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16 Nov: Why Do We Trust in the Lord?
Heb 13:5 “…. for He Himself has said, “I will never leave you; nor will I ever forsake you.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
“Footprints in the Sand” poem illustrates His care
2 Tim 3:16,17 tells us that ALL Scripture is inspired by God in order to train us, correct us and make us able to be ready for every good work. When I was reading 2 Tim. in preparation for today’s lesson I wondered why we need God’s Word to be ready for doing good work? I think the reason is that sometimes when we have an opportunity to do some good work or good deed we might want to pass on that. Kinda’ like when the Pharisee and Scribe passed by on the other side but the Good Samaritan stopped and helped.
So, looking through God’s inspired Word I found these passages:
1 Cor 10:11 “These things happened to them (punishment) as examples and were written down as warnings (encouragement) for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.” I added the word encouragement because I was thinking of Shadrach and Daniel when they were persecuted for their godly lives and God sustained and protected them. This is an encouragement that God watches over us and a warning that evil may at times come to us as we serve God. We need to realize that God actually expects us to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. And when we do walk the walk there may be consequences that we have to trust God to get us through them. I think that is what Jesus was alluding to when He told us we must take up our cross and follow Him.
Rom 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Here is that word ‘encouragement’ again but it is preceded with ‘endurance’. Just like with Shadrach, before God’s blessings there first appeared suffering and we need to “ENDURE” in our faith to reach God’s blessings. The “Footprints in the Sand” poem speaks of the Lord carrying the dreamer. But why is He carrying the man? Because the man was going through some tough times, and that is when the Lord lifted him up. Last week’s lesson on the ‘faithful servants’ spoke heavily to that – persevering faithfully and obediently until Jesus returns to collect His faithful children.
John 20:30,31 “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” “Believing” is the word used here with the understanding that our belief will cause a reaction. James tells us that faith without works did dead. And Jesus was referring to our obedience when He said that all people will know we are His disciples because of our love for one another and our obedience to His commandments.
I wrote out this next paragraph to make sure I get it right:
I thought it might be encouraging and a reminder for us (as we just read) to look at some of the moments in history when God worked with His creation to bring blessings into their lives and subsequently know that this is the same God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8) who is with us as well.
1). The first Scripture that I want to look at is the recording of the Lord’s found in in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Matthew records Jesus’ legal lineage with Joseph while Luke records the biological lineage from Mary. The lineage of Christ is a central theme in the Bible, tracing the genealogy of Jesus Christ through both the Old and New Testaments. Now why is the lineage of the Lord important to you and I???
A). Jesus’s Lineage: shows the fulfillment of prophesies and establishes Jesus as the legitimate heir of the promises made to Abraham and David. It is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The lineage of Christ is a profound testament to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, as foretold by the prophets. In other words, in the same way we see the fulfillment of the Messiah promises we can have faith in the resurrection promise and the promise of eternity for those who accept Christ as their Savior and Lord. These past fulfillments give us faith in future fulfillments.
B). The genealogies also highlight the inclusion of Gentiles and sinners in Jesus' ancestry, such as Rahab and Ruth, underscoring the grace and redemption available to all through Christ. We should realized that just as God was willing to use less than perfect people to bring about His will and accomplish His plan in the past, He can and He will want to use us to bring about His plans today. 1 Cor 6:9-11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, . . . nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Peter 2:9,10 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” We need to see that in the same way God drafted “unexpected” people into His plans He will also desire us to be available for Him to use in accomplishing His will and His kingdom.
So, while we may read through, or skip through, the lineage of Christ we need to realize that this is recorded with a purpose. What can we deduce from this? One, is the faithfulness of God with regard to His promises. Therefore, we can have faith that just as God brought about the fulfillment of His promise to Abraham and mankind – so He will fulfill His promises to us.
Secondly, we can also conclude, as we read about the lives of these individuals, that God worked in their lives with a purpose. We can therefore read confidently the words of Rom 8:28 that tells us that God works to bring good into our lives through all the circumstances that we encounter.
Thirdly, as we go back and look at the lives of those in line for producing Jesus as the Messiah, we can see how God worked with compassion, forgiveness, protection and blessings. Since God is the same today, tomorrow and forever – we can trust that same God to work in similar ways in our live.
For our second consideration I want to fast forward to a time near the end or Jesus’ life when He is warning His disciple of what is going to happen to Him: Mtt 16:21,22 “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him … But Jesus said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but mans.” Luke 22:31-34 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.’ But Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, with You, I am ready to go both to prison and to death!’ But Jesus said, ‘I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.’” In these two situations we see Peter being less than what God wants from him. But we know from the day of Pentecost forward that Peter becomes one of God’s most outspoken and effective evangelists for God’s kingdom. So, what can we derive from these passages? One, God is forgiving, understanding and compassionate with His children, even when, or maybe especially when, we become like the Prodigal Son and wander from God’s path. Like the parable of the Lost Sheep, we know God will reach out to us and restore us to His kingdom. Secondly, we can know that God has a plan for our lives and that He has not left us to our own devices and abilities. That is what Rom 8:28 tries to tell us. And who do you think it is that brings this promise into fulfilment? It is the same God who has fulfilled all the other promises that we read in Scripture. Consider also: Phil 4:6,7, 11-13 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. … I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Like the man learned in the
Footprints” Poem, and like the apostles in the boat floundering in the storm with Jesus asleep - we should have certainty and faith within our hearts that God will never leave us.
What did Jesus tell His apostles moments before He ascended back to His Father? Mtt 28:20b “…. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
SUMMARY: if you are having struggles and difficulties then like the man who wants to build his house to prepare for the coming storms - we also need to dig down to the bedrock, which is Jesus Christ, and lean and trust in Him. Just as we can see in the life of Christ, blessings and trials, struggles and blessings, death and resurrection, we need to have the same trust in God that Christ had. We need to know that Jesus was telling the truth that there is a home in heaven waiting for us if we remain faithful.
9 Nov: FAITHFUL SERVANTS LK 12:35-48 / Mt 24:45-51
Lk 12:35-38 “Be dressed in readiness, and your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.” “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.” “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” I have always thought this parable where the “Master” serves his obedient servants rather strange and improbable. But how much more is it improbable to think that a “God” would submit himself to becoming human, even to the point of death? Yet that is exactly what happened. Jesus, left heaven and came here, born of a virgin, was rejected by “His” very own people (Jews/siblings) and allowed Himself to be flogged and crucified. I could, maybe, see being human and dying of old age, but crucified- unimaginable!!!
1. Lk 12:35-38 The Masters time of return is unknown. In this parable - the time is uncertain as to when the master will return. While he is gone the servants continue operating according to the desires of the master. In a similar fashion we do not know when the Lord is going to come back to us. We too need to live our lives in such a way that we are pleasing the Lord until His 2nd coming.
- Heb 10:36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”
- 1 Pe 1:13-15 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” We are eagerly awaiting His return but while waiting we are to live in accordance with God’s will. (Essop tale: ant and the grasshopper)
3. 2 Tim 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.
4. I Thess 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep…”
2. Lk 12:35-40 Master Waits on the Servants who are Prepared / Ready –
1. Phil 2:7 “(Christ) emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” . 2. John 13:3,4 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” It is hard to imagine the parable Jesus just told us regarding a master serving his servants. It is not what you expect to hear because it is not the norm. It kinda’ makes you wonder if you read it right but you did! In fact, Jesus lives that very parable to prove the truth of it. We need to know and believe that God is going to reward us if we are faithful in our lives.
3. Lk 12:35-40 Being Prepared and Ready is the Correct Mindset: the servants are alert and prepared to welcome the master back home. Our being alert and prepared requires us to know what is pleasing to the Lord and obediently living our lives in accordance with His teachings and example – take you your cross and follow Me.
1. I Pe 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.”
2. I Tim 4:6,8,12 “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.” “…for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” “Let not one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”
Lk 12:35-40 Summary: We need to know the will of the Father, and we need bring our lives more and more into compliance. When our lives are in sync with the Lord we will find more contentment, peace and satisfaction. We will be one of those looking forward to His return and the reward that awaits us!