Author: Brian

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

Reflections on I Kings 11-14

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The kingdom splits into two, and both parts walk away from God.  Observe:

  • Folly – Rehoboam has the opportunity to reign as king over all of Israel, but he accepts bad advice and loses most of the people. Compare the advice from his two sets of counselors.  Why is one set of advice good and the other bad?  How can you know good advice from bad?  Where do you seek advice?  Where should you seek advice?  Why might you seek advice from older godly people?
  • Idolatry – God gives Jeroboam an opportunity to lead the northern kingdom, but Jeroboam leads the kingdom into idolatry. Judah, the southern kingdom, also enters into idolatry. Is someone leading you to live for or trust in something other than God?  Are you wandering from God into idolatry?  What idols are calling your name?

Classic Quote

On By BrianIn Classic Quotes

OldBooksUntil men recognize that they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him – they will never yield him willing service.  Nay, unless they establish their complete happiness in him, they will never give themselves truly and sincerely to him.

– John Calvin

II Chronicle 9-12 & I Kings 11-14: Finish Strong

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(IK-11) Solomon started strong.  How was he led astray (v1-8), and what were the results (v9-43)?

What can we learn from this story about choosing a spouse, and the influence of family?

What could Solomon have done to finish strong (v3-4, see also Proverb 4:23)?

(IK-12, IIC-10) Rehoboam started strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

(IIC-12) Despite his folly, Rehoboam still followed the Lord.  What further led him astray (v1), and what were the results (v2-12)?

What did Rehoboam need to do to finish strong (v14)?

(IK-12, 14) Jeroboam started strong.  How was he led astray (12:25-33), and what were the results (14)?

What did Jeroboam need to do to finish strong (see also Proverb 3:5-6)?

(IK-13) The prophet started out strong.  How was he led astray, and what were the results?

What warning is there for us in this story?

What did the prophet need to do to finish strong (see also Psalm 119:105)?

How might the example of these four men encourage us to finish strong?

What further principles do we learn in Hebrews 10:24-25 and John 15:1-5 that can help us finish strong?

In what ways are you being tempted to go astray?  How do you need to apply the principles of this lesson to your situation?

 

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

8 Signs Your Christianity Is Too Comfortable – Brett McCracken (TGC)
But comfort-seeking is our default mode in a consumerist society, so we often find ourselves in “comfortable Christianity” without even knowing it. What are some indicators that our Christianity has become too cozy, more like a pleasant bottle of port than the uncomfortable, sharpening faith the New Testament envisions?  Here are eight signs that your Christianity might be too comfortable.

The Stupidity of Sin – Kevin DeYoung
Everyone who knows the Bible, knows people, or knows his own heart, knows this to be true: sin makes us stupid.

5 Common Evangelism Excuses – Mark Dever (Crossway)
…even at the time you’re not witnessing, you’re busy spinning, justifying, rationalizing, and explaining to your conscience why it was really wise and faithful and kind and obedient not to share the gospel with a particular person at that time and in that situation.

A Category You Won’t Find in the Bible: The Churchless Christian – Thabiti Anyabwile (Crossway)  It is vital for Christian witness, vital for Christian growth and discipleship, and vital for the health of our local congregations that every Christian find a healthy church that they’re able to be a part of, and serve their gladly.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!

Sermon Songs: Revelation 11:1-14

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

Behold John measures the temple
And those who worship our Lord
Outside the Gentiles will trample
And God’s just wrath is outpoured
Come and worship, As God’s temple
Praise and pray and live for Him

Behold two prophets will now rise
Judgment to send and declare
When they’re done, they’re killed, and then rise
Ascend into heaven fair
Let us witness, To our lost world
Of the Savior while there’s time

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Reflections on II Chronicles 5-8

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The temple is finished and dedicated.  Note:

  • Praise for God’s Love – As the ark was placed in the temple, the Levitical musicians were praising and thanking God for his steadfast love (5:5). The people bowed down and worshipped God “for his steadfast love endures forever” (7:3).  The priests offered sacrifices and the Levites offered praises to God – “for his steadfast love endures forever” (7:6).  How has God shown his love to you?  Take some time now to praise him!
  • Heart – God knows your heart. You should walk before him with all of your heart.  When you sin, you are to turn your heart back to God.  Does this describe you?  What does God know about your heart?
  • Humble Prayer – When the people strayed, God instructed them to humbly pray to him, seeking his face, and turning from their wicked ways, and God would hear them and forgive them (7:14). How have you strayed?  Will you humble yourself?  Will you seek his face?

Ministry Collection

On By BrianIn Ministry Moments1 Comment

Here are some good posts for pastors (and others too) about burnout:

What Is Burnout and Why Is It So Dangerous? – David Murray (Crossway)

Preventing Pastoral Burnout – David Murray (Crossway)

How to Stay in Ministry Over the Long Haul – David Murray (Crossway)

4 Cultural Factors That Contribute to Our Epidemic of Burnout – David Murray (Crossway)

Q&A#2 Reflections: Three Persons

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#2
Q: Who is this God we are to love?
A: This God is the LORD, the one true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.  – Jeremiah 10:10a

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19

Verses for Further Reflection
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. – John 1:1

 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit… You have not lied to man but to God.”– Acts 5:3-4

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17

 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. – II Corinthians 13:14

…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood…. – I Peter 1:2a

Discussion Questions Related to the Verses
Who is the Word (Jesus)?  Who is the Holy Spirit?
How do we see each person at work in Jesus’s baptism?
How does each person contribute to our salvation?

Reflections on II Chronicles 1-4

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Solomon becomes king, seeks wisdom, and begins work on the temple.  Observe:

  • Heart for Wisdom – When God told Solomon to make a request, Solomon asked for wisdom. His heart desired wisdom to do the work God had called him to do – to lead God’s people.  Does your heart desire wisdom to do the work God has called you to do?  Will you ask God for wisdom?
  • Great God – Solomon writes to the king of Tyre about his plans to build a temple for God. He describes God as greater than all other gods.  The heavens cannot contain him, let alone a house.  But Solomon is building a house to offer sacrifices to God.  Ponder the greatness of God in Solomon’s descriptions.  As God’s temple today (see I Corinthians 6:19-20), what offerings will you to make to this God?