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John 7:14-17
Introduction: (background: read john 7:1-9 then 14-17).
I believe every true Christian wants to know God’s will for them. Today, I will share with you, briefly, a few things, from God’s Word that may be a help to you.
Remember, God will not hide His will for you.
I. John 7:17: God Never Leads Contrary To His Word = The Bible
A. His Will = Choice, purpose, desire, pleasure
1. Psalms 119:105 (Word a lamp, light)
a. Not only does the Word of God inform us of His will, but, as a light on a
path in darkness, it shows us how to follow the right and avoid the wrong
way.
b. The lamp is fed with the oil of the Spirit.
c. We walk, in our daily lives, through our part of this world.
d. We often go out into its darkness = come into contact with the sinfulness,
temptations, & wickedness of society.
e. Make sure you never venture there without the light giving Word, it will
keep us from slipping with our feet
2. Romans 15:20-21 & 32
a. After all that Paul’s desired and all of their prayers, it still depended on the
will of God
b. Paul was willing to submit to God’s will = whatever God desired.
B. Doing God’s will is doing what God wants us to do
II. God’s Will Is Found In Prayer
A. Luke 6:12-13
1. Jesus spent hours in prayer before making a decision
2. How much time do you spend in prayer before making
a decision that will affect your life?
Your future? Your family?
B. Luke 11:1: Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done.
III. God’s Will Is Found Through The Holy Spirit: John 14:16-17 – John 16:7
A. The Holy Spirit will guide us, IF you are willing to listen and to obey.
1. He is Spirit of Truth: John 17:17; God’s Word is Truth
He will never lead us into error or false hood
2. John 14:26 – He will teach us
3. John 14:26 – He will remind us
IV. God’s Will Can Be Shown To You Through Your Conscience: I Corinthians 8:8-13
A. If it violates your conscience – DON’T do it
B. Being out of God’s will, will affect others – vs 12
1. “wound” = it will hurt them
2. Vs 11 – “perish” = it will “mar” or destroy them. Why? Because they are
young Christians,
They are spiritually weak. They can easily be affected by watching other
Christians.
V. God’s Will Can Be Shown To You Through Godly Council – Proverbs 24:6
A. God’s will is not for consideration – BUT for obedience
B. God can use Godly men to show you God’s will = your pastor
C. God can use your Godly wife to help you and show you God’s will
Conclusion: There are many things, in God’s Word, that God has revealed to us that are His will.
II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
God’s will is for folks to receive God’s Gift of Salvation
God’s will is for Christians to live for the Lord – to obey Him in all things.
Are you obeying God is ALL things?
Are you 100% sure of Heaven?
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Matthew 16:21-28
Vs 24: “Follow” = to be like, to imitate
Today, I want to share with you, 4 basic principles for us to help us to “Follow Jesus.”
I. Say NO to self
A. Matthew 16;24 = deny self = to utterly disown.
B. To DENY is summed up, I believe, in Matthew 6:33
1. Do God’s Will, God’s way
2. Put Him 1st in your life
3. Love Him with all your heart, mind & soul
4. Put the work of the Lord above your own self-interest.
II. Take up your CROSS
A. This is figuratively used as to mean: self-denial
1. The Cross was a place to die on
2. Basically, Jesus is saying: “If anyone desires to come
after me, let him forget self, lose sight of your own interest
3. Take the same road with Jesus & travel with Him.
B. Die every day: I Cor. 15:31
1. Galatians 2:20: Crucified with Christ/ yet I am living in
this fleshly body
2. Not I, but Christ liveth in me = Christ in me, the hope
of glory. Gal. 6:14 (read & explain)
III. Follow Him: Matt. 16:24
A. Luke 22:54
1. Not as Peter followed Jesus here = afar off.
2. Following “afar off” leads to a denial of Jesus & not of self
3. Vs 57 – 60: 3 X’s denial of knowing Jesus
4. Deny means to disown
5. We can deny Jesus by what we do or don’t do; by what
we say or don’t say; by where we go or don’t go, etc.
B. Peter learned from his failures and so can we
1. Luke 22:62: “Wept bitterly” -Greek = wailed out loud/also, Peter repented
2. I Peter 2:21-22 (follow His steps)
C. A true disciple follows Jesus in duty = more than JUST
saying you believe, but putting your heart & soul into it
IV. Put the highest value upon your soul
A. Matt. 16:26: what’s more important or more valuable
than your own soul?
1. Is your soul worth clinging to sinful pride? Religion?
$ or anything else?
2. What would keep you from following Jesus?
B. Make sure of your salvation today
1. Don’t guess
2. Don’t gamble
3. But be sure you are saved and then follow Jesus
His way = the best way, the sure way.
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Titus 2:12
INTRO: These are important questions because as believers, we are called to live sanctified lives that are fully surrendered to Christ.
We know it’s God’s will for us to live Godly & He’s working in our lives to help us to live Godly. But, we also have a responsibility in this. What we habitually do has tremendous influence on whether we will have a Godly life.
There are seven habits that will help us in our pursuit of Godly living. A habit is a recurring pattern of behavior; it comes through frequent repetition & it’s often subconscious.
A Godly life is one that’s no longer seeking satisfaction through a sinful lifestyle but it’s now surrendered to God and His will.
The Six Habits of a Godly Life
1. A Life of Prayer. We learn this example from Jesus.
The disciples and the crowds did not understand why Jesus withdrew when there was so much good He could do. Jesus knew that prayer was an important priority of His life:
Mark 1:35
Prayer that promotes godliness is not merely occasional prayers offered in times of trouble or need; they are a daily conversation with the Father that comes from our love for Him and gratitude for who He is and what He does. It’s not a duty but a delightful time.
Jesus’ disciples saw that His prayers were very different from the ritualistic prayers that were so common in that day.
They saw & heard how He spoke so personally with His heavenly Father. This prompted them to ask Him to teach them how to pray: Luke 11:1.
Because we live in a world filled with temptations, trials, heartaches, burdens, and sin: an intimate prayer life should be a priority because it keeps us connected to almighty God and makes us sensitive to His will.
Whatever we do will be accomplished on our knees as we submit to the Lord, give Him our time, and listen for His instruction.
2. Faith. Psalm 103:19: God controls everything, not only what happens but why and how it happens as well. His sovereignty is our firm foundation for believing and trusting Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The only other option to faith is worry. A Godly life is one that steps beyond worry and into trust. Each time a situation causes us to fret, we should stop and remember who’s in charge. If God’s sovereignty rules over all, we have no reason to worry. The evidence of our faith is the absence of worry.
Trust in the Lord also builds a closeness with Him. As we talk and listen to God and respond in obedience, He guides us, and we develop closeness with Him both in our heart and in our thinking.
3. Obedience. Moses told the nation of Israel: Deut. 28:1.
In a similar way, we walk on a higher level than the world when we live in obedience to God. It’s not a matter of looking down on others but choosing to live by God’s standards rather than following the world’s lifestyle.
4. Dependence upon the Holy Spirit. Every believer in Jesus is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but the apostle Paul also tells us to “be filled with the Spirit” Eph. 5:18. The Greek verb signifies that this is a continuous action of filling. It means to live in obedience to Him, relying on Him to equip, empower, strengthen, teach, and guide us each day.
Only as we depend on the Spirit will we be and do what God desires.
5. Giving to God and others. We have a promise in Luke 6:38:
We can never out give God. But by not giving, we are claiming that we really don’t need Him & we can manage on our own.
Only God can predict and provide for our future needs.
6. Forgiving other people. Forgiveness may not be easy, but it’s what the Lord commands (Eph. 4:32).
Even if someone betrays us, we must forgive and trust God to take care of the situation.
What changes would you have to make to cultivate these six Godly habits?
Which areas are the most challenging for you?
What obstacles will you need to overcome?
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Acts 27: Example, Apostle Paul
I. They Think Prayerfully
A. Vs 9: sailing was dangerous
1. Vs 10: much damage & hurt ahead: lives at steak
2. Vs 14: tempestuous wind = hurricane like conditions
3. Vs 18: tossed with a tempest
B. Paul saw the storm coming
C. A storm doesn’t last forever
1. Life has its storms; they can get us doubting; afraid;
and sometimes wondering “where is God?”
2. I believe Paul went into this storm prayerfully.
That’s the way we, too, should approach life’s storms .
Whether a storm of bad weather or a storm / a crisis in our lives
D. Notice vs 11: the centurion would not believe the man of God, Paul
1. Sometimes, in haste, people disregard the council of God’s
man
2. They go around and tell their problems to many folks and
then settle on the advice from someone who has told them
what they wanted to hear. II. They Have A Childlike Faith
A. Vs 21- 25 (read)
B. Mark 10:14 – this is a simple faith that does not doubt.
1. Faith to believe what the Bible says
2. Faith to act upon what the Bible says
3. Whether it is faith to be saved or faith to live our daily lives for Him
III. They Have Optimism Based On The Word Of God
A. Yes, there is a hell; but, yes, there is also salvation to take us to heaven
B. There is a negative and a positive
C. Vs 22: (be of good cheer)
1. In the midst of life’s storms, you can have that same little childlike faith to believe in the Word of God.
2. You can be of good cheer because of no loss: vs 22
a. Here, no loss of life: we can thank God for His hand of protection on our lives
b. Also, no loss of eternal life.
God saves and He keeps us saved
D. They have mastered their own lives: Proverbs 16:32
(he that ruleth his spirit)
1. Life is a give and take relationship; things don’t always go
your way
2. They take life’s storms (problems) as they arise; they don’t fall apart during the storm
3. Be realistic about the future: no pie in the sky stuff
4. Paul had a grip on himself and he had self-respect.
Conclusion: The way to keep your head in a crises is to be close to the Bible; close to God. Faith in God and in His Word. Don’t follow after every newfangled thing that comes along in the world of religion. Be saved and know it for sure. Stick to the basics of God’s Word and have that childlike faith – it will get you through life a lot better.
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The Book Of Haggai
Introduction: Haggai was relatively unknown but he voiced God’s message to the leaders of the Jews who had returned after 70 years of captivity.
Haggai writes to:
1. Rebuke and to instruct the remnant of the Jews: they were divided.
2. To admonish and to encourage the builders of God’s House.
The man and the Book: Haggai was born in Babylon and he returned to the Land. This was done due to the decree of Cyrus under Zerubbabel.
This Book covers a period of about 4 months, in the year of 520 B.C. It takes place 16 years after the return of the first group who came back to the Land.
Haggai writes regarding their problem: 14 years of inactivity. The Temple should have been rebuilt but the people didn’t build it.
The people were in apathy and that is why they basically sat there doing nothing in the Lord’s work for those 14 years.
Central message: Chapter 1:7-8
Haggai’s Four Fold Message
I. The Appeal To Rebuild The Temple: Chap. 1
A. Build The House
1. Vs 2: “the people say”
2. Vs 3-4: God’s Word says …..
a. God’s Word came to Haggai, God’s man
b. God was leading Haggai to rebuke and to encourage – His House needed to be built
B. Vs 5 – “…Consider your ways:” their thinking; attitudes; direction; needed to change
1. Vs 6: God was not blessing them in any labor of their hands, unless they rebuild His
Temple and restore His worship
a. God will not bless our labors when we fail to follow His Word.
b. They thought they could escape poverty by keeping their money and not give it to
God’s House; there was not enough to rebuild God’s House because of that
Proverbs 13:7 and 11:24
Instead of cheating God; they cheated themselves
c. Sown: but crop failures … bring in little = not enough food to eat
d. Not filled with drink: nothing satisfied them
e. Because of crop failures, there was not enough money to buy clothing
f. Their wages went into a bag full of holes: figurative. No matter how much they
made … there was never enough to go around.
2. Vs 7: Consider your ways. Is it right to build a nice house and neglect God’s house
consider whether your lack is due to God’s punishment due to your lack of giving
God what is really His
II. A Message Of Support: Chap 2
A. Vs 4: “… I am with you …” – Hebrews 13:5
B. “Be strong …” don’t let this discourage you
C. Vs 6-7: God is in control
1. Vs 6: God will shake the heavens etc.
2. Vs 7: God will shake all nations
3. Vs 8: poverty should not hinder them …. all things come from God. Depend on Him for
their financial needs
III. A Message To Confirm: Chap. 2
A. Vs 19: “from this day will I bless you.”
B. The seed has been planted
1. Harvest is months away
2. Harvest of the fruit trees is also a while off
3. In the past, they have had crop failures
4. God’s Word says: trust in the Lord and not in nature
5. Their obedience will bring the blessing of God
IV. A Message To Assure: Chap. 2
A. Vs 23: “I will take thee” “I will make thee as” “ I have chosen thee”
1. I will take thee: God’s leading and protection
2. I will make thee as a signet: a signature ring used as a seal. God will make them
very precious. He will exalt Zerubbabel to high dignity and power. He shall be
precious
3. I have chosen thee: “chosen” here, means appointed. God had a work for him to do.
God had a plan for Zerubbabel and He has a plan for you.
B. God’s Word gives assurance
1. Acts 17:31
2. Colossians 2:2
Conclusion: Matthew 6:33 is a great rule in God’s Word to follow. When we “consider our ways” and turn back to God, obey His Word in ALL things … He will bless.
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The Book Of Habakkuk
The Human Writer: Habakkuk prophesied during the later years of King Josiah. He also lived during the time of Jeremiah. The name Habakkuk means: “embracing.”
Habakkuk speaks to God concerning Habakkuk’s concerns about God’s working among the nations. Habakkuk 1:4; 1:13 = why do the wicked prosper?
The Central Message of the book: Chapter 2:4b “… but the just shall live by his faith.”
Background: The Assyrian Empire had fallen as Nahum had prophesied: Egypt and Babylon were trying to dominate the world. The Babylonians and Chaldeans were united together under King Nebuchadnezzar and would conquer Judah.
Habakkuk could not understand why a nation like Babylon, with all its wickedness, could conquer a nation like Judah. After all, Judah’s sins were not as bad as Babylon’s sins.
This seemed like evil was wining out over good. So, God shows Habakkuk His plan.
Brief outline of this Book
- The Burden Chap. 1 The apparent triumph
- The Vision Chapter 2
Coming punishment of the Chaldeans
III. The Prayer – Chap. 3
Confidence that God is coming
- The Burden
- Chap. 1:1: he saw
- Vs 2: he cried
- Vs 2: he did not believe that God heard his cry of prayer
- Vs 2: why does not God save?
- He wonders why the wicked prosper?
- The Chaldeans are bitter and nasty: Vs 6 – 7
- Vs 9: they come for violence.
- The Vision
- Chap. 2:4: “… the just shall live by his faith.”
This verse is quoted 3 X’s in the New Testament
- Chap. 2:14: The earth filled with God’s glory
- Chap. 2:20: The Lord … in His Holy Temple: Psalm 11:4
III. The Prayer
- Chap. 3:2: Revive Thy work
- We find Habakkuk praising God, who will always work things out for His glory and
honor. Our part, take time to talk to Him in prayer; study His Word; wait patiently
for Him.
Five Woe’s In The Book Of Habakkuk
- A Woe against aggression: 2:5-8.
This speaks of the doom, some think, of Nebuchadnezzar, who was principally active in the
destruction of Jerusalem
- A Woe against covetousness 2:8-11
- A Woe against violence: 2:12-14. Vs 14 is from Isaiah 11:9.
Vs 13, all the Babylonian cities will be burnt down: Jeremiah 51:58.
God defeats the enemy and in vs 14, the Word of God is spread.
- A Woe against drinking and inhumanity: 2:15-17.
A Twofold teaching here:
- The king of Babylon was drunken with covetousness and cruelty. He provoked others to
do the same, and inflamed them by his madness, and so in the end brought them to shame.
- Drinking alcohol can produce drunkenness.
Drunkenness produces stupid actions: Proverbs 23:29-33.
Vs 30: “mixed wine” = mixing wine with other ingredients to make it stronger.
It usually takes 3-7 days to ferment
Vs 31: “red’ = fermented.
- A Woe against idolatry: 2:18-20
Basic lesson from this Book: We can rejoice and we should rejoice in spite of our unpleasant circumstances. Give your burdens to the Lord and wait on Him for a solution to your problems.
Realize, what we consider as our “problems” are really an opportunity for God to show His power in our lives.
It would be good for you to read Chapter 4 of the book of Philippians as a help to this.
God can take what we consider “problems” and use it for His honor, glory and His good.
I Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.”
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The Book Of Nahum
Human Writer: Nahum – his name means – “Consolation” or “Comfort.”
He lived during the times of Zephaniah, Habakkuk and Jeremiah. Nahum prophesied during the time when Hezekiah was king.
Message or theme: The destruction of the City of Nineveh. The Book of Nahum was written about 150 years after the great revival in Nineveh.
Nineveh was destroyed about 100 years later – just as predicted by the Prophet Nahum.
The City: Probably not the largest city during the time of Nahum.. The people had repented under the preaching of Jonah – But …. they went back into their old sins.
That is why God sent Nahum to preach to them final judgment.
The Assyrians were a worldly and sensual people as well as arrogant. Their empire was built by use of violence and brutality. Note: Nahum 3:1-3
Basic Lesson For Us: God is very well aware of the oppression that Christians suffer and He will repay the wicked for oppression of His people. Romans 12:19-21
Outline Of This Book
I. The Doom Of Nineveh – chap. 1
II. Siege And Fall Of Nineveh – chap 2
III. The Cause Of Nineveh’s Ruin – Sin – chap. 3
I. The Doom Described
A. Chapter 1:2-3: The whirlwind and the storm
B. Chapter 1:6-8: Fire – rocks – overrunning flood – darkness
II. The Siege And Fall Of The City
A. Vs 2: The emptiers, brought them from their land into captivity
B. Vs 2: Marred their vine branches: destroyed all the fruit of their land
C. Vs 3-4: A fierce battle will rage
1. Made red: the ancients dyed their bull’s-hide shields red, partly to strike terror into
the enemy, chiefly lest the blood from wounds which they might receive should be
perceived and give confidence to the foe
2. Vs 4: chariots … with flaming torches; that is, the chariots shall be like flaming
torches, their wheels in lightning-like rapidity of rotation flashing light and striking
sparks from the stones over which they pass (pt 1 & 2 quote from Jamieson – Fausset
Brown)
III. The Cause Of Nineveh’s Ruin
A. The sins of that great city are
1. Murder 3:1
2. Whoredom and witchcraft: 3:4
3. Wickedness: 3:19
B. God’s judgment: Vs 5
1. He will expose their sin
2. It was an ancient custom to strip prostitutes naked, or throw their clothes over their
heads and expose them to public view
3. Nineveh will be stripped of her glory and defenses: the things that the city had pride in
C. Nineveh’s future: 3:19
1. No healing of thy bruise = the city will never be rebuilt
2. Shall clap the hands = rejoice in your down fall
3. bruit of thee = the report of what’s happened to Nineveh
For hundreds of years, most scholars thought that the City of Nineveh was a myth. In 1845, the ruins of Nineveh were found. The mounds across from the Tigris river from Mosul was confirmed to be the ruins of Nineveh.
This Book also teaches that: Even though the ungodly will prosper for a time – God’s judgment will come and God will deliver His people.
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Introduction: Micah lived during the time of Isaiah, the prophet.
His name means: “Who is like Jehovah.”
Isaiah was a learned man and ministered to the upper classes while Micah ministered more to the lower classes from which he came.
The Book: It was written during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
It shows judgment for idolatry. This Book followed the lead of most of the prophets and spoke of the ultimate triumph of God’s grace and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to the faithful remnant.
Date: 750 – 710 B.C.
This Book contributed to the revival under King Hezekiah: (Jeremiah 26:18-19).
NOTE: chapter 1:2 “Hear” 3:1 “Hear” – 6:1 “Hear”
Brief Outline Of The Book
I. Coming Judgment Declared – chaps 1-3
II. Future Blessing Promised – chaps 4-5
III. Repentance Pleaded – chaps 6-7
Note: Micah Chapter 7; the prophet pleads for repentance: what was their sin?
Micah 7:1-2: “… they lie in wait for blood …” = ambush – they have a plot;
“… they hunt every brother with a net.” = They set a trap for a brother
Micah 7:3: “… he uttereth his mischievous desire …” The sin of the “tongue” = gossip and sowing discord.
Micah 7:4: “… best … a briar …” = they are useless at best.
Micah 7:5-7: Vs 5; “Trust not in a friend …” = even the most intimate will betray each other, when they can hope to serve themselves by it.
Vs 6: “… a man’s enemies are men of his own house.” = The state of unnatural lawlessness in all relations of life is here described which is to characterize the last times, before Messiah comes.
Cross references: Proverbs 10:12 – 13:10 – 15:18 – 16:28 – 22:10 – 28:25-26
Galatians 5:17-20 & 6:7-8 – Philippians 2:1-3 & 14-16
James chapter 3 / Micah 7:3 “uttereth mischievous desire …” = The tongue
Central message of the Book: Present judgment and future blessing
Lesson: The Gentile nations will be blessed also during the last days of the regathering of
Israel; 4:1-2
I. Man’s peace brings destruction
A. Micah is speaking here of the future – after the second coming of Christ.
B. The only real and true peace comes from Jesus Christ: John 16:33
1. “Ye shall have …” The Greek word “echo”
2. It will happen over and over and over and over.
3. That’s what the world’s peace brings to us.
C. There is PEACE in “knowing that you are saved”
D. There is PEACE in knowing that you are in God’s will after you are saved.
II. The Requirements Of God: Micah 6:8
A. The Bible speaks about duties
1. The duty of marriage
2. The duty of everyday living for and serving the Lord
B. The whole “Duty” of man: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
1. “whole” = entire – our obligation to God
2. DUTY is something required = obedience to God in all areas of life
C. Our duty is summed up in this … Matthew 22:35-40
1. This means to be willing to give up your life to him, and to devote it all to His service;
to live for Him
2. If we love God as we should; we will have no trouble in obeying Him; serving Him
3. If a Christian’s heart is right with God, you will have no trouble being obedient in ALL
things
4. you will quit making excuses for not doing what you should do or why you’re not
doing it.
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The Name Jonah: Means Dove
Jonah was from the Northern Kingdom. His hometown was 3 miles from the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem.
The first mention of Jonah: II Kings 14:25
The Book: It shows that the love of God and the redemption of man is not just for the Jew … but for ALL who will repent.
Date: Approximately 862 B.C.
Ninevah: At this time – the capital of the Assyrian Empire at its height. Until its fall in 612 B.C.
it was the greatest city of that time.
Within its walls were gardens and groves; vast, lush pastures; splendid temples and palaces.
Its walls were 40-50’ high following 2 miles down the Tigris River; then 8 miles around the inner city = 20 sq. miles.
They had their own water system. The Kings Palace contained 71 rooms with walls lined with sculptured slabs.
Chapter 4:11: there were 120,000 infants. The total population is estimated at between 400,000 & 500,000 people.
Jonah 1:2: It was a wicked city.
Jonah 3:3: It was 3 days journey through that great city
Jonah 3:5: The people repented, so … Why did Jonah run?
Brief Outline Of The Book
I. Fleeing – chap. 1
II. Praying – chap. 2
III. Preaching – chap 3
IV. Learning – chap. 4
Jonah knew of the prophecy regarding the Assyrians. Their capitol; was Nineveh – a rising power during Jonah’s time. One day, they would destroy Israel, Jonah’s homeland. Jonah also knew of the savagery of the Assyrians – their brutality, unspeakable torture, and killing of those they conquered.
God tells Jonah to preach to those murderous savages so that they would be saved; knowing that one day …. they would conquer his people. Jonah was willing to spare his people; give up everything of importance to him and sacrifice his own life, if necessary, for Israel. He knew that if he preached and they got saved; God would spare Nineveh and Israel’s fate would be sealed.
Jonah was wrong for putting his people first and obedience to God second. We must obey God, even if it doesn’t make sense to us …. even if we don’t understand it …. even if we don’t like the outcome of it.
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Introduction: We have no history regarding Obadiah – not even his father’s name. We find more than a dozen other Obadiah’s in the Bible, but none are identified with this one. He is a man of obscurity that was used of God to pronounce one thing: God’s judgment on Edom and final restoration of Judah under God’s Kingdom.
The name Obadiah means – Servant of Jehovah.
The Book: It is the shortest writing of the prophets and the smallest Book of the Old Testament. It’s primary concern is with God’s judgment upon Edom for their alliance with Babylon against their own kin: Israel. Then, the plundering and destruction of Jerusalem, by Babylon.
Date: An exact date is not found. We can speculate that it was written around 887 B.C.
Edom: During Obadiah’s time, the capitol was Petra … the Rock City.
I. The Day Of The Lord Is Near
A. Every eye shall see Him: Rev. 1:7
B. He comes as a thief: II Peter 3:10-12
C. Paul looked for it: Phil. 3:20
D. We are to wait for His coming: I Thess. 1:10
E. No man knows when He will return: Matt. 24:36
II. Rewards When He Returns: Obadiah 1:15
A. Galatians 6:7: Reap what you sow
B. Rev. 22:12: He brings rewards
C. I Cor. 3:14-15: Rewards can also be taken away from us
1. Build a work for Christ that will last
2. Our works will be tested by the refiner’s fire: I Peter 1:7
Even though Obadiah looked for the second Coming; Paul looked for it; the early Christians looked for it; you and I should look for the Second Coming. We must remember; God is on HIS time table and not ours.
God, in His wisdom and timing, still has a work to do; a work for you and me to do.
God must be waiting for something, what it is, we don’t know and it is not for us to know or we’d know it.
Genesis 7:4 & 10: for some reason, God gave 7 more days of Grace before He flooded the earth.
Today, He is still a God of Grace. God patiently waits for souls to receive Christ as Saviour.
He patiently waits for Christians to do a work for God, to live for Jesus, to win souls.
But …. He is Coming: Mark 13:32-33
Vs 2-3: God made them small, vs 2, because of their sinful pride: vs 3
Vs 2: they are despised, scorned, contemptible.
Vs 3: They deceived themselves by their own sinful pride
They dwelt in the clefts of the rocks … Petra … the capitol city was a Rock City.
Their houses were mostly cut into the rocks.
Vs 4: Pride MUST be brought down. No matter how high they tried to exalt themselves…
God WILL bring them down
Vs 5: The enemies of Edom have ravaged them more than thieves and robbers would have
Vs 6: Even the things that they hid in caves etc. were found and ravaged: I Corinthians 4:5
Vs 7: Brought to their border = they were hemmed in, on every side, by their enemies.
“They that eat thy bread” = they pretended to be their friends but in all reality: they
joined together to destroy them.
“laid a wound” = laid a trap or placed a snare.
“none understanding” = they we so foolish – they could not see their danger
Vs 8: The Edomite’s were remarkable for wisdom, counsel, and prudence.
When God purposes to destroy a nation for its sins, He commonly removes from it the
wise and prudent, and gives it over to weak and foolish counsels: Jeremiah 49:7.
Vs 9: The wise men will be destroyed by a violent death
NOTE: The problem here – is the sinful pride of Edom. In verses 1-16, we read of the destruction of Edom because of their sin. Proverbs 6:16-20 – Proverbs 8:13
Arrogancy means “swelling.” Or like “he has the big head.”
Verses 17-21: We read of the salvation of Israel.
Vs 17: Deliverance: Psalms 2:6
Holiness = they shall return to God and separate themselves from idols
The promise of God – in the Palestinian Covenant – to take what God has rightfully given
to Israel.
Vs 18: Isaiah 10:17: God’s power to consume his enemies properly belongs only to himself.
As a people and a nation, they shall be destroyed. It does not refer to every individual.
Vs 19 – 21: Obadiah ends his prophecy with a promise of the restoration of Israel and the
Messianic Kingdom.
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