INHERITING THE PROMISES
Our lesson today comes from the great inheritance that God promised and delivered to His people, who after taking the promised land, became the great nation, Israel.
We learn from this account what Kind of FAITH we must have today. We will learn of three preconditions of faith—then apply them to our walk as Christians. Also, for those who have not yet obeyed the gospel—the same principles apply. Understand that Israel was seeking the land of milk and honey which God promised before to Abram. In the same way we are pilgrims seeking a heavenly home. Just like the chosen people of God under the Old Law only received that promise by obedient faith. So also, today all who are the chosen people of God – that is the church – must have obeyed the gospel by obedient faith.
Let’s begin then with the first precondition for inheriting the promised land which is…
FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
BLESSED ARE YOU
Have you decided to follow Jesus? If so, know assuradly that you are blessed. Blessed because Jesus is your Savior. Blessed because you have the oracles of God, and are able to do His commandment. Blessed because you can wear His name. Yes, there is more…
WHAT GOD REQUIRES
“13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
It amazes me how many are so confused about the need to obey God. Why so many equate obedience with trying to earn salvation. It is obvious that they are confused by false teachers that claim “doing anything” constitutes “works”, and trying to earn salvation – which is exactly what people are taught. They are taught that “works” are always connected to the Old Testament Law. And I do agree with Paul who gave reason why the Jews could not attain righteousness, “Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.” (Romans 9:32).
And who is that stumbling stone – Is it not Our Lord, Master and Savior – Jesus! “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”” (1 Peter 2:7-8)
So then, let’s look at the first thing that God expects. God Requires Obedient Faith…
WE ARE DIFFERENT: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9).
The Lord’s church recognize that there is a law Christians must live by. Paul wrote, “19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [a]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without [b]law toward God, but under [c]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;” (1 Cor. 9:19-21).
The vast majority of the worlds denominations still think the Jews are God’s special people, still incorporate some of the Old Law in there doctrine. The Law Paul speaks of here in verse 20 is first the Law of Moses – then in verse 21 the parenthetical phrase Paul splits the old law away and introduced the new law of Christ saying, “(not being without [b]law toward God, but under [c]law toward Christ)” (v.20). Hebrews 4:14, “We now have a we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God”. Hebrews 9:16, “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.”
The Law of Christ covers many attributes of our faith.
ONE SACRIFICE – LOVE – GRACE – MERCY – TRUTH – RIGHTEOUSNESS – OBEDIENT FAITH . . . JUST TO NAME A FEW. What makes the members of the church of Christ different is the understanding that the Old Law has been fulfilled and nailed to the cross. Too many are so confused by leaders who cannot or will not note and teach the difference.
HIGHER GROUND
“1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
As Christians we must continually strive for perfection, pressing on toward new heights, all the while having our feet planted on the “Rock”, which is the word of God. We live on the created earth, yet this is not our home for we are waiting for that city whse builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10) “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, [a]giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:14-15).
To achieve these things we must never be lacking in effort, and desire for growth. In this lesson we’ll talk about two laws that will help us to avoid being everlastingly lost.
The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God
“I will bless the Lord at all times” – Psa. 34:1
These words are the opening verse of Psalm 34, a psalm of David written “when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.” (superscription to the psalm).
When one considers the context in which they were spoken these words become remarkable.
Bless the Lord at All Times: Clearly, the words of this verse that draw the most attention are at all times and continually. David was resolved to praise the Lord, not only in the days of prosperity and peace, but also in his days of adversity. In this lesson I would like to focus our attention on 4 times or periods of life that we should be mindful to praise God.
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH – PART 2
PRIDE OF LIFE
We ended our lesson last week with these words from Solomon. “7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.” (Prov. 30:7-9). I want you to know that taking pride is Not the same as being proud, or more to the point, being filled with pride.
As Christians we all should take pride in our appearance in order that we do not dress disheveled or in sensual filthiness. We should maintain our cars, homes, and lawns in a respectable manner—so as to give no place for the outside world to point the finger. We all must be take pride of our Christianity, our faith, our hope. We must remember the scripture that says, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3).
Now—let us consider in this lesson the fruits of Pride…
One of These Days
Procrastination is summed up in the words of Ralph Kramden, “One of these days… “. And when he said that it was funny, but all too serious spiritually, because brethren can get trapped by the devil by repeating one of these day’s too often when it comes to doing the work God has called all Christians to do. More often than not, one of these days means never. The Hebrew writer warns all Christians, “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares…” (Heb. 12:1). One of these days I’ll stop smoking. One of these days I’ll be more faithful.
But make no mistake, one of these days more often than not, really does mean never.
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT – PRIDE OF LIFE
Taking Pride is Not the same as Being Proud:
• Everyone must have a sense of self-respect. We learn to take pride in our appearance in order that we do not dress disheveled or in sensual filthiness.
• We maintain our cars, homes, and lawns in a respectable manner. We can be proud of our Christianity, our faith.
However, when self-respect becomes exaggerated, pride develops into sin. Man begins to think too highly of himself.
“2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,” (Rom. 12:2-4).
Having said that the Pride of Life is sin… Deut. 8: (18) “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may [d]establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
WHAT IS MAN? King David considered the glory of the LORD simply by contemplating His creation. He wrote, “3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit[a] him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than [d]the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. ” (Psalm 8:3-5).
When I consider my own life, I am undeserving of the blood of Christ, yet He loved me, He died for me, and by His blood I was washed. What amazing love!
In this lesson I will address two points…
1. What is man?
2. God’s mindfulness of man which He created
And as always we turn to the Holy scriptures for answers…