Last week we saw Elijah's disappointment because there was no change in Israel after the event at Mount Carmel. I believe Elijah was tired of Ahab and Jezebel ruling over the nation, but God was not finished with them yet.
In chapters 20 and 21, we see God continue to help this evil duo through two battles with Syria. Why would God do this? Isn't God just? Doesn't God care? I believe the answer is found in 2 Peter 3:9:
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
God loved Ahab and wanted to see him repent. We finally see him do so after the warning of his death and the death of his family (20:27). Was this repentance genuine? Did he become a follower of YHWH? I can't be sure, but I know this: Ahab believed God when he was told what would happen in the future. In Genesis 15:6 we are told that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Does Ahab deserve to be in heaven? Of course not. None of us do, but God's grace is so big he can save people like you and me and a man like Ahab if we just believe. God tells us that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. Do we believe Him?
Oh how longsuffering the Lord is towards us.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
1 Kings 20 & 21 - Outline
Chapter 20
----------
Syria Makes War With Israel (1-9)
Biblical 'Trash Talk' (10-11)
Perperation for Battle (12-16)
First Battle (17-21)
Warning for Future War (22)
Syrians Make War With Israel Again (23-25)
Second Battle (26-30)
Ahab's Greed: Treaty with Syria (31-34)
Prophesy of Ahab's Death (35-43)
Chapter 21
----------
Ahab's Greed (1-4)
- Naboth fears God more than Ahab
- Ahab pouts
Jezebel's Murder Plot (5-14)
- Jezebel uses Jewish law to murder Naboth
- Elder's fear Ahab and Jezebel more than God
Ahab Accepts Evil Gift (15-16)
The LORD Sends Elijah to Pronounce Judgment (17-26)
Ahab Repents (27)
God's Mercy (28-29)
----------
Syria Makes War With Israel (1-9)
Biblical 'Trash Talk' (10-11)
Perperation for Battle (12-16)
First Battle (17-21)
Warning for Future War (22)
Syrians Make War With Israel Again (23-25)
Second Battle (26-30)
Ahab's Greed: Treaty with Syria (31-34)
Prophesy of Ahab's Death (35-43)
Chapter 21
----------
Ahab's Greed (1-4)
- Naboth fears God more than Ahab
- Ahab pouts
Jezebel's Murder Plot (5-14)
- Jezebel uses Jewish law to murder Naboth
- Elder's fear Ahab and Jezebel more than God
Ahab Accepts Evil Gift (15-16)
The LORD Sends Elijah to Pronounce Judgment (17-26)
Ahab Repents (27)
God's Mercy (28-29)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
1 Corinthians 16 - Thoughts
For a closing chapter, this is surprisingly jam-packed with valuable insights into Paul's character and ministry, giving and helping one another. The verses that jumped out at me were 12-18.
Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. Let other's help. I urge you, brethren -- you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
The letter started out by Paul scolding them for being divisive over different ministries and teachers. Here he is explaining that the people teaching and ministering didn't have a problem. Paul's heart is for God to use whatever vessel He desires to do the work. We should welcome help from others as long as we see fruit (aka love) in their lives. I'm excited when I have the opportunity to teach at other fellowships or am able to give others a chance to teach at CFoE. We are blessed with very talented people in the fellowship and I look forward to seeing them bless others too. When we help one another, we are "refreshed in the spirit!"
Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. Let other's help. I urge you, brethren -- you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
The letter started out by Paul scolding them for being divisive over different ministries and teachers. Here he is explaining that the people teaching and ministering didn't have a problem. Paul's heart is for God to use whatever vessel He desires to do the work. We should welcome help from others as long as we see fruit (aka love) in their lives. I'm excited when I have the opportunity to teach at other fellowships or am able to give others a chance to teach at CFoE. We are blessed with very talented people in the fellowship and I look forward to seeing them bless others too. When we help one another, we are "refreshed in the spirit!"
1 Corinthians 16 - Outline
Chapter 16
- Paul Deals with Gift Offering (1-4)
- Paul's Plans (5-8)
- Ministry of Timothy and Apollos (10-12)
- Paul's Exhortation (13-18)
- Let other's help
- Salutations (19-22)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
1 Kings 19 - Thoughts
This chapter deals with the depression, disappointment and discouragement that can come from our missed expectations. Does God want us to have expectations? I believe the answer is yes and no...
What should we be expecting?
- Jesus' return
- God's faithfulness
- Principles such as reaping and sowing being true
Basically, anything in God's word that is a promise or principle we can EXPECT to be true and count on it. Anything outside may be dangerous. I believe God wants us to dream and desire to see "big" things happen for the kingdom, but we cannot allow these to be expectations because God may not work the way we think He should. As a matter of fact, He usually doesn't.
If I trace back all the times I've been discouraged, depressed and disappointed, I can always find a point in my life where I've set up my own expectations of how things should be or how things should go.
May we be men and women who dream of God's work impacting our world in a mighty way, but allow Him to do what He wants to do with us and find contentment in knowing how much He loves us and wants good for us.
What should we be expecting?
- Jesus' return
- God's faithfulness
- Principles such as reaping and sowing being true
Basically, anything in God's word that is a promise or principle we can EXPECT to be true and count on it. Anything outside may be dangerous. I believe God wants us to dream and desire to see "big" things happen for the kingdom, but we cannot allow these to be expectations because God may not work the way we think He should. As a matter of fact, He usually doesn't.
If I trace back all the times I've been discouraged, depressed and disappointed, I can always find a point in my life where I've set up my own expectations of how things should be or how things should go.
May we be men and women who dream of God's work impacting our world in a mighty way, but allow Him to do what He wants to do with us and find contentment in knowing how much He loves us and wants good for us.
1 Kings 18:44 - 19:21
Basic Outline for the end of chapter 18 and chapter 19
- Elijah's Expectations (18:46-19:3)
- Beginnings of Depression (4-)
- God Provides Rest and Nourishment (5-7)
- God Provides Direction (9)
- God Provides Instruction (10-12)
- God Commands Him to Now Minister to Others (13-17)
- God Reminds us He is Still In Control (18)
- God Calls Elisha (19-21)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
1 Corinthians 15 - Thoughts
If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal (worldly pursuits), follow him. (I Kings 18:21)
I'm always amazed how the Saturday night and Tuesday night studies go hand-in-hand. Elijah gets to a point in his life where he tells others, "Look... if God is real... then do something about it. Act like you believe His Word." In 1 Corinthians, Paul goes through the logical progression of reason dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If He is risen, follow Him. If not, we are of all men the most pitiable.
One of the best things I've done as a Christian was to really question and research the claims of Christianity, the Bible and of Jesus Christ. I didn't doubt my beliefs, but I needed to logically sort things out in my mind. Now I can say, "I am certain this is true, therefore I need to allow Him to change my life and live for Him."
I'm always amazed how the Saturday night and Tuesday night studies go hand-in-hand. Elijah gets to a point in his life where he tells others, "Look... if God is real... then do something about it. Act like you believe His Word." In 1 Corinthians, Paul goes through the logical progression of reason dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If He is risen, follow Him. If not, we are of all men the most pitiable.
One of the best things I've done as a Christian was to really question and research the claims of Christianity, the Bible and of Jesus Christ. I didn't doubt my beliefs, but I needed to logically sort things out in my mind. Now I can say, "I am certain this is true, therefore I need to allow Him to change my life and live for Him."
1 Corinthians 15 - Outline
Basic outline of chapter 15:
- Paul reminds them of the simplicity of the gospel (1-2)
- Our faith is a reasonable faith (3-11)
- Paul uses stoic logic to explain the necessity of believing in the resurrection (12-19)
- The result of the resurrection. (20-28)
- The result of not believing in the resurrection using epicurean reason. (29-34)
- Paul deals with possible objections. (35-49)
- Victory over death equals victory over sin. (50-58)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
A new blog
I originally setup a blog to capture our adventures here in Sydney Australia, but soon this blog was managed by my lovely wife and I find myself never posting there. So, I wanted a "wall" to jot down my thoughts as I study God's Word and prepare for different studies during the week. This will allow me to go back and review them on occasion.
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