION

1. In many places, the Lord's church suffers through neglect...
   a. Attendance is sporadic
   b. Service rendered is minimal
   c. Discipleship is practiced only when convenient

2. There may be many reasons for this, but I suspect two head the 
   list...
   a. Teaching the gospel without mention of the cost of discipleship
   b. Disciples who have forgotten there is a price to pay for 
      following Jesus

3. In an age of "easy believism", do not forget "The Challenge Of
   Following Jesus"...
   a. Let "the hasty scribe" remind you to count the cost of becoming a
      disciple
   b. Let "the reluctant disciple" remind you of the need to pay the
      price of being a follower of Jesus!

This is one of the paradoxes of Christianity:  the salvation that Jesus
offers is a free gift, but it comes at a high cost.  Jesus truly "paid
it all", so one cannot earn their salvation; but as our Savior and Lord
He requires that we have the servant mentality:

   "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you
   are commanded, say, `We are unprofitable servants. We have done
   what was our duty to do.'"  (Lk 17:10)

Have you counted the cost?  Are you willing to pay the price?  Both are
required to follow Jesus!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011