9/27/15 Prophets of us all? Numbers 11

“I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets...”  -Numbers 11:29 (NIV)

 

Numbers 11

 

Intro: the good ol' days (Numbers 11:4-6)

this memory is a false memory – overlooking all the bad about Egypt

Petition: Numbers 11:10-11

“Moses heard the people...”

please – realize the extreme task for Moses!

Moses was the mediator for the Israelites during this time & he petitioned for them often

he heard all the people's problems

result at this time – the Lord is angry & Moses is troubled

“What have I done to displease you...” v.11

sometimes it is NOT about you!

Leadership bears the weight of the followers at times – ex. Shepherd tending flock

Promises: Numbers 11:12-16

Moses asked if the Israelites were his children

Who conceived them? Gave birth to them? Carry/care for them? Nurse them?

Is Moses responsible for caring for all their needs?

“the burden is too heavy for me.” v.14

The Lord provides... again!

He has provided manna & now quail

Prophets: Numbers 11:24-29

70 elders are gathered & Moses' spirit is dispersed among them

the result – 70 began prophesying

Eldad & Medad

Joshua had a problem & asked Moses to tell them to stop v.28

no place for jealousy – Moses wished for all the people to prophecy!

New Testament – Mark 9:38-41

jealousy among disciples (like Joshua) – “... he was not following us.” v.38

“For he who is not against us is for us.” v.40 – notice those truly on God's side

Conclusion: Be careful how you feel (and what you say) about God's plan working out in your life. Sometimes, our allies are not the ones we might think. We should wish for all to be on God's side and welcome all that we find! (even if they aren't following us)

9/20/15 The Tree & Its Fruit - Jeremiah 11

Jeremiah 11

Intro: Matthew 7:15-20

Psalm1 teaches us wonderful truths about the wicked and the righteous

life does not always reveal itself like the Psalm – let us observe this fact

Jeremiah will represent the righteous & Judah will represent the wicked

Jeremiah – the weeping prophet... this is one of the first sections of “weeping”

The Way of the Righteous: Jeremiah – 11:18-20 (Psalm 1:1-3)

v.19 like a lamb led to slaughter – image of the future Christ

similar reason they both find themselves in same situation

'gentle lamb' would have been a pet lamb (Keil & Delitzsch commentary)

v.20 element of redemption & hope (only for the righteous)

the Lord judges righteously & He knows who belongs to Him

The Way of the Wicked: Judah – 11:21-23, 10-17 (Psalm 1:4-6)

v.21-23 the punishment for those against Jeremiah – those from his own town (1:1)

Why is God so harsh against His chosen people? → they have rejected Him

v.10-11 when enough is enough

We are each given a time to follow God – what will we do with our time?

v.13-17 the seriousness of this issue

“Do not pray for this people...” - already past that point → now must face punishment

v.16 called to be a thriving tree → sin led to being set on fire (in a bad way!)

Avoiding this sin was the reason for the destruction of the inhabitants of Canaan

John the baptist – ax already at the root of the tree (Matthew 3:7-10)

the ones from the destroyed tree threatened Jeremiah with similar language v.19

Conclusion:

Like Jeremiah, we might face hardships if we follow God. God has never promised us a smooth road if we follow Him, but He has promised to be there every step of the way. Meditate on Psalm 1 and think of ways you have seen this psalm live out in your life.

9/13/15 To Tell or Not To Tell - Mark 8:27-38

Mark8:27-38

Not to Tell v.27-30

- Caesarea Philippi – home base of Jesus & apostles

influence of paganism – two active shrines (Greek god Pan & Caesar Augustus)

Jesus as the Messiah – this message is true among the Jews & among Gentiles (Roman influence)

- Who do people say I am? vs. Who do you say? - your faith should be a personal one

many true answers & our own answer might change at times – Lord, Friend, etc...

- “Jesus warned them not to tell anyone...”

there are some things that are better to not proclaim (at least during a certain time)

Romans 14:21-23 “keep between yourself and God”

To Tell v.31-33

- “He spoke plainly about this...”

Son of Man must suffer - be rejected by elders, chief priests, & teachers of the law

he must be killed & rise after 3 days

- Peter rebuked Jesus!

ANYONE can find themselves setting their minds on the wrong thing

- You must work to set YOUR mind on the concerns of God!

Need To Tell v.34-38

- The correct mindset

deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Jesus (God)

your cross is not just “your cross to bear” but should be intentional

- What is the price for your soul? (v.37)

“gain the whole world”- this is simply not enough and it never will be enough

Jesus has already paid the price with His own life for ours – what is your response

- If you are ashamed of Jesus?

The result is the Son of Man will be ashamed of you!

Ashamed of His words? - is this an easier trap to fall into?

We must guard against both!

9/6/15 What's the Point?

Mark 7:24-37

Intro:

How Jesus responded to the outsiders – and how we should too!

The Dog: Syrophonician Woman (v.24-30)

- Seclusion v.24

    Jesus needed his own personal space & tried to get it from time to time

          It is ok if we find ourselves with that same need – Sabbath Day

    He rarely got it due to the multitudes that followed him

    We fail to get it because of (fill in the blank)

- Spirit (evil) v.25-26

     These unclean spirits are no respecter of persons – cause so many problems

          seems almost impossible to continue regular life

     This woman probably does not know much about Jesus

          she had heard about Him & acted on that knowledge

- Syrian Phoenicia (a gentile woman) v.26-30

     A Greek woman – women were regarded very highly in Greek society

          She finds herself being one of the lowest of the low in Jewish sight

     Even Jesus did not want to help her... – He has been sent to the children of Israel

         He does help her because of her humble faith and witty response!

         Click here to see my personal blog about this passage

The Decapolis: deaf & mute man (v.31-37)

- Sea of Galilee (went passed it) v.31

     Decapolis – predominately gentile region

     chances are pretty good that this man is a gentile

     Jesus healed a demon possessed man here and told him to proclaim the good news - Mark 5:18-20

- Speech & Sound difficulties v.32

     there were not many things that could be done to help him

     Yet Jesus heals him & the people marveled

- Strange Healing → speak plainly v.33-37

     heals him privately v. 33

     fingers in his ears, spitting, and touching his tongue... what's the point?

     How else do you communicate to a someone unable to hear or talk?

     The point was that the healing miraculously came from Jesus → God!

Conclusion: What's the point?

The "Dog" - Jesus helps even the "outsiders"

The Decapolis - Jesus also has power over physical handicaps