Tag: Christian Life

Exodus-Deuteronomy: Four Themes

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(Exodus 11-13, 14-15, 20) Describe the final plague.  How do the people of Israel escape?  How does this point to Jesus (I Corinthians 5:7)?

Every year, the people of Israel were to re-enact the Passover event.  How does Jesus adapt the Passover festival for the New Covenant (Luke 22:14-20)?

Through the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea, God frees his people from slavery in Egypt.  How does this point to Jesus (John 8:34-36)?

How did the people respond to their salvation (14:31, 15:1-21)?  How should we respond to our salvation (see I Peter 1:3-9, 17-19)?

What further response did God expect the people to have in 20:1-21?  What does God expect of us (see I Peter 1:14-16)?

(Leviticus 1-9, 17) What arrangement did God make for when the people failed to obey God’s commands?

How does this point to Jesus (Hebrews 9:24-26)?

(Exodus 19-24, Deuteronomy 5-32) These passages present to the people of Israel what we call the Mosaic Covenant.  It was first given at Mt. Sinai (Exodus) and renewed as the people prepared to enter the Promised Land (Deuteronomy).  How does this covenant begin (Exodus 20:2, Deuteronomy 5:6)?

What then follows (Exodus 20-23, Deuteronomy 5-26)?

Notice then the condition.  What will happen if they obey (Exodus 19:5-6, 23:22; Deuteronomy 28:1-14)?

What will happen if they disobey (Deuteronomy 27:15-26, 28:15-68)?

How does this play out in the history of Israel?

How does Jesus address the Mosiac Covenant for us?

  • Matthew 5:17, I Peter 2:22 –
  • Galatians 3:10-14 –
  • Hebrews 7:22 & 8:6, 13 –

(Exodus 25-29) What was the main purpose of the tabernacle (25:8, 29:45-46)?

How does the tabernacle point forward to Jesus (John 1:14)?

To the church (Ephesians 2:19-22)?

To the Christian (I Corinthians 6:19-20)?

To the future kingdom (Revelation 21:3, 22)?

How should we respond to these truths?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

What to do When You Are in a Spiritual Dry Spell – Scott Slayton

On “Stranger Things” and Being a Big Prude – Tim Challies

The Evangelical Drug of Choice – Phillip Holmes (DG)

How Skipping Church Affects Our Children – Micah Anglo

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

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 5:1-8

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

I once was living in the dark
Far from my God above
But then the Father came to mark
Me as His child of love

Now in his light and love I walk
Turn from sexual sin
And coveting and all foul talk
For God my heart did win

No more of what should not be named
Within God’s family
I am God’s child, Christ took my blame
That with Him I might be

 (To the tune of “Amazing Grace”)

Cultivating Your Prayer Life

On By BrianIn Habit of Prayer

CultivatePrayerOur Sunday School class just finished two weeks reviewing the Biblical principles found in Joel Beeke’s booklet, How Can I Cultivate Private Prayer?  I can’t help but think that if I could just digest and apply these principles, that my prayer life, and so my walk with God, would grow in incredible ways.  To that end, I am going to take a section each week to reread, ponder, and seek to apply to my prayer life.

And I want to invite you to join me on this quest for growth.  First, you need the book, which you can order here, or if you have Kindle you can get it here.  Then read along with me each week.  I will have a blog related to the weekly section each Wednesday.  On p2, Joel Beeke writes:

Prayer is a crucial part of the Christian life and deserves our careful attention and cultivation. 

That being so, let’s strive to grow in this important habit.

Genesis 1-50: Major Themes

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(Genesis 1-2) The Bible begins with God creating the world.  What do you learn about God from these two chapters?

How do you think we should respond toward Him?

In what special way did God make people (1:26-27)?

Because of this, we have great value.  How should this affect the way we think about ourselves?  How we treat others?

(Genesis 3) Describe the first temptation in v1-6.  What similarities do you find today?

What are the consequences of their sin (v8-24)?

What hope does God give them in v15?

(Genesis 6-8) Describe humanity’s fallen condition (6:5, 11-13; 8:21)?

What did God do in response to man’s wickedness?  What does this tell you about God’s view of sin?

What is our only hope of escape (6:8)?

(Genesis 12-36) What promises did God make to Abraham in 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; 15:1-6, 18-20; 17:4-8?

How do the following verses relate to these promises which we call the Abrahamic Covenant?

  • 21:1-5 –
  • 26:1-5 –
  • 28:10-17 –

How does God begin to fulfill these promises in Exodus through Deuteronomy?

How do these promises relate to you (Galatians 3:7-9, 16, 29)?

How did Abraham respond to God’s promises, and what was the result (15:6)?

How does this pattern relate to us (Romans 4:1-5, 23-25)?

(Genesis 37-50) What examples do you see of God’s sovereignty (reign, control) in the life of Joseph?

Describe the interplay between human actions and God’s sovereignty according to Joseph in 45:5-8 and 50:20.  How does that encourage you?

How is the cross the ultimate example of 50:20 (see Acts 4:24-28)?

 

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

13 Reasons You Are Precious To God – Mark Altrogge (TBC)

Scripture’s “Top Two” List – Ed Welch (CCEF)

Why Believers Must Avoid Immoral Joking – Chuck Lawless

7 Ways to Become a Better Sermon Listener – Christopher Ash (TGC)

Hope you have a great Lord’s challenged and encouraged by the preaching of God’s Word!

Beloved

On By BrianIn Books of the Bible

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.
– Ephesians 5:1

God calls us beloved children.  You are God’s beloved child – his dearly loved son or daughter.  You are dearly loved by God.

The Creator and Sustainer and Sovereign King of the entire universe dearly loves you.  Let that sink in.  God dearly loves you.  Oh that you might grasp this incredible truth that God loves you.  Who cares what others think of you, if God of universe loves you.

This word “beloved” occurs three times in Ephesians.  Once is here.  The first time was back in 1:6 where Paul referred to Jesus as the Father’s beloved.  At Jesus’ baptism, the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.”  And here in our text, the Father says the same thing to you: “You are my beloved son.  You are my beloved daughter.  You are my beloved child.  I dearly love you.”

You are beloved by God.

May that truth sink into your heart, and may you live each day out of this glorious reality.