Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....August 26, 2019
Our next Bible Study at C4 will begin on October 6th. We will be studying the books of foundation of the Bible, the Old Testament. I have had people in the past ask, "why do we have to study the Old Testament when the New Testament is our guide in life? I want to stress to all of you the importance of the OT.
There are many reasons to study the Old Testament. For one, the Old Testament lays the foundation for the teachings and events found in the New Testament. The Bible is a progressive revelation. If you skip the first half of any good book and try to finish it, you will have a hard time understanding the characters, the plot, and the ending. In the same way, the New Testament is only completely understood when we see its foundation of the events, characters, laws, sacrificial system, covenants, and promises of the Old Testament.
If we only had the New Testament, we would come to the Gospels and not know why the Jews were looking for a Messiah (a Savior King). We would not understand why this Messiah was coming (see Isaiah 53), and we would not have been able to identify Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah through the many detailed prophecies that were given concerning Him [e.g., His birth place (Micah 5:2), His manner of death (Psalm 22, especially verses 1, 7–8, 14–18; 69:21), His resurrection (Psalm 16:10), and many more details of His ministry (Isaiah 9:2; 52:13)].
A study of the Old Testament is also important for understanding the Jewish customs mentioned in passing in the New Testament. We would not understand the way the Pharisees had perverted God’s law by adding their own traditions to it, or why Jesus was so upset as He cleansed the temple courtyard, or where Jesus got the words He used in His many replies to adversaries.
We should study the Old Testament because of the countless lessons it contains for us. By observing the lives of the characters of the Old Testament, we find guidance for our own lives. We are exhorted to trust God no matter what (Daniel 3). We learn to stand firm in our convictions (Daniel 1) and to await the reward of faithfulness (Daniel 6). We learn it is best to confess sin early and sincerely instead of shifting blame (1 Samuel 15). We learn not to toy with sin, because it will find us out (Judges 13—16). We learn that our sin has consequences not only for ourselves but for our loved ones (Genesis 3) and, conversely, that our good behavior has rewards for us and those around us (Exodus 20:5–6).
A study of the Old Testament also helps us understand prophecy. The Old Testament contains many promises that God will yet fulfill for the Jewish nation. The Old Testament reveals such things as the length of the Tribulation, how Christ’s future 1,000-year reign fulfills His promises to the Jews, and how the conclusion of the Bible ties up the loose ends that were unraveled in the beginning of time.
In summary, the Old Testament allows us to learn how to love and serve God, and it reveals more about God’s character. It shows through repeatedly fulfilled prophecy why the Bible is unique among holy books—it alone is able to demonstrate that it is what it claims to be: the inspired Word of God. In short, if you have not yet ventured into the pages of the Old Testament, you are missing much that God has available for you.
We're going to look at Old Testament characters and talk about the character traits portrayed by each that God wants to develop in us as His children. The theme of this teaching series is simple: God seeks to stretch us to go beyond our comfort zone so He can grow our character.
In life, there are two zones to live in. One is the “comfort zone”. It's safe. It doesn’t require a lot of courage or faith or obedience. We can hang back and settle down in the comfort zone. The problem is that the comfort zone is a “no growth zone”. You may think the worst that can happen is the longer you stay, the more you remain the same.
But actually, the longer you stay, the less you stay the same, because you atrophy into something less. Either we're growing stronger in the development of Christ-like character, or we are growing weaker. So what needs to happen is that we need to stretch ourselves out of our comfort zone and get into the other zone, the “character zone”.
The character zone isn't always safe. But it’s in the character zone we experience the growth God wants for us. It’s there God can develop our character to reflect that of His Son. It’s only in the character zone that we find significance and are enabled to partner with God to build His kingdom and make a difference in our world.
In this character tour of the Old Testament, we'll see how God stretched folks in order to develop Christ-like character in each of them. Today, we begin with Noah, who is a portrait of faith.
1. Noah had a personal faith - v. 8
In some translations, the word "favor" is translated "grace." Indeed, grace is unmerited favor; it's getting something we don't deserve. Noah benefited from God's grace - that is only accessed by a personal faith.
"Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy." - Romans 5:2a
At this point, it might be helpful to explain the differences between Old Testament and New Testament salvation. Some mistakenly believe Old Testament believers were saved through observing the law of Moses or through offering animal sacrifices. No. Old Testament believers were saved the same way that New Testament believer are saved, through personal faith in the Messiah and His complete sacrifice for our sin that provides forgiveness.
Old Testament believers were saved through faith in the promised Messiah who would come. New Testament believers are saved through faith in the promised Messiah who has come - Jesus.
For New Testament believers, salvation is like a gift certificate: it's already paid for, we just need to accept it and cash in on it. For Old Testament believers, salvation was like credit - they received it before it was paid for.
Old Testament believers were pointed to the cross through what was foretold (Genesis 3:15) and foreshadowed (animal sacrifices & the law). New Testament believers are pointed to the cross through what we are told in the New Testament and the historical reality of Jesus. Old Testament believers were saved by looking forward to the cross, while New Testament believers are saved by looking back to the cross.
Old Testament believers were assured of their salvation by virtue of the promise of God's Word (Joel 2:32). New Testament believers are assured of their salvation by virtue of the promise of God's Word (Romans 10:13) and the presence of God's Spirit (Romans 8:16).
Noah was saved by grace through faith, just as we are today. Now, one might expect this to be the case because of Noah's family tree. Some of his forefathers were great believers like Methuselah and Enoch, who is said to have walked with God. Enosh, the grandson of Adam didn't die until Noah was over eighty. This was passed down to Noah, as to everyone else, but it didn't benefit anyone, including Noah, until they chose to personally place their faith in God's promise of salvation.
It's been said: "God doesn't have any grand-children." That is, one does not inherit saving faith. It must be a decision made in response to God's truth that you own personally. Noah had a personal faith.
2. Noah had a practiced faith - v. 9,
A. Which brought transformation to his life.
To be righteous means to be right. God calls us to apply our faith to ourselves and correct what is wrong about us with that which is right.
Perhaps you've heard the quote from English novelist, Charles Reade:
"Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."
Now, this quote is neutral. However, notice what happens when we start with a wrong thought:
"Sow a wrong thought, reap a wrong action; sow a wrong action, reap a wrong habit; sow a wrong habit, reap a wrong character; sow a wrong character, reap a wrong destiny."
Conversely, notice what happens when we start with right thinking:
"Sow a right thought, reap a right action; sow a right action, reap a right habit; sow a right habit, reap a right character; sow a right character, reap a right destiny."
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." - Romans 12:2 (NLT)
To move from my comfort zone into the character zone, I must be stretched by challenging and changing my thinking to God's truth.
B. Which brought separation from the world.
If one isn't copying the behaviors of this world, then they will stand out. Noah stood out from the world of his day. The NLT says, "Noah was . . . the only blameless person living on earth at the time."
C. Which brought dedication to his God.
Two things are required to walk with anyone, including God.
1) Noah met with God.
If I'm going to walk with anyone, I need to have a place to meet them. It's there our walk begins. We're going to meet at their house before we begin our walk around the block. It's the same with God. Where do we meet Him? In His Word and in prayer.
2) Noah went with God
"Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?" - Amos 3:3 (NLT)
3. Noah had a powerful faith - vs. 11-22
Noah's faith was powerful, not because of the strength of his faith, but because of the strength of the object of his faith - the strength of God.
"Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, 'Why couldn’t we drive it out?' He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" - Matthew 17:19-20 (NIV)
The disciples' problem was they had faith in their faith, not faith in their God. Noah had faith in a God he had come to know because he walked daily with Him. Nowhere in the Bible are we told to take a "leap of faith." Faith is always described as a walk. Because Noah had walked with God, he was prepared for this next step, and obeyed.
1) Noah's faith enabled him to see the invisible.
When Noah built the Ark, he was building the it in the middle of a desert. He built the Ark on dry land. Most scholars believe it had never rained up until that point. How did Noah not wonder if he was crazy? He had trained himself daily to recognize the voice of God.
You see, even though the Old Testament believer did not have the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit we enjoy today, they could still ask for His ministry in their lives (Luke 11:11-13) and could recognize the voice of God through the Spirit's working.
"When the Spirit of truth comes . . . He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come." - John 16:13 (HCSB)
The Holy Spirit speaks through "dreams and visions" (Acts 2:17).
"Every vision or dream from God comes in three parts: the what, the how, and the when."
- Rick Warren
"Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires (what). Commit your way to the LORD (how); trust in Him, and He will act (when)." - Psalm 37:4-5 (HCSB)
2) Noah's faith enabled him to experience the incredible.
"By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told.
The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God." - Hebrews 11:7 (The Message)
3) Noah's faith enabled him to invest in the eternal - v. 10
Noah's sons were sufficiently impressed with their father's faith, for they evidently also believed, joining him in building and entering the ark. When you and I move from the comfort zone to the character zone, it not only makes a difference in us, but an eternal difference in others.
DID YOU EVER WONDER???
The baby is teething-the children are fighting. My husband just called and said to eat dinner without him. Okay, one of these days you'll shout: "Why don't you grow up and act your age!" and they will, or "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do...and don't slam the door!"...and they won't.
You'll straighten up their rooms neat and tidy...bumper stickers discarded...spreads tucked and smooth ... toys displayed on the shelves...hangars in the closet...animals caged, and you'll say outloud: "Now I want it to stay that way!" and it will...You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in it and you'll say, "Now there's a meal for a company." and you'll eat it alone.
You'll say, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around, no pantomimes, no demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear?"...and you'll have it. No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti, no more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent, no more dandelion bouquets, no more iron-on patches, knotted shoestrings, or tight moots.
Imagine, a lipstick with a point, no babysitter for New Year's Eve, washing clothes only once a week, no P.T.A. meetings, carpools, blaring radios, Christmas presents out of toothpicks and paste. No more "Wet Oatmeal Kisses". No more toothfairy giggles in the dark, or knees to heal.
Only a voice crying..."Why don't you grow up?"... and the silence echoing ......."I did."
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...A TEACHING
We continue our overview of the books of the Bible this week with the Book of James...
Who wrote the book?
While James did not specifically identify himself as to which “James” he was (James 1:1), the author is widely thought to be James the half-brother of Jesus. James was not a follower of Jesus during the Savior’s time on earth (Mark 3:21–35; John 7:5) but eventually became an apostle in the vein of Paul, as one who had seen and believed the Lord post-resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19). After witnessing the Lord’s resurrected body, James became one of the leaders of the church at Jerusalem. Peter singled him out among the other Christians there following Peter’s miraculous release from prison (Acts 12:17). James made the deciding speech at the Jerusalem Council (15:13–22), and Paul called James one of the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).
Where are we?
As one of the chief leaders in the church at Jerusalem, James wrote from that city prior to the meeting of the Jerusalem Council, which Luke recorded in Acts 15. At that council, James, along with Peter and Paul, affirmed the decision to take the gospel message to the Gentiles. This council met in AD 49, meaning James likely wrote his letter in AD 45–48. Such a significant event as the Jerusalem Council warranted comment from James, as he was writing to a Jewish Christian audience. But James made no mention of Gentile Christians at all, making an early date for the letter most likely. In fact, it was likely the first New Testament book written.
Why is James so important?
The book of James looks a bit like the Old Testament book of Proverbs dressed up in New Testament clothes. Its consistent focus on practical action in the life of faith is reminiscent of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, encouraging God’s people to act like God’s people. The pages of James are filled with direct commands to pursue a life of holiness. He makes no excuses for those who do not measure up. In the mind of this early church leader, Christians evidence their faith by walking in certain ways and not others. For James, a faith that does not produce real life change is a faith that is worthless (James 2:17).
What's the big idea?
In the opening of his letter, James called himself a bond-servant of God, an appropriate name given the practical, servant-oriented emphasis of the book. Throughout the book, James contended that faith produces authentic deeds. In other words, if those who call themselves God’s people truly belong to Him, their lives will produce deeds or fruit. In language and themes that sound similar to Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, James rails against the hypocritical believer who says one thing but does another.
For James, faith was no abstract proposition but had effects in the real world. James offered numerous practical examples to illustrate his point: faith endures in the midst of trials, calls on God for wisdom, bridles the tongue, sets aside wickedness, visits orphans and widows, and does not play favorites. He stressed that the life of faith is comprehensive, impacting every area of our lives and driving us to truly engage in the lives of other people in the world. While James recognized that even believers stumble (James 3:2), he also knew that faith should not coexist with people who roll their eyes at the less fortunate, ignore the plight of others, or curse those in their paths.
How do I apply this?
More than any other book in the New Testament, James places the spotlight on the necessity for believers to act in accordance with our faith. How well do your actions mirror the faith that you proclaim? This is a question that we all struggle to answer well. We would like to point to all the ways our faith and works overlap but too often see only gaps and crevices.
As you read the letter from James, focus on those areas that he mentioned: your actions during trials, your treatment of those less fortunate, the way you speak and relate to others, and the role that money plays in how you live your life. Allow James to encourage you to do good, according to the faith you proclaim.
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
Ho'omaikaʻi ka Pua iā kākou