From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 15:21-28: Those that help us to speak

Matthew 15:21-28: Those that help us to speak

Imagine this foreigner daring to approach this Jewish Messiah (Matthew 15:21-28). How do we explain the broad spectrum of people that dared—facing one obstacle or another—to approach and speak to Jesus? A commander in the conqueror’s army. A woman in public, part of a hostile people and religion a member of the Jewish Supreme Court or this Sidonian woman with a severely troubled child. All of them experiencing great turmoil and trouble and yet all believing they could speak to him. There was some rivalry between the disciples of John and Jesus and yet when John is killed his disciples “go and tell Jesus.” What was it about him that led the high and low to feel they could speak to him? 

It’s said of Albert Dürer that he sharpened the wit and talent of all he met. He brought the best out in them. You’ve met people I hope who made you feel you had something worth saying, an opinion worthy of a hearing or an insight that added something to the matter under consideration. Don’t you love such people? The way they carry themselves, the way they treat people; the very way they look at people as they listen to them—all of that makes us dare to speak to them. They bring it out of us in part because they build no walls of self-importance around themselves. They bring it out of us because they seem to make themselves available to us, as though they leaned over to us in a crowd and asked us, "And what do you think about all that?" And then they listened with sincere interest. 

Though I never had the privilege of being around him much I always experienced that sense of things in the company of Everett Ferguson, a noted Church Historian. Though he is truly light years ahead of the rest of us, being a profoundly learned scholar, I always believed he listened to us as though he believed our opinions were worth expressing and worth hearing. There was no pretense on his part, no feigned humility; just a gracious openness to others. There’s something immensely liberating in that and we thank God for such people. 

This Sidonian-Greek woman had heard of Israel’s Messiah, the son of David, and the stories she heard about him were such that she followed him and his group calling out to him for pity and help. Do you suppose that would have happened to Hitler or Stalin? 

“And what made you so daring that you just kept following and calling over and over again? Why would you not be intimidated into desperate silence?” Someone that didn’t really know Jesus might have asked her that. She probably would have said. “It was the stories I heard about him. They all had a number of things in common and one of them was that he really liked people like me and wanted to help them.” 

God’s blessing on those that help to free us from crushing shyness or a crippling sense of unworthiness. God bless all those that make us believe our concerns matter to them or that our words are welcome even if we know we aren’t in their league or that we don’t have a lot to offer. 

©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.

Matthew 15:21-28 (WEB)

21  Jesus went out from there, and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.  22 Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!” 

  23  But he answered her not a word. 

His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.” 

  24  But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

  25  But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

  26  But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 

  27  But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 

  28  Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.”And her daughter was healed from that hour. 

From Mark Copeland... Consequences Of Trusting In The Law (Galatians 5:2-4)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

              Consequences Of Trusting In The Law (5:2-4)

INTRODUCTION

1. The churches of Galatia were troubled by those who taught...
   a. Christians needed to keep the Law of Moses
   b. Men needed to be circumcised as commanded by the Law
   -- A problem that plagued many churches in the beginning - cf. Ac 15:
      1-5

2. Paul presented powerful arguments in defense of the gospel of
   Christ...
   a. Personal argument - the Galatians' own experience - Ga 3:1-5
   b. Scriptural argument - the testimony of the Old Testament - Ga 3:
      6-25
   c. Practical argument - how one becomes a son and heir of God - Ga 3:26-4:7
   d. Sentimental argument - appealing to their relationship with Paul
      - Ga 4:8-20
   e. Allegorical argument - using Hagar and Sarah as an illustration
      - Ga 4:21-31
   -- Thus Paul sought to reason with his brethren in the churches of
      Galatia

[Then, with apostolic authority (cf. Ga 5:2-4), Paul testifies to the
"Consequences Of Trusting In The Law".  The consequences are grave, and
should be considered seriously by every Christian...]

I. YOU WILL NOT PROFIT FROM CHRIST

   A. "IF YOU BECOME CIRCUMCISED..."
      1. This should be understood in its context
      2. Paul did not condemn circumcision in every case - cf. Ac 16:3
      3. He opposed it when done with the idea it was necessary for
         justification - cf. Ga 2:3-5
      -- Paul is dealing with those teaching that circumcision was
         necessary for salvation

   B. "CHRIST WILL PROFIT YOU NOTHING..."
      1. What a terrifying thought!
      2. The blessings that Christ provides will not be theirs; for
         example:
         a. The forgiveness of sins through His blood - cf. Ep 1:7
         b. The gift of the Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance
            - cf. Ep 1:13-14
         c. The greatness of God's power toward those who believe - cf.
            Ep 1:19
         d. The privilege of being fellow-citizens and members of God's
            family - cf. Ep 2:19-22
      -- Indeed, all the blessings that Jesus offers will not benefit
         them!

[Not only will Christ not profit any who are circumcised in order to be
saved...]

II. YOU WILL BE INDEBTED TO THE WHOLE LAW

   A. "EVERY MAN WHO BECOMES CIRCUMCISED..."
      1. Again, this should be understood in its context
      2. Paul makes it clear that the consequences affect everyone
         a. Not just to "you" (if you become circumcised)
         b. But to "every man" (to every man who becomes circumcised)
      3. Paul makes it clear that he writes with great solemnity
         a. He already wrote "Indeed I, Paul..." - Ga 5:2
         b. Now he adds "And I testify again..." - Ga 5:3
      -- Paul's statements are to be taken seriously, for they are in
         the form of an oath

   B. "HE IS A DEBTOR TO KEEP THE WHOLE LAW..."
      1. "He binds himself to obey all the Law of Moses" - Barnes
      2. Which placed one under an insupportable yoke - cf. Ac 15:10
         a. The Law put those who did not obey it under a curse - cf. Ga 3:10
         b. Those who stumbled in just one point were guilty of all
            - cf. Jm 2:10-11
         c. And the blood of bulls and goats was inadequate - cf. He 10:
            1-4
      -- Such a person has truly become entangled with a yoke of bondage
         (Ga 5:1)

[The apostle continues to describe the consequences of trusting in the
Law for their salvation...]

III. YOU WILL BE ESTRANGED FROM CHRIST

   A. "YOU WHO ATTEMPT TO BE JUSTIFIED BY LAW..."
      1. Those seeking salvation on the basis of keeping the Law of
         Moses
      2. An effort on the part of many in Israel
         a. Not just those who were Jewish Christians - cf. Ac 15:1,5
         b. But also Israelites who did not believe in Christ - cf. 

            Ro 9:31-32; 10:1-4
      -- This would apply to anyone who seeks to be saved through the
         Law of Moses

   B. "YOU HAVE BECOME ESTRANGED FROM CHRIST..."
      1. As expressed by various translations:
         a. "severed from Christ" (ESV, NASB)
         b. "alienated from Christ" (NIV)
         c. "have cut yourselves off from Christ" (NRSV)
         d. "Christ is become of no effect" (KJV)
      2. Similar to warnings given by Jesus Himself to His disciples
         a. To those who do not bear fruit - Jn 15:1-6
         b. To those had lost their first love - Re 2:4-5
         c. To those who were lukewarm - Re 3:15-16
      -- Note carefully:  both Jesus and Paul were addressing Christians!

[The consequences for Christians who trust in the Law of Moses for
salvation is then stated most ominously...]

IV. YOU WILL FALL FROM GRACE

   A. "YOU WHO ATTEMPT TO BE JUSTIFIED BY LAW..."
      1. Again, Paul is addressing Christians who felt that circumcision
         and the Law were necessary
      2. But by the Law no one can actually be justified - cf. Ro 3:20
      -- Thus their efforts are destined for failure

   B. "YOU HAVE FALLEN FROM GRACE..."
      1. This is one of the clearest statement of the possibility of
         apostasy
         a. Paul is warning Christians
         b. One cannot fall from something if they were never there
         c. Those in a state of grace were in danger of falling from it
         d. If there is no danger of apostasy, Paul's statement is
            meaningless
      2. This is just one of many passages that warn of the danger of
         apostasy
         a. Jesus warned His disciples of being cut off - Jn 15:1-6
         b. Paul warned the Gentile Christians in Rome - Ro 11:19-22
         c. The epistle to the Hebrews is filled with many warnings - 

            He 2:1; 3:12-15; 4:1,11; 6:4-6; 10:26-31; 12:15
         d. Peter also left many warnings - 2Pe 2:1-3,20-22; 3:17
      -- The security of the believer (Jn 10:28-29) is for those who
         remain faithful to Christ; otherwise, they will not receive
         their inheritance - cf. Re 2:10c

CONCLUSION

1. How terrible are the consequences of trusting in the Law of Moses for
   salvation...!
   a. Christ will be of no profit
   b. Indebted to a Law that cannot save
   c. Severed from Christ
   d. Fallen from grace

2. Christians may not be tempted to trust in the Law of Moses today; but
   we still must take care...
   a. Not to trust in ourselves, nor in any law or religion of man
   b. Otherwise the consequences will be the same!

3. How much better, to remain faithful to Jesus Christ, and enjoy...
   a. The blessings of salvation and sanctification that Jesus offers
      - cf. Ep 1:3
   b. A law whose commandments are not burdensome - cf. 1Co 9:21; 1Jn 5:3
   c. Union with Christ, with the life and strength such communion
      offers - cf. Jn 15:4-5
   d. Standing in the grace of God - cf. Ro 5:1-2

Are you placing your trust in Jesus Christ by heeding His gospel and the
words of His apostles...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 15:21-28: Not only a God of the hills

Matthew 15:21-28: Not only a God of the hills

In ancient times the nations thought their gods were limited to certain areas. Israel defeated Syria repeatedly in battle and the Syrians construed that Israel’s God was “a god of the hills.” So they thought if they could pitch the future battles on flat ground that they’d have more success against Israel. See 1 Kings 20:23-28. Naaman a famous general thought Israel’s God must be worshiped on Israel’s land so he carried some soil back to his home from Israel to build an altar to worship him. See 2 Kings 5:17-18. This view of limited divine power established itself in Israel also so they made alliances with other nations and worshiped their gods on models of their altars—Yahweh was limited, don’t you see. See Exodus 32:1-4 and 1 Kings 16:10-16. 

It wasn’t clear to all that there was only one true God and that his power extended over all. It wasn’t clear that there was only one world spirit that expressed itself in various shapes and forms throughout the entire earth and that if God reigned over it anywhere he reigned over it everywhere. 

When the reign of God finally and fully manifested itself on earth in the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, God made havoc of satanic structures and accomplishments. His reign showed itself within the borders of Israel at first and then spread to the rest of the earth. In the young Messiah God entered into the long-remembered centre of licentious Baal worship, Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21-28) and cast out the spirit of the unclean and oppression and pain. The “strong man’s” goods were being spoiled by someone stronger and he was doing it not only in Israel—he was doing it anywhere the satanic power showed itself. 

This Lord of royal power was claiming every square foot of room in the entire universe and he was doing it in favour of the oppressed of all nations. He’s still doing it and we know he will make his own already complete victory the experience of all who are embraced in his redeeming work. This we know for he has promised and he has underscored that promise in the lives of little Canaanite mothers. 

Believe it! 

©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.... The Allegory Of Hagar And Sarah (Galatians 4:21-31)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

               The Allegory Of Hagar And Sarah (4:21-31)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the first four chapters of Galatians, Paul defends...
   a. His apostleship as being from God, not man - Ga 1-2
   b. His gospel of justification by faith in Christ, not by the Law of
      Moses - Ga 3-4

2. In defending the gospel of justification by faith in Christ, Paul
   makes five arguments...
   a. Personal argument - the Galatians' own experience - Ga 3:1-5
   b. Scriptural argument - the testimony of the Old Testament - Ga 3:
      6-25
   c. Practical argument - how one becomes a son and heir of God - Ga 3:
      26-4:7
   d. Sentimental argument - appealing to their relationship with Paul
      - Ga 4:8-20
   e. Allegorical argument - using Hagar and Sarah as an illustration
      - Ga 4:21-31

3. In this study, we will consider Paul's allegorical argument...
   a. "Allegory" comes from Greek allos (other) and agoreuein (to speak
      in public)
   b. An allegory is "a figurative representation conveying a meaning
      other than and in addition to the literal" - Wikipedia

4. It is important to note...
   a. "Paul does not deny the actual historical narrative, but he simply
      uses it in an allegorical sense to illustrate his point for the
      benefit of his readers who are tempted to go under the burden of
      the law" - Robertson's Word Pictures
   b. "the apostle gives an allegorical interpretation to the historical
      narrative of Hagar and Sarah, not treating that narrative as an
      allegory in itself" - Smith's Bible Dictionary

[To better understand Paul's allegorical argument, perhaps it is best to
first review...]

I. THE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT

   A. SARAH AND HAGAR...
      1. Sarah, who is barren, has a handmaiden named Hagar - Gen 16:1
      2. Sarah gives Hagar to Abraham to bear a child in her place - Gen 16:2-3
      3. Hagar conceives and despises her mistress Sarah - Gen 16:4
      4. Sarah deals harshly with Hagar - Gen 16:5-6
      5. Hagar returns to Sarah, and bears Ishmael - Gen 16:7-16

   B. ISHMAEL AND ISAAC...
      1. God promises that Sarah will have a son - Gen 17:15-17
      2. God confirms the covenant will be through Isaac, not Ishmael
         - Gen 17:18-21
      3. Sarah bears Isaac as God promised - Gen 21:1-8
      4. Sarah has Abraham send Hagar away - Gen 21:9-14

[With the historical account of Hagar and Sarah fresh on our minds, we
now turn to...]

II. THE APOSTOLIC APPLICATION

   A. PAUL REVIEWS THE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT...
      1. Abraham had two sons - Ga 4:21-22a
      2. One (Ishmael) by a slave woman (Hagar) - Ga 4:22b
      3. One (Isaac) by a free woman (Sarah) - Ga 4:22b
      4. The son of the slave was born of the flesh - Ga 4:23a
         a. Ishmael's conception was natural
         b. When Abraham went into Hagar
      5. The son of the free woman was born through promise - Ga 4:23b
         a. Isaac's conception was by God's power - cf. He 11:11-12
         b. As promised by God - cf. Gen 21:1-2

   A. PAUL APPLIES THE ALLEGORICAL ELEMENTS...
      1. The two women are two covenants - Ga 4:24-27
         a. Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia, bearing children for
            slavery
            1) She corresponds to present Jerusalem
            2) She is in slavery with her children
         b. Sarah represents Jerusalem above, those who are free
            1) She corresponds to heaven (the New Jerusalem)
            2) She is 'our mother' (those in Christ)
            3) She who was barren is no longer desolate
      2. Those in Christ are like Isaac - Ga 4:28-31
         a. They too are children of promise
         b. They too have been persecuted
            1) Ishmael (born of the flesh) persecuted Isaac (born
               according to promise)
            2) Judaizing teachers (born of the flesh) persecuted
               Christians (born according to the Spirit)
         c. The Scriptures portend what will be the end
            1) The son of the slave woman (i.e., Judaizing teachers)
            2) Will not inherit with the son of the free woman (i.e.,
               those in Christ)
         d. Those in Christ...
            1) Are children of the free woman (heaven above)
            2) Are not of the slave (present Jerusalem, with the Law of
               Moses)

CONCLUSION

1. Thus Paul illustrates why the Galatians should not heed the Judaizing
   teachers...
   a. It would be a return to slavery (to the Law of Moses)
   b. It would be turning their back on the Spirit who conceived them
      - cf. Tit 3:5-7
   c. It would be turning away from the promises of heaven - cf. He 12:
      22-25

2. Our threat today might not be from Judaizing teachers...
   a. But there are those who would have us turn away from Christ
      1) Voices in the world
      2) False religions
   b. The end result would be the same
      1) A return to slavery - cf. Jn 8:31-34
      2) Falling short of receiving the promises - cf. He 4:1-2,11

Only by remaining in Christ can we be the free children of promise, with
Jerusalem above as our true mother...! - cf. Re 2:10c; 3:12

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 15:21-28: A little Canaanite woman

Matthew 15:21-28: A little Canaanite woman

Jesus entered the region of an old enemy of Israel. The old Phoenician kingdom centred in Tyre and Sidon came under the rule of Ethbaal, a priest of Astarte who slew his royal predecessor and was father of an infamous daughter, the princess of Sidon, Jezebel. She married Ahab, ruled the roost, turned Israel to Baal worship and scared the fearless Elijah witless. She's listed as among the great evils of Ahab (1 Kings 16). The passing years had made a difference, of course, but old memories and old enmities die hard and live long. Jews cared little for non-Jews but they harboured special feelings toward Samaritans and Sidonians (even if they were Greeks—see Mark 7:26).

Matthew reduces the entire incident to the truths he wants to stress. Jesus, in whom the kingdom of God was being revealed, entered this "foreign" region and before you know it ("suddenly" says the JB or "just then" says the NRSV on 15:22—the Greek has "look") there's a woman (apparently) following them all the way into some house (see Mark 7:24-30). As she follows she keeps calling on Jesus, the son of David (a Messianic title), to show her mercy in connection with her daughter.

Jesus keeps moving and says not a word to her. The disciples grow tired of her and repeatedly (an imperfect tense is used) ask him to, "send her away, for she keeps crying out after us" (15:23). Jesus responds to that remark in 15:24 and he is not addressing the woman; he's speaking to the disciples, so we have to wonder at the "but" with which 15:24 begins. The NIV and NRSV ignore the "but" though it's not ignored—and shouldn't be—by the KJV and others.

Here's the little problem. If they say, "Chase her away" and Jesus says, "But I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" it's a little difficult to understand his response to them. Some versions ignore the "but" and allow us to think he's addressing the woman. In other words, the disciples say chase her away and Jesus does just that by telling her he wasn't sent to help the likes of her.

But we have no reason to think Jesus was speaking to her (note the opening of 15:23). Most and perhaps all the versions have the disciples saying, "Chase her away" or something like it but that makes it difficult to understand him if he is speaking to them and when we allow the "but" to stand. "But I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" makes little sense if he's speaking to them. 

I think it's better to understand that they were implying that he should grant her request so that they could be done with her. [The word used for "send away" is also used to mean release or free or loose (it's used of Barabbas) or of forgiveness. See Matthew 18:27 and Luke 13:12 where it is used of a woman "loosed" from her illness.]

Whatever we make of the word used, Jesus' response to the disciples' repeated request seems to suggest that they wanted him to give her what she kept asking for. He reminded them that his mission was to Israel. They knew that, of course, and were glad of it; but they knew he had healed a Gentile centurion's servant. Still, they had no heart for this situation because if they wanted her freed from her suffering (due to her daughter's illness) it was only so they could be rid of her.

Finally the woman gets to him and kneels before him asking for help (15:25). He tells her it isn't right to take the children's food and give it to the dogs. We read that and take offence (sort of) but Matthew records it without any sense that there's rudeness in it; he isn't embarrassed in any way by Jesus. Jesus isn't implying that she or those like her are in a class with dogs. He insists on Israel's primary place in the unfolding drama of redemption—he was never embarrassed about that truth either (compare John 4:22 for a tonally important text).

Still, though he isn't insulting her he's provoking her, knowing that she's up to it. She makes it clear that she doesn't want "the children" to be left without food—she would just like some of the crumbs that fall around the table while the children are being fed. "I'll settle for the crumbs," she shrewdly and passionately responds.

Why is he making it difficult for this woman? We need to bear in mind that she might not have thought he was doing that; because she had love for a suffering daughter that made all apparent racial slurs, racial enmity, needling remarks, or whatever, feel like no burden at all (compare Genesis 29:18-20). But she had more than that and Jesus knew it! He had met another couple of foreigners, a centurion and a woman of (probably) ill-repute and a Samaritan into the bargain and both of them showed remarkable faith. They showed faith that should have made proud Jews feel ashamed. And here is another foreigner that proud Jews wanted rid off—a nuisance at best, they thought her to be. But Jesus provokes her and brings out before their eyes what was really in her.

Had she come and politely asked for help and been given it with hardly a word exchanged we would never have known—nor would the proud Jewish disciples—that this woman indeed had "great faith". I don't believe he worked with the woman as he did, to teach her a lesson of patience and fine stubbornness (see Luke 18:1-8) though she would have learned that. He didn't commend her for her patience or stubbornness. He commended her for her great faith. Once again "the children" had seen that someone outside the family had shown such faith in Jesus as would embarrass a host of Israelites. (This "foreign" element is prominent in Matthew along with the "Israel first" notion. It culminates in Matthew 28:19, and see 8:10-13.)

Let me repeat: Jesus doesn't commend her for her love of her daughter, her patience or her willingness to put up with jibes though all those were in her. He commends her for believing that the God who sent this Saviour to Israel to feed his children would not begrudge crumbs to a needy non-family member. She believed that the God who was now showing his reign in Jesus of Nazareth and showing his faithful love to his children would know how she felt about her child. She believed that God was so showing his power in and through Jesus that just the crumbs or scraps from his table would be more than adequate for her needs.

This remarkable faith was brought out into the open by Christ's prodding. Israel had much to learn from such a woman and Christ saw to it that they got the message. Christ was for the world and not just Israel! And many outside of Israel would have a vision of Jesus that Israel would have been jealous of.

And, anyway, who's to say he wasn't smiling as he bandied words with her?

©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... True Friends And False Friends (Galatians 4:16-20)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                True Friends And False Friends (4:16-20)

INTRODUCTION

1. Friends can be a wonderful blessing...
   a. A source of comfort in times good and bad - Pr 17:17
   b. A source of good counsel - Pr 27:9

2. It is not always easy to know who your true friends are...
   a. Sometimes a true friend tells you what you don't want to hear
   b. Sometimes a false friend tells you what you do want to hear

3. In writing to the Galatians, Paul found it necessary to remind them
   of that truth...
   a. As he defended the gospel of justification by faith in Christ
   b. As he battled against the influence of those who sought to bind
      the Law of Moses

[In the course of reasoning with the Galatians on sentimental grounds,
Paul has some things to say about "True Friends And False Friends" (Ga
4:16-20).  We can glean from Paul's words that...]

I. TRUE FRIENDS SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO HEAR

   A. THEY WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH...
      1. Even if it makes them your enemy - Ga 4:16
      2. Even when the tone hurts - Ga 4:20
      -- Paul had been a true friend to his brethren

   B. YOU NEED TRUE FRIENDS...
      1. When hearing the gospel of Christ
         a. Who will tell you the full gospel as preached by Christ and
            His apostles - Mk 16:15-16
         b. Not just what is popularly believed, or what may appeal to
            our sensitivities - Ga 1:8-9
      2. When growing in grace
         a. Who will tell us of the need to grow, and the danger of
            apostasy - 2Pe 3:17-18
         b. Not just tickling our ears with things we enjoy hearing
            - 2Ti 4:3-4
      3. When drifting from God
         a. As Paul reached out to the Galatians in our text - Ga 4:
            19-20
         b. As Paul encouraged them to do the same to others - Ga 6:1
      -- Do we appreciate the value of such friends in our lives?

   C. HEED THE WISDOM OF DAVID AND SOLOMON...
      1. "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let
         him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not
         refuse it." - Ps 141:5a
      2. "Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
         but he who regards a rebuke will be honored." - Pr 13:18
      3. "The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the
         wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he
         who heeds rebuke gets understanding." - Pr 15:31-32
      4. "Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise
         rebuker to an obedient ear." - Pr 25:12

[May we always appreciate the value of true friends.  On the other
hand...]

II. FALSE FRIENDS SAY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO HEAR

   A. THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT THEY WANT...
      1. When it makes you on their side - Ga 4:17
      2. When you have something they want - cf. Ga 6:12-13
      -- The Judaizing teachers were not true friends of the Galatians

   B. YOU NEED TO BEWARE OF FALSE FRIENDS...
      1. When you are being courted with zeal
         a. Their motives may not be right - Ga 4:17; cf. Ro 16:17-18
         b. Their knowledge may be wrong - cf. Ro 10:1-2
      2. When you are being manipulated
         a. As the false teachers were trying to manipulate the
            Galatians - Ga 4:17
         b. A tactic first used by Satan, and since by many others
            - 2Co 11:3,13-15; 2Pe 2:1-3
      3. When you are pursued only in their presence
         a. Paul sought their devotion even in his absence - Ga 4:18;
            cf. Php 1:27; 2:12
         b. False friends often forget about you when they are no longer
            with you
      -- Do we appreciate the danger of the wrong kind of friends?

   C. HEED THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON...
      1. "Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered
         with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
         and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do
         not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart;
         though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be
         revealed before the assembly." - Pr 26:23-26
      2. "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful
         are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are
         deceitful." - Pr 27:5-6

CONCLUSION

1. Many people have been led astray by the wrong kind of friends...
   a. Good habits have been corrupted by bad company - 1Co 15:33
   b. Immature Christians have been tossed around by cunning and
      deceitful teachers - Ep 4:14

2. May we learn from the interaction between Paul and the Galatians...
   a. True friends say what you need to hear
   b. False friends say what they want you to hear

Speaking of true friends, the greatest friend we can have is Jesus... -
cf. Jn 15:13-14

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Going up a tree

This picture is from my granddaughter, Elizabeth (Lizzy).  As usual, I think she has a unique take on things, as the angle of this tree testifies.  When I saw this one, I thought of the walk I had with my dogs this morning and how the birds in the trees were especially full of chatter.  I couldn't see them, of course, but my imagination ran wild.  My mind went back to numerous dog-walks, particularly a number of them where we stopped at the bottom of Palamino Drive to view our friend Jasper the squirrel holding on to the bottom of the tree and eyeing us intently.  Not for a few seconds, mind you, but for SEVERAL MINUTES!!!   As I pondered these things I recalled a very recent Bible Reading; here is the passage I remembered...

Psalm 50

 1  The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks,
and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.
  2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines out.
  3 Our God comes, and does not keep silent.
A fire devours before him.
It is very stormy around him.
  4 He calls to the heavens above,
to the earth, that he may judge his people:
  5 “Gather my saints together to me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
  6 The heavens shall declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge.
Selah.
  7 “Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, and I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
  8 I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices.
Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
  9 I have no need for a bull from your stall,
nor male goats from your pens.
  10 For every animal of the forest is mine,
and the livestock on a thousand hills.
  11 I know all the birds of the mountains.
The wild animals of the field are mine.  12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
  13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls,
or drink the blood of goats?
  14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Pay your vows to the Most High.
  15 Call on me in the day of trouble.
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

God loves animals; they are HIS!!!  But HIS priority is our well-being.  Our desire to please HIM is HIS DESIRE!!!  HE WANTS US more than all the animals put together. If you have any doubt about this, read verse 15 again.  I guess I loved Lizzie's picture so much because it was taken from Jaspers' perspective. Perhaps putting yourself in a lowly animals place is a good thing, because that is what God did with us.  Jesus humbled himself and became like us to save us from our own foolishness, stubbornness and SIN.  Look at the picture once more and THINK.  If you don't feel humble, you need to keep looking.  Doesn't do it for you??  OK, try thinking NUTS!!!

ps.  Thanks Lizzie, for being YOU!!!