Text: Psalm 133

“Behold, how good”  … “how pleasant”

“brethren” – family

Genesis 13:9 – it’s not always possible to live in unity with our families; blood or spiritual.  However, commendations are in order when goodness and pleasantness abound as believers dwell in unity!

Written by David; a man who had many sons by many wives. It is suggested he penned this Psalm to his sons in hope of keeping unity in the family.

2-3 | Unity Described

1. Compared to Oil
1. The oil that consecrated Aaron (cf. Leviticus. 8:12). This imagery from the priesthood was appropriate because of the pilgrims being in Jerusalem. The oil poured on Aaron’s head flowed down on his beard and shoulders, and onto the breastplate with the names of all 12 tribes. The oil thus symbolized the unity of the nation in worship under their consecrated priest. As the oil consecrated Aaron, so the unity of the worshipers in Jerusalem would consecrate the nation under God.
2. A strong perfumed fragrance: The oil was holy, so must our love for the brethren be.
3. Aaron and his sons were not admitted to minister to the Lord until they were anointed with this oil. Our service to our brothers in Christ is not acceptable without a pleasant holy love. 1 Corinthians. 13:1, 2
2. Compared to Dew
1. The picture of oil running down (v. 2) no doubt suggested dew coming down from Mount Hermon in the north onto Mount Zion. The dew of Hermon was heavy; it symbolized what was freshening and invigorating. The refreshing influence of the worshiping community on the nation was similar to the dew on vegetation. This was a fitting symbol of the Lord’s blessing on His people.
2. It’s fruitful. Like the dew on the mountain which brings an abundance of blessings, it cools the heat of man’s passions and refreshes the heart. Makes the heart tender to receive the seed of the word and malice and bitterness repels the word 1 Peter 2:1.

A united loving group is blessed indeed and everlastingly!

God chooses to bless those living and loving this way. We can only beg God to bless us, but He chooses whom and when to bless. It’s a commanded blessing which only can come from God.  NOTE: Blessings that take effect are commanded blessings. He speaks them and they are done!

God’s blessings are everlasting.  As the perfection of love is the blessedness of heaven, so the sincerity of love is the earnest of that blessedness.

Text: Isaiah 55:11

To stop the spread of a disease it needs to be isolated.  This is done to prevent people from the infection and the disease won’t spread further. But this principle doesn’t only work for diseases.  It also works with spiritual things.  You can stop the spread of the gospel by isolating those who spread it.

Quarantine is a period of 40 days. A measured system maintained by authorities to prevent spreading of diseases.

Satan wants the gospel stopped, so a method of doing this would be to isolate it. This can be done in different ways.

·         Making it a criminal offense
o   In some countries isolating Christians is accomplished by outlawing Christianity and sending those who promote it to prison.
·         Spread false teachings to prevent acceptance
o   False teachings prevent truth from gaining a foothold.
·         Dilute it so its potency is parallel to all the other world philosophies
o   Christianity becomes nothing more than another philosophy competing for survival in a sea of ideas.

In America, the subtle and persistent criticism of Christians and Christianity is successfully pushing the gospel beyond isolation. These attempts are aiming for the cliff or seashore.  If this continues, Christianity will be relegated to a Sunday Morning hour that is only allowed to be practiced behind closed church doors.

Diluted to merely another philosophy, the gospel will come under continued attack. Remember, two competing things can’t occupy the same space.  Inevitably, Christians will retreat to their churches and homes and be forced to keep their opinions to themselves lest they offend someone, say something that isn’t politically correct, or violate someone’s rights by calling something a sin.

But we Christians are not called to quiet and polite isolation.  We are not supposed to retreat from the battle.  Instead, we are to boldly and confidently obey the command of Jesus who said,

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age,”. Matthew. 28:19-20

You don’t obey Jesus by hiding, by retreating, or by being intimidated into isolated silence.  You obey Jesus by obeying and doing.  And in your doing, you must have faith that God is sovereign and that his powerful word will not come back empty without accomplishing what he desires.

Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth.  It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Conclusion

Do you as a Christian feel a little isolated from society?

Have you buckled because of social pressures and fainted from speaking the gospel to someone because you didn’t feel confident, were embarrassed, or worried it might not be received well?

Have you withheld the words of truth because you didn’t want to offend someone, or because you might have been ridiculed, or maybe because it might have cost you a friendship?

If this is the case, then please take your eyes off of yourself and your circumstances and put them on Jesus, and follow him.  Be wise, be prayerful, but don’t let yourself be isolated.

Text: John 2:11-3:36

The Temple Renovated (2:13-25)

Arriving in Jerusalem, Jesus would have joined the crowd and headed to the temple to pray and offer sacrifices.

This temple built after the Babylonian captivity by the remnant that returned to Jerusalem.

Still being rebuilt; 46^th year, was completed in A.D. 63 and destroyed again by Romans 7 years later.

Businessmen were selling animals for sacrifice and exchanging money. Animals for those traveling and couldn’t bring a sacrifice and money because the Roman currency was offensive to the Jews because of the deity of Caesar on the coin.

While this was a “good” thing to help Jews to worship properly, the businessmen lost sight of the objective and the profits over ruled their judgment.

All this took place in the outer court where converted Gentiles to Judaism were limited to worship.

Jesus drove them out and made a huge scene.

“Show us a sign”…many have come before Jesus and since attempting to create a messianic following and Jews were suspicious, so they asked for a sign.

“Destroy the temple…raise it in three days”…

NOTE:

2:23 Jesus knew that many of the Jews who professed to believe in Him had only a superficial interest, relating to His miracles but not His message. Sadly, too many people are caught up in what Christ can do for them physically, instead of what He can do for them spiritually (John 6:14-15, 27).

2:24 Christ knew all men because He was God; He could look on their hearts (I Sam 16:7). Christ could discerned the unspoken thoughts of His enemies as they sought to debate against Him, and revealed their motives and secret plans (Mt 9:1-4 & 12:22-25, John 16:30 and Rev 2:23).

A Good Man Becomes Better (3:1-21)

Possibly more than just Nicodemus came that night.

Notice Jesus’ responsive to Nicodemus’ statement.

The word “see” implies more than physical sight. It’s the idea of “actively” participating in that which is seen. Jews believed part of the suffering of Hell was that those there could see into Heaven, but could never be there.

The phrase “born again” is the Greek word anothen and is translated; “from the top” (Matt.27:51), “from above” (John 3:31), “from the beginning” (Luke 1:3), or “again” (Gal. 4:9)

Nicodemus thought in terms of a physical rebirth. Jesus explains this to Nicodemus.

1.       Explained; Compared spiritual birth to physical birth
2.       Emphasized;  The sovereignty of the Holy Spirit
3.       Reminded; There is an Old Testament foundation for this
4.       Identified;

Freedom from Religion (3:22-26)

Jesus stayed in the region of Judea and this is when he began collecting His disciples.

John the Baptist’ followers heard of Jesus and his success in ministry and reported to John. John edified Jesus and encouraged all to follow Him.

He recognized Jesus’ divine

·         Origin (31)
·         Testimony (33)
·         Authority (34, 35)

Jesus’ message was too important to be hindered by disputes from those on the same side.

Conclusion

When Jesus met Nicodemus, the most important issue to discuss was his need for salvation.

This was a constant theme of Jesus’ preaching and the foundation to the Christian life.

It is just as urgent and important today!

Text: 1 Peter 1-5

Peter said, “[We] are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). I see in this a prophecy that in these last days, God is once more going to reveal his keeping power to his people.

Christ prayed to the Father concerning his disciples: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost ” (John 17:12).

NOTE: The disciples did not keep themselves in the will of God, and neither will you.

They were kept by a mighty power outside of themselves. They could not have made it a single day without Christ’s keeping power.

Note the prayer of Christ: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15).

In the Greek, the word “kept” is very expressive. In 1 Peter 1:5, it
means:

• To establish a military outpost. (a small group of troops stationed at a distance from the main body of an army and assigned to guard a place or area,)
• To guard, hem in, protect with a garrison.
• To establish a fortress with a full military line, with full
military apparatus.
• To discern the enemy far in advance and protect from danger.
Not only is the Lord a strong tower[1], but he establishes in us a military
outpost, manned by a fully-equipped army.

We actually become a powerful military outpost with armies of soldiers, horses, and chariots ready for combat, and with a sentinel that sees the oncoming enemy far in advance. (TRIP TO CITADEL)

In John 17:15, Jesus prayed, “…Keep them from the evil one.” The Greek word for “keep” means:

• Deliverance from the effect or influence of anything bad, evil,
grievous, harmful, lewd, malicious, or wicked. (PARENT WITH CHILD)
• Deliverance from Satan himself and all that is corrupt or
diseased.

It seems too good to be true. We are God’s military outpost, protected by a fully-equipped spiritual army of innumerable horses, chariots, and soldiers in full battle array completely informed of every enemy plan and device—wholly defended against Satan and all the evil powers in the universe.

This gives us a clearer understanding of scripture when we read, 1 John 4:4 [2]

Also, clarifies whose on the offensive [3]

• Before crossing the Jordan River the 2½ tribes erected a large altar as a memorial, reminding them and their future descendants of the common faith they shared with the other 9½ tribes
• The 9½ tribes wrongly concluded that the 2½ tribes were rebelling against the LORD in establishing a rival place of worship and immediately gathered themselves together at Shiloh for war (Joshua 22:12).
• Normally, the building of altars was a violation of God’s design for centralized worship.
• The 2½ tribes had no intention of using this altar for sacrificing (vs. 26). They only meant it for a memorial.

What kept a civil war from occurring was the obedience of a hand full of people from the 9½ tribes (vs. 13). Before going to battle against their brethren, and in accordance with the law (Deut 13:12-15; Lev. 17:8-9), a delegation led by Phinehas was sent to inquire whether this new altar was an act of rebellion or not. Because of people who wanted to do things scripturally, bloodshed and heartache was averted.

”They thought the holiness of God was being threatened. So these men, who were sick of war said, ¬The holiness of God demands no compromise.‘ I would to God that the church of the 20th century would learn this lesson. The holiness of the God who exists demands that there be no compromise in the area of truth“ Francis A. Schaeffer

• In contrast to Christian who fly off the handle and immediately assume the worse
• Left Shiloh and headed home [east side of Jordan]
• Their minds filed with memories of 7 years of battle on the Westside and the struggle prior to crossing.
• Jordan River is nestled between mountains peaking at 2,000 feet and 5 to 13 miles wide.
• Intense heat in the area prevented travlers from pleasure trips, so the thoughts of permanent departure from the other tribes sadden them.
• Out of sight, out of mind…
• Love for country and brethren propelled them to erect a symbol to show unity with their kinsmen.

Why build an alter? The true basis of their unity was their common worship centered in the sacrifices at the altar.

”The unifying factor in ancient Israel was not her culture, architecture, economy, or even military objectives. The long-range unifying factor was her worship of Jehovah.When the central sanctuary was abandoned as the true place of worship, the tribes then developed independent sanctuaries, thus alienating themselves from other tribes and weakening their military potential. -John J. Davis

This illustrates principles that were vital to Israel living together in the land in unity and under God’s full blessing. The same principles apply to the church today:

1. Believer should have a zeal for pure worship. Compromise of truth is always costly.
2. Judging people’s motives on the basis of circumstantial evidence is wrong. Get all the facts! There are always two sides to every argument.
3. Open discussion will often clear the air and lead to reconciliation. It should be approached in a spirit of gentleness, not arrogance (Galatians 6:1).
4. When you’re wrongly accused, remember the wise counsel of Solomon, ”a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger“ (Proverbs 15:11).

God’s purpose for His people is complete victory.  1 John 5:4

Christians often take salvation and leave the spiritual wealth God offers, like blessings, fellowship with Him, fruitfulness and confidence.

NEVER QUIT   11:1-5

We have the responsibility to follow through as Christians. It’s important in all other areas of life. Example: work, sports, and relationships. It is one thing to begin a race and it’s another to finish it. There is nothing wrong with stopping to take a breath now and then, but FINISH!

It takes us 20 minutes to read chapters 10 and 11, but these were long hard events for Israel. Joshua 11:18 sheds light on this.

These were not quick and easy victories.

Even when God is at work, our days consist of washing our face, brushing our teeth, taking out the garbage and going to work.  Hebrews 10:36

Joshua had great victories in the first few weeks of entering Canaan, but it took 7 years to fully occupy the land and realize the fullness of the promise.

NEW PROBLEM – SAME GOD 1-5

Up to this point there have been only three major battles with the enemy; Jericho, Ai, and on the hills near Gibeon.  Now in one passage, look what happens.

More kings, more armies.

Josephus writes about his event years later, stating the Canaanites had 300,000 foot soldiers, 1000.000 cavalry, and 20,000 chariots. Scripture does say they numbered like sand on the shore.

Deuteronomy 20:1; God planning ahead and watching over His own

Joshua 11:9; hobble the horse and destroy the chariots. Why? Psalm 20:7 We are to trust Him, not our efforts.

Joshua was willing and ready to move forward when God spoke. We should do the same.

It means new territory for our faithfulness. It would be easy for Israel to stay where they conquered and make homes there. Forget the rest. Be comfy and content.

WHAT FEARS 21-22

Joshua 11:22

Anakim; these were the giants the spies saw when casing the land before taking it.  They felt like “grasshoppers” in their presence, but God was about to show them the opposite.

“When the situation is hopeless … That’s the time for faith! Actually there is no such thing as a hopeless situation for one who trusts in God… But the fact is that most of us turn to God only when we think the situation is hopeless. As long as we can find something in our circumstances on which to pin our hope we trust that possibility rather than God. Until we have used up all our options – see no shred of hope in our circumstances ….Then – as a last resort – we may turn to God. Someone put this way: ‘As long as we can think up possible answers – we depend upon human ingenuity – or luck – or coincidence – etc. Then, when alternatives are exhausted and there is nowhere else to turn…We give God His chance. How much better to trust God no matter what!

Conclusion

1.       Accept any new challenges

2.       Leave nothing undone

3.       Focus on victory not obstacles

Cause of Conflict:

Joshua 10:1-2 – The handwriting was on the wall. Jerusalem’s security was being severely threatened.  If the advances of Israel’s armies continued without challenge Jerusalem would soon be surrounded and captured.

Joshua 10:3-4 – Gibeon made peace with Israel and therefore was a threat to Jerusalem and must be punished as traitors

Joshua 10:5 – Kings were:

Jerusalem: Adoni-zedek

Hebron: Hoham

Jarmuth: Piram

Lachish: Japhia

Eglon: Debir

Course of Conflict:

Joshua 10:6 – Joshua’s chance to put the shame behind him. Remember he made the treaty with Gibeon when he was commanded to destroy ALL inhabitants. They tricked him.

Joshua 10:7-8 – Joshua saw the opportunity to break the backs of the entire region in one strategic campaign. Marching 25 miles in the dark up a 4000’ elevation; the army was tired. Joshua 1:9; God promised victory!

Joshua 10:9-11 – A surprise attack in the dark caused the Amorites confusion and panic. They tried to run, but God pelted them with hailstones killing more than Israel’s swords killed. NOTICE: the effort of man and God’s divine intervention and promise keeping.

Joshua 10:12-15 – Joshua knew if he were to pursue and conquer his enemy he had about 12 HOURS remaining in the day. He asked God a strange thing, but he wanted to see the promise of God fulfilled. ~ For the sun to be still ~

2 Kings 20:8-11; Hezekiah

24 [hours]*60 [minutes] =1440 [minutes]

1440/36 [10th of sun dial] =40

40 minutes is 1/36 of a day according to a 360o sun dial.

Culmination of Conflict:

Joshua 10:16-27 – The kings hid themselves in a cave. Joshua pursued the soldiers; killing most. Returned to the cave and displayed absolute destruction by placing feet on the neck of the kings before executing them. Tossed back in the cave and sealed.

Joshua 10:28-39 – Quick raids ensued and Israel took out the remaining southern Canaanite tribes.

He took: Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir

Joshua 10:40-43

A man who had traveled in Europe says that while many of the old cathedrals in France are beautiful on the inside, their exterior is often distasteful because of the art carvings which depict animals with hideous features. Inquiring about this strange custom, he was told that the builders in the Middle Ages wanted these figures to represent man’s carnal appetites and prejudices! They were placed there to remind all who came to worship that they should leave bitterness and wrath outside the sanctuary if they hoped to receive God’s blessings.

Israel gave us a superb example of where to retreat, recoup, refocus, and reinforce.

The Enemy Is Deceitful – 1-5

1. 1. Vv. 1-2 There are people and situations that confront us head on
      1. Their intentions are clear, they want to do us obvious harm
      2. The tribes band together to confront Israel; Israel knew who and what they were up against.
      3. (FACT) It was Israel’s disobedience that lead to this united force; Josh. 5:1
         1. This sin was forgiven, but the consequence faced them
   2. There are people and situations like the Gibeonites
   3. Vv. 3-5 Their approach was deceptive
      1. Dressed like paupers and gypsies to manipulate a treaty with Israel
      2. (LESSON)Things are not always as they appear.
   4. Satan works in the same manner.  John 8:44

The Enemy Is Persistent – 6-13

1. 1. Vv. 6-7 Joshua and the leadership smelled a rat
      1. Why would people from a far off country need a peace treaty with Israel?
         1. Especially since they were only driving out the inhabitants of Palestine
   2. Reason and concern is not an obstacle for an enemy; no rules in war
   3. Vv. 8-10 God’s power and authority is recognized by the enemy.  James 2:19 |  Acts 19:11-13, 15
   4. Vv. 11-13 The notion of God nor His will disrupts those pursuing their own desires
   5. Believers should show the same tenacity in following God’s word.  James 4:7

The Enemy Will Be Revealed – 14-20

1. 1. Vv. 14-15 Ignoring the privilege of seeking God, they trusted their perception
   2. Old clothes, moldy bread, and torn wineskins convinced them  James 1:5 | Proverbs 3:5-6
   3. Vv. 16-20 When the truth was learned, Israel was unable to obey God 100%. CLEAR OUT INHABITANTS
   4. The people complained because leadership created a mess with bad choices.
      1. Notice what the rulers DON’T DO, vv. 19-20
      2. Initial decision was wrong, Israel was still obligated to do right
      3. Keeping your word doesn’t change though you made bad decisions
         1. Marriage? Two wrongs DON’T make a right
   5. Israel had to live with the consequences of their bad decision.

The Enemy Will Be Punished (21-27)

1. 1. Vv. 25-27 The Gibeonites were made to be servants to the Jews
   2. EXAMPLE Satan has been defeated but He will be punished for eternity
   3. In contrast, the Gibeonites were given a chance for redemption.
   4. Vs. 27 they faithfully served God, even at times when Israel did not.
      1. David placed the tabernacle in Gibeon
      2. One of David’s mighty men was a Gibeonite
      3. Solomon offered burnt offerings at Gibeon, the LORD spoke to him in a vision there
      4. Gibeonites returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel to reconstruct the Temple
      5. Gibeonites were among those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem
   5. Keep guard against the enemy and his devices. God’s will, will be carried out in spite of your errors.

So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 

15And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Thank God for the birth of Christ. If it were not for His b-day, what would your b-day mean? Apart from His b-day, your b-day would mean you are one year closer to death and judgment. However, because of His b-day, we are one year closer

1. He was rich…how else could he become poor? Isaiah 9:6-7

He was rich in Person…Jesus is The Everlasting Father
He did not begin in Bethlehem

Don’t believe He was god but a good man?

He is rich in Position…The government is upon His shoulder
His name is above ALL names

He is rich in His Power… Jeremiah 32:18
JW’s … what do they believe in Jesus…he they’re wrong about Jesus, they’re wrong about EVERYTHING
ask…do you worship Jesus? No…show passages…Yes, then why are you worshipping a false god?

He is rich in His possession… Rev 4:11
we own nothing. He owns everything!

2. He became poor…Philippians 2:5-8

When? That Christmas night

Became poor in person…I can understand dust wanting to be deity, but I can’t understand deity wanting to become dust. He became a man

Became poor position…He became a servant

Became poor in His power….he laid aside His power. He was limited to what the Father could and would do through Him

Became poor in His possession…he became obedient unto death; even the death of the cross.

Jesus took our sin…sin makes one poor. Since he took our sin, he took our poverty.

3. His provision… Why did Jesus leave Heaven? He wanted to make us rich.

You want to know how much you have? Add up everything that money cannot buy:

· Peace of heart

· Forgiveness of sin

· A home in Heaven

· Stop the cries of a guilty conscience

· The bloody wounds of a wasted life

If you are without Jesus you are a pauper. You can’t have His riches until you’re willing to admit you’re poor.

Riches through Christmas…

We share the riches of His person…we are his brother. Members of His body. We have union with him. Eph 1:6

We share the riches in His Position… we are in Christ…Where ever He is, we are.

We share the riches in His Power… Phil 4:13. We can do all things

We share the riches in His Possessions… Rom. 8:17. Heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ. A Joint heir is share and share alike.

Grace cost you nothing. Grace cost Jesus everything. If you miss God’s grace you’ll lose everything!

A craving desire to have Jesus rule in order that I might live a virtuous life as well as think and act correctly is what I must do.  Instead of searching for fame and fortune and worrying about my “rights”, my focus is to be on that which concerns Heaven. The added benefit is that the amenities of life will be provided.  My due diligence is to aim to obey the Word of God.

The promise is found here, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  Matthew 7:7,8

The tense of the word “shall” in the Greek is a future tense.  Which simply means asking, seeking, and knocking is to be a daily task. Need anything?  Ask in accordance to God’s will, and it will be yours. Many of us should first ask that God cleanse us from all “unrighteousness” before we begin to think of asking for more.