Remember God 101114AM@TBC

Important background

1. The hard life of slavery in Egypt. Ex. 3:7, 9

⁶ Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.  ⁷ And the Lord said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. ⁸ So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.

 ⁹ Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. ¹⁰ Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."

·        The Lord repeatedly reminds the Israelites of the dire cirumstace of slavery in Egypt.  It was important for them to remember.

·        We too were in slavery to the prince of this world.

2) The Covenant at Mount Sinai. Ex. 19:3-5

·        We have to make special note of the setting as we make application to the Church in the 21st Century.

·        There are principles about the character of God and His relationship with people, but we must be careful to filter out some specific applications to the nation, Israel, which God had chosen from among all the nations of the earth.

Ex. 19:3-5

³ And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ⁴ 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.  ⁵ Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

3) The rebellion after the spies’ report.

·        Why were they just now entering the promised land 40 years after exiting Egypt?  It was punishment for their rebellion at Kadish Oasis.

Num. 14:28-31

28 Say to them, 'As I live,' says the Lord, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: 29 The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. 30 Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. 31 But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised. 32 But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. 33 And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness.

4) The promised land before them.

·        This was the long promised land. The Lord has sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  The Israelites, from Joseph on and especially during their slavery, had carried this hope of the land which God had promised.  Now they were on the verge of entering the land and the promised of God.

Deut. 1:8

7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. 8 See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--to give to them and their descendants after them.'

Author/Recipients/Setting

“These are the

words which Moses spoke

to all Israel

on this side of the Jordan

in the wilderness…”

Deut. 1.1

Big Idea: Remember God.

The bookends:

…be careful to observe…

1. Remember v.2

2. Keep v.6  (niv—observe)

3. Bless  v.10-11  (niv—praise)

…if you … forget the Lord…

The Beginning of the chapter

¹ Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers.

1.

careful Strong's H8104 - shamar - to keep, guard, keep watch, or observe

ylt, kjv—observe to; nasv, nkjv, esv, niv, nlt—careful

·        The words “be careful” speak to the intentional nature of  following the Lord. 

·        It doesn’t happen by accident.

·        And it takes vigilance to not become careless in our walk with the Lord.

The End of the chapter

¹⁹ Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

²⁰ As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God.

walk  Strong's H1980 – halak- (lit.) to walk; (fig.) manner of life

serve Strong's H5647 - `abad – to work; serve as subjects (to serve with Levitical service)

woship  Strong's H7812 – shachah – (Qal) (lit.) to bow down (in worship)

·        Note here that God had made promises to the nation, but this generation’s enjoyment of those promises depended on their carefully observing or doing the covenant obligations.

·        “…both as arising out of human sin and rebellion and as having a divine purpose.”  --Christoph Wright in NIBC

·        If they disregarded the covenant, they would not enjoy its blessings.

·        If they acted like the pagan nations before them, they would be treated in a similar manner.

Transitional Statement: The 17 verses between these two “bookends” lay out the way for them (and for us) to follow the Lord and warnings for snares that they should endeavor to avoid.

I. Remember the Lessons of the Desert (2-5)

A. To test Israel’s heart through trials.

² And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness,

 to humble you and test you,

 to know what was in your heart,

whether you would keep His commandments or not.

humble Strong's H6031 - `anah (Piel) - to humble, mishandle, afflict
test Strong's H5254 - nacah [nä·sä' ] (Piel) - to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test 

ylt—try; kjv—prove; nasb, esv, nlt—testing; nkjv, niv—test

know Strong's H3045 - yada` - (Qal) to know by experience

keep Strong's H8104 - shamar - to keep, guard, keep watch, or observe

nlt--obey

·        It is instructive for us to see how the results of  Israel’s rebellion in Nmbers 14 was used to accomplish the divine purpose.

·        It was important for them to remember all that God had done for them.

·        He had afflicted them with hunger and thirst to see their response,  whether they would keep/observe his commandments, which was their part of the covenant.

·        How do we respond in difficult times?  What is in our hearts?

B. To teach Israel through miraculous provision.

³ So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know,

 that He might make you know

 that man shall not live by bread alone;

but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

humble Strong's H6031 - `anah (Piel) - to humble, mishandle, afflict

Psalm 119

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.

75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right,

And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

word Strong's H4161 - mowtsa' [mô·tsä' ] - act or place of going out or forth , that which goes out from the lips, an utterance

ylt--produce; nasb--everything;

kjv, nkjv, esv,niv, nlt--word

Matt 4.4 Rhema [hray'-mah ]- that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word

·        …a humbling daily reminder of their dependence. 

·        All life on earth needs bread (or its equivalent):  human life needs the mouth of God…

·        …while bread will keep us alive physically, it is the word of God that uniquely gives human life its meaning, shape, purpose, and value.

Isaiah 55

1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. 3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you-- The sure mercies of David.

·        God did not prevent them from meeting their physical needs, but he provided for them in a way that dramatically reminded them of their need to depend entirely on him. –Comm. On NT Use of OT

Turn to Matthew 4 to see Jesus use this verse.

(Luke 4)

1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

Matthew 4

3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

·        “One might imagine the Devil retorting, “But the context of Deuteronomy is precisely that of the very kind of miraculous provision of food I am asking you to replicate!”

·        The point, however, is that the Devil is asking Jesus to do it in a context that would break his fast, use his divine power for solely self-serving ends, and demonstrate his unwillingness to depend on his heavenly Father for the strength He needs.” --Craig L. Blomberg in CNTUOT

·        It was not can you, but what should you.

·        We need to read Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness in the larger context of the Scriptures. This is an obvious parallel with Israel as God’s son (Exodus 4:22-23), God leading Israel in the desert for 40 years, and God’s testing of Israel through hunger and thirst. Jesus’ testing clearly echoes Deuteronomy 8:2-5. Matthew is showing us that Jesus, the true Son of God, obeyed in the exact place where God’s son, Israel, disobeyed. He is the true Israel who did what God’s people could not do. Jesus is our representative who obeyed the Father for us. We are not saved because of our faultless obedience but because of Jesus’ faultless obedience for us. –Jim Johnston

C. To discipline Israel like a father.

⁴ Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. ⁵ You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.

4.

swell Strong's H1216 - batseq - (Qal) to swell, become blistered (or calloused)

1)  Compare with Deut 29.5

5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.

The miraculous provision regarding clothing and food here parallels with Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6:25-34.

2)  chastens Strong's H3256 - yacar [yä·sar'] - (Piel) to discipline, correct, to chasten, chastise
ylt, kjv, nkjv--chasten**; nasb, esv, niv, nlt--discipline**

·        Here is an example and lesson in parenting.

·        God’s parental protection and support for His children.

·        God’s parental discipline in teaching them spiritual lessons.

APPLICATION:

Feed on God’s  faithfulness.

Psalm 37

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass. …

Family Table Talk: What does your family do to remember God?  What kind of reminders have you set up?

TE: When we remember the Lord, we will be faithful to keep his commands.

II. Keep the Commands
⁶ Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God,

 to walk in His ways and

 to fear Him.

 ⁷ For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land,

 a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills;

 ⁸ a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey;

 ⁹ a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing;

 a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper.

keep Strong's H8104 - shamar - to keep, guard, keep watch, or observe
nlt--obey
fear Strong's H3372 - yare' - lit. to tremble, (Qal) fig. to fear, reverence

A. How?

1. To walk

Speaks of our actions

2. To fear

Speaks of our heart attitude. Empty obedience is not enough.  Our acts

B. Why?

The commands were integral to the covenant that God had made with them.

The anticipation of the blessings were their motivations.

APPLICATION:

God’s children keep Christ’s commands.

John 14.15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.

1 John 2

4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Family Table Talk: What commands does your family do a good job keeping?  Which ones do you need to work on?

TE: Times of distress and trials try our faith, but they also have a tendency to sharpen our spiritual focus.  It is the times of plenty that are often the real test of a man’s heart.

III. Bless the Lord (10-17)

It is instructive that two of the three indicators of being filled with the Spirit in Eph. 5 have to do with our praise and thanks to God.

Ephesians 5

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

·        It is a good habit for us, just like it says here in De. 8.10 to bless the Lord with a grateful heart often through our day.

Lest you forget and…

A. Ignore the Commands. (11)

 ¹⁰ When you have eaten

and are full,

 then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.

¹¹ "Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God

 by not keeping

His commandments,

His judgments, and

His statutes

which I command you today,

10.
full Strong's H7646 - saba` [sä·vah' ]- be satisfied with

kjv, nkjv, esv, (nlt)--full; ylt, nasb, niv--satisfied

bless Strong's H1288 - barak - lit. to kneel; fig. (Piel) to bless, praise, celebrate

ylt, kjv, nasb, nkjv, esv--bless; niv, nlt--praise

11.

beware Strong's H8104 - shamar - to keep, guard, keep watch, or observe

ylt--take heed; kjv, nasb, nkjv--beware;

esv--take care; niv, nlt--be careful;

Same word as in verse one, “be careful”

forget Strong's H7911 - shakach – to forget; to cease to care

·        We see here the rational for the Jewish custom of “saying grace” after the meal with we are full.

1) The Keeping …

Forgetting invovles two things

·        First, forgetting or ignoring the history of what God has done, our relationship with Him.

·        Second, it is defined as moral disobedience.  Failing of carefully follow God’s directions and commands.

2) The Covenant ...

·        The reference to the commands is not an empty exhortation to do an arbitrary list of actions. 

·        The commands brings to mind the covenat with “the Lord your God.”  Living in light of His character, because of his past actions and future promise.

Lest you forget and…

B. Get Proud.  (14)

¹² lest--when you have eaten and are full,

and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;

¹³ and when your herds and your flocks multiply,

 and your silver and your gold are multiplied,

and all that you have is multiplied;

¹⁴ when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God

who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

 ¹⁵ who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water;

who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;

¹⁶ who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know,

 that He might humble you and

 that He might test you,

 to do you good in the end--

  

1) The God who had …

It was important for Israel to remember where God had taken them from and, more importantly, what he had brought them through.

2) The God who will ... do good to you in the end--

An important lesson in the book of Job is articulated in the last chapter.  (42)

12 Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning;

James 5.11-12

10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Lest you forget and…

C. Feel self-sufficient. (17)

¹⁷ then you say in your heart,

'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.'

¹⁸ And you shall remember the Lord your God,

for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,

 that He may establish His covenant

which He swore to your fathers,

 as it is this day.  

1) Practical Atheism

Living with the foolish notion that I can be independent of God.

                                    versus

2) Humble Thanksgiving ...

Recognizing that God gave me the power to get wealth and that all I have is really His.

APPLICATION:

Develop a grateful heart and

praise God for His blessings often.

Psalm 34.1b

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Family Table Talk: Is thankfulness a family trait?  How do you rember to bless God?  Parents, (Psalm 92.2) each morning remind your family of God’s steadfast love, and each evening recount His faithfulness when you put your children to bed.

Big Idea:

Remember God.

(Carefully) Keep God’s commands.

Bless God often with a thankful heart.

Benediction

The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

May you remember Him and

            carefully keep His commands, and

May His praise be continually in your heart and mouth.

TREASURE PRINCIPLE for Sunday school

Two lessons adapted from

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

TREASURE PRINCIPLE:

You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead.

§         KEY 1: God owns everything.  I’m His money manager.  We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted—not given—to us.

§         KEY 2: My heart always goes where I put God’s money.  Watch what will happen when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.

§         KEY 3: Heaven, not earth, is my home.  We are citizens of “a better country—a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).

§         KEY 4:  I should live not for the dot but for the line.  From the dot—our present life on earth—extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.

§         KEY 5: Giving is the only antidote to materialism.  Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda.  It dethrones me and exalts Him.

§         KEY 6: God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.  God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously.

----- Lesson One -----

TREASURE PRINCIPLE:

You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead. 

1. Read, describe, and discuss and the theme verse for these lessons.  (Stay focused on the central point of the parable.)

Matthew 13:44: “Parable of the Hidden Treasure”

 “…it certainly envisions the joy of finding great and eternal treasure that far surpasses the costs to obtain it.”  ----The Treasure Principle, p. 8 

2. Read Matthew 6:19-20 and discuss how this Jim Elliot quote relates.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  ---Jim Elliot (missionary and martyr)

3. Read or refer to these passages and answer the question.

• Luke 3.10-14; 19:8;  What was the evidence of transformation in these passages? 
• Luke 12:16-20; Matthew 19:20-24; What was the evidence of no transformation in these passages?

Discussion question: Why did Jesus put such an emphasis on money and possessions?

4. Read the Matthew 6:19-21 again (Psalms 49:16-17; Proverbs 23:5).  What is the reason for storing treasure in heaven emphasized in these verses?

5. Read the 1 Timothy6:17-19.  What is the reason for storing treasure in heaven emphasized in these verses?

Discussion question: In what sense are our earthly possessions like Confederate currency?  --The Treasure Principle, p. 13-14 

Something to think about: John D. Rockefeller was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived.  After he died someone asked his accountant, “How much money did John D. leave?”  The reply was classic: “He left… all of it.”    --The Treasure Principle, p. 17-18

6. Jesus uses the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13) to illustrate the principle of sending our wealth ahead (Alcorn’s discussion on pages 40-41 is helpful.). 

§         How many of his master’s accounts did he use to prepare for the future?

§         Since Jesus did not commend his dishonesty, what was he commended for?

§         According to the parable, what is the purpose of our “unrighteous mammon?”

Something to think about: How does my response to this teaching compare with those in Luke 16:14-15?

Discussion question: Compare 1) the amount invested, 2) the change in wealth, and 3) the emotional state after the decision between the man in Matthew 13:44 and the ruler in Matthew 19:16-26.  How is my attitude about money affecting me?

KEY 1: God owns everything. I’m His money manager. 

à  We are the managers of the assets God has entrusted—not given—to us.  (1 Corinthians 4:2)

7. Look up the verses and tell / discuss the attitudes of these Bible characters toward material wealth.

§       When the Lord reveals his omnipotence to Job, what does he say about money?  (Job 41.11)

§       What did Moses command Israel to remember?  (De 8.17-18) 

§       What did David’s prayer reveal about his attitude toward his riches?  (1 Chronicles 29:11-15) 

§       Who did Paul belong to?  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)   How did this knowledge affect the Corinthians?  (2 Corinthians 8:2-5)

Discussion question:  Can you share about a reminder you have had about God’s ownership as it relates to your possessions?

8. If God is the owner, what is our role?  (Refer to Matthew 25:14-30’s Parable of the Talents and to Key #1)

9. When we think like owners, it’s a red flag.  We should be thinking like stewards or investment managers who are preparing for an evaluation. (Read 1 Corinthians 4:2 and Romans 14:12 and discuss.)

Something to think about: Our name is on God’s accounts.  A steward carries no sense of entitlement to the assets he manages.  We draw funds from His wealth to pay our living expenses.  Think about how you make decisions about money and possessions.  Do you think and act like an owner or steward?

Discussion question:  What are strategies for changing your mindset from ownership to stewardship?

----- Lesson Two -----

adapted from The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

KEY 2: My heart always goes where I put God’s money.

à  Watch what will happen when you reallocate your money from temporal things to eternal things.  (Colossians 3:1-2)

1. What does “to your account” refer to in Philippians 4:17? What does this show us about Paul’s thinking about giving to ministry? 

2. How should Proverbs 19:17 and Luke 14:13-14 affect our perspective on giving?

3. According to Matthew 6:21, how can we tell where our heart is?

Something to think about: “Show me your checkbook, your VISA statement, and your receipts, and I’ll show you where your heart it.”  The Treasure Principle, p.44  The old saying that may fit here is, “Your actions are screaming so loud, I can’t hear what you are saying.”  Does your checkbook give credibility to your confession?

Something to think about:  

John Wesley toured a vast estate with a proud plantation owner.  They rode their horses for hours and saw only a fraction of the man’s property.  At the end of the day they sat down to dinner.  The plantation owner eagerly asked, “Well, Mr. Wesley, what do you think?”

Wesley replied, “I think you’re going to have a hard time leaving all this.”  -- The Treasure Principle, p.42

Relate Philippians 1:21-22 to this incident.  Will our death be gain or loss?  What was Paul’s purpose for continuing to live?

4. How does Colossians 3:1-2 relate to the management of our money and possessions?

5. According to Hebrews 11:24-26, what motivated Moses’ in his decisions about his possessions?

KEY 3: Heaven, not earth, is my home.

à    We are citizens of “a better country—a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).

Discussion question:  How can you tell someone is a citizen of a country (especially when they are not in that country)?

cit·i·zen·ship  [sit-uh-zuhn-ship, -suhn-]

–noun

1. the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.

2. the character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen: an award for good citizenship.

"citizenship." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 07 Oct. 2010. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/citizenship>.

6. Discuss what Hebrews 11:13-16 says about why Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not set down roots in this world. 

7. 1 Peter 1:3-5 describes the inheritance that pilgrims (vrs.1) would look forward to.

Something to think about:  Contrast the use of the word “strangers” (aliens or foreigners is some versions) in Hebrews 11:13 and Ephesians 2:19?  Where are you more of a stranger?

KEY 4:  I should live not for the dot but for the line.

à  From the dot—our present life on earth—extends a line that goes on forever, which is eternity in Heaven.  (Luke 12:15)

8. How does James 1:9-11 describe our time on earth? (Compare with Psalm 103.13-18 and Isaiah 40:6-8.)

Something to think about:  Each of us will eventually part with our money and possessions.  The question is when and under what circumstances (Leave it behind, or send it ahead.).  Discuss Solomon’s frustration (described in Ecclesiastes 2:18-20) about the possessions he would leave behind.

11. Ever see the bumper sticker, “He who dies with the most toys wins?”  Read Jesus’ parable in Luke 12:15-21.  What do verses 15 and 21 teach us about the wise attitude toward our possessions on earth?  What does it mean to be rich toward God?

12. Read 1 Peter 1:3-5.  Discuss how 2 Peter 3:11-14 says this should affect our attitudes about possessions on earth and eternity.

Something to think about: Have you ever played one of those games where the winner is the one who runs out of cards first and at the end of the game, every card left counts against you.  What does your hand of possessions look like now?

KEY 5: Giving is the only antidote to materialism.

à  Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and a greater agenda.  It dethrones me and exalts Him.  (2 Corinthians 8:7)

13. Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10 and discuss why or how the desire to be rich will cause us to stray from the faith.

14. What does Proverbs 30:8-9 advise about a good standard of living?

15. Discuss what these Scriptures teach us about giving.

§         Malachi 3:8  --  (The point to make here is not whether a tithe is expected in the New Covenant, but that they did not give what they should have.)

§         Mark 12:41-44  --  they out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty…

§         Acts 20:35  --  It is more blessed to give…

§         1 Corinthians 16:2  --  each of you…as he may prosper

§         2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (esp. 4)  --  imploring us…that we would receive the gift…

§         2 Corinthians 9:7  --  not grudgingly or of necessity…

KEY 6: God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.   

à  God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously.                   (2 Corinthians 9:11)

16. Discuss why we work?  Then consider what Ephesians 4:28 teaches us about the purpose of a believer’s work? 

17. According to the Global Rich List (http://www.globalrichlist.com/) if you have an annual income of $47,500, your income is in the top 1% worldwide.  What does 1 Timothy 6:17-19 tell us to use our riches for?

Something to think about: Is giving a joy or sacrifice for you?  Why?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.

"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."

Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon. 

Randy is a best-selling author of over 30 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 600 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.

Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci, and their Dalmatian, Moses. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.

Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of four grandsons: Jacob Gary Stump born August 3, 2004, Matthew James Franklin born November 12, 2004, Tyler Daniel Stump born March 10, 2006, and Jack Timothy Franklin born August 23, 2007.

101107 2 Chronicles 7-12

2 Chronicles 7
7.12  house of sacrifice...  I have always thought about it as a "house of prayer."  This adds another demension.
7.20  from My land which I have given you...  It all belongs to God.
7.22  worshiped...served...  seem to be synonyms.

2 Chronicles 88.11  brought Pharaoh's daughter up form the city of David...  It is odd that he does not think it is right for Pharaoh's daughter to live in Jerusalem.  Why would he married someone who was not holy.  The change of perspective later is sad.
8.13  duty of each day required... 

2 Chronicles 9
9.8  that you may execute justice and righteousness...  The reason God puts us in authority.  It is His, not our, justice and righteousness that we are to dispense.  I am thinking about how you execute righteousness.
9.22  wisdom, which God has put into his mind.

2 Chronicles 10
This is a frustrating chapter to read.  I find myself sceaming, "What do you think your doing!?"  In my color coding, I noticed that God is not mentione in this passage until verse 15 after the foolish decision was made.

2 Chronicles 11
11.4  so they listened...  a little suprising for King R., but good.
11.18 ff  It would be interesting to do some character studies for the wives that were mentioned.  Why did the chronicler highlight those.

2 Chronicles 12
12.1  When...he was strong...  This reminds me of Deuteronomy 8.
12.14  for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord...  Reight living does not happen by accident.

101027 1 Chronicles 24

1 Chronicles 24
24.6  in the presence of the king...  David was concerned to get these detail right.
.
1 Chronicles 25
25.1  prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals...  Strong's H5012  nä·vä' --under influence of divine spirit.  I never really thought of the music in our worship service being prophecy under the OT influence of the divine Spirit.  I always thought of being under the influence in this sense as being more spontaneous.  It is an interesting thing to think about.
25.2  sons of Asaph...prophecied under the direction of the king
25.3  sons of Jeduthun...prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord....
25.4  sons of Herman...the king's seer...  
Berth., e.g., connects it with הָאֱלֹהִים בְּדִבְרֵי, and translates, “to sound loud upon horns, according to the divine command,” referring to 2Ch_29:15, where, however, both meaning and accentuation forbid us to connect יהוה בְּדִבְרֵי with what follows. This interpretation of the words is thoroughly wrong, not only because the Levites under Heman's direction did not blow horns, the horn not being one of the instruments played by the Levites in connection with the worship, but also because on linguistic grounds it is objectionable. קֶרֶן הֵרִים קֶרֶן .el never has the signification to blow the horn; for to elevate the horn signifies everywhere to heighten the power of any one, or unfold, show power; cf. 1Sa_2:10; Lam_2:17; Psa_148:14; Psa_89:18; Psa_92:11, etc. That is the meaning of the phrase here, and the words are to be connected, according to their sense, with what follows: “to elevate the horn,” i.e., to give power, God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters; i.e., to make Heman's race mighty for the praise of God, God gave him so many sons and daughters.  Keil & Delitzch
25.7  trained in singing...skillful...  This fits well with the next verse. 
25.8  teacher and pupil alike...  
25.9-30  The order for Asaph...  So they had special music schedules back then.  Maybe it would be easier for our church if we chose a certain number of musicians and assigned them their weeks rather than all the switching around we seem to do.
.
1 Chronicles 26
26.1  gatekeepers...
26.8  able men qualified for service....  A nice endorsement.
2612  divisions of gatekeepers...east, west, north, south...
26.14  Zachariah, a shrewd counselor...  This is an interesting note that almost seems to come out of nowhere.
26.20  charge of the treasuries of the house of God...
26.22  charge of the treasuries...
26.29  external duties...  I guess that they had maintenance crews and security back then too.

101026 1 Chron 22-23

1 Chronicles 22
22.5  So David provided materials...  David did what he was able.  We all have limitations.
22.16  Arise and work!   That ought to be the last verse that high school AWANA kids and teens in general should memorize.  :o)
.
1 Chronicles 23
23.3  38,000
23.4  24K  house of the Lord; 6K officers and judges
23.5  4K gatekeepers; 4K offer praises with instruments
23.7  sons of Gershon...
23.12  sons of Kehath...
23. 21  sons of Mahli...

101025 1 Chronicles 21

1 Chronicles 21
21.13 Let me fall into the Hand of the Lord, for His mercy...  God's hand is a good place to be in both bad and good times.
21.17  It is I who sinned...  Confessions like this revealed Davids sincerity and honesty.
21.24  that cost me nothing...
21.30  because he was afraid of the sword...  Heb 4.12 and ...

101024PM@TBC Sandwich Worship Romans 11.33-12.3 and topical

Big Idea:  Our Sacrifice of service is central to worship.

I. BACKGROUND ABOUT WORSHIP

BIG IDEA

What I want you to leave with tonight, and for some of you this is going to rock your world. For others of you, its gonna be a good review. That our sacrifice of service, our sacrifice of service, is central. You might even say the core, is central, to worship. Our sacrifice of service is central to worship. And that’s key. And I hope that, you have that thought and some, some supporting material firmly in your mind, as we leave tonight.

PRAYER

Let’s begin in prayer, and ask God that He would enlighten us, to understand His Word, and work in us to change our hearts as we look to Him.

“Father! I thank you for your Word. I thank you that it is a light to our feet, and a lamp, and to our path. And I thank you God, that here in this country, we are blessed with open and easy access to your Word. And I pray that we would be good stewards of that opportunity tonight. And I ask your Holy Spirit would help us to understand, in a spiritual way your scripture. And that He would change our hearts.

And that we would have a resulting change of actions and words. In Jesus name. Amen!”

REVIEW

1. Read Philosophy of Worship Quotes.

Worship can be a very, a high and lofty concept for us. Let’s review some of the things that have been said in this series.

1. “Worship results from seeing and savoring Jesus Christ as Lord: who He is and what He has done.” 
Worship results from seeing, and savoring Jesus Christ as Lord: Who He is, and what He has done. There is an aspect of worship that involves seeing.  We add the idea of savoring to distinguish us from the demons who see it, and have a different result. 

2. “Worship is ascribing honor and glory to God our Creator because honor and glory are due His name.”    

Another aspect of worship is ascribing. It is attributing honor and glory to God. Worship is ascribing honor and glory to God. As we sang tonight and as we give heed to God’s Word, we are ascribing honor, and glory to God. Make no mistake. He already has it whether we ascribe it to Him or not. It is our privilege, to join in the process, and recognize who He is.

3.  “A believer who treasures Jesus Christ loves His Word, presents himself as an obedient living sacrifice...”  

The last slide has our last aspect. A believer who treasures Jesus Christ, loves His Word, and presents himself as an obedient, living sacrifice.

  

2. Review Worship Definition Words  SEE - ASCRIBE - SERVICE

Our sacrifice of service is central to worship. We can summarize worship in three words. The first one is, to see. Think of that as savoring.  The next one is, to ascribe to God, the honor and the glory that is due Him.  The last one, I like to summarize with the word, to serve.

All three of those, are central and key to worship: to see and savor, to ascribe or attribute to God, and the sacrifice of service.

3. OT and NT words for Worship

The Old Testament word for worship, “shachah”- literally means, “to bow down, to prostrate yourself before.” That’s the physical action it refers to. The figurative meaning, is the concept that we think of, with “reverence” or “worship.”

The New Testament word, that is commonly translated worship, “proskuneo”…means basically the same thing. So we have really a pretty good parallel in the Old Testament, and the New Testament.

4. The first record of Jesus talking about worship.   Mathew 4.9

I would like to start tonight with when the Lord Jesus is first recorded, talking about worship. Turn with me to Matthew 4:9.  The first time we find the Lord Jesus, talking about worship, actually comes in a rather unexpected situation. In Mathew chapter 4 most of you remember as, the temptation of Christ. What a fascinating thing it is to me to think that the first time Jesus talked about worship, was with Satan. That in itself is something to think about.

Iin Mathew 4:9 Satan says to Christ, “All these things, (and he is showing Him the kingdoms of the world)  I will give to you, if you will fall down, and worship me.” The word ‘fall down’ is ‘Pipto’ in the Greek. And the word for worship, is   pros-ku-ney-o.

What was it that Satan wanted Jesus to do? How did Jesus respond to him? Look at the next verse. What did He say in response? Isn’t that interesting? It is written, ”You shall worship The Lord your God, and Him only, you shall serve.” This illusion comes from Deuteronomy chapter 6. I want you to turn back there in your Bible to Deuteronomy chapter 6. (Every time I see this passage, and see the Lord Jesus quoting from Deuteronomy, the first thing that comes to my mind is, how long has it been, since I’ve read Deuteronomy? There is more back there, than it first meets the eye.)

In verse 4, we have “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, The Lord is one. You shall love the God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength...” The next several verses talk about how it should pervade your entire life, and how you should spread it to your children, and your grandchildren. “And so it shall be,” in verse 10, “when The Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of good things which you did not fill, hewn out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant. When you have eaten and you are full, then beware, lest you forget The Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, you shall…” What does it say in your version? He said, “You shall fear The Lord your God, and serve Him.” What Jesus doesn’t quote, but could have is, “and take oaths in His name.”

Exactly, what was it that Christ understood, Satan wanted Him to do? Satan was wanting more than Jesus to take a certain physical posture. It wasn’t, “Just take a certain physical posture and I’ll give this to you,” because Lord Jesus responded when he said, fall down and worship me. Of course Jesus says, “No, I am to worship.” The Old Testament words were fear and serve God. Jesus could have added, “When I do something important like taking oath, it’s going to be in His name, not yours.”  This is much larger in scope than liturgy or and act or observance done as worship.

II. EXPOSITION OF ROMANS 11.33-12.2

Take your Bibles if you will, and turn with me to Romans 11:33. Whenever I think of Romans, I think about Martin Lloyd Jones spending sixteen years preaching through this book. Think about how far we’ve come when we get to the end of chapter eleven in Romans.

Verse 33. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!  "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?"  Paul is quoting from Isaiah.  “Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be repaid to him.”  He quotes from Job. “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

Chapter 12. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

1. THEREFORE

What is the “therefore,” therefore? Paul has spent eleven deep, intricate chapters, laying doctrinal foundations, for what he is saying in these verses.

I’d like to read you something from Warren Wiersbe.

He says, the Christian life is not based on ignorance, but knowledge, and the better we understand Bible doctrine (Romans 1 through 11), the easier it is to obey Bible duties (Romans 12 through16). When people say, don’t talk to me about doctrine, just let me live my Christian life, they are revealing their ignorance of the way the Holy Spirit works, in the life of the believer. It makes no difference what you believe, as long as you live right, is a similar confession of ignorance. It does make a difference, what you believe. Because what you believe, not necessarily professed, but what you believe, determines how you behave.  

 -- Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor 

He says, therefore, by or through the agency of God’s mercies, I’m making this appeal. God’s mercy on us reminds us of two things.

One, is that we are pitiful and to be pitied. In our sin, and unregenerant state, we are a mess. When you go by and look at someone who is so hooked on drugs, that they are living a filthy life or some horrible sinner you feel sorry for them. That’s what mercy means. That describes how God feels towards us. It’s easy for us to sit in a church pew, and feel pretty good about ourselves. But, the reason we need God’s mercies, is because we are pitiful.

The second thing that that word ‘mercies’ reminds us of is that God, has made, a provision, for you, and I, to be in a right relationship with Him. Each one of us have a God filled vacuum in our heart. Many of us don’t have enough sense to realize what it takes to fill the gap. We have sinned against God, and we are to be pitied. Christ has provided us a great salvation. The work has been done. It requires us taking verse three to heart. To not think more of ourselves than we ought, and to throw ourselves humbly at Christ’s mercy.  If you haven’t come to that point in your life yet, the rest of what we are talking about, and what we’ve talked about, really is not going to make sense. If you are here tonight, and you do not have peace with your God, a right relationship with God, that is where you need to start. And you are in a great place, to be in that position. Because you have lots of people sitting around you, who can take you to God’s word and show you how you can know, that you have eternal life.

This is not a outline that Paul had in mind, but it illustrates something important.

Look here at verse 33. He says, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!  "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?  Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be repaid to him.”  

We see Paul, seeing who God is and ascribing to Him, honor and glory.  And, coming at it the other way, look at verse 3. By shining the light back on us, he does the same thing, doesn’t he?

What does verse 3 say?

“For I say through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think more highly of himself, than he ought to think”. And even thought it’s not speaking directly of God, by promoting humility, he is ascribing glory, and honor, to God.

Romans 12: 1-2 are sandwiched right here in between these.

2. PRESENT

This work is used of the priest, as they would bring the offering, or present the offering to God. He says, “I speak to you that you should present…” what? “your bodies.” And the word there is the word for a physical body. It’s the same word that we have in 1^st Corinthians 9:19 when he says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? And you have from God, and you are not your own, you were bought with the price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit.” God is interested in your physical body. When ask someone if they can be somewhere, and they have another engagement, they sometimes say, “I will be with you in spirit.” It is a nice gesture that says. God doesn’t want us to be with Him just in spirit. He wants your body. He says, present your body, to me. That’s something tangible.

3. REASONABLE (spiritual--nasb, esv, niv) logikos logical, thoughtful, spiritual not physical

And He says, this is your reasonable, some of your versions say spiritual.

If you have a version that says “reasonable,” take your pencil and write “spiritual” out in the margin. If yours is one of the versions that say “spiritual,” take your pencil and write “reasonable” out in the margin. The translators tried to grab this Greek word and they can’t really communicate it all with one English word, so they had to choose which one they preferred. This is a word that takes its roots in the word ‘logos’. And so, it definitely has a sense of the rational, or the thinking. It’s used here contrast to doing some physical act of worship or some procedure. This is something that is spiritual. When we present our bodies, it is our reasonable, spiritual service.

4. SERVICE not proskuneo, but latreia: service rendered for hire / to perform sacred services in worship of God

It is interesting to note that this is not the word “proskuneo” for worship. This is a word that means, to serve. It’s used of a hired servant. If you hired someone, you would say he is doing you some kind of service. It’s also used in the temple of the priests as they went through their service of offering sacrifices and doing other things. We get this big picture what it means here to worship. It is your reasoned, spiritual service. It’s a “doing” thing. It’s the physical body that you are presenting.

5.  Verse 2: What does that service look like?

Look at the next verse. It’s interesting that there is no conjunction. It is just kind of slammed in there together. The sense of the Greek here is, “What does the service look like?” It says stop confirming. Stop being molded to this ‘world’. Another word for world is ‘age’. “Age is the word in the Greek. It says conformed to this age. It refers to the attitudes, and the morays of the times we live in. Don’t be swept off your feet by the way everybody else is living, by the world and the way it thinks. And that might be a little different for us than it is in another country, but you know the prince of the power of the air has his system, in place. And He says, stop being. Requires a little humility. You guys say, yeah that’s me. I look at people in history, and how they were confirmed, to their world to some extent. Even godly men were. With the perspective of years we can see that very easily and very clearly now, that serves as a warning to us that we need to be careful that we are not being conformed to the morays and the values of our time.  But be “transfigured.” or transformed. This is the same word that it used to explain what happened to Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.  And I think what that highlights to us, is how big of a change, how far outside the box we are thinking, when we are transformed by the renewing of our mind.

Your service, that your living body, that has been presented to God as a living sacrifice, does is the core of worship. Now, I don’t care how good your buns are on a hamburger. It’s the stuff inside that makes the hamburger. Amen! And, the best gourmet buns in the world, doesn’t make up for rotten meat in the middle. And our service, as we present ourselves to God, as we go through our daily lives, as an act of worship to Him, that is core and central, to what worship is.

III. APPLICATION

1. What does it look like when we are worshipping God in our daily lives?  Look with me at Colossians, chapter 3. Let’s see what this service looks like. Now some might be think, “If this is the core of worship, I don’t need to come to church anymore.”

Chapter 3, verse 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Teaching and admonishing what? One another. We have a responsibility to each other. To teach each other, to admonish each other. And that happens on Sunday morning, on Sunday evening, during the weekday Bible studies, Wednesdays, where we come together in teaching and admonishing one another. In songs, and hymns and spiritual song singing, with grace in our hearts, to The Lord. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, The Father, through Him.

The picture I have of that verse is, the service trucks that you see driving around town. Joe Blow’s plumbing and stuff. And those guys got to watch what they do. They have that company name all over the van they’re driving and in big letters on their shirt. They are not acting for themselves. They are doing it for someone else. When I did air-conditioning service, I didn’t necessarily do it the way I thought was best. I do it the way the company wants it done because they got the check, they got the complaints, etc. And we need to have that same attitude.

Look on. What does it say?

Wives ... As it is fitting in The Lord.

Husbands ... In Ephesians 5, it says, as Christ loved the church.

Children… as well pleasing to The Lord.

Fathers … (in Ephesians 6, it says in the, raising your children, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Bond servants… Do it heartily as to The Lord.

You masters… Keep it in mind, you have a master in heaven.

So what does this worship look like? Everything I do and every relationship that I have is centered around who Christ is. I am fearing God, and serving Him in whatever do. We swear, whenever we do, in His name.

2.  Service has a central location in our text like it does in worship.

In Romans 11: 33-35 we see, and we savor who God is. “The depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God. And how unsearchable are His judgments. His ways past finding out. Who has known the mind of The Lord? Or who has first given to Him?” And then the glory ascribed, for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things to whom be glory forever. And then in verse 3 on the other side, with our attitude, of humility, not thinking more highly of ourselves, as we ought.   In between in the heart of worship, our daily service for the Lord.

3. Church Marquee illustration

I’m not a big fan of cute little, quippy, church marquee things on my church, but I enjoy reading them on other churches. I saw one that really struck to the heart of what we’re talking about tonight. It says God does not want weekend visitation rights. He wants full custody. God does not want weekend visitation rights with you. He doesn’t want ten percent of your money. He doesn’t want ten percent of your time. He says that, all belongs to me. Present it to me. And, it’s used to served, and to fear me.

Our sacrifice of service is central to worship.

4. Hot Check Illustration

Proverbs 21:27 – “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination.” Or your version might say, is detestable.

And I like to put that in the context of writing a check. When we come Sunday morning, Chuck and the worship leaders provide us a wonderful opportunity to write this check of praise to God about how much we love Him.  However, f you haven’t been putting money in the bank during the week, that’s going to be a hot check. When you go to a merchant, and you write him a promise to give him money, and don’t have the resources back in the bank, to back it up, it is an abomination, and detestable to him. And it’s the same with our worship to God. Our sacrifice of service is central to what it means, to worship Him.

5. Hamburger Illustration

Gourmet bread on Sunday doesn’t make up for rotten meat during the week. And I hope to sear this picture in your mind, and I hope you never look at a hamburger the same again. Or when you see that hamburger or sandwich and that nice piece of meat, or chicken or whatever it is you like middle, remind yourself that my service, my fear of the Lord, my doing everything important in His name, is central, to what worship is. Now, very few of us like to eat a hamburger without buns. It is just a mess, so the buns are important. But if you went to Wendy’s, and you asked for a hamburger, and they just gave you two buns put together, you’d be right back up to the counter complaining that the most important part had been left out. Our service is the most important part of worship

Closing Prayer

Father. Take my life. And let it be consecrated to thee. My moments, my days, my hands, feet, voice, lips, my silver and, my gold, my mind, will, heart, and love. Oh God! Make me true to you, in all that I do. May I be ever only and all for you. Amen!

Closing Prayer:

Take my life and let it be concentrated to Thee

My moments and my days

My hands, feet, voice, lips

My silver and my gold

My mind, will, heart, and love

May I be ever, only all for Thee. Amen.

101023 1 Chronicles 18-20