The Parables of Jesus – Lesson 6

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Understanding Taxes as a Newly Formed Small Business - Part 2 of the Small Business Starter Kit 28:24

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In our second installment of the Small Business Starter Kit series - we’re tackling a topic that’s sometimes tricky, sometimes confusing, but ever-present: taxes. Hosts Austin and Jannese have an insightful conversation with entrepreneur Isabella Rosal who started 7th Sky Ventures , an exporter and distributor of craft spirits, beer, and wine. Having lived and worked in two different countries and started a company in a heavily-regulated field, Isabella is no stranger to navigating the paperwork-laden and jargon-infused maze of properly understanding taxes for a newly formed small business. Join us as she shares her story and provides valuable insight into how to tackle your business’ taxes - so they don’t tackle you. Learn more about how QuickBooks can help you grow your business: QuickBooks.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Parables of Jesus – Lesson 6

Woodland Hills Church of Christ

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203 episoder

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1 Kings Chapters 4, 5 & 6 45:02

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Job Chapters 8, 9 & 10 47:28

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The Fruit of the Spirit – Lesson 11 41:39

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Following the Messiah into the Wilderness 47:15

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Finding Life Following the Messiah Living in the Wilderness Introduction: I want to introduce you to a “biblical life principle” that is so obvious in scripture that we don’t see it, at least not in a way that it truly changes us . This is something I have known for a long time and so have you. But my study of this has made a dramatic effect on how I live and see life. I want it to have that effect on you as well. If you can grasp it and apply it, you will attain what the Hebrew writer says is the “peaceful fruit of righteousness .” The life principle is, “Living in the Wilderness.” Consider: In Exodus , the Lord led Israel into the wilderness. God did not take them the “short route” to Canaan, which would have been an easy journey. He took them into the wilderness. In Isaiah 49 , Jesus is named as God’s “true Israel.” Then, when Jesus appeared, and before he did anything for our salvation, he also went into the wilderness. As Israel was 40 years in the “day of testing and trial,” so Jesus was 40 days in the wilderness without food and in complete dependence on God. Jesus was give us a great sign . We also must go into the wilderness with him . Then, both Paul (1 Cor. 10) and the Hebrews’ writer make it quite clear that our life in Christ in this earth is in the wilderness . Thus, if we can learn how to live in the wilderness, we will not only be pleasing to God beyond measure, we will arrive at a purpose he has had for us ever since the original wilderness. Israel failed in that wilderness. We must not fail. In Hebrews 3:7–4:13 , the writer presents an extensive parallel between Israel and Christians today. His purpose is to reorient the thinking of these Hebrew Christians . They are to see themselves just like Israel, and are now experiencing the wilderness period of their journey . In following Jesus, we also are to experience the wilderness in order to enter the Promised Land . Let’s begin by noting a few things in this text that will set up our study. The Wilderness Problem: Hebrews 3:7-19 Consider that this text exposes the failures of the wilderness generation. They are the same failures and vulnerabilities we have today. The opening words, “As the Holy Spirit says…” is significant. It is not past tense as with other writers and the words, “It is written…” The Holy Spirit’s words to the wilderness generation are still present warnings . His words are to be heeded because when God speaks, his words do not die out or lose their force or become relics of the past! These words address us today just as if we were standing at Mt. Sinai and the voice of God was booming in our ears from the cloud! And what does the Holy Spirit say first? It is our “heart” that is the problem. That is the key to the text. The text exposes our hearts: Our heart implies the way we think and process information. It is another way of referring to our minds. Our minds/hearts are deeply affected by what we allow ourselves to think about, which is also dependent on what we allow into our hearts. “ My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” ( Proverbs 4:20-23 ). Our minds are quickly and easily deceived by what we allow in and what we think about . The only thing that keeps our thinking straight is the words of verses 20-21 . The Hebrew writer said, “today, if you hear his voice .” Every day we are to hear his voice and ignore the other voices try to confuse us . Satan goes into the wilderness with us, and he will wreck out life! Then the words, “Do not harden your hearts…” We have a choice. We can choose to harden our hearts or choose not to. But here is our problem: we rarely think we are hardening our hearts! We think we are being reasonable ; we think we are processing the information we have properly . What are we doing when we harden our hearts? We get upset that we told to do something we don’t want to do. It’s uncomfortable, scary, unpredictable, and invades my time and my desires . So we get stubborn . Most of the time, we just aren’t reasoning correctly. Let’s check this out with the wilderness generation: 3:8 Note the words “rebellion” (Meribah) and “testing” (Massah). These refer to two incidents in the wilderness, both in which Israel complained about a lack of water. They did not trust that the Lord would provide for them. Fix it immediately ! When they got uncomfortable, they got unreasonable! (Ex.: young woman proclaiming her generation “deserved” to live comfortably. Ex: Timeshare salesman saying, “you deserve this.”) Keep this in mind as we look at God’s explanation later . 3:16-19 transitions to the rebellion of Numbers 14 when they refused to go into the land. We sit here from a lofty perch and cast judgment on these incidents, but we do not put ourselves in their position. How well would you handle it if suddenly our water supply disappeared and you knew there was no human on earth who could cure the problem? How well would have have handled going into battle with 9 foot tall giants? Up until 11 days ago, you have been a slave all your life and may never have even picked up a sword. Now run in there to battle! The point is that we often cave facing challenges in our lives that are far, far less threatening than what those Israelites were facing. Everyone of us need to buck up! God didn’t intend the wilderness to be easy! Consider one more warning in the text: an unbelieving heart . How do you read that? Typically we would say, “They didn’t believe in God.” That’s not true! If they didn’t believe in God, they wouldn’t be complaining to God. They knew God existed. They knew he was with them (cloud, fire). They knew he had delivered them in the Exodus. They knew he was taking them to the promised land! They knew all the things we know . “Unbelief” was a deep distrust in God and his promises . Unbelief is obvious when we are frustrated with our present condition and the people around us: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed , so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, or it is God who works in you , both to will and to work for his good pleasure . Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent , children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation , among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life , so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain” ( Phil. 2:12-16 ). Following Christ into the Wilderness: Deuteronomy 8 First notice that the overwhelming message of this text is what God wants to do for us: Verse 1 : “… that you may go in and possess the land…” Vs. 7-10 : “…a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing…and you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has give you.” The message is: here is what I am doing for you , now here is the path we must take (wilderness) in order to get to the blessing . (If you remember Hebrews 2 , you will recognize this parallel – the Jesus, our pioneer and trailblazer is bringing us to glory through suffering.) Next, notice that God purposely put them through trials and testing in the wilderness. He purposely let them hunger and fed them with manna . God wasn’t being negligent or forgetful when they lacked water or when there wasn’t meat to eat. God did not lack a GPS when he didn’t take them the shortest route to Canaan and instead took them through a hot, terrifying wilderness with snakes and scorpions. God was being purposeful because it was needed to prepare them for life in the Promised Land . See verses 15-16: “…to do you good in the end.” First purpose: “to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” This is like the testing of Job. Are we going to serve God in spite of hardship? Is it truly love we have for God? Or, are we looking to serve God as long as he gives us what we want? Second purpose: “that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone , but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” The key words here are “live, lives.” God gives life through himself. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” True living is not found in the material, in the fulfilling of our physical desires . You will notice that God is not talking about immorality or sins of the flesh that are common around us. He is talking about trusting him to bring life to us . What is the primary symptom of a lack of trust? Paul said, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish… (Phil. 2:14 ). Exactly what Israel did for 40 years . Third purpose: (5): “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.” To be prepared for the greater, eternal riches and a place in glory with the Lord, we must learn to be like our Father, to love what our Father loves, to have a mind for his Kingdom and his cause. As the text says, we are like children who need to grow up . This is done through the discipline of trials and having everything we want when we want it. Did you notice how obedience is tied to God’s discipline? –– verses 1, 6, 11, 20 . Obedience is obviously connected to discipline because to truly obey constantly involves overriding my inner desires in favor of what God tells me to do . Again, this is where we are trusting him! [which is the reason disobedience is called “unbelief.”] Applying the Lesson Considering this, what is often our tendency when the pressures from trials come crashing down on us from all sides. We often handle one trial, but it is when arrows are being shot at us from all sides that we crumble. This was exactly the nature of Job’s trial, and we are to learn from it! It is not just his possessions, it is his children. It is not just his children, it is his wife. And it is not just all three of those, it is his health – and then the grand conclusion that God must not care , and for some reason God has departed from him – utter confusion! The answer for many is to just back away from God and/or our responsibilities to God. This reasoning is completely puzzling because it is identical to Israel . Every time they didn’t get what they wanted when they wanted it, the answer was to go back to Egypt , turn to an idol or an immoral pleasure. Their picture of what God ought to be was a “genie in a bottle.” “When I need something, you are supposed to respond…now!” Contrast Jesus’ trial in the wilderness. What does Jesus do that Israel does not do? After 40 days of hunger, he will not turn the stones to bread! Why? He trusts God to give to him in God’s time. And what did God do? The moment Jesus won the battle with Satan, “angels came and ministered to him.” Grumbling about our circumstances, our church, our living conditions, our lack of prosperity is an utter lack of trust in God . Do we not believe that he is a good Father? Draw closer, not further away. That’s the purpose of the wilderness! Maybe we say, “Well I just don’t understand why God is doing this to me; it just doesn’t make sense! Things that are happening are not fair . I can’t believe God would make me suffer like this…” and on and on we go. What have we done? We don’t believe his promises . We don’t believe he is a just and fair God . We don’t believe in his love for us . Is that really what we believe? When we do this, we are certainly illustrating it . Another tendency is to give up on the people around us . Trials often come from interpersonal relationships. We struggle with “reading” each other. We “hear” things that are not the whole story and we assume the worst. Then the more we assume , the more we mull it around in our minds and begin to create a monster . But the monster we created is far from real! Israel did this when the 10 spies returned with a bad report. “Oh yeah, it’s a beautiful land with milk and honey, but you should see the giants ! We will get crushed!” They had imagined this far beyond reality. God had just destroyed the most power country in the world and delivered them – something never heard of before or since. And what was Joshua and Caleb’s simple answer? God is with us! ‘Enough said!’ Trust! In the most difficult times! We are a family, and a family always has prickly times. How about your personal family? Everything has always gone smoothly, right? That’s a fantasy land. Of course it doesn’t. So, what does a family do in those prickly times? They ask questions. They talk it out. They make sure their assumptions weren’t something they created in their own minds. They apologize and forgive one another. But in God’s family, one thing they are not allowed to do is run away. To give up on each other is disobedience ! 1 Corinthians 1:10-11 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.” What is Paul’s accusation? You are acting like carnal children ( 3:1-2 ). Work it out. Grow up ( 16:13 , “stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 “Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.” Of course, none of us have ever hurt someone else’s feelings . None of us have never said something that was misunderstood negatively by someone else. We have never casually said something off the cuff that could easily be misconstrued! The point the preacher is making is that though there are times to go to a brother and talk some things out, there is also a time to simply let it go , knowing that everyone, including ourselves make errors, and those errors and slips in how we speak are not intended as a lack of love; it is just a slip. 1 John 5:16-17 tells us how to handle this: “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.” What’s the answer to prickly situations , especially those things that we are all guilty of at one time or another in our lives? We give grace and we pray for one another. We are at different ages both physically and spiritually and in our knowledge of God’s word. To not give grace is to be judgmental, and that is a sin . Conclusion : The only biblical answer to all trials is to draw closer to the Lord. It is God who brought us into the wilderness . God knows what is best, and if we are going to get to the Promised Land, we are going to stay in the wilderness and learn from the discipline of the Lord. We are not going to give up on each other and we are not going to run back to Egypt. To do so is to lose our reward , and that’s what happened to the wilderness generation! Berry Kercheville The post Following the Messiah into the Wilderness appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .…

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1 Kings Chapters 2, 3 44:46

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Sell Your Possessions 41:22

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The Fruit of the Spirit – Lesson 10 44:00

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Revelation 22 Restoration! In the Garden Again 44:03

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Restoration! In the Garden Again Revelation 22 Introduction: This last chapter of Revelation, and the last chapter of our Bibles, is very, very special. The message doesn’t speak to the “end,” but to the beginning of God’s plan since before the foundation of the world. As we read it, we must ask ourselves, “What then has the thousands of years since the beginning been all about? What is it that God has been doing?” This chapter is truly an answer to David’s question in Psalm 8: “What is man that you are mindful of him?” Therefore, amazingly the picture is of another creation . We have seen the creation of the heavens and earth, the re-creation of man in God’s on image, and now, the creation of a “New Garden,” new dwelling place, a new heavens and new earth where God and his creation enjoy eternity together forever. I’m sure God has told us all that our finite minds can understand, and even what he has told us is beyond our imagination. Reminder : this is our reality! There are only two futures : the lake of fire or the new Jerusalem. There is nothing else. It is nothing more than a fantasy to think that we can live the “reality” we desire and then find a third option. It is God or suffering , and it is past time to make a decision! Concluding Picture of the New Jerusalem: 22:1-5 The words of 21:2-3 is the reminder of where we are in the description of our future home – “…prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…the dwelling place of God is with man.” Pictures of Life : “the river of the water of life” and “the tree of life.” Jesus said in John 10:10 , “I came to give you life and give it to you more abundantly.” When Jesus says “life” , he is not talking about existence . He is speaking of truly living. When things go really rough for us or those we know, we might say, “This isn’t living!” We remember in John 4 that Jesus offered to give the woman at the well “living water.” Consider Jesus’ words: “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.” We live our lives with a constant thirst. We try to quench it with one activity after another, but the thirst always returns . Jesus gives us the water of life so that we never thirst again. Why? Because he is all-satisfying. How foolish to continue seeking this earthly water. “The tree of life with 12 kinds of fruit” now lines the river. It is always available year after year. It is for our healing, the healing we needed after being defiled by sin. NIV translates verse 3 : “ No longer will there be any curse.” Curses were placed on man throughout the Bible. The curse of death was placed on mankind. Curses were given because of the sin of both Adam and Eve. The ground was cursed and the fertility of the woman was cursed. Curses were pronounced on all who violated God’s law (Deut. 27:26). These curses were a reminder of our failure, the perfect holiness of God, and our need for a reversal of the curse. Thus the blessing of Jesus who “became a curse for us” that we might no longer suffer the consequences of sin. Now as we enter the New Jerusalem, what a blessing to know there is no longer any curse. If there is no curse, then there is no sin. And if there is no sin, there is no temptation. And the reason there is no temptation is because there is no longer an adversary, the devil . He has been judged and we are now, free indeed just as Jesus promised in John 8:36 , “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” “They will see his face.” This is truly a sign of our absolute holiness! That is an unimaginable condition. Scripture has repeatedly told us that no man can see the face of God and live. We are not even given descriptions of him in visions! But when that time comes, we will see his face . What peace ! What comfort ! What joy ! What beauty ! If we have ever thought we have seen beauty, it is utter darkness compared to the glory of the Lord . The Final Confirmation and Testimony: 22:6-16 The pattern of this text begins with “testimonial confirmation” of the truth of the vision John has seen. The law stated that on the basis of two of three witness truth is established. Therefore we see three confirming witnesses: Vs. 6 : the testimony of God through his angel and the spirits of the prophets. Vs. 7 : the testimony of Jesus. Vs. 8 : the testimony of John “who heard and saw these things.” Vs. 8: it is incredible how overwhelmed John is in the seeing of this vision and of being in the presence of an amazing angel who has taken him before the throne of God and shown him the vision. John is so overcome that for the second time he falls down and worships the angel. And for the second time, the angel strongly rebukes him. Worship only God! This is a warning for us . We worship what we love . We worship what stirs our hearts and causes our eyes and feelings to light up. It must only be God! He will not share us with any other. He is the one and only true pleasure. Therefore, remember the words of the angel: “You must not do that!” The angel proclaims that he is like John, “a fellow servant” of God . We think to ourselves, “What a wonder it must be to see an angel.” But they are created beings of the heavenly realm and we are created beings of the earthly realm. We are servants of the Holy God . Verse 10 : “Do not seal up the words…” You will remember in Daniel 12 that Daniel was told to seal up the vision since it was for “the time of the end.” But for the vision of Revelation, it was not to be sealed up, “for the time is near.” This is a repetition of the beginning words of the book ( 1:1 ). The fulfillment of the visions we have seen were to happen soon, not thousands of years later as so often is taught concerning Revelation. The book was sent to the churches at that time and would first be relevant to them . The relevance to us is that nations and peoples are still following the “beastly pictures” that we saw with Rome and the nations. The trials and persecutions of these beastly nations still takes place. And it is still necessary for us to overcome . Remember what we saw : First, the judgment on Jerusalem and Israel for their rebellion. This happened shortly after the book was revealed. Then there was judgment on Rome an the nations that followed her. These judgments took place successively until she was finally destroyed. All that is left is the judgment on the dragon and all of mankind. Verses 7 & 14 : This “blessed” state is the sixth and seventh blessing of the book. “Keep the words… and blessed are those who wash their robes.” This is so important: “keep and keep keeping” and keep yourself clean and holy in the blood of the Lamb. Verse 12-13 : the proclamation of Jesus himself. “I am coming soon.” This coming is not the end of time judgment, but the judgments mentioned by Jesus while on the earth (Matthew 24) and the judgment on Rome. To hear this would have been such a blessing to the first century listeners who were being persecuted . “I am the alpha and omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Simply put: when all is said and done, he is the only one left, and therefore our only hope . How should we respond to this? Time and again we get the same message –– loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength should be your pursuit . As Jesus said, if you will be his disciple, you must hate father, mother, brother, sister, wife, and your own life also . ( Luke 14:26 ). Vs. 11 : “Let the evil doer still do evil…” This is similar to the angels words to Daniel : “Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.” ( Daniel 12:10 ) The message of the text is not an encouragement for the evil to continue in their wickedness, but a statement of reality . In spite of the preaching and warnings, the evil continue to be evil . Those who truly love the Lord will continue to be faithful and those who have determined to live wickedly will continue to be wicked. This is a grave warning! Again we see there are only two groups . It is one or the other. Either those who love the Lord and love righteousness or those who choose evil. Therefore consider: the message is that those who choose evil will sink deeper into their evil . The ASV margin has, “He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness yet more .” The same is with the righteous. Paul summed this up in 2 Timothy 3:13, “…while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Therefore, the message is that both evil and righteous will develop a permanent character over time that is nearly impossible to change . A person either grows into the image of the Lord Jesus or falls deeper and deeper into hard-heartedness and indifference. It you are not doing what you ought, you are in an extremely dangerous condition . If you are in sin and think you can at any time just jump back into righteousness, be aware! You are far deeper than you think, and every moment that passes sinks you further from the Lord and from a heart that will bring you back to him. Invitation and Warning: 22:17-21 What a conclusion! From the Spirit to the Bride, to the hearer and the thirsty, the call is to “come.” Isaiah 2:2-3 “Many will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up the the mountain of the house of the Lord…” What a wonderful invitation. We can “take the water of life without price.” Verse 18-19 : the warning . These words were uttered as Moses began a reminder of the Law ( Deut. 4:2 ). They were said again in the Proverbs (30:5ff) . And Paul warned also in Galatians 1:8-9 . And now appropriately at the end of the Bible. Add to this book and the plagues will be added to you. Take away from the words of the book, and your name will be taken from sharing in the tree of life . God does not tolerate messing with his words! Verse 20 : Beautiful words whether referring to the immediate judgments and the Lord’s final return. Surely I am coming soon! Amen! ‘Come Lord Jesus!’ Verse 21 : And then the sweet last words, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.” Sweet, sweet grace of the Lord Jesus. Berry Kercheville The post Revelation 22 Restoration! In the Garden Again appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .…

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Kings Intro, 1 Kings Chapter 1 44:37

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Teaching a First Lesson with a Friend 47:58

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Teaching a First Lesson with a Friend Introduction: Why are we here? If there is a God, what is his purpose. What is this who “religion” thing all about? In a world where religion and the knowledge of the Bible has become more and more distant from the average person, we can no longer assume that the people we talk to have a foundational knowledge of God. To them, it is just a plethora churches all believing and doing different things . God and God’s purposes are lost in a mixture of worship services that seem to be more like religious entertainment. Therefore, I designed this lesson in order to “introduce God” to the average person. Whether with a religious background or not, most people struggle with an understanding of how Genesis foretells God’s eternal purpose . Genesis 1-3 “In the beginning, God…” The “beginning” indicates that God was before the beginning and reminds us that God has already created a “heavenly realm” with angels and other spirit beings. “God” is a collective noun, indicating though there is one God, it is a “God family.” We know from John 1:1-3 and Genesis 1:2, that Jesus is the one who created all things and the Holy Spirit was also a part of this creation (See Job 33:4). The rest of Genesis 1 tells us about the creation of the heavens and earth. God marks the ending of each day with the phrase, “there was evening and there was morning” … and then the number of the day. He does this through six days. God also mentions that what he creates is “good” and finishes the creation on the sixth day by saying, “It was very good. ” Thus, a beautiful “earthly realm” creation that operates perfectly for mankind, God’s highest creation. Man’s creation foretells our purpose in God’s creation. We are made in his image and are to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth with God’s image. We fractured his image with sin, but everything that God is doing in the rest of scripture is bringing back into that image so that God is promoted through us in his world (Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Note especially verse 28 and God’s mention of man having dominion over all that is on the earth. In Hebrews 2 we learn that this dominion has not yet come and that God will create a new “world” in which we will be crowned with glory and honor like Jesus and have dominion over that new world with Jesus. Genesis 2:1-3 This section introduces the seventh day . This “day” is unique in comparison to the other days. God rests from his creation work God “ blesses ” the day, indicating that it will have a special purpose for mankind. The day never ends . There is no conclusion of “evening and morning” like the previous six days. This emphasis of the seventh day is “rest.” God will key off this day of rest throughout the rest of scripture: Israel’s Sabbath rest every seventh day Israel’s command to rest every seventh year Israel’s “reset” and rest every fiftieth year (Jubilee) Israel’s intended rest in the land of Canaan In Hebrews 4 , the writer proclaims that God’s ultimate rest with him is yet to come for those who are faithful to him. Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ( This is God’s ultimate plan for us ) Genesis 2:4-17 tells us about the Garden God created in which he places Adam and Eve. The Garden is unique, and foreshadows a heavenly Garden spoken of at the end of the Bible ( Revelation 21-22 ). God comes into the Garden every day and to spend time with man (3:8). Man is able to enjoy all the trees/fruit of the Garden, but not the hard work by the sweat of his brow after his sin. Further, he has plenty of time to spend with God . The Garden is all about being with God, because with God, there is joy and pleasure forever. Genesis 2:18-25 describes the creation of the woman as a “helper fit/suitable” for man. Man is in a not good state without the woman. Made as a “ helper ” is not a secondary position. The same word “helper” is used repeatedly to describe what God is to man. The final picture before man’s sin is marriage . This special relationship and union seems at first to only be a blessing for man in our earthly life. However, in Ephesians 5:22-34 , we are told that “marriage” is a foreshadowing of how those who follow Jesus will be prepared to be his bride, and that our eternity with him will be like a perfect, joyful marriage throughout eternity. Now that we have seen God’s initial purpose, let’s see how this is described in the New Testament. Ephesians: God’s Eternal Purpose 1:3 Every spiritual blessing is found in Christ. Out ultimate joy will only be found in Jesus. That is where every spiritual blessing is found. It is the reason that serving Jesus is so important. Without him, eternity will be without any blessings. “Heavenly Places” is a unique phrase. This phrase is used five times in Ephesians and never in any other book of the Bible: 1:3 All spiritual blessings are found in the heavenly places in Christ. Notice 3-6 and the conclusion that all that God has done is for the praise of his glorious grace . 1:20 Jesus has been raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly places. 2:6 We have been raised up with Him and seated with him in the heavenly places. 3:10 The manifold wisdom of God is made known by the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 6:12 Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Conclusion : How do we sum this up? Satan rebelled against God and brought with him a host of angels and spiritual beings who also rebelled. If you were God , what would you have done about this? Just destroy them? To do so would have only proved that God was “bigger and badder” than Satan – like a dictator. Instead, God proved his goodness and love for his creation by giving up his life to buy his creation back from sin and Satan’s power. Without Jesus’ sacrifice, we would be doomed to suffer the “justice of God,” eternally separated from him. Because God rescued us by giving up his own Son for us, we in turn owe our lives to him. Therefore, God proved to all principalities and powers both good and evil that a created being with freewill, subject to fleshly sins, would turn and love Him just because He is so great, so wonderful, so precious, so pure, so flawless. They would love Him without bribery, regardless of trial, and in fact, would gladly lay down their lives for Him. They would serve Him just for the special privilege of being with Him. And show the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places God’s manifold wisdom . (1 Cor. 6:3, “Do you not know that we are to judge angels? ) That was all done, to the praise of His glory and be presented to him as a bride in splendor, holy and without blemish! Berry Kercheville The post Teaching a First Lesson with a Friend appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .…

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The Fruit of the Spirit – Lesson 9 40:40

för 20 dagar sedan40:40

40:40

The post The Fruit of the Spirit – Lesson 9 appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .

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Enhancing Personal Bible Study 47:15

för 20 dagar sedan47:15

47:15

Enhancing Personal Bible Study (WH) Introduction: I mentioned briefly after the first of the year a Bible study plan for the year that is better than the typical “read through the Bible in a year” plan. The reasoning is that though reading through the Bible quickly provides a good foundation for a beginning Bible student, it is not a means by which we can attain maturity in our Bible knowledge . There are 66 books of the Bible that God left for us to study. Each of these books has their own theme and message, but are also interrelated to all the others. A theme/message/application of a book cannot be discovered in a quick read-through. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 tells us that it takes all 66 in order to be prepared… To teach To be reproved To be corrected To be trained in righteousness And therefore be a “man of God that is complete, equipped for every good work.” Notice that Paul is addressing all of us as listeners . This is a requirement for maturity. Be careful that you do not complain about the difficulty of a text or a text that doesn’t interest you . We should begin with this question: How serious are you about attaining this goal? Jesus condemned the Jews for their poor Bible study: “The Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness of me. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” ( John 5:37-39, 42 ). There is a right and wrong way to study the Bible . We must study so that we truly “hear his voice, see his form, and have his word abiding in us.” Therefore, in this lesson we will take a look at how to be more efficient and profitable in our study, and how to avoid some of the common mistakes (like the Jews) . Attaining the Goal: Hosea 6:1-6 I know you have heard verse 6 before, but most people have not seen verse 6 in context with the previous verses. Notice how Israel tried to heal their relationship with God. Their definition of “returning to the Lord” was a quick fix . They are going to get back to “obedience.” In other words, their approach is typical of all kinds of religions, including idolatry – “What do I have to do? What does God require of me to stay in his good graces?” On the surface, that approach sounds good . In fact, even some commentators miss the point of the first three verses, thinking that the Jews are sincerely wanting to get back to worshiping God. No , they are following the accusation Satan made concerning Job – he only serves God for the physical benefits . Consider the biblical problems with this approach: Verses 4-6 make clear God is not interested their “return to the Lord.” It would be like us having some tough upheavals in our life and thinking if we just go to church more it will solve our problems. Just “do more for the Lord” is not what God desires . It is putting the cart before the horse. “Sacrifice and burnt offering” (that is, more worship, more doing, more application of what God wants , is to be generated by love for him . Paul said it well, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” ( 2 Cor. 5:9 ). Cf. Isaiah 1:10-14 . As verse 6 points out, steadfast, faithful love for God that is generated by the knowledge of God is what he desires . Now which is easier to do? Find out the commands and applications and do them? Or, do the work it takes to have a knowledge of God so that you develop and steadfast, faithful love that is honestly with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength ? Christians and other religious people have an inordinate desire to try to grab (and leave out) certain parts of the Bible to attempt to find a short-cut to whatever they find to be immediately understandable and practical. It is not our job to search the Scriptures for what we need. We are children: we often don’t know what we need. We are sheep: we often don’t know where green pastures are. We are to receive and delight in all of the Scriptures.” We are being disrespectful to God, our Father when we think that to be a faithful Christian doesn’t mean I need to know all scripture , I just need to make sure I’m keeping the commands. ( Imagine treating your own father or mother that way if they sent you a letter? ) What Is a Biblical Application and How Do I Look for It? This is where people like the Jews made a serious mistake just like many do today in that their definition of application was far too narrow . For most Christians who grew up in the 20th century, the bulk of preaching was to (1) know the facts, (2) understand what to do to be saved, and (3) know the right and wrong side of “doctrinal issues” and morality. You couldn’t define what it means to be a Pharisee any better! Jesus, in his sermon on Pharisees in Matthew 23 blew that approach up! Consider what is involved in “practical application.” It may be, “go do something.” It may be, “worship, praise, awe of God.” It may be, “am I serious about reforming me?” It may be, “Am I bringing my thoughts to be captive to Christ?” (2 Cor. 10:3-5). It may be, “I am truly denying myself and taking up his cross, or am I leavened with the world” – lacking radical discipleship? It may be, “Has my study of this text caused me to desire God and love God more ? Cf. Psalm 63:1-8 The result of narrowing the definition of application is to justify ourselves for not spending the time needed to know books like Chronicles, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and many of the minor prophets. Example : Isaiah 29:11-12 Example: Hebrews 5:10–6:7 What is the spiritual condition of the Hebrew Christians and how did they get in that position? The writer wanted to teach them about the significance/importance of Jesus being a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Give an application that would somehow change the way you should live your life day by day because you know that Jesus is a priest like Melchizedek? The point is that there isn’t a typical application as we would think of it that specifically says, “do this…” The “application” is not given until 10:19-39 ! But how is that an application from Jesus being a high priest like Melchizedek? It is the CONFIDENCE that we now have in Jesus! With that confidence and boldness to enter the holy places, we get endurance! That is not typically the “application” we are looking for when we say, “what’s the application I should take away from this text?” Or, “Where were the applications in that sermon or class?” Many times the application is, Look at your glorious God! Look what he has done! But if we keep thinking that every paragraph is supposed to have something that tells me what to do, we are going to never see the glory of God! (Back to the Jews’ problem, Jn. 5) When we study the way we do, taking a paragraph at a time and spending 35-40 minutes either discussing it in a class or preaching it, and then expect to find a “practical application” but can’t seem to find it, what happens? We get bored with the text , shove it out of our minds and just one of those “facts” that God stuck in the Bible that might be on the “final exam,” and go off looking for other parts of the Bible that will give you some commands, some specific applications. Admit it! Did you ever get excited about “the significance of the Melchizedek priesthood!” Nope! When that happens , what part of the Bible will you go to? THE MILK . That’s what the Hebrews did! 6:1 – they didn’t “leave the elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ.” They just looked for the simple what must I do?! Want a simpler analogy? If your primary focus on your wife is, “What do you want me to do for you today,” and at the same time spend little time or effort in deeper conversation to actually know your wife so that you feel closer, more intimate, more connected, and more in love, WHAT KIND OF MARRIAGE IS THAT! Conclusion : I have talked to many, many preachers who have said that they don’t preach on “hard or difficult texts” because the members complain. What spiritual condition will this leave those Christians? A better question: Is that what God wants? Does God want an evangelist to ignore parts of the Bible that present-day people find difficult? God didn’t seem to see it that way when he gave Isaiah to Israel. Cf. Isaiah 29:11-13 Berry Kercheville The post Enhancing Personal Bible Study appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .…

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1 & 2 Samuel Review 44:53

för 24 dagar sedan44:53

44:53

The post 1 & 2 Samuel Review appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .

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The Fruit of the Spirit – Lesson 8 42:25

för 27 dagar sedan42:25

42:25

The post The Fruit of the Spirit – Lesson 8 appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .

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Revelation 21:9-27 A New Heaven and New Earth 40:13

för 27 dagar sedan40:13

40:13

The Bride, Wife of the Lamb Revelation 21:9-27 Introduction: The last three chapters of Revelation summarize the message of all scripture. God created man in his own image for the purpose of having an eternal relationship with him. Man was given a freewill to choose that relationship or to rebel against his own Creator. God offered perfect joy and perfect peace to those who accepted. But for those who rejected, all that remains is eternal separation from God and from the joy and peace that can only be found in him. These final chapters present the end result of both choices. Consider: This is reality! I have talked to many people who do not like this reality and would like to pretend that it just won’t end up that way. They can live as they desire and escape condemnation. When the Babylonians surrounded Jerusalem in the book of Jeremiah, that’s what they thought! These chapters place Judgment and Glory side by side. Both are intended by Jesus to be strong motivators to us so we will make the right choice. Judgment is sure –– illustrated time and again throughout history both on the whole world in the Flood and on empires and nations who rejected God. But though Judgment is usually the initial motivator of sinful man, glory was God’s first motivation , and in the final pages of scripture, it is his last motivation . “Come, I Will Show You the Bride…” What an invitation this angel gives to John! We have already been introduced to the Bride, but now John will actually see her. We feel that! We love to see a bride ready on her wedding day. In this picture is the bride of all brides! Verse 10 : Instead of seeing a woman, John sees a city, a holy city, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, having the glory of God — Created, made by God . Compare a similar scene in chapter 17 , where we already saw a city, but that city was depicted as a prostitute, dripping with the blood of the saints, and described as the “great city that rules of the kings of the earth.” You will remember that in Isaiah 24-26 , there was also a contrast of two cities, one a “world city” that promoted all the wickedness of the evil one, and the other God’s “strong city” on the “mountain of the Lord of hosts, filled with righteousness and holiness. See Isaiah 24:1-16 There is also a contrast of where these two women/cities are seen. In chapter 17 , the prostitute is in a wilderness . But the Bride is seen on a great, high mountain . Cf. Ezekiel 40:2 beginning the description of the temple of the Lord. In scripture, those who are “dead” and without God and hope are pictured as a wilderness full of thorns and briars. But when God speaks of his kingdom and his people, it is a mountain that is above all other mountains (Isaiah 2:2), and it is a fruitful, life-giving land. That is who we are. But again, the choice is placed before us – a mountain or a wilderness? Which will it be? The following description causes most people to think of heaven as jewels, streets of gold, and pearly gates. But remember, this “city, the new Jerusalem” is a picture of the bride . The bride is a community, the collective of all the righteous, and it is pictured as strong and pure and beautiful and everything that is desirable . For reference sake, this description is borrowed from Ezekiel 40-48 that describes the coming temple of the Lord during the time in which there was no temple and that the physical temple that would be rebuilt had nothing to do with the description that was prophesied. It could be nothing else but what John now describes, a heavenly temple city . Let’s consider the symbology: Vs. 10 : “coming down from heaven from God” – said here a second time and indicates that we have now been perfected by God himself ready for our marriage to the Lamb. Vs. 11 : “ having the glory of God , its radiance like a most rare jewel…” Scripture repeatedly promised us that we would be glorified, having God’s glory. Reminds us of Moses’ tabernacle completion and Solomon’s temple –– the glory of God filled each . Vs. 12-13 : “great high wall…names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed… symbolizing the perfect number of God’s true Israel (do you remember the origin of the name “Israel?” The wrestling of Jacob with the angel and winning the fight, demanding to be blessed: Israel: “wrestles with God and prevailed.” (Cf. Hosea 12 ) The gates are not for protection, but a means of entrance for the righteous. Vs. 14 : “twelve foundations…twelve names of the twelve apostles.” That is so interesting/significant! This city is built on the teachings of the apostles and prophets . It is build on what is revealed in the NT. If we are this city, the only way is our adherence to its foundation! Vs. 16 : “the city lies foursquare…12,000 stadia in each direction.” People usually want to know how far that is. Well, it is about 1300-1500 miles depending on who you are reading. But that is not the concern! 12,000 is the concern , because the number is symbolic . Twelve is God’s perfect number of the saved and multiples of 1000 is the power number. Notice also that it is a cube , just like the Most Holy Place . We are living with the Lord in the real Most Holy Place where no one was allowed in the physical without suffering death. Vs. 18-20 : “foundations of the wall were adorned with every kind of jewel.” These precious stones have an interesting background. Nearly the same stones are mentioned in at least three OT texts: Exodus 28 identifies these stones on Aaron’s high priest garment, reflecting the holiness of being in the presence of God in the Most Holy Place. Ezekiel 28:12-13 inserts these stones to describe the perfection of Adam or possibly Satan at their original creation. Isaiah 54:11-13 fits perfectly with the foundations of our text as it refers to God exalting his people and giving them foundations for their restoration that provide peace and righteousness. The jewels, pure gold, and pearls all represent the beauty and splendor of being a glorious city. And remember, it is the bride who is being described! This picture may be hard to imagine . As we all sit here together, we know enough about each other to recognize our flaws. We know we are not worthy. How can the Lord invite us to be his bride? But that is what he is doing – giving us an invitation . I can just see all of us looking down and away, unable to look up at him. We mumble the words, “you wouldn’t want me.” But Jesus sees something in us that we all ought to see in each other –– a heart that desires him more than anything even with a flesh that is weak . In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, he will clothe us “with fine linen, bright and pure…having the glory of God, a radiance like a most rare jewel.” Imagine all of us perfected, gazing around at each other, the Lord God having brought us to be everything we have always desired – “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing…holy and without blemish.” Vs. 22 : “and I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God…” Remember in John 2:19-21 , Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up…But he was speaking of the temple of his body.” As Jesus first cleansed and then destroyed the earthly temple, he replaced it with himself. There is no longer need for intercession in an earthly temple, for we are present with Jesus and he is our temple. Vs. 23: “…no need for sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the lamp is the Lamb.” Isaiah also prophesied of this: “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” ( Isaiah 60:19 ). Vs. 24-27 Nations and kings will now come into the city bringing glory and honor to God (Isa. 2:2-3). The gates are never shut because there is no fear of anyone wicked entering. And most beautifully, “ nothing unclean will ever enter it…but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Conclusion : How do you think of yourself? Do you see yourself as beautiful and glorious? Do you think of yourself as being worthy to be courted and invited to be the bride of the Lamb, who gave himself up to present you to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing…holy and without blemish?” That’s what he has done! Will you deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him? What is your decision? Berry Kercheville The post Revelation 21:9-27 A New Heaven and New Earth appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ .…

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