Reflections

As I (Fred) reflect on 2014, many events stand out clearly in my mind as a series of high and low notes.  January 2014 began on a very happy high note: Fiona Bullard was born on January 3, 2014. This day also had a low note because on that same day many of us attended the funeral service for Leanna Terry Turner and her husband Samad Fard Muhammad Turner who were both killed in a car crash on December 31, 2013.  However, it was encouraging that her younger sister Gwyneth gave the graveside eulogy and essentially shared gospel with all who were present. 

Worship God

Revelation 19:10

Welcome! We have been going through the book of Revelation as a church for the last several months. Over the last few weeks we have been informally combining our study of Revelation with various aspects of the accounts of Christ’s birth. This week, we have only one verse to focus on in Revelation, which we will look at near the end of the message. Last week we focused on longing for Christ, an especially appropriate mindset for the Christmas season. I drew out the parallels between the how people longed for the coming of Christ before His birth and how we too should long for His return.

This week I want to talk about marveling at what God has done. This too is an especially appropriate mindset as we reflect on Christ’s birth. We see this again and again in the Luke account. Recall that the angel visits Zechariah and tells him he is to become the father of a great prophet and his to name him John. Because of Zechariah’s unbelief, the angel causes him to become mute. News of Zechariah’s sudden muteness spread throughout the area, but of course, because he was mute, it remained a great mystery. I do think Zechariah wrote to his wife, and so she knew what was going on. So their baby was born, and on the eighth day after his birth, they were going to name him in the circumcision ceremony. Tradition held to name him after Zechariah, but his wife said no, name him John. They asked Zechariah to write the name he wanted, certain that Zechariah would choose his own name. But Zechariah wrote “His name is John.” This was astonishing enough, but then he immediately was able to again speak. Here is what the account says next:

Fine Linen

Revelation 19:7-9

Welcome! Since August we have been working our way through the book of Revelation. Our pace, on average, has been about one chapter a week. But this week and next week we come seemingly to a screeching halt. We will look at other passages of scripture beyond the book of Revelation, but in Revelation, we only cover three verses this week and only one verse next week. Why?

If you were present at John Farmer’s last several messages in Revelation, he has had a wonderful chart that outlines the Book of Revelation. If you remember, the final part of this chart, representing the last few chapters of Revelation, was represented with smiley faces. We are on the verge, the cusp of the real smiley face stuff, but this Christmas season, we arranged this “screeching halt” so that you would have to wait. At this point in Revelation, Christ is about to return at last; Satan is about to be defeated. Soon. But not yet. I hope and trust that you long for that day as I do, when all is set right, when we begin the happily ever after, an eternity beyond imagining in the very presence of the Lord.

The Fall of the Fall

Revelation 18:1-19:6

 “The Man Comes Around”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9IfHDi-2EA

And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder:

 One of the four beasts saying: "Come and see." And I saw.

 And behold, a white horse. [Rev 6:1-2]

 There's a man going 'round taking names.

 And he decides who to free and who to blame.

 Everybody won't be treated all the same.

 There'll be a golden ladder reaching down.

 When the man comes around.

 The hairs on your arm will stand up.

 At the terror in each sip and in each sup.

 For you partake of that last offered cup,

 Or disappear into the potter's ground.

 When the man comes around.

Plagues and Bowls

Revelation 15:1-16:21 

Some people see the book of Revelation as a fictitious story.  Some see it as true prophecy but they see every element as figurative, and none of it as literal.  Others see every element as literal and none of it as figurative.  Some people see it as a hoax.  “After all,” they say, “it was a book written by men nearly 2000 years ago.  Men make errors, therefore, this book is only full of errors.  Countless additions and subtractions in this book have shown that it’s not a reliable source at all.”  How are we supposed to read Revelation?  As a myth?  As only figurative?  As only literal?  As a hoax?

        

We’re about to read some of the most disturbing images found in the Bible.  Will these things really happen?  Are they literal or just figurative? 

            

Before I answer these questions let me ask you a few questions to think about.  If you read a book that predicted the future accurately how would it change your view of it?  Do you think it would be possible that an all knowing, intelligent being who is not bound by time, is possibly behind that book?  At this point, I’m not asking if you believe in Revelation or if you believe in God.  But do you think it’s possible that an all knowing, intelligent being who is not bound by time could be the ultimate author behind the Bible?

The Eternal Gospel

Revelation 14:1-20

Welcome! Today we continue our series on the book of Revelation. To put today’s passage in context, here is a summary of where we have been. Chapter 1 contains a vision of Christ moving among His church, His body, His followers. Chapters 2 and 3 consists of personal letters to particular churches, pointing out both weaknesses and strengths, and giving warnings and encouragements. Chapters 4 and 5 shift the scene to God’s throne in heaven, with countless worshipers around the throne, and at the center, the Lamb, who alone is worthy to open the seals of a special scroll. Chapter 6 describes the opening of 6 of 7 seals on this scroll; accompanying each are judgments of God.

The opening of Chapter 7 is particularly relevant to today’s passage, so I want to present that to you now.

Man's Number

Revelation 13:2-18

Good morning everyone!  We’ll continue today with our series on the book of Revelation.  Two weeks ago, Fred brought us to the midpoint of the book, and we heard the last of seven trumpets sound.  This sounding initiated worship in heaven rejoicing that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and Christ and He will reign forever and ever.  (Revelation 11:15)  It was a victorious sound.

Let’s pray:

Lord God, thank You that You reign forever and ever.  Thank You that the kingdom of the world will become Your kingdom and you will set things right.  I pray that You will open our hearts and our minds to hear and apply Your Word in our lives.  Grow us up, I pray.  May we all walk with You in boldness and faith.  May we patiently endure and faithfully love you amidst the trials that we face.  Guide our time, we pray.  Amen.

The Dragon

Revelation 12:1-:13:1

Welcome! Today we will continue our series in Revelation, focusing on Chapter 12. Due to the amount of content here and limited time, I want to give only the briefest of overviews in terms of where we are in Revelation. We have had seven letters for seven churches, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses and giving them instructions in how to respond. We have been presented a special scroll that no one is worthy to open, except the Lamb of God, Christ. We have seen seven seals opened, one after another, with increasing signs and tribulations on the people in the vision. We have seen seven trumpets blown by angels, each also accompanied by judgments against the people, who despite all this, continue to remain unrepentant. There are seven thunders, but we don’t get to see these; they remain “sealed up.” Interspersed with these events are other events and images, including several scenes of multitudes worshiping at the throne of God, a scene of the sealing up of the 144,000, protecting them from what is to come, and a scene of two witnesses who will prophecy for 1260 days against the unrepentant people, be killed, and come back to life. At the end of chapter 11, it is announced that it is time, finally, for judgment of the unrepentant, for rewarding those who followed after Christ, and “for destroying those who destroy the earth.” And then God’s temple in heaven was opened and the Ark of the Covenant could be seen.

Kingdom Come

Revelation 11:15-19

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.”—Revelation 11:15 (NIV)

In John chapter 18 verse 36, when Jesus answered Pontius Pilot concerning Him being a king, He said “My kingdom is not of this world.  If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would be fighting, that I not be delivered up to the Jews but as it is My Kingdom is not of this realm.” (NASB)

Sweet Turning Sour

Revelation 10:1-11:14

Good morning!  We’re closing in on the midpoint of the book of Revelation.  Before we get into today’s passage, I’d like to keep with the pattern of giving a short recap of where we’ve been over the past weeks.  I don’t know about you, but I find myself struggling a bit to keep things in order in my mind.  There are a lot of seals and trumpets and bowls and things going on.

Let’s look at a power point slide with a graphical display of the chapters.  The first glance is as series of blocks which correspond to each chapter of the book.  There are 22 chapters in Revelation.

Unrepentant

Revelation 9

Welcome! This past week the small fall break team from NC State was here. Their visit was brief, but they spent a day on campus doing surveys and sharing the gospel with all who would listen, with all who were curious; we estimate that the gospel was shared between 10 and 15 times, and seeds of Christian thought were planted in other cases as well. We used a custom survey this time, and the results were interesting. I thought you might want to hear the questions.

1. Of the following, which gives you the greatest fear? (a) Ebola (b) Terrorism (c) Economic collapse (d) Solar storm (e) Manmade environmental disaster (f) Natural disaster (g) Other

Blasts

Revelation 8

Let’s review where we have come from so far in Revelation. This book starts out with John’s vision of Jesus, who gives him the seven letters for the seven churches. Then we have the vision of the throne in heaven, attended by the four living creatures and the 24 elders offering worship and praise. Then we have the scroll with seven seals, which only the Lamb is able to open. And we have the worship of the Lamb by every creature in heaven and on earth. As the Lamb opens the first four seals four horsemen are summoned by the four living creatures: a white one representing conquest, a red one for war, a black one for famine, and a pale one carrying Death, followed by Hades (or hell) and given power over a fourth of the earth, to kill by violence, starvation, disease, and attacks by wild animals. So we have a picture of all the bad things happening on earth, down through history, under the control of Almighty God.

Made White With Blood

Revelation 7

So, where are we at this point in the story?  In Revelation 1-3, John has a vision of Jesus.  Then we read about the letters that were to be sent to the seven churches.  Then John shares another vision in Revelation 4:1 which says, “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’”  

Whereas the first 3 chapters talk about something in the present during John’s time, he seems to switch his focus to some future time.  “The voice” told him that something would take place “after this.”  We don’t really know how far in the future he’s talking about yet.  We just know that God is about to share prophecy about some future events.  In Revelation 4, God gives us a picture of what worship is like or what it will be like in heaven. 

Who is Worthy?

Revelation 4:1-5:14

Welcome! Today we continue our series in the Book of Revelation. I want to start by looking at the big picture of what we have seen so far. In Chapter 1, we begin with brief prologue, a statement that this book is a revelation, a revealing, an unveiling from Jesus Himself, given by His angel or messenger to His servant John, and it says that all who hear this message and take it to heart will be blessed. The book then opens with a greeting from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. John states a greeting not only from John himself, but also from God; he then praises God and quotes Him as the Alpha and Omega.

John then explains that he was on the island on Patmos when he was “in the Spirit,” and a messenger with a voice like a trumpet told him to write down what he would see and send it to the seven churches. John was then given a vision of seven golden lampstands, representing the churches, and Christ among them, awesome in appearance, glowing, afire, holding seven stars in his right hand, with a sword coming from his mouth. Jesus in this vision identifies Himself and instructs John to write what he has seen, what is now, and what will take place later. Bible interpreters and commentators wrestle over what this means, trying to decide if parts of the vision refer to the past, even John’s past, part to the present, and part to the future, but I think this is not the plainest meaning of what is going on. Perhaps all Jesus meant is that John was to write down his initial vision, that of the messenger, then this vision, and then the vision or visions that would follow.

...Let Him Hear

Revelation 3:1-22

Good morning!  We’re going to continue today on the series in Revelation.  I have to confess that am still a little bit in shock that we’re actually doing a series on Revelation.  Carl had said enough times in the past that he wouldn’t choose to do a series on Revelation.  In March, when he read through the whole book of Revelation in a single morning, he said it might happen, that the Lord was opening that door as it were.  Then, we put it on the schedule, but I still didn’t really think about it.  We announced it to the church.  It seemed more certain, but it hadn’t happened yet.  Then, two weeks ago Carl opened the series.  Then, it should have hit me right?  We’re really doing it now.

But for me, it wasn’t until I sat down and started preparing this message that a wave of shock came over me again.  We’re really going to do it.  We’re going to do a series on the entire book of Revelation.  We’re not going to pick and choose.  We’re not going to skip over stuff.  We’re going to go through every verse in the book.

It is such a good thing for us to do.  As Carl already shared that first week, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.”  (Revelation 1:3)

He who has an ear...

Revelation 2:1-29

In Carl’s introduction to the book of Revelation last week he reminded us of the wonderful promise at the beginning that states that we are blessed to hear this book and take it to heart. As I looked at Chapter 2 for today, I was so blessed that I wrote one of my longest messages yet – only to realize that today is a Sharing Sunday, which means it should be a short message. So I had to do some painful pruning. There is so much in this chapter.  So without further ado, let’s pray and dig into this rich passage.

I wanted to say something about the symbolism that we find in Revelation and how sometimes literal pictures are not very helpful – at least I don’t find them so. Rather than considering a question like, How could Jesus speak with a double-edged sword coming out of His mouth? It is more helpful to think about what the sword might mean, in the light of other scriptures. The sword is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, dividing soul and spirit, and judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, as it says in Hebrews 4:12. The word of God is able to pierce through the junk that may be in my mind, will, and emotions – the impurities in my soul – to touch the core of who I am, my eternal spirit, which is where I can truly connect with God. That’s the sword coming out of Jesus’ mouth. It’s the word of God that lays bare who we are deep inside, at our very core, where it really matters.

Do Not Be Afraid

Revelation 1:1-20

Welcome! Today we begin a new series on the book of Revelation. At one time I believed we would never do a series on this book, because of the difficulty of understanding it, but as the leaders of the church met together and prayed together, the idea of going through this book began to grow and take root, and so, here we are. 

I have to confess that one of the reasons I was previously resistant to doing a series on this book was one of fear. Would we look foolish? Would it create conflicts because of strongly held opinions? Would people just not be interested? And so the title today, “Do Not Be Afraid,” is as much for me as it is you. I believe we can trust God and the Holy Spirit to give us spirits of humility as we look inside this book, and we can also trust Him to reveal to us exactly what He wants to reveal to us, to help us understand exactly what He wants us to understand. We do not need to fear diving into this book. 

This book was written by John, understood to be the same author as the author of the Gospel of John as well as the letters known as I John, II John, and III John. One reason we can be pretty certain of this is that Justin Martyr, who lived from 100-165 AD, wrote that it was this same John, and he personally knew Polycarp, who was one of John’s closest personal disciples. Irenaeus also confirms the authorship in letters written about the same time.

Praise in Unity: Psalms 133 & 134

Welcome! Today we finish our series on the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120-134. These psalms are a collection, indicated in the original Hebrew as “of ascents,” or “degrees” or “steps.” We have mentioned repeatedly in this series that they may have been recited as the Israelites made their regular pilgrimages from around Israel to Jerusalem for important religious holidays. As a modern culture I think the setting of these psalms may be somewhat hard for us to relate to. We don’t walk any great distances singing spiritual songs together. Instead we drive in a nice air-conditioned car with the radio going on in front while the non-drivers watch movies, listen to music on headphones, or play games on their cell phones. 

I don’t think I’m a Luddite, but I do think we have lost something important as a culture, and we are continuing to lose it more and more day by day as we get ever more entranced by our electronic devices: we are losing our sense of community. The sense of community in residential neighborhoods has been steadily disappearing for at least the last 40 years.

The Radiant Crown: Psalm 132

Good morning!  We’re marching on through our series on the Psalms of Ascent.  These are a beautiful collection of “marching songs” for the pilgrimage that the Israelites were to Jerusalem for the appointed festivals (Passover, Weeks, Booths).

The subject matter in these Psalms of Ascent is broad.  We’ve heard prayers about deliverance (120), prayers for God to show mercy (123), prayers for Israel’s restoration (125), and prayers against Israel’s enemies (129); there was a dialog of confession and assurance (121); we’ve sung songs of joy over Jerusalem (122), songs of praise for deliverance (124), and songs of joy for the restoration of Zion and return of the captives (126); and, we’ve heard testimonies of godly living (127 and 128), testimonies of trust in the Lord (130); and a confession of trust in God (131).

Today’s psalm will take us in yet another direction of prayer and seeking God.  (Systematic and comprehensive.)  We also have the joy of looking forward to the arrival of the Savior.  Let’s pray and ask God to give us insight and application for Psalm 132.

Put Your Hope in Him: Psalms 130-131

As Carl mentioned at the beginning of this series, the set of Psalms that we are looking at are called songs of ascent because it is thought that they were sung by the people of Israel during their pilgrimages to Jerusalem three times a year. Because the city was on a hill, the journey was referred to as “going up” to Jerusalem. There was a sense of going up, all the way to the top of the temple mount to meet with God. As someone who grew up in the mountains of Nepal, I seem to have an innate desire to “go up.” Is this a universal instinct? I wonder. Little kids seem to want to climb almost as soon as they can crawl. Ian still loves to climb trees. For me, when I see a mountain, I automatically want to get to the top. I want to go up. I want to be able to see what’s on the other side.

During my mom’s last term in Nepal before she retired, she lived in a fairly remote, rural area – a hydropower construction project in the western part of the country. She was what amounted to the team leader of the group of missionary engineers who were working on a tight schedule to get a dam and powerhouse built and more than a kilometer of tunnels dug. The pressures were considerable, and relationships were sometimes strained. On Saturdays, my mom used to like to escape for a few hours. Where did she choose to go? Up a mountain. The staff housing was right at the bottom of the valley, so she would climb up about 3,000 feet to a pine forest on the very top of the mountain across the valley. It was a place of solitude and prayer and refreshment. If village kids wanted to accompany her, she would tell them that she was going to meet with God. That was very effective at dissuading them.

Cut Free: Psalm 129

Welcome! We are continuing our series on the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120-134. Today’s passage is Psalm 129, and before we dig into the Psalm in earnest, I do want to say a little about it and about others like it. Psalm 129 is an example of what is called an imprecatory psalm. The word imprecatory comes from the Latin word imprecatio which means to pray against. In imprecatory psalms the psalmist prays against his enemies, asking God for various bad things to happen to them. Some other psalms that are imprecatory in nature are Psalms 7, 35, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137, and 139. Some of the things the psalmists say include bring their violence to an end, may they be disgraced and put to shame, may they be like chaff before the wind, consume them in wrath, may they be blotted out, pursue them with Your tempest, and may their descendants be cut off. These are harsh words! What are we to make of them?

Anxiety vs. Fear/Trust in the Lord: Psalm 127-128

Psalm 127-128

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Psalm 127
^1aUnless the LORD builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Picture yourself as King Solomon making an ascent up the steps to the Temple construction project that your father King David started and left for you to complete.  You have the location and the manpower and the materials, but you were born a child of the king.  You may be the wisest man that ever lived but you don’t have a clue about how to actually build a temple that would actually please the Lord for whom you are building it.  

Ask yourself this question, “Do I want to build this temple and fulfill my father’s dream?”  If you answer this question, “Yes,” then you will quickly realize, like Solomon did, that unless the Lord builds the temple through you, then it is a waste of time because it won’t be pleasing to the Lord or to your father.  It may never be completed, but even if it is, it won’t last.

Unshakable with Tears: Psalm 125-126

Psalm 125

                A song of ascents.

¹     Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

²     As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the Lord surrounds his people

both now and forevermore.

³     The scepter of the wicked will not remain

over the land allotted to the righteous,

for then the righteous might use

their hands to do evil.

⁴     Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,

to those who are upright in heart.

⁵     But those who turn to crooked ways

the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be upon Israel.

Our Mercy and Help: Psalms 123-124

Welcome! Today we are looking at Psalms 123 and 124, continuing our series on the Psalms of Ascent. Each of these fifteen Psalms, from 120 to 134, are notated in the Hebrew as a song “of ascents,” or steps. As we have discussed previously, they may have been recited as a group as people traveled to Jerusalem to gather together on the religious holidays that required them to do so. Let’s go ahead and get right into Psalm 123.

I lift up my eyes to You, to You who sit enthroned in heaven. – Psalm 123:1

Thrones: Psalm 122

Welcome! Today we will continue our look into the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120-134, today focusing on Psalm 122. We will also remember the Lord together with the bread and the cup, and following that we will gather in a circle and whoever wishes can share what the Lord has been teaching them.

When I was a child, one of the highlights of the year was when we as a family would get in the car and drive from our home in Pasadena, California northward to the resort called Mammoth Lakes, a town in the Sierra Mountains at about 9000 feet above sea level. The drive, somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 miles, took about 7 hours, accounting for stops. Now in Pasadena, it almost never snows – maybe once every 30 years the snow might stick around for an hour or so. We lived in a subdivision at the foot of the mountains north of Pasadena.  There was one mountain immediately in front of us that was lower than the ones behind it,  We were so close to it that this lower mountain blocked the view of the larger ones (the frequent smog sometimes blocked the view of them all). Anyway, that lower mountain got a dusting of snow from time to time, but it wouldn’t stick around very long and didn’t look very impressive even when it did.

This Is Not Our Home: Psalm 120-121

Good morning!  Welcome.  I am so glad for each one of you who are here today.  Do you know that God is sovereign?  Do you know what that word "sovereign" means?

I think about it a lot.  I marvel at things that happen, opportunities that come about.  I laugh at myself when I doubt God and He proves me so very wrong.  In those moments, I say to myself, “God is sovereign.”  Sometimes I’ll say to someone else, “God is Sovereign with a capital S.”  When something really awesome happens where God brings together people in ways that are completely beyond coincidence, I may say, “God is Sovereign with a capital S and a capital -OVEREIGN.”

What I mean when I say that is.  God knows everything.  He understands everything.  He brings us together with the people that we’re with because it is exactly what we need when we need it.  I should have absolute confidence that God can manage my simpleton life and my meager trials because He is sovereign over everything that’s going on in all the earth, all the time.  He may allow certain things to happen, but He has the authority and power to step in and work situations and circumstances out in any way He sees fit.

What the Lord Requires

Micah 6:1-16

Welcome! Today we are continuing our study of the book of Micah, focusing in on Chapter 6. I want to start today by reviewing briefly some aspects of the covenant God made between Himself and the people of Israel at the time of Moses. This covenant was a conditional covenant that that either could lead to God’s blessing or cursing of the people, depending on whether they kept their part of the agreement. The agreement, or Law, included the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) along with many other commands, totaling about 600 requirements, about half of them positive (things to do) and half of them negative (things to not do). Through Moses, God told them:

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known. When the Lord your God has brought you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim on Mount Gerizim the blessings, and on Mount Ebal the curses. – Deut. 11:26-29

Majestic Shepherd

Micah 5:1-15

Before we begin let’s pray and ask God not only to allow us to hear His message but to inscribe it on our hearts and memory so that we can by faith persevere in this world until He returns and sets all things right on earth again as they are in heaven.

Today we will continue our series in the book of Micah.  As you will remember in Chapter 1, Micah, speaking the words of the Lord, pronounces the coming destruction and laments that it is to be. In Chapters 2 and 3, Micah explains further the reasons for the coming destruction; in Chapter 2 the focus is on the acts of the people, on the Israelite society, and in Chapter 3 the focus is primarily on the actions of the leaders of the people. The foretold destruction did come to pass; first, the northern kingdom (Israel) fell to the Assyrians, and later, the southern kingdom (Judah) fell to the Babylonians.  In chapter 4 Micah prophesied of the coming Kingdom and as Carl mentioned the Kingdom of God is coming, but the Kingdom of God is here. It is both “now” and “not yet.” It is now because Jesus lives inside of each believer and it is not yet because His second coming will be on the clouds to reign on earth as He does in heaven. Today we are going to look at chapter 5 where the focus is on the return of "Majestic Shepherd" whose place of birth and whose future majestic reign and greatness and whose inevitable vengeance in Anger and wrath the prophet Micah was foretelling. We begin with Micah 5:1:

Come Let Us Go Up

Micah 4:1-13

Welcome! Today we will have a shorter message followed by a time of communion and then a sharing time. We have been studying the book of Micah over the past several weeks, and this week we will explore one of my favorite chapters, Chapter 4.  This chapter is in many ways a break from the first three chapters, which are prophecy and judgement against the people of Israel and Judah. In Chapter 1, Micah, speaking the words of the Lord, pronounces the coming destruction and laments that it is to be. In Chapters 2 and 3, Micah explains further the reasons for the coming destruction; in Chapter 2 the focus is on the acts of the people, on the Israelite society, and in Chapter 3 the focus is primarily on the actions of the leaders of the people. The foretold destruction did come to pass; first, the northern kingdom (Israel) fell to the Assyrians, and later, the southern kingdom (Judah) fell to the Babylonians.

But Micah Chapter 4 looks beyond these events into what was for Micah’s hearers a distant future. Micah wrote this before Christ came and died for our sins and rose from the dead. What future is Micah writing about? Well, I think the things he says don’t find their ultimate completion until Christ’s return, “soon and very soon,” as the song we sang puts it, but there is a degree to which these things are to be for us now as well. The Kingdom of God is coming, but the Kingdom of God is here. It is both “now” and “not yet.” Let’s look at the first several verses.

Den of Thieves

Micah 2:1-13

Good morning.  I hope you all are rested and ready this morning for a full strength dose of truth from God’s Word.  We’re going to continue our series through the book of Micah.  We’re in chapter 2.  God is going to deal with some specific sin areas today, especially coveting and stealing, hence today’s title, “Den of Thieves.”

A lot of the time when someone tells us they are going to tell us what they really think or they’re going to tell us the whole truth, we get a sense that bad news is on the way.  It is interesting that this week, in the How People Grow class that meets at 9:45, the chapter we discussed was on the topic of truth.  And honestly, sometimes, the truth is hard for us to hear.  Sometimes the truth can be painful to us.

However, God is the true God.  In Him, there is no darkness at all.  He is holy and righteous.  His Word is truth.  His Son, Jesus is the truth.  His Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.  But then, contrast that with the fact that God is love.  God’s love sent His Son, Jesus to the cross to suffer and die for our sins.  He has cast our iniquities into the sea.  He has separated us from our sins as far as the east is from the west.

Plague of Idolatry

Micah 1:3-16

Last week Carl set the stage for our study of Micah, putting this prophet in his historical context of the good and evil kings of Israel and Judah, the unfaithfulness of the Hebrew people in following the Lord, and the looming menace of foreign invaders. Carl noted that Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea, with a special focus on the southern kingdom of Judah – though he began his ministry before the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722-721 BC. In fact, he prophesies the destruction of Samaria in the section that we will be looking at today.

In the Biblical record, the book of Micah comes right after Jonah, which we looked at earlier this year. The main threat against Israel was the Assyrian empire, and you will recall that Jonah was sent by God to speak out against the sin of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, which led to the temporary repentance of the king and the people there. However, that didn’t last, and by the time of Micah, the Assyrians were back to their former ways and the brutal conquest of the nations around them. God intended to use them bring his judgment on the apostasy of Israel, and he provides a warning of this through his prophets.

Introduction to Micah

Micah 1:1-2

Welcome! Today we begin a new series on the book of Micah. Micah is called one of the Minor Prophets. The terms Major Prophets and Minor Prophets do not describe importance, but are simply a way to divide the Old Testament prophetic books roughly on length. The books called the Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The books called the Minor Prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Today my goal is simply to put Micah in the context of the history of Israel. As a people, the history of Israel really begins with Abraham, whom God led to a new land. God covenantally promised to bless Abraham’s descendants. The promise continued through Abraham’s son, Isaac, and then through Isaac’s son, Jacob who also was given the name Israel, and the descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons became known as the twelve tribes of Israel. One of these sons, Joseph, was hated by the others and was sold by them as a slave to Egypt. However, God raised Joseph up and Joseph saved his family in a terrible famine.

True God and Eternal Life

I John 5:20

Welcome! He is risen!

I want to start today with a poem called “Jesus and the Fish” by Jude Simpson. Because it is Easter and our focus is on the resurrection of Christ, I have taken the liberty of reordering some of the stanzas. Hopefully Jude Simpson can forgive me. Anyway, here is the poem:

Jesus always knew where to find the fish.

He had fish in His diet; He had fish on His dish.

He had fish in the sea; He had fish on the shore;

He came to disestablish the rule of law.

Really Knowing

1 John 5:13-21

Just imagine that you’re sitting in a jury box and the verdict is about to be delivered by the foreman.  You have heard all the evidence and testimonies and now it’s time to give the verdict. As you wait for the judge to enter, your mind wanders back over the trial.  You and the rest of the jury had to come up with a decision that made sense beyond a reasonable doubt.  You think to yourself, “Did he kill her?”  You saw the pictures of the body and the blood.  His DNA was on the weapon.  Neighbors testified of screaming coming from the apartment.  Her blood was on his hands.  The evidence and testimonies weighed in the favor of guilt but you still have some doubts.  “How did it happen exactly?” you wonder.   “Did he shove her first, then hit her with the weapon, or did he hit her with the weapon first, then shove her?  Why did he do it?  Was it a jealous rage.  Was it from paranoia?”  

These are questions you’re not able to answer.  But you know that you have no doubts large enough to convince you that he didn’t do it.  And you don’t have the option of not giving a verdict.  It’s not like the event never happened.  You can’t just ignore it so that it will somehow go away.  You would not be a just and good person if you walked away.  So, you’re glad you made a decision.  You’re conscience is clear.  You’re brought back to the reality of the moment as the Judge enters and everyone stands.   

Having Life

1 John 4:20-5:12

Carl has titled this section, “Having Life,” and it turns out to be a very relevant topic for my family right now as we have watched the life of Lisa’s brother gradually ebb away over the last week and a half. The circumstances have made us all stop and think, What is life? What is death? What is eternal life? What does it mean to pass from death to life? These are deep and important questions – and some things we won’t completely understand on this side of eternity. It is good to stop and ponder sometimes: What does our life mean? It goes to the heart of who we are.

But first we need to talk about love once again. 

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.  ~I John 4:20-21

We Love Because...

I John 4:16-19

Welcome! Today is the last Sunday of the month, and in addition to a shorter message, we will spend time remembering the Lord with the bread and the cup, and we will also have a time of sharing with one another what the Lord has been teaching us and doing among us.

Last week John Farmer began by talking about the theme of light in I John, and he gave a personal illustration involving stumbling around in the darkness. I have an illustration as well – this past summer we visited the Stumphouse Tunnel along with Issaqueena Falls. If you’ve never been there, bring flashlights. The purpose of the tunnel was to provide a shorter railway path from South Carolina to Tennessee. Excavation on the tunnel began in the 1850s but it was not completed because of excessive cost. The tunnel was used to grow Clemson blue cheese from the 1950s through the 1970s; the moist, dark environment made it perfect for this. 

Relying on His Love

I John 4:1-16

Good morning and welcome everyone!  We continue today with the I John series: "In the Light."  I don't know about you, but there is something appealing about the thought of walking in the light.  And yet, if we are used to walking in darkness, we can continue to do it sometimes without even realizing it.

We were redoing our boys bedroom (for several months), and they were sleeping in the basement.  They were happy to move back upstairs, but honestly, sleeping downstairs was no big strain for them.  They were a lot closer to the playroom.  It was much easier for the Legos to happen to migrate to where their mattresses were.

In the morning, I would come down to ride on my exercise bike.  Since it was before the time change, there would be enough light that I could just barely find my way safely past the corner of David's mattress and around to the work room where I could close the door and turn on the light.

Lay Down Your Life

I John 3:11-24

How would you sum up the message of 1 John in one word? Love, light, truth, life – these are all themes that we have been looking at over the past weeks, and we will continue to encounter them over and over as we move through the second half of this book. John especially emphasizes love: God’s love for us (the foundation of the gospel), our love for God, and our love for each other. 

^"For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."  --I John 3:11