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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.
Filed under: Christianity | Tags: Bible, Blogroll, Burnout, Christian Life, Christianity, Encouragement, faith, Hope, Life, People
IS BURNOUT A REAL DANGER?
Not too long ago, a friend had a problem with one of his knees. He had arthroscopic surgery on it in the eighties, and it started giving him trouble again. He went to his regular doctor, who sent him to a specialist. The specialist did several tests to see how bad the prob¬lem was.
The X-rays, (the Dr. said) “Are the knees of a seventy-year-old man.” Then he showed him the X-rays of my friends’ knees. “Yours are worse,” he said. “You’re ready for a knee replacement. Your knees are just worn out.”
The subject of “burn out” is some¬thing we hear a lot about today. There’s a great deal of focus on the danger of falling prey to overwork and stress, but is that a legiti¬mate concern?
I can’t stop my body from getting older, but I can keep from hav¬ing the attitude that I’m old. One does not get old unless his mind tells him he is old. I only have one life to serve God, and I want to make the most of it. Doing some, we found that in the 1930s, the average work¬week was eighteen hours longer than it is today-and we think we’re overworked.
THE COMMON TEACHING
It is commonly taught that Christians are overworked,
overstressed and in danger of burnout.
Twenty-first-century Christians, we often hear, are overworked, overstressed and in danger of burnout. People say, “It’s just so hard in this day and age. We have more pressure, stress and difficulty than ever before. Watch out for burnout.”
It’s almost impossible to listen to Christian radio or television for any length of time without hearing about the danger of burnout. I was listening to a couple of Christian psychologists one day on the radio talking about people they referred to as “pleasers.” They said this kind of person always says yes and does too much and that he needs to learn how to say no.
What was intriguing to me was that a lady called up the program and complained about how busy she was. She talked about all the commitments she had and how she was stretched too thin. Her solution was to drop all the things she was doing at the church. She kept the PTA and the Red Cross and Neighborhood Watch.
IT you have to give up something, don’t give up something of eternal value. Those Christian psychologists didn’t seem to see anything wrong with her solution. They didn’t suggest to her that the eternal was more important than the temporal and should have priority.
Jesus told the disciples to come apart and rest for a while.
The proponents of this teaching say that if you don’t come apart and rest, you’ll come apart.
I try to take a day off almost every week. I take two weeks’ vacation every year. I’m not against rest.
This common teaching on burnout, however, does not match what the Bible says. In fact, by looking at Mark 6, the context of this verse that is so often used to warn of burnout, we find a very different truth from what is commonly taught.
THE TRUTH
Mark 6:30-31
Jesus sent the disciples out two by two to go throughout the countryside and preach the Gospel
(vs. 7-13). People responded to the message. The Bible says the disciples were so busy, they did not have time to eat. If most of us are honest, we admit there aren’t very many times we’re too busy to eat. Eating holds a pretty high priority! When the disciples were tired and worn out, Jesus said they needed to rest. We also need to realize, believe in, and practice Philippians 4:13 & 19 as well as I Thess. 5:24
Jesus took them to a desert place.
Mark 6:32: They needed a day off. Yet the Bible says that the peo¬ple followed the ship on foot when they saw Jesus leaving. One of the things that we sometimes overlook in Scripture is the tremen¬dous appeal Jesus had to common people. They would go to great lengths to see and hear Him.
The Sea of Galilee is eight miles wide and thirteen miles long. In the day of Christ, there were nine towns around it. None of them had a population of fewer than 15,000. What happened was that, as those who witnessed Jesus and the disciples’ leaving, made their way around the lake. People from those cities joined them so they could also hear Jesus.
When Jesus got off the boat, He saw “much people.” I think it’s reasonable to assume there were 20,000 or more people there to hear Him, based on the fact that we are told there were 5,000 men. Without any advertisement or promotion, word of mouth gathered a huge crowd.
Jesus taught the multitude all day.
The day that was to have been devoted to resting was devoted to ministry instead. All day long, Jesus taught the people. Finally, the disciples came to Jesus and said, ”The time is far spent” (Mark 6:35). When they protested, saying they didn’t have enough money for the task, Jesus asked them what they did have.
It’s interesting to me how He focused on what they did have rather than what they lacked. You can always complain about a lack of time or energy to accomplish a task. Instead of doing that, use what you have. God multiplies what we have when we give it out to Him.
I wonder how many blessings and miracles we miss out on by giving up because we are so tired.
The disciples fed the hungry crowd.
After Jesus determined that they had five loaves and two fish, He issued instructions to the disciples. They first divided the peo¬ple into groups. Then the disciples served the food to them. Finally, when everyone had eaten all he wanted, the disciples gathered up what was left over.
IT our estimate that there were 20,000 people in the crowd is correct, each disciple would have needed to take food to around 1,700 people. I believe the disciples were more tired at the end of the day than they were at the beginning of the day. That was the final result of their day to relax, when they ‘came apart to rest.
The Bible tells us that there were twelve baskets of food left over-one for each of the disciples but none for Jesus. Never dur¬ing His life on earth did Jesus use His divine power for personal benefit. Instead, He went to refresh His strength in prayer.
The disciples then went back across the lake while Jesus stayed to pray.
Mark 6:45, 46.
“And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side
before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people”.
“And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.”
Jesus was just as physically tired as the disciples, if not more so. He had undoubtedly needed a day of rest just as much as they had. All day long He had taught the multitude of people who gathered to hear Him. Working miracles exacted a physical toll on Jesus (Mark 5:30).
Yet rather than taking the night to sleep, He took the night to pray. As we’ll see in the conclusion, many of the problems we attribute to burnout are caused by depending on our own strength rather than relying on divine power to accomplish the tasks that God has set before us.
A storm prevented the disciples from returning until Jesus calmed the sea
Jesus interrupted His praying to come to the disciples and rescue them from the storm.
MARK 6:48 (toiling and rowing = working hard).
4th watch getting close to the morning. They had worked hard most of the night.
Mark 6:51 (read).
No rest – No sleep – No break in their schedule – working hard all night …
They started ALL over again the next day.
Mark 6:54-56
The disciples and Jesus went right back to work the next day. They didn’t get a day of rest but also missed their night’s sleep. When they got to shore, they started ALL over again.
Mark 6:31 (read) some use this to justify quitting a S.S. class or bus route etc.
Stopping to rest was the original plan, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
The needs of the people were most important.
God Made Us To Work For Him
Eph. 2:10. We were made to work. God created us to work for Him. We are HIS creation.
Everyone gets tired. By the end of the day, you may say: “Boy, am I tired.” Then: “Go to bed.”
That’s why we have beds. We’re supposed to be tired at the end of the day.
Most of our stress problems are really sin problems
Phil. 4:6-7
Replace griping and worrying with praying and praising. That would give us more peace and less stress. Instead of focusing on your short comings, focus and rely on God.
There is NO problem that is too large or difficult for God. Turn it over to Him and you will find your strength and energy renewed. Jer. 32:27.
Filed under: Christianity, Christmas | Tags: Bible, Christian Life, Christianity, Encouragement, faith, Life, People
Introduction: Do you have all your shopping done yet?
There are some folks that are hard to shop for- – You have no idea what they need or want – You don’t know what size or color – They are just plain picky (Years ago, I made the mistake of buying a tie for my dad- he never wore it) But, God knows exactly what we need. He gives us good and perfect gifts. Just to help us keep our spiritual perspective in these last days leading up to Christmas let us be reminded of some of God’s gifts to us.
I. The gift of the Savior- Luke 2:11 “Unto YOU”
A. If there ever was a gift where “everybody needs one”, “one size fits all”, or “you can’t do
without it”, this is it.
B. It was a promised gift- Gen. 3:15 B. It is a perfectly timed gift- Gal. 4:4
II. The gift of salvation
A personal relationship with the living God-
John 3:16 Eph. 2:8-9 Rom. 6:23
III. The gift of the Holy Spirit- John 14:16-18, 26
A. An indwelling Person B. An empowering Person C. An educating Person
IV. The gifts of grace-
A. Giving- II Cor. 8:19 B. Serving- Eph. 3:7,8
V. What do you do with a gift?
I suppose every parent has had the experience of searching for some special gift for their child and then after all that effort seeing the child spend more time playing with the box the gift came in than the gift itself. The feeling you have at that time approximates the feeling God must have about some of His children with their attitude towards His gifts to us.
A. Thank God for it- II Cor. 9:15 B. Use it- I Tim. 4:14 C. Share it- II Tim. 1:6-7 D.
Add to it- II Peter 1:2-8
Conclusion: It was the week before Christmas. Parking spaces were hard to come by. There were long lines, crowded stores, rude people, and grossly inflated prices. In one long checkout line, one man was heard to say, “They should kill the guy who started Christmas.” One wise and Godly woman in the line said, “They did- they hung Him on a cross.” Therein lyes the REAL Christmas story.
Filed under: Christmas | Tags: Bible, Christian Life, Christianity, Encouragement, faith, Hope
Text: Matthew 1:18 – 2:21
Introduction: It goes without saying that the date for Christ’s birth remains a mystery and that December 25th was in ancient times a Roman holiday to celebrate the passing of the winter solstice, (December 21st is the shortest day of the year.) and the lengthening of days which would lead to spring and summer.
But in 325 A.D. in Rome, professing Christians settled on this date for commemorating the coming of Christ Jesus into the world. The popularity of this date stems from the 12th century.
The world should be reminded of the great gift God made in the person of His Son who came to be the Saviour; to come and live a sinless life and die a vicarious death for our sins.
I. THE CRADLE: The beginning of Christmas
A. The Angels
1. Matt. 1:20 – appeared to Joseph
2. Luke 1:26 & 2:9
There have been many unusual birth announcements:
IT’S A BOY SIGN IN THE YARD; BALLOONS ON A MAILBOX; BULK MAIL WITH PHOTOGRAPHS NEWSPAPER ANNOUNCEMENT PHONE CALLS to friends and relatives
B. The shepherds
1. Luke 2:9 they were sore afraid 2. The Shepherds believed the angels
Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
C. The Wise men; Matthew 2:1-6
1. Matthew 2:2
2. Matthew 2:9
The wise men had come from the East. They had read and studied the ancient Book of Daniel with its prophecies regarding the coming Messiah. There were a large number of Jews living in Babylon, and they had their synagogues. These wise men were educated in all the wisdom of the Babylonians and Persians of earlier times. But somehow they understood that God was leading them in a special way.
1. They had seen His star – Matthew 2:2
2. They came to worship the Christ child -Matt. 2:10-11 – they humbled themselves before the Christ child
3. They presented gifts – Matt. 2:11
4. They departed “another way” – Matt. 2:12 – or “a different route” in order to escape Herod
The Cradle – The Cross – The Crown – cont’d
II. THE CROSS: The ultimate goal of Christmas
A. Matthew 16:21
Hebrews 2:9 (taste death for every man)
I Timothy 1:15: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”.
III. THE CROWN: The glorious climax of Christmas
Acts 1:3 – I Corinthians 15:3-6 – Hebrews 2:7-9
Hebrews 7:1 – Rev. 17:14 – 19:16 (King of Kings etc. a King wears a Crown).
Conclusion: Jesus Christ came into this world because He loves us. He died in our place on the Cross of Calvary – he arose again the 3rd day as He said He would.
He is also coming back as he said he would – on His time table.
He did this to save all those would receive Him by faith. He saves us to serve Him – to live for Him.
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John’s Account of the Christmas Story
John 1:1-14
Intro: Typically, we’re told the traditional Christmas story… A wonderful GREAT Story.
The town of Bethlehem, the manger, shepherds, angles, the baby, Mary and Joseph, etc.
The Story of Jesus Christ, as has been stated, is “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Three of the four Gospels tell the Christmas story. Matt. and Luke, the traditional story, and John a very non-traditional Christmas story; but …A wonderful Christmas Story to tell.
Matthew writes of Jesus the King, the lineage of David: this was written to the Jew, to believe in Jesus as Messiah. Mark: Jesus the Servant. It represents the character and career of Jesus from the Roman point of view. Luke: Jesus the Man – the human Divine One; to the Greek, written in Greece. John: the Eternal Son the Divine human; written to the saved so that we might cherish Christ more and train Christians to serve the Lord. John was different; probably the youngest of the Apostles; the disciple whom Jesus loved, left in charge of Mary; first Apostle to the tomb. He wrote 5 books in the New Testament. This is the 2nd most. The most were written by Paul. John, the only disciple not to be killed. So John was unique, and his Christmas story is unique. John calls Jesus, “The Word”. John 1:14
Here is John’s Christmas story, the Word became flesh. God became a baby. There is more purpose to the Christmas story then merely to supply us with a warm account of the birth of Jesus, which is wonderful – but more than just a baby being born in a unique way. In fact, there are five reasons why the “Word became flesh”, God became a baby…and four of them are right in John’s account.
#1. The Word became flesh. God became a baby because He wanted to communicate in the most effective way with His number1 creation, man. Jesus is called the “Word”, vs 1.
We use words to communicate. The best way to communicate with a horse would be to become a horse.
And although God communicated with man in the O.T, He knew that the best way would be to become a man, so…the Word became flesh, God became a baby. Jesus communicated in the clearest possible way what God is like and what He desires for His children. If you rely on television evangelists, other Christians, other religions, to communicate to you what God is like, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you look to Jesus… God wants to communicate with you. etc
#2: The next reason why the Word became flesh, God became a baby, is because God wants to “enlighten you:” John 1:9.
We live at a time when more and more people are confused, wondering what to do, where to turn. Advice is everywhere but it’s often contradictory and like, “…the blind leading the blind.” We cry out for direction, truth, and meaning, and Jesus cries out, “I am the way the truth and the life…” God wants to enlighten you. etc. To lead you by His written Word.
#3: The third reason why the Word became flesh, God became a baby, is because God wanted to be able to relate to His people: John 1:11 The Bible (in Hebrews) tells us that Jesus lived like we did, was exposed to the same temptations as we are, and though, being God, He could not have sinned and He did not sin.
Jesus understands what it is like to be human, He understands the fears and pressures you’re under.
God can relate to you and you can approach Him. #4 – The forth reason why the Word became flesh, God became a baby, is because He wanted to adopt us into His family… John 1:12 Romans 8:14-17: the taking and treating a stranger as one’s own child. He receives us as a legitimate child – even though we were strangers and enemies. This means:
1. That we, by nature, had no claim on Him
2. The act is one of mere kindness – of pure, sovereign love
3. that we are now under his protection and care
4. That we are bound to manifest towards Him, and yield to him in obedience Romans 8:15: Cry Abba Father; we now have legal standing, because we were “adopted” by the Lord, when we received Christ, NOW we have the right to call Him FATHER – DADDY; with ALL its rights and privileges. Servants and slaves were not allowed to call their masters “father” or “Abba Father.”
Here, we find that the legitimate, the adopted, can now call Him FATHER.
CRY = from the heart – like a child crying our for “daddy;” it shows confidence.
Believing on the Lord Jesus brings us into His family; by the spirit of adoption, you become literally related to the Father.
#5: But the fifth reason why the Word became flesh is the most important of them all. Without the fifth reason all the other reasons could never benefit us. The fifth reason was the ultimate goal. The fifth reason is the most shocking, so shocking it is seldom mentioned at Christmas time.
The fifth reason why the Word became flesh, why God became a baby, was because one day, He would have to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. Etc. I want you to see the message as set forth here. God became a baby, an infant: The baby grew up; became a man; lived a sinless life; died on the cross to take upon Him your sins and mine. He paid the price for YOU. And because of that, adoption is possible, it’s possible to relate, enlighten, communicate. That’s what’s behind the Christmas story, the star of Bethlehem over the manger, the angles announcing to the shepherds, the wise men visiting in search of truth, visiting the child. COMING TO GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO THOSE THAT WILL BELIEVE
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The Book Of Malachi
Intro: This is the last call of the Old Testament before the voice of prophecy dies into a silence of 400 years. The last spokesman utters his soul and retires behind the mystery curtains of the past.
The meaning and the message: This Book is an appeal – powerful and passionate … pleading for God’s people to repent of sin and turn to God … chapter 1:1-2 – vs 6-11
The key thought of Malachi: Malachi 2:17
I. An appeal in viewing their present sin: chap. 1-2
A. God speaks; the priests are appealed to: 1:6 – 2:9
1. 1:8: they offered what they didn’t want, to the Lord
2. 1:14: what they offered to the Lord was corrupt
B. Malachi speaks (message from the Lord) 2:10-17
1. They wearied the Lord: 2:17
2. They said the evil was good: 2:17
II. An appeal in viewing the Coming Day: chap. 3-4
A. God will judge the guilty on that Day
1. God will send His messenger to prepare the way – 3:1
2. John the Baptist was that messenger
3. The Day of His coming:- 3:2
4. This is the 1st coming of Christ
5. The religious leaders and people had sank to a new low of formalism and being
nonchalant about the things of God; they were living in hypocrisy.
6. God will judge: 3:4-5
7. God changes not; He is always the same: 3:6
8. Tithing is taught: 3:8-11. Note: vs 11: I Corinthians 16:1-2
B. God will bless the Godly in that Day
1. Vs 14: the ungodly find it vain to serve God
2. Vs 16-17: the Godly belong to God
3. God will send Elijah: 4:5
4. The appeal: 4:4-6
Malachi ends the Old Testament with a final promise of the coming of Christ; then we have
400 years of silence.
Next, the New Testament opens in the fulfillment of the prophecy with the first coming of Christ, with John the Baptist paving the way.
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The Book Of Zechariah
Introduction: Like Haggai, Zechariah was a prophet to the Jewish remnant that returned after the 70 year exile. Much of Zechariah is to be interpreted in light of related prophecy. This Book is surpassed in prophecies of Christ only by the Book of Isaiah.
The man and the Book: The name Zechariah means: remembered of the Lord.
His work began approximately 2 months after Haggai’s and their works parallel each other. Most of this Book is made up of eight (8) visions encouraging the rebuilding of the Temple and four (4) visions of the Messianic Kingdom.
Eight Visions
I. The Rider On The Red Horse – Chap. 1
A. Vs 8: Myrtle Trees = an emblem of peace; intimating that all war was to end shortly
B. Vs 8: The Man = Vs 9 “oh my lord” “And the angel that talked with me …”
Vs 11-12: the angel of the Lord. … This man is the pre-incarnate Christ, the second
person of the Trinity.
C. Vs 8: riding = implies swiftness in executing God’s will in His providence; hastening to
help His people.
D. Vs 8: “in the bottom …” = in a low place or by the river bottom, as in “bottom land”.
The Euphrates and Tigris River in Babylon, was the scene of Judah’s captivity.
E. Red Horse = this implies bloodshed – this implies the vengeance that will come upon the
enemies of Israel.
F. Vs 8: red horses “speckled and white” = the white implies victory and triumph for Judah
Speckled = from a Hebrew word meaning “to intertwine” the red was mixed with the white
which shows the wrath (red) about to come upon Judah’s enemies and “triumph” (white)
for Judah.
G. Vs 16: prophecy of the Lord’s return and the Temple to be rebuilt
II. The Four Horns – Four Carpenters – chap. 1:18- 21
A. Vs 18: Horns are symbols of power
1. Four horns = the four (4) powers that had oppressed the Jews: Babylon, Persia,
Chaldea, and Egypt.
2. The head of each power is their king; so a horn also represents the king of each nation
B. Vs 20-21: carpenters = craftsman or an engraver. They work in brass and iron as well as
working in wood.
1. These are four other powers who would defeat the powers represented by the four
horns
2. Vs 21: “these are come to fray …” the carpenters will “fray” or beat down, to destroy,
the horns.
NOTES: God will always find men to do his work – there were horns to be cut off. Here are the carpenters or artificers; God will always find the right sort of men. God choose men of ability to empower them to do His will and to defeat the enemy..
God will always find enough men to do His work and His will. There were four horns, so are there four smiths to beat them to pieces. Empires which have opposed the Lord have been crushed to powder, it always be so. No power can stand against the Lord of Hosts.
III. The Man With The Measuring Line – Chap. 2
A. The City of Jerusalem shall be (future tense) restored and made bigger or enlarged: 2:2-5
B. Those Jews exiled will return to the Land: 2:6-7
C. Jehovah God will protect His people and He will make their enemies a “spoil:” 2:8-9
D. Many nations will be converted or joined to the Lord: 2:10-13
E. Man with a measuring line: 2:1
1. He is also represented in Ezekiel 40:3
2. He is found in Revelation 21:15 & Ezekiel 41:1-26
3. There are several other Scriptures which represent this … The Man is none other than
God Himself. The Jews are, here, encouraged to go forward with the building of the
Temple and they are also encouraged for future restoration.
V. Visions Four Through Eight
A. Four: Joshua, the High Priest and satan- chap. 3
1. This pictures the removing of iniquity and the future glory of Israel
2. When we stand before God, to serve Him, or stand up for God, we must expect to
meet all the resistance satan’s subtlety and malice can give to us
3. Vs 3: filthy garments = their removal is symbolic of the removing of iniquity from
Joshua … representing his people.
B. Five: The golden candlestick and the two olive trees -chap. 4
1. Vs 2: candlestick is light = Israel was to send forth the light of the Gospel;
the Temple was to be rebuilt – vs 9 – so that the Word of God could be sent forth as a
light shining in a world full of the darkness of sin.
2. Vs 11-14: reference to Revelation 11:3-4
C. Six: The Flying roll; 5:1-4
1. This represents the Word of God that judges
2. Vs 2: 30’ X 14’
3. Vs 4: The Word of God goes against sin and wickedness
D. Seven: the “epah” vs 6, was the old time Jewish symbol for trade and the woman,
1. Vs 7: the two women, vs 9; represent Babylonian corruption which leavened the
commerce of the remnant that had returned. The two women, more specifically, are
sent to carry away the corrupt woman.
2. Vs 9: Stork = an unclean bird
E. Eight: The Four War Chariots; chap. 6:1-8
1. The judgment of the Lord upon the nations
2. Vs 9-15: Joshua is crowned as a type of Christ … the immediate meaning of that is
simply: Jehovah God, as He sends forth His chariot judgment on the Gentile powers that
surrounded Israel, has returned with mercies and gracious promises to His remaining
people.
3. Vs 1: four chariots represent swift coming, Divine judgment
4. Four angels driving the chariots are … vs 5, the four spirits of the heavens.
NOTES: The underlying idea that runs throughout this prophecy is summed up in chapter 1:14-16. This Book takes us to the immediate need of God’s people to the ultimate fulfillment at Christ’s second Coming. We also can realize why these passages are relating to the future is that when the Messiah came and offered Himself to His people, Israel, they rejected Him and crucified Him.
V. The Law And The Restoration And Enlargement Of Israel: chap. 7-8
A. To obey is better than fasting: chap. 7:1-7
B. Their past misery was because of their disobedience: 7:8-14
C. The people need restoration: chap. 8
VI. The Four Visions Of The Messianic Kingdom: chaps. 9-14
A. The Messianic King: chap. 9-10
B. The rejected Shepherd: chap. 11
C. The restored and penitent people: chaps. 12-13
D. Summarized events when Christ returns in glory: chap. 14
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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 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.
FAITH - HOPE - FORGIVENESS by Growing Older 