December 27, 2009 - Practice: Obey 4.4

Practices #4 – Obey

4.4 – Obedience Brass Tacks

 Genesis 3:1-8 (New International Version)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' " "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

God pronounces the consequences, and Adam Names Eve…

Genesis 3:20-23 (New International Version)
Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.

Genesis 4:1-2 (New International Version)
Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man." Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.
    •    Qanithi ish et yaweh should be structured different.

Genesis 4:3-5 (New International Version)
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Genesis 4:8 (New International Version)
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Genesis 4:11-12 (New International Version)
Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.

Trace the Lineage of Cain…
The last of Cain’s lineage is a man named Lamech…

Genesis 4:23-24 (New International Version)
Lamech said to his wives, "Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times."

We see that Eve ultimately figures things out… But the damage was already done.

Genesis 4:25 (New International Version)
Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted (established for me) me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him."

Question: Where did it start?

Forgiveness is a fundamental requirement of the Christian existence.

Matthew 6:14-15 (New International Version)
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Forgiveness is giving up our right to be angry.  It is not a foolish choice to allow another to hurt you over and over and over.

Luke 17:3-4 (New International Version)
So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."

Practice: Obey 4.3 - December 20, 2009

Practice #4 – Obedience
4.3 – Ultimate Obedience

Philippians 2:5-8 (New International Version)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, 
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

The Christmas Season is a perfect example of what Jesus meant when He said, “If you love Me, you will obey Me.”

Some thoughts on Christmas as a model for Obedience:

1.    Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus…
John 13:15 (New International Version)
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
When you look at people, what do you see?

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The model of the Christmas story is this:
Whether a wise man or ignorant, rich or poor, a king or a servant, we must all follow Jesus’ lead and become a servant – both classes bowed before the king.  This was by His own choice, and His great pleasure to do.  Just as it should be for us.

2.    Jesus Modeled for Us What it Looks Like to Obey…
Matthew 16:24-25 (New International Version)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

3.    He Gave Up Everything to be Nothing…
Philippians 2:7 (New International Version)
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

John 19:9-11 (New International Version)
and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

Daniel 2:20-21 (New International Version)
and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”

Job 1:20-21 (New International Version)
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. 
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Acts 4:8-20 (New International Version)
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 
 " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone,’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

The Christmas story gives us a model of how we obey Jesus.  And every example in Scripture of those who lived by faith follows the same pattern.

*May this Christmas be filled with the reality of a love for Christ that leads to obedience.

Practice: Obey 4.2 - December 13, 2009

Practices #4 – Obey
4.2 – Lessons from the Race

Paul makes an interesting analogy for the Christian life.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (New International Version)
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Some Lessons We Can Learn From the Race:

1. In Training, You Have to Start at the Beginning.

Jeremiah 12:5 (New International Version)
If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

• No one who runs a marathon starts out being able to run a marathon.

• Matthew 25 – Parable of the Talents

2. There are no shortcuts to running a marathon.

Galatians 5:6-8 (New International Version)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

3. Every Runner, in Every Run, Hits the Decision Point.

Character doesn’t come easy.

2 Timothy 4:7 (New International Version)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

• If you stop running, you never get the privilege of finishing.

So What do We Do With That?

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Practice: Obey 4.1 - December 06, 2009

Practice #4: Obey
Obedience: Promise or Performance

Leviticus 18:4-5  
You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.
 
John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
 
I Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
 
Matthew 21:28-32
What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard." “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

I.    Obedience is needed even when we are not in the mood.

  a.    If we only obeyed when we felt like it

  b.    Even when it is hard to obey

II.    Obedience is needed even when it is not convenient

  a.    Felix – we will talk at a more convenient time
    
    Acts 24:25
    As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said,
    "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."
 
 b.    When it isn’t easy
 
  c.    Even when our schedule doesn’t allow it – could be that even God would have to make an
         appointment with us

  d.    Serving God is rarely convenient –
      i.    Having a baby is not convenient
      ii.    Going to school, going to work

III.    People of faith are willing to give their will to God’s will by being obedient

  a.    Abraham
    
    Genesis 22:1-3
 
    Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God
    said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice
    him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Early the next morning
    Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.
    When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.
 
  b.    Naaman
    
    II Kings 5:10-12
    Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh
    will be restored and you will be cleansed." But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he
    would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand
    over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better
    than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off
    in a rage.
 
  c.    Jesus
    
    Hebrews 5:7-9
    During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to
    the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 
    8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he
    became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
    He learned obedience by the things he suffered
 
Conclusion

I.    Obedience is God’s way of refining us – Sanctification:
 
  a.    Relationships
  
  I Peter 2:23

    When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.                Instead,  he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

    i.    Marriage

    ii.    Friends

    iii.    Church

 b.    It rewards us with spiritual confidence

 c.    We imitate Christ when we obey

Practice: Study 3.5 - November 29, 2009

The Practices #3 – Study
3.5 – What is the result of study?

In Study, we learn the rules.  But righteousness is not found in the rules alone.
Chapter 1 & 2 – Paul puts everyone in the same boat concerning sin and separation from God.
 
Romans 3:1-2 (New International Version)
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
 
Why did God give us the law?
Romans 3:19-20 (New International Version)
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
 
Romans 3:21-26 (New International Version)
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
 
We are not righteous just because of what we do.
 
Proverbs 16:2 (New International Version)
All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
 
What does Study produce in us?
 
1.    A Change of Attitude.
Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
 
2.    A Change of Perspective.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (New International Version)
For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
 
3.    A Change of Approach.
Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
 
Our hope for Study…
2 Timothy 4:2 (New International Version)
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Practice: Study 3.4 - November 22, 2009

The Practices #3 – Study
3.4 – The Lessons Learned

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 (NIV)
The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.

The Bible shows us the mistakes of the past so that we can learn form them. The questions is whether or not we will let them teach us…

Matthew 13:13-15 (New International Version)
This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: 
"'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'

What lessons does the Bible teach us?

1. What is true reality?
1 Corinthians 15:19 (New International Version)
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Psalm 17:13-15 (New International Version)
Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword. O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

2. What is our purpose in life?
Deuteronomy 6:13 (New International Version)
Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

1 Samuel 7:3 (New International Version)
And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

Matthew 4:10 (New International Version)
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "

Matthew 22:36-39 (New International Version)
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

3. What do we have to be thankful for?
Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

1 Timothy 6:6-9 (New International Version)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Thankfulness comes when we focus on how much we have. A Lack of thankfulness comes when we focus on what we don’t have. The question is which do you choose to focus on?

How do we get to that place?

Psalm 119:9-11 (New International Version)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; 
do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart 
that I might not sin against you.

Practice: Study 3.3 - November 15, 2009

Practice #3 – Study
3.3 – The Rock

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
 
Context: Matthew 7:15-23
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
There is so much deceptive information out there.  It comes in many forms.
 
1.    “False Prophets,” or those who abuse the Word 
1 John 4:1 (NIV)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
 
Luke 4:9-13 (NIV) 
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
 
2.    People who are “Anti-Christian”
John 15:18-21 (NIV)
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
 
Psalm 56:4-6 (NIV)
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.

So how do we endure all these obstacles to our faith?
 
1.    Change the way you see life.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 
Mark 9:21-24 (NIV)
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can?’ ” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
 
2.    Build your life on what the Word says.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
 
3.    Live it out.
Matthew 7:24 (NIV)
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
 
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
 
**True studying of the Word always leads to a change of action.  It does not matter what you know.  It matters what you do with what you know.