July 31, 2016
Scripture:
Read Luke 4:16 - 22. The Lord’s ministry started in His home town.In the middle of the passage, He closed the book, gave it to the minister, and sat down. He was fulfilling this prophecy. We should be so glad we can come unto Him as worshippers this morning.
Hymn 37 - Tell me the Old Old Story
Prayer
Let’s continue to look at Proverbs 6 today. Verse 20 says, ”My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” This verse applies not only to sons, but to daughters as well. We should be thankful to have parents who teach us the commandments of the Lord. A command is the Lord’s will as expressed in His word. He told Moses in Deuteronomy 6:7 for each generation to pass on His commands to the next one. If they weren’t passed on, they weren’t known, and therefore weren’t followed. He also tells fathers in Ephesians 4:6 to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Why are we to keep our Father’s commands, but forsake not our Mother’s law? The law might be the details of the commandment. Father may teach the general concept, and Mother shows you of the application day to day. We get a good example in II Timothy 1:5. Paul knew that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had unfeigned faith, and was persuaded that they had passed it along to Timothy. Later, in II Timothy 3:15, we find that Timothy had learned the Scriptures as a child. May we try to keep the Scriptures and biblical commands that our fathers and mothers teach us!
We had “keep” and “forsake not” in verse 20, and now we are told to “bind” and “tie” our parents instructions in verse 21. We are to fasten and hold on to them; to bind them to our hearts. Our hearts are an expression of who we are; and we must follow the Lord from there. We are also to bind our parents commands around our necks like Olympic medals. Our lives will show the benefits of following the Lord.
Verse 22 shows us three things that the Lord’s commands will do for us as we keep them:
When we need direction and can’t figure out which way to go, we can turn to commands we’ve been taught for leadership. They were able to lead Timothy in the path of righteousness. Secondly, they are able to keep us; and we need that, for the Enemy tries to distract and hinder us all along our journey. If we let them, they will protect our hearts and minds. Finally, the Word talks to us as we think and meditate on it.
We should make good use of the Bible time at home. Maybe we want to be somewhere else instead, but we should still listen and not day dream. Later in life, when you want direction, you’ll wish you listened. So pay attention!
Verse 23 reminds us of Psalm 119:105. The word of the Lord can be a light or a lamp to our feet. We know, when camping, it can be hard to know where to go without your flashlight. The word of God is our flashlight for life; it can help when we have to make decisions.
So may we keep and not forsake the commandment and law of our parents. They will help keep us in a godly pathway.
Colossians 1
There are three chapters in the New Testament that bring out the Lord as Creator. Colossians 1 is one of them. It is a triune God in Genesis who created the world. But in the New Testament, creation is attributed singularly to the Lord.
Verses 3-8 can be titled as Paul’s delight; the next section is Paul’s desire. Paul had never been to Colosse. Most writers compare Colossians with Ephesians, because they are not at all alike. In Ephesians we’re seen in heaven; in Colossians, we are saints on earth; in Ephesians we’re seen in the Lord; in Colossians, He is in us. Both sides are true.
Epaphras had told Paul what the Colossians were doing. Paul was absolutely delighted. He had been giving thanks since he had heard of their faith. For the Colossians receiving the gospel had not been a long process. They took and rejoiced in the Gospel. Paul had heard of their faith.
The Colossians had opened their hearts to God and it flowed out to all saints. They had affection for God’s people and were knit together in love. That is what the apostles were known for. This is a great example for us. We should be loving all the saints we know. We are saved through faith and there should be a love going out along with enjoying the fellowship of the saints.
So, in Ephesians we are in heavenly places and in Colossians we are anticipating it. Their faith had burst forth in love in an anticipation of hope for something out of this world. The Gospel is precious to those who want others to take the same route. It’s a message going forth in truth. It’s not just true - it is truth. It is found in the Word and personified in Christ (John 1).
To have faith you must believe, and then it must show in your heart. This is the way it was with the Colossians. It had gone where it was supposed to go. The Gospel message is fundamental to characteristics of Christianity. There is nothing like having the Word of God. It in effect brings forth fruit, not only in the heart, but also in behavior. The Colossians heard and took the Gospel immediately. They had originally been heathen.
There were apparently those among them who were trying to twist the Gospel. Not deny it, but “make an admixture” according to Mr. Kelly. (2:8) They were trying to add to salvation. But they knew the grace of God in truth. When Paul heard that they stayed in the faith he was delighted. Their love, and hope was bringing forth fruit. He was giving thanks to God for it.
We can also take away something from this. Could this be written about us? Our foundation is the Gospel - the Word of God in truth. Let’s build on the Rock.
Hymn - The wise man built his house upon the rock
Prayer