September 26, 2010
Scripture:
Scripture:
Ephesians 1:4
This morning we’ve been thinking about the holiness of the Lord. This verse makes an amazing statement. ‘Holy’ is the character that God has placed us in. ‘Without blame’ is our conduct. ‘Before him in love’ is our Christ-like compassion. Now, sometimes we think about this verse and say, “Well, I know I’ll be like that someday”. The thing is, God has made us all this already; when He comes, none of this will have to be changed.
“Then why don’t I feel that way?” you ask. You see, when God saves a person, He gives them many gifts; but He doesn’t take away their Old Nature. Our lives down here are like a test or exam. What is the question in this exam? We have a Old Nature and a New Nature, what are you going to with them? The Old Nature was crucified at Calvary, but we have to reckon it dead each day. What percentage of your life shows the Old Nature? What percentage shows the New? That’s the test: which nature is predominate?
We can learn about the Christian life, and it goes into our head; but how much goes into our hearts? Do we come to meeting because we should, or because we want to be around the Lord who gave His all for us?
So let’s look at our lives and ask how we’re passing our test. Is our new nature shining through? The Lord’s love for us is so great and it should make us want to reckon our Old Nature dead. May this be true for each of us.
Hymn 352 - Won’t you come to Jesus while you’re young?
Prayer
1 Samuel 15:10, 13-15, 18
Today, we have a lesson on obedience. God had sent Saul to kill all the Amalekites and their animals; but Saul kept some good animals alive. The Lord told Samuel that He was sorry that He had made Saul king, because Saul hadn’t obeyed. Samuel went to talk to Saul. Saul said “I have obeyed the Lord”, but Samuel asked him, “Then why do I hear sheep and oxen?” Saul said, “The people wanted to keep the good animals to sacrifice to the Lord”.
Last time we said that Amalek is like our flesh, our Old Nature. It’s things like disobedience, unkindness, selfishness, anger, and fighting. There’s nothing good to keep. However, Jesus can give us a new life, with desires to do things that are right. Saul didn’t kill all the Amalekites like he was told to, and that was evil in the sight of the Lord. He said the people wanted to sacrifice to the Lord. Samuel told him that the Lord perferred obedience over sacrifice.
How car we apply this to our lives? Let’s say it was a rainy day, and Mommy decided to go shopping. So, she told you to go out to the car and get right in your seat. But as you’re going out to the car, you see the garbage cans at the bottom of the driveway. So you go and bring them up the the garage. Now you’re soaking wet, and you haven’t obeyed, because you didn’t do what Mommy asked you to do.
The Bible tells children in Ephesians 6:1-3 to obey their parents. God will bless us when we obey. May we obey each day.
We saw last week how the Jews were falling away from God, and how only a remnant remained. What were the characteristics of this faithful remnant? We see that they feared God. In ch 1:6, we can see that most of the Jews didn’t fear God. The Word “fear” is interesting to look at in the Bible; we are not talking about being afraid of God. This refers to a deep reverence and honour for Him. It is not wanting to disobey God. We read in Genesis 22:12 that Abraham’s actions showed that he feared God. Actions are not always accurate, though; the other Jews were still sacrificing to the Lord, but it was not coming from their hearts.
Is fearing God any different in the New Testament? We as Christians can have a different attitude of fear than those in the Old Testament, because we have been given so much by God. In Revelation 15:3 & 4, we see that there will be a time when everyone will be compelled to fear God.
It’s been said, when asked if a person is saved, “No, but they are God-fearing”; it’s possible, to some degree, for even unbelievers to respect God.
Edward Dennett wrote, “Whenever the godly remnant is distinguished, it takes the place of the nation before God.” It’s incredible to think about this when you realize how small the remnant had become. Originally, there were the twelve tribes. Then, they separated and there were only two (Judah and Benjamin). Then, there were only those that returned from captivity in Babylon; now, we’re looking at a small portion of that remnant. Brother Steve Labelle has a diagram of this in his meditations on Malachi; it emphasizes just how small the remnant was.
There are many interesting characters in the Bible who feared the Lord. In Job 1:1, we find that Job feared God and hated evil; those should go together. In Acts 10:2 & 22, we’re told that Cornelius feared God. We know from Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. In Hebrews 12:28, we’re told to live in the fear of God. According to Ecclesiastes 12:12, it is the duty of all men to fear the Lord.
The fear or the Lord characterized this remnant. It showed in their actions: they spake of and thought on the Lord. We should do the same. And they were not the only ones who enjoyed it: the Lord took notice as well. How much more will He take notice today, when we remember Him.
Hymn 215 - Happy they who trust in Jesus
Prayer