Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Baptism
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
The first clear mention of Baptism in Biblical history came with John the Baptist.
Mark 1:1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; 3 THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.'" 4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
John's baptism was a sign of repentance and forgiveness. Yet Biblically it was not JUST for these reasons. Jesus himself was baptized and he did not need to repent or be forgiven.
Matthew 3:13
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?" 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."
Jesus' baptism points to the larger meaning of the act - It fulfilled righteousness.
Matthew 3:15
But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him.
It brought a unique experience with the Holy Spirit to Him.
Matthew 3:16
After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,
A testimony came from the Father in heaven as to his identity and to whom he belonged.
Matthew 3:17
and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."
These all point to the reality that the act of baptism has many layers of meaning. All of them relate to our relationship with God.
LET'S REVIEW:
BAPTISM IS:
THE SIGN OF REPENTANCE
THE SIGN OF FORGIVENESS
THE FULFULMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
AN ENTRANCE TO A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE SEAL OF OUR IDENTITY
THE COVENANT SIGN OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM?
To fully understand the purpose of baptism we must first understand Salvation.
Baptism and Salvation are inextricably linked
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Peter relates baptism back to Noah. Noah and his household were saved through an experience like baptism. The world that then existed was destroyed by that same experience.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
So we see that Noah's obedience growing out of faith brought about his and his family's salvation.
2 Peter 2:5
and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
The act of baptism is said to save us as in the same way as what happened to Noah.
1 Peter 3:21
Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Heb 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
But as we carefully consider this last passage we see that it was FAITH that moved Noah to obey and build the ark.
This is consistent with Jesus' command regarding baptism.
Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
When we look again at the passage from Peter we could easily say that the act of baptism does bring about salvation:
1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
As children of the reformation we find ourselves perplexed by these passages. We know that the Bible teaches that all that is needed for salvation is FAITH. And yet it clearly states that baptism "saves" us.
1 Peter 3:21
Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--
We have been rightly taught that salvation was a free gift, and not a result of our works of righteousness.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Yet the reformers in their zeal for clarity on this issue forgot to equally emphasize the change of life that occurs in a true believer.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
They also did not see the distinction in the concept of salvation that is clear in scripture.
There are at least three ways the Bible teaches us we are "saved."
WE ARE SAVED
WE ARE BEING SAVED
WE WILL BE SAVED
WE ARE SAVED -
THE SALVATION OF OUR SPIRIT
WE ARE BEING SAVED -
THE SALVATION OF OUR SOUL
WE WILL BE SAVED -
THE SALVATION OF OUR BODIES
BAPTISM RELATES TO ALL THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATION
We are saved from sin and restored to an eternal relationship with God IN OUR SPIRITS by faith when we receive Jesus as saviour. Baptism is the outward act that confirms the the inward transformation. It is the sign of our Spirit's salvation.
Acts 19:4
Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
The Bible does not teach Baptismal regeneration - that is being born again by or in the act of baptism.
The thief on the cross was not baptized yet was promised heaven but we can be sure that the only reason he was not baptized was because there was no opportunity to do so before his death.
Luke 23:39
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
Though it is the "sign" of our spirit's salvation the Bible does not teach baptism as "only" a symbol.
We have seen that the very first commanded act of obedience for a Christian after his salvation is to be baptized.
This is the key to understanding how Baptism "saves" us, as Peter said.
In everything God desires to do for us there are two parts
GOD'S PART
OUR PART
If we do our part, God will do His part.
If we do not do our part, God cannot do His part.
Both of these understanding are based on God's Character
God never lies
God cannot lie
. . . in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,
Titus 1:2
When He says something He cannot go back on His Word.
Numbers 23:19
"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
He honors His Word more than his own Name
Psalm 138:2 (KJS)
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
When God says, "If you do this then I will do this" If we do what he asks He will do what He says. If however, we do not do what He says, He cannot do what He says He will do either.
From our scriptures we understand that when we obey Jesus' command to be baptized His life flows from our spirit and releases salvation into our soul.
This is not eternal salvation which came into our spirit when we made a commitment to Jesus as our Saviour. It is the release of the power of God for salvation into our present life through obedience to His Word.
Baptism is our first act of obedience which releases salvation into our soul. We are "being saved." Like Noah our faith results in action which releases salvation into our present life.
1 Peter 3:21
Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you
Galatians 3:27
all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
The Ethiopian Eunuch sought baptism immediately upon his believing in Jesus.
Acts 8:34
The eunuch answered Philip and said, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
Peter's first instruction to those who believed on the day of Pentecost was to be baptized.
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter's first concern for the Gentile believers in Cornelius' house was that they be baptized.
Acts 10:44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,
"Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"
And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Paul was told to be baptized as soon as he had repented.
Acts 22:16
'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
LASTLY OUR BAPTISM RELATES TO OUR BEING SAVED AS A DIRECT SYMBOL OR OUR DEATH AND RESURRECTION IN JESUS
Baptism is the declaration of our hope of resurrection
In our baptism we physically represent the day our bodies will be saved.
Romans 6:3
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
Let's review
BAPTISM IS:
THE SIGN OF REPENTANCE
THE SIGN OF FORGIVENESS
THE FULFULMENT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
AN ENTRANCE TO A NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE SEAL OF OUR IDENTITY
THE COVENANT SIGN OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER.
THE FIRST COMMANDED ACT JESUS GAVE.
The Purpose of Baptism is to be:
The sign of our Spirit's salvation.
Our first act of obedience which releases salvation into our soul. We are "being saved."
The declaration of our hope of resurrection
So the question now is, "if you have never been baptized since you believed shouldn't you should be saying:"
"Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"
Acts 8:36
Below is the link to download the Power Point presentation I used. If you would like to use it for a teaching tool feel free.
Baptism Rev 5
Thursday, May 13, 2010
TIMES OF REFRESHING - A Biblical look at Entering God's Rest
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
The times of refreshing points to an experience that comes from God. The Greek word anapsuxeos means a cooling or a refreshing. It means rest.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Yet God is calling. He wants us to lay our anxieties, cares and burdens on Him.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Is your picture of God's heart towards us one of constant care and love? Or are you like a little band of disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee?
Mark 4:37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
If we understand that God is over every circumstance in our lives then we must know His heart is good toward us in order to interpret our circumstances rightly. We all have faith of one kind or another but the disciples had no faith in God's care for them or Jesus’ power. They had faith in the things they knew about - wind, waves and boats.
Isaiah 32:1
Behold, a king will reign righteously
And princes will rule justly.
2 Each will be like a refuge from the wind
And a shelter from the storm,
Like streams of water in a dry country,
Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land.
Jesus' knowledge of wind, waves and boats did not cause him anxiety. He was in the place of refreshment in the middle of what drove others to great fear. Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of the storm because He knew who God was and he knew who he was. This was because he knew what Isaiah foresaw. He was the king who rules in righteousness He was the man who was the hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest. He himself is the river of water in the dry place he is the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
We too can enter into this great place of refreshment and rest but first we must be convinced that it is for us.
HINDRANCES TO FIND REST AND REFRESHMENT
Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS"; 5 and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST." 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
There are many things that keep people from entering into the rest of God. Two are found in this passage. These impact today as much as they did those to whom the letter to the Hebrews was written. These two hindrances are
1. Unbelief
2. Disobedience.
The Israelites failed to obey because they did not believe. The two go together like a hand and a glove. One without the other is not real. If the Israelites had truly believed that God was with them and would bring them into rest no matter what they saw they would have obeyed when God spoke.
THE CARES AND CRAVINGS OF THE WORLD
A third hindrance to rest is the cares and cravings of the world.
Mark 4:18 "And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 "And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
WRONG PRIORITIES
Many times we fail to come into the refreshment God has for us because our priorities are not right.
Luke 10:38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
WOUNDS OF OTHERS
This particular hindrance is one of the hardest to deal with since the internal heart of a person has been damaged concerning the image of God. We who are more whole must make it one of our goals to help along those who are wounded.
Luke 10:33 "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.' 36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?" 37 And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."
A LACK OF PRAYER - A LACK OF THANKSGIVING
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
ENTERING INTO GOD'S REST
Hebrews 4:9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
TAKE A DAY OF REST
Exodus 23:12 "Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.
ENTER INTO GOD'S PRESENCE
Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
LOOK TO GOD TO REFRESH YOU IN TIMES OF STRUGGLE
Jeremiah 31:25 "For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes."
WAITING ON GOD - A SHORT COURSE ON FLYING
Isaiah 40:30
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
For those who learn to wait on God three things shall happen - they will fly, they will run and they will walk, with refreshment in all of them.
FASTING
Isaiah 58:6
"Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
7 "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 "Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am '
REFRESH OTHERS
Proverbs 11:25
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
BE A FAITHFUL MESSENGER OF THE GOOD NEWS
Proverbs 25:13
Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS
Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
LETTING OTHERS BE USED OF GOD IN OUR LIVES
I Corinthians 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
II Corinthians 7:13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
II Timothy 1:16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
Philemon 1:7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
The times of refreshing points to an experience that comes from God. The Greek word anapsuxeos means a cooling or a refreshing. It means rest.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Yet God is calling. He wants us to lay our anxieties, cares and burdens on Him.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Is your picture of God's heart towards us one of constant care and love? Or are you like a little band of disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee?
Mark 4:37 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
If we understand that God is over every circumstance in our lives then we must know His heart is good toward us in order to interpret our circumstances rightly. We all have faith of one kind or another but the disciples had no faith in God's care for them or Jesus’ power. They had faith in the things they knew about - wind, waves and boats.
Isaiah 32:1
Behold, a king will reign righteously
And princes will rule justly.
2 Each will be like a refuge from the wind
And a shelter from the storm,
Like streams of water in a dry country,
Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land.
Jesus' knowledge of wind, waves and boats did not cause him anxiety. He was in the place of refreshment in the middle of what drove others to great fear. Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of the storm because He knew who God was and he knew who he was. This was because he knew what Isaiah foresaw. He was the king who rules in righteousness He was the man who was the hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest. He himself is the river of water in the dry place he is the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
We too can enter into this great place of refreshment and rest but first we must be convinced that it is for us.
HINDRANCES TO FIND REST AND REFRESHMENT
Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS"; 5 and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST." 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
There are many things that keep people from entering into the rest of God. Two are found in this passage. These impact today as much as they did those to whom the letter to the Hebrews was written. These two hindrances are
1. Unbelief
2. Disobedience.
The Israelites failed to obey because they did not believe. The two go together like a hand and a glove. One without the other is not real. If the Israelites had truly believed that God was with them and would bring them into rest no matter what they saw they would have obeyed when God spoke.
THE CARES AND CRAVINGS OF THE WORLD
A third hindrance to rest is the cares and cravings of the world.
Mark 4:18 "And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 "And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
WRONG PRIORITIES
Many times we fail to come into the refreshment God has for us because our priorities are not right.
Luke 10:38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
WOUNDS OF OTHERS
This particular hindrance is one of the hardest to deal with since the internal heart of a person has been damaged concerning the image of God. We who are more whole must make it one of our goals to help along those who are wounded.
Luke 10:33 "But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 "On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.' 36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?" 37 And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."
A LACK OF PRAYER - A LACK OF THANKSGIVING
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
ENTERING INTO GOD'S REST
Hebrews 4:9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
TAKE A DAY OF REST
Exodus 23:12 "Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.
ENTER INTO GOD'S PRESENCE
Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
LOOK TO GOD TO REFRESH YOU IN TIMES OF STRUGGLE
Jeremiah 31:25 "For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes."
WAITING ON GOD - A SHORT COURSE ON FLYING
Isaiah 40:30
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
For those who learn to wait on God three things shall happen - they will fly, they will run and they will walk, with refreshment in all of them.
FASTING
Isaiah 58:6
"Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
7 "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 "Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am '
REFRESH OTHERS
Proverbs 11:25
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
BE A FAITHFUL MESSENGER OF THE GOOD NEWS
Proverbs 25:13
Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
PRAYING FOR OTHERS
Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
LETTING OTHERS BE USED OF GOD IN OUR LIVES
I Corinthians 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
II Corinthians 7:13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.
II Timothy 1:16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
Philemon 1:7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
God and Man at table are set down – Open Door Christian Fellowship’s Men’s Meeting - Saturday May 8, 2010
Communion and the Body of Christ
While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-28
Symbol, Substance and Covenant
The Orthodox/Catholics believe that Jesus is physically present in the bread and wine. They take the words of Jesus literally. They believe they are eating the actual flesh of Jesus and drinking his blood.
The Protestants usually either believe that there is a spiritual "real presence" or the bread and wine are only symbolic.
Jesus is with us in communion.
I believe any understanding of communion based only on what is seen can miss a critical point. Jesus intended this act to be covenantal.
"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:31-33
God calls us in the act of communion to a covenant relationship with Him.
Everyone who first partook of this meal knew exactly what it was for.
They knew it from the communion offering of Israel.
It was a covenant meal in which God, the priest and those who brought the offering ate together.
In doing so they were committed to a covenant of protection, provision and presence.
The Semitic world understood this.
Even today among the Bedouins if you are invited to eat with them they consider it to be an act of covenant.
There are other examples of God calling humans into covenant through a shared meal.
Abraham ate with God and two angels. The end result was the covenant promise of God of a child was fulfilled.
The Passover was a covenant meal that God attended. In doing so His divine protection came to the house.
Jesus made a covenant with his disciples in the Last Supper with them.
This covenant is the New Covenant Jeremiah spoke of.
Jesus himself attends this covenant meal every time it is shared with his disciples.
He is the one who calls us to the table.
He is the one who offers His Body and Blood to us as the tokens of the promise he made to us.
We have so lost the concept of keeping promises that the solemnity of entering into a covenant is almost foreign.
Perhaps the promises made in the marriage vows are the only picture we have left but even this is fading in our culture.
Blood covenants were the strongest of all.
This is the covenant Jesus makes with his people every time they sit down at table with him.
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The emphasis on the bread and wine is important but the true focus of communion is that it is Jesus restating his covenant commitment to us each time we partake of them.
The next aspect of communion we need to let go deep into our hearts is that it is more than a physical, spiritual or symbolic presence in the bread and wine that makes it what it is.
Communion is the story of Jesus remembered every time we share it.
We remember him not just from long ago, but today, in his body and what his body is doing today and what we as part of that body are to be doing today.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16
This story tells us because of his giving his body and shedding his blood we belong to Him.
And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Revelation 5:9
This story tells us that we belong to each other.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 12:27
It is for this reason that I believe we should stay with the biblical description of one loaf of bread and one cup of wine. The body is one. The blood is one. We all share it.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12
It gives us the opportunity to see if we are getting the message.
But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28
Are we being broken for him and each other? Or are we breaking the Body of Jesus for ourselves?
The way we treat the least in Jesus' body is the way we treat Him.
" The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40
We might say, "But they deserve it!" We are told to even love our enemies, how much more those we are genetically connected to. But here before us is the picture – we either let ourselves be broken or we will break others.
" Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust." Luke 20:18
The way we treat our spouses, our employees, our children and our fellow believers is the way we treat Jesus. The way we treat our servants – those who serve us for no reward – is the way we treat Jesus. And this is the deep meaning of communion.
At the cross who stood with him when nothing was to be gained? His mother, A few women and John.
The women with Joseph of Arimethia and Nicodemus took his body - offered once again to us here – off the cross and buried it.
They cared for his body though they had nothing to gain and much to loose for doing so.
They disappeared again when the "important ones" who were not there to care for his body showed up again. But they did not disappear from God's heart.
We are to treasure his body both in memory and in his people today.
Before us we have the Life giving essence of Jesus.
So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. John 6:53
What a beautiful reality is found in the story that is here. We bring our common life – the very natural elements of food and drink and he by his presence transforms them into life giving substance.
The story finally tells us we must suffer with him. His life comes through what we do here to strengthen us in our shared suffering.
At this table Jesus not only calls us to receive his life. He calls us to give ours to him. This is what a covenant means. It is two people giving their lives without reserve to each other.
He gave his life for us.
We give our lives for him.
He gave his life for our brothers and sisters.
We give our lives for our brothers and sisters.
He gave his life for the world.
We give our lives for the world.
In taking this bread we declare that we are willing to be broken for his body.
In taking this cup we declare that we are willing to have our blood poured out for him, for our brothers and sisters and for the world.
A song written by my chaplin at Oral Roberts University - Bob Stamps
O, welcome all ye noble saints of old,
As now before your very eyes unfold
The wonders all so long ago foretold,
God and man at table are sat down,
God and man at table are sat down
Elders, martyrs, all are falling down,
Prophets, patriarchs are gathering 'round
What angels longed to see now man has found,
God and man at table are sat down,
God and man at table are sat down
Who is this who spreads the victory feast?
Who is this who makes our warring cease?
Jesus, risen savior, prince of peace,
God and man at table are sat down,
God and man at table are sat down
Beggars, lame, and harlots also here,
Repentant publicans are drawing near,
Wayward sons come home without a fear,
God and man at table are sat down,
God and man at table are sat down
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Prayer Ministry at the Altar
Open Door Christian Fellowship
April 28, 2010
God does nothing... but in answer to prayer... John Wesley
You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
James 4:2b-3
'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
Psalm 2:8
The Altar is not a place of shame - It is a place of meeting God
Pray! - Prayer at the Altar is meant to be primarily prayer.
We are at the place of prayer to PRAY!
It is not to be a counseling session.
It is not to be an answer session.
It is not to be a theological debate!
It is not to be a Christian séance.
It is to be a meeting with God through shared prayer.
Asking for what people are seeking in prayer is entirely appropriate. If you do not feel to ask it is okay. Just be sure it does not become anything else but a prayer ministry.
Pray with Humility.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Humility in prayer ministry is only to be there to help people find God.
Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."
Mark 9:35
If we engage in any ministry to meet our own needs we will minister death.
If, however, we die to ourselves for Jesus' sake and for others we will minister life.
And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
Luke 9:23
When we present ourselves for the work of ministry we must first have our needs in our lives met by God.
Some signs that we are ministering to meet our own needs are:
- Jealousy when others seem to have a greater success in the ministry. (Pride of Life)
- Ministering only to those who are attractive to us. (Lust of the Eyes)
- Having sensual feelings towards those we are ministering to. (Lust of the Flesh)
John 12:32
Pray with confidence.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
Hebrews 10:35
Pray scripturally.
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
1 John 5:14-15
Pray until you know God has touched them.
Often there will be a release in the person. You will get to see the sign. If it takes a long time do not give up. Don't start looking around. Stay focused until released by the Lord to stop praying.
Pray positively. Say things like we are going to believe God with you that He will answer this prayer. Do not say negative things like, "You are hindering the Lord" or "You need to have more faith". Don't blame them for any apparent blockage.
Pray sensitively. If the person is weeping don't pray triumphal prayers. Pray quietly in a comforting voice. Do not look at them but pray with eyes closed. If they are rejoicing pray in a rejoicing way.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Romans 12:15
Pray with emotion. Enter into their grief or joy. Intercession often leads to us feeling the heart of God about a situation. If they are weeping and you begin to weep don't try to stop it. Let God express His heart for them through you.
Pray sensitively in rebuking a demonic force. The volume of your voice or the commanding tone of you voice does not increase your authority. Prayer and fasting will. Remember that the person is listening to you pray even when you are speaking to the demon. If the person is a child or an adult who may not have any exposure to spiritual warfare pray silently.
In order to avoid confusion or condemnation if you are feeling to pray out loud against a demon tell the person. Say you feel there may be a demonic force coming against them that you would like to pray against. Ask them if they would be comfortable to allow you to pray against it.
If they say yes then tell them you will be speaking to the demon and not to be afraid.
In situations where a demonic force manifests itself do not hold the person down. If they attempt to harm you move quickly away and let them be alone. Contact the team leader.
If anyone threatens violence or acts in a way that indicates they could be violent let the team leader know and anyone who may be in harm's way to move away from the person. Do not attempt to deal with the issue yourself.
Pray confidentially. First of all anything that is prayed about with the person should generally remain in confidence.
The confession of sin involving abuse of any kind of a minor child requires by law that it be reported by the person to whom it was told to the police and the CAS. In these cases you are not to share it with the team leader for them to contact the authorities but directly contact the CAS and Police yourself.
If you are dealing with sensitive information pray very quietly so that others cannot hear. It is not good to shout out "Praise God you will forgive our brother's committing adultery last week....."
Pray considerately. Do not pray in a shouting voice when other people are praying nearby. We want the altar to be a place of peace. There may be times when you are praying rejoicing prayers that you will be louder but just survey the surroundings and be considerate. If someone is being prayed for an obviously traumatic experience and you are near you may want to move farther away in order not to distract them or the ones praying for them.
Do not pray for people if you have sin issues active in your heart at the time of prayer. If you are not in one accord with your spouse (on your part – not theirs), are in unresolved conflict with others that you know you are not walking in grace in or if you are captive to any of the three roots of sin (Lust of the flesh, Lust of the eyes, Pride of life) then have the team pray for you.
Pray during the week. When you have prayed for people try to keep them in your prayers for the week following. When you see them again let them know that you have been continuing to pray with them. Perhaps they will want to pray with you again.
Pray believing. When a person is asking for healing pray that God will heal. Don't tell them they are healed. Don't leave any impression with them that they do not have enough faith.
While we want to always leave the results of our prayer in the Father's hands we are told to pray believing that we have received. This means we pray believing that God will give His answer. It does not mean that whatever we pray for we will get. In that light, however, unless you have a specific guidance to not pray for the needs that a person shares then pray prayers of faith.
Even if you do not have a direction, pray for the meeting of needs they ask for, unless there is something wrong with the desires that someone shares (I am praying the ______ will fall in love with me..... I'm praying that I will get the right numbers from God to win the lottery, I am praying that my spouse will die soon (when she wasn't even sick) so I can marry the person who God says I am to marry after my spouse dies..... (I have actually had people seek these actual prayers)
If they are asking for prayer about these kinds of things just do not pray for them. If they ask why you are not praying for their requests ask them to sit down with you after the prayer time to discuss the issue. Ask God to give wisdom how to share with them in they way he would have you. If they don't ask for clarification just pray generally for them. Don't pray rebuking prayers concerning their wrong thinking. Then pray during the week for them.
This brings up the point of possible confrontations at the altar. Avoid them at all costs. If you find yourself getting in a wrong emotional state with someone you are praying with excuse yourself. Do not get into arguments of any kind with people you are praying for or you are praying with.
Share words, impressions and visions with humility. Learn to submit your words, impressions or visions. We are not to ever present our revelations as the final word from God. When you have something you think is from Him communicate using words like, "I have a thought, picture, impression....." "May I share it with you?" Ask for their permission. If they say no respect it. Never say God spoke to me. You may say, "I feel that God may be saying to you....." Leave the confirmation with them.
Don't use, "Thus saith the Lord" language ever! You may ask after you share if they have a confirmation or understanding in their hearts as to what you said but only if you can handle a rejection of what you said. If they don't receive what you have said graciously respond. Do not try to force your "word" on them. Don't say, "I will pray that God will show you I am right."
Do not give the interpretation of the word unless it is a message in tongues. Then the interpretation needs to be handled that same way as a word in English. Submit it.
If there is tension or division between you and the person please do not pray with them. Let another team member pray.
Don't pray from information that you may have heard from others or deduced yourself from watching the person..... This is very important. Gossip is not a good source for prayer concerns and even well meaning people can be wrong in their interpretation of the person's life. For example don't pray, God would you separate Jane from her immoral relationship with Tom.
When people are coming to the altar, as much as possible, let the people come to you rather than approaching them. If you feel however that someone has wrong affections towards you then as much as is possible avoid them.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
TRUTH AND LEADERSHIP
HUMILITY IS THE WAY WE RECEIVE TRUTH:
Psalm 25:9 (KJS) The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
THE GROUND OF ALL TRUTH IS GOD'S WORD
John 17:17 (KJS) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
WE MUST BE WILLING TO HUMBLE OURSELVES TO RECOGNIZE TRUTH
II Timothy 3:16 (KJS) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD
John 1:1 (KJS) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
JESUS IS THE TRUTH
John 14:6 (KJS) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
FOUR ASPECTS OF THE WORK OF GOD'S TRUTH IN OUR LIVES THAT REQUIRE HUMILITY:
1. DOCTRINE - The foundational teachings of truth. This shows us what we are to be like.
Hebrews 2:9 (KJS) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
2. REPROOF - This shows us where we fail to live up to the ideal. It is the mirror God holds up to us -
James 1:23 (KJS) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
3. CORRECTION - This shows us how we can correct our failings
II Corinthians 3:18 (KJS) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.
4. INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - this is the practice of the correction over and over again.
Hebrews 12:1 (KJS) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
THE WORD OF GOD DEALS WITH ALL OUR "BLIND SPOTS" BY TRUTH:
Psalm 19:7 (KJS) The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward. 12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].
Psalm 51:6 (KJS) Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
WHEN A LEADER REJECTS TRUTH HE SET INTO MOTION THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS OWN DEFEAT:
Proverbs 29:12 (KJS) If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.
THE DOCTRINE OF SUBMISSION HAS BEEN USED IN RELIGIOUS CIRCLES AS AN ESCAPE FOR THE LEADER FROM ACCOUNTABILITY OR AS A POINT OF PERSONAL DOMINION OVER OTHERS. ANY LEADER WHO WISHES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR LEADERSHIP MUST BE WILLING TO BE CORRECTED:
THE DOCTRINE OF SUBMISSION IS FOR ORDER NOT FOR DOMINATION
THE LEADERS THAT REFUSED TO BE CORRECTED LOST THEIR LEADERSHIP
ELIJAH AND AHAB
I Kings 18:17 (KJS) And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, [Art] thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
NATHAN AND DAVID
II Samuel 12:7 (KJS) And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give [them] unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst [it] secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die.
ABRAM AND SARAI
I Peter 3:4 (KJS) But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Genesis 16:3 (KJS) And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong [be] upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. 6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid [is] in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF WISDOM TO MORAL FAILURE IN LEADERSHIP
Job 28:28 (KJS) And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.
The primary way that a proud man is taken out of leadership is through sexual infidelity.
Proverbs 22:14 (KJS) The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
The way to keep far from moral failure is to cry out and walk in wisdom.
Proverbs 2:1 (KJS) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: [he is] a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; [yea], every good path. 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil [man], from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they] froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words; 17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good [men], and keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
THE FIRST THING THAT WE PUT ON AS A CHRISTIAN TO PROTECT US FROM THE ENEMY IS TRUTH:
Ephesians 6:13 (KJS) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, . . .
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS IS DESCRIBED IN SCRIPTURE AS WALKING IN THE LIGHT:
I John 1:5 (KJS) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
THE REJECTION OF THE LORD IN OUR LIVES COMES AS A RESULT OF NOT WALKING IN THE LIGHT:
John 3:16 (KJS) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
THE WORK OF CLEANSING FROM SIN IS GOD'S - THE WORK OF BRINGING OUR SINS TO THE LIGHT IS OURS. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS PRINCIPLE IS CONFESSION OF FAULTS (NOT JUST SINS).
Proverbs 28:13 (KJS) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
James 5:16 (KJS) Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PROMISES CONCERNING SUCCESS IN LEADERSHIP WAS GIVEN TO JOSHUA:
Joshua 1:1 (KJS) Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, [even] to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.
THE WISE PRAYERS OF LEADERS:
MOSES
Exodus 33:13 (ASV) Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
SOLOMON
1 Kings 3:5 (KJS) In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as [it is] this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant [is] in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
WISDOM IS TRUTH REVEALED.
Deuteronomy 4:5 (KJS) Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?
THE FOUNDATION OF ALL WISDOM IS UNDERSTANDING THAT GOD ALONE IS ITS SOURCE:
Job 12:12 (KJS) With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding. 13 With him [is] wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Genesis 41:15 (KJS) And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, [that] thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Daniel 2:26 (KJS) The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? 27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Psalm 25:9 (KJS) The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
THE GROUND OF ALL TRUTH IS GOD'S WORD
John 17:17 (KJS) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
WE MUST BE WILLING TO HUMBLE OURSELVES TO RECOGNIZE TRUTH
II Timothy 3:16 (KJS) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD
John 1:1 (KJS) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
JESUS IS THE TRUTH
John 14:6 (KJS) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
FOUR ASPECTS OF THE WORK OF GOD'S TRUTH IN OUR LIVES THAT REQUIRE HUMILITY:
1. DOCTRINE - The foundational teachings of truth. This shows us what we are to be like.
Hebrews 2:9 (KJS) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
2. REPROOF - This shows us where we fail to live up to the ideal. It is the mirror God holds up to us -
James 1:23 (KJS) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
3. CORRECTION - This shows us how we can correct our failings
II Corinthians 3:18 (KJS) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.
4. INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - this is the practice of the correction over and over again.
Hebrews 12:1 (KJS) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
THE WORD OF GOD DEALS WITH ALL OUR "BLIND SPOTS" BY TRUTH:
Psalm 19:7 (KJS) The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward. 12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].
Psalm 51:6 (KJS) Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
WHEN A LEADER REJECTS TRUTH HE SET INTO MOTION THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS OWN DEFEAT:
Proverbs 29:12 (KJS) If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.
THE DOCTRINE OF SUBMISSION HAS BEEN USED IN RELIGIOUS CIRCLES AS AN ESCAPE FOR THE LEADER FROM ACCOUNTABILITY OR AS A POINT OF PERSONAL DOMINION OVER OTHERS. ANY LEADER WHO WISHES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR LEADERSHIP MUST BE WILLING TO BE CORRECTED:
THE DOCTRINE OF SUBMISSION IS FOR ORDER NOT FOR DOMINATION
THE LEADERS THAT REFUSED TO BE CORRECTED LOST THEIR LEADERSHIP
ELIJAH AND AHAB
I Kings 18:17 (KJS) And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, [Art] thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.
NATHAN AND DAVID
II Samuel 12:7 (KJS) And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give [them] unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst [it] secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die.
ABRAM AND SARAI
I Peter 3:4 (KJS) But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Genesis 16:3 (KJS) And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong [be] upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. 6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid [is] in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF WISDOM TO MORAL FAILURE IN LEADERSHIP
Job 28:28 (KJS) And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.
The primary way that a proud man is taken out of leadership is through sexual infidelity.
Proverbs 22:14 (KJS) The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
The way to keep far from moral failure is to cry out and walk in wisdom.
Proverbs 2:1 (KJS) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: [he is] a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; [yea], every good path. 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil [man], from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, [and] delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they] froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words; 17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good [men], and keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
THE FIRST THING THAT WE PUT ON AS A CHRISTIAN TO PROTECT US FROM THE ENEMY IS TRUTH:
Ephesians 6:13 (KJS) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, . . .
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS IS DESCRIBED IN SCRIPTURE AS WALKING IN THE LIGHT:
I John 1:5 (KJS) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
THE REJECTION OF THE LORD IN OUR LIVES COMES AS A RESULT OF NOT WALKING IN THE LIGHT:
John 3:16 (KJS) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
THE WORK OF CLEANSING FROM SIN IS GOD'S - THE WORK OF BRINGING OUR SINS TO THE LIGHT IS OURS. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS PRINCIPLE IS CONFESSION OF FAULTS (NOT JUST SINS).
Proverbs 28:13 (KJS) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
James 5:16 (KJS) Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PROMISES CONCERNING SUCCESS IN LEADERSHIP WAS GIVEN TO JOSHUA:
Joshua 1:1 (KJS) Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, [even] to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.
THE WISE PRAYERS OF LEADERS:
MOSES
Exodus 33:13 (ASV) Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show me now thy ways, that I may know thee, to the end that I may find favor in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
SOLOMON
1 Kings 3:5 (KJS) In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as [it is] this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant [is] in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
WISDOM IS TRUTH REVEALED.
Deuteronomy 4:5 (KJS) Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do [them]; for this [is] your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation [is] a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?
THE FOUNDATION OF ALL WISDOM IS UNDERSTANDING THAT GOD ALONE IS ITS SOURCE:
Job 12:12 (KJS) With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding. 13 With him [is] wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Genesis 41:15 (KJS) And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, [that] thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Daniel 2:26 (KJS) The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? 27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
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