Disclaimer

Disclaimer: I am not a Biblical scholar. All my posts and comments are opinions and thoughts formulated through my current understanding of the Bible. I strive to speak of things that can be validated through Biblical Scriptures, and when I'm merely speculating, I make sure to note it. My views can be flawed, and I thus welcome any constructive perspectives and criticisms!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

100225: Claiming Selves as Gods


Theme: Claiming Selves as Gods

Exodus: 32-33:6
à Using the Golden Calf to replace God
- Everyone has a choice (to make the calf), and every choice has a consequence (to be saved or not)
- The wages of sin are death (those who have sinned are blotted out of the Book of Life)
- Made the calf during times of plenty—when life was good, the people turned to other gods: when times are hard, it’s easy for people to turn to God; when times are good, people often forget about God and turn to idols (e.g. idolize movie stars, etc.)
29Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.”
- Levites are set aside as priests because they were able to follow God’s orders.
- Aaron “whined” when caught by Moses, just like Adam whined when he ate the apple, just like Eves whined when she was blamed for giving Adam the apple.
- The story is about sin and repentance. The wages of sin are death, and only repentance can save us from such a death.
Daniel 4:28-37 à using himself to replace God
[King Nebuchadnezzar] 30 said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
34At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
- Nebuchadnezzar repented and immediately was restored his kingdom.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
- When a person puts himself before God, it is just as bad as idolizing other gods.
- Babylon, the devil, the antichrist have all put themselves above God
- On the Antichrist: 2 Thessalonians 2: [that day will not come] until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessnessa is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

100214: Leader of the Pack


Theme: God’s chosen leader of His people and how people should follow such leaders
* General characteristics of a pastor/father/”shepherd of the flock” BEFORE reading the scripture: sex-blind (i.e. a man or a woman can be this leader); know the Word/Bible; upright (“a good person”); approachable; understand the times
Titus 1:5-9
Titus’s Task on Crete
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appointa elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseerb is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
* Titus was sent by Paul to guide the churches
* Overseer = pastor or head pastor
* Elders = the Board, well-respected senior members
* Elders/Overseers must be a “he” (Overseers are most likely elected from elders)
* The above personality traits are all listed in the Proverbs
* “Husband of one/first wife” (Greek translation of one can also be translated by “first”): this would thus suggest that pastor/father/etc. can only marry once and thus cannot be a divorcee, b/c 1 Timothy 3:5 “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?”
1 Timothy 3
Overseers and Deacons
1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,a he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11In the same way, their wivesb are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
* So… what is the difference between an overseer and a deacon? Hiearchy: Pastor à Elders, who has oversight over the Pastor (e.g. if Pastor’s not doing the right things, they can rein the Pastor in); on a separate path, Pastor à Deacons, who helps the Pastor minister to the people
* “first be tested” suggests deacons are selected from a screening process
* Here, we see the role of the wife, the supporter of the man.
14Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
Hec appeared in a body,d
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
Titus 3:1-11
Doing What Is Good
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
* This says that all Christians are to follow these aspirations.
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.