Sept. 24 Psalms 98-100

Sept. 24

Psalms 98-100

Psa 98:1 Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.

Psa 98:2 Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

Psa 98:3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psa 98:4 Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!

Psa 98:5 Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.

Psa 98:6 With trumpets and sound of the ram's horn, make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.

Psa 98:7 Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.

Psa 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.

Psa 98:9 Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Psa 99:1 Yahweh reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved.

Psa 99:2 Yahweh is great in Zion. He is high above all the peoples.

Psa 99:3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is Holy!

Psa 99:4 The King's strength also loves justice. You do establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Psa 99:5 Exalt Yahweh our God. Worship at his footstool. He is Holy!

Psa 99:6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel among those who call on his name; they called on Yahweh, and he answered them.

Psa 99:7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies, the statute that he gave them.

Psa 99:8 You answered them, Yahweh our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.

Psa 99:9 Exalt Yahweh, our God. Worship at his holy hill, for Yahweh, our God, is holy!

Psa 100:1 Shout for joy to Yahweh, all you lands!

Psa 100:2 Serve Yahweh with gladness. Come before his presence with singing.

Psa 100:3 Know that Yahweh, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psa 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name.

Psa 100:5 For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.

Sept. 24 2 Corinthians 4

Sept. 24

2 Corinthians 4

2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don't faint.

2Co 4:2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2Co 4:3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;

2Co 4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.

2Co 4:5 For we don't preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake;

2Co 4:6 seeing it is God who said, "Light will shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves.

2Co 4:8 We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;

2Co 4:9 pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;

2Co 4:10 always carrying in the body the putting to death of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

2Co 4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal flesh.

2Co 4:12 So then death works in us, but life in you.

2Co 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke." We also believe, and therefore also we speak;

2Co 4:14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

2Co 4:16 Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;

2Co 4:18 while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Hebrews, Chapter one, Mark Copeland

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                              Chapter One

Dispensing with greetings and salutations typical of letters at that
time, the epistle to the Hebrews begins like a sermon, with the author
immediately declaring the superiority of Jesus.  While God spoke in
times past to the fathers by the prophets, He now speaks to us through
His Son (1-3).  Jesus is also demonstrated to be much better than angels
(4-14).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  How Jesus is superior to OT prophets

   *  How Jesus is superior to angels

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Jesus’ superiority over prophets as spokesman - He 1:1-3
   - Jesus’ superiority over angels by virtue of His deity - He 1:4-14

2) How did God speak in time past?  How does He speak today? (1-2)
   - By the prophets at various times and in various ways; by His Son

3) List seven things that describe the Son. (2-3)
   - He is the appointed heir of all things
   - Through Him God made the worlds
   - He is the brightness of God’s glory
   - He is the express image of God’s person
   - He upholds all things by the word of His power
   - He purged our sins
   - He is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high

4) List five ways that Jesus is superior to the angels. (4-14)
   - He is the "Son", angels are not
   - He is "the firstborn" who receives worship from angels
   - He is "God" enthroned and anointed, angels are merely servants
   - He is "LORD" (Yahweh) who is the eternal Creator
   - He is "sovereign" seated at the right hand of God, angels are
     ministering spirits

5) For whom have the angels been sent forth to minister? (14)
   - Those who will inherit salvation

6) List the Old Testament passages that are referenced to in this
   chapter. (5-13)
   - Ps 2:7 and 2Sa 7:14 in verse 5
   - Deut 32:43 (Septuagint) in verse 6
   - Ps 104:4 in verse 7
   - Ps 45:6-7 in verses 8-9
   - Ps 102:25-27 in verses 10-12
   - Ps 110:1 in verse 13

Of power and majesty

Autumn in the Northeast is absolutely wonderful!!!  How marvelous and breathtaking God's creation can be!!!  Yet, it is as nothing as compared to what the majesty of the creator must be like.  These verses came to mind...

Isaiah, Chapter 46

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me;  10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; 

God is not man.  Man is subject to weaknesses of all sorts; mental, physical, emotional, etc..  Today, our society has been making an effort to eliminate God; it will fail!!!  God has and will continue to prevail!!!  The picture reminds me of something that the deceased Thomas Kinkade might paint, but the scene reminds me of the all powerful creator.  What a way to start off a beautiful Sunday morning; thoughts of beauty and the one who made everything!!!

Sept. 23 Psalms 95-97

Sept. 23

Psalms 95-97

Psa 95:1 Oh come, let's sing to Yahweh. Let's shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!

Psa 95:2 Let's come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let's extol him with songs!

Psa 95:3 For Yahweh is a great God, a great King above all gods.

Psa 95:4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his.

Psa 95:5 The sea is his, and he made it. His hands formed the dry land.

Psa 95:6 Oh come, let's worship and bow down. Let's kneel before Yahweh, our Maker,

Psa 95:7 for he is our God. We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep in his care. Today, oh that you would hear his voice!

Psa 95:8 Don't harden your heart, as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness,

Psa 95:9 when your fathers tempted me, tested me, and saw my work.

Psa 95:10 Forty long years I was grieved with that generation, and said, "It is a people that errs in their heart. They have not known my ways."

Psa 95:11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They won't enter into my rest."

Psa 96:1 Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth.

Psa 96:2 Sing to Yahweh! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day!

Psa 96:3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

Psa 96:4 For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods.

Psa 96:5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.

Psa 96:6 Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Psa 96:7 Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.

Psa 96:8 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Psa 96:9 Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth.

Psa 96:10 Say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns." The world is also established. It can't be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.

Psa 96:11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness!

Psa 96:12 Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy

Psa 96:13 before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.

Psa 97:1 Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!

Psa 97:2 Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Psa 97:3 A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.

Psa 97:4 His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

Psa 97:5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahweh, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Psa 97:6 The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.

Psa 97:7 Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods!

Psa 97:8 Zion heard and was glad. The daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of your judgments, Yahweh.

Psa 97:9 For you, Yahweh, are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods.

Psa 97:10 You who love Yahweh, hate evil. He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psa 97:11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

Psa 97:12 Be glad in Yahweh, you righteous people! Give thanks to his holy Name.

Sept. 23 2 Corinthians 3

Sept. 23

2 Corinthians 3

2Co 3:1 Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?

2Co 3:2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

2Co 3:3 being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.

2Co 3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God;

2Co 3:5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;

2Co 3:6 who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2Co 3:7 But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away:

2Co 3:8 won't service of the Spirit be with much more glory?

2Co 3:9 For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

2Co 3:10 For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.

2Co 3:11 For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

2Co 3:12 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,

2Co 3:13 and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn't look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.

2Co 3:14 But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.

2Co 3:15 But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.

2Co 3:16 But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Hebrews, introduction by Mark Copeland

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                              Introduction

The epistle to the Hebrews is a unique book in the New Testament.  It
begins as an essay (He 1:1-2), progresses as a sermon (He 2:1-4), and
ends as a letter (He 13:23-25).  Its contents are deep and challenging.
Many Christians find it difficult; some equate its difficulty with the
book of Revelation.

But for Christians willing to take the time to read and reflect upon it,
they will be:

   *  Reminded of how blessed they are to have trusted in Christ

   *  Impressed with the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant over
      Moses and the Old Covenant

   *  Warned of the danger of apostasy and the need for steadfastness in
      their faith

AUTHOR

The author does not identify himself.  Many believe it to be the apostle
Paul (e.g., Clement of Alexandria) and have offered arguments in his
favor (cf. Commentary on Hebrews, Robert Milligan, p. 5-19).  Yet it
seems unlikely when you  consider the author’s statement, "...was
confirmed to us by those who heard Him" (He 2:3).  This suggests the
author received the gospel message second-hand, while Paul declared that
he had not received the gospel from or through men (Ga 1:11-12).

Other names have been proposed over the years:  Barnabas (suggested by
Tertullian), Apollos (suggested by Luther), even Priscilla (suggested by
Harnack).  Perhaps Origen says it best, "But who wrote the epistle, to
be sure, only God knows."

RECIPIENTS

The general consensus is that this letter was written to Jewish
Christians.  There is uncertainty as to where they and the author were
at the time of composition.  Many believe the recipients were in
Palestine, and the author in Rome.  Others suggest the readers were in
Rome and the author elsewhere, based upon a possible implication in He
13:24.  In any case, they were Jewish Christians whom the author knew
personally (He 10:34; 13:19).

DATE

We know the epistle was written prior to 96 A.D., because Clement of
Rome quotes from Hebrews in his letter that was written at that time.
There are certainly strong indications that it was written prior to 70
A.D....

   *  There is no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple

   *  The author writes as though priests were still offering sacrifices
      - He 8:4; 10:11

If the Jewish Christians were in Palestine, it was likely before or at
the beginning of the Jewish Wars (ca. 66-70 A.D.; cf. He 12:4).

The time frame of 63-65 A.D. is often suggested.

PURPOSE AND THEME

The author wrote this epistle to prevent his readers from abandoning
their faith in Christ (He 2:1-4).  To encourage his Jewish brethren not
to go back to the Old Law, he endeavored to show the superiority of
Christ and His Covenant (He 8:1-2,6).  A key word found throughout the
epistle is "better":

   *  Christ is "better than the angels" - He 1:4

   *  We enjoy "the bringing in of a better hope" - He 7:19

   *  Jesus has become "the surety of a better covenant" - He 7:22

   *  He is also "the Mediator of a better covenant, which was
      established on better promises" - He 8:6

   *  The heavenly things benefit from "better sacrifices" - He 9:23

Indeed, the purpose of this epistle was to exhort his readers to remain
faithful to the much better things they have in Christ (He 13:22).  As
for its theme, I suggest the following:

               The Superiority Of Christ and The New Covenant

OUTLINE

Here is a simple outline of the book, with its main divisions...

1. The superiority of Christ - He 1:1-8:6
   a. Better than the prophets, as a much better Spokesman - He 1:1-3
   b. Better than the angels, by virtue of His Deity and humanity - He
      1:4-2:18
   c. Better than Moses, for He is the Son who provides a heavenly rest
      - He 3:1-4:13
   d. Better than Aaron, as His priesthood is a superior one - He
      4:16-8:6

2. The superiority of the New Covenant - He 8:7-10:18
   a. For it is based upon better promises - He 8:7-13
   b. For it is based upon a better sanctuary - He 9:1-28
   c. For it is based upon a better sacrifice - He 10:1-18

3. Exhortations drawn from this superiority - He 10:19-13:25
   a. Draw near to God and hold fast - He 10:19-39
   b. Run the race of faith with endurance - He 11:1-12:29
   c. Miscellaneous exhortations - He 13:1-25

KEY WARNINGS

A unique feature of the epistle to the Hebrews are the warnings
throughout the book.  As we conclude this introduction, perhaps it may
be profitable to summarize them.

1. The warning against drifting - He 2:1-4
   a. Through neglect we can easily drift away
   b. The solution is to give the more earnest heed to the things we
      have heard

2. The warning against departing - He 3:12-15
   a. Through sin’s deceitfulness we can become hardened and develop a
      lack of faith by which we can depart from the living God
   b. The solution is exhort one another daily and remain steadfast

3. The warning against disobedience - He 4:11-13
   a. Like Israel in the wilderness, we can fail to enter our rest
      through disobedience
   b. The solution is diligence and heeding the Word of God

4. The warning against dullness - He 5:11-6:6
   a. Dullness of hearing can make it difficult for us to appreciate the
      extent of our blessings in Christ, and even falling away to the
      point of crucifying the Son of God afresh!
   b. The solution is grasping the first principles of the oracles of
      God, and then pressing on to spiritual maturity and perfection

5. The warning against despising - He 10:26-39
   a. It is possible to so despise God’s grace as to no longer have a
      sacrifice for sins, but only a certain fearful expectation of
      judgment
   b. The solution is to hold unto our confidence in Christ, and believe
      with endurance

6. The warning against defying - He 12:25-29
   a. It is possible to refuse to listen to the One who now speaks from
      heaven!
   b. The solution is to look diligently to the grace of God, receiving
      it in such a way so we may serve Him acceptably with reverence and
      godly fear

With such warnings, this book is indeed a "word of exhortation" (He
13:22)!

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) Who is author of the book of Hebrews?
   - Only God knows

2) Who were the original recipients of this epistle?
   - Jewish Christians, possibly in Palestine or Italy

3) When was it written?
   - Likely between 63-65 A.D.

4) What has been suggested as its purpose?  Its theme?
   - An exhortation to remain faithful to Christ
   - The superiority of Christ and the New Covenant

5) What are the three main divisions of this epistle?
   - The superiority of Christ - He 1:1-8:6
   - The superiority of the New Covenant - He 8:7-10:18
   - Exhortations drawn from this superiority - He 10:19-13:25

6) List the six warnings found in this epistle.
   - The warning against drifting - He 2:1-4
   - The warning against departing - He 3:12-15
   - The warning against disobedience - He 4:11-13
   - The warning against dullness - He 5:11-6:6
   - The warning against despising - He 10:26-39
 - The warning against defying - He 12:25-29