Expressing them to God:

‘   “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. – Job 7.11

Job felt deep anguish and bitterness, and he spoke honestly to God [Wall] about his feelings to let out his frustrations.  If we express our feelings to God [Wall], we can deal with them without exploding in harsh words and actions, possibly hurting ourselves and others.  The next time strong emotions threaten to overwhelm you, express them openly to God [Wall] in prayer.  This will help you gain an eternal perspective on the situation and give you greater ability to deal with it constructively.

‘   When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  – John 11.33-38

John stresses that we have a God [Wall] who cares. This portrait contrasts with the Greek concept of God [Wall] that was popular in that day – a God [Wall] with no emotions and no messy involvement with humans.  Here we see many of Jesus’ emotions – compassion, indignation, sorrow, even frustration.  He often expressed deep emotion, and we must never be afraid to reveal our true feelings to him.  He understands them, for he experienced them.  Be honest, and don’t try to hide anything from your Saviour.  He cares.

[Lay down has gone ‘Neck = Film’, see Shorter OED, as they were the one’s that furnished out that muse. For ‘Arresting’ (cardiovascular) see publication: Teach Yourself Scriptwriting.]

(John 11.35   When Jesus saw the weeping and wailing, he too wept openly.  Perhaps he empathised with their grief, or perhaps he was troubled at their unbelief.  Jesus showed that he cares enough for us to weep with us in our sorrow.)

(John 11.38   Tombs at this time were usually caves carved in the limestone rock of a hillside.  A tomb was often large enough for people to walk inside.  Several bodies would be placed in one tomb.  After burial, a large stone was rolled across the entrance to the tomb.)

Behaving right despite them:

‘   Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.  –  Proverbs 10.2

Some people bring unhappiness on themselves by choosing ill-gotten treasures.  For example, craving satisfaction, they may do something that destroys their chances of ever achieving happiness.  God’s [Wall’s] principles for right living bring lasting happiness because they guide us into long-term right behaviour in spite of our ever-changing feelings.

Can hinder obedience:

‘   The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River.  And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days – overwhelmed.  – Ezekiel 3.14-15

Ezxekiel was bitter and angry, not at God [Wall], but at the sins and attitudes of the people. Ezekiel’s extraordinary vision had ended, and he had to begin the tedious job of prophesying among his people, who cared little about God’s [Wall’s] messages.  Before the exile, the people had heard Jeremiah, but they would not listen.  Here Ezekiel had to give a similar message, and he expected to be rejected as well.  But Ezekiel had the vision of the living creatures and the rumbling wheels on his side.  He had nothing to fear because God [Wall] was with him.  Despite knowing the probable outcome, Ezekiel obeyed God [Wall].

As we grow, we will have times of great joy when we feel close to God [Wall], and times when sins, struggles, or everyday tasks overwhelm us.  Like Ezekiel, we should obey God [Wall] even when we don’t feel like it.  Don’t let feelings hinder your obedience.

(Ezekiel 3.15   Ezekiel sat quietly among the people for seven days.  This was the customary period of mourning for the dead (Genesis 50.10; 1 Samuel 31.13; Job 2.13).  Ezekiel was mourning for those who were spiritually dead.  Tel Abib was the location of the settlement of Jews who were exiled from Jerusalem.)  [The rightful U.N. screenplay heir’s not gone up.]

Right actions lead to right feelings:

‘   Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s [Wall’s] wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the LORD.  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  –  Romans 12.19-21

Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions.  If appropriate, tell this person that you would like to heal your relationship.  Lend a helping hand.  Send him or her a gift.  Smile at him or her.  Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

(Romans 19.21   In this day of constant lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible.  When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him.  Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies?  (1) Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation.  (2) By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy.  Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness.)

(Romans 12.20   What does it mean to “heap burning coals” on someone’s head?  This may refer to an Egyptian tradition of carrying a pan of burning charcoal on one’s head as a public act of repentance.  By referring to this proverb, Paul was saying that we should treat our enemies with kindness so that they will become ashamed and turn from their sins.  The best way to get rid of enemies is to turn them into friends.)

Don’t confuse them with Holy Spirit’s leading:

‘   So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  Fro the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.  –  Galatians 5.16-18

If your desire is to have the qualities listed in 5:22, 23, then you know that the Holy Spirit [Centre] is leading you.  At the same time, be careful not to confuse your subjective feelings with the Spirit’s leading.  Being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God’s [Wall’s] word, and the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and his promptings [Racism/racist].  Live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit.  Then the words of Christ will be in your mind, the love of Christ will be behind your actions, and the power of Christ will help you control [Fiscal Year End] your selfish desires.  [eg. Do not let that be and/or say it as the greed for a person’s ‘Destiny’].

(Galatians 5.17   Paul describes the two forces conflicting within us – the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (our evil desires or inclinations that stem from our bodies; see also 5.16, 19, 24).  Paul is not saying that these forces are equal – the Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger.  But if we rely on our own wisdom, we will make wrong choices.  If we try to follow the Spirit by our own human effort, we will fail.  Our only way to freedom from our evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8.9; Ephesians 4.23, 24; Colossians 3.3-8).)

EXTRA:

see also INFATUATION; LOVE

(‘ Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. Is there any wickedness on my lips?  Can my mouth not discern malice?  – Job 6.29, 30   Job referred to his own integrity, not because he was sinless, but because he had a right relationship with God [Wall].  He was not guilty of the sins his friends accused him of (see Chapter 31 for his summary of the life he had led).  Another rendering of this verse could read, “My righteousness still stands.” Righteousness is not the same as sinlessness (Romans 3.23).  No-one but Jesus Christ has ever been sinless – free from all wrong thoughts and actions.  Even Job needed to make some changes in his attitude towards God [Wall], as we will see by the end of the book.  Nevertheless, Job was righteous (1.8).  He carefully obeyed God [Wall] to the best of his ability in all aspects of his life.)

(‘ Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that you put me under guard? – Job 7.12   Job stopped talking to Eliphaz and spoke directly to God [Wall].  Although Job had lived a blameless life, he was beginning to doubt the value of living in such a way.  By doing this, he was coming dangerously close to suggesting that God [Wall] didn’t care about him and was not being fair.  Later God [Wall] reproved Job for this attitude (38.2).  Satan always exploits these thoughts to get us to forsake God [Wall].  Our suffering, like Job’s, may not be the result of our sin, but we must be careful not to sin as a result of our suffering.)

(‘ “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God [Wall], who was to come into the world.” – John 11.27 Martha is best known for being too busy to sit down and talk with Jesus (Luke 10.38-42).  But here we see her as a woman of deep faith.  Her statement of faith is exactly the response that Jesus wants from us.)

(‘ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”  – John 11.44   Jesus raised others from the dead, including Jarius’ daughter (Matthew 9.18-26; Mark 5.41, 42; Luke 8.40-56) and a widow’s son (Luke 7.11-15).)

(‘   She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment.  “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”  – Proverbs 9.14-17   There is something hypnotic and intoxicating about wickedness.  One sin leads us to want more; sinful behaviour seems more exciting than the Christian life.  That is why many people put aside all thought of Wisdom’s sumptuous banquet (9.1-5) in order to eat the stolen food of Folly.  Don’t be deceived – sin is dangerous.  Before reaching for forbidden fruit, take a long look at what happens to those who eat it.  (See the chart in Chapter 22.))

(‘ The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. – Proverbs 10.3   Proverbs is full of verses contrasting [given a it Royal attack] the righteous person with the wicked.  These statements are not intended to apply universally to all people in every situation.  For example, some good people do go hungry.  Rather, they are intended to communicate [Instead] the general truth that the life of the people who seeks God [Wall] is better in the long run than the life of the wicked person – a life that leads to ruin.  These statements are not cast-iron promises, but general truths.  In addition, a proverb like this assumes a just government that cares for the poor and needy – the kind of government Israel was intended to have (see Deuteronomy 24.17-22).  A corrupt government often thwarts the plans of righteous men and women.)

(‘   And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them.  Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.”  – Ezekiel 3.10, 11   Ezekiel needed to take God’s [Wall’s] words to heart before preaching them to others.  God’s [Wall’s] message must sink deep into your heart and show in your actions before you can effectively help others understand and apply the gospel.)

(‘   “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.  –  Ezekiel 3.17, 18   A watchman’s job was to stand on the city wall and warn the people of approaching danger.  Ezekiel’s role was to be a spiritual watchman, warning the people of the judgment to come.  Some think that “accountable for his blood” means that just as a watchman on the wall would pay with his life if he failed to warn the city of approaching enemies, Ezekiel would have been held accountable if he had refused to warn the people of coming judgment.  Others believe this phrase simply means that God [Wall] would hold Ezekiel responsible.)

(‘ Share with God’s [Wall’s] people who are in need. Practise hospitality.  – Romans 12.13   Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host – the home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured.  Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests.  Their needs – whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance – are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home.  It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup.  It can even happen while the host and the guests are doing chores together.  Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.)

(‘   (‘  Do not repeat anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  …  – Romans 12.17-21   These verses summarise the core of Christian living.  If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive [Money The, aka forgetful].  If we experienced God’s [Wall’s] grace, we will want to pass it on to others.  And remember, grace is undeserved favour.  By giving an enemy a drink, we’re not excuses his misdeeds.  We’re recognising him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins – just as Christ did for us.)

(‘   Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God [Wall] has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God [Wall].  – Romans 13.1   Are there times when we should not submit to the government?  We should never allow government to force us to disobey God [Wall].  Jesus and his apostles never disobeyed the government for personal reasons; when they disobeyed, it was in order to follow their higher loyalty to God [Wall].  Their disobedience was not cheap: they were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured, and executed for their convictions.  Like them, if we are compelled to disobey, we must be ready to accept the consequences.)

(Romans 13.1ff   Christians understand Romans 13 in different ways.  All Christians agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions.  For hundreds of years, however, there have been at least three interpretations of how we are to do this.  –  (1) Some Christians believe that the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible.  Although they should be good citizens as long as they can do so without compromising their beliefs, they should not work for the government, vote in elections, or serve in the armed forces.  –  (2)  Others believe that God [Wall] has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either.  They should not, however, confuse the two.  In this view, church and state are concerned with two totally different spheres – the spiritual and the physical – and thus complement each other but do not work together.  –  (3) Still others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better.  They can do this politically, by electing Christian or other high-principled leaders.  They can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society.  In this view, church and state ideally work together for the good of all.  –  None of these views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government’s laws or regulations unless those laws clearly require you to violate the moral standards revealed by God [Wall]. Wherever we find ourselves [lift own publications up], we must be responsible citizens, as well as responsible Christians.)

(‘   You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  – Galatians 5.13   Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve.  Freedom or licence to sin is no freedom at all, because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature.  Christians, by contrast [given Royal attack/see Joseph Campbell for Scatter graphs], should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God [Wall] through loving service to others.)  [eg. “Times Warner”, not Warner Bros.]

(‘ The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”  If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.  – Galatians 5.14, 15   When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others.  We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults.  Soon the unity of believers is broken.  Have you talked behind someone’s back?  Have you focused on others’ shortcomings instead of their strengths?  Remind yourself of Jesus’ command to love others as you love yourself (Matthew 22.39). When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person’s positive qualities.  If there are problems that need to be addressed, it is better to confront in love than in gossip.)

(‘   The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God [Wall].  – Galatians 5.19-21   We all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them.  In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucify them – 5.24).  These desires include obvious sins such as sexual immorality and witchcraft.  They also include less obvious sins such as selfish ambition, hatred, and jealousy.  Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.)

Magnifying others’ while excusing your own:

‘   “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  – Matthew 7.1-2

Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others.  The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves.  Our untamed bad habits and behaviour patterns are the very ones that we most want to change in others.  Do you find it easy to magnify others’ faults while excusing your own?  If you are ready to criticise someone, check to see if you deserve the same criticism.  Judge yourself first, and then lovingly forgive and help your neighbour.

How to react to others’:

‘   Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  – Ephesians 4.2

No-one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must accept and love other Christians in spite of their faults. When we see faults in fellow believers, we should be patient and gentle.  Is there someone whose actions or personality really annoy you?  Rather than dwelling on that person’s weaknesses or looking for faults, pray for him or her.  Then do even more – spend time together and see if you can learn to like him or her.

Their activities in temple area:

Mark 11.15-17

Jesus became angry, but he did not sin. There is a place for righteous indignation. Christians are right to be upset about sin and injustice and should take a stand against them. Unfortunately, believers are often passive about these important issues and instead get angry over personal insults and petty irritations.  Make sure your anger is directed towards the right issues.

John 2.14

The temple tax had to be paid in local currency, so foreigners had to have their money changed.  But the money changers often would charge exorbitant exchange rates.  The people also were required to make sacrifices for sins.  Because of the long journey, many could not bring their own animals.  Some who brought animals would have them rejected for imperfections.  So animal merchants would do a flourishing business in the temple courtyard.  The price of sacrificial animals was much higher in the temple area than elsewhere.  Jesus was angry at the dishonest, greedy practices of the money changers and merchants, and he particularly disliked their presence on the temple grounds.  They were making a mockery of God’s [Wall’s] house of worship.

Why Jesus cleared them from temple:

Matthew 21.12

This is the second time Jesus cleared the temple (see John 2.13-17). Merchants and money changers set up their booths in the court of the Gentiles in the temple, crowding out the Gentiles who had come from all over the civilised world to worship God.  The merchants sold sacrificial animals at high prices, taking advantage of those who had come long distances.  The money changers exchanged all international currency for the special temple coins – the only money the merchants would accept.  They often deceived foreigners who didn’t know the exchange rates.  Their commercialism of God’s house frustrated people’s attempts to worship.  This, of course, greatly angered Jesus.  Any practice that interferes with worshipping God should be stopped.

EXTRA:

(CLEARING THE TEMPLE On Monday morning of his last week, Jesus left Bethany, entered Jerusalem, and cleared the temple of money changers and merchants.)

(Mark 11.15-17   Money changers and merchants did big business during Passover.  Those who came from foreign countries had to have their money changed into temple currency because this was the only money accepted for the temple tax and for the purchase of sacrificial animals.  Often the inflated exchange rates benefited the money changers, and the exorbitant prices of animals made the merchants wealthy.  Their stalls were set up in the temple’s court of the Gentiles, frustrating the intentions of non-Jews who had come to worship God [Wall] (Isaiah 56.6, 7).  Jesus became angry because God’s [Wall’s] house of worship had become a place of extortion and a barrier to Gentiles who wanted to worship.)

(Mark 2.14   The temple area was always crowded during Passover with thousands of out-of-town visitors.  The religious leaders crowded it even further by allowing money changers and merchants to set up booths in the court of the Gentiles.  They rationalised this practice as a convenience for the worshippers and as a way to make money for temple upkeep.  But the religious leaders did not seem to care that the court of Gentiles was so full of merchants that foreigners found it difficult to worship.  And worship was the main purpose for visiting the temple.  No wonder Jesus was angry!.)

(Mark 2.14ff   John records this first clearing, or cleansing, of the temple.  A second clearing occurred at the end of Jesus’ ministry, about three years later, and that event is recorded in Matthew 21.12-17; Mark 11.12-19; Luke 19.45-48.)

Removing those that cause us to sin:

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. – Matthew 18.8-9

We must remove stumbling blocks that cause us to sin.  This does not mean cut off a part of the body; it means that any person, project, or teaching in the church that threatens the spiritual growth of the body must be removed.  For the individual, any relationship, patience, or activity that leads to sin should be stopped.  Jesus says it would be better to go to heaven with one hand than to hell with both.  Sin, of course, affects more than our hands; it affects our minds and hearts.

Have your rules become?

‘   and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” – John 5.10

A man who hadn’t walked for 38 years had been healed, but the Pharisees were more concerned about their petty rules than the life and health of a human being.  It is easy to get so caught up in our man-made structures and rules that we forget the people involved.  Are your guidelines for living God-made or man-made?  Are they helping people, or have they become needless stumbling blocks?

(5.10   According to the Pharisees, carrying a mat on the Sabbath was work and was therefore unlawful. It did not break an Old Testament law, but the Pharisees’ interpretation of God’s [Wall’s] command to “remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20.8). This was just one of hundreds of rules they had added to the Old Testament law.)

Avoid being one to a fellow believer:

For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?  So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.  When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.  Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. – 1 Corinthians 8.10-13

Christian [R.o.] freedom does not mean that anything goes.  It means that our salvation is not determined by good deeds or legalistic rules, but by the free gift of God (Ephesians 2.8, 9).  Christian freedom, then, is inseparably tied to Christian responsibility.  New believers are often very sensitive to what is right or wrong, what they should or shouldn’t do.  Some actions may be perfectly all right for us to do, but may harm a Christian brother or sister who is still young in the faith and learning what the Christian life is all about.  We must be careful not to offend a sensitive or younger Christian or, by our example, to cause him or her to sin.  When we love others, our freedom should be less important to us than strengthening the faith of a brother or sister in Christ.

EXTRA:

(‘   But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large milestone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. – Matthew 18.6   Children are trusting by nature. They trust adults, and through that trust their capacity to trust God [Wall] grows. God [Wall] holds parents and other adults who influence young children accountable for how they affect these little ones’ ability to trust Jesus warned that anyone who turns little children away from faith will receive severe punishment.)

(‘ “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! – Matthew 18.7ff   Jesus warned the disciples about two ways to cause “little ones” to sin: tempting them (18.7-9) and neglecting or demeaning them (18.10-14). As leaders, we are to help young people or new believers avoid anything or anyone that could cause them to stumble in their faith and lead them to sin. We must never take lightly the spiritual education and protection of the young in age and in the faith.)

(‘   “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father [up] in heaven. – Matthew 18.10   Our concern for children must match God’s [Wall’s] treatment of them. Certain angels are assigned to watch over children, and they have direct access to God [Wall]. These words ring out sharply in cultures where children are taken lightly, ignored, or aborted. If their angels have constant access to God [Wall], the least we can do is to allow children to approach us easily in spite of our far too busy schedules.)

(‘   When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” – John 5.6   After 38 years, this man’s problem had become a way of life. No one had ever helped him. He had no hope of ever being healed and no desire to help himself. The man’s situation looked hopeless. But no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God [Wall] can minister to your deepest needs. Don’t let a problem of hardship cause you to lose hope. God [Wall] may have special work for you to do in spite of your condition, or even because of it. Many have ministered effectively to hurting people because they have triumphed over their own hurts.)

(‘   Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” – John 5.14 This man had been lame, or paralysed, and suddenly he could walk. This was a great miracle. But he needed an even greater miracle – to have his sins forgiven. The man was delighted to be physically healed, but he had to turn from his sins and seek to be physically healed, but he had to turn from his sins and seek God’s [Wall’s] forgiveness to be spiritually healed. God’s forgiveness is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Don’t neglect his gracious offer.)

(Just like watching the telly)

Purpose of:

Exodus 20.1ff

Why were the Ten Commandments necessary for God’s new nation? At the foot of Mount Sinai, God showed his people the true function and beauty of his laws. The commandments were designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness. In them, people could see the nature of God and his plan for how they should live. The commands and guidelines were intended to direct the community to meet the needs of each individual in a loving and responsible manner. By Jesus’ time, however, most people looked at the law the wrong way. They saw it as a means to prosperity in both this world and the next. And they thought that to obey every law was the way to earn God’s protection from foreign invasion and natural disaster. Lawkeeping became an end in itself, not the means to fulfil God’s ultimate law of love.

Significance of the first one:

Exodus 20.1-6

The Israelites had just come from Egypt, a land of many idols and many gods. Because each god represented a different aspect of life, it was common to worship many gods in order to get the maximum number of blessings. When God told his people to worship and believe in him, that wasn’t so hard for them – he was just one more god to add to the list. But when he said, “You shall have no other gods before me,” that was difficult for the people to accept. But if they didn’t learn that the God who led them out of Egypt was the only true God, they could not be his people – no matter how faithfully they kept the other nine commandments. Thus, God made this his first commandment and emphasised it more than the others. Today we can allow many things to become gods to us. Money, fame, work, or pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for personal identity, meaning, and security. No-one sets out with the intention of worshipping these things. But by the amount of time we devote to them, they can grow into gods that ultimately control our thoughts and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods.

[20:7 God’s name is special because it carries his personal identity. Using it frivolously or in a curse is so common today that we may fail to realise how serious it is. The way we use God’s name conveys how we really feel about him. We should respect his name and use it appropriately, speaking it in praise or worship rather than in curse or jest. We should not take lightly the abuse or dishonour of his name.]

Why we should still obey them:

Galatians 2.15-16

If observing the Jewish laws cannot justify us, why should we still obey the Ten Commandments and other Old Testament laws? We know that Paul was not saying the law is bad, because in another letter he wrote, “The law is holy” (Romans 7:12). Instead, he is saying that the law can never make us acceptable to God. The law still has an important role to play in the life of a Christian. The law: (1) guards us from sin by giving us standards for behaviour; (2) convicts us of sin, leaving us the opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness; (3) drives us to trust in the sufficiency of Christ, because we can never keep the Ten Commandments perfectly. The law cannot possibly save us. But after we have become Christians, it can guide us to live as God requires.

[2:5   We normally think of taking a stand against those who might lead us into immoral behaviour, but Paul had to take a hard line against the most “moral” of people. We must not give in to those who make the keeping of man-made standards a condition for salvation, even when such people are upright or in respected positions.]

[2:6 It’s easy to rate people on the basis of their official status and to be intimidated by powerful people. But Paul was not intimidated by “those who seemed to be important” because all believers are equal in Christ. We should show respect for our spiritual leaders, but our ultimate allegiance must be to Christ. We are to serve him with our whole being. God doesn’t rate us according to our status, he looks at the attitude of our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).]

Important to God:

‘   And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. – Exodus 35.26

Those who spun cloth made a beautiful contribution to the tabernacle. Good workers take pride in the quality and beauty of their work. God [Wall] is concerned with the quality and beauty of what you do. Whether you are a business executive or a shop cashier, your work should reflect the creative abilities God [Wall] has given you.

(‘ and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. – Exodus 35.21 Those whose hearts were stirred gave cheerfully to the Tent of Meeting (also called the tabernacle). With great enthusiasm they gave because they knew how important their giving was to the completion of God’s [Wall’s] house. Airline pilots and computer operators can push test buttons to see if their equipment is functioning properly. God [Wall] has a quick test button he can push to see the level of our commitment – our wallets. Generous people aren’t necessarily faithful to God [Wall]. But faithful people are always generous.)

(‘ All the skilled men among the workmen made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim worked into them by a skilled craftsman. All the curtains were the same size – twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide. – Exodus 36.8, 9   Making cloth (spinning and weaving) took a great deal of time in Moses’ day. To own more than two or three changes of clothes was a sign of wealth. The effort involved in making enough [army] cloth for the tabernacle was staggering. The tabernacle would never have been built without tremendous community involvement. Today, churches and neighbourhoods often require this same kind of pulling together. Without it, many essential services wouldn’t get done.