4/9/13

From Gary... Do I win?


Both of these men should be smiling.  I can't even imagine having $40 million dollars, let alone the vast wealth of Bill Gates.  But something bothered me about this picture.  And then I realized what it was: "Game over. Nerds win." Even Bill Gates survives one heartbeat at a time, just like I do.  Its what we do with what we have that is important!!!  Below is an example of someone who couldn't by his way out of a problem, so he used his power to get what he wanted...

1 Kings, Chapter 21

 1 After these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near to my house; and I will give you for it a better vineyard than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.” 

  3  Naboth said to Ahab, “May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!” 

  4  Ahab came into his house sullen and angry because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He laid himself down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.  5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit so sad, that you eat no bread?” 

  6  He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ He answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” 

  7  Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be merry. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”  8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and to the nobles who were in his city, who lived with Naboth.  9 She wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.  10 Set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king!’ Then carry him out, and stone him to death.” 

  11  The men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent to them, according as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them.  12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. 13 The two men, the base fellows, came in and sat before him. The base fellows testified against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king!” Then they carried him out of the city, and stoned him to death with stones.  14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned, and is dead.” 

  15  When Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” 

  16  When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.  17 Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,  18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who dwells in Samaria. Behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it.  19 You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’” 

  20  Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” 

He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh.  21 Behold, I will bring evil on you, and will utterly sweep you away and will cut off from Ahab everyone who urinates against a wall, and him who is shut up and him who is left at large in Israel.  22 I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger, and have made Israel to sin.”  23 Yahweh also spoke of Jezebel, saying, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel.  24 The dogs will eat he who dies of Ahab in the city; and the birds of the sky will eat he who dies in the field.” 

  25  But there was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.  26 He did very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites did, whom Yahweh cast out before the children of Israel.  27 When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. 

  28  Yahweh’s word came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,  29 “See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but in his son’s days will I bring the evil on his house.” 


The story speaks for itself.  Even the King of a whole country has to answer for his actions. Power as well as money is meant to be used with caution, because God is watching.  In thinking about this, I remembered this important passage from the writings of the apostle John...

1 John, Chapter 2
 15  Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. 17 The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever. 

Win; not by the futile attempt of amassing vast sums of money, but by listening to the truth that is embodied in the Scriptures.  Take another look at 1 John 2:17 and ask yourself: Do I win?

From Gary V. Womack... WHY AM I HERE?



WHY AM I HERE?

Solomon asked this question:

Eccl. 1:2-4 "'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 
                   'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.' (3)What 
                    profit has a man from all his labor in 
                    which he toils under the sun? (4) One 
                    generation passes away, and another 
                    generation comes; but the earth abides 
                    forever."

Is life all about becoming wealthy and getting all we can (canning all we get)?

Eccl. 1:8 "All things are full of labor; Man cannot 
                express it. The eye is not
                satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled 
                with hearing."

Eccl. 5:10-11 "He who loves silver will not be 
                       satisfied with silver; Nor he who 
                       loves abundance, with increase. This 
                       also is vanity. (11) When good 
                       increase, they increase who eat 
                       them; So what profit have the owners
                       except to see them with their eye?"

A quick review of life: We're born, we work to make a living, then we die.

IS THAT ALL THERE IS?

The answer to the question is found in our Creator.

Heaven declares around His throne:

Rev. 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory 
                  and honor and power; (why) for You 
                  created all things, and by Your will they 
                  exist and were created."

(kjv) "...for Thy pleasure they are and were created."

We were made according to His will - for His pleasure

Col. 1:15-18 "He is the image of the invisible God, 
                     the firstborn over all creation. (16) For 
                     by Him all things were created that are 
                     in heaven and that are on earth, 
                     visible and invisible, whether thrones 
                     or dominions or principalities or 
                     powers. All things were created 
                     through Him and for Him. (17) And He 
                     is before all things, and in Him all 
                     things consist. (18) And He is the 
                     head of the body, the church, who is 
                     the beginning, the firstborn from the 
                     dead, that in all things He may have 
                     the preeminence."

When we do His will (obey), we find joy and fulfillment.

WHY? Because we were designed
           "in the image of God."

Gen. 1:26-27 "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in 
                       Our image, according to Our 
                       likeness; let them have dominion 
                       over the fish of the sea, over the 
                       birds of the air, and over the cattle, 
                       over all the earth and over every 
                       creeping thin that creeps on the 
                       earth.' (27) So God created man in 
                       His own image; in the image of God 
                       He created him; male and female He 
                       created them."

We were made in the image of the spirit of God. Therefore, we were designed for eternity - with needs that cannot be met in the flesh.

Eccl. 3:11 "He has made everything beautiful in its 
                  time. Also He has put eternity in their 
                  hearts, except that no one can find out 
                  the work that God does from beginning 
                  to end."

Psm. 90:2 "Before the mountains were brought 
                  forth, or ever You had formed the earth 
                  and the world, even from everlasting to 
                  everlasting, You are God."

But Satan came along and said, "No you won't be happy by obeying God, because He has an ulterior motive. You just follow me and you can enjoy every desire of your flesh.

Gen. 3:4-5 "Then the serpent said to the woman, 
                  'You will not surely die. (5) For God 
                   knows that in the day you eat of it your 
                   eyes will be opened, and you will be like 
                   God, knowing good and evil.' "

The world agrees with Satan and looks at following God as foolishness:

1 Cor. 1:18-29 Notice the contrast of perspective
                       between the world & those who 
                       choose to follow Christ.

This life isn't where it's at.

1 Cor. 15:19 "If in this life only we have hope in 
                     Christ, we are of all men the most 
                     pitiable."

Without God, we can do nothing

Jn. 15:4-8 He is the Vine, we are to be branches, 
                 nourished and receiving life through 
                 Him.

Jesus invites all who are carrying a heavy load to come to Him:

Mt. 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and 
                      are heavy laden, and I will give you 
                      rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and 
                      learn from Me, for I am gentle and 
                      lowly in heart, and you will find rest 
                      for your souls. (30) For My yoke is 
                      easy and My burden is light."

SIN CAUSED MAN TO LOSE HIS CONNECTION WITH GOD

Isa. 59:1-2 "Behold the Lord's hand is not 
                   shortened, that it cannot save; Nor His 
                   ear heavy, that it cannot hear. (2) But 
                   your iniquities have separated you from 
                   your God; And your sins have hidden 
                   His face from you, so that He will not
                   hear."

When we sin, we die. Death is a separation. Spiritual death is separation from God.

Jas. 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, 
                 so faith without works is dead also."


How can we be brought back to life?

Rom. 6:3-7 Baptism is where we begin a new 
                  walk in life. It is where we are united 
                  with Christ It is where our old man is 
                  crucified with Christ It is where we 
                  die to sin in order to be freed from 
                  sin

Jas. 2:14-ff We are not saved by faith only, but in 
                   obedience to His will.

From Jim McGuiggan... Jekkyl and Hyde


Jekkyl & Hyde

There are still a few around. They so talk about God that you’d think he was a Robert Louis Stevenson character. You remember, the devoted and kind doctor, Dr. Jekkyl who took the drug and found he had an inner Mr. Hyde. Some people talk about God, of Christ and his cross, as if God in holiness could hardly wait to damn humanity and yet he gives his Son to deliver us. The notion that God’s holiness means he’s eager to damn sinners is sheer nonsense! “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17) Rather than provoking him to obliterate us completely, our awful sin provoked the Holy Father to mount a rescue operation.
It’s right to denounce sin and even more right to live it down in righteousness; but there’s little point in our speaking or acting as though we took it more seriously than God does. We are not to fraternise with sin or be on friendly terms with the world but we mustn’t pretend that our opposition to it is greater than God’s. His opposition to sin is pitiless and ceaseless, but it’s combined with a relentless love for sinners.
The cross of Jesus did not bribe God to adopt a forgiving mood—it was the expression of his eternal love.
The cross of Jesus did not buy grace from God—it was the unveiling of an eternally gracious God.
The cross of Jesus didn’t persuade an unwilling God to come to our rescue—it was the final demonstration that God had indeed already moved that way.
Understandably we want God to crush impenitent unrighteousness; but one reason we’re eager for that is because we don’t have his capacity for endurance. We feel pain too keenly and are easily frustrated when our godly enterprises are thwarted by sinners. Our love pools are too shallow and when sinners come to drink of them too frequently they dry up; but, after all, we’re only humans, only weak and sinful humans. God does not hold us responsible for not being God!
 Just the same, in our anxiety to have the sinners and their sin destroyed we mustn’t resent God for being the God he is; one who is not willing that any should perish!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Jesus And The Tax Collector


                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                 Jesus And The Tax Collector (2:13-17)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Jesus went about preaching and healing, He called people to follow
   Him...
   a. Such as Simon and Andrew - Mk 1:16-18
   b. Also James and John - Mk 1:19-20

2. Today, Jesus wants us to call people to follow Him...
   a. To become His disciples - cf. Mt 28:19-20
   b. To enjoy His salvation - cf. Mk 16:15-16

[Who are suitable prospect for discipleship and salvation?  We might
think those who are religiously inclined.  But our text for this study
(Mk 2:13-17) should caution us not to limit our prospects...]

I. THE NARRATIVE

   A. JESUS CALLS THE TAX COLLECTOR...
      1. Jesus was teaching by the shores of Galilee - Mk 2:13; cf. 4:1
      2. He saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office - Mk 2:14
         a. Better known as Matthew, the apostle and gospel writer - cf.
            Mt 9:9; 10:3
         b. His father was Alphaeus, not likely the father of James
            - cf. Mk 3:18
      3. He was a tax collector (publican), a profession not well-liked
         - cf. Lk 5:27
         a. Viewed as traitors - as Jews working for the Roman
            government
         b. Viewed as extortionists - for publicans often charged
            exorbitant fees
         c. Classed together with sinners and harlots - cf. Lk 15:1-2;
            Mt 21:31-32
      4. Yet Jesus calls him to become a disciple - Mk 2:14
         a. "Follow Me" - cf. Mk 1:17-18
         b. He "left all" and followed Jesus - cf. Lk 5:28
      -- Not someone you might consider having potential as a follower
         of Christ

   B. THE TAX COLLECTOR HOSTS JESUS...
      1. Levi (Matthew) gave Jesus a great feast in his house - Mk 2:15;
         cf. Lk 5:29
      2. There were many tax collectors and sinners present - Mk 2:15
      3. The scribes and Pharisees are shocked - Mk 2:16
         a. Luke says they "complained" - cf. Lk 5:30
         b. They wondered how Jesus could eat with tax collectors and
            sinners
      4. Jesus' response - Mk 2:17
         a. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those
            who are sick"
         b. "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to
            repentance"
      -- Jesus' words reveal why Levi (Matthew) was a prospect for
         discipleship

[As we reflect on this narrative, what lessons might we glean from it?
Starting at the end of our text and working backward, here are...]

II. SOME LESSONS

   A. JESUS IS LOOKING FOR SINNERS...
      1. "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance"
         a. His purpose was to seek and save the lost - cf. Lk 19:10
         b. This gives great hope to those burdened by the guilt of sin
      2. "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who
         are sick"
         a. In regards to the disease of sin, we are all sick - cf. Ro 3:23
         b. But the Great Physician is ready to heal those willing to
            repent of sin
      -- If you are burdened and suffering because of sin, Jesus is
         looking for you!

   B. FRIENDS OFFER GREAT POTENTIAL...
      1. Levi (Matthew) provides a wonderful method of personal
         evangelism
         a. He invited friends and co-workers to his home
         b. He provided opportunity for them to hear Jesus
      2. Cornelius did the same thing, even before he became a Christian
         a. He invited family and friends - cf. Ac 10:24
         b. He provided opportunity for them to hear Peter - cf. Ac 10:33
      -- Inviting family and friends for a home Bible study is a great
         way to share the gospel!

   C. WE ARE TO BE SEPARATE, NOT ISOLATED...
      1. The Bible teaches the principle of separation
         a. Evil company can corrupt good habits - cf. 1Co 15:33
         b. We are to be separate, not unequally yoked with unbelievers
            - cf. 2Co 6:14-18
      2. But separation does involve total isolation
         a. Otherwise we would have to leave this world - cf. 1Co 5:
            9-10
         b. Jesus and His disciples were willing to eat with sinners
            - Mk 2:15-16
      -- To heal those sick with sin, we must be willing to spend time
         with them!

   D. JESUS OFTEN CALLS THE BUSY TO SERVE...
      1. Consider those whom Jesus called to follow Him
         a. Fishermen like Simon and Andrew, James and John - cf. Mk 1:
            16-20
         b. A tax collector sitting at the tax office - cf. Mk 2:14
      2. We should not think that God wants only those with youth or
         time on their hands
         a. E.g., only young men who go to school to become preachers
         b. E.g., only older people who are retired with nothing better
            to do
      -- Remember the adage:  "If you want something done, ask a busy
         man to do it"

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus' interaction with the tax collector should serve to remind
   us...
   a. We are never too sinful to be saved by Jesus
   b. We are never too busy to serve Jesus
   c. We must be willing to reach out to those who are lost
   d. Good prospects are family, friends, and co-workers

2. How about you...?
   a. Are you willing to let Jesus be your Great Physician?
   b. Are you willing to serve Jesus no matter how busy you may be?

Are you willing to join Him in seeking and saving the lost...?


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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