Sunday, March 28, 2010

February 7, 2010, Leviticus 4-6, Acts 14

S – Scripture O – Observation A – Application P – Prayer

Title: Ignorance of the Law is no excuse
S: Lev. 4:27 “If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they are guilty.”
O: There are so many laws that have acts that have gone from illegal to legal in my lifetime that the majority of people now believe that these acts are now no longer wrong to do. Laws on abortion, homosexuality, common law marriage, laws of legal age of consent (in Canada 14 and sometimes 12) – all this has changed in my lifetime. So, most people go by the present laws and feel innocent of any wrong doing --- but the Bible says if people commit sins and are unaware of their sins – they are still guilty.
A: So what is my responsibility to others? I believe that all sin is sin….. – and that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and so we are all condemned for our sins – whether big or small and our only answer is Jesus – who paid the price of guilt for us so that we are presented perfect to God. Do I have to keep telling others that this or that is a sin just because they no longer know --- well yes and no – telling a person that something is wrong will make him aware and he or she has choice, however judging them for their sin is something God will do --- they will know what is right and what is wrong when they come to Christ. I was listening to a lady who said she never paid the penny for the use of the toilet (she was English) – but on the day she was saved she knew that it was not right to cheat and have someone hold the door so she didn’t have to pay – for the first time in her life – she ‘spent a penny’ for the toilet. When we become Christians we have a new awareness of what is right and what is wrong.
P: If Jesus said – “Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do” as his last words – what should my attitude be to those who live in sin – the only unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirits urging to accept Jesus. So help me to Lord to both be aware of my sins and to share the way of knowing you with others – helping others with awareness is okay but I must leave judgments with you.


Title: Guilt by silence
S: Lev. 5:1 “If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.”
O: We must defend the innocent whenever we can. It is not good enough just to live a good life as a Christian… it is our responsibility to defend injustice. What this really means is that not speaking up when wrong is being done makes me guilty. I was once very vocal poliTtically for the unborn, for other causes but it is hard work and mentally exhausting…. So now I am quiet. I am wrong… there are many that suffer under injustice …. I am guilty of silence for sure.
A: I do not have to be on the podium as a grandmother defending injustice… but I do have to say something when I see it…. Silence is not an option.
P: To speak up whenever it is right to do so.

Title: What percent did the old testament call for.
S: Lev. 5:16 “… add a fifth of the value to that and give it all to the priest.”
O: So here it was 20% and not a tithe…. I do not believe that we are to tithe in this day and age as the new testament says that we are to give as God prospers us and to give as our hearts tell us so that could be any amount…. Those who have more are to give more.
A: Giving is a heart thing but the 10% or 20% is what the old testament did … not for now.
P: To give.

Title: The rule of finding something that was Lost – return it and tell the truth about it.
S: Lev. 6:2 “…. Or if he finds lost property and lies about it….
O: What is the saying … ‘finders keepers, losers weepers’…. Not so the Bible even has instruction on this . If we find something we tell the truth about it…. I assume do whatever is possible to let others know and to find the owner…. Because you found it does not make it yours.

Title: So this is where the Mormons get the idea of linen underwear.
S: Lev. 6:10 “The priest shall then put on his linen clothes, with linen undergarments next to his body……”
O: So – we are not under the law… we are under grace through Jesus so all these rules of what priests should wear are not applicable… however the practical comments about defending injustice seems reasonable and good advice to still hold to. The issue is that we cannot keep this law no matter how we try… not that defending injustice is wrong… just that we cannot do any of this law well enough that is why there had to be the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
A: Ritual – like holy Mormon underwear – is an example of rejecting the perfect sacrifice of Christ. What rituals do I hold to… probably many that I am not even aware of and I should make an effort to recognize whether something is just a ritual within my faith or it is heartfelt love in action.
P: To be aware of my action…. if I am just going through the motions… similar to the rituals of those who attempt to live under the law.

Acts 14
Title: Effective and ineffective preaching
S: Acts 14:1 “…..There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.”
O: So is there effective and therefore ineffective preaching? I always thought that the word “shall not return unto me void”(Isa 55:11) but here there is a comparison… so effectively… What I must assume is that when God’s word goes out there are always results but in this case the results were huge. What I wonder is whether the effectiveness is due to man or God? I think that it is due to God as another verse says that God gives the increase (1 Cor 3:7) so the prayer, fasting and commitment are up to us but the actual results are always up to God however if we are truly close to God there will be effectiveness as God is working through us.
A: Our task is to read, pray, fast, share the word and what happens is up to God however there will most likely be more effectiveness if we are walking close to God and what others see and hear is God rather than us.
P: Commitment. ?

Title: Are miraculous signs and wonders a confirmation of the message?
S: Acts 14:3 “So Paul and Barnabas send considerable time there speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.”
O: So – if signs and wonders are a confirmation of the message – is the lack of such evidences a proof that the message is not right? I am not sure. First of all not sure that all signs and wonders are of the making the blind see variety. I am thinking that saved souls that result in changed lives are equally to be considered a wonder… however if there is rarely a person who is saved soul or a healing…. Then I think that is a place where the true word is not being preached.
A: Watch for people being saved and people being healed…. If it never happens than I am not in the right place.
P: To be aware and never deceived by a “form of godliness but denying the power (2 Tim. 3:5)

Title: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
S: Acts 14:5 “There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews , together with their leaders to mistreat them and stone them.”
O: It is easy to find out who is an enemy to God when you see who aligns themselves together to oppose the preaching of his word..

Title: Can faith be seen?
S: Acts 14:9 “Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed.”
O: Can a discerning Christian have this awareness? Can we look at a person and know that there is faith? If this is true then it is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. I don’t know if I know anyone like this but think it is an important gift for a preacher.
A: Look for discerning ministers of the word.
P: Pray that our overseers will have this gift of discernment.

Title: Paul and Barnabas go from super heroes to people that they want to kill.
S: Acts 14: 12 & 19 “Barnabas they called Zeus and Paul they called Hermes….(14:12).. “they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead..(14:19)
O: Never change the gospel in order to please others…. Although we might be popular for the moment… in an instant this popularity can change to hate…. Just serve God as the word says.s
A: Act, speak and live with integrity… and never to please.
P: To speak up – no matter the consequences.

Title: Is there a contradiction here – it seems that the following verse speaks of a works rather than a grace salvation?
S: Acts 14:22 “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
O: I often think that verses are just a statement of fact that Christians will endure hardships for Christ’s name… but here this seems to indicate conditions in order to enter the kingdom. What about “by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourselves” (Eph 2:8) Not sure why this verse about going through hardships in order to enter the kingdom is here.
P: Understanding of this Book

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