Mark 15:1-20
Dato Daniel Tay
*Protestant symbolizes resurrection of Christ
*Protestant symbolized crucifixion of Christ with the body
You view of the Cross
1. From the lens of Pilate and Barabbas
*Sanhedrin had no power to sentence punishment
Mark 15 :
John 18 :
John 19:4 : Pilate went out once more and said to the crowd, "Look, I will bring him out here to you t let you see that I cannot find any reason to condemn him."
= Pilate
*Barabbas - hated by the Romans, loved by the Jews
- heard foodsteps and no meal - he thougt he was going to be crucified
- surprised being released "Get up and Get out"
*What was the view of Barabbas when he looked at the cross?
*Good luck charm maybe
*We should move away from symbolizing cross just like a telesmant as Barabbas did.
2. From the lens of the soldiers
*Whipped him - at the end, it had metal bids and shell - cut through flesh
*Growing numb inflicting pain, mock him because they were bored
*"Prophesy, who beat you?"
*Ordered Jesus to carry the cross
*Whipped him, asking to get up, but he cant
*Simon had to carry the cross for him
*Death on the cross. Bloody body put on horizontally. Water build up from bottom causing slow and horrendous death
Luke 23:26 : The soldiers let Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized hm, put the cross on him, and mad him carry it behind Jesus.
3.From the lens of Simn and the Centurion
*Simon - divided appointment to meet God
*Centurion -witness dignity of Lord and gave his spirit
*3pm. time of afternoon sacrifice was given- curtain separating the holy of holies was torn in two
- very significant = symbolizes that we do not have to go through the high priest but directly through Jesus Christ
*Bell rings while the high priest goes in with a rope tied to him. If the bell does not ring, the rope is pulled out together with the priest
*The Cross was a conviction to the Centurion
*Us? What does the Cross say about us?
*We need Jeus to ask him to forgive us
*We need to be like Simon of Cyrene = to serve him
*If Jesus Christ is my Lord, he HAS to be my Saviour
Conclusion
*Mary, Martha and Salome (Mother of James and John, Son of Zebedee) love Jesus
-brought spices to anoint the body
*Joseph of Arimathea love Jesus
-Gave his tomb to Jesus Christ
-Something valuable
-Prominent member of the Sanhedrin
-Sacred believer
-Feared Jesus
-He became bold =ask Pilate for the body of Jesus Christ
-as a result, loss of fear
*Do we love Jesus?
John 19:26 : Jesus saw him mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, "He is your son."
"Dear Woman, here is your son,"
*Would we ever stop loving Jesus Christ, whether in good or bad times?
*Take a step, live out destiny, take up something, or leave - its a breakthrough for him
*A commitment to God
*We all need Jesus to die for us
*What is your view on the cross?
*Satan wants to break our relationships
*Jesus Christ paid with His life to redeem us.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
beautiful words
John 10: 11-15
"I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired man runs away because he i only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. I am te good shephrd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father,in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them."
Will update more soon:)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
"I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired man runs away because he i only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. I am te good shephrd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father,in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them."
Will update more soon:)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Greetings and Thankfulness
Mr Khoo Cheok Kau
14/2/2010
Romans 16:1-16
: I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who serves the church at Cenchreae. Receive her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and giv her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me. I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in the service of Christ Jesus; they risked their lives for me. I am grateful to them -not only I, but all the Gentile churches as well. Greetings lso to the church that meets in their house.
Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first man in the province of Asia to believe in Christ. Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. Greetings also to Andronicus and Junias, fellow-Jews who ere in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.
My greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the fellowship of the Lord. Greetings also to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ's service, and to Stachys, my dear friend. Greetings to Apelles, whose loyalty to Christ has been proved. Greetings to those who belong to the family of Aristobulu. Greetings to Herodion, a fellow-Jew, and to the Christian brothers in the family of Narcissus.
My greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work in the Lord's service, and to my dear friend Persis, who has done so much work for the Lord. I send greetings to Rufus, that outstanding worker in the Lord's service, and to his mother, ho has always treated me like a son. My greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the other Christian brothers with them. Greetings to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas and to all of God's people who are with them.
Greet one another with a brotherly kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
This passage in Romans-often just a glance as it is seen as a list of names
Paul's List of Appreciation
* Paul concludes his letter by personally thanking 5 households and 27 individuals, 9 of whome are ladies.
* Paul sends his warm appreciation by way of greetings - "Greet" someone 19 times.
* Give generous thanks to others.
* He describes in 14 instances exactly WHY he appreciates the person.
Paul's Greetings and Commendation for Phoebe (vs1-2)
* Greet means literally to be fond of, to cherish, to be devoted to, to be deeply welcoming.
* Phoebe = "radiant or bright" - She is an active worker in the Christian congregation at Cenchrea Greece
*Cenchrea is 1 of the 2 seaports of Corinth
*Some people don't greet because we get no reaction to it
Reflection:
* Our human tendencies are to focus on the big names, those in the limelight, and not realize the scores of people who do the tough work.
*God knows but he wants us to say thank you to Him
Takeaway Message:
*Welcome God's servants; Welcome and help believers from other churches; Welcome everyone irrespective of background.
v2 Recieve her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and give her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me.
*Paul's Request : Paul ask Romans to recieve Phoebe- help her, connect with her.
Paul's Greetings for Priscilla and Aquila (v3)
* Priscilla - a Jew with a Greek name; Aquila- Latin name for eagle.
*Both husband and wife came from Italy as Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome
(Acts 18:1-2)- After this, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, for the Emperor Claudius ahd ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them.
*Both Priscilla and Aquila did not leave their Christianity behind when they move, whether in Corinth or Ephesus or Rome.
Reflection:
*Do you keep growing in your Christian faith when you move away from home?
Paul's Commendation for Priscilla and Aquila (v4) - Paul's Appreciation
*Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul (v4) - Probably at Ephesus
*Both instructed Apollos
(Acts 18:26) - He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home with them and explained to him more correctly the Way of God.
Rahab
*Rahab risked her life by hiding the 2 spies sent by
*Joshua before the fall the boom
Corrie Ten Boom
*Safe a lot of Jews from the Nazis
-provided food, collect food strands, risked her life
*Is there someone of who you have taken advantage of ?
Thanks to God 1st -
1 Chronicles 17:16 - The King of David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed, "I am not worthy of what you ahve already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family.
Develop habit of thankfulness -
Philippians 4:6- Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
*Continue to serve the Lord eventhough nobody says thanks
Reflection:
* The day may come when we are persecuted for Christ. Will you be willing to risk your life to save other believers?
*Greet many who worked very hard for you
Paul's Appreciation for Mary and Others who Laboured much (v6, 12):
* Greek term "laboured" = worked hard and toiled laboriously even to the point of weariness and exhaustion
*Labouriously - meaning of work hard -Tryphene, Tryphosa and Persis (Also worked hard)
Reflection:
*Are we working hard for the Lord?
*We forget those who contribute to the ministry
*Paul comments publicly, acknowledging many
*Always be people who honor and acknowledge others
Epilogue:
*Whate you do in secular employment is important paying the bills and providing a service, but it will be forgotten before long. What you do for Jesus will be remembered by the Lord.
Application:
*Send them a note of thanks and greetings as Paul does.
*Try to remember everyone who has ever done anything to bring you nearer to Christ.
Memory Verse:
Amos 8:7 : "Surely I will never forget any of their works."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
14/2/2010
Romans 16:1-16
: I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who serves the church at Cenchreae. Receive her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and giv her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me. I send greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in the service of Christ Jesus; they risked their lives for me. I am grateful to them -not only I, but all the Gentile churches as well. Greetings lso to the church that meets in their house.
Greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first man in the province of Asia to believe in Christ. Greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for you. Greetings also to Andronicus and Junias, fellow-Jews who ere in prison with me; they are well known among the apostles, and they became Christians before I did.
My greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the fellowship of the Lord. Greetings also to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in Christ's service, and to Stachys, my dear friend. Greetings to Apelles, whose loyalty to Christ has been proved. Greetings to those who belong to the family of Aristobulu. Greetings to Herodion, a fellow-Jew, and to the Christian brothers in the family of Narcissus.
My greetings to Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who work in the Lord's service, and to my dear friend Persis, who has done so much work for the Lord. I send greetings to Rufus, that outstanding worker in the Lord's service, and to his mother, ho has always treated me like a son. My greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and all the other Christian brothers with them. Greetings to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas and to all of God's people who are with them.
Greet one another with a brotherly kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
This passage in Romans-often just a glance as it is seen as a list of names
Paul's List of Appreciation
* Paul concludes his letter by personally thanking 5 households and 27 individuals, 9 of whome are ladies.
* Paul sends his warm appreciation by way of greetings - "Greet" someone 19 times.
* Give generous thanks to others.
* He describes in 14 instances exactly WHY he appreciates the person.
Paul's Greetings and Commendation for Phoebe (vs1-2)
* Greet means literally to be fond of, to cherish, to be devoted to, to be deeply welcoming.
* Phoebe = "radiant or bright" - She is an active worker in the Christian congregation at Cenchrea Greece
*Cenchrea is 1 of the 2 seaports of Corinth
*Some people don't greet because we get no reaction to it
Reflection:
* Our human tendencies are to focus on the big names, those in the limelight, and not realize the scores of people who do the tough work.
*God knows but he wants us to say thank you to Him
Takeaway Message:
*Welcome God's servants; Welcome and help believers from other churches; Welcome everyone irrespective of background.
v2 Recieve her in the Lord's name, as God's people should, and give her any help she may need from you; for she herself has been a good friend to many people and also to me.
*Paul's Request : Paul ask Romans to recieve Phoebe- help her, connect with her.
Paul's Greetings for Priscilla and Aquila (v3)
* Priscilla - a Jew with a Greek name; Aquila- Latin name for eagle.
*Both husband and wife came from Italy as Emperor Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome
(Acts 18:1-2)- After this, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, for the Emperor Claudius ahd ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them.
*Both Priscilla and Aquila did not leave their Christianity behind when they move, whether in Corinth or Ephesus or Rome.
Reflection:
*Do you keep growing in your Christian faith when you move away from home?
Paul's Commendation for Priscilla and Aquila (v4) - Paul's Appreciation
*Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for Paul (v4) - Probably at Ephesus
*Both instructed Apollos
(Acts 18:26) - He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home with them and explained to him more correctly the Way of God.
Rahab
*Rahab risked her life by hiding the 2 spies sent by
*Joshua before the fall the boom
Corrie Ten Boom
*Safe a lot of Jews from the Nazis
-provided food, collect food strands, risked her life
*Is there someone of who you have taken advantage of ?
Thanks to God 1st -
1 Chronicles 17:16 - The King of David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed, "I am not worthy of what you ahve already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family.
Develop habit of thankfulness -
Philippians 4:6- Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
*Continue to serve the Lord eventhough nobody says thanks
Reflection:
* The day may come when we are persecuted for Christ. Will you be willing to risk your life to save other believers?
*Greet many who worked very hard for you
Paul's Appreciation for Mary and Others who Laboured much (v6, 12):
* Greek term "laboured" = worked hard and toiled laboriously even to the point of weariness and exhaustion
*Labouriously - meaning of work hard -Tryphene, Tryphosa and Persis (Also worked hard)
Reflection:
*Are we working hard for the Lord?
*We forget those who contribute to the ministry
*Paul comments publicly, acknowledging many
*Always be people who honor and acknowledge others
Epilogue:
*Whate you do in secular employment is important paying the bills and providing a service, but it will be forgotten before long. What you do for Jesus will be remembered by the Lord.
Application:
*Send them a note of thanks and greetings as Paul does.
*Try to remember everyone who has ever done anything to bring you nearer to Christ.
Memory Verse:
Amos 8:7 : "Surely I will never forget any of their works."
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Reading and Teaching for Transformation
Rev. Dr. Tony Lim
07/02/10
Genesis 39
Joseph and Portiphar's Wife
*Teach God's empowering presence will come
*Come with expectation that God would change us
*Are we becoming more and more like Christ?
*What has my word/studies got to do with Christianity?
*Greatest threat to Christians- interpretation of the believer
*How do we teach and mentor?
*How do we do disciplining?
*Why worship a God that makes no difference?
*Where is God when it hurts?
*Joseph responded in Godly manner
*How do we train people when we face temptation, we habitually respond in a Godly manner?
*santification gap- do we read the bible in the morning and read porn at night?
*40 years increase experience, guilt and hope
*temptations of a 21 year old and 40 year old are different
*God is a personal God and is for you- can trust and depend on him!
*Joseph "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good"
*2 years in prison- Joseph didnt ask "What kind of God are you?"
*How do we heal the santification gap?
*teaching of parents shoul be personal and not merely educational
*whatever happens to my life should be reflected to God
*God is not a God of past/ God of foreigners
*Because of Jesus, we have a hope, an ending
*We look at that context so that makes parental teaching personal and not solely educational
*Its becase of the goodness of God, we are where we are
*teach doctrine that is habitully holy
*read, teach and apply the bible intentionally- a basic discipline of reading the word and praying
*love as God love us
*We cannot bared ourselves, it is the work of Christ that can transform us
*God is in work to transform us. :)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
07/02/10
Genesis 39
Joseph and Portiphar's Wife
*Teach God's empowering presence will come
*Come with expectation that God would change us
*Are we becoming more and more like Christ?
*What has my word/studies got to do with Christianity?
*Greatest threat to Christians- interpretation of the believer
*How do we teach and mentor?
*How do we do disciplining?
*Why worship a God that makes no difference?
*Where is God when it hurts?
*Joseph responded in Godly manner
*How do we train people when we face temptation, we habitually respond in a Godly manner?
*santification gap- do we read the bible in the morning and read porn at night?
*40 years increase experience, guilt and hope
*temptations of a 21 year old and 40 year old are different
*God is a personal God and is for you- can trust and depend on him!
*Joseph "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good"
*2 years in prison- Joseph didnt ask "What kind of God are you?"
*How do we heal the santification gap?
*teaching of parents shoul be personal and not merely educational
*whatever happens to my life should be reflected to God
*God is not a God of past/ God of foreigners
*Because of Jesus, we have a hope, an ending
*We look at that context so that makes parental teaching personal and not solely educational
*Its becase of the goodness of God, we are where we are
*teach doctrine that is habitully holy
*read, teach and apply the bible intentionally- a basic discipline of reading the word and praying
*love as God love us
*We cannot bared ourselves, it is the work of Christ that can transform us
*God is in work to transform us. :)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Meaning of life
Thomas In-Sing Leung
31.1.2010
Dream of the Red Chamber
* Is life just a book of absursity?
*Is life just a book of lies?
*Ecclesiastes 1:2
: It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless.
*What is the meaning of life?
*Is it just a pool of tears?
*trademark of God is in the gospels
*Creation actually has a meaning because it is created by God
*When you look at the stars and the creation, you know that there is something
*Looks like life is not a book of absursity
*Why do we want to help people?
= because human has a compassionate feeling, we cannot bear to see the suffering of others
CONSCIENCE
*these type of human created by God because he is a compassionate God.
*not only compassionate but he took away our sins so that we could have eternal life
*there is a meaning of our life to know all these good things happening
*We help people because we are Christians and we love you all
*Love is unconditional
*Pray sincerely- love can pass throught all realms of Buddha
Buddha
- always smiles and sit down
-have achieve highest order of releasing suffering
Jesus Christ
- never sit down, don't always smile
-goes and embrace children, lepers
-touch them with his hand
-share suffering, forgive sin so you can stand up again
-transforms sinful nature into beautiful nature
-loves others.
It is the kingdom of God
*thats real CHRISTIAN LIFE
*thats the way to give the grace back
*thats the meaning o life
-Jesus Christ is the one who teaches us to love our country
-only through Jesus Christ, our life can be transform again.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
31.1.2010
Dream of the Red Chamber
* Is life just a book of absursity?
*Is life just a book of lies?
*Ecclesiastes 1:2
: It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless.
*What is the meaning of life?
*Is it just a pool of tears?
*trademark of God is in the gospels
*Creation actually has a meaning because it is created by God
*When you look at the stars and the creation, you know that there is something
*Looks like life is not a book of absursity
*Why do we want to help people?
= because human has a compassionate feeling, we cannot bear to see the suffering of others
CONSCIENCE
*these type of human created by God because he is a compassionate God.
*not only compassionate but he took away our sins so that we could have eternal life
*there is a meaning of our life to know all these good things happening
*We help people because we are Christians and we love you all
*Love is unconditional
*Pray sincerely- love can pass throught all realms of Buddha
Buddha
- always smiles and sit down
-have achieve highest order of releasing suffering
Jesus Christ
- never sit down, don't always smile
-goes and embrace children, lepers
-touch them with his hand
-share suffering, forgive sin so you can stand up again
-transforms sinful nature into beautiful nature
-loves others.
It is the kingdom of God
*thats real CHRISTIAN LIFE
*thats the way to give the grace back
*thats the meaning o life
-Jesus Christ is the one who teaches us to love our country
-only through Jesus Christ, our life can be transform again.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, February 12, 2010
Putrid Worship
Worship is a lifestyle
Psalm 150:3-5
: Praise him with trumpets.
Praise him with harps and lyres.
Praise him with drums and dancing.
Praise him with harps and flutes.
Praise him with cymbals.
Praise him with loud cymbals.
*an act we do at a specific time
Worship is an act
Old testament
-sacrice/offerings
New testament
-Worship/praise
Exodus 29:18
: Burn the whole ram on the altar as a food offering. The odour of this offering pleases me.
Psalm 141:2
: Receive my prayer as incense,
my uplifted hands as an evening sacrifice.
Worship = sweet aroma
Jeremiah 6:20
: What do I care about the incense they bring me from Sheba, or the spices from a distant land? I will not accept their offerings or be pleased with their sacrifices.
*If our worship is false, it is putrid (foul smelling) before God
Isaiah 1:13
: It is useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins.
*Whats the use of coming to church when you have a putrid worship
John 4:19-24
: "I see you are a prophet, sire," the woman said. "My Samaritan ancestors worshipped God on this mountain, but you Jews says that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God."
Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will not worship the Father either on this mountain of in Jerusalem. You Samaritans do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews that salvation comes. But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. God is Spirit, and only by the power of this Spirit can people worship him as he really is."
-Jesus and the Samaritan woman -what is NOT a putrid worship
*It does not matter if we worship in a contemporary or traditional service,
we sit or stand, we jump or clap
but the most important things is those who worship in spirit and in truth
John 4:24
: God is Spirit, and only by the power of His Spirit can people worship him as he really is.
*God is not interested in any form of worship
*aligned to his purpose, plans, and his will, we will enjoy the presence of the Lord
*Only in true worship where bondages are broken, delivery takes place and broken relationships are mended.
*But many Christians do not offer true worship but putrid worship
Hindrances in worshipping in spirit and in truth
1. Presence of sin
Hosea 8:13
: They offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat of the sacrifices. But I, the Lord, am not pleased with them, and now I will emember their sin and punish them for it; I will send them back to Egypt!
Psalm 66:18
: If I had ignored my sins, the Lord would not have listened to me.
*Have unconfessed, secret sins or live in sinful ways = our worship is putrid
2. Absence of truth
John 4:24
: God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is."
*Some people don't mean what they do or say
*That should not be the way as we should give lip service to God
Matthew 15:8-9
: "These people, says God, honour me with their words,
but their heart is really far away from me.
It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach man-made rules as though they were my laws!"
*Are we sincere in our worship?
Mark 9:24
: The father at once cried out, "I do have faith, but not enough. Help me to have more!"
-give me the strength to be sincere
-God in his mercy will give you the strength and do what you say
3. Practice of Idolatry
* Idolatry manifest itself in every form
Ezekiel 19:7-8
: He wrecked forts, he ruined towns. The people of the land were terrified every time he roared. The nations gathered to fight him; people came from everywhere. They spread their hunting nets and caught him in their trap.
Deuteronomy 5:6-9
: "I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves.
" 'Worship no god but me.
" 'Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, for I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation.
"I am a jealous God" - He will not share His heart with anyone
*In worship, we give the Lord our FULL ATTENTION
*When you think everything else but God, you are giving a putrid worship
4. Heart of Pride
James 4:6
: But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
"I do not need God" "Who cares about God"
-thinking this brings a putrid worship
*People who are humble before others might be proud to God or vice versa
*Those that are proud are unteachable
Ecclesiastes 5:1
: Be careful about going to the Temple. It is better to go there to learn than to offer sacrifices as foolish people do, people who don't know right from wrong.
Jeremiah 6:19-20
: Listen, earth! As punishment for all their schemes I am bringing ruin on these people, because they have rejected my teaching and have not obeyed my words. What do I care about the incense they bring me from Sheba, or the spices from a distant lant? I will not accept their offerings or be pleased with their sacrifices.
*We must have a teachable heart, heart that is prompting
5. Lack of love for one another
Mark 12:33
: And man must love God with all his heart and with all his mind and with all his strength; and he must love his neighbour as he loves himself. It is important to obey these two commandments than to offer animals and other sacrifices to God."
*We cannot adore or praise which we cannot love
*Love your neighbours and one another
*We cannot truly love one another without truly loving God first
*Worship God, unity and love for one another
1 John 4:1-8
: My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere. This is how you will be able to know whether it is God's Spirit: anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came as a human being has the Spirit who comes from God. But anyone who denies this about Jesus does not have the Spirit from God. The spirit that he has is from the Enemy of Christ; you heard that it would come, and now it is here in the world already.
But you belong to God, my children, and have degeated the false prophets, becasue the Spirit who is in you is more powerful that the spirit in those who belong to the world. But we belong to God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. This, then, is how we can tell the difference between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
NOT UNIFORMITY
*Take the step of love and seek reconcialiation -seek forgiveness and to forgive nomatter whether your right or wrong
*Do not bear grudges but have the same mind and love one another
*Return to TRUE WORSHIP- lives will be changed
Isaiah 1:18-19
: The Lord says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces.
*All begins with a purpose in your heart.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Psalm 150:3-5
: Praise him with trumpets.
Praise him with harps and lyres.
Praise him with drums and dancing.
Praise him with harps and flutes.
Praise him with cymbals.
Praise him with loud cymbals.
*an act we do at a specific time
Worship is an act
Old testament
-sacrice/offerings
New testament
-Worship/praise
Exodus 29:18
: Burn the whole ram on the altar as a food offering. The odour of this offering pleases me.
Psalm 141:2
: Receive my prayer as incense,
my uplifted hands as an evening sacrifice.
Worship = sweet aroma
Jeremiah 6:20
: What do I care about the incense they bring me from Sheba, or the spices from a distant land? I will not accept their offerings or be pleased with their sacrifices.
*If our worship is false, it is putrid (foul smelling) before God
Isaiah 1:13
: It is useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins.
*Whats the use of coming to church when you have a putrid worship
John 4:19-24
: "I see you are a prophet, sire," the woman said. "My Samaritan ancestors worshipped God on this mountain, but you Jews says that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God."
Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will not worship the Father either on this mountain of in Jerusalem. You Samaritans do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews that salvation comes. But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. God is Spirit, and only by the power of this Spirit can people worship him as he really is."
-Jesus and the Samaritan woman -what is NOT a putrid worship
*It does not matter if we worship in a contemporary or traditional service,
we sit or stand, we jump or clap
but the most important things is those who worship in spirit and in truth
John 4:24
: God is Spirit, and only by the power of His Spirit can people worship him as he really is.
*God is not interested in any form of worship
*aligned to his purpose, plans, and his will, we will enjoy the presence of the Lord
*Only in true worship where bondages are broken, delivery takes place and broken relationships are mended.
*But many Christians do not offer true worship but putrid worship
Hindrances in worshipping in spirit and in truth
1. Presence of sin
Hosea 8:13
: They offer sacrifices to me and eat the meat of the sacrifices. But I, the Lord, am not pleased with them, and now I will emember their sin and punish them for it; I will send them back to Egypt!
Psalm 66:18
: If I had ignored my sins, the Lord would not have listened to me.
*Have unconfessed, secret sins or live in sinful ways = our worship is putrid
2. Absence of truth
John 4:24
: God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is."
*Some people don't mean what they do or say
*That should not be the way as we should give lip service to God
Matthew 15:8-9
: "These people, says God, honour me with their words,
but their heart is really far away from me.
It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach man-made rules as though they were my laws!"
*Are we sincere in our worship?
Mark 9:24
: The father at once cried out, "I do have faith, but not enough. Help me to have more!"
-give me the strength to be sincere
-God in his mercy will give you the strength and do what you say
3. Practice of Idolatry
* Idolatry manifest itself in every form
Ezekiel 19:7-8
: He wrecked forts, he ruined towns. The people of the land were terrified every time he roared. The nations gathered to fight him; people came from everywhere. They spread their hunting nets and caught him in their trap.
Deuteronomy 5:6-9
: "I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves.
" 'Worship no god but me.
" 'Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, for I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation.
"I am a jealous God" - He will not share His heart with anyone
*In worship, we give the Lord our FULL ATTENTION
*When you think everything else but God, you are giving a putrid worship
4. Heart of Pride
James 4:6
: But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
"I do not need God" "Who cares about God"
-thinking this brings a putrid worship
*People who are humble before others might be proud to God or vice versa
*Those that are proud are unteachable
Ecclesiastes 5:1
: Be careful about going to the Temple. It is better to go there to learn than to offer sacrifices as foolish people do, people who don't know right from wrong.
Jeremiah 6:19-20
: Listen, earth! As punishment for all their schemes I am bringing ruin on these people, because they have rejected my teaching and have not obeyed my words. What do I care about the incense they bring me from Sheba, or the spices from a distant lant? I will not accept their offerings or be pleased with their sacrifices.
*We must have a teachable heart, heart that is prompting
5. Lack of love for one another
Mark 12:33
: And man must love God with all his heart and with all his mind and with all his strength; and he must love his neighbour as he loves himself. It is important to obey these two commandments than to offer animals and other sacrifices to God."
*We cannot adore or praise which we cannot love
*Love your neighbours and one another
*We cannot truly love one another without truly loving God first
*Worship God, unity and love for one another
1 John 4:1-8
: My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere. This is how you will be able to know whether it is God's Spirit: anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came as a human being has the Spirit who comes from God. But anyone who denies this about Jesus does not have the Spirit from God. The spirit that he has is from the Enemy of Christ; you heard that it would come, and now it is here in the world already.
But you belong to God, my children, and have degeated the false prophets, becasue the Spirit who is in you is more powerful that the spirit in those who belong to the world. But we belong to God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. This, then, is how we can tell the difference between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
NOT UNIFORMITY
*Take the step of love and seek reconcialiation -seek forgiveness and to forgive nomatter whether your right or wrong
*Do not bear grudges but have the same mind and love one another
*Return to TRUE WORSHIP- lives will be changed
Isaiah 1:18-19
: The Lord says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces.
*All begins with a purpose in your heart.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Running away like Jonah!
Micah 6:6-8
: What shall I bring to the Lord, the God of heaven, when I come to worship him? Shall I bring the best calves to burn as offerings to him? Will the Lord be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive-oil? Shall I offer him my first-born child to pay for my sins? No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he required of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.
2 Chronicles 7:14
: if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again.
*God acts in holy judgement against Christians for 'running away'
*increasing persecution
*God acts in gracious love when we repent and return to him
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
: What shall I bring to the Lord, the God of heaven, when I come to worship him? Shall I bring the best calves to burn as offerings to him? Will the Lord be pleased if I bring him thousands of sheep or endless streams of olive-oil? Shall I offer him my first-born child to pay for my sins? No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he required of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.
2 Chronicles 7:14
: if they pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again.
*God acts in holy judgement against Christians for 'running away'
*increasing persecution
*God acts in gracious love when we repent and return to him
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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