November 30, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 20): Truth

The Psalm of the Word

Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.

Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.

Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.

Great are Your mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your ordinances.

Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

I behold the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Your word.

Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.

The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

(Psalm 119:153-160)

One of the more well-known verses in this psalm identifies God’s word as truth (Psalm 119:160). However, it is not enough to merely recognize that the word is truth. We must also obey it if we hope to be saved.
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November 23, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 19): Help

The Psalm of the Word

I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!
I will observe Your statutes.

I cried to You; save me
And I shall keep Your testimonies.

I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.

My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.

Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.

Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
They are far from Your law.

You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.

(Psalm 119:145-152)

This lesson is about the help that we can receive from God. In particular, the psalmist emphasizes prayer. However, as we should expect by this point in this psalm, we cannot appeal to God without regard to His word.
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November 17, 2015

Paul’s Message to Felix

Paul before Felix

After Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he was taken to Caesarea where he had the chance to speak with Felix the governor. The apostle used this opportunity not to plead with the governor to release him, but to deliver a message from the gospel that Felix needed to hear.

“But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you’” (Acts 24:24-25).

The points that Paul discussed with Felix are necessary for all of us today. Let us briefly consider them:
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November 16, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 18): Righteousness

The Psalm of the Word

Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.

You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And exceeding faithfulness.

My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

Your word is very pure,
Therefore Your servant loves it.

I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.

Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.

Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live.

(Psalm 119:137-144)

The focus of this lesson is on righteousness. God’s word is righteous because He is righteous. We can also be righteous if we follow His word.
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November 10, 2015

Was James a Heretic?

James

There are several statements in James’ epistle that are contrary to popularly held religious beliefs. Let us briefly consider these passages in light of what many churches teach today.
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November 9, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 17): Grace

The Psalm of the Word

Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul observes them.

The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

I opened my mouth wide and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
After Your manner with those who love Your name.

Establish my footsteps in Your word,
And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of water,
Because they do not keep Your law.

(Psalm 119:129-136)

We typically think of grace as a New Testament feature, and it is certainly emphasized there. “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). However, grace still existed in the Old Testament and this passage reminds us of that fact. Let us notice how God’s grace and God’s word are related.
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November 3, 2015

By What Authority?

Matthew 21:23

Matthew recorded an occasion in which the religious leaders questioned Jesus about the things He was doing. After Jesus rode into Jerusalem receiving praise from the people (Matthew 21:1-11), drove the money changers and those selling animals out of the temple (Matthew 21:12-13), healed the blind and the lame who came to Him (Matthew 21:14-15), and then performed a miracle that caused a fig tree to wither (Matthew 21:18-19), the chief priests and elders confronted Him.

“When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?’” (Matthew 21:23).

This was actually a very good question. It is one that we need to ask ourselves and ask of others regarding the things that are done in service to God. Yet many are not at all interested in this question. They simply want to do what they have always done, what seems right to them, what their preacher says, or what their family has always done in religion. But it is important that we appeal to the proper source of authority.
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