20131206

Matthew 27:1-31 - Reconsidering when we're set in our ways

Outline

v1-2
"When the morning was come..."--what kinds of things do we do in the morning?
v3-10
Judas tried to repent, and the council bought a potters field with the money
v11-14
Jesus didn't argue back
v15-18
Pilate gave the people a choice between Jesus and Barabbas
v19
Pilate's wife warned him
v20-23
The council and the crowd insisted for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified
v24-26
Pilate tried to transfer the responsibility
v27-31
The band of soldiers mistreated Jesus

Key
v19

When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Sometimes we're already set in our ways to carry out a certain activity and the Lord lets something happen to warn us. We shouldn't merely dismiss the warning and continue in our sin like we had planned.

Application
1 Corinthians 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

When something happens or somebody says something to make me unsure whether I'm going the right way, I'll reconsider it before the Lord even if I was already set in my ways.

20130926

Matthew 22:1-22 - Outline

v1-7
The kingdom of heaven is like a king who made a wedding
v8-10
The Lord used the unworthiness of some to provide opportunities for others
v11-14
One was called but not chosen because he did not have the garment
v15-22
The Lord provided a marvelous response to a very difficult situation

20130903

Exodus 16 - Outline

v1-3
Israel complained against God and His servants because they were hungry
v4-12
God told them that He would send food
v13-15
The Lord sent manna
v16-18
The Lord provided just the right amounts
v19-21
The Lord's provision was day by day
v22-30
We should rest when it is the Lord's time for us to rest
v31-36
We should prepare to tell future generations about the Lord

20130823

It Is Sin To Allow Bad Depictions From Videos

The Bible Provides Instructions That Apply To Videos
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Paraphrased from Philippians 4:8)
You might have thought that the Bible does not say anything about the videos that we watch (TV, movies, home videos, and Internet videos). However, the Bible does instruct us what kinds of things we should think about, and that applies to watching videos.

Here are four objectionable depictions that are in videos:
  • violence
  • immodesty
  • bad language
  • the occult
Various parts of the Bible warn us about each of these things. God's word instructs us not to listen to, look at, delight in, or even think about various of these. They are not pure, just, or lovely, and they are not virtues. Therefore, we should not intentionally watch depictions of these things in videos. We also should not keep videos depicting such things or display such videos to others.

We Are Affected By Listening To Things

You may argue that, "A video I watch is just an inconsequential external situation. It doesn't affect me." But paying attention to it is a decision from your heart, and it is sinful to make bad decisions about what to watch. Jesus warned that merely looking at a woman with bad motives is equivalent to immoral action in your heart.

As a matter of fact, it is reckless to pay attention to wrong messages. Proverbs warn, "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causes] to err from the words of knowledge." (19:27) "A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; [and] a liar gives ear to a naughty tongue." (17:4) "If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked." (29:12)

1 Timothy 4:1 warns, "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils..." This applies directly to videos containing occult messages. Some people go away from believing in Christ, lending an ear to such messages.  So these are things that we need to make sure not to give heed to.

Fictitious Depictions Still Evoke Real Sins

You may argue that video content is not sinful because "It is not real." However, when it comes to sin, it's the thought that counts. When God sent the flood during the time of Noah, part of the problem was the wicked people's evil imaginations. When sinful ideas are portrayed in videos, the portrayals may be synthesized through special effects, but they still convey messages. Remember that Philippians 4:8 instructs us to think about virtuous things.

There Are Some Objects That Can Be Sinful To Keep

You might argue that it is OK to obtain or keep videos because they are just physical objects and "There is nothing unclean of itself..." (Romans 14:14), but that is taking that verse out of context. The videos may merely be objects, but obtaining or keeping them is an action, and actions can obviously be sins.

Generally, people keep videos to display, and people watch them to give heed to the messages they convey. Videos are effective at conveying messages and examples, and there can definitely be messages and examples that are bad. In that way, videos today are similar to books in history. As there have been books with bad content, there are videos with bad content.

Not all videos have bad content, but many do. With our videos that contain bad messages, let's take the example from the believers dealing with sinful books during the revival in Acts 19:19: "Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [people]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it to be] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver." (paraphrased)

20130801

Matthew 16 - Outline

v1-4
The request for a sign
v5-12
A warning about leaven
v13-17
Who people say Jesus is, and who He really is
v18-19
Peter was blessed because God revealed to Him who Jesus really is
v20-28
Jesus foretold the death He would suffer and the glory that would follow

Exodus 12:1-28 - Outline

v1-20
The Lord told Moses and Aaron what to tell the congregation about how to keep the Passover
v21-27
Moses told the elders about the Passover
v28
The people worshiped and did what God commanded.

20130621

Matthew 13:1-30 - Summary

Outline

v1-2
The circumstances when Jesus told the parables to the crowds
v3-9
The parable of the sower
v10-17
The reason why Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables
v18-23
The meaning of the parable of the sower
v24-30
The parable of the tares of the field

Key
v15

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

We should be diligent to listen and do what the Lord convicts us of, even if we don't feel like it. If we don't listen, we'll lose our opportunity. If we do listen, He will give us more opportunities.

20130606

Psalm 61 - Summary

Outline

v1-2
I will cry to the Lord when my heart is overwhelmed
v3-4
The Lord is a strong tower
v5-7
The Lord will help His king
v8
I will sing praise to the Lord's name forever

Key
v2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

20130530

Psalm 60 - Summary

Outline

v1-3
Asking the Lord to turn Himself back to us because He has shown His people hard things
v4
The Lord has given a banner
v5
Asking the Lord to save
v6-8
All of the families around Israel belong to the Lord for His purposes
v9-12
Who will help us do valiantly? Only the Lord, not man.

Key
v12

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he [it is that] shall tread down our enemies.

20130528

Exodus 3 - Key

v10

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

In Matthew 9:38, it was Jesus' disciples whom he instructed to pray for laborers, and it was also some of the disciples whom He sent forth. When we pray for the Lord to do something about a situation, we should be prepared for Him to send us, personally, to do something about it.

Application

As I pray for the Lord to send forth laborers into the harvest, I'll continue to be prepared to go preach the gospel.

20130520

Exodus 3 - Outline

v1-6
The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses
v7-9
I have surely seen
v10
I will send you
v11-12
I will be with you
v13-15
This is My name
v16-22
I will bring you up

20130516

Matthew 10:24-42 - Outline

v24-25
We should not expect to get treated better than Christ Himself was treated
v26-33
Reasons why we should not fear
v34-39
We shouldn't be shocked if we have trouble for following the Lord, even from our own families
v40-42
We should be diligent to take valuable opportunities to serve, especially to serve little ones

20130508

Psalm 56 - Key

v13

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

If the Lord has saved us, He'll help us walk with Him, too.

Application

v9

When I cry [unto thee], then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God [is] for me.

I'll pray for the Lord to help me walk with Him.

20130507

Psalm 56 - Outline

v1-2
My enemies would swallow me up
v3-4
I will trust in God
v5-6
What my enemies do
v7-9
I cry to God
v10-12
I will praise
v13
He has delivered from death, won't He deliver us to walk before Him?

20130325

Psalm 48 - Outline

v1-2
The Lord is to be greatly praised in Zion
v3-8
The Lord has done great things in Zion
v9-11
We think about the Lord's great qualities in Zion
v12-14
Zion is a landmark of the Lord's everlasting Godhood and relationship with us

20130312

Daniel 6 - Key

v20

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

This chapter uses this same phrase twice, once in v16, and again in v20: thy God, whom thou servest continually. We should have such a testimony: that the Lord is our personal God and we serve him continually.

Application
Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

I'll continue doing my activities for serving the Lord, even though right now my life has difficulties.

20130311

Daniel 6 - Outline

v1-3
The Lord used King Darius to promote Daniel
v4-9
The king ended up doing something extremely wrong that couldn't be changed
v10-13
The king's sin took him further then he wanted to go
v14-20
The king was sore displeased with himself, and labored for deliverance but could not achieve it
v21
Is God able?
v22-28
In the midst of a dire and impossible to change situation, the Lord is able to deliver those who believe in Him

20130309

James 2 - Summary

Outline

v1-9
Don't play favorites
v10-13
Have mercy on others as you need mercy yourself
v14-26
Don't just say that you have faith; if you really do, then act like it

Key
v12

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Our actions should match our speech. We should confess that we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, but we must also do more than saying that. If it is really true that we have faith, then we must also have good behavior. That includes treating other people the right way.

Application
v16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?

As I say that I am a believer in Jesus, I will make sure that I also act like it. I will take an opportunity to help out certain people with what they need.

20130308

Matthew 4 - Key

v1

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

It is an encouragement that Jesus was tempted all of the same ways we are. So, when we are tempted we can come to Him to find help and He cares and understands.

Application

When I'm tempted I'll pray for the Lord's help, remembering how He was tempted in all of the same ways that we are.

Matthew 4 - Outline

v1-11
The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness
v12-16
It was fulfilled that Jesus dwelt in Galilee
v17-22
Jesus called fishermen to follow Him
v23-25
Jesus healed people from all kinds of sicknesses

20130302

James 1 - Summary

Outline

v1
Greeting
v2-3
Have joy and faith in temptations and trial
v3-4
Let patience perfect you
v5
Ask God for wisdom
v6-8
Have faith, don't go back and forth
v9-11
Rich people fade away
v12-16
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation... (v12a)
v17-18
God gives every good gift
v19-20
Be slow to wrath
v21-25
Be doers of the word, not only hearers of it
v26
Vain religion
v27
Pure religion

Key
v12

Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

When we have a hard time of trials and temptations, we should have patience and faith to endure it. We can even rejoice in that (v2), because that will be very good for us, and we will be happy afterwards.

Application

v19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Sometimes I am tempted to respond angrily to a difficult situation. When I feel like saying something, but I think that I shouldn't, I'll just pray for it specifically and trust God to take care of it.

20130221

Matthew 3 - Outline

v1-6
John the baptizer came preaching repentance, to prepare the way before the Lord
v7-12
John rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees and told how Christ would come
v13-17
John baptized Jesus and saw that He is the Son of God

20130218

Daniel 4 - Outline

v1-8
Nebuchadnezzar's testimony
v9-17
The observations
v18-26
The interpretation
v27
The application
v28-37
The Lord is able to bring down all of those who walk in pride

20130214

Matthew 2 - Outline

v1-2
The wise men knew when Jesus was born
v3-6
The chief priests and scribes knew where Jesus was born
v7-13
The wise men worshiped Jesus, but King Herod sought to kill him
v14-23
Things happened to fulfill three passages from the Scriptures

20130131

Matthew 1 - Outline

v1-6
The generations from Abraham to David
v7-11
From David until the carrying away into Babylon
v12-16
From the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ
v17
Each of those three eras were 14 generations
v18-19
Mary became pregnant by the Holy Ghost
v20-23
An angel told Joseph to not fear to take Mary, and how Jesus would be born
v24-25
Joseph did what he was told

20130124

Psalm 41 - Outline

v1-3
The Lord will bless the person who considers the poor
v4-9
Asking for the Lord's mercy because of of my sin and all of my enemies
v10-13
But thou, O Lord...

20130122

Daniel 1 - Daniel purposed in his heart

Outline

v1-2
The Lord gave the king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar
v3-5
Nebuchadnezzar told Ashpenaz to prepare some of the children to stand before him
v6-7
Daniel, Shardach, Meshach, and Abednego were included, and they received new names
v8-16
Melzar consented to Daniel's proposition for a 10-day trial of an alternative diet
v17-21
God gave the four children great gifts and abilities

Key
v8

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel was determined to avoid doing these things when it would have been wrong for him to do them. When we know that it would be wrong for us to do something, we should purpose in our hearts to not do it.

Application

There are many videos including movies, TV, and online videos, that are wrong to display and watch. I'll be determined to avoid watching videos that I know shouldn't watch.

20130117

Psalm 40 - Outline

v1-5
Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust... (v4)
v6-10
How Christ came and brought to light the law of God, to be not in sacrifices, but in our hearts
v11-17
The evil will be desolate, but the Lord will think on those who seek Him

20130111

Psalm 39 - What do I wait for?

Outline

v1-3
A time to keep silence and a time to speak
v4-6
The brevity and vanity of human life
v7
Hope in the Lord
v8-10
The judgement for sin
v11-13
Our need for the Lord's deliverance

Key
v7

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee.

What things do we wait for, and hope for? That's a good question to ask ourselves. The things of this human life are temporary, and at best, vanity. We need to make sure that our hope is in the Lord.

Application

I'll ask myself what my hope is in, to make sure that the Lord is what I'm waiting for.

20130102

Lot's hospitality to the angels

Genesis 19

v3

And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

Lot received the two angels with great hospitality...and they ended up being merciful to Lot and delivering him from the terrible judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Once again, let's take this example of the importance of showing great hospitality to people.

20130101

Abraham ran to meet the strangers

Genesis 18

v2

And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Abraham might not have realized, right away, that these three three men represented the Lord. We should follow Abraham's example to take opportunities to show hospitality and do good to strangers.

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
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