THE LOST SOUL WILL RETURN TO THEIR SINFUL WAYS

Proclamation:

“It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.”  2 Peter 2:21 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Peter, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers who scattered after the crucifixion of Christ. (1 Peter 1:1-2)  Peter began this second chapter by warning them about the false prophets and false teachers that were among them. (2 Peter 2:1-3)  Then he tells them that God punished the angels in heaven who followed Satan.  If God did not spare the angels who did wrong, He would not spare them.  God did not spare the sinful people in Noah’s day that died in the flood.  He did not spare the sinners in Sodom and Gomorrah. (2 Peter 2:4-11)  However, even as He administered punishment to a large number of people and destruction to vast areas, God still protected and saved the righteous people from harm. (2 Peter 2:9)  Paul said that people who blaspheme The Lord God would be punished. (2 Peter 2:12-15)  Then he ended by telling them that those who were saved by knowing The Lord, but who later turned their back on Him and returned to their sinful ways would be punished more severely than those who never knew Him. (2 Peter 2:20-22)

Application:

Believers are not perfect.  We still mess up and fall back into sin.  However, true believers do not stay in the mud after we fall.  We ask for God’s forgiveness and His help to get out of the mud and to clean us up, and He will do it. (1 John 1:9)  When believers sin, we lose the joy of our salvation and we need to pray in order to have that joy restored. (Psalm 51:12)  But those who profess to love Him but long for their old sinful ways, and return to them are lost. (Luke 9:62, Genesis 19:26, and 2 Peter 2:20-21)  Those who really love their old sinful ways cannot truly love The Lord.  It is not possible to love them both. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  Even after he has heard The Word of God, The Bible says that the lost fool will return to his sinful folly. (Proverbs 26:11)

BE CONSIDERATE AND HUMBLE WHEN YOU HELP AND SHARE

Proclamation:

“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos … had been instructed in the way of The Lord … he spoke with great fervor … though he knew only the baptism of John.  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.  When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately … he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the scriptures that Jesus was The Messiah.”  Acts 18:24-28 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Luke records that in Corinth Paul met a Jewish believer named Aquila and his wife Priscilla.  Because Aquila was also a tent-maker, Paul stayed with them. (Acts 18:1-4) After a year and a half, Paul left Corinth (Acts 18:11) for Syria and Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him. (Acts 18:18-19)  However, when they arrived at Ephesus Paul left Priscilla and Aquila and went on alone.  It was here in Ephesus that the met Apollos, a Jewish believer, who was knowledgeable in the scriptures.  Priscilla and Aquila had learned about Jesus, The Christ, from Paul when he stayed with them and privately they shared what they knew with Apollos, an eloquent speaker, and helped him to become even better.

Application:

None of us knows everything, especially about Jesus, The Christ.  Those who heard the apostles preach learned a lot, and those who hear the Man of God preach today can learn a lot.  Those who also read and study The Word of God regularly will learn even more than those who don’t.  However, we should be very careful regarding how we share that which we know with those who are less informed.  The goal is to help edify others and not to put them down publicly or in private.  The purpose is not to show off how much we know, but to enhance the knowledge of others.  Every serious Bible student is not necessarily a good teacher.  If we cannot help someone with what we know, then our knowledge is useless.  Be humble when you help.

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO DESPITEFULLY USE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU

Proclamation:

“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’  When he said this, he fell asleep.”  Acts 7:59-60 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After being arrested for teaching and speaking about Jesus, The Christ, (Acts 6:12) Stephen spoke before the Sanhedrin council.  He recounted for them the life of Abraham, the father of the faithful, from the time when God appeared to Him and told him to leave his home country and go to the land that He would show him. (Acts 7:1-7)  He continued on with the lives of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. (Acts 7:8-19)  He told them about the birth and life of Moses, (Acts 7:20-44) and then he told them about Joshua, David, and Solomon. (Acts 7:45-47)  He ended by calling them “stiff-necked people” just like their ancestors and then said that they murdered Christ. (Acts 7:51-53)  The members of the Sanhedrin were furious with him.  They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. (Acts 7:54-58)  That was when he prayed the above prayer.

Application:

Jesus, The Christ, taught us that we should love our enemies. (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27 and Luke 6:35)  Some of us are not there yet and we are still working on this.  Stephen was a man full of God’s grace. (Acts 6:8)  He followed the teachings of Christ, even to the point of praying for them while they were stoning him to death. (Matthew 5:44)  We need to understand that if we choose to follow and speak up for Christ, the people of the world are not going to like us and may even hate us.  However, He said, “Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12)  

TEACHERS WILL BE JUDGED MORE STRICTLY

Proclamation:

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."  James 3:1 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by James, the half-brother of Jesus.  James warned the people of God that teaching and preaching should be taken very seriously and not entered into lightly.  He told them that they will be held to and judged by a higher standard.  False teachers and those who intentionally lead others astray will be judged more strictly.

Application:
While this passage of scripture clearly applies to pastors and preachers, it also applies to teachers in general, especially religious teachers.  If you are in a position to provide instruction to others, be very careful regarding what you say.  This is especially true if you teach, lead, guide, or direct children.  This would also include parents and those who raise children.  Leading the youth and young adults astray has very serious consequences. (Matthew 18:6-7; Mark 9:42; and Luke 17:1-2)  Remember that children learn what they see and what they hear, so we should be careful regarding what we do and say in front of children.  We can “teach” without saying a word to them.  We would not want a child to stumble into sin by following our example.  In fact, as believers, we do not want to put stumbling blocks in the way of anyone that would cause them to fall into sin. (Romans 14:13 and 1 Corinthians 8:9)  “Teachers” themselves, and not just the material that they teach, can be examples to those who observe them.  We should make sure that those that we “teach” can see Christ in us.  When judgement day comes, teachers will be held to a higher standard and will be judged more strictly.  So, be careful regarding what you teach.

LEAD ME LORD IN YOUR WAY

Proclamation:

"In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly ... Lead me, Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies, make Your way straight before me ... But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.  Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:3-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

This psalm was written under the influence of The Holy spirit of God by King David.  It is both a song and a prayer.  David prays that God will hear him and help him.  He also wants God to destroy his enemies.  He not only prays for God's intervention in his life, but he asks for God's guidance and direction. (Psalm 5:8)  Then he very unselfishly asks that God protect all those who love Him. (Psalm 5:11-12)

Application:

The first thing that David did each morning was to pray and meditate. (Psalm 5:1-3)  It is probably a good idea for us to begin and end each day with prayer.  Pray for guidance and direction in the morning, and for forgiveness and thanks in the evening.  David was not perfect, like us he committed a number of sins, but he was always straight forward and honest with God.  When he messed up, he confessed it, and asked for forgiveness.  We should do likewise.  We should not expect God to overlook our sins and punish others for their sins.  We need to pray that God will make His way clear to us, and that He will give us the strength and faith to follow Him.  We need for Him to lead us and to guide us so that we walk in his way.

PUT NOTHING IN LIFE BEFORE GOD

Proclamation:

“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?' ... Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow Me."  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven ... it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  Matthew 19:16-26 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Jesus answered the questions of a self-declared righteous young man who had asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life.  When Jesus told him to keep the commandments, his reply was that he had kept the commandments since the days of his youth. (Matthew 19:20)  Then he asked what else he should do.  That was when Jesus told him to sell all that he had, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him.  He left Jesus sad because he valued his money and possession more than he valued Jesus.

Application:

Most rich people have more faith in their money than in God, and they value their possessions more than the things of God.  Nothing should be more important to us than God.  We should not put anything ahead of God. (Matthew 8:22 and Luke 9:60)  There is nothing wrong with have lots of money and possessions as long as the money and things are not more important to us than God is.  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)  Jesus also said that everyone who gave up their worldly possessions to follow Him would receive a hundred times as much and they will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)  Before we start asking God for more blessings, we should make sure that He is first, and the most important thing in our life.

WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING

Proclamation:

Jesus told His disciples, "Follow me." Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

Explanation

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Matthew and also by the Apostle John.  As Jesus began His earthly ministry He chose His disciples by stating this simple, and yet profound and life changing statement when He said, “Follow Me.”  That phrase was an idiom which had a meaning far beyond the usual meaning of the individual words.  The implication was to put Christ first in their lives and to emulate Him.  To be a disciple of Christ one must deny themselves, take up their personal cross and walk as He walked. (Matthew 16:24)

Application:

At one time or another in our lives most of us have looked up to someone that we admired and wanted to be like.  That person could have been called our hero.  Unfortunately, all too often we pick the wrong person to imitate and emulate because that person has faults and short-comings just like the rest of us.  As believers we are called to emulate Christ.  We are to be His disciples or students.  To follow Him is to be an imitator of Christ, which requires obedience to His teachings and is exemplified by moral behavior.  "The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord ..." (Psalms 37:23)  "Order my steps in Thy word ..." (Psalms 119:133)  Our direction and path should be determined by The Lord.  Only He knows where we are going and only He knows the way there.  Jesus is The Way! (John 14:6)  The old expression, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way" (Author Unknown) was said to motivate procrastinators to do something.  If you are not following Jesus and leading people to Jesus, then you are going the wrong way.  If you are not following Jesus, The Christ, then who are you following?

YOU ARE ALSO A LEADER OF GOD'S PEOPLE

Proclamation:

"Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words, which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, are thought to have been written by the Prophet Joshua himself.  Here Joshua conveys what The Lord God said to him.  After the death of Moses,  The Lord said to Joshua, "Moses my servant is dead.  Now then ... As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:1-5)  Joshua was to lead the people into the promise land.  These were the words of encouragement and the directions that The Lord spoke to him.  God chose Joshua to lead His people.

Application:

Pastors and preachers are not the only ones to lead God’s people.  If anyone follows you, listens to your advice, and if what you say or do influences their behavior, then you are also a leader.  If any of the people who follow you are believers then you are also a leader of God’s people.  As such you have the responsibility to say and do the right thing, so as not to lead them astray.  The best way to do that is to be sure that you follow The Word of God.  Read, study, meditate, think about, recite, talk about, and live God's Word, and you will be prosperous, successful, and a good leader of God’s people because God will be with you wherever you go.

THE NARROW LESS TRAVELED DIFFICULT ROAD

Proclamation:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words which were spoken by Jesus, The Christ, near the end of The Sermon on The Mount.  Jesus taught His disciples and the surrounding crowd that the wide and well traveled road that most people take is not the way to go because that road leads to bad outcomes.  The better choice is the narrow, less traveled, more difficult road which will lead to a better life. 

Application:

The easy way is often not the best way.  Following the crowd will usually lead you to trouble.  The popular choice, entering the wide gate, includes the worldly way of non-believers and many popular religions which teach self-righteousness and rituals not based upon biblical principals.  Following Jesus, entering the narrow gate, is often difficult because we must make choices that are unpopular and that go against our sinful nature.  The wide gate will eventually lead to eternal damnation in the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20 and 20:15)  The narrow gate will lead to eternal life with Christ.  There are many false prophets and false teachers who will lead people astray. (Matthew 7:21-23)  Choose very carefully the road you take and who you will follow, your life on earth and in eternity will depend upon it.

RESIST THE DEVIL

Proclamation:

“Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you…” James 4:7-8 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by James, the half brother of Jesus, to the dispersed believers during their persecution after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  His purpose was to encourage righteous living and godly behavior and he gave them practical examples of how to do so.

Application:

As Christians, we do not have to give in to the devil.  We have a choice in what we do.  The Bible says for us to "... Resist the devil and he will flee..." (James 4:7)  However, we cannot resist the devil by ourselves or on our own.  The beginning of that Bible verse says, "Submit yourselves to God ..." and the verse which follows it says, "Come near to God, and He will come near to you ..." Only with God's help can we resist the devil.  We need to get closer to God and do His will or we do not stand a chance against the devil and his powers and the tactics.  Jesus, The Christ, has already defeated the devil.  We just need to get on The Lord's side and use His power to resist the devil and his temptations.  The devil is busy. He attacks us and tempts us all of the time.  If he is not bothering you, then maybe you are already doing what he wants you to do.  In order to withstand the attacks of the devil we need to submit ourselves to The Lord and be wrapped in the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11)  We need to pray and ask God clean our minds and our hearts to help us do His will. (James 4:8)  Then if we submit ourselves to God we can resist the devil and he will flee from us.

LORD TEACH ME TO DO YOUR WILL

Proclamation:

"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground."  Psalms 143:10 (NIV)

Explanation:

Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God King David wrote this psalm.  David prayed and asked God to teach him and help him to do His will.  He asked that The Holy Spirit would lead him in the way of uprightness, to a place of safety and protection where there was goodness.

Application:
King David prayed during the good times and the bad times in his life.  Here he asked for God's instruction, guidance, and direction to ensure that he would obey the will of God.  He wanted The Spirit of God to be his guide.  We would do well to follow David's example.  All too often we do things and go places without first praying to God for His guidance and direction, to be sure that we are following the will of God. (Philippians 4:6)  We should pray for His will to be done in our lives.  In the model prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, He said pray to our Father in heaven, "Thy will be done." (Matthew 6:10 and Luke 11:2)  We need to recognize and understand the fact that if The Holy Spirit of God is not driving the bus which is our lives, then the devil is driving it.   We cannot follow God and follow man at the same time. (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13)  We must choose whom we will follow and serve. (Joshua 24:15)  Only those who ask for God’s help, guidance and direction will receive it.

The Truth Will Set You Free

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' "  John 8:31-32 (NIV)

The Apostle John recorded these words which Jesus spoke to the Jews in the crowd in the temple at Judea during the Feast of the Tabernacles.  The unbelieving chief priests and the Pharisees, who wanted to kill Jesus (John 8:37 and 8:40) had sent the temple guards to arrest Jesus, (John 7:32), but they had returned impressed by the way in which Jesus spoke. (John 7:45-47)  Some of the Jews who heard Jesus believed in Him, and some did not. (John 7:12)  These words He spoke to the believers in the temple.

Jesus said to the believers that they will know "the truth" and "the truth" will set them free.  This "truth" is generally believed to mean the facts about Jesus, and the things that He taught.  Jesus said "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life". (John 14:6)  Believers who obey and practice The Word of God are set free from the control of sin and from the penalty of sin by Jesus. (Romans 6:23)  Verse 32 could have been written "Then you will know The Truth, and The Truth will set you free."

Keep The Word Of God And Live

"My son, keep My words and store up My commands within you.  Keep My commands and you will live; guard My teachings as the apple of your eye."  Proverbs 7:1-2 (NIV)

This proverb of King Solomon, the son of King David, is written to the people of God in the form of instructions from a father to his son.  However, it is not clear whether this is Solomon speaking to his son Rehoboam, or David speaking to Solomon, or given that the reference to keeping the commands could be keeping The Lord's commands, Solomon here could be viewed as a child of God being told by his Heavenly Father to keep His words, commands, and teachings.  Either way, these words, commands, and teachings will lead to life, and they are to be valued and guarded as the pupil of the eye is to be protected.  

The Word of God, including all of its instructions, commands, and teachings, is designed to provide us with guidance and direction to help us follow the right path as we travel this Christian journey.  If we believe, accept, and follow The Word of God, we will avoid the sinful mistakes which lead to hell and death. (Proverbs 1:27)  Without The Word of God we would be void of understanding. (Proverbs 1:7)  We would be easily enticed and seduced, and we would yield to sinful temptation. (Proverbs 1:21-22)  We need The Word of God, and the guidance of The Holy Spirit, to be a lamp unto our feet, (Psalms 119:105), to keep us on the right path, the narrow way (Matthew 7:14), and to avoid the path that leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13)