Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Exodus 21-24: Obedience and the Covenant

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(21-23) How do these laws relate to the 10 Commandments?

(21-23) Jesus said the sum of the law was loving God and loving people.  How are these laws of love?

(21-23) What do these laws tell us about God?

(21-23) Several of the laws carried the death penalty if broken (21:12-17, 22:18-20).  God is serious about these things!  How would you summarize these laws?

How seriously do you take these things?

(23) What was Israel to do toward the inhabitants as they entered the Promised Land?  Why?

In what ways are the gods of our land a snare to us and our families?  How might we minimize their affect?

(24) How did the people respond to God’s laws?  Describe the process of confirming the covenant.

How does Jesus re-apply this “blood of the covenant” ceremony to Himself and the New Covenant (see Matthew 26:26-28)?  What does this suggest about our celebration of the Lord’s Supper?

What did the elders do when they saw God?  How might this be a picture of the Lord’s Supper?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Character of the Christian: Family Leaders – Tim Challies
From beginning to end the Bible places upon every parent the responsibility to teach and train children and in that way to exercise kind, caring, loving oversight of them.

The Unappreciated Blessing of Busyness – David Qaoud (GR)
See, there’s a difference between busy and hurry. Busy is when you have a lot on your plate. Hurry is when you have too much on your plate.

What is grumbling? The seditious sin of grumbling pt 1
Contagion of Complaint: The seditious sin of grumbling pt 2
Can griping be godly? The seditious sin of grumbling pt 3
– Clint Archer (Cripplegate)
To God, our complaining about a situation he has allowed into our life is offensive. Because of Jesus’ death, we are in a relationship with God, he is our Father, we are his children, he loves us and he provides for us. To complain about what he has handed to us is to slap away the gracious hand of providence….  Are Christians just always supposed to suck it up? No. You can respond without sinful grumbling and disputing, just bear these five principles in mind…

5 Distinguishing Marks of a Fruitful Church – Jared Wilson
Do the people of the church speak more highly of Jesus than simply doing good or knowing the right doctrine? Do the pastors exhibit high esteem of Jesus? Are they Jesusy people?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Not Offended

On By BrianIn Identity

Have you noticed that everyone seems to be offended?  Even outraged!  Several weeks ago a school decided not to have a Valentine’s party lest someone be offended.  But of course their decision offended other people.  Facebook is full of the rants and ravings of offended people.  What are we to make of this?  Here’s my theory.

Somehow we have come to base our identity on what others think and do.  So if someone thinks or does something that I like, it validates my thoughts and actions, and so validates my identity.  On the flip side, if someone disagrees with me about something or does something I don’t like, it opposes my thoughts and my actions, and so threatens my identity.  And I get offended, or even outraged.

And so suddenly having or not having a Valentine’s party threatens someone’s identity.  Opposing or supporting same-sex marriage, or gun-control, or abortion, or practically anything threatens someone’s identity.  We can no longer have a rational conversation about anything, because our identity is at stake.  And so we quickly get offended or even outraged.

Even many Christians, who should know better, seem to have based their identity on what the rest of world thinks and does.  The majority of our country used to agree with us on moral issues, but now it doesn’t, and so our identity is somehow threatened.  And so we act like the rest of the world – offended, outraged, ranting and raving.

But our identity as Christians is not based on the opinions or actions of others.  Our identity is found in Christ who loved us and died for us and made us children of God.  We are in Christ.  He is our identity.  And so we need not be so easily offended.  We need not be outraged at every little thing that happens.

Now let me be clear – we may not like what others think or do.  We may hate the sin that we see in our culture and the harm that it brings to people.  Sin should bother us.  Sin is offensive.  But we need not be offended or outraged by the thoughts and behaviors of others as if it somehow threatens our identity.  We ought not live in a constant state of offense and outrage.

Our identity is found in Christ and not in what others think or do.  So let’s live as Christians and not be so easily offended.

 

Missions Moment

On By BrianIn Missions Quotes

blue-world-map

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church.  Worship is.  Missions exists because worship doesn’t.  Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.  When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more.  It is a temporary necessity.  But worship abides forever.

– John Piper

Reflections on Exodus 18-20

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God comes down onto the mountain with thunder and lightning, fire and earthquake, to speak to the people.  Observe:

  • God’s authority – God had the right to command the people of Israel.  He created them both individually and as a people.  He redeemed them from bondage.  He is the one true God, and he speaks with absolute authority.  Have you placed yourself under his authority?  Will you submit to God, or are you still trying to do things your way?
  • God’s commands – He gives the people 10 commands that sum up God’s moral expectations.  Throughout the rest of the Scriptures, we see these commands repeated and applied.  Read through them again.  Can you claim to be guiltless?  Can you stand spotless before God?  Remember today how desperately you need a Savior!  And ask God to help you grow in your obedience.
  • Fear the Lord – The people see the smoking mountain and hear God’s voice thunder, and they are justifiably terrified.  Moses tells them not to be afraid (in the sense of being scared), but rather to fear the Lord (in the sense of reverent awe).  Do you have a healthy fear, a reverent awe of Almighty God?

Reflections on Exodus 14-17

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God leads the people of Israel into the wilderness, but Pharaoh and his army chase after them.  Consider:

  • God’s powerful deliverance – God creates a way through the sea for the people to walk through, but he crashes the waters down on their enemies.  How has God powerfully brought you through a sea of troubles?
  • Israel’s praise – After they are saved from the Egyptian army, the people of Israel begin to praise him for what he has done.  Do you praise God when he answers your prayers and helps you in difficult times?  Take some time now to praise God for his help in your life.
  • Grumbling – After so many demonstrations of God’s power and help, you would think that the people would go forth trusting God in all things.  Instead they grumble – indicating a lack of trust in God.  They grumble about no food.  They grumble about no water.  Instead of looking to God, they grumble – as if God was impotent or uncaring!  Grumbling is a terrible affront to God’s character.  Do you see this tendency in your own life?  How might you cut off this evil habit?