6/14/12

Popper


Before I took a close look at it, I knew what it was... a popper.  It was only after I looked at the top of the dome did I realize I was correct.  This was the first toy our oldest child played with after she learned to walk.  And not only her, but the rest of the children did as well.  They loved playing with this for many years.  Its such a simple thing; not even the smallest mirco-chip, but it provided a great deal of joy!!!  Sometimes simple is better; perhaps most of the time that is true!!!  When it comes to religious matters, I KNOW this is true; WHY?  Because God tells me so....

Jeremiah, Chapter 6
16 Thus says Yahweh, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.....


But, you say... innovation is GOOD; I want the NEW, THE CREATIVE, you know, something exciting, something modern.  But, think about it for a minute; IF GOD REALLY IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS, THEN... THINGS DON'T CHANGE!!!!!  Since we know HE doesn't play favorites, then the eariliest humans must be on equal footing with modern man when it comes to fellowship and worship with the Almighty.  Sometimes, older really is better; whether it comes to a toy or being closer to the creator of the universe.  Think about it....

June 14 1 Samuel 21, 22


June 14
1 Samuel 21, 22

1Sa 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said to him, Why are you alone, and no man with you?
1Sa 21:2 David said to Ahimelech the priest, The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, Let no man know anything of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you: and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place.
1Sa 21:3 Now therefore what is under your hand? give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever there is present.
1Sa 21:4 The priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.
1Sa 21:5 David answered the priest, and said to him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days; when I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was but a common journey; how much more then today shall their vessels be holy?
1Sa 21:6 So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the show bread, that was taken from before Yahweh, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
1Sa 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Yahweh; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the best of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul.
1Sa 21:8 David said to Ahimelech, Isn't there here under your hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
1Sa 21:9 The priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if you will take that, take it; for there is no other except that here. David said, There is none like that; give it to me.
1Sa 21:10 David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
1Sa 21:11 The servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David the king of the land? Didn't they sing one to another about him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands?' "
1Sa 21:12 David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
1Sa 21:13 He changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard.
1Sa 21:14 Then said Achish to his servants, Look, you see the man is mad; why then have you brought him to me?
1Sa 21:15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
1Sa 22:1 David therefore departed there, and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.
1Sa 22:2 Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
1Sa 22:3 David went there to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said to the king of Moab, Please let my father and my mother come forth, and be with you, until I know what God will do for me.
1Sa 22:4 He brought them before the king of Moab: and they lived with him all the while that David was in the stronghold.
1Sa 22:5 The prophet Gad said to David, Don't stay in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hereth.
1Sa 22:6 Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him: now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.
1Sa 22:7 Saul said to his servants who stood about him, Hear now, you Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give everyone of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds,
1Sa 22:8 that all of you have conspired against me, and there is none who discloses to me when my son makes a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me, or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
1Sa 22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
1Sa 22:10 He inquired of Yahweh for him, and gave him food, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
1Sa 22:11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
1Sa 22:12 Saul said, Hear now, you son of Ahitub. He answered, Here I am, my lord.
1Sa 22:13 Saul said to him, Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
1Sa 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and is taken into your council, and is honorable in your house?
1Sa 22:15 Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: don't let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more.
1Sa 22:16 The king said, You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you, and all your father's house.
1Sa 22:17 The king said to the guard who stood about him, Turn, and kill the priests of Yahweh; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, and didn't disclose it to me. But the servants of the king wouldn't put forth their hand to fall on the priests of Yahweh.
1Sa 22:18 The king said to Doeg, Turn and attack the priests! Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who wore a linen ephod.
1Sa 22:19 Nob, the city of the priests, struck he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing babies, and cattle and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
1Sa 22:20 One of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
1Sa 22:21 Abiathar told David that Saul had slain Yahweh's priests.
1Sa 22:22 David said to Abiathar, I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father's house.
1Sa 22:23 Stay with me, don't be afraid; for he who seeks my life seeks your life: for with me you shall be in safeguard.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Twenty-Eight by Mark Copeland 


                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                          Chapter Twenty-Eight

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To review the events on the island of Malta following the shipwreck

2) To observe Paul's arrival at Rome

3) To consider Paul's work in Rome while under house arrest

SUMMARY

It was rainy and cold, as the shipwrecked travelers escaped onto the
island of Malta.  The natives showed kindness by kindling a fire and
welcoming them.  As Paul gathered sticks and laid them on the fire, a
viper bit his hand.  The natives reacted, "No doubt this man is a
murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not
allow to live."  Paul shook off the viper and suffered no harm.  After a
time, the natives thought Paul was a "god" as no harm had come to him.
Publius, a leading citizen of the region, received and entertained the
travelers "courteously" for three days.  Publius'
father was sick with a fever and dysentery.  Paul went in to him and
prayed.  He laid hands on Publius' father and healed him.  Others on the
island with diseases came and were healed.  The islanders honored
them in many ways and provided the necessities for them as they departed
the island.  (1-10)

After three months, an Alexandrian ship (the Twin Brothers) sailed from
Malta - it had wintered there.  They sailed to Syracuse, Rhegium, and
then to Puteoli.  Paul found brethren at Puteoli and stayed with them
seven days.  As they traveled along, brethren heard about them and met
them at Appii Forum and Three Inns.  This gave Paul courage and he
thanked God.  Upon arrival at Rome, the centurion delivered the
prisoners to the captain of the guard.  Paul was permitted to "dwell by
himself with the soldier who guarded him."  (11-16)

After three days, Paul called for the Jewish leaders.  When they came
together, he spoke to them.  Paul noted that he had done nothing against
their people or the customs of their fathers.  He reviewed that
he had been taken prisoner in Jerusalem, and was taken into Roman
custody.  He had been examined and was to be released, but the Jews
spoke against his release; thus he appealed to Caesar.  That was the
reason he had called for and had spoken with the Jewish leaders.  Paul
stated, "...because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."
The Jewish leaders responded to Paul.  They indicated they had not
received letters nor heard of any evil spoken of Paul.  They wanted to
hear more from Paul "concerning this sect."  They stated that it had
been "spoken against everywhere."  The Jews met Paul again at his place
of lodging at another arranged time.  He explained and testified of the
kingdom of God, and persuaded them concerning Jesus.  Paul spoke from
both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.  He spoke from morning until
evening.  Some were persuaded and some disbelieved.  Paul completed the
discourse by quoting from Isaiah the prophet.  The quotation indicated
they would hear/see but not understand/ perceive.  The Lord wanted them
to understand and turn so He could heal them.  Paul told them that the
salvation of God had been sent to the Gentiles, and "they will hear it!"
The Jews departed and "had a great dispute among themselves."  Paul was
allowed to rent his own home for two years, as he continued under house
arrest.  Paul received all who came to him.  He preached the kingdom of
God, and taught the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.  He taught
with all confidence, and no one forbade him.  (17-31)

OUTLINE

I. ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA FOLLOWING THE SHIPWRECK (1-10)

   A. THE NATIVES SHOWED KINDNESS TO THE SHIPWRECKED TRAVELERS (1-6)
      1. It was rainy and cold, as the travelers escaped to the island
      2. The natives showed kindness by kindling a fire and welcoming
         them
      3. A viper bit Paul, as he gathered sticks and laid them on the
         fire
         a. The natives reacted, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom,
            though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to
            live."
         b. Paul shook off the viper and suffered no harm
         c. After a time, the natives thought Paul was a "god" as no
            harm had come to him

   B. THE HEALING OF PUBLIUS' FATHER AND OTHERS (7-10)
      1. Publius was a leading citizen of the region
         a. He received and entertained the travelers for three days
      2. Publius' father was sick with a fever and dysentery
         a. Paul went in to him and prayed
         b. Paul laid hands on him and healed him
      3. Others on the island with diseases came and were healed
      4. The islanders honored them in many ways and provided the
         necessities for them as they departed the island

II. PAUL'S ARRIVAL AT ROME (11-16)

   A. THEY SAILED TOWARD ROME (11-13)
      1. After three months, an Alexandrian ship (Twin Brothers) sailed
         from Malta - it had wintered there
      2. They sailed to Syracuse, Rhegium, and then to Puteoli

   B. THEY TRAVELED BY LAND TOWARD ROME (14-15)
      1. Paul found brethren at Puteoli and stayed with them seven days
      2. As they traveled along, brethren heard about them and met them
         a. They met at Appii Forum and Three Inns
         b. This gave Paul courage and he thanked God

   C. THEY ARRIVED AT ROME (16)
      1. The centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the
         guard at Rome
      2. Paul was permitted to "dwell by himself with the soldier who
         guarded him"

III. PAUL'S WORK IN ROME WHILE UNDER HOUSE ARREST (17-31)

   A. AFTER THREE DAYS, PAUL CALLED FOR THE JEWISH LEADERS (17-22)
      1. When they came together, Paul spoke to the Jewish leaders
         a. He noted that he had done nothing against their people or
            the customs of their fathers
         b. He reviewed that he had been taken prisoner in Jerusalem and
            taken into Roman custody
         c. He had been examined and was to be released, but the Jews
            spoke against his release; thus he appealed to Caesar
         d. That was the reason he called for and spoke with them
         e. He stated, "...because for the hope of Israel I am bound
            with this chain"
      2. The Jewish leaders responded to Paul
         a. They indicated they had not received letters nor heard of
            any evil spoken of Paul
         b. They wanted to hear more from Paul "concerning this sect"
         c. They noted that it had been "spoken against everywhere"

   B. PAUL SPOKE TO THE JEWISH LEADERS AGAIN (23-29)
      1. The Jews met Paul again at his place of lodging
      2. He explained and testified of the kingdom of God and persuaded
         them concerning Jesus
         a. He spoke from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets
         b. He spoke from morning until evening
         c. Some were persuaded and some disbelieved
      3. Paul completed the discourse by quoting from Isaiah
         a. The quotation indicated they would hear/see but not
            understand/perceive
         b. The Lord wanted them to understand and turn so He could heal
            them
         c. Paul told them that the salvation of God had been sent to
            the Gentiles, and "they will hear it"
         d. The Jews departed and "had a great dispute among themselves"

   C. PAUL CONTINUED FOR TWO YEARS UNDER HOUSE ARREST (30-31)
      1. Paul was allowed to rent his own home for two years
      2. Paul received all who came to him
         a. He preached the kingdom of God
         b. He taught the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ
      3. He taught with all confidence, and no one forbade him

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main events in this chapter?
   - On the island of Malta following the shipwreck (1-10)
   - Paul's arrival at Rome (11-16)
   - Paul's work in Rome while under house arrest (17-31)

2) What was the name of the island they escaped the shipwreck onto? (1)
   - Malta (1)

3) How did the natives treat the shipwrecked travelers? (2)
   - They showed unusual kindness (2)
   - They kindled a fire and welcomed them (2)

4) What happened to Paul while laying sticks on the fire? (3)
   - A viper came out and bit him on the hand (3)

5) What did the natives say to one another? (4)
   - "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the
     sea, yet justice does not allow to live." (4)

6) What did Paul do to the creature?  What was Paul's outcome? (5)
   - Paul shook the viper from his hand (5)
   - He "suffered no harm" (5)

7) Seeing that Paul suffered no harm, what did the natives think of him?
   (6)
   - They changed their minds about him; thought he was a "god" (6)

8) Who was Publius?  What did he do for the travelers? (7)
   - He was a leading citizen of the island of Malta (7)
   - He "courteously" received and entertained them for 3 days (7)

9) What was wrong with Publius' father?  What did Paul do? (8-9)
   - He was sick with a fever and dysentery (8)
   - Paul went in to him, prayed, laid hands on him and healed him (8)
   - Others with diseases also came and were healed (9)

10) How long did they remain on Malta? Why was a ship there? (11)
   - Three months (11)
   - The Alexandrian ship had wintered there (11)

11) Name three places they sailed to as they continued to Rome. (12-13)
   - Syracuse (12)
   - Rhegium and Puteoli (13)

12) Name places Paul met with brethren along the way in Italy. How did
    this affect Paul?  (13-15)
   - Puteoli for seven days (13-14)
   - Appii Forum and Three Inns (15)
   - "When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage." (15)

13) At Rome, who was Paul delivered to?  What was he permitted to do?
    (16)
   - The prisoners were delivered to the captain of the guard (16)
   - He was permitted to "dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded
     him" (16)

14) Why did Paul call the Jewish leaders together? (17-20)
   - "to see you and speak with you, because of the hope of Israel I am
     bound with this chain" (20)

15) Had the Jewish leaders heard a report on Paul? Had they heard about
    this "sect?" (21-22)
   - No, they had not heard any "evil" spoken of Paul (21)
   - Yes, and they wanted to hear more about this "sect;" it had been
     "spoken against everywhere" (22)

16) What did Paul speak to them about at the next meeting? (23)
   - "he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God,
     persuading them concerning Jesus" (23)

17) How did they react to Paul's teaching? (24)
   - Some were persuaded and some disbelieved (24)

18) What prophet did Paul quote when the Jews disagreed among
    themselves? (25-27)
   - He quoted from Isaiah the prophet - Isa. 6:9-10 (25)

19) To whom had the salvation of God been sent? (28)
   - To the Gentiles, and "they will hear it!" (28)

20) How long was Paul there? What did he continue to do? (30-31)
   - "Paul dwelt two years in his own rented house" (30)
   - He preached the kingdom of God, and taught things concerning the
     Lord Jesus Christ "with all confidence" (31)
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)