Aug 2, 2020. Ephesians 5:25-33

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HOME GUARD. Ephesians 5:25-33. 08/02/20. AM. #30.

Ephesians 5:25-33 [New King James Version]

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

  • Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church
    • Husbands are commanded to love their wives
    • Many preachers teach that wives are never commanded to love their husbands = not true!
      • Husbands are to love (agape’) their wives
        • A choice love (sacrifice, charity, fidelity)
        • Husbands are to always cherish wives
      • Titus 2:3-5 older women are to teach wives how to love (phileo; have affection for) their husbands (show respect, honor, be tender toward, cherish)
    • Christ is example of how to love wives as he loved church
      • Gave himself (on behalf of) for the church
      • Sanctified (set apart) the church (the husband is to set apart his wife for exclusive relationship)
      • Washed the church clean (Titus 3:5)
        • Psalm 51:7 David asked God to cleanse him
        • Mark 16:1-8 baptism is a symbol of being cleansed by blood of Christ (1 Peter 3:20-21-not with physical water = symbolic)
      • Via the Word (Gospel = Romans 10:17)
      • Christ will purify his bride of all sin (Romans 8:30)
    • The husband = given a high standard to follow (Christ)
  • The buck stops at the groom
    • Adam and Abraham were help responsible to decisions made by their wives (Numbers 30:13 a man could or nullify a vow made by his wife)
    • The husband is to treat his wife as Christ did the church
      • Protector and rescuer (covers his wife with safety)
      • Unconditionally loves his wife
        • Age, changing appearance, marital conflicts, desires, or any other aspect is not to alter or diminish a man’s love for his wife
        • Malachi. 2:14-15 a man is to treat his wife with as much respect, affection, and care as when he first fell in love with her
      • Nourishes his wife as he does his own body
        • Every normal man takes care of his body
        • Nourish = to take care of until maturity is reached (glorification) –used of rearing children, raising plants or animals
        • Cherish = treat something as precious, honored, important, and delicate (caring)
    • Just as all believers are members of one body, the wife is tied to the husband so they become one flesh (Genesis 2)
      • Paul quotes Genesis 2:25 = God commands that when a man leaves his parents he clings to wife
      • Choice love demands undying cherishing of wife
  • The final admonition
    • To love one’s wife as one’s self transcends desire, temptation, and feelings (continue to show love to wife)
      • Men are visual, so are tempted by beauty
      • Men are to resist all enticement and cherish wife
    • Women are to respect their husbands
      • This hearkens back to verses 22-24
      • Wives lose respect for husbands when they do not live up to their relational expectations
      • Titus 2:3 must be taught affection for husband
    • Colossians 3:12-25 only commandment live is blessed of God

Key Verse:  Colossians 3:12-25 [New King James Version]

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Aug 2, 2020. I Samuel 23:14-29

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THE ROCK OF ESCAPE. I Samuel 23:14-29. 8/2/20. #74.

1 Samuel 23:14-29 [New King James Version]

14 And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. 15 So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest. 16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.” 18 So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house. 19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? 20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.” 21 And Saul said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, for you have compassion on me. 22 Please go and find out for sure, and see the place where his hideout is, and who has seen him there. For I am told he is very crafty. 23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides; and come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. And it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search for him throughout all the clans of Judah.” 24 So they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. But David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. 25 When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David. Therefore he went down to the rock, and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued David in the Wilderness of Maon. 26 Then Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. So David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. 27 But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!” 28 Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. 29 Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi.

  • No place to hide                                                          
    • David and his men leave Keilah and go to Ziph
      • Ziph = SE of Hebron on African  Rift Ridge toward Dead Sea            
      • Later moves to Maon Rock         
      • Finally moves into the Jeshimon (“waste land”) – wilderness of Judah
    • David is hiding 600 men on wilderness ridges on west forested side
    • Saul is seeking daily to find David_
    • Jonathan comes to David to strengthen him
      • Jon. states that Saul knows David will be king
      • Jon. swears to be next to David (support + rule)
    • No one successfully fights the will of God
      • Lucifer (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28), Jonah (Jon. 1), and Saul all lost when they opposed God
      • To fight a losing moral battle is foolish
      • Pride denies and fights against truth to own ruin
    • David is continually harassed (fleeing from place to place)
      • Harassment by evil men is normal for believers
      • God has a great plan even in midst of pressure
      • Harassment of believers by wicked men gives strength to the believer and adds judgment to wicked
  • The Ziphites betray David
    • The Ziphites do not like David’s men near them
      • Saul could accuse them of being traitors, as he did the priests of Nob
      • Ziphites didn’t want to be put between Saul and David                
      • Since the Ziphite’s had not experienced the wrath of Saul, they may still have honored him as king
    • The Ziphites go to Saul and promised to help Saul capture David (Saul blesses them for showing him compassion)
      • Saul’s blessing of the Lord is profane coming from the lips of the murderer of God’s priests
      • Saul uses Ziphites as spies against David
    • This episode is the topic of Psalm 54 where “strangers have helped” David’s enemies, (God will deliver him and punish them)
      • The Ziphites had no part in this dispute
      • Ziphites did not need to meddle in the issue at all
  • In the nick of time
    • David moves from Ziphites to Maon Rock on edge of wilderness
      • The Arabah = desert land between ridge and Dead Sea
      • Saul begins to surround David with desert to south
    • Just as Saul is closing in, he receives word that the Philistines have invaded the land
      • Saul must withdraw to meet the threat
      • David is saved in the nick of time
    • David rejoices and renames Maon Rock to Escape Rock
    • David now moves to En Gedi (a nature spring forming a water fall into a pool, which then flows underground to Hebron 25 miles away)
    • God’s purposes varied, but perfect in his plans
      • David’s struggle trains him to be a king
      • At times, God delivers from enemy (David, Hezekiah, Peter [Acts 12], Jews in Esther)
      • At times God’s people are delivered to martyrdom (Stephen, James, the priests of Nob, trib. saints…)
    • All outcomes for faithful saints glorify God (Romans 8:28)

Jul 26, 2020. Ephesians 5:22-24

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THE GODLY WIFE. EPHESIANS 5:22-24. 07/26/20. AM. #29.

EPHESIANS 5:22-24 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

  • The role of the woman
    • God assigned roles have several dimensions
      • Responsibility – a husband, pastor, teacher…
      • Authority – an elder, a deacon, governor, police…
      • Tasking – to teach, protect, rule, serve, support…
      • Scope – some are gifted more than others and have greater opportunities (Joseph, Moses, Tabitha…)
    • Roles within the triune God
      • All three members are co-equal in their being or essence (John 1, Hebrews 1, Colossians 1, Acts 5, Matthew 28)
      • There is a governmental or command structure within the Godhead of Father, Son, and Spirit (I Corinthians 15:28, John 14:16-26)
    • The role of the woman
      • Galatians 3:28 co-equal in essence and spiritual status  as man (no difference in humanity or spirituality)
      • Woman is assigned a different role than the man: (Genesis 2:18-25 a partner to man, vessel of reproduction, and companion to man)
      • 1 Timothy 2:8-15 and 3:1-14 women are forbidden to teach men, have authority over men in the church, or hold the offices of elder or deacon
      • The term deaconess means “helper” or “one who serves” and was applied to some women (Romans 16), but this was not an official office
    • Women were prophetesses, a judge, queens, and impactors
  • The role of a wife
    • The wife is to submit to her husband
      • The word “submit” means “line up behind”
      • She is to follow his authority
    • She is to line up behind husband AS UNTO THE LORD
      • 1 Corinthians. 11:1 the wife is to follow her husband as he follows the Lord
      • In areas where the husband is not following the Lord, she is not to follow him in doing evil
      • The wife is to submit to her husband for the Lord’s sake as commanded her (1 Peter. 3:1-6)
    • Proverbs 31:10-31 a virtuous wife will do right no matter what her husband does (she will do good for her husband)
      • Esther saved her husband from the guilt of an evil scheme concocted by Haman
      • Abigail saved Nabol and all the males of his household from being killed by David
      • Sapphira was given an opportunity to correct the lie told by her husband, Ananias (Acts 5)
    • A godly wife manages the home well, is frugal, guides the children in holiness, supports her husband in his role as provider and spiritual leader, and is gracious
  • The buck stops at dad
    • The husband carries the burden on how his home is run (1 Tim. 3:4), provides for his family (I Timothy 5:14), protects his home (Mt. 24:43), leads his home into righteousness (Jos. 24:15; 1 Peter 3:7; Job 1; Deuteronomy 6:4)
    • The Lord holds the man to account for what happens in his home (he is responsible for leading his family)
      • Four earthly authorities: family, church, government, and employers
      • The home is the foundational authority
    • The husband is to lead his home for the Lord, while the wife supports her husband in this task
      • A wife can save the husband from foolishness
      • A godly wife enhances her husband’s influence

Key verse: Proverbs 31:10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.

15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.

20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Jul 26, 2020. I Samuel 15:1-13

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NO PLACE SAFE. I SAMUEL 15:1-13. 7/26/20. PM. #73.

I SAMUEL 15:1-13 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

1 Samuel also said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. 2 Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. 3 Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ” 4 So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah. 5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley. 6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 7 And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8 He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. 10 Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying, 11 “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the Lord all night. 12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal.” 13 Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord.”

  • The battle for Keilah
    • David and his men are hiding south of the territory of the Philistines
      • They hear that the Philistines were attacking Keilah, due south of Adullam, the caves David had hid in
      • The Philistines were seeking to steal Keilah’s harvest
    • David was still a loyal Israelite
      • He desires to rescue Keilah from the Philistines
      • He uses Abiathar’s ephod to inquire of the Lord (Urim and Thummin) whether he should attach Philistines
    • David’s men were concerned about going back into Judah
      • Saul has spies everywhere looking for David
      • David again asks the Lord if he should attack
        • God guarantees he will deliver Philistines to him
        • As long as David seeks Lord he succeeds
    • David’s men overwhelmed the Philistines
      • David captures all the Philistines livestock
      • David stayed in Keilah, where he was a hero
  • No safe haven
    • Saul heard about David’s victory at Keilah
      • Saul plans to surround Keilah and capture David
      • Saul does not care that David rescued one of the cities in Judah
    • David continually inquires of the Lord
      • At his point until the Bathsheba scandal, David is focused on the will of God
      • David asks God 2 questions: (1) will Saul come to Keilah after him?  (2) will Keilah turn David over to Saul?  God answers “yes” to both questions
    • Several factor must be considered
      • Citizens of Keilah were grateful for David’s rescue
      • Saul’s threat put Keilah in danger again
        • If they died by the Philistines or Saul, they would  still die
        • Keilah had no choice but to surrender David, even though David had saved them
      • The village and David could not hope to hold out against Saul’s army
        • When David asks the Lord if Keilah would give him to Saul, the answer was obvious
        • The village didn’t hate David, they wanted to survive
    • In most cases people will betray benefactors to survive
      • Israel turned Samson over the Philistines
      • Judges 9 Shechem made Abimelech king and helped him kill sixty-nine sons of Gideon
    • Some risked their lives to protect God’s people: the midwives saved the Hebrew boy babies, Rahab saved the Hebrew spies, Stephen was martyred rather than deny Christ…
  • Safety and sacrifice
    • David is forced to leave Keilah, so Saul calls off pursuit
      • David can’t depend on help from populace
      • Citizens of Israel are caught between Saul and David
    • Choices have to be made as to what is worth protecting and risking life for and what should be surrendered
    • Choices of conscience will become more prevalent: allowing your children indoctrinated or trying to protect them and have them taken away; state control of worship (China) or losing church facility; employing homosexuals or being fined…

Jul 19, 2020. Ephesians 5:18-23

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FULL TANK CHRISTIANITY. Ephesians 5:18-21. 7/19/20. AM. #28.

Ephesians 5:18-21 [New King James Version]

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

  • The filling
    • Drunkenness is the perfect illustration of total control
      • Proverbs 23 makes clear that a person drunk is neither aware of what he does nor remembers what he did
      • Drunkenness controls via pleasure & addiction
    • Drunkenness occurs when an excess of alcohol is taken
      • Paul does not deal with the issue of abstinence  (1 Timothy 3 a command for elders, but not deacons)
      • Paul’s point is that excessive alcohol controls the mind, will, & body
      • What is pleasurable & soothing in moderation is destructive & deadly in excess (most people do not know when they cross the line to inebriation)
    • Instead of drunkenness, Paul commands control by Spirit
    • Commentators have taken 2 approaches to Spirit control
      • A man must control his own spirit (pnuematos)
      • A man must be controlled by the Holy Spirit
    • If man is to be filled by his own spirit, he is fleshly
    • Filling of the Holy Spirit is what Paul has in mind here
      • Filling = total control all the time (nothing else, including our own desires has control)
      • Filling must be moment by moment since our flesh fights for control (Romans 7)
    • Peter was filled by the Spirit when he declared Jesus to be the Son of God, but not filled when he rebuked the Lord
    • Filling the Spirit implies 4 things
      • A complete yielding to the Lord’s will (John 15:1-8)
      • A complete subjugation of my will (Matthew 26:39)
      • Seeking the Lord’s will in Word & via prayer
      • Doing the will of God (James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46-49)
  • A joy that cannot be contained
    • Those who are filled with the Spirit are joyous
      • John 15:11 Christ gives us a joy none can remove
      • Philippians 4:4-5 a joy & peace that is beyond reasoning
    • Even in grieve there is unsurpassed joy in the Lord
    • God gave us music & poetry to express our joy
      • We are to sing praises to & with each other
      • We are to sing & hum in our hearts
    • Categories of music: psalms, songs, & melodies (I Corinthians 14:7-8 our music must make sense that all may praise)
  • A thanksgiving that does not cease
    • Joy must be coupled with thanksgiving
      • Always be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
      • God blesses us beyond measure with grace, salvation, & promises, that we can still be thankful in pain & trials (Job 1)
    • An unthankful soul has an ungrateful heart
    • If we can’t thank God in trials, our gratitude in the midst of prosperity is fleshly & not genuine (1 Peter 4)
  • A harmony of the body that testifies of God’s grace
    • A church assembly filled with the Spirit submits to  one another (Philippians 2:3; James 2, Ephesians 4:32)
    • Galatians 5 a Spirit-filled assembly is not involved in pride, rivalries, fleshly disputes, strive, envy, or manipulation
    • A Spirit-filled assembly is known by love, peace, good works, kindness, charity, helpfulness, grace, & gentleness
    • If an assembly is full of strife, it is not filled with the Spirit
    • Matthew 18:15-18 strife within assembly is dealt with promptly
    • Filling of the Spirit brings joy, thanksgiving, & harmony

Key verse: John 15:1-8

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Jul 19, 2020. I Samuel 22:20-23

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THE LAST PRIEST. I Samuel 22:20-23. 7/19/20. PM. #72.

I Samuel 22:20-23 [New King James Version]

20 Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. 21 And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the Lord’s priests. 22 So David said to Abiathar, “I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father’s house. 23 Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.”

  • David’s regret
    • Abiathar is the only priest who escapes Saul’s wrath
      • Doeg the Edomite chief shepherd of Saul’s flocks executes 85 priests and their entire families
      • Saul’s guards had refused to kill the priests
    • Abiathar runs to David and tells him what had happened
    • David acknowledges that it was his fault that the priests and their entire families had died
      • I Samuel 21:1-7 David had fled from Saul and stopped at the tabernacle in Nob for provisions
      • David lied to High Priest as to why he was traveling
        • David claimed to be on an urgent mission
        • David’s lie brought him bread and a sword
    • David knew that Doeg was listening and plotting
    • Convenience to David was death to God’s priests
      • Nob was near Gibeah where David’s home was
      • David never considered that lying to the High Priest in the tabernacle would be a problem
        • Often we take short cuts and would be able “to get by” with our sleight indiscretions
        • David’s miscalculation cost at least 200 people their lives
      • David continued on with his plan even though Doeg was present (Doeg would betray him)
      • David did not consider that if Saul tried to kill his son, he would not regard the priests either
      • David focused only on his immediate need
    • There are times when deception is necessary to fight evil
      • The midwives who saved the Hebrew male babies
      • Rahab who protected the Hebrew spies
      • God who instructs Samuel to withhold from Saul the real reason for going to Bethlehem
    • To lie to someone who deserves the truth is a sin
      • The High Priest did not need to be brought into David’s dilemma
      • Aachen owed Joshua the truth; Sarah owed God the truth; Gehazi owed Elisha the truth
    • The blood of the priests and their families = on David’s hands
      • David did not kill the priests; Saul did
      • David did not betray the priests; Doeg did
      • David’s actions allowed the priests to be killed
    • Carelessness is recognized as a criminal act
      • Exodus 21:33 a man who digs a pit and does not cover it is guilty of harm done to those who fall into it
      • All acts committed by a drunk are culpable
    • We cause harm via lies of convenience and thoughtless acts
      • Is a deception necessary for a higher purpose?
      • Is a deception only useful for my convenience?
  • Abiathar’s tragic life
    • Abiathar loses all his family due in part to David’s lie
    • Abiathar becomes High Priest
    • As predicted in 1 Samuel 1-2, Abiathar, 4th generation from Eli, was deposed by Solomon (Zadok becomes priest)
  • Mole hill to mountain decisions
    • Often small indiscretions become major problems (Aachen’s theft, Saul’s sparing Agag, Solomon’s marriages, …)
    • Deceptions of convenience bring ill results (Galatians 6:9)
    • Lack of total obedience brings tragic results (I Kings 13)
    • Once the results of deception bear fruit, it can’t be reclaimed
      • The immediate benefit is not worth the cost
      • We are known by the level of our integrity

Jul 12, 2020. Ephesians 5:15-17

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WALK OF WISDOM. Ephesians 5:15-17. 07/12/20. AM. #27.

Ephesians 5:15-17 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

15 See then that you walk [a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

  • Walking wisely
    • God expects his children to be wise
      • He does not say “intelligent”, but wisdom
      • There are many foolish smart people (Rm. 1:23)
    • To walk circumspectly = accurately or precisely
      • To know exactly what to do and then doing it
      • Wisdom supersedes feelings and desires
    • Walking with wisdom requires 3 components
      • Knowledge of Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15)
      • Understanding (Pv. 1:7)
      • Prudence (acting wisely; Jam. 1:22-25)
    • Many people reject the wisdom they are given
      • Saul continually disobeyed God
      • Solomon rejected the wisdom God gave him and then indulged himself
      • Judas walked with the author of all wisdom and sold out Jesus for a few coins
    • Prudence (walking in wisdom) is counter to fleshly desires, cultural norms, worldly values, and feelings
    • Knowing what to do and then doing it (we know better than to fellowship with evil people, engage in illicit romances, consume harmful substances, spend frivolously, ignore Scripture, indulge the flesh…)
    • 1 Peter 3:15 a believer should be known to be wise
  • The wisdom of God
    • Jeremiah 10:12; Proverbs 3:19 the world and universe were made by God’s wisdom
    • God owns all wisdom
      • Proverbs 8:22-31 wisdom was with God in the beginning
      • James 1:4-5 only God can dispense true wisdom
      • Proverbs 4:1-13 God tells us to seek wisdom first
        • We are to endeavor to be truly wise
        • We must commit ours to prudence
    • Romans 10:17 wisdom comes through the study and submission to the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
    • The wisdom of man is foolishness to God
      • Proverbs 14:12; 16:25 the wisdom of man leads to death
      • Proverbs 19: 13 the foolishness of man perverts his way
  • No time for foolishness
    • Time is very short for man (James 4:14)
    • Paul tells us to redeem the time
      • Redeem = to buy up or purchase (comes from agora for market place)
      • Redeeming the time is not to do busy work or to fill up our time with activity
    • Redemption of time = making our time count for God
      • Avoiding frivolous waste of time through worldly pursuits, self-indulgence, and laziness
      • Redeeming the time involves Bible study, prayer, service to others, praise, encouraging others…
    • The redemption of time is necessary due to an evil world
      • We live in a fallen world that needs the Gospel
      • Romans 10 only believers can share the Gospel
      • Being a testimony for the Lord is our calling
      • Ecclesiastes 12 once the time is gone, it can’t be reclaimed
    • There is an urgency in our calling to do God’s will
      • Leisure and vacations must not be our main focus
      • We must learn how to enjoy pleasing God
    • Paul challenges us to understand the will of God
      • To understand = bring into focus or clarity
      • We must desire to seek God’s will to do it
    • Considering our lives, we know what is foolish and wise

Key Verse: Proverbs 4:1-13 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,

And give attention to know understanding;

2 For I give you good doctrine:

Do not forsake my law.

3 When I was my father’s son,

Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

4 He also taught me, and said to me:

“Let your heart retain my words;

Keep my commands, and live.

5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!

Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing;

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;

She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;

A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,

And the years of your life will be many.

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in right paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

And when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;

Keep her, for she is your life.

Jul 12, 2020. I Samuel 22:9-20

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SLAUGHTER AT NOB. I Samuel 22:9-20. 7/12/20. #71.

I Samuel 22:9-20 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said, “I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10 And he inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

11 So the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests who were in Nob. And they all came to the king. 12 And Saul said, “Hear now, son of Ahitub!”

He answered, “Here I am, my lord.”

13 Then Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day?” 14 So Ahimelech answered the king and said, “And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, who goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house? 15 Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king impute anything to his servant, or to any in the house of my father. For your servant knew nothing of all this, little or much.” 16 And the king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!” 17 Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.” But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. 18 And the king said to Doeg, “You turn and kill the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod. 19 Also Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep—with the edge of the sword. 20 Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.

  • Doeg the dog
    • When David visited the Tabernacle at Nob, Doeg was there
      • Doeg was an Edomite and Saul’s chief shepherd
      • David is not honest with Ahimelech about motives
      • All David took from Nob is bread and Goliath’s sword
    • Ahimelech could not suspect that anything was amiss
      • David was an honored army commander and the son-in-law of the king
      • Ahimelech was unaware of Saul’s change toward David (spear thrown at David and Jonathan)
    • Doeg was aware of Saul’s change toward David
      • Was David aware that Doeg was a threat?
      • David had placed Ahimelech in a dangerous place
      • Doeg sees an opportunity to advance in Saul’s kingdom
    • Doeg is the typical self-promoter
      • He seeks to advance his cause by any means possible
      • Doeg is not loyal to Saul, but to self (he would turn against Saul if it were to his advantage)
      • There are many in church leadership who for self
      • Must avoid placing self-promoters in leadership positions
  • Saul the tyrannical persecutor
    • Saul abandoned all pretense of honoring the Lord
      • Saul believes that everyone is conspiring against him
      • No one is above suspicion
    • Saul interrogates the high priest as if he is a criminal
      • Saul shows no deference to God’s anointed priest
      • Saul accuses the priest of aiding David against him
    • Ahimelech is baffled by the treatment
      • Ahimelech argues that David is the king’s faithful son-in-law and no one is more loyal to Saul than he is
      • Ahimelech knows of no plot by David
      • The priest could not have known of Saul’s paranoia or his intentions toward David
    • Not only is Ahimelech innocent, but he is also correct about David
  • Slaughter at Nob    
    • Saul is convinced the priests are in on the plot to depose him
      • No amount of evidence will change Saul’s mind
      • Saul does not fear killing God’s priests
    • Saul orders the death of all the priests
      • He declares that they are all in the plot to help David
      • No trial, no evidence, no witnesses, and no appeals
    • Saul orders his guards to kill the priests
      • The guards are afraid to harm God’s priests (fear God)
      • The guards refuse to obey an unjust order (Acts 4-5 – God’s will is higher than orders given by men)
    • Saul then orders Doeg to kill the priests
      • Doeg is not even an Israelite
      • Doeg ends up killing 83 priests and their families in Nob
    • A crazed self-centered person is capable of any amount of evil
      • Saul’s conscience is dead and aligns with the pagan Doeg
      • The priests don’t fight back and do not invent any stories
    • Abiathar is the only priest to escape and goes to David
    • This horrific scene has many facets to it
      • Everyone is capable of great evil
      • Saul is not immediately struck down by God, but all things will be brought to account
      • Great evil can come upon you via no fault of your own
      • David told the lie, the guards didn’t stop Saul and Doeg

Jul 5, 2020. Ephesians 5:11-14

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SHINING LIGHT INTO DARKNESS. Ephesians 5:11-14. 7/5/20. #26.

Ephesians 5:11-14 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

  • Light In the Darkness
    • Paul says that a believer moves from darkness to light
      • Before salvation we were in darkness
      • Salvation moved us from darkness to light
      • We are commanded to walk in the light
        • There is still darkness in us that must be controlled and put under Spirit (Rm. 7)
        • Ephesians 5:18 must choose to walk in light
      • Mustn’t have fellowship with darkness
        • Light has nothing to do with darkness (II Corinthians 6:14-18)
        • All works of darkness are unfruitful (of no value; useless)
    • Separation is not the same as isolation
      • We are not to have fellowship with their UNFRUITFUL WORKS
        • Not involved in their drunkenness, corruption, profanity, coarse jesting, cheating, lying, perversion…
        • Not a warning to have nothing to do with the unsaved (still in world)
      • I Corinthians 5:9-13 must totally separate ourselves from an immoral brother in Christ until he repents from his sin (I Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3)
      • We must have contact with the unsaved for witness, testimony, commerce, social discourse
        • Not to join them in their evil
      • Know difference between friendship and fellowship
  • Expose evil
    • First step in sharing gospel is exposing sin
      • Expose = uncover, reveal, rebuke, or reprove
      • Passive voice (neuter) = to reveal evil
      • Initial step of witness is to define sin (apply it)
      • Demonstrate that you are a sinner also
    • Ephesians 4:15 revealing sin is a loving and not brutal process
      • Matthew 10:16 must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (much discernment)
      • Matthew 23; 2 Thessalonians 5:14 strong rebukes are reserved for the rebellious and unruly (II Corinthians 10)
    • Exposure of sin is necessary
      • Silence is not an option (even though revealing sin is intimidating with much push back)
      • Romans 8:4 uncovering sin must be Spirit-led
      • John 11 Jesus gently rebuked the woman caught in adultery, but he scourged the money changers
    • Exposure of evil is the calling of all believers
      • We represent the holiness of Christ (1 Peter 2:9)
      • Rebuking evil must be personal, public, and political (the conscience of government)
  • Learning to blush
    • It is shameful to even speak of vileness done in secret
      • No holy purpose in talking about evil deeds
      • I Corinthians 14:20 be naïve in understanding their acts
    • Immorality and wickedness are an abomination to God
      • Ephesians 5:3 evil deeds are not to be named among us
      • Embarrassed by acts: expose by love, not judges
    • Since we’re light, we need to awake (rouse self) to be light
    • Passive Christianity has no impact on a lost, dying world

Key Verse:

II Corinthians 6:14-18 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

18 “I will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the Lord Almighty.”

Jun 28, 2020. Ephesians 5:8-10

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WALKING IN THE LIGHT. Ephesians 5:8-10. 06/28/20. AM. #25

Ephesians 5:8-10 [New King James Version (NKJV)]

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

  • From Darkness to Light
    • The foundation of the Gospel is that all are born in sin
      • Psalm 51:4-6 we are conceived as sinners
      • Romans 3:23 no one is righteous
      • John 3:19 sin is called DARKNESS in Bible (men love darkness more than they love light)
    • Jesus was sent into the world as light to dispel darkness
      • John 8:12 Jesus is the light of the world
      • Matthew 4:16 when Jesus came, the peoples saw a great light (Isaiah 9:2-7)
    • II Peter 1:19 the light of Jesus shone into the darkness when he came to earth in his incarnation
    • Those who receive Christ as their savior and Lord have moved from light to darkness (Jn. 3:16)
      • Without Christ all remain in darkness (Jn. 15:5)
      • Psalm 18:28 it is God who sends forth the light so that our darkened souls can be illuminated
        • We had not sought the light on our own
        • God initiates the illumination of our souls
    • Colossians 1:9-18 by redeeming the lost, God through his son, Jesus, has moved the redeemed from darkness to light
  • Walk in the Light
    • Moving from darkness to light does not eliminate the darkness in the redeemed (flesh and worldliness exist)
      • Romans 7 a battle ensues between fleshly desires and spiritual ones (James 1:15; 4:1-4, Ephesians 5:18)
      • Ephesians 4:22-24 a believer must choose moment by moment whether to follow flesh or Spirit
    • Three changes occur at point of salvation: (1) eternal move from darkness to light  (2) the light is available to empower saints to serve God  (3) upon death, all darkness is completely eliminated as we are transformed (Romans 8:30)
    • The choice to live and walk in the light is not automatic
      • Often great struggles arise within us (Romans 7)
      • Often we slip back into sin (I John 1)
    • God commands us to walk in the light (live as one saved)
      • AWARENESS – we are to let our lights shine in the world as a testimony for God (Mt. 5:14-16)
        • There is a divine purpose to our lives
        • Ephesians 6 we are soldiers of the cross
      • ILLUMINATION – we are to allow the light of the Word to illumine us (Lk. 11:33-36; Rm. 10:17)
        • Luke compares illumination to the eye: as a bad eyes doesn’t allow light in, so a carnal saint refuses to be enlightened
        • Pursuing light is up to the believer
      • CALLING – we are called to a royal priesthood as the chosen people of God (1 Pet. 2:9-10)
      • RESULTS – the works of light can be seen in a spiritual believer (James 1:22, 2:18-26; I John 2:9-11)
  • Bearing fruit of being in the light
    • Evidence of moving from darkness to light should be seen
      • Galatians 5:20-21 lists 9 traits of the fruit of the Spirit
      • Ephesians 5 summarizes fruit using 3 traits
    • Those who walk in the light display 3 qualities:
      • GOODNESS – doing what is physically and spiritually beneficial to others (charity, kindness, testimony, comfort, wise counsel, support…)
      • RIGHTEOUSNESS – doing what is just and honest
      • TRUTH – upholding God’s truth in a lying world
        • Bold testimony opposing darkness
        • Not fearful to proclaim the truth of God
    • By walking in the light we PROVE that we are saved

Key verse:

Colossians 1:9-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.