Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 103 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Overcoming the power and influence of Satan; Eph 6:10-18.Title: Joshua and Judges: The doctrine of leadership part 103 - Essential qualities of leadership: The filling of the Spirit; Overcoming the power and influence of Satan; Eph 6:10-18.
Announcements / opening prayer: __________________________________________________________________________________ Guest Speaker: Scott Griffith Do you know about Jesus? I was recently asked this question while eating in a restaurant. I had been approached and asked that or similar questions by strangers many times. I answered “yes”. The man continued by asking “do you know that he died for you?” and I again replied “yes”. I am usually a bit cautious and guarded when approached by strangers; however, this man had a light in his eye and peaceful affect about him. The conversation continued for a few minutes and as he left, I felt at peace as well.
Later I started thinking about that interaction and reflected on the the fact that being questioned about Jesus by a total stranger can be awkward and uncomfortable. We are taught by Peter’s example that we should never deny our Lord, but it is a very personaI question. I pondered why this interaction had been so different. I believe that when the holy spirit is engaged, we recognize the truth in another believer who is also passionate about God.
By trade I am a computer programmer and computer systems administrator. For several years I worked in Internet administration. The fun part of that job is installing and configuring cutting edge systems. The chore part was trying to prevent hackers from breaking into the network and being on call 24 7. From my perspective, the chore part was a job, not much fun but necessary. On the other hand, the hackers reveled in figuring out how to get the systems to do things they were not intended to do. Most of the hackers I encountered were not trying to do anything really bad, just looking for a challenge. Hacking can take a significant amount of study and practice, but they were able to accomplish it because they had passion and dedication; although, not very beneficial to society. We as Christians should be as passionate about Bible hacking as these nerds are about computer hacking. The more we study the Bible, the better we will be able to apply its teachings.
My passion is learning new things. Just ask my wife, I try new things constantly. I enjoy gaining new perspective from others. Recently I was introduced to a book entitled “The Stones Cry Out” by Dr. Randall Price. The book is about Biblical archaeology. Dr. Price states he “starts with a high view of the Bible which believes that historical corroboration with the archaeological record is both possible and preferable. His purpose is not to prove the Bible, but to show from the stones that the Scriptures are reliable and reveal them in a new way. I agree with Dr. Price, that Bible does not need to be proved, but revealed through study and passionate application of the Word of God.
One of the first steps to understanding the Scriptures is to discern the meaning of the text as it was originally written. The copies that have come to us have been preserved and passed down in a manner which gives us confidence that we have the “Word of God’ in our hands. A contribution of archaeology is the study of the language of the Bible, helping us to get better translations into English.
Dr. Price continues, As an example of clarification through archaeological discovery, consider the so-called “hard saying” of Jesus, which Pastor taught recently. In Matthew 8:22 and Luke 9:60: Jesus says “Let the dead bury their own dead”. The Gospels set this in the context of certain disciples making excuses about why they could not immediately leave and follow Jesus. In this instance, one disciple asked permission to go and bury his dead father. As understood by modern readers, Jesus’ apparent denial appears both unreasonable and unnecessarily harsh. It seems to contradict the Mosaic Law to “honor your father and your mother” and also the Jewish responsibility of providing a proper burial.
However, when interpreted in the light of archaeological information concerning first-century Jewish burial practices, it is seen in a different light. Jewish burial in the time of Jesus actually consisted of two burials that took place at least one year apart. The first was within the family burial cave, followed by a period of mourning. The second was within a bone box, an “ossuary” usually with other family members after the flesh has decomposed. What seems be in view in the Gospel saying is this act of secondary burial. Jesus’ answer to the disciple wanting an 11-month leave from service was not only in regard to this prolonged absence, but especially with respect to the unbiblical aspect of secondary burial.
According to rabbinic sources, the act of decomposition had a purifying effect, atoning spiritually for the deceased’s sins. The consummation of this spiritual process was the ritual of secondary burial. Since Jesus followed the biblical teaching hat God alone makes atonement ( on the basis of faith in His provided sacrificial redemption), His statement served as a correction of this improper practice.
2 Tim 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
Therefore, We could read the passage in Luke 9:60 in an amplified manner as: “Look, you have already honored your father by giving him a proper burial in the family tomb. No, instead of waiting for the flesh to decompose, which cannot atone for sin, go preach the Kingdom of God and tell the only true means of atonement. Let the bones of your dead fathers’s ancestors gather his bones and place them in an ossuary. You follow Me.”
To me exploring the Gospel in ever more depth as Pastor does for us, reveals God and Christ as the ultimate teacher. There is always something new to learn from the Bible. Passionate study and application allows us to enjoy the blessings that we have all been given. We follow Christ. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Pastor Joe Sugrue Walking in grace is putting into practice all that God has freely given to me.
Many people want to discuss God's word as an ideal and so put it on the scales and determine its worth or lack of and debate this incessantly, but the Lord only knows one possibility and that is simple surrender and obedience.
He did not give us His authoritative word so that we could discuss it as an ideal like we might do with Plato. He really means us to get on with it.
Mat 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine [from 5:1 to here], and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.
Mat 7:25 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.
Mat 7:26 "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
Mat 7:27 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Mat 7:28 The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching;
Mat 7:29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
The scribes who were the lawyers for the priests and Pharisees would teach God's word as an ideal and debate it and measure it and all without absolutes of truth from God. Christ understood that those listening to Him would pick and choose whatever they might find helpful and then test them to see if they work. He does not allow them to go away to make of what He taught what they would. They would interpret and get a thousand different ways. He closes this amazing sermon with - "Don't debate and don't rate, but do and observe in complete surrender to the command of your God and Master."
Belt of truth - application of truth to life; being true. Breastplate of R - walking in experiential R
Being true is having truthfulness within. It is hiding nothing from the Lord. It is sin uncovered rather than hidden or self-justified. It is sin uncovered and forgiven. Everything is brought forth into the light of day. The whole man is exposed to God. Sinful men do not like this since the sin nature hates the light. The sin nature does not want to be exposed. It wants to remain in the darkness and have you with it. In the light the sin nature is nothing but crucified. In following Christ we understand that we are identified with Him in His death and we expose our failures and flaws in that light which is the cross.
The cross is God's truth about us, and therefore it is the only power that can make us truthful.
When we come to the cross we are no longer afraid of the truth since our sin nature has been dealt with once and for all. ______________________________________________________________________________ Communion
Christ's sacrifice earned the armor of God for every man who would believe in Him as their Savior. He was forsaken by the Father and judged for the sins of the world so that we would be children of God who inherited the very armor that Jesus wore during His first advent on the earth.
Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? "that is," My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
Heb 9:13-14 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
There is debate over whether the Holy Spirit forsook Christ, as the Father did, during His spiritual death or sustained Him. I don't think the communion, which should be a celebration, should be a table of theological debate. The point I want to emphasize during our celebration this morning is that Christ offered Himself so that we could now walk in living works and not in the dead ones of the old life. These works are the products of a new creature, a new life, a new way, a new truth, and a new plan that have been gifted to us in complete grace so that we may walk in them. Satan tries to oppose this service unto the living God, but what can he really do in the face of such a sacrifice? What is all his lies and deceit and selfish evil compared to spotless Lamb who gave all for the sake of us who are fully unworthy? The shoes of the gospel of peace and the helmet of salvation become our stability of life and heart as we claim in faith His wonderful love in giving His perfect self for all of us who are fully imperfect.
As we eat and drink in grace, together as a body in celebration of the gift given to all of us, none excluded, we must rejoice in what we have and the greatest way that we can show gratitude to our Father who gave Him and our Lord who gifted it is to live in these gifts.
1Co 11:24-26 and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. |