Tag: Discipleship

Deuteronomy 18-26: Laws, Laws, Laws!

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(19-21) Our passage this week is filled with laws – and many are further explanations and applications of the Ten Commandments.  Let’s consider just one – the sixth commandment – you shall not murder.  How do you see this commandment explained and applied to Israel in these chapters?

Are these explanations and applications directly applicable for us today?  Why or why not?

Are there principles we might learn from these explanations and applications that would be applicable for us today?  What might they be?

(25) That we are right to take principles from the Law of Moses and apply those principles to our lives today is demonstrated by Paul.  What principle does Paul take from verse 4 that he applies to the church today in I Corinthians 9:7-11?

(18, 22-25) The context of the passage suggests some laws are universal laws by calling the breaking of that law an “abomination to the Lord.”  How might we need to specifically apply each of these laws to our world today?

  • 18:9-14 –
  • 22:5 –
  • 23:17-18 –
  • 24:1-4 –
  • 25:13-16 –

(13, 18) Moses predicts the coming of another prophet who will give God’s commands.  What must God’s people do in response to this prophet (8:15, 18-19)?

What tests must a true prophet pass (13:1-5, 18:20-22)?

Who is this prophet (John 6:14, 7:40, Acts 3:18-24, 7:37)?

(21, 27) Who is cursed by God according to 21:23 and 27:26?  How did Jesus address our curse (Galatians 3:10-14)?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points1 Comment

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How To Pray When Your Soul Is Bone Dry – Tim Challies
There are times when your soul feels bone dry, when even opening your mouth to pray seems an impossibility. What do you do?

You Can Change – Tim Chester (Crossway)
Jesus came to remake us in God’s image. Jesus took our brokenness, our hatred, and our curse on himself on the cross. He took the penalty of our sin and in its place gave us a new life and new love.  God is in the business of change. He’s interested in making us like Jesus.

Don’t Waste Your Summer – Kevin DeYoung
What can we do to make the most of June, July, and August? Here are twenty suggestions.

10 Reasons Why the Church Gathers – Casey Lewis (FTC)
As Christians, we should all desire to gather together with one another as often as possible. As motivation, here are ten reasons why gathering regularly with the church is important.

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

Worship

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

2016_TBT_05_May_Cover_245x308Above all else, worship is an encounter with the living, true, holy, sovereign, triune God of the universe. He chooses to meet with us by His Word and Spirit, and there is nothing as meaningful, rich, and glorious on earth as the church gathered together with its Lord and Savior in worship.

– Jason Helopoulos in Tabletalk (May 2016)

What Christianity Is…and Isn’t

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

Exalt-EphWe find here that Christianity is not about becoming religious. It is not about conforming to a list of rules. It is not about adopting a philosophy. It is not about financial prosperity. It is not about becoming a nice person. It is about becoming a new person. It is about going from death to life. It is about going from darkness to light.

– Tony Merida in Exalting Jesus in Ephesians

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

7 Ways to Fight Distraction During Prayer – Gavin (Soliloquium)

Discontentment Says Something about You, Not Your Circumstances – Philip Graham Ryken (Crossway)

Beware the Busyness of Summer Break – Dave Zuleger (DG)

Why I Sit at the Front – Tim Chester

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

Reflections on Deuteronomy 12-17

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God chose the people of Israel, and he expected them to be committed to him, as well as just toward each other.

  • Treasured Possession – God chose the people of Israel to be his treasured possession. In response they were to be holy before him (14:2).  God has chosen us too, making us a people for his own possession, to walk in holiness before him (I Peter 2:9).  Ponder what it means to be chosen by God, to be his treasured possession.  Are you seeking to walk in holiness before him?
  • No Idolatry – God again reminded the people to be faithful to him. Anything connected to foreign gods was to be destroyed.  Prophet, family member, or friend who suggested following after another god, was to be stoned. God did not want anything or anyone to lead the people of Israel  Have you allowed things into your life that are pulling you away from God?
  • Rejoice before the Lord – It is possible for us to imagine life at the tabernacle to be a grim affair. And certainly the sin offerings were a grim affair.  But many sacrifices – including the tithe, freewill offering, and vow offerings – were times to feast and celebrate and rejoice before the Lord.  Notice the repetition that you should rejoice before the Lord your God (12:12, 18; 14:26).  When do you come before the Lord to rejoice and celebrate?
  • The Poor – God makes clear that he cares about the poor, and so must we. We are to freely give to those in need.  Indeed if we do not, God will hold us guilty of sin.  How are you helping the poor?
  • Justice – God is a just God and he expects justice. Are you treating those around you justly?  The poor?  The weak?  The outcast?  How are you pursuing justice in your relationships?  What might you do to encourage justice in our world?