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6th April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 10v10-15) Message (Scott Woodburn) God makes us both wise unto salvation and wise to the world. His word lights the path before us (Psalm 119v105) and in this increasingly mixed up world, we need His guidance more than ever. The Lord’s wisdom is always good, always right and always practical. In what way? Consider a man chopping wood with an old blunt, rusty axe. The wood eventually gets chopped up but the man has to use more and more energy to do the job (v10). If only he had been wise enough to sharpen his axe before the task at hand. In the same way, consider a snake charmer who handles a serpent before he has tried to charm it (v11). The serpent bites the snake charmer who receives no advantage from such an incident. Or consider the fool who talks and talks and talks (v14). His words are many and begin with foolishness (v13) but he is consumed by his lies (v12). All he talks is madness (v13b) and he doesn’t even know the way to the city (v15) or in other words the fool abounds in stupidity. The alternative is a life bathed in the Word and wisdom of God. Paul would remind Timothy “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3v16-17). The Word read and especially preached grows us up in the faith as the Holy Spirit moves in our lives. We won’t get every decision right and Christians aren’t immune from making mistakes but in a world full of foolishness we have been blessed with the unchanging spoken Word of Almighty God. The Word teaches us about who God is and what He expects from us. Furthermore, it directs us in our work and everyday tasks. How do we apply today’s verses? Let me suggest a prayerful and Word based approach to all of life’s hurdles. Don’t rush in with a unsharpened axe or an uncharmed serpent - slow down and seek the wisdom of God. Additionally, be wise enough to tame your tongue - let your words be full of grace and let them be few. Lastly, don’t be the fool walking around Belfast but still having no clue how to get to the city - the Lord has spoken, follow His way. The Word of God is like honey on the lips (Psalm 119v103). May you know its sweetness, for as you trust and lean on the Lord, He will surely make your path straight (Proverbs 3v5-6). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q6 How many persons are there in the Godhead? There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
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5th April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ex 7:14-25 focus v22-25) Message (Alan Burke) I have to admit there are many details of what took place in this plague and the rest that I would like to know more of but we are not given, rather it is just reported to us. Like that of the Egyptian magicians being able to turn water into blood by the secret arts. These magicians of Pharaoh they were able to replicate, imitate what the Lord had done. It one more confronts us with how there is much more going on in this world that we often try to explain away, ignore, that doesn’t fit into our western scientific rational, the work of Satan in this world. The Egyptian magicians did the same by their secret arts. Moses and Arron had turned the Nile to blood or rather God used them and their obedience to show his power whereas the Egyptians did it by their secret arts. There was a time that we would have called it demonic, dark magic, but what it does here is remind us that there is so much more going on that a mere battle for freedom from slaves against an oppressive nation. All that was being played out here was not simply a dispute between Moses and Pharaoh, a conflict between Israel and Egypt, but this was a battle between God and Satan. This was just another engagement in the invisible war that continually rages between Heaven and Hell. Whether Pharaoh, his wise men and sorcerers realised that they were serving Satan or not, they were controlled by “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12), evil forces that had at least enough power to perform a few miracles. Notice though, however, that the best they could do was to imitate what God did. Pharaoh’s magicians could not turn the blood into water. This is because Satan can only corrupt, never create. The Bible says that “the work of Satan [is] displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9). Satan is always a counterfeiter, never an innovator. This victory over Pharaoh, his officials, his wise men and sorcerers, teach us that although Satan’s power is real, it is not absolute. Satan does not have the power to overrule the sovereign God, he can only do what the Lord God allowed him to do. The magicians succeeded in doing what the Lord had commanded but they could not reverse it. As a result of the magicians doing the same things by their secret arts, turning water into blood, and think just how stupid that was, they made things worse not better, well Pharaoh’s heart became hard. What we have is Pharaoh the ruler of the Egyptians showing absolutely no concern for what has happened, contempt even, his magicians were able to do it so he would not listen, he is unconcerned about the plight of his people. While God had hardened his heart Pharaoh’s own sinful nature was resolute in his opposition to the Lord. While the Lord had hardened the heart of Pharaoh, Pharaoh because of his sin had suppressed the truth in unrighteousness. All of us by our very nature do this, we reject the things of God and we are reliant on his mercy to transform our hearts. Pharaoh in the end would not listen, he had seen, he had heard and instead he turned and went into his palace. Pharaoh is not unlike many people who today hear the word of God and reject it, they have heard and look what we are told, that pharaoh did not take even this to heart, nothing. I read this and it is heartbreaking, but we see it don’t we, people who have had ample opportunity but there is nothing. In this passage we have a wonderful reminder who God is, he is sovereign over all, he can turn water into blood and he knows all before it takes place. Also we learn that God’s demands are non nonnegotiable. Why had he sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh it was the same reason that they were sent the first time and will be sent again and again and it was so that the people may go worship Him, to know him, to acknowledge him rightly, to live for him. What is the application of this passage for us, we are to worship the Lord God and him alone, the gods of this world will be brought down by him and he requires the same from all people throughout the ages, our worship. How we is through trusting in his Son the Lord Jesus Christ, all who call on his name will be saved (Acts 16:31), trying to do it our way, or trying to negotiate with God won’t work, it will only lead to death. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q5 Are there more Gods than one? There is but One only, the living and true God. (Deut. 6:4, Jer. 10:10) 4th April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 10v1-9) Message (Scott Woodburn) The author G. Michael Hopf once wrote “Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” In simple terms Hopf described life under the sun as a merry-go-round on which history keeps repeating as lessons are never learned. Solomon didn’t quite say it in the same way as Hopf but chapter ten gives a similar picture of the world and its troubles. Forebodingly, Solomon describes wisdom as always being in quite a precarious position. Just as a few dead flies cause ointment to spoil (v1), so just a little bit of foolishness can outweigh wisdom and honour (v1b). Fools are even foolish walking down the road (v3) but can you imagine what would happen if a fool made it to the most powerful position in the land? Foolish errors by such a ruler (v5) would have a devastating impact upon the nation. In such a land other fools would rise to the top whilst the rich would sit in a low place (v6). The natural order would be disturbed as slaves would ride horses while the princes walked on the ground (v7). The one who digs a pit would fall into it (v8), the one who drills into a wall would uncover a serpents nest (v8b), the one who was quarrying stone would have rocks fall upon him (v9) and the one who was chopping logs would end up hurt in his endeavour (v9b). At first glance it’s difficult to grasp what Solomon is getting at. Perhaps he was promoting slavery or better health and safety? No. Let me suggest that Solomon was warning us about the potential of foolishness and sin. Where sin abounds, danger lurks around every corner. Paul would use the example of how a tiny amount of leaven had a dramatic impact on the whole lump of dough (Galatians 5v9). In the same manner, a tiny amount of foolishness can disastrously transform a nation, city, workplace, home or church. Brothers and sisters, we are so prone to forgetting what has gone before and becoming distracted by life’s vanities. Sin never sleeps and foolishness can cause so much damage. One wrong decision, one poor choice of words or one foolish boast can set a fire which burns an empire to the ground. What shall be done? When you see a fool go left make sure you go right (v2) for it is there that you will find Jesus. He is the man of Psalm 1 who did not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of scoffers. In a world as foolish as this one, we need more of Christ every single day. He is the power and the wisdom of God and the faithful Lord who guides our path. Buy wisdom from Him and don’t sell it for while the world refuses to learn, you’ll find Christ’s yoke easy and His burden light. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q4 What is God? God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 3rd April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ex 7:14-25 focus v14-21) Message (Alan Burke) We know that there is only One God, the Egyptians though believed in the plethora of gods and the Lord God was making it known to the people of Egypt that all their gods were but idols and he the Lord is God. Here we are told that Moses was to go to Pharaoh early in the morning to ask for the release of the Israelites, he was to wait on the bank of th nile to meet him. We don’t know for sure why Pharaoh was going out to the water, it might have been as simple as he liked the water and was heading out for a wee dander on its banks. But the Nile is important throughout the narrative, we’ll think of that more in the coming weeks but for now what we need to know is that for Egypt the Nile ran and in a sense still runs like an artery through the land. If it wasn’t for the Nile most of Egypt would be a desert, but surrounding the Nile there is life, abundance of life and they worshiped the god of the Nile. When I say god, just like all gods small g of the nations they are but idols, there is but one living and true God which Pharaoh and Egypt were going to discover. Anyway there were three gods associated with the Nile, Osiris, Nu and Hapi. I don’t expect you to know any of them but I want to draw your attention to Hapi. Hapi was a fertility god, the Egyptians called the Nile by the name of this god, Hapi. You can do a wee internet search if you don’t believe me. This god was a bearded man who was pregnant and with breasts. Hapi was the one who gave brith to Egypt and nursed its strength, nourished the entire nation with the water from the Nile. There were songs and prayers to the Nile. The Lord was going to turn this river to blood, Moses with the staff in his hand was to strike the water and it would be changed to blood, the fish in the Nile would die, the river would stink and not be able to drink it’s water. All so that they would know that the Lord is God. For all of Egypt, this would have been unmistakable, their God, their water of life, their most precious natural resource was turned to blood. Can you imagine the response of Pharaoh and the officials never mind the people of the land of Egypt as they saw the Nile before their eyes, the life water of the nation turn to blood? It would have been a living nightmare, it wouldn’t take you long in a hot humid country to think, I need a drink, no like I really need a drink but by water source has turn to blood, what do you do? Hapi their god, the one who gave brith to Egypt and nursed its strength, nourished the entire nation with the water from the Nile was and now as it changed to blood it set of a chain reaction, the water turned to blood, all the fish that were in it died, they begin to decompose and the water that was drinkable, then blood, then the fish begin to putrefy, floating on the blood, the smell of the blood, like a coppery, iron smell, then with the dying fish, it would have been a feast for the nostrils. The fact that the water turned to blood, that the Nile was changed shows God’s sovereignty over all of creation. He is not only able to do miracles he sees and knows what is going to happen before it happens. That should be of comfort to us in our own lives that the Lord is sovereignly at work, he knows and he is able to do what he has promised. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q3 What do the scriptures principally teach? The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. (2 Tim. 1:13, 2 Tim. 3:16) 2nd April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ecclesiastes 9v13-18) Message (Scott Woodburn) There was once a small city which had seen better days. It had at one time been an important centre for trade but it had fallen on hard times and now very few people lived within its walls. Nevertheless, one day a great king came against the city. The king had a great army at his command and he soon set about besieging the city (v14). Humanly speaking all looked lost. How would such a small city stand against a mighty king? It wasn’t by might or power but by the wisdom of a poor wise man (v15). When all others panicked, the wise man kept his head and gave advice that saved the city from the mighty king’s clutches. You’d think that his fellow inhabitants would have made the wise man rich - at the very least they should have made a statue of their hero. But, alas! The wise man was quickly forgotten and life returned to normal (v15b). What conclusions did Solomon draw from this parable? There are three. Firstly, even though the poor man was forgotten along with his wise words, Solomon was convinced that wisdom was better than might (v16) and better than weapons of war (v18). Brothers and sisters, you do not need to meet fire with fire. You do not need to beat your enemy at his own game. Entrust yourself to the Lord and follow his ways even if the whole world doesn’t notice. Secondly, although it is often the case that the loudest voices are heard and the squeaky wheel gets the oil, quiet wisdom is better than foolish shouting. Brothers and sisters, do not despise that gentle voice of wisdom. Appreciate those who love you enough to gently guide you rather than loudly praise you. Finally, a good work of many years can be destroyed by the actions of one sinner (v18). Brothers and sisters, never underestimate sinners and their sin. You may think that “his” gossip is harmless or “her” actions are just a bit of fun but congregations have been destroyed by less. Give the enemy no room to move in your fellowship - close the windows to him and bar the door, for the work of the Gospel is too precious to allow it to be trampled by fools. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q2 What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 1st April 2024
Pray (ACts) Read (Ex 7:14-25 focus v14-18) Message (Alan Burke) In the main there is an assumption in this culture that seems to think science either knows everything or that it can know everything if we only ask the right questions and willing to fund the research accordingly. It is a belief system that is sometimes daubed as Scientism and is an excessive belief in the power of scientific knowledge and techniques. Partly because of this there have been many who have came to the plagues in Egypt and dismissed outright that they are miracles or have sought to explain them from a scientific point of view but there was nothing natural about the plagues, they were supernatural, a miraculous accordance at the Lord’s command. We still find ourselves trying to explain God and his word by our own finite nature and our finite understanding of the universe. We think that the creator God is somehow subject to the same limitations that we ourselves experience, the laws of nature are not chains which the divine legislator has laid upon himself, instead they are threads which he holds in his hand and which he shortens or lengthens at will, he has power over all. Here the Lord speaks once more to Moses. We don’t know where, when or how but the Lord spoke to Moses and gives him instructions to go meet Pharaoh. Here we are told that Pharaoh heart was unyielding, the ESV and the KJV says hardened. Why? Well the Lord had hardened Pharaoh’s heart in judgement against him for refusing to listen. Back when Moses and Aaron had first went to Pharaoh, and he mocked them, in derision asking ‘Who is the Lord’ (5:2). The Lord in his judgment had hardened the heart of Pharaoh further for he had suppressed the truth in unrighteousness, he had been given opportunity but would not hear or listen now he was by the work of the Lord know, indeed all of Egypt would know who the Lord is. What God was about to do and in each one of these miracles, would be an invitation for the Egyptians to believe in the LORD the God of the Israelites. The Lord would make himself known to them, the miraculous events were for that purpose, (7:5; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 16, 29; 14:4, 18) and through them God would bring his people out about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children as well as many other people who went up with them (Ex 12:37-38). The Lord God was going to make his power and glory known and bring out his people, the children of Israel. So that they could serve him, that they could worship him. The Lord was redeeming his people to serve and to worship him. You could ask what is the chief end of the Israelites, to glorify God and enjoy him forever, as they serve and worship him. Pharaoh though refused to listen to the request, he was warned of the consequences if he did not let them go. The Lord was going to turn this river to blood, Moses with the staff in his hand was to strike the water and it would be changed to blood, the fish in the Nile would die, the river would stink and not be able to drink it’s water. All so that they would know that the Lord is God. For all of Egypt, this would have been unmistakable, their god, their water of life, their most precious natural resource was turned to blood. The Lord was turning water to blood, he was bringing judgement upon the Egyptians so that they would know that the Lord is God. This was only the beginning, they could try to ignore it, they could try to explain it away but the Lord is the one who is God alone. All people on this earth are without excuse because God has revealed himself to all people, the Egyptians may have had the plagues, we all see it as the heavens themselves declare God’s glory, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Ro 1:19–20). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q1 What is the chief end of man? Man’ s chief end is to glorify God, (1 Cor. 10:31, Rom. 11:36) and to enjoy him for ever. (Ps. 73:25–28) |
Alan
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