"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" Acting Like Our Father (5:43-48) by Mark Copeland

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                    Acting Like Our Father (5:43-48)

INTRODUCTION

1. When Jesus spoke about "Responding To Evil", He laid down two 
   principles:
   a. Do not resist an evil person - Mt 5:39a
   b. Respond to evil by doing good - Mt 5:39b-42

2. This is certainly a challenging task Jesus put before His 
   disciples...
   a. It is tempting to respond to evil in kind
   b. Especially when the mistreatment comes from an enemy!

3. But in the text for this lesson (Mt 5:43-48)...
   a. We find Jesus teaching concerning the treatment of our enemies
   b. We are told why we ought to act in the manner described in Mt 5:
      38-42

[Keeping in mind the context of the sermon on the mount, let's first
compare...]

I. THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION

   A. THE LAW DID NOT SAY "HATE YOUR ENEMY"...
      1. It did teach to "love your neighbor as yourself" - Lev 19:18
      2. But it also taught kindness was to be shown to your enemy
         - Exo 23:4-5; Pr 25:21-22

   B. THE TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION HAD MISAPPLIED THE LAW...
      1. Though it did enjoin the command to "love your neighbor"...
      2. It inferred from this command one had the right to "hate your 
         enemy" - Mt 5:43
         a. "This phrase is not in Leviticus 19:18, but is a rabbinical
            inference which Jesus repudiates bluntly. The Talmud says
            nothing of love to enemies." (Word Pictures In The New
            Testament, Vol. I, Robertson)
         b. "The rabbis corrupted Lev. 19:18, which sums up the Law of
            Israel, by adding `and hate your enemy.'  By thus tampering
            with Scripture, they  intended to define their neighbors to
            include only Jews and to exclude Samaritans and Gentiles."
            (Believers' Study Bible)
         
[Having noted the difference between what the Law actually taught and
the wrong interpretation given by the scribes and Pharisees, let's now
consider what Jesus taught on...]

II. HOW TO TREAT OUR ENEMIES

   A. JESUS REQUIRES THAT WE...
      1. "Love" our enemies
         a. Not hate them
         b. Rather, show "active good will" towards them
      2. "Bless" those who curse us
         a. They may speak evil of us
         b. But in response we are to speak kindly of them
      3. "Do good" to those who hate us
         a. They may either ignore us or do evil things to us
         b. Yet we are to treat them kindly in either case
      4. "Pray" for those who spitefully use us and persecute us
         a. Notice, we are to pray FOR them, not just about them
         b. I.e., pray for their well-being, salvation, etc.

   B. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF THE PRINCIPLES IN VERSES 39-42...
      1. Don't seek vengeance!
      2. Don't resist an evil person!
      3. Instead, react by manifesting aggressive love!

[Why should we respond to our enemies in this way?  Jesus goes on to
provide...]

III. REASONS TO REACT IN THIS WAY

   A. "THAT YOU MAY BE SONS OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN"...
      1. That is, to demonstrate ourselves to be truly His children! 
         - Mt 5:45a
      2. What is our Father like?
         a. He gives material blessings to both the evil and the good,
            both the righteous and the unrighteous - Mt 5:45b
         b. He is kind to the unthankful and evil - Lk 6:35-36
         c. He offered His Son while we were yet sinners and enemies! 
            - Ro 5:8,10
         d. He loved us before we loved Him - 1Jn 4:10
      3. As taught elsewhere, we are to imitate our Heavenly Father 
         - 1Jn 4:11; Ep 4:31-5:2

   B. TO BE DIFFERENT THAN "TAX-COLLECTORS"...
      1. In Jesus' day, they were despised by the Jews, because they
         made themselves rich by collecting taxes from their fellow-men
         for the Roman government
      2. And yet, these tax-collectors would...
         a. Love those who loved them
         b. Greet cordially those who greeted them
      3. We are no different if our love is limited to our "brethren" 
         or "friends"! - Mt 5:46-47

   C. TO BE "PERFECT" AS OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT...
      1. The word "perfect" means "brought to completion, full-grown,
         lacking nothing"
      2. In this context, it has reference to the matter of showing 
         love and mercy; note the parallel passage:
         a. "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is
            merciful." - Lk 6:36
         b. "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
            heaven is perfect." - Mt 5:48
      3. When we display love and mercy to our enemies...
         a. We are "complete," "full-grown" in demonstrating love
         b. Just like our Father when He shows kindness to evil and
            unthankful men!

CONCLUSION

1. If we really want to be...
   a. "sons of your Father in heaven"
   b. "perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect"

2. It is imperative that we be influenced...
   a. More by the teachings and example of the Son of God
   b. Than by the attitudes and example of the "tax-collectors"!

Are you "Acting Like Our Father" who is in heaven?  Or do you emulate
the most carnal people around us?  May the "sayings" (cf. Mt 7:28) of
our Lord provoke us to consider the proper way to respond to our 
enemies and to any who might abuse us!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" Charity That Pleases God (6:1-4) by Mark Copeland

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                    Charity That Pleases God (6:1-4)

INTRODUCTION

1. Are you a charitable person?
   a. If so, are you sure that your charity is pleasing to God?
   b. Were you aware that some forms of charity actually displease God?

2. In Jesus' day, there were religious people who were extremely 
   charitable...
   a. The Pharisees, for example, would give ten percent to God - e.g.,
      Lk 18:11-12
   b. They tithed even the smallest of seeds - Lk 11:42
   -- But as indicated in these two cases, not all charity or giving
      pleased God

3. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught His disciples to have a
   righteousness which exceeded that of the Pharisees - Mt 5:20
   a. Jesus first contrasted the "righteousness of the kingdom" with
      what the scribes and Pharisees were teaching
   b. He then contrasted what He expected of His disciples with what
      the scribes and Pharisees were practicing

[In Mt 6:1-4, we find the first of several examples concerning the
practice of righteousness.  In it, we learn about "Charity That Pleases
God."   Note first what Jesus taught about...]

I. THE BASIC PRINCIPLE GOVERNING ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (1)

   A. CONCERNING THIS VERSE...
      1. Some manuscripts, upon which the KJV and NKJV are based, have
         the Greek word eleemosunen
         a. Translated "alms", or "charitable deeds"
         b. Which would make this verse refer specifically to 
            almsgiving, or charitable deeds
      2. Older manuscripts, upon which the ASV and NASV are based, have
         the Greek word dikaiosunen
         a. Translated "righteousness"
         b. Which would make verse one speaking in general terms, 
            establishing the principle to be applied to ALL acts of 
            righteousness
      -- Textual support seems strongest for dikaiosunen, making verse
         one an introductory statement concerning all righteous acts

   B. THE BASIC PRINCIPLE...
      1. Stated simply:  we are not to do acts of righteousness to be
         seen of men - Mt 6:1a
         a. Note:  It is NOT to completely avoid ANY practice of 
            righteousness before men - cf. Mt 5:16
         b. Rather, it is to avoid doing them JUST TO BE SEEN OF MEN
      2. Therefore, it is proper to do good works before men...
         a. When we are trying to secure praise for GOD
         b. But not when we are trying to secure praise for OURSELVES!

   C. CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORING THIS BASIC PRINCIPLE...
      1. If, in the innermost being of your heart, you do not mean to
         please and glorify God, He will not reward you!
      2. What reward you may have (cf. Mt 6:2,5,16) will be limited to
         the praise of men

[Let's now consider how Jesus applies this to the matter of charitable
deeds...]

II. CONCERNING CHARITABLE DEEDS (2-4)

   A. WHAT "NOT" TO DO...
      1. Don't be like the "hypocrites" (literally, "actors") - Mt 6:2a
         a. Who sound trumpets in the synagogues and streets
         b. Who are looking to be honored by men
      2. "They have their reward" - Mt 6:2b
         a. They receive exactly (and only) what they wanted:  the 
            praise of men
         b. But remember verse one...
            1) They have no reward from the Father in heaven
            2) Neither in the present or in the future!

   B. CHARITY THAT PLEASES GOD...
      1. "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"
         - Mt 6:3
         a. This involves avoiding not only the praise of others, but
            self praise as well
         b. Some thoughts by others on what this metaphor means:
            1) "The right [hand], [represents] me with my good deed;
               the left, me with my good opinion about my deed." 
               (Lenksi)
            2) "The expression probably refers to the fact that as much
               as possible a person must keep his voluntary 
               contribution a secret not only to others but even to
               himself; that is, he should forget about it, instead of
               saying in his heart, `What a good man, woman, boy, girl,
               am I!'" (Hendricksen)
         c. How can one develop the ability to give in this way?
            1) Perhaps by giving so often it becomes "second nature"
            2) So that you do it without much thought (just as with 
               anything you do often)
      2. Note: Jesus is not condemning public giving per se - cf. Ac 2:
         44-45; 4:34-37
         a. He is condemning the spirit which seeks publicity
         b. He is teaching "secret-giving" in the sense of "secret to
            one's self"
         c. "The true Christian cares not how much men hear of his
            public charities, nor how little they hear of his private
            ones." (Toplady)

   C. THE REWARD FOR CHARITY THAT PLEASES GOD...
      1. "Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you 
         openly." - Mt 6:4
      2. The reward may be experienced to some degree in this life- Psa41:1-3
      3. Without a doubt it will be experienced on the day of judgment
         a. For every secret thing will be made known - Ec 12:14
         b. We will experience the benefit of the good we have done 
            - 2Co 5:10
   
CONCLUSION

1. Christians who have been blessed materially have been given a charge
   to be "rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" - 1 Ti
   6:17-19

2. But if we desire that our charity will indeed store up "a good
   foundation for the time to come"...
   a. We must be sure to practice "Charity That Pleases God"
   b. We must learn to give, not to be seen of men, but to glorify God
   c. We must learn to give without self-praise for what we are doing

Do our charitable deeds exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees in
Jesus' day, not only in quantity, but in the quality of our giving? May
the Lord keep us free from the giving of hypocrites!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" Prayer That Pleases God (6:5-15) by Mark Copeland

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                    Prayer That Pleases God (6:5-15)

INTRODUCTION

1. A wonderful privilege enjoyed by the children of God is prayer...
   a. Through prayer we can receive mercy and grace to help in time of
      need - He 4:14-16
   b. Through prayer we can find peace that guards our hearts and mind
      - Php 4:6-7

2. But the privilege of prayer assumes God will heed our prayers...
   a. Not all prayers are acceptable to God - cf. Pr 28:9
   b. Indeed, God does not hear the prayers of all men - cf. Isa 59:
      1-2; 1Pe 3:12
   c. Jesus described the prayer of one man which did not please God
      - Lk 18:9-14

3. Do we know what qualifies as "Prayer That Pleases God"?
   a. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus had much to say about prayer
   b. Especially the kind of prayer which finds favor in God's sight

[In this study, let's take a look at Mt 6:5-15, where Jesus taught
His disciples regarding prayer.  First, we find Jesus telling us...]

I. WHAT "NOT" TO DO IN REGARDS TO PRAYER

   A. DO NOT BE LIKE THE HYPOCRITES...
      1. Who love to pray...
         a. Standing in the synagogues
         b. On the corners of the streets
      2. This they do "that they may be seen of men" - Mt 6:5

   B. "THEY HAVE THEIR REWARD..."
      1. That is, they are indeed seen by men
      2. But that is the extent of their reward (the praise of men)
      3. They have no reward or blessing from God!

   C. JESUS IS NOT CONDEMNING ALL PUBLIC PRAYING...
      1. Evident from the fact that He Himself prayed in public -  

Mt 11:25; Jn 11:41
      2. As did Paul - Ac 27:35

[The emphasis is the same as stated in Mt 6:1, "do not do your [deeds
of righteousness] before men, TO BE SEEN BY THEM."

How, then, are we to pray as to be heard by God?]

II. PRAYER THAT PLEASES GOD

   A. OFFERED "TO BE SEEN OF GOD," NOT MEN...
      1. This is the main idea of "praying in secret" - Mt 6:6
      2. "The sincere and humble worshiper, one who is not interested
         in making a public display for the sake of enhancing his
         prestige, will find the secluded nook or den to be most
         appropriate for his devotions." (unknown)
      3. The person who prays much in secret is praying to be seen of
         God, not men!

   B. OFFERED "TO BE HEARD OF GOD," NOT MEN...
      1. Avoiding the use of "vain repetitions" - Mt 6:7
         a. As was often practiced by the heathen religions
         b. "The heathen tried to tire out their gods with such endless
            prayers. Mere formulas were repeated over and over again;
            the Jews had such prayer formulas, Catholics also have
            them in the form of their rosary." (Lenski)
      2. This is not condemning all repetition, but "vain" (insincere,
         useless) repetition
         a. Jesus repeated Himself in prayer at Gethsemane - Mt 26:
            36-44
         b. Paul repeated his requests concerning his "thorn in the
            flesh" - 2Co 12:7-8
      3. Since "your Father knows the things you have need of before
         you ask Him," prayers to be heard by God do not have to be
         filled with superfluous words
         a. Have you ever noted the brevity of prayers recorded in the
            Scriptures?
         b. God is not swayed the by quantity of words, but by the
            quality of the heart!

   C. OFFERED ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN...
      1. The phrase "in this manner" suggests that this prayer...
         a. Is a pattern for praying
         b. Not a liturgical exercise as sometimes practiced
      2. The pattern of proper prayer:
         a. First, simplicity
            1) Notice the word "therefore"
               a) It connects what follows with what was said before
               b) Jesus' pattern for prayer is an "illustration" in
                  contrast to the "many words" used by the heathen
            2) In the prayer itself, note the brevity of words
         b. Then, in its content, proper prayer includes...
            1) Reverence for God and His "Name" (i.e., His being and
               character) - Mt 6:9
            2) Prayer for the progress of God's Kingdom and His Will on
               the earth - Mt 6:10
            3) Asking for physical necessities - Mt 6:11
            4) Also, our spiritual needs
               a) Forgiveness of sins - Mt 6:12
               b) Protection and deliverance from evil - Mt 6:13
            5) Praising God - Mt 6:13

   D. OFFERED WITH A MERCIFUL SPIRIT...
      1. As indicated in the pattern prayer itself - Mt 6:12,14-15
      2. Otherwise, we cannot expect mercy for ourselves - cf. Mt 18:
         21-23; Jm 2:13
      3. This must be very important to Jesus, for this is the only
         part of the pattern upon which He elaborates!

CONCLUSION

1. This is not the only occasion in which Jesus taught on prayer...
   a. Later, His disciples would ask Him to teach them to pray - Lk 11:
      1-4
   b. He taught them about the importance of persistence, faith and
      humility in prayer - Lk 11:5-13; 18:1-14

2. But in this sermon Jesus sought to stress prayer that is designed...
   a. To be seen by God, not man
   b. To be heard by God, not man
   -- Who knows better what kind of prayer that is, than He who now
      sits at the right hand of God!

If we believe that God hears prayer (Ps 65:2) and that He is a
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (He 11:6), then let's be sure
we offer the kind of "Prayer That Pleases God"!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW" Fasting That Pleases God (6:16-18) by Mark Copeland

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                   Fasting That Pleases God (6:16-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. You don't hear much about fasting these days
   a. In a culture where the landscape is dotted with shrines to the
      "Golden Arches" and an assortment of "Pizza Temples" (Richard
      Foster, Celebration Of Discipline, p.47)...
   b. ...fasting seems out of place, out of step with the times

2. But the Scriptures have much to say about fasting...
   a. There is more teaching in the NT on fasting than repentance and
      confession!
   b. Jesus taught more on fasting than on baptism and the Lord's 
      Supper!
   -- Yet some question whether fasting is something for Christians 
      today

3. In His sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught concerning "Fasting That
   Pleases God"...
   a. In connection with other acts of righteousness like charity and 
      prayer
   b. In calling His disciples to exceed the righteousness of the 
      scribes and Pharisees

[In this study, we will examine Mt 6:16-18, and consider what Jesus
had to say about "Fasting That Pleases God."  But in so doing, let's
begin by answering a few questions...]

I. SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST TODAY?

   A. THE EXAMPLE AND TEACHING OF JESUS...
      1. He fasted during his forty day period of temptation in the 
         wilderness - Lk 4:1-2
      2. In His teaching on the subject of fasting:
         a. He assumed His disciples would fast -- He said "when" not
            "if" - Mt 6:16-17
         b. He said they would fast when He was gone - Mt 9:14-15
         c. He taught:
            1) How to fast so as to incur God's good pleasure - Mt 6:
               16-18
            2) When done properly, fasting would incur God's good 
               pleasure - Mt 6:18b
            3) Fasting should be done only when appropriate - Mt 9:16-
               17
            4) There were occasions when prayer needed to be joined
               with fasting - Mt 17:20-21

   B. THE EXAMPLES OF FASTING IN THE EARLY CHURCH...
      1. The brethren at Antioch - Ac 13:1-3
         a. Fasting in their service to the Lord
         b. Fasting and praying as they send out Paul and Barnabas
      2. The churches in Galatia - Ac 14:21-23
         a. Done in EVERY church
         b. When appointing elders

   C. THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL FASTING AS A MINISTER...
      1. He listed fasting among things which proved him as a minister
         of Christ - cf. 2Co 11:23-28
      2. Are we not commanded to imitate him, even as he imitated
         Christ? - 1Co 11:1 (and both fasted in their service to God!)

[At the very least, we can say that it is not inappropriate for
Christians to fast today.  Unless we have medical reasons not to fast,
we have very good examples to motivate us TO fast!  But to be sure that
we fast for the right reason, we should answer another question...]

II. WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?

   A. PEOPLE OFTEN FAST TODAY FOR VARIOUS REASONS...
      1. Some do it solely for health reasons
      2. Others do it only in times of grief and sorrow
      3. Still others do it as a way to gain self-control
      -- But these are not reasons Christians should fast in their
         service to God - cf. Col 2:20-23

   B. CHRISTIANS SHOULD FAST WHEN SEEKING DIVINE HELP...
      1. In the Old Testament; people of God fasted...
         a. In times of war, or at the threat of it (Israel)
         b. When loved ones were sick (David)
         c. When seeking God's forgiveness (Ahab, Daniel)
         d. When seeking God's protection (Ezra)
      2. In the New Testament; fasting occurred...
         a. When dealing with temptations (Jesus)
         b. When serving the Lord (the church at Antioch)
         c. When beginning a work for the Lord (again at Antioch)
         d. When selecting and appointing elders (in Galatia)
      3. Such fasting should be done in conjunction with prayer
         a. For fasting, when done properly...
            1) Humbles the soul - Ps 35:13
            2) Chastens the soul - Ps 69:10
         b. The prayers of the humble are more likely to be heard! 
            - cf. Ezr 8:21-23

[This being true, this should help us to answer the next question 
specifically...]

III. WHEN SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?

   A. WHENEVER WE DESIRE GOD'S HELP...
      1. These may be occasions on an individual level
         a. When faced with difficult temptations
         b. When faced with the serious illness of a loved one
      2. These occasions might be on a congregational level
         a. As when appointing elders
         b. As when sending out missionaries

   B. WHENEVER SITUATIONS CALL FOR PERSISTENT PRAYER...
      1. Such would be an occasion for fasting joined with prayer
      2. Are we not taught that God is more likely to answer our
         prayers...
         a. If we are persistent? - cf. Lk 18:1-8
         b. If we fast in the proper way? - cf. Mt 6:17-18

[So whenever there is a matter requiring much prayer, fasting in 
conjunction with such prayer would be appropriate.  Finally, let's take
a look at...]

IV. FASTING THAT PLEASES GOD

   A. NOT TO BE SEEN OF MEN...
      1. As practiced by the hypocrites of Jesus' day, it involved:
         a. Doing so with a "sad countenance"
         b. Doing so with "disfigured faces" (perhaps by applying
            ashes?)
         -- The only good such fasting might do them is win the praise
            of men, but certainly not of God! - Mt 6:16
      2. Rather, our fasting is to be seen of God
         a. To be done without any outward appearance of fasting - Mt 6:17
            1) Therefore, it should include "anointing your head"
            2) Also, "washing your face"
            -- I.e., what people would normally do to as part of their
               daily ablutions
         b. By doing this, only God will see your fasting and He will
            reward you openly (perhaps by answering prayers offered 
            while fasting) - Mt 6:18

   B. NOT AS SOME REGULAR RITUAL...
      1. This point Jesus made in Mt 9:14-17
      2. It should be done only when the occasion calls for it (such as
         situations where you would already be spending much time in 
         prayer)

   C. NOT WITHOUT TRUE REPENTANCE...
      1. Cf. Isa 58:3-9
      2. All the praying, all the fasting, is of no avail if it is not
         accompanied with penitent obedience on our part

   D. SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS...
      1. Don't go out and fast just because it sounds like "a neat 
         thing to do"
         a. Take the subject seriously and prayerfully
         b. Fast only when the occasion is a serious one
         c. One in which you desperately desire God's help
      2. If you have never fasted before...
         a. Start slow, fast only for brief periods of time
         b. End slow, gradually breaking your fast with fresh fruits
            and vegetables in small amounts
      3. Fast when you have time to spend in prayerful meditation
         a. Remember the purpose for fasting
         b. To humble oneself in God's sight; to seek a favorable 
            answer to prayer for some important plea

CONCLUSION

1. There is much more that could be said on the subject of fasting
   (cf. Fasting - A Special Study)

2. But I hope this suffices to stimulate our thinking on a subject
   which has often been neglected in both study and practice

3. But implied in Jesus' teachings is that His disciples would fast,
   and so it is important that we know what is involved in "Fasting
   That Pleases God"

Now as useful as fasting might be, praying and fasting alone cannot
save a person who is lost.  Paul found this out when he fasted three
days after coming to believe in Jesus as the Lord (Ac 9:3-9; 22:6-16).

Have you heeded what Paul was told to do?

   'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash
   away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' (Ac 22:16)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

Words: changing or unchangeable? by Gary Rose

Well, I learned a new word today; intexticated. Basically, it means to be distracted by texting while you are driving.  While it was very good to increase my vocabulary, still, I couldn't help but think how good it is that THE BIBLE was written in Koine Greek, a dead language, that will never, ever change!! And because of that, we can always understand what God has said. That is a very good thing because in time of temptation we need to let the unchanging word of God speak to us.

Jesus is the best example of how to face this sort of testing, by his use of Scripture.

 

Matthew, Chapter 4 (World English Bible)

 Mat 4:1, Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
    Mat 4:2, When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.
    Mat 4:3, The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
    Mat 4:4, But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”*(emp. added, GDR)
    Mat 4:5, Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
    Mat 4:6, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”*
    Mat 4:7, Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”*(emp. added, GDR)
    Mat 4:8, Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.
    Mat 4:9, He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
    Mat 4:10, Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me,* Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”* (emp. added, GDR)
    Mat 4:11, Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. 

Necessary food, safety and power, three very dangerous areas of testing. How many of us have succumbed in one of these areas? Jesus overcame the Devil because he knew the word of God and used it correctly. Do we do the same? Something to think about on a cold Florida morning.

Bible Reading November 22 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading November 22 (World English Bible)

Nov. 22

Jeremiah 38-41

Jer 38:1 Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah, heard the words that Jeremiah spoke to all the people, saying,

Jer 38:2 Thus says Yahweh, He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence; but he who goes forth to the Chaldeans shall live, and his life shall be to him for a prey, and he shall live.

Jer 38:3 Thus says Yahweh, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.

Jer 38:4 Then the princes said to the king, Let this man, we pray you, be put to death; because he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them: for this man doesn't seek the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

Jer 38:5 Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand; for the king is not he who can do anything against you.

Jer 38:6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchijah the king's son, that was in the court of the guard: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. In the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and Jeremiah sank in the mire.

Jer 38:7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin),

Jer 38:8 Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spoke to the king, saying,

Jer 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is likely to die in the place where he is, because of the famine; for there is no more bread in the city.

Jer 38:10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dies.

Jer 38:11 So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took there rags and worn-out garments, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.

Jer 38:12 Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, Put now these rags and worn-out garments under your armholes under the cords. Jeremiah did so.

Jer 38:13 So they drew up Jeremiah with the cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

Jer 38:14 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet to him into the third entry that is in the house of Yahweh: and the king said to Jeremiah, I will ask you a thing; hide nothing from me.

Jer 38:15 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? and if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.

Jer 38:16 So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, As Yahweh lives, who made us this soul, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.

Jer 38:17 Then said Jeremiah to Zedekiah, Thus says Yahweh, the God of Armies, the God of Israel: If you will go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then your soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and you shall live, and your house.

Jer 38:18 But if you will not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape out of their hand.

Jer 38:19 Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews who are fallen away to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.

Jer 38:20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver you. Obey, I beg you, the voice of Yahweh, in that which I speak to you: so it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live.

Jer 38:21 But if you refuse to go forth, this is the word that Yahweh has shown me:

Jer 38:22 behold, all the women who are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Your familiar friends have set you on, and have prevailed over you: now that your feet are sunk in the mire, they are turned away back.

Jer 38:23 They shall bring out all your wives and your children to the Chaldeans; and you shall not escape out of their hand, but shall be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and you shall cause this city to be burned with fire.

Jer 38:24 Then said Zedekiah to Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and you shall not die.

Jer 38:25 But if the princes hear that I have talked with you, and they come to you, and tell you, Declare to us now what you have said to the king; don't hide it from us, and we will not put you to death; also what the king said to you:

Jer 38:26 then you shall tell them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.

Jer 38:27 Then came all the princes to Jeremiah, and asked him; and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.

Jer 38:28 So Jeremiah abode in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken.

Jer 39:1 It happened when Jerusalem was taken, (in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and besieged it;

Jer 39:2 in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city),

Jer 39:3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit, Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.

Jer 39:4 It happened that, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.

Jer 39:5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he gave judgment on him.

Jer 39:6 Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon killed all the nobles of Judah.

Jer 39:7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.

Jer 39:8 The Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.

Jer 39:9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the residue of the people who remained in the city, the deserters also who fell away to him, and the residue of the people who remained.

Jer 39:10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

Jer 39:11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying,

Jer 39:12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do to him even as he shall tell you.

Jer 39:13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon;

Jer 39:14 they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he lived among the people.

Jer 39:15 Now the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,

Jer 39:16 Go, and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished before you in that day.

Jer 39:17 But I will deliver you in that day, says Yahweh; and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.

Jer 39:18 For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but your life shall be for a prey to you; because you have put your trust in me, says Yahweh.

Jer 40:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah, who were carried away captive to Babylon.

Jer 40:2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, Yahweh your God pronounced this evil on this place;

Jer 40:3 and Yahweh has brought it, and done according as he spoke: because you have sinned against Yahweh, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come on you.

Jer 40:4 Now, behold, I loose you this day from the chains which are on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will take care of you; but if it seems bad to you to come with me into Babylon, don't: behold, all the land is before you; where it seems good and right to you to go, there go.

Jer 40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, Go back then, said he, to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wherever it seems right to you to go. So the captain of the guard gave him food and a present, and let him go.

Jer 40:6 Then went Jeremiah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.

Jer 40:7 Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of those who were not carried away captive to Babylon;

Jer 40:8 then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, to wit, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.

Jer 40:9 Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore to them and to their men, saying, Don't be afraid to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Jer 40:10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans who shall come to us: but you, gather you wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.

Jer 40:11 Likewise when all the Jews who were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan;

Jer 40:12 then all the Jews returned out of all places where they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, to Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.

Jer 40:13 Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,

Jer 40:14 and said to him, Do you know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam didn't believe them.

Jer 40:15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Please let me go, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish?

Jer 40:16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, You shall not do this thing; for you speak falsely of Ishmael.

Jer 41:1 Now it happened in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal and one of the chief officers of the king, and ten men with him, came to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they ate bread together in Mizpah.

Jer 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him, and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

Jer 41:3 Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with him, to wit, with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans who were found there, the men of war.

Jer 41:4 It happened the second day after he had killed Gedaliah, and no man knew it,

Jer 41:5 that there came men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even eighty men, having their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and having cut themselves, with meal offerings and frankincense in their hand, to bring them to the house of Yahweh.

Jer 41:6 Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it happened, as he met them, he said to them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.

Jer 41:7 It was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah killed them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men who were with him.

Jer 41:8 But ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, Don't kill us; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he stopped, and didn't kill them among their brothers.

Jer 41:9 Now the pit in which Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had killed, by the side of Gedaliah (the same was who which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with those who were killed.

Jer 41:10 Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people who were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people who remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam; Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the children of Ammon.

Jer 41:11 But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,

Jer 41:12 then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.

Jer 41:13 Now it happened that, when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, then they were glad.

Jer 41:14 So all the people who Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned about and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.

Jer 41:15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the children of Ammon.

Jer 41:16 Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, to wit, the men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon:

Jer 41:17 and they departed, and lived in Geruth Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,

Jer 41:18 because of the Chaldeans; for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor over the land.

Nov. 22

Hebrews 8

Heb 8:1 Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

Heb 8:2 a servant of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

Heb 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.

Heb 8:4 For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;

Heb 8:5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, "See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain."

Heb 8:6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.

Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he said, "Behold, the days come," says the Lord, "that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;

Heb 8:9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they didn't continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them," says the Lord.

Heb 8:10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days," says the Lord; "I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Heb 8:11 They will not teach every man his fellow citizen, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all will know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more."

Heb 8:13 In that he says, "A new covenant," he has made the first old. But that which is becoming old and grows aged is near to vanishing away.

Learning Faithfulness from Abigail by Beth Johnson

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Johnson/Edna/Elizabeth/1939/abigail.html

Learning Faithfulness from Abigail

Most everyone who studies Old Testament history knows the account of Nabal in 1 Samuel 25. It is a true account of a man whose wife likely had to cover for him repeatedly to keep someone from killing him. Even though we know that parents arranged the marriages, sometimes causing a good woman to marry a foolish man, we might wonder how such a one as Abigail could be faithful to her vows year after year in spite of her husband’s abuse. We often study how a man could marry several women or even commit treachery against his wife by putting her away for any reason (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:14-16), but there does not appear to be the same privilege for a woman under the Law of Moses. No matter what situation the Lord granted her, we know that she could not be pleasing under the Mosaic Law if she left her husband. Had this troubled couple been living today, we might apply Matthew 19:8-9 or 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 to their problems; however, even under New Testament law, she could not divorce him scripturally and marry another man unless he had committed fornication. Was Nabal abusive to Abigail like he was to the other people around him? Probably he was. Did Abigail still have an obligation to remain faithful to him? Absolutely!
Let me remind you of some of the things the Holy Spirit records about the man Nabal. He was a wealthy businessman who lived in prosperity (1 Samuel 25:2, 6). He was able to hold a feast in his house like the feast of a king (vs. 36). In spite of all God had blessed him with, he was said to be churlish and evil in his doings (vs. 3). He was a railer (vs. 14). He was not a heathen as we might suspect because he was of the “house of Caleb” (vs. 3). When he was asked to give food to David and his men, he refused because he apparently did not know (or pretended not to know) them (vs. 11). Instead of searching out who the son of Jesse was, Nabal assumed the worst about the ones asking for food and water. Even his hired servants knew he was being unfair in his judgment and offensive in his answers (vs. 17). They dared to say, “...for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him” (vs. 17). His own wife knew what kind of man he was and explained to David that he was “...a man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him” (vs. 25). Apparently, there was no hope that Nabal would change his ways, and the Scriptures say that the Lord returned his wickedness upon his own head (vs. 39). Obviously, he had a stroke and died ten days later. We know that the goodness of the Lord is meant to lead a sinner to repentance, and apparently Nabal’s life follows the same pattern we see in Romans 2:4, Psalms 73:3-12 and Job 21:7-13.
By contrast, Abigail is said to be a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance (vs. 3). Abigail had neither married an idolater nor a stranger from another nation (Numbers 36:3; Deuteronomy 7:1-3; Joshua 23:11-13; Nehemiah 13:23, 27; 2 Corinthians 6:14). We read that she had married well because she was given to a man from the house of Caleb, one of God’s most righteous leaders in the early days of Israel’s wilderness wanderings (vs. 3). She was said to have wisdom and wise counsel. When the servants heard that David intended to kill their master and his entire household because of the way Nabal treated them, they knew they could turn to Abigail for help to defer David’s anger. They trusted her to do something to save them all (vs. 14-19). She humbled herself before David and begged for his favor (vs. 23) and wisely prepared more food for him and his men than he had originally asked for (vs. 11, 18). She very wisely acknowledged that her husband should suffer because he had returned evil for the good David had done for him (vs. 21; Psalm 38:20; 109:5; Proverbs 17:13), but she asked that he take vengeance on her rather than Nabal or his workers. However, she also requested that David would simply hear her words before he killed her (vs. 24). It was these wise words that would save David from shedding blood and avenging himself by his own hand (vs. 26; vs. 33; Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:17; Deuteronomy 32:35). Later, in Psalms 94:1-3, we read that David never forgot the lesson God taught him through Abigail (James 1:17).
Not only was Abigail diplomatic, but she also had faith that Nabal would be killed by God himself (vs. 26, 31). She very humbly acknowledged that the Lord had used her to do His work with David. She then gave David a blessing which could have been revealed to her by God (vs. 26-31). She begged for forgiveness and testified that she knew that David was God’s anointed and would rule over all Israel. Judging rightly that she would be forgiven for the incident concerning her husband, she asked that David remember her when he came into his kingdom (vs. 31). At this news, David praised the God of heaven who had sent such a woman to save him from doing what he had intended to do (vs. 32-33). As soon as the news came to David that Nabal was dead, he “remembered” her and called for her to be his wife (vs. 39). Abigail still showed her humility in her acceptance speech (vs. 41). She was willing to go to the house of David to wash the feet of the king’s servants. What a beautiful heart she possessed so that she could be used by God to save a man from folly and still be willing to serve in other ways!
By this example, we have seen the contrast between two people (one righteous and one evil), and we have seen a striking example of how God blessed a woman who endured grief - suffering wrongfully (1 Peter 2:17-24). She was willing to give honor and devoted service even to a froward husband. There is no indication that she tried to be loosed from him. She did not run away from him like the woman in Judges 19:1-2. No doubt she also gave loving devoted service to David after he called her to be his wife, and his heart could safely trust in her (Proverbs 31:11- 12).
We have no promise that God will avenge us of our enemies in this life or that our blessings will come to us in this life, but we can be assured that we will be rewarded in eternity if we endure to the end (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7). May our Father in Heaven bless us all to be more like Abigail.
Beth Johnson

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The King James Version.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)