Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points2 Comments

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Character of the Christian: Respected by Outsiders – Tim Challies
What kind of reputation do you have among the unbelievers you work with? Do you work hard and avoid meddling?

How Your Habits Show and Shape Your Heart – David Mathis (TGC)
The danger with having to make the decision all over again every time about these vital means of God’s ongoing grace is our wandering hearts may choose not to avail ourselves of his goodness. These are habits worth forming, because hearing his voice (in his Word), having his ear (in prayer), and belonging to his body (in the local church) are the lifeblood for the Christian life….  The signal joy in forming “habits of grace” is being freed from focus on self, on our technique, to turn our soul’s gaze to Jesus. After all, the great goal of the spiritual disciplines—the end of the means of grace—is knowing and enjoying Jesus.

Three Biblical Practices for Prayer – Colin Smith (UTB)
How easy it is to grow weary, lose focus, and become ungrateful. And yet, these very weaknesses—the same weaknesses faced by the disciples—point us to the One who prays for us. Like the disciples, let us be encouraged by Christ’s reminder to watch and pray. His example of steadfastness, watchfulness, and thankfulness teaches us to rely on what God can do through prayer rather than rely on ourselves.

Isolation from the Church Is Dangerous – Josh Buice (DBG)
We must learn to see the church as a blessing from God rather than an inconvenience. We must never look at the church as a violation to our spiritual privacy fence. We were never called to walk the journey of the Christian life alone. Surround yourself with gospel preaching, gospel singing, and gospel friends…

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

Reflections on Exodus 33-34

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Moses continues to intercede and asks to see God’s glory.  Consider:

  • God’s Presence – God threatens to not go with the people.  This is devastating news!  Moses again intercedes for the people; he doesn’t want to go if God is not with him.  Is God’s presence that important to you?  Why?
  • God’s Revelation – Moses asks to see God, and God reveals himself to Moses.  This revelation primarily takes the form of proclamation.  Read 34:5-8 again, and ponder the God we serve.  Then follow Moses’ example and bow down in worship before the one true God.

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 4:1-3

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

Our Father makes us one, Reconciled by the Son
Sons and daughters in His family
The Spirit indwelling, His presence uniting
Joined together to walk worthily

Walk worthily, With peace and purity
Live your new life in Jesus, and you’ll walk worthily

So let us be humble, And like Jesus gentle
Eager to live out our unity
Patient with each other, Bear with one another
And in love learn to walk worthily

Walk worthily, With peace and purity
Live your new life in Jesus, and you’ll walk worthily

(To the tune of “Trust and Obey”)

Reflections on Exodus 31-32

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

It doesn’t take long for Israel to desert the one true God, creating for themselves a golden calf.  Consider:

  • False gods – Israel grows weary waiting for Moses, so they have Aaron make them a god – a golden calf.  Compared to the one true God who thundered on the mountain, here is a safe god, a god their size that they can handle.  How are you tempted to bring God down to your size?
  • Proper honor – Israel credits the golden calf with their deliverance from Egypt.  When God blesses you, do you give him the credit, or do you credit something else – maybe yourself?
  • Intercession – Moses intercedes for the people of Israel in their rebellion.  Who is walking away from God that you need to intercede for?

Classic Quote

On By BrianIn Classic Quotes

OldBooksWould you know who is the greatest saint in the world: It is not he who prays most or fasts most, it is not he who gives most alms or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.

– William Law

Exodus 31-34: Idolatry and Intercession

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(32) Which of the Ten Commandments did Israel break in this chapter?

How does the golden calf compare to the one true God revealed throughout the book of Exodus?  Revealed especially in 34:6-7?

In what ways are we tempted to domesticate God?

What other gods are we tempted to follow?  Why?

(32) What excuses does Aaron offer when Moses questions him about the golden calf?

What excuses might we use to justify our idolatry?

How does the rest of the chapter make clear that God doesn’t “buy into” Aaron’s excuses?

(32-33) What are the results of their idolatry?  How is this a warning to us?

(32-34) The people make a calf, Aaron makes excuses, and Moses makes intercession for them.  To what attributes of God does Moses appeal?  What requests does Moses make?  How does God respond?

32:11-14 –

32:30-34 –

33:12-19 –

34:9 –

What can we learn from Moses’ example of intercession and apply in our own prayers?