Galatians

Galatians Chapter 5: Liberty

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Can we visit for a moment, you & I? How are you, friend? How have you been? No, really. I’d like to know. Specifically, how’s your week going? Is that all? Oh, wait, what else? And how much free time DO yo have? Wow! You are busy.

Aren't you busy!
Aren’t you busy!

Well, if you’re reading this tiny post, on a tiny blog, in a vast sea of words and pixels and video and sound and distraction, you are probably looking for something on Galatians. Maybe you’re a Bible study teacher, maybe a student, possibly grabbing a picture or reference. Help yourself, by all means.

But you ARE a BUSY Christian. My goodness. Did you day you serve your church, maybe another or two or three miniseries. A pastor?

OK, one more question: Are you a Martha or a Mary? Of course I’m speaking of the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, and Martha makes lunch abad gets spun up because she’s working working working and Mary is (in her mind) lollygagging when there’s work to be done. See Luke 10:38-42 for the story if you’re not familiar. Go ahead, I’ll wait. I’d like to know how you rate yourself.

I thought so.  Me too. I get spun up and writing, playing, practicing, studying, and my devotional life suffers. Luther suffered from this as well. He did stations of the Cross, fasting, indulgences, and a lot of other things until he came to the end of himself.

Ray Stedman described the moment:

“He (Martin Luther) was struck by a verse in the Psalms that said,

…in thy righteousness, deliver me! (Psalms 31:1 RSV)
This gripped Martin Luther’s heart because the righteousness of God was to him a terrible thing — that unbendable righteous judgment by which God would destroy everyone who failed in the least degree to measure up to the full expectation of the holiness of God. Luther said that he even hated the word “righteousness.””
Source: Raystedman.org

There’s an old saw that goes “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” Busy is an enemy. It’s a treadmill and an idol that allows us to block out intimacy with God and people by salving our conscious by or works. It can run periliously close to works righteousness.

But our hearts are turned to Christ, so that, as we will see in chapter 6, we can be liberated from that yoke, provided we have spent time at the foot of the Master, and wear only His yoke, His light burden.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Galatians 5:1 This could very well be a summary verse for the book.  Freedom is the purpose of the letter, and dedication to this or any other freedom requires diligence, since it is an unnatural human state. Our forefathers knew this well, and fashioned our Constitution in such a way as to prevent tyranny and bondage to be imposed on the citizenry. From the Declaration of Independence:+ 

 

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

 

In other words, the government would rather change the rules for “efficiency and  streamlining” and that we the people are more apt to put up with that cost. It took a bloody revolution to overthrow our shackles, and sadly, we are allowing ourselves to be fitted with a new shiny yoke.
Galatians 5:2-6 If you leave the Gospel, are on your own. And not only are you on your own, you have to walk a tightrope a thousand feet over the Grand Canyon. One slip, and you’re  a goner. 

tight_rope

 

So instead of the tightrope of Law, we place hope, not a nebulous expression of wishful worldly thinking, but a surety, because the basis of that hope is God Himself, and His proven promises. This makes works meaningless in terms of salvation. There true relationship will be expressed shortly. Note how Paul here an later makes dramatic allusions to severing body parts to emphasize his revulsion of works righteousness.
Galatians 5:7-12 Now Paul calls into question the knuckleheads who started this whole business of works-righteousness, and the how a little works must necessarily spread into all ares of religious life; it cannot remain a small part, for just as Paul (and James 1:10) says that a failure in one tenant, is a total failure of the Law.And there he goes again with the mutilation-emasculation, chopping off thing again. OK, I get it.

Chop chop
Chop chop
Galatians 5:13-15 Paul recaps this precious freedom, and repoints the way to the New Testament Law we keep because of love, the Law of Love. 

This is Law is, in a sense, reactionary. That is,. instead of the works treadmill, our reaction to our love of Christ is to keep his commandments (John 14:15), which is to love one another (John 13:34) This is the impetus for service.
Galatians 5:16-24 It is the war of the ages, the old sinful nature (the flesh), vs the new spiritual nature. The winner is the nature you feed the most.Paul gives us two signposts to see how we are doing, Sin Circle, and Spirit Street. 

Living on Sin Circle there’s your neighbors, and they are a miserable lot. I don’t know how I could get a night’s rest with these people living next to me. Ima Immoral would be knocking on the door when her husband was gone, Anger Anne would be yelling at the wee hours of the morning with her husband, Jealous Jack, while factious Phil, the neighborhood gossip would be collecting the local trash about you gossiping with Sorcerer Sal.

 

Over on Spirit Street, Joy is always baking pies, even with her Stage 3 cancer. She lives to help the neighbors. Gentle Jill is watching her kids play on the bikes on the sidewalk. She and her husband, Louis Love have the most beautiful well behaved kids. Self Control Sid has the most beautiful lawn and front yard you’d ever want to see. Started out as a rental, but Sid and his brother Paul Peace built it up, cleaned out the trash, painted it, and keep the place looking nice. Took a while, but they are proud to be members of Spirit Street.

 

Which neighborhood do you want to live in?
Galatians 5:25-26 The point is, being saved by grace and then truing to be pious to one up the guy ion the next pew with loud (and fake) piety on Sunday is not what makes a good work in the Spirit. Yielding to God is.

 

Memory Verse – “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22b-23a

OK, a little cheesy for grownups. But you’ll memorize it if you listen…

 

Application – Root out and question your ministry.  Are they being done to placate a guilty conscious? To impress people? Or are they coming as a heart-response to a beautiful God who has touched us forever by Hs grace and love?

Bible Studies, Galatians

Galatians Chapter 4: Sons of God

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Galatians: The Gospel Plus Nothing

 

Galatians 4:1-7 We are given positions as Sons of God, not just justification. The word for child used  here are little, under 15 children. The father gives a ceremony bringing the child into full sonship, a time determined by the father, and not an arbitrary age. The Toga Virillus was that ceremony, was given a robe and a ring. The ring was a signet, and gave him the same authority as the father. The Law never made anyone a son of God. Adoption – The word used here is the man’s own son. The Toga Virilis made him, literally placed as a full grown son of God. 1 Cor 2:9-10 shows that the Word of God can only be interpreted by the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God teaches us, quoting from Isa 64:4.Many people debate the name of God, Jehovah, G-d, YHWH, Yahweh. But we don’t call Hime by any of these names. We know Him as Abba, Father. Mark 14:36 Romans 8:15So the Spirit can teach us as newbs, or mature Christians. We need to take the first step to be willing to learn. Romans 8:9-16 parallels this abridgement.We can believe that piety or baptism of the HS is the only way to have an experience as a son of God. No a brand new believer is a son of God. Of the two, truth comes before experience.
Galatians 4:8-11 The fulness of time is what Paul shows, though he dos not say it outright: God chose to wait until “the fulness of time.8-9  Known of God is approved or recognized by God. In 9 it is the experiential knowledge of God (after the truth, the Word of God.) Turning to Law is going back to idolatry.  dDays months, seasons, and years are from the OT Law feasts, sabbaths, sabbatic year, new years, year of Jubilee, etc. It’s worthless.
Galatians 4:12-20 There is commonality between Paul and the Galatians. Paul reminds them of their kindness. He is being polite in this harsh rhetoric. v 17-18:  references 2 Cor 11:12, This is the universal hook of the cults: to affirm the new cult convert for no good purpose but to add a notch to their crooked Bible, not for your good. Rather be zealous for the right *truthful) things of God, not false zeal for the cults.  Gal 4:19-20 A tender note for those born again, as a tender father or mother wanting to gather in his little ones, like a quail covey guarded by the parents.
Galatians 4:21-26 Mc Gee points out here that most most people who follow the Ten Commandments don’t really hear it in light of the terror and majesty of its giving to Moses in Exo 19:16-25 and Exo 20:18-22. Being sinners is a terrible thing.  Paul then uses allegory to show the difference between the promise (freedom) of the child of Sara, and the flesh (slavery) of the slave girl Hagar. In Abraham’s day, the son of a slave was a slave, as well as Rome. Also, there is a comparison of Mt Sinai and Jerusalem.
Galatians 4:27-31 Since we are born again, we too are spiritual children of Abraham as we previously saw in Chapter 3.V 29 Gen 21:9 reminds us that like Sara, we too are going to be reviled for preaching the Gospel. The natural man is at odds ands hates the Gospel because he cannot accept the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 2:14Lose the fleshly self, put on Christ.
Bible Studies, Galatians

Galatians Chapter 3: What Were You Thinking?

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Captain Edward J Smith of the Titanic - Choke Artist
Captain Edward J Smith of the Titanic – Choke Artist

This week we feature our Gallery of Great Choke Artists:

Poor Gus. Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden (1594-1632), disdained the steel armour offered by his aides at the Battle of Lützen, saying: “The Lord God is my Armour!” Yes, the Battle of Lutzen was indeed in 1632.

Peter Crawford’s self-defence in a New York court suffered slightly after he asked the key witness: “Did you get a good look at my face when I snatched your bag?”

Rommel decided that he could go home to celebrate his wife’s birthday because Normandy was so quiet in June 1944.

This was Sir William Preece, chief engineer of the General Post Office, in 1876: “The Americans have need of the telephone, but we do not. We have plenty of messenger boys.”

t took 177 years to build, but the Pisa’s famous tower began to lean less than a decade after construction began. The enormous project was planned on unstable soil, and had a shallow three metre foundation which couldn’t support the structure’s weight. After extensive renovations, the tower has now stopped moving for the first time in its history.

Maj Gen John Sedgwick (1813-1864) was unimpressed by Confederate sniper fire at the Battle of Spotsylvania. “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance!” Five points for the first person to identify when the battle took place…

And topping our list, Captain Edward J. Smith, captain of the RMS Titanic, the largest passenger steamship in the world, was popularly believed to be unsinkable. The huge loss of life that occurred when it crashed into an iceberg in 1912 was due partly to an inadequate supply of lifeboats, and partly to design flaws – including an unreliable system of watertight compartments, and poor quality rivets in the ship’s hull. 

Exasperated? So was Paul at the Galatians. His chastisement of the Galatians might be made today as Snap out of it, you knuckleheads. What were you thinking? 

Sources:
BBC Magazine
Daily Telegraph

Paul Rebukes Peter

Galatians 3:1-5 First comes the argument of personal experience. They became Christians by faith, and they knew it. And Paul calls them out with this chastisement.
Galatians 3:6-9 Next comes the comparison of their faith with Abraham’s, appealing to the Old Testament, thereby knocking the argument that salvation required following the Law out the door. Because the Judaizers needed reminding that Abraham’s salvation came before there was a Law to keep. Gen 12:3And that includes Gentiles, because, in a real sense, Abraham was a Gentile
Galatians 3:10-14 Now comes the clarification that the Law brings a curse. Even the OT ends the old Covenant by the reminding of a curse. Mal 4:6 Deu 21:23
Galatians 3:15-18 Paul now closes the door on the argument that the the Law supersedes the promises made to Abraham. Then he focuses in on the distinction was made to one person, one seed, vs seeds. That seed is Christ Jesus. He is quoting Gen 22:17-18Paul is a Biblical literalist!
Galatians 3:19-23 The Law was necessary to show the pitiful human sinner his depraved and utterly helpless position. Good thing I’m not one. What!?Shut up everyone – The Law closes the door on self-righteousness AND justification by works, since no one can keep the Law perfectly. Jesus made this clear when the Pharisees wanted to stone the adulteress and He made the famous offer “Let the sinless one cast the first stone John 8:3-11Ordained by angels – See Deu 23:2 Acts 7:53
Galatians 3:24-29 Tutor here is literally child conductor.

Cult Spotlight – Islam

Islam in a Nutshell:

Source: carm.org

Galatians, Jehovah Witnesses

Galatians: Chapter 2

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Paul Pleads for the Poor, Rebukes Peter

Galatians 2:10 The new Jewish believers of Jerusalem were wicked poor. They paid a heavy sacrifice for their faith by being ostracized from Jewish culture and commerce for their steadfast faith in Jesus Christ  Paul too was sensitive as were the early church to the leading of the Holy Spirit in His compelling desire to band together not just as participants at some church service, but at the much deeper checkbook level.  THAT is koinonia.Biblical glimpses of this are seen:

Acts 2:42-45 The beginning of the Spirit’s movement on Chrst’s new Bride. The pooled resources is one of the distinctives of the church.

Acts 4:32-35 – Sometimes this is manifested in the present day church.

Someone needs lumber for a repair project; one of the brothers goes and buys it without thought to cost; a sister cooks and delivers dinner from money and food from her home without thought of reimbursement.

Acts 5:1-ff Ananias and Sapphira were the counterfeits of this purity nd simple innocence of money. They wanted the glory, while the others gave no thought of recognition.

Romans 15:26 the word for contribution is the Greek koinonia, fellowship. How much more intimate than the giving of money.Other references 1 Cor 8:4, 16:1-4 2 Cor 8:4 ff
Galatians 2:11-14 Paul begins an illustration of the encounter he had with Peter and others to:

  • Point out and confront Peter’s hypocrisy
  • Point out the Jewish believers’ of Antioch’s hypocrisy
  • Correct the the straying Galatians who read the letter
  • Rebuke the Judaizers who came to Galatia and thought themselves more authoritative than Paul
  • Correct the brothers (Barnabas et al) from Jerusalem, who having previously fellowshipped with the Gentile believers)

This action also brought unity back to the Gentiles and Jews, as there was only one Gospel, and not two.
Galatians 2:15-16 In verse 15, Paul uses language that the Jews would understand, as they were steeped in the Law and therefore considered the Gentiles as sinners since the Gentiles did not keep the Law. Make no mistake, keeping the Law didn’t keep anyone from being a sinner.

In verse 16, the case for justification by faith alone. He goes on to say that as a “good” Pharisee, he had to open his quest for faith by works to attain justification, that is, made right in the eyes of God.
Galatians 2:17 Since he is not justified by the Law, the twisted argument that follows would say, “OK, no Law is needed to be right before God, let’s toss the Law and live like there’s no tomorrow.” Sorry. Although the Law doesn’t save, we who love Jesus keep His commandments Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, souls, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself. This isn’t justifying, it’s the heart’s response and manifestation of the believer.

Paul battled this heresy here, and later when he returned to Jerusalem, where his detractors said to abandon the Law, and were so infuriated, they vowed to kill him. See Acts 21:21

Antinomianism, the twisted idea in this verse, is the opposite of “faith by works.” It says in essence, that since w are saved by grace and not by works of the Law (ten commandments a part of the Law), then we need not observe the commandments. ref: http://www.theopedia.com/Antinomianism
Galatians 2:18-21 If Paul does this thing, he’s the hypocrite. The only way is to die to the Law. That means the court is adjourned when the defendant dies; you can’t convict a dead woman or man of anything! See Romans 6:2, 7:4 1 Cor 9:20

Cult Spotlight – Jehovah’s Witnesses

Watchtower Society in a Nutshell:

Source: carm.org
Memory Verse – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” -Gal 2:20

Application – Recognize that there are simply things we can’t accomplish without God’s grace (help.) Ask God for His grace, and leave the things of God to Him.    

Apologetics, Bible Studies, Galatians

Galatians: Chapter 1

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The Letter to the Galatians is Paul’s warning and admonition to the Christians in Asia Minor to steer clear of people who “knew better” than the simple truth of Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel: Jesus plus zip, zero, nada.

Paul was being ions-upped by the Jews who had come in after him, claiming authority as teachers. Wrote Luther:

“In every way, they sought to undermine the authority of St. Paul. They said to the Galatians: “You have no right to think highly of Paul. He was the last to return to Christ. But we have seen Christ. We heard Him preach. Paul came later and is beneath us. Is it possible for us to be in error – we who have received the Holy Ghost? Paul stands alone. He has not seen Christ nor has he had much contact with the other apostles. Indeed, he persecuted the Church of Christ for a long time.””
Source: Luther commentary on Galatians at Gal 1:1

We share Paul’s uphill battle in defending the purity of the Gospel against its foes, without and within. In this sense, we share his ministry. Let’s be worthy of it.

Paul Authenticates His Ministry

Galatians1:11-12 Paul points out the origin of his Gospel: direct revelation; using the same word, apocalypses, found in Joh’s Book of Revelation.
Galatians 1:13-17 Personal testimony. People may refute what you believe, what the Bible “really” says, but they CANNOT refute your testimony; it is your DNA and story and testimony. And quite natural to use, simply relate your story. Paul’s authority is fully authenticated and apostolic. He did not shrink back from it.
Galatians 1:18-24 Paul explains and gives background to his authority through his testimony. The early years must have been difficult, having conspired to abet the death of Stephen, and persecuting other Christians.It was here that Paul began to understand the the grace of God (Discussion)

Shane Harper’s character, Josh Wheaton and others also  had to be brave:

Paul at the Jerusalem Council

Galatians 2:1-10 Paul narrates his validation of his ministry. He was living out the conclusions reached at the Jerusalem Council in 48, some 8-10 years earlier. In it (Acts 15) the question of how one is saved was resolved.What was necessary was that that they had to re-defend salvation by grace. It is not the natural bent of mankind, our pride demands participation, and negates the horror and suffering of the Cross.Instead, the Council said only to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols (to not cause consternation among weaker Christians), and fornication, a rampant epidemic of the day and easily excused.

 

Cult Spotlight – Mormonism:

Mormonism in a Nutshell:

Source: carm.org
Memory Verse – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” -Gal 2:20

Application – The Gospel is precious and  to be shared through the words of the Bible and our personal testimony.    

Bible Studies, Galatians

Galatians: The Gospel Plus Nothing

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Schedule

Week Topic Cult / Religion Spotlight
1 Salvation – Introduction and Chapter 1
2 Justification by Faith Defended: 1:11-2:21 Mormonism
3 Justification by Faith Explained 1- 3:1-22 Jehovah’s Witnesses
4 Justification by Faith Explained 2 – 3:23-4:31 Islam
5 Justification Applied 1 – 5:1-26 Orthodox Judaism
6 Justification Applied 2 & Conclusion 6:1-18 Liberal Christianity

The Gospel – Freedom:
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” Galatians 5:1

The Letter to the Galatians is Paul’s warning and admonition to the Christians in Asia Minor to steer clear of people who “knew better” than the simple truth of Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel: Jesus plus zip, zero, nada.

Let’s put that myth to rest. The Gospel is easily added to. But if it were necessary to add to, or gain salvation by anything other than the atoning death of Christ, that death would be meaningless. Yet, the notion persists because of many reasons.

http://youtu.be/QiLatwTFUhw?list=PLtTderf–PWqc85donU6MLFkJk4u05iPU

It was the freedom of the Gospel that compelled John Wesley, English evangelist, to convert the Indians of North America. Using the Letter to the Galatians, he himself was converted.

He then began a revival, among those saved was John Wilberforce, who was instrumental in the stoppage of the slave trade in the British Empire.

This freedom comes through the emancipation of the Gospel of grace through faith. J Vernon McGee says grace is a way to life and a way of life.  Source: JV McGee Note on Through the Bible Epistle to the Galatians Introduction.

There study of Galatians is Paul’s polemic against the Judaizers who came in and taught that (in essence) since Jesus was a Jew, the Law still applied and therefore was a necessary part of salvation. Paul stridently refutes the notion. It is his harshest, there being no personal greetings, instead moving forcefully against the teaching of another Gospel, Jesus plus works.

That is apse how Christianity differs from all other religions.

Summary / Thoughts
Why add to the Gospel? (Discussion) 1:1-10

Eph 2:8-10 How is one saved? Why is he saved? What is required of man?What is not possible for man?
Eph 2:7 Why is he saved?
Romans 1:16 The power of the Gospel

 

Introduction & Reason for the Letter
The Galatian were descended from a fierce tribe of Gauls (modern France). Galatians are of a specific sub-race and place, Galatia.

The Celtic Gauls, sacked Rome in 4th cent BC, moved to Bithynia at the request of the king. .They are blond Orientals. They had a temper, and are said to be very much like Americans. They had cults and “isms”

It has no commendations, no prayer requests, no one is called by name. Paul has on his war paint here, he becomes strident for the pure Gospel.

Paul seeks to emancipate the people, by freeing them from the shackles of legalism.

Galatians1:1 Consider Acts 1 story of Matthias and the fallacious alternate of choice logical fallacy committed by Peter (before the Church Age and before the indwelling of the HS.) Paul, instead asserts his Apostleship as not a laying on of hands, burning straw, or hocus locus, but selected by God.
Galatians1:3 Grace & peace. Greek chars was the Gentile greeting of the day, while shalom, peace, loosely, is the Jewish greeting.
Galatians1:4 The present evil age. The Jews believed (as do we) that this time is evil, and the one to come will be holy. See also http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/to-deliver-us-from-the-present-evil-age
Galatians1:6 to the point: The facts are Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead. Without this, it isn’t the Gospel. The interpreters of heresy (Judaizers) would say that hey, you also need to follow the Law (or whatever, as we shall see as we go through the series.
Galatians1:7 to distort, Greek metastrepho, to distort, pervert or change, in a catastrophic way.
Galatians1:9 Romans 4:5

Memory Verse – “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” -Gal 1:8

Application – The Gospel is precious and  to be shared.  

Apologetics, Jehovah Witnesses

Jesus is Jehovah God

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Who is Jesus? The answer to that critical question is what makes Christianity different from all religion and belief systems. If you believe what the Bible says is true, then indeed, Jesus is Jehovah God. Almost all other belief systems say that Jesus is a prophet, a good teacher, a higher power, a false prophet, a demon, a man, Michael the Archangel, the spirit brother of Lucifer, a non-corporeal spirit being, and on and on. In short, it seems that everybody gets to be God except Jesus.

What does Bible say?  We begin with references to the LORD in the Old Testament, and references to Jesus in the New Testament. These leave no doubt as to our Savior’s deity.

 

Old Testament New Testament
Prepare the way for Jehovah
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God” -Isa 40:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'”” -Mat 3:3
Jehovah, Sender of Prophets
But I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, As in the days of the appointed festival. I have also spoken to the prophets, And I gave numerous visions, And through the prophets I gave parables. -Hosea 12:9-10 Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” -Mat 23:34-35
Call on the Name of Jehovah
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” -Joel 2:32 ” ‘AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’ – Acts 2:21
Jehovah the First and Last
“Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together. All of you, assemble yourselves, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; He shall do His pleasure on Babylon, And His arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken; Yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way will prosper. Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me.” -Isa 48:12-16 “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.'”-Rev 1:17 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” -Rev 1:11
“Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? ‘I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He.'” (Isa 41:4) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Rev 22:13)
>”Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.” -Isa 44:6 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End ,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” -Rev 1:8
Jehovah’s Fellow and Equal
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is MyCompanion,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.” -Zec 13:7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, -Phil 2:5-6
Jehovah our Creator
” In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”-Gen 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” -John 1:1-3
“I said, “O my God Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.” -Psa 102:24-27 “But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” And: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.” -Heb 1:8-10
Jehovah our Savior
“And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.” -Joel 2:32   “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.'” -Rom 10:9-13
Jehovah our Glory
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. -Psa 24:7-10 “…which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. – 1 Cor 2:8″My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” -James 2:1
“I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. -Isa 42:8 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” -John 17:5
Jehovah our Righteousness
“Behold,the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. -Jer 23:5-6 “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God; and righteousness and sanctification and redemption; that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” -1 Cor 1:30-31
Jehovah of Hosts
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!'” -Isa 6:1-3″Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.” – Isa 6:10 “But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” – John 12:37-41
Jehovah the Good Shepherd
“Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” -Isa 40:10-11 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” -John 10:14″Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.” -Heb 13:20
King Jehovah
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” -Psa 45:6 “But to the Son He says: ” Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. ” -Heb 1:8
I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King .” -Isa 43:15 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -Mat 25:34
Jehovah, Father of Living Water
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns; broken cisterns that can hold no water.” – Jeremiah 2:13 “Then the but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” – John 4:14

1The letter J is not found in the Hebrew alphabet. In the Old Testament, the name of deity is transliterated as YHWH, and is usually rendered as LORD. Sometimes this name has been rendered Jehovah, but although inaccurate, strictly speaking, as is the name Jesus (Y’shua in the Hebrew), it is indeed a secondary issue. The primary issue is that Jesus is Jehovah. “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Bible Studies, Nehemiah

Nehemiah Chapter 13 – You Don’t Get What You Expect

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Pills

*Sigh* #struglife. All I want is a simple REFILL!!!!!!! Can you hear me scream? What do I haft do to get a refill of a scrip I’ve been taking for 20 years?

The website sent me circles. I realize, even though I make a living sitting on technology’s saddle, I tend to overcomplicate things. But really, a scrip refill. Worth 1o bucks for 90 days.

I send emails, call the doctor’s office, call the the “new and improved” pharma site my company uses. I just about ran out last time. So I started a month and a half this time, but a week later, no the doctor’s admin hadn’t heard anything, and the pharma site, Caremark, still had the “we have received your request” notice.

Yes, it’s a tempest in a teapot, it’s a first world problem, but no it’s not not, it’s heart meds. So if I want them, I better go do something about it. You don’t get what you want, you get what you inspect (follow up on).

Trainwreck

As human nature has not changed in the 2,500 years since Nehemiah pulled his (and other people’s!) hair out about things that he thought were obvious, so must we. He returned from his year-long hiatus from Jerusalem to find the people had shrugged off their responsibilities to the Temple service, Sabbath rest, and mixed marriage.

Sometimes we need to enforce accountability, especially on ourselves.

Summary / Thoughts

Nehemiah 13:1-3 These verses probably belong in the previous chapter, but the verses and chapters are not Biblical, they were added later in the 13th and sixteenth century. (See the article by Don Stewart in the Blue Letter Bible for more.)They were reading Deut 23:3-5. (Read) There is a true paradox here, because the line of David includes a Moabite. Yes, Ruth. Her new husband, Boaz, was 11th from Abraham. Well before the curse made above.  From Mat 1:1-6:
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Judah
Perez and Zerah by Tamar
Hezron
Ram
Amminadab
Nahshon
Salmon
Boaz was the father of
Obed by Ruth
Jesse
David the king
Jews were not to marry non-Israelites, including the priests. Exo 34:16 echoed at Deut 7:3, 4:1.  Having the the Moabites and Ammonites expelled would, of course, make it difficult to find a one to wed…More to the point,  the people were reading and heeding. This is a perfect example for us. And it was a controversial thing to do, yet they obeyed God at the peril of being PC and bowing to please people.
Nehemiah 13:4-9 Nehemiah returned to Artaxerxes after 12 years of service. Some believe his absence from Jerusalem was around a year.Rather than nicely inviting Tobiah to make other arrangements, Nehemiah busted his sorry hide, and the horse he rode in on out of the Temple.

The (excuse me, A) spiritual parallel here is that Nehemiah treated Tobiah the same way we should treat sin. When there is sin in our Temple (1 Cor 6:19 ) toss it OUT! Questions!?
Nehemiah 13:10-14 It appears the people left in charge did not continue in their commitments with predictable results. You & I need this kind of accountability, men with men, women with women. Spending time and asking each other uncomfortable questions and being honest with each other.So reading this you might think that pledge drives are a great idea. On the other hand, many many pastors don’t speak at al about giving because they feel it will offend the “seekers.”

But OT giving is more structured than NT. One of the reasons is that we have the Holy Spirit living in us and giving is more a matter of the heart 2 Cor 9:6-8. Yet, we still need the gentle reminding and encouragement as Paul did the Corinthians.
Nehemiah 13:15-22 Where do you think the Jews picked up these habits? Failure to read & heed (above), acting like the locals, mostly, drifting away in relationship with God.Pulling

It takes a God-appointed leader to remind people of their responsibilities. Previously, the prophets had done this, sometimes the people would repent and turn back to God, but more often getting upset at the messenger often with dire consequences. Jeremiah 18:18 is an example of this and Moses Exo 17:4

 

This passage is a clear example of you get what you inspect.
Nehemiah 13:23-31 We are commanded not to be unequally yoked in marriage. 2 Cor 6:14.And Nehemiah was especially strident with this infraction, perhaps to make a point.

 

And it is important. Try standing on a chair and pulling someone up to you. Now find out how easy it is to be pulled off the chair.

 

 

 

 

Bible Studies, Nehemiah

Nehemiah Chapter 11 & 12 – The God of This City

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Chutes and Ladders
Chutes and Ladders

I don’t remember my first ride down the slide at the park. I imagine it was something like what I have observed since then, somebody on one end, maybe dad, pushing me up the steps, and mom down at the bottom, urging me to let go of the bars and sliding that first slide.

I do remember my first bike ride, though. I had waited a full year later than my oldest brother. I just didn’t want to risk falling off the thing. The training wheels were really cutting into my style though, so one afternoon, with my dad ready to run along side me, I got on it, (a hand-me-down Schwinn with a banana seat, and proceeded to go to the end of the block without falling over. I was ready.

Life is an adventure. It involves risk. Acceptable risk, but there is risk.

But I was risk averse. So much so, my dad tried to inspire me. One day, in my late teen years, he brought home a quotation from Theodore Roosevelt, in 1910:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The thought haunted me. And I was that timid young man. I could see others succeeding, but me, seriously!?

The real problem was that I had no confidence; I did not know what I was capable of, only what I had not done up until then.

Some time later, I surrendered my life to Jesus. Over time I learned, no I came to KNOW, two very important things:

  1. I am highly valued by and important to God Almighty, because He allowed His innocent Son to be slaughtered to redeem me. This means I have great worth.
  2. Whatever I venture in faith in the will of God will succeed, despite any short-term (that means in this life) setbacks.

So the reward with risk is much higher than taking few or no risks. No risks for God really means you don’t take him at His Word.

Nehemiah lived his life this way. He knew the risks were a phantom, that his God had proven Himself faithful. All he needed now were a few more people to come live in Jerusalem, to defend, rejoice, and be honored BY NAME in the one book that really counts. Yes, greater things are yet to come:

We can rejoice in victory given to us in the city, or remain “safe” back on the farm. The true risk is not stepping out in faith.

Chapter 11

Nehemiah 11:1-2  The city rebuilt, it now needed people to live in it. These were volunteers, and those chosen by lot. It was (from a worldly standpoint, not advantageous to move to the city; it would be a target to potential invaders, and those coming from agrarian backgrounds would need to find a new way to make a living.It was considered patriotic to make the decision, some did so.
Nehemiah 11:3-9 Here were the folks from Judah and Benjamin, altogether 1,346 people.. (1,346 people they said together.)
Nehemiah 11:10-19 Now the priests, Levites, the guards, musicians and drummers :). Also the outside workers and gatekeepers. These were, all told 1,648 people involved in the operation of the Temple.
Nehemiah 11:20-36 The Temple servants were the descendants of the indentured Gibeonites, who were made servants, ad woodcutters by Joshua. (Joshua 9:10-21)V23 Artaxerxes had issued a command about 100 years previously to provide financial support from the  provinces behind the Euphrates, and to allow the Temple priests and servants to live tax-free. (Ezra 7:20-24)Other Jews from Benjamin and Judah are listed, was many new Jerusalemites came from them.

Chapter 12

Nehemiah 12:1-21 This is an enumeration of the people who returned with Zerubabbel and Ezra, 100 years earlier.  He was the grandson of King Jehoiachin (Mat 1:12) Jeshua is probably the same one mentioned in Zec 3:1-9 being approved by God for the purpose of restoring the Temple.
Nehemiah 12:22-26 Although the priests were Levites, they were only the descendants of Aaron. The other Levites assisted in the Temple duties, as has been shown. No Wranglers or others were in this group. 😉
Nehemiah 12:27-30 BC 445. The dedication was a time to bring out all the Levites from across the land, probably in a processional ceremony around the walls, and to ask God’s protection and provision for the city He wished rebuilt.
Nehemiah 12:31-47 A procession was led by two separate groups, one the east, the other on the west, and proceeded from south  to mort in parade fashion. They met at the Temple were sacrifices and partying to take place.The same day, men were appointed to manage the collection and distribution of valuables given for the service of the Temple. The entire nation blessed the Temple service, and was blessed by the giving.

Memory Verse – “On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.”
Nehemiah 12:43 

Application – Go ahead and take what others think is a risk for God.  

Bible Studies, Nehemiah

Nehemiah Chapter 10 – Excellence: What the Heck Are You Doing Here?

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Up the Organization by Robert Townsend
Up the Organization by Robert Townsend

“If you don’t do it excellently, don’t do it at all. Because if it’s not excellent it won’t be profitable or fun, and if you’re not in business for fun or profit, what are you doing here?”
— Robert Townsend

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:1-2

Be conformed into the image of Christ. It is His way to transform us into the image of His perfection, excellence.

Summary / Thoughts

Nehemiah 10:1-27 The document was sealed. We mentioned the significance of a sealed document in Nehemiah 6:5 where Sanballat carried an open letter to Nehemiah. 

The documents began with the leader, Nehemiah, followed by the priests, then the other Levites, their brothers, followed by the “leaders of the people.” They, in effect, “hung it out,” much like the signers of the United States Constitution. By having their names on the document, they committed themselves to it.

 

What about the people who kept the contract, but were not mentioned?

 

As we discussed last time, this puts the teeth into accountability. One person’s views are highlighted below.
Nehemiah 10:28-31 All the people who were servants or had official duties are now included by function. This group includes women, men, and children who understood what they were doing, and the Law the pledged to uphold. 

These were to include only Jews who were enrolled from the previous genealogies.

 

Why then assemble and make this oath? any reasons could doubtless be cited, one perhaps that the people until then had neglected the we ones Nehemiah listed.
Nehemiah 10:32-33  Here the third shekel, (about 1/6 oz.) shows what it was used for. A bit of accountability for the priests and Levites, who had not always accounted for its use. 

See 2 Kings 22:4-7 for a practice where Josiah forced the doorkeepers to use the monies collected for their intended purpose.
Nehemiah 10:34-39 Yet more promises made. These were not trifling. It’s not as though the first fruits of all this agrarian economy were like a paycheck coming week to week. There was the possibility of drought, crop failure, disease, fire, or other calamities. The bringing of first fruits was a genuine step of faith.

The Components of Accountability Paraphrased from JP McLaughlin

1. Know what is to be done. If the individual does not clearly understand what he is being asked to do, then his manager cannot in fairness expect him to do the job or be accountable for it. So, we must have complete understanding of each job to be performed by the individual who is to be held accountable for an acceptable requirement.
2. The person must have the capacity to do the job. If his training is deficient, or if he doesn’t know here to get the help he needs, then he cannot be held accountable, even if that person has commitment and zeal to do the job expected.
3. Know what the acceptablestandard is. The individual assigned a job must understand and agree with his manager’s standards for an acceptable piece of work. These could be quite different from his own ideas of excellence.
4. Have the needed authority to complete the job If a person makes a commitment, or accepts responsibility for a certain result, he must not be restrained from completion of the job through inadequate authority.
5. There is agreement on how accountability will be demonstrated. This can be a report, commitment meetings, or reviews.

Memory Verse – “We will not neglect the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:39c 

Application – Commit whole heartedly to God; and avoid the expense of being double minded.  

.. humble themselves and pray and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. II Chron 7:14