Family Relationships

Colossians 3:18 – 4:1

Family Relationships

 

God is concerned that we do family relationships His way.  The trouble is God’s ways are not ours.  God’s way often runs counter to our culture and to our natural selfishness.  The result is we resist these or explain them away.  However, not doing things the way we were designed to operate “voids the warrantee.”  We then wonder why we struggle and why we are not happy and why things don’t work.

 

Fair warning: these things are offensive in American society.

 

In this section of Colossians, Paul addresses three sets of household relationships.  We can understand them in our society as core social relationships.  Often we struggle to balance marriage, children, and work.

 

How does God see these relationships?

 

Observations:

 

            1.         The vulnerable one comes first followed by the one with perceived power.

 

2.         Submit/obey is vital for the vulnerable one.  Love/fair is required of the powerful.

 

3.         Wrong doing will be dealt with (v 25) regardless of position.  (God understand the violation of these relational rules as “sin.”)

 

I.          Marriage relationship – wife and husband.

 

            A.        “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” [v 18]

 

                        1.         Observations:

 

a.         The Bible says this three times.  (Eph 5:22,23 – Colossians 3:18 – 1 Peter 3:1)

 

b.         The feminist movement has pressured the culture to reject this concept, without much thought.

 

                        2.         Before we judge we need to understand what is being said and why.

 

a.         The Greek word means “to reflexively obey” (Strong’s)… it is the same word that is used in Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13 to mean our obedience to government and law.

 

b.         This is contrasted with “usurp.”  The Greek word for usurp means to “to act of oneself.”  One person put called it “selfish independence.”

 

c.         One translation suggest verse 18 means: “A wife must put her husband first.”

 

                        3.         What is the issue?

 

a.         In the Garden of Eden, Adam refused to “be the man” when Eve was tempted.  He never interfered with the temptation.

 

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” [Genesis 3:7]

 

                                                1.)        We often think Adam was off doing something else.

 

2.)        The text is specific… Adam was “with her” meaning Adam was there while the temptation was happening.

 

3.)        Since Adam was given the command to not eat the fruit of that tree… sin became Adam’s responsibility.

 

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” [Romans 5:12]  (Adam is specifically mentioned in Romans 5:14.)

 

(Cursing the woman) “…Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” [Genesis 3:16b]

 

4.)        This battle goes back to sin and a time when the man failed to take responsibility and defend his wife.

 

b.         Here’s the problem: When the wife becomes a competitor for the husband bad things happen because competition means different things to a man.  (God’s design for the woman was to be a partner not a competitor.)

 

1.)        In competition someone loses.  In partnership there is a mutual achievement.

 

2.)        However, in competition, when balance is disrupted and control is gained, bitterness sets in and everyone loses.

 

***** Notice there is a qualification: “as fitting in the Lord.”  In other words, your relationship to your husband is reflective to your relationship to the Lord. *****

 

            B.        “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” [v 19]

 

                        1.         Men tend to have the reputation of being selfish and self-centered.

 

                                    a.         We are, because sin makes us selfish.

 

                                    b.         The standard for love is Jesus Christ.

 

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” [Ephesians 5:25]

 

                        2.         The truth about men.

 

                                    a.         When stressed we like to either kill something or shut down.

 

                                    b.         Men’s BIGGEST struggle is NOT sexual… it is anger.

 

1.)        When the man is not required be “the man” we become selfish and cowardly.  (Adam in the Garden of Eden.)

 

2.)        The man’s default (at home) is “neutral.”  If we are never asked (more than once) we will never get in gear.

 

3.)        The politically correct propaganda machine keeps telling us that we are irrelevant sperm banks.

 

(Interesting that the President urged men to be men and fathers last Father’s Day… this created a huge uproar from feminists.)

 

                        3.         When we are selfish we become abusive.

 

                                    a.         The word translated “harsh” means to make bitter.

 

“Wherever bitterness is, there love is wanting. And where love is wanting in the married life, there is hell upon earth.” (Clarke)

 

b.         The other way to read this is “stop being bitter towards the wife.”  (Causing bitterness or being bitter towards.)

 

c.         Maybe another way to say this is “grow up.”  Be a man and love your wife… self-sacrificing… for her good (not your selfish purposes).

 

II.        Family relationship – children and parents

 

A.        “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” [v 20]

 

                        1.         The word “obey” means “to conform.”

 

a.         Reality: parents have more experience and knowledge.  They are not just being mean.

 

                                    b.         Fact: a child that will defy a parent will defy any authority.

 

2.         Problem: Parents are too busy working, playing, etc… to be parents.

 

                                    a.         “Children spell love T – I – M – E” (quantity over quality)

 

b.         Political error: “children’s rights”  (Children have the right to be born, the right to be loved, the right to be taught properly.)

 

Wiersbe: “Children do not create problems, they reveal them.”

 

(BTW, how you treat your husband or wife will be how your child treats your husband or wife.)

 

            B.        Father’s (here we go again men…notice a pattern?)

 

1.         “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” [v 21]

 

                        2.         Three mistakes we make:

 

                                    a.         Indulgence (leads to spoiled children)

 

                                    b.         Neglect (leads to insecure girls and criminal boys)

 

c.         Break the will (discouraged means spiritless, disheartened, without hope, without confidence.)

 

Wesley “Parents who cannot discipline themselves cannot discipline their children.” 

 

Wesley observed that children who’s will is broken (rather than shaped) become “desperate or stupid.”

 

III.       Work relationship – slave and master.

 

(Addressing an ancient world social order… slavery was NOT what we think of it being… typically slaves in the Roman world had high standing, were well educated, were highly compensated.  Also, much of the modern world practices slavery... at least 1 million people enter the slave industry every year. )

 

            A.        Employee:

 

                        1.         “…sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” [v 22]

 

2.         “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” [v 23]

 

            B.        Employer:

 

                        1.         “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,” [4:1a

 

2.         “…because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” [4:1b]

 

When we don’t do it right:

 

1.         God cares so much about our relationships that God takes it personally, as “sin.”

 

            2.         Our relationships break down, life becomes difficult/miserable.

 

When we get it right:

 

            1.         We enjoy life as God meant it to be, not under the curse.

 

            2.         We become witnesses to a desperate and stupid world.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Worthy of the Lord

Colossians 1:1 – 14

“Worthy of the Lord”

 

 

I.          Eternal life requires us to respond to God.

 

            A.        Faith in Jesus Christ. [v 4]

 

                        1.         Faith is the basis of all action.

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.” [Ephesians 2:8 – 9]

 

                        2.         Anything not done in faith is “sin.” 

 

“…everything that does not come from faith is sin.” [Romans 14:23c]

 

3.         Faith is the “active ingredient” which is the line between sin and righteousness.

 

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” [Hebrews 11:6]

 

Faith is our response to God is where it all begins and is the foundation for all our life.

 

            B.        Love for all the saints. [v 4]

 

                        1.         Christ-like.  (Unconditional, sacrificial, un-offend, brave.)

 

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” [1 Peter 2:21]

 

                        2.         Love is the expression of obedience.

 

“But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: [6] Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” [1 John 2:5 – 6]

 

            C.        Hope comes from the gospel. [v 5]

 

                        1.         The gospel produces transformation.  (produces fruit, growth [v 6])

 

                        2.         God says that people change.

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]

 

II.        Spiritual growth requires prayer. [v 9]

 

            A.        For intelligence:

 

                        1.         [v 6] Wisdom and understanding.

 

                        2.         [v 9] Knowledge of His will.

 

                                    a.         “Filled” literally means “to be made complete.”

 

                                    b.         Knowledge is what God gives us.

 

                                    c.         “God’s will”  (spiritual wisdom and understanding)

 

            B.        For sensitivity to God:

 

1.         [v 10] “Live a life worthy of the Lord.” (holiness, following Jesus example)

 

                        2.         Please God.

 

                        3.         Bear fruit.  (fruit of the Holy Spirit, souls saved)

 

            C.        For strength:

 

                        1.         [v 11] “strengthened with all power”

 

                        2.         Exercise is the key to strengthening…

 

                                    a.         great endurance (only in difficult or trying circumstances.)

 

b.         patience (only in difficult or trying circumstances.)

 

c.        joyfully giving thanks to the Father [v 12] (ESPECIALLY in difficult or trying circumstances.)

 

Joy is the proof of our relationship with God.  Think about it: we have been “qualified” and “share in the inheritance.”

 

Because we have eternal life, we see spiritual progress.  The progress transforms our loyalties requires God to intervene to rescue us.

III.       Transformed loyalties God’s intervention (sometimes violently). [v 13] 

 

“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. [29] "Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.” [Matthew 12: 28 – 29]

 

            A.        Rescued from old structures.

 

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” [Colossians 1:14]

 

                        1.         The idea of “dominion” is control (authority).

 

                                    a.         The biblical expression is “slaves to sin.”

 

                                    b.         Old structures control our thought process.

 

                        2.         We move from the tyranny of sin to the Lordship of Jesus.

 

“That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” [Romans 10:9 – 10]

 

“Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 12:3]

 

            B.        Transferred to new structures.

 

                        1.         Literally we are MOVED from one kingdom to another.

 

2.         We have “redemption.” (Bought back)  (Ill. Of Hosea… told to marry an “adulterous wife” as an illustration of Israel’s relationship with God.  Yet God had plans to do whatever was necessary to win His people back.)

 

                        3.         We have “forgiveness of sins.”

 

a.         Extreme love means Jesus had to die for our salvation… it was, is, and always will be the ONLY way for us to have forgiveness.

 

                                    b.         That means that all sorts of NEW things have to happen.

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]

 

“He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.” [Luke 5:34]

 

To consider:

           

            1.         Do you believe and trust that Jesus died to provide the ONLY means of

your forgiveness (redemption)?

 

2.         Has faith changed you, so that you are able to declare (publicly) that Jesus is Lord (of your life and Lord of all)?

 

            3.         Is your life governed by love for God and others?  (How so?)

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Misunderstood Eve

Genesis 1:27 – 28

Misunderstood women #1 Eve

 

It doesn’t take much to see the fabric of American society has been unraveling over the last 40 years.  One of the problems is that we are creating extremes, extremes that are loud and angry.

 

These extremes are moving our country away from a form of internal law to one that is imposed externally in such a way that it helps create the problems it seeks to solve.  For instance, zero tolerance policies got a bunch of young grade school boys suspended for pointing their fingers at one another in a game… the school considered it a violation of their gun policy.

 

The abuse of women has apparently skyrocketed as men become more and more angry at their new politically correct roll of being irrelevant.  Expected silence has become a festering wound in our society.  Men have become distant from their women and children and many of reverted back into childhood selfishness that cuts women and children out of their lives.

 

The militant “equal rights” movement has created a growing sense of separation between men and women.  It pushes for men and women to be on parallel tracks rather than experience biblical unity.

 

One result of social engineering has been the breakdown of marriage.  It is said the divorce rate is “50%.”  That is correct but misleading.  For instance, according to data from the CDC (now tracks divorce rates), in the 1990 – 2000 period only about 31% of marriages that failed were first time marriages.  A kick in the teeth to the new social order and radical agenda is the eye-opening reality that 94% of failed marriages in that time frame came from those who had had more than one partner or co-habited before marriage.

 

On the other side of the coin, a new study suggest when both the man and woman have a living faith in Jesus Christ… the divorce rate is less than 2%.

 

Another result is the breakdown of the concept of family.  Children are the victims when they lack healthy male and female roles.  Grandparents find themselves being the new parent.

 

We are seeing an astounding breakdown in gender identification and rolls.  The result is the aggressive recruiting of children into non-biblical life styles.  My assumption is that non-biblical lifestyles are also unhealthy ones.  One activist group claims the life expectancy of someone in their demographics is only 41 years old… which is at least 30 years short of the average American life expectancy.

 

Women are suffering as they are forces to aggressively prove their worth.  The bottom line is that women are being robbed of their God given status and rights.  To understand this, let’s look at one misunderstood woman from the Bible: Eve.

 

Fact #1: God created humans male and female by design, for a purpose, “in His own image.” [Genesis 1:27]

 

The unity of the two parts was designed to reflect God’s image.  In this case the sum is greater than the parts.  While both parts reflect God, unified, they fulfill the design of God’s image.

 

Another thing that we can see from Genesis 1:28 is there is no intended hierarchy or distinction of authority in the creation order between man and woman.  Dominion, the authority to rule over creation was given to both.

 

This tells us social limitations and hierarchies are artificial human constructs not designed or imposed by God.  The sad fact is that because of sin God’s intended design has been perverted to subject women various forms of abuse.

 

The image of God on the other hand means that humans (male and female) have the capacity to love unconditionally as God does.  The image of God reflected in Adam and Eve also means they had the ability to surrender everything for the sake of the other.

 

Fact #2:  God observed that one thing in all creation was not good… a lonely male. [Genesis 2:18 – 23]

 

Let’s put this in perspective.  Adam had a perfect unspoiled world.  Adam had work from as intellectual as naming the animals to as physical as tending the Garden.  Adam had a perfect relationship with God.  In all this goodness and perfection, something was “wrong.”

 

This is God’s design.  A man alone is not good.  Notice this need is not due to the result of “the Fall” it is built into humanity by God’s creation design.  Even God did not and could not fill that void by His own design!  Companionship that fills the void and completes Adam is found only in Eve.  It should be noted that this works for the woman as well.

 

A college girl was being interviewed one day.  She observed the “women’s lib” movement had given women everything they wanted but had deprived them of the one thing they needed.

 

Adam needed a “suitable helper.”  The word translated “suitable” means corresponding or reciprocal.  Notice that the Bible does not say that Adam needed a lover, a worker, a mother for children.  A helper is someone who is beside in all circumstances. 

 

Think about it this way.  If Adam needed to travel a long distance, he could jump on a horse, donkey, or elephant for transportation.  If Adam needed to pull something, he could find a big strong ox to do the work.  If Adam needed milk, there were goats and cows.  If Adam wanted to find something, a dog could track it down.

 

Eve’s “help” is not along those lines.  Instead, she is a “helper” spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and physically.

 

Fact #3: Eve was part of “the Fall.” [Genesis 3:6]

 

You many disagree with this but Eve was tempted, actually tricked, by Satan.  However, Adam was responsible.  Notice the text says “who was with her.”  Literally from Hebrew it means who was “physically present.”  In other words, while the devil was tempting Eve, Adam is a spectator.  He is being tempted too… Eve does not have to repeat the devil’s temptations or seduce Adam into eating the fruit because Satan had already done that in his conversation with Eve. 

 

Also, it is important to note that nothing happened until AFTER Adam ate.  Genesis 3:7 starts with, “Then…”  The first three chapters of Genesis are very time and order specific.  In other words, the responsibility for sin and death entering this world is on Adam.

 

“Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning.” [from 2 Corinthians 11:3]  “For as in Adam all die.” [1 Corinthians 15:22a]  “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- … [14] Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses…” [Romans 5:12, 14a]

 

Fact #3: The battle (and confusion) is part of “the Curse.” [Genesis 3:16]

 

God’s design was for man and woman to share intimacy through oneness; using similarities and differences in a complementary role. 

 

The struggle between male and female is a symptom and result of sin.  Another way to translate the effects of sin on the woman is, “you will desire to control your husband.” [NLT].  One paraphrase bluntly conveys the idea of how the man acts in sin, “but he’ll lord it over you.”  Anyone who thinks we can education or legislate our way out of this is missing the point: sin divides people.

 

This tension divides us, creates fear, and is the basis of anger.  It creates the possibilities of extremes that violate God’s design and rob men and woman of the necessary intimacy that prevents loneliness.

 

Once things get messed up how are we to restore balance?  Adam shows us an example.

 

Fact #4: Someone must speak a word of redemption. [Genesis 3:20]

 

Rather than continue the “blame” or vent anger Adam realizes something different must happen.  He begins by naming his wife “Eve.”  Eve means “living.”  Instead of pushing the result of what just happened, Adam blesses her.

 

We know how we got here, we have an idea how to not repeat our mistakes, but we must understand how redemption works the effect of sin backwards.  What do we need for this to happen?

 

Redemption can be found in only one place… through Jesus Christ.  Jesus established a blood covenant with us that can free us from living under the tyranny of sin.  This means we can reclaim the Biblical ideal of one man and one woman living in the intimacy of oneness. 

 

Reclaiming this Biblical ideal, we will set aside shame, separation, blame, violence, aggression, fear, and anger. 

 

This is what we are going to have to do:  First, we must take responsibility for sin.  That means we need to acknowledge we are products of our culture and our culture leads us the wrong direction.  We are going to have to acknowledge our own actions, attitudes, and contribution to sin.  Second, we must let God cover our sin… like He did in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve… like He does for us through the blood of Jesus.  We must believe that Jesus, and Jesus alone, has redeemed and reconciled us to God and to each other.  Then we must choose to deliberately live according to that redemption.  As redeemed creatures we stand restored to some extent in the image of God.  As restored men and women we are not animals and can chose to live according to God’s design.

 

 

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Spiritual Insanity

Matthew 27:41 – 54

“Spiritual Insanity”

 

There is a well known song by Xct that has been described as the most atheistic song ever to be sung in America.  It goes:

 

“Dear god, Hope you got the letter, and I pray you can make it better down here. I don’t mean a big reduction in the price of beer, but all the people that you made in your image, see them starving on their feet, cause they don’t get enough to eat from god, I cant believe in you.

Dear god, Sorry to disturb you, but I feel that I should be heard loud and clear. We all need a big reduction in amount of tears, and all the people that you made in your image, see them fighting in the street, cause they cant make opinions meet, about god, I cant believe in you.

Did you make disease and the diamond blue?  Did you make mankind after we made you?  And the devil too!

[Dear god, Don’t know if you noticed, but your name is on a lot of quotes in this book. Us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look, and all the people that you made in your image, still believing that junk is true. Well I know it ain’t and so do you, dear god. I cant believe in, I don’t believe in.]

I won’t believe in heaven and hell. no saints, no sinners, no devil as well. No pearly gates, no thorny crown. You’re always letting us humans down. The wars you bring, the babes you drown. Those lost at sea and never found, and it’s the same the whole world round.  The hurt I see helps to compound, that the father, son and holy ghost, is just somebody’s unholy hoax, and if you’re up there you’ll perceive, that my heart’s here upon my sleeve.  If there’s one thing I don’t believe in... It’s you, dear god.”

 

Can you hear some of the reasons a person might object to the existence of God in that song?  Starvation and war are just things to blame on God.  The writer knows the Bible well enough to talk about creation, heaven hell, devil, the trinity, and a “thorny crown.”

 

The sad part is that the writer of the song knows what needs to be known but has missed it.  However, he is not alone.  On the day of “the thorny crown” it was missed by a lot of people as well.

 

In fact in all of history that day must have been the most spiritually insane day in the history of the world.  Let’s take a look at it.

 

I.          The people who should have known were the instigators.

 

A.        “In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.”  [v 41]

 

1.         The “chief priests” were what the Old Testament called the “High Priest.”  (The Romans has put term limitations on the office for political reasons, so there was more than one that had occupied that office.)

 

a.         The “High Priest” was responsible for the spiritual state of the people. 

 

b.         The “High Priest” was the one who entered the “holy of holies” once a year on the Day of Atonement.  If the nation was spiritually pure he was allowed to live.

 

2.         The “teachers of the law” were the Biblical scholars of Jesus’ time.

 

a.       It was their responsibility to know and teach the Old Testament.

 

b.       This class of Levites was set up by Ezra in a national revival at the end of the Babylonian captivity.

 

3.         The “elders” were the political leaders of the day.

 

B.        “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, `I am the Son of God.'” [v 43]

 

            1.         The mockery had been prophesied by King David.

 

“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: [8] "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.  Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." [Psalm 22:7 – 8]

 

2.         I’m not sure they realized what they were saying.  Jesus gave witness to the prophecy when He quoted the first line of Psalm 22.  Their minds would have known the rest of the prophecy.

 

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.   My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. [15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. [16] Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. [17] I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.  [18] They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” [Psalm 22:14]

 

a.         Verse 14 describes the effect of dying on a cross on the heart.  When Jesus’ side was pierced with the spear, water and blood flowed out.

 

b.         Verse 15 describes the dehydration experienced by someone on the cross.  The soldiers gave him vinegar to drink.

 

c.         Verse 16 describes “the dogs” that “have pierced my hands and my feet.”  The term “dogs” was a way some elitist Jews referred to Gentiles.  The Romans were Gentiles.  Crucifixion involved nailing hands and feet to the cross.

 

d.         Verse 17 describes the effect of having the cross set up, more likely dropped into place dislocating many joints.  Isaiah said “…his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his fore marred beyond human likeness.” [Isaiah 52:14]

 

e.         Verse 18 refers to the Roman soldiers who cast lots for Jesus clothing.

 

II.        The people who could not have known figured it out.

 

“When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” [Matthew 27:54]

 

A.        The people had no prior knowledge of Scripture (being Romans), yet they came to the correct conclusion.

 

1.         They saw the earthquake… it was strong enough to split rocks and open graves!  (Imagine the special “Ghost Hunters” would have with Jesus resurrection.)

 

2.         Most of all, they saw how Jesus died.  Jesus had “given up his spirit.” [v 50]

 

a.         It is wrong to think that Jesus was murdered or killed or somehow wrongfully taken from Him.

 

            b.         Jesus intention was to lay down His life.

 

“Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.” [John 10:15]

 

B.        The twist to the story is that now we have the choice to decide for ourselves.

 

            1.         It is not dependent on our prior knowledge.

 

a.         In fact, prior knowledge (antecedent theology) can often hinder us.

 

b.         Personal defense of territory can blind us.

 

2.         It is dependent on experiencing Jesus personally.

 

a.         We are not to reduce God to a philosophy (like the writer of the song “dear god.”)

 

b.         We are not to reduce God to a theology (like the elitists of Jesus’ day did).

 

c.         We are not to reduce God to a mystical/spiritual experience (like “Ghost Hunters” would).

 

III.       Ultimately Jesus Christ is known PERSONALLY.

 

A.        Jesus experienced the separation of sin from God the Father on the cross. [v 46]

 

            1.         Of all the things Jesus suffered, I think this was the worst.

 

a.         Separated from God the Father would have been like losing a spouse; maybe even worse.

 

b.         Separated from God there would have been no hope and genuine doubt about the love of God or even God’s existence.

 

2.         For the first time in Jesus’ existence, Jesus experienced the spiritual insanity we live with every moment of every day.

 

a.         We face the temptations of sin, not fully realizing what it cost Jesus, and what it could potentially cost us.

 

b.         We make spiritual decision based on our culture, training, and theological bend.

 

B.        God the Father’s intention was to end that spiritual insanity caused by our separation from God, once and for all through Jesus Christ.

 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us… [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! [10] For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! [11] Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” [Romans 5:8 – 11]

 

1.         God’s love is indisputable.  Who would deliberately plan the death of his son?

 

            a.         If not for God’s love, then Good Friday is insanity.

 

b.         God having to demonstrate His love in so dramatic a way shows how much spiritual sanity has evaded us.

 

2.         We are justified by the blood of Jesus. 

 

            a.         Jesus established a new blood covenant.

 

b.         A permanent one, which does not have to be repeated endlessly.

 

3.         We are reconciled to God, the separation and spiritual insanity it caused can end.

 

a.         God does not force us to choose.  We choose the war, the starvation, and every other piece of spiritual insanity.

 

b.         However, one choice can erase all the bad ones we’ve ever made and give us peace with God and ourselves.

                       

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Following God

Exodus 14

Following God's Lead

 

After the plagues came one of the more spectacular miracles in history.  Because of the blood they were freed from slavery.  Now they are on the move.  Which way do they go?

 

Before we start, we need to know one thing:  In Exodus 13:18 we are told that they left Egypt “armed for battle.”  In 14:8 we are told they were “marching out boldly.”  They were confident, they were armed, and they were like a swarm of locust with an army of 600,000+ soldiers.

 

I.          God does not always lead us the direction we think.

 

            A.        Sometimes the direction is “negative.”

 

                        1.         Pharaoh's heart was hardened.  [v 4]

                       

a.         We like to think of “love” and “grace” as opposed to God's glory or judgment.  Here is an example of not so much love or grace given for a purpose.

 

b.         God had a plan (like the plagues) to prove a point, develop a new nation, and bring glory to His name.

                       

                        2.         The Egyptians hearts were hardened. [v 17]

           

a.         Notice this was not on the individual level we often hear about when “the sovereignty” of God is mentioned.  Both this and the Pharaoh's heart were for a “big picture” historical event NOT a personal level.  (It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to know the difference!)

 

b.         Notice they had the ability to understand and chose for themselves!

 

“And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt." [Exodus 14:25b]

 

“Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea.” [Exodus 14:27]

 

Observation: Some choices come from emotional decisions.  Some choices come because our leaders take us in bad directions.  Some choices are made TOO LATE.

 

            B.        Sometimes the direction is “positive.”

 

                        1.         They were lead by the personal direction to Moses.

 

“Then the LORD said to Moses, [2] "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.” [vv 1 – 2]

 

a.         They were on the northern and most direct road to the Promised Land.

 

b.         Why “turn back?”  Sometimes these directions (that come through human leaders) do not make sense.

 

2.         The army was lead by “the angel of God” (a Christophany) and “the pillar of cloud/fire.”

 

a.         This is the visible manifestation of God.  Humans like human appearances of God… its one reason we are drawn to “idols.”

 

b.         In verse 20, God kept the Egyptian and Israelite army apart.

 

Observation: Sometimes God leads us backwards.  Sometimes God prevents us from putting our preparation into practice. 

 

II.        God does not lead us were we want to go.

 

            A.        God led them to a place they did not want to be.

 

“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.” [v 10]

 

                        1.         Doubling back put them between the Egyptians and the Red Sea.

 

                                    a.         They were terrified, even though they were armed for battle.

                                   

                                    b.         Their terror turned to anger against Moses.

 

“They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” [v 11]

 

                        2.         Even Moses was caught between God and the people.

 

“Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me?” [v 15a]

 

a.        With confidence Moses had announced God would fight for them and told them to stand still. [See v 13]

 

b.         God corrected him… “Tell the Israelites to move on.” [v 15:b]

 

            B.        Faith is able to see beyond what is happening at the moment.

 

                        1.         Abraham demonstrated this dynamic…

 

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” [Romans 4:18a]

 

                                    a.         If you can see it or have the resources, then it’s not faith.

 

b.         God often puts us at the point where we have only two choices.  (Like the Passover, obey or die.)

 

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” [Hebrews 11:1]

 

                        2.         All they could see was what was happening.

 

a.         The Israelites saw the Egyptian army.  Moses saw the Angel of the Lord.

 

b.         One expected total annihilation; the other expected God to do something.

 

Observation: Faith is going to require us to follow God’s plan, even when it makes us uncomfortable and we don’t understand it.

 

III.       God puts responsibility on us.

 

            A.        Imagine being told to walk into the Red Sea.

 

                        1.         With water… or without water?  Either way is brave!

 

“The Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”[v 22]

 

a.         Basically they were in a position where death was sure if the “wall of water” would come down on them.

 

b.         Passover delivered them through death, but the Red Sea delivered them through obedience.

                       

                        2.         The Egyptians followed them.

 

a.         The choices they made blinded them to what was happening.

 

b.         Its called a hard heart.

 

            B.        At some point, God tells us to “get moving.”

 

                        1.         To follow we must put what we know into action.

 

a.         Learning is one thing, but there is a point where we are expected to put what we know into practice.

 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” [Matthew 7:24]

 

b.         Eventually something will throw you into a place where faith has to take over.

 

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” [Matthew 7:25]

 

                        2.         Maybe life will be like a riding bull or a curve ball. 

 

a.         Some things will not make sense… but at some point you have to trust that God is good and that God will take care of you.

 

b.         As we celebrate Lent, and observe what Jesus did for us, we also begin to invest our lives and obedience back to Jesus.

 

“And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” [v 31]

Blogged with the Flock Browser