Category: Obedience

An interesting aspect of Moses’ institution of the first Passover feast, as God prepared to take them from Egypt and its bondage is a statement of accommodation in Exodus 12:3. Moses related God’s command that one lamb per household be offered as a part of Passover. However, in verse 4 God instructed Moses, “And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb” (Exodus 12:4).

Two thoughts to consider here. First, God understood the privation of the people, and was willing to make accommodations to those who were too poor (their household “too small”) to offer a full lamb. By application, we know that God will accommodate any limitations we ourselves have. For example, if we are poor (just like the widow with two mites, Mark 12:41-44), God does not require what we are incapable of offering. This principle is true with our health, age, talent, and any other aspect of our service to Him. He only requires what we can offer.

Second, God accommodates our needs, but that does not give us an excuse not to strive for zeal and liberality in our service to Him. You must not try to take advantage of God!

We have recorded in the gospels various prayers of Jesus, offered up to His Father in heaven. For example, in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 we have what is called by many today, “The Lord’s Prayer.” It was in response to the request of one of His disciples who said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). The designation of “The Lord’s Prayer” is inappropriately given to this prayer. It was a model prayer designed to teach the disciples. There are other prayers much more personal to our Lord.

One example of this is the prayer that Jesus offered up in John 17. He first prayed for Himself (17:1-5), then His intimate apostles (17:6-19), then the rest who believe in Him which would include you and me (17:20-26). According to John, this prayer was offered on the same night of His most intimate prayer, recorded in Matthew 26, Mark 15 and Luke 22. It is this prayer in the garden of Gethsemane that we want to examine now. Continue reading “The Garden Prayer” →

An explanation of Paul’s letter to Titus, with a special emphasis on the motivation of the Christian to obey God, expressed in Titus 2:11-14. 

Audio
PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

The book of Deuteronomy is extremely interesting to read. It consists of a series of farewell addresses delivered by Moses to the second generation of Israelites as they camped on the plains of Moab, poised to cross the Jordan River and conquer the Promised Land.

There were three speeches which make up the primary content of the book. In the first speech of Moses was a historical review highlighting God’s faithfulness to Israel (1:1-4:43). The second (longest speech) was Moses’ restatement of the terms of God’s covenant with Israel (4:44-26:19). The third speech was a call by Moses for Israel to renew that covenant with God (27:1-30:20).

Moses’ second speech was an expansive, hours-long address that restated the Ten Commandments, detailed the covenant laws for life in the promised land, and concluded with a solemn series of blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion. It is estimated that a normal speaking cadence would require between 2 and 2.5 hours to complete the speech. This makes a single article fairly ineffective as an attempt to summarize the material. There is simply to much to discuss. Continue reading “A Deuteronomic Warning” →

One of the things that stands out for me in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, is the character of the one to which he is writing. He called Philemon his beloved friend. These words were not mere flattery. Rather they were true praise for a man of strong character.

We acknowledge Paul’s purpose in writing. He wanted Philemon to do as he asked. Philemon’s slave, a man called Onesimus, had run away. While on the run, he met Paul and was converted. Rather than receiving punishment, Paul not only wanted Philemon to forgive the slave, but all to relinquish him to Paul, so that he might assist Paul in his work. This was a big ask, but Paul had confidence and his carefully worded letter would be successful. He believed this because he knew Philemon well. Continue reading “An Example of Christian Character” →

We just celebrated our 250th birthday as a nation on July 4th. If you are like many, it was probably a enjoyable day of family, patriotism and fireworks. It is also an opportunity for reflection for the child of God. Consider what crossed my mind on that day.

I am amazed at the size of the celebrations. They went all out in Washington D.C. with a speech from the President, the honoring of centenarian veterans of World War II, and what was billed as the biggest fireworks display ever in the history of the world! (President Trump likes big things).

Debbie and I went with six of our grandkids (and their parents) to a bridge near downtown Fort Worth to watch our city’s fireworks display. There were hundreds of people on that bridge watching with us. I wondered what it would be like if I had the opportunity to talk to so many non-Christians at one time about our Lord. Continue reading “Observations About the Fourth” →

The period of the judges, revealed in the book by the same name was by and large a time of darkness in Israel. The land was only partially subjugated by the Jews, and there were uprisings and battles throughout the period. One of the primary purposes of any judge was to deliver Israel during times of conflict. A verse in chapter 17 indicates how ignorance and anarchy was often present, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6).

This verse occurs in the specific context of a man named Micah, who was practicing idolatry. “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest” (5).

This shows that at that time, the laws of Israel were not being kept. No king was there to enforce the law. Further, as the law was the law of God, men were only doing their will, not God’s.

The same is often true today. Especially regarding obedience to God. Rather than following His will exclusively, too many are doing “what is right in [their] own eyes.”  This is not, nor ever has been acceptable. God has revealed His complete will for us, (James 1:25). That will is to submitted to and followed by every man. No exceptions!

After giving specific admonitions first to wives then husbands in 1 Peter 3, Peter continues with more general admonitions which apply to us all: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9).

These admonitions are summed up on the call of all Christians to love one another. In this both Peter and John are in agreement, “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:10-11). Continue reading “Inheriting a Blessing” →

Having established a remaining rest (indicating eternity in the presence of God), here the Hebrew writer encourages his readers to act in a way that secures that rest.

Notice the way (diligence) is regarding obedience to God’s commands. Put negatively, the Israelites failed to enter Canaan because of their disobedience (cf. 11).
Here is stated a preeminent principle in scripture. Our salvation is tied inextricably to our obedience to God’s revealed will. This does not mean we earn our salvation, only that the gift of redemption is reserved by Him for those who obey Him. God’s word is the key. He has revealed His will for us.

God’s word is powerful, sharp, piercing. As the Hebrew writer states, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (13).

Carefully consider the part that the Bible has as God judges us to be worthy or not. He has told us what to do. We will be judged by whether we are willing to do it. Nothing could be more plainly revealed!

A discussion of the book of Zephaniah reveals much about the behavior that disappoints God, and the judgment He visits upon those unwilling to submit to Him.

Audio
PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

The Hebrew writer ends this chapter with a “cause and effect” argument using his reference to the rebellion of the Jews as as they left the land of Egypt. He calls it again a rebellion (cf. 15), and asks, “who, having heard rebelled?” (16). It was in fact the entire generation that was guilty of rebellion, despite God’s assurance of protection and victory.

That was the cause, “having heard” they “rebelled.” The effect followed. They angered God and it led to the refusal of God to grant to that generation the rest of Canaan. An entire generation was sentenced to a fruitless wandering until all died in the wilderness. God swore punishment to those who did not obey Him. But, when the explanation is given, verse 19 states, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

True biblical faith is described in scripture as faith that leads to obedience. “By faith Abraham obeyed…” (11:8). If someone professed faith in God or His Son, but is not willing to obey, it is not the faith that God prescribes. It is empty and its impact is God’s judgment!

An examination of 3 passages where the phrase “stand still” is used, indicating the importance of contemplating God’s plan for redeeming man, His preeminence, and our obligations to ensure our standing with Him.

Audio
PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

A discussion of Psalm 15.  Who is it that may dwell in the Presence of the Almighty?

Audio
PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>