Year 3 Day 88 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Colossians 2


Message - Scott Woodburn


Christ is not an optional extra nor is He second-rate substitute. The one who is in Christ lacks nothing. Paul may have been far away in Rome but he still loved the Colossians and the church in Laodicea (v1). Therefore he wanted them to know that in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (v3). There may be those who attempt to delude us with plausible arguments, but if we are in Christ then we are to stand firm in the truth. Jesus is supreme over all - He is not one possible solution, He is the solution. May our hearts be encouraged and find joyous assurance and understanding in Christ (v2).


We are to walk in Jesus or in other words, we do not start with Christ and then run on ahead. Jesus is the founder and perfecter of our faith, we are to keep Him in sight so that we may be built up and established in the faith (v6-7). This remains of vital importance. There are those in the world who would seek to take us captive with philosophy, lies, human tradition and the elemental spirits of the world (v8). 


It is clear from Paul's words that there were those in Colossae seeking to lead the church away from Jesus. Their wisdom was based on lies and was according to the traditions of humanity. More than that, they also focused on the elemental spirits of the world. What does this phrase mean? The false teaching in Colossae pointed to the stars, the sun, the moon and the earth. Many have sought answers in these elemental things seeking creation rather than the creator. Even today there are those who think the position of the stars in the sky can impact their lives. Others think that the earth radiates mystical energy that you imbibe by visiting certain special locations.


The Christian doesn't need any of this superstition. Christ is true God, true man, without sin (v9) and through faith in Christ we have received every spiritual blessing imaginable (v10). In Christ we have been transformed. Paul uses the imagery of circumcision to make his point. Christ has cut us off from the old flesh (v11) with a circumcision not made with hands. In other words we have been made clean by the circumcision of Christ, we have been buried with Jesus in baptism and raised with Him by the work of God (v12). The old has gone and the new has come!


We were once dead in our sins but God has forgiven us in Christ (v13). A great debt was owed by every single Christian and yet the Lord took that debt and nailed it to the cross (v14). The false teachers may have pointed to the elements for guidance and they may have taught that we should seek hidden wisdom from other spirits, but the reality is that Christ triumphed over the unseen forces of evil (v15). He has disarmed Satan and his legions and put them to open shame at Calvary.


In light of this Paul urged the Colossians to reject those who passed judgement on them over elementary things. Then, as now, there are those who judge you because of what you eat and drink (v16) and they judge you because you don't hold to their observance of certain days or festivals. Others will seek to disqualify you completely calling into question your salvation. Why? Because you don't live a severe life like them. You don't live in a barn in a field on an island eating only bread and water. You refuse to worship the angels and you pay no regard to empty vain visions (v17).


Paul is clear - we are to realise the substance of every good thing is found in Christ (v17). We are to hold fast to Him for He is the head of the church and it is only in Christ that the church can grow (v19). The Christian faith is not “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (v21). It is not a self-made religion that demands you beat your body into submission. The rules and regulations of the false teachers may have had an appearance of wisdom but ultimately they could nothing to stop the indulgence of the flesh (v23).


Instead Christ takes weak, sinful, fallen people and He brings real transformation to them. He is our Saviour. He is our circumcision. He is our baptism. He is our freedom and in Christ, we are free indeed.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q84 What doth every sin deserve? Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.
​

Year 3 Day 87


Pray (ACts)


Read - Ezekiel 8:18 


Message - Alan Burke


Do you remember the Disney film The Jungle Book from 1967. For many of us it captivated our imaginations and there is a song that goes;


Oh, oobee doo
I wanna be like you
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You'll see it's true
An ape like me
Can learn to be humen too


If you find yourself sitting humming that for the rest of the day it’s your own fault! The reason why I mention it is because it is what came to mind when I started this devotion or rather the words, “I wanna be like you”. Well God’s people wanted to be like everyone else. Think how they had desired to be like the nations around them in Samuel’s day, when they desired a king (1 Sam 8:5). Years had since past, they wanted to be like the nations in having a king, but it ended up they were like the nations in how they did not worship the living God, actually they were worse. They had degenerated in every way, the verdict was in, God would make His glory known among them, they will receive what they deserve as the Lord would deal with them in His wrath, He would not have pity, He will not spare them, they will cry aloud for help but He would not listen (v18), this is a frightful judgment but it comes because of their wanton rebellion against the Lord. 


The Lord was going to make His glory know, they had rebelled, they had turned from the Lord their God, they had broken His covenant, they had shown a total disregard for His glory and His truth but the Lord wasn’t going to let them off with it. We like to think of God as “the LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Ex. 34:6–7). Yet God has also promised that He “does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” For many people today this is horrible, unpalatable but the New Testament speaks just as clearly about the wrath of God that comes on unrepentant sinners, they are storing up wrath for the day when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed. (Rom. 2:5) 


Here God’s people were doing much that was an abomination to Him, instead of giving Him the glory they were worshiping false gods. There are some today who think that all religions are valid, it’s a nonsense, there are some who think that it doesn’t matter how we worship, it’s also a nonsense. There is only one way and it is God’s way, salvation only comes through the son Jesus Christ. He the way the truth and the life, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12), and how we worship should be in accordance with His word for it is our rule and guide, it teaches what we are to believe of Him and what duty He requires of us. 


As we close I want to leave you with another song, not the “I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)” it goes like this; 


I want to walk with Jesus Christ
All the days I live of this life on earth
To give to Him complete control
Of body and of soul


Follow Him, follow Him, yield your life to Him
He has conquered death, He is King of kings
Accept the joy which He gives to those
Who yield their lives to Him


Let us walk with Jesus Christ, yielding our lives to him!


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q83 Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. (Ezek. 8:6,13,15, 1 John 5:16, Ps. 78:17,32,56)
​

Year 3 Day 86 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Colossians 1


Message - Scott Woodburn
Colossians starts in a similar fashion to Philippians. Paul is in an incredibly thankful mood and as a result he brings the Colossians before the Lord in prayer. Why is he thankful? Because the fellowship in Colossae had received the Gospel by faith and their love was abounding for God's people (v4). Their hope was a heavenly one (v5). By faith in Christ they had been saved and would certainly share in a glorious inheritance with the rest of the saints.


As the Gospel is proclaimed by men like Epaphras (v7) it grows and bears fruit in communities all across the globe (v6). I'm sure you see evidence of this reality where you are. If the Bible is opened and read in your fellowship and its message is faithfully proclaimed then you should expect to see the results. The Gospel is not a dead letter but a living, breathing proclamation of abundant good news.


Paul's thankfulness moved him to prayer. What did he pray? For the growth of the Colossians. Paul asks that they would be filled with the knowledge of God's will coupled with spiritual wisdom and understanding (v9). He wants them to be men and women of the Word. God speaks in an extraordinary ordinary means. He has given us His Book, it is to be read aloud and it is to be preached. By the Word we grow in our knowledge of God's will and we grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding.


He prays too that the Colossians would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (v10). This is another common exhortation from Paul. We are not saved to be stuck. Instead we attend to the ordinary means and the Spirit works powerfully producing good fruit in us and increasing the knowledge of God in our souls (v10). Paul continues by asking that the Lord would strengthen his church, giving them both endurance and patience (v11). The Christian is in a spiritual battle constantly. The Lord has brought us out of darkness into light (v13). We are redeemed and forgiven and therefore Satan rages against us (v14). No wonder Paul prays for a group of people he clearly adores.


The Gospel brings people like Paul and the Colossians together with an unbreakable bond in Christ. We call Jesus many things...He is our Saviour, our Lord, our friend...but what follows in Colossians is one of the most extraordinary descriptions of Christ you will ever come across. Paul says "Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Jesus all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Jesus and for Jesus. And Jesus is before all things, and in Jesus all things hold together. And Jesus is the head of the body, the church. Jesus is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in Jesus all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (v15-20)


I could write for the rest of my life and never come close to matching Paul's Spirit inspired words about Christ. I have lost count of how many times I've read those verses and how many times I've preached them. They are wonderful and declare simply that Christ is all!


This same Jesus has redeemed us thoroughly. We were once dead in sin (v21) but have been reconciled to God by the finished work of Christ (v22). We can stand before Almighty God holy and blameless and above reproach because we are in Christ (v22b). Therefore we must continue in the faith, not departing or shifting from the glorious Gospel which declares Christ crucified for sin and raised for our justification (v23).


Paul's ministry was often hard and filled with suffering (v24 & 29) but he kept on keeping on. A mystery had been revealed that declared salvation was by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone (26). The Gospel is for Jew and Gentile alike, there is no distinction (v27). All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Christ we proclaim (v28) for Christ is all!


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q82 Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
​

Year 3 Day 85


Pray (ACts)


Read - Ezekiel 8:5-17


Message - Alan Burke


There is a native American proverb that one of my lecturers in Magee was very partial too. Actually it is not a Native American proverb at all but based on a poem by Mary T. Lathrap from 1895. My lecturers version was ‘don’t judge a man until you walk a mile in his moccasins’. It is easy to understand the meaning behind it, ‘place yourself in their shoes’ is another way of saying it. The meaning of course is imagine yourself in their position before you come to a conclusion so that you can understand or empathise with their perspective.


Figuratively here the Lord was helping His prophet Ezekiel to begin at least in a small way to see and to understand from His point of view, showing him just what the issue with this rebellious people were. Firstly he had taken him to look upon the entrance of the north gate (v3) where the idol that provoke to jealously of God stood, now He takes Ezekiel on a whirlwind tour. In v6 depending on the translation you have before you you will read either the the ‘utterly detestable things’ or ‘the great abominations’. Either way, it is clear the Lord is not happy with their idolatry and through it they would drive the Lord far from His sanctuary. If things looked bad from the outside as you approached the temple at the image of Jealousy at the North Gate, in reality things were much worse.  


Look down to verse 10-11 after Ezekiel made the hole in the wall and went though the doorway; ”…portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel.”. Instead of the people worshiping the creator Himself they were worshiping the created. 


And there was more for Ezekiel to see, V14 women, plural, there are many weeping for Tammuz, again it's unlikely we know who Tammuz is, I didn't know but it is the Babylonian god of plant life, another false god being worshiped. Ezekiel would have seen it first hand in this vision, but there is more, there is more idolatry, more paganism, more abominations than that he had seen. 


The next place we are taken to is specifically the court of the house of the Lord v16, and what we have here in a place were only the priests could enter, were not told specifically that that is who they are but its likely. These were those who were supposed to be going about their duties as priests in the worship of the living God, but the were there with their backs to the Lord, they were not worship Him they were there worshiping Tammuz. They are bowing the east, towards the rising sun in the worship of this false God in the house of God. 


It wasn’t that just the people had strayed a wee bit, that they had got it wrong but their hearts and motives were in the right place. No this is full on degeneration into idolatry, paganism, they have rejected the Lord at ever pillar and post, they were a rebellious people! In the midst of this they were provoking the Lord to anger!


The Lord God had shown Ezekiel some of that which was hidden to him, God enabled His prophet to see it, but God sees and knows all things. He is Omnipresent, He is present everywhere and He is Omniscience meaning He is all knowing. The people of God that rebellious people thought they could live as they wanted without God seeing and caring, they believed He didn’t see or care (v12) but He does. He sees and knows all things, that which is clear for all to see and that which is hidden. There is nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known in the future (Lk 12:2).


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q81 What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, (1 Kings 21:4, Esther 5:13, 1 Cor. 10:10) envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, (Gal. 5:26, James 3:14,16) and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his. (Rom. 7:7–8, Rom. 13:9, Deut. 5:21)
​

Year 3 Day 84 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Philippians 4v2-23


Message - Scott Woodburn


Members of the church don't always agree. Sometimes trivial matters get blown up out of all proportion and other times quite weighty matters bring division to the local church. It's nothing new. As Philippians comes to an end Paul urges two ladies to agree in the Lord (v2). We don't know what the issue was between Euodia and Syntyche but it concerned Paul enough for him to urge peace and to ask other members of the church to help these women resolve their difficulties (v3). I suspect there isn't a church in the world that couldn't take time to meditate on these two verses and then strive to put them into practice. Love one another, forgive one another, agree in the Lord for Christ's sake.


With Paul's call for peace stated, the Apostle then commands the Philippians to always rejoice in the Lord (v4). Paul wasn't seeking to belittle these Christians by pretending that their problems were trivial. Instead he wanted them to understand that they were "in Christ". Therefore in any and all circumstances it was possible for the Philippians (and us) to rejoice in the Lord. Sickness, trouble, temptation and trial do not rob us of our status with Christ, therefore brothers and sisters, rejoice.


As the church was to strive for unity in the midst of constant rejoicing, then the church was also to show its reasonableness to everyone (v5). The Lord's return is soon (v5b) therefore we are to present the Gospel in a gentle and reasonable manner. This does not mean the world will suddenly love the Gospel but we have no Biblical mandate to evangelise in a deliberately offensive manner. 


The coming of the Lord also causes fear to fly. Paul wanted the Philippians to put away anxiousness and instead pray about everything, bringing requests before the Lord (v6). For the Christian, prayer is not an optional extra but it is one of the ordinary means of grace. We do not "butter-up" the Lord in prayer and we do not come to change His mind. Instead as we pray the Lord sanctifies us and we enjoy a renewed sense of the wonderful peace of God (v7). This peace goes beyond all understanding and it acts like a guard to our hearts and our minds.


Finally, Paul urged the Philippians to set their minds on subjects true, honourable, just, pure, lovely commendable, excellent and praiseworthy (v8). What does this look like in practice? It is better for the Christian to consider the beauty of a star filled sky than for that same Christian to watch the argument between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. It is better for a Christian to commit to memory a portion of Scripture rather than to add thoughtless comments to a Facebook post. There is plenty of "ugly" in the world, the Christian doesn't need to dabble in it.


Paul had given the Philippians his very own Apostolic example. He had lived among them and walked the path before them - it was now time to follow in his footsteps (v9). His example was Gospel bathed and battle scarred. He had known highs and lows in his ministry and yet was content in any and all circumstances. He faced plenty and hunger, abundance and need, yet in all situations Paul's focus was Christ-ward. His confession was that he could face any difficulty through Christ and the strength He provided (v12).


The Philippians had made it a priority to support Paul and his work. They had been with him in the beginning (v15) and had continued to support him ever since (v16-18). The relationship we find in the pages of Philippians between an Apostle and a church is a beautiful one. I think it is certainly worth considering and reading over and over. There has never been a perfect church and we are not naive to think fellowships will never have trouble. Nevertheless, as we study Philippians may the Spirit blow fresh Gospel air through our churches once again.


May we shun the ways of the world. May wickedness be no delight. May forgiveness abound. May restoration occur. May the Gospel be preached. May sound doctrine be cherished. May good days be met with rejoicing. May bad days be met with rejoicing. May anxious thoughts flee. May prayer abound. May we think on the beautiful. May we reject the ugly. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (v23). Amen.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q80 What is required in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his.
​

Year 3 Day 83


Pray (ACts)


Read - Ezekiel 8:1-4


Message - Alan Burke


Today as we come to chapter 8, Ezekiel is sitting with the elders of Judah, they have gathered to hear the word of God. It had taken extraordinary means to get their attention but now they are there waiting for a vision of the Lord to come to this His prophet. I’ll draw something out for us here at the start of this devotion and it is this, even though the elders had heard this prophecy of the Lord’s judgement against Jerusalem and against His rebellious people they are there waiting for the Lord to speak. Even though it had not been easy listening, even though it has shone a light on how God will not tolerate sin,  the elders of Judah are sitting there waiting for the Lord to speak through the prophet. 


What the prophet had to say may not have been easy listening but these elders still awaited it, they wanted the Lord to speak. I wonder how in the midst of passages like this, or when God’s word confronts us with much that we do not find easy listening are we wanting to listen? Are we wanting the Lord to speak? And if the Lord speaks to us through His Word read but primarily preached this coming Lord’s day are we willing to respond to it?


As the elders sit waiting on the Lord Ezekiel there in v3 is lifted up by the Spirit of God and taken to between earth and heaven, to Jerusalem. First to the entrance of the north gate, of the inner court where the idol that provokes to jealously stood. In this vision, the Lord was enabling Ezekiel to see things from His perspective. For there was the idol that provokes to jealously stood. Now in your head imagine cardinal points, that’s North, South, East, West. On the North, South and East point put a gate, three gates, these represent the three gates to the Jerusalem temple. The gate on the North was the most prominent, it was where the king would enter through on his way to the temple. Now  on the way to the temple where God dwelt among his people there was an idol in a place of prominence, and we are told there was the idol that provokes to jealously stood. 


The Lord is a jealous God for all that is due to his name, He is jealous for what is His, He is jealous for his glory and in their idolatry His people were robbing the glory due to His name. God’s own people were failing to live for the glory of God! (Ex 20:4-6). The Lord had told His people as much and they had ignored Him, they had provoked His jealously in their rebellious ways, in their idolatry. Maybe things today are different, maybe it doesn’t matter how we live and act, sure the worship of God and living for His Glory come after everything else. That may be how people live, it may be how you live but the worship of God and His Glory matter!


The world and all that is in it was made for the Glory of God, as the creator, God is rightly jealous for the glory due to his name! The glory of God was being manifested to Ezekiel, God had made his people to glorify him, our purpose, our raison d’etre, our chief end is to Glorify God and enjoy him forever, is that what we are trying to do? Do we have any desire to live like that, is that what people would say about us? Do we take His worship and His Glory seriously? Or are we living as the rest of the world to glorify ourselves, putting our wants, our desires, our sin before the living God and his glory!? 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q79 Which is the tenth commandment?
The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’ s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’ s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’ s. (Exod. 20:17)
​

Year 3 Day 81 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Philippians 3


Message - Scott Woodburn
A few weeks ago our devotions centred around the book of Galatians. If you remember that letter then you know that Paul spoke passionately against "other gospels". There were those who preached that salvation was by faith AND circumcision. It sounded plausible and even Peter acted hypocritically because of it but Paul stressed salvation was by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.


Unfortunately the Galatians were not the only Christians troubled by the group called "the Judaisers". Paul tells the Philippians to watch out for those who insist upon circumcision as necessary for salvation (v2). A Christian doesn't need to be circumcised because we are the true circumcision. Christians worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ and have no confidence in the works of the flesh (v3).


There was no one with more ability to boast about his fleshy works than Paul (4a). He was a circumcised man (5a) and a born and reared Israelite (5b). Paul's family knew that their roots and heritage were with the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin's parents were Jacob and Rachel and from their line would come King Saul. Paul's mum and dad were Hebrews, he was a Hebrew and more than that when it came to the things of God Paul was a Pharisee. The group called the Zealots wanted to overthrow Rome while the Sadducees did their best to get along with Rome. The Pharisees on the other hand sought to be separate from any unclean influence. They took the law of Moses incredibly seriously - Paul was no theological liberal!


This passion overflowed into Paul's attitude to the church. As Christians began to move throughout the Roman empire, Paul (then called Saul) sought to persecute Christians in an attempt to stamp out their faith. But this didn't cause him any sleepless nights. Paul considered his life and came to the conclusion that under the law he was righteous and blameless - he had done all that was required and much more.


Paul could certainly outboast the boasters, he had done more works in the flesh than even the finest Judaiser. Yet Paul did not stand on the shifting sands of his own performance. As he trusted Christ, Paul came to realise that all of his works were rubbish compared to surpassing worth of knowing Christ as Saviour (v8). He shunned having a man centred righteousness that came from the law and instead turned to Christ by faith (v9). This is Paul's vital point. The righteousness from God depends on faith and not your works or ethnic background (v9).


Therefore Paul's focus had shifted away from his own pedigree and now he was firmly focused on his Saviour and Lord. The Apostle understood that his life was coming to a close but even in the final days of life Paul wanted to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. Even if Paul was called to suffer and die like Jesus, he knew that just like Jesus he would one day be raised from the dead (v10-11).


Paul hadn't yet been raised nor was he perfect but nevertheless he pressed on towards the goal of resurrection and perfection (v12). He put aside the past and pushed forward to his inheritance in Jesus (v13) and he invited the Philippians to imitate him (v17) and also think in this manner (v15).


Tragically there were those who had once longed for the upward call of Christ (v14) but sadly they had turned their backs on the Gospel and turned towards works based righteousness. Paul wept when he told the Philippians about such individuals (v18). These enemies of Christ would end up destroyed, they sought righteousness by following dietary requirements, their so-called glory would only end in shame and their minds were set on earthly concerns (v19). The Judaisers may have seemed to be convincing but Paul understood their awful end.


Not so the Christian. The true child of God looks for the upward call to glory. We are citizens of heaven and from that place will come our Saviour Jesus (v20). On that great day Christ will transform our bodies so that we will be like Him. We will stand again on this earth with bodies that will never die. This will be accomplished by Christ's awesome power which enables Him to put all things (even death) under His feet (v21).


The Judaisers put their confidence in the temporary and we would be fools to follow their example. Standing on our works for righteousness is like trying to catch the wind - despite all our efforts, it is a futile chase. The Christian understands that this world is fading away and therefore we swap the temporary for that which is permanent. Brothers and sisters, we are not yet perfect and we have not yet attained that which we hope for, but today we heed the call of the Apostle. We forget what lies behind, we live our eyes to Christ and we press on!


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name.
​

Year 3 Day 80


Pray (ACts)


Read - Ezekiel 7:22


Message - Alan Burke


I hope as we have been working our way through the book of Ezekiel that it has been clear the reason why the judgement of God was coming and did come upon his people. It was because of their sin, God had been faithful to His people, He had been patient with them but no more! The coming judgement of God was deserved, it was because of their own actions, because of their abominations, their detestable practices and the Lord would not have pity on them. It resulted in the Lord God turning his face away from them (22). 


Think of the Aaronic blessing, (Num 6:22-27), where the Lord spoke to Moses saying “speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious on to you”. It is a promise of the favour of God, His presence, as He guides and protects, as He shows His people His grace, it is a wonderful promise, a wonderful blessing towards His people but because of their sin and disobedience, for their detestable practices the Lord was no longer making his face to shine upon them but turning his face from them and it is a sign of judgement. 


As a result the temple where the Lord once dwell would be desecrated, it will be defiled along with the peoples high places, their places of idolatry. Since the people had failed to live as God called them to live, as they had failed to distinguish between true worship of the living God and their false religion both in the sense of going through the motions and their idolatry God would see His dwelling place destroyed. Not only the temple but along with it the pagan sanctuaries, the city, the whole land of Isreal would suffer under the judgment that was coming because of their sin. 


God will remove His glory where sin is tolerate and encouraged, God will not bless those who claim to be His when they have rejected His ways, God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love but he does get angry. Here the Lord’s anger had come because of their conduct because of their sin, no longer would they know the blessing of God but the curse of God. 


So what about us as the people of God today though Christ Jesus? Well the coming judgement in Ezekiel’s day acts as a warning to us, it is bleak, but it should lead us to see the importance of living as God’s people know that He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love and live in response to Him and what He has done for us. We need to seek to live holy lives, lives that priorities a relationship with the Lord, living as God calls us in response to what He has done, let us stop trying to keep a foot in the world and in the church, instead living as what we were created to be, a holy people, as saints, who worship a holy God.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q77 What is required in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, (Zech. 8:16) and of our own and our neighbour’ s good name, (3 John 12) especially in witness-bearing. (Prov. 14:5,25)
​

Year 3 Day 79 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Philippians 2


Message - Scott Woodburn


The Christian is to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. What does such a life look like? It is a life that seeks unity in the local fellowship (v1). A life of love (v2). A life that shuns rivalry and conceit (v3). A life of humility (v3b) and a life that looks to the interests of others (v4). Paul based this wisdom upon the person and work of Jesus. Christ has made God known and therefore we are to imitate what we see in Christ.


Remember Christ's nature - He was true God and true man without sin. Jesus was God in the flesh and yet He didn't count equality with God something to be grasped (v6). In other words Jesus was absolutely God but He did not demand His rights or privileges. He willingly lowered Himself to a humble estate. He endured the mocking and the shame. He didn't turn the nails into rubber or the cross into sponge. Jesus was God and yet suffered for our sake.


He made Himself nothing by His being born in the flesh and was obedient even to death on a cross (v8). Christ's name is above every name (v9) and when His precious name is uttered everyone should kneel before Him and confess Him as Lord to the glory of God (v10-11).


What does walking in a manner worthy of the Gospel look like? It is a life of humility and obedience. It is a life that looks to Christ and takes Him as our example. It is a life that attends to the things of God and responds to them in faith. Brothers and sisters, look to Jesus!


If you are aware of your own weakness and the Christian life seems incredibly hard, Paul offers wonderful encouragement. He states two realities. Firstly, the Philippians are already an obedient bunch (v12a). Secondly, the work of sanctification is not all about you. God works in you to both will and to work for His good pleasure (v13). He will certainly complete this work at the last day. Therefore the Philippians are to continue to work out their salvation in Godly fear (v12b). This isn't a call to saving themselves but an encouragement to keep on going even in Paul's absence. Our works are always mixed with weakness and imperfection but it pleases the Lord to receive them because we are in Jesus.


Therefore there is no room for grumbling or questioning (v14). The Philippians are like lights in crooked and dark world (v15). They are to hold fast to the Gospel so that they will stand before Christ on the final day (v16). Paul's life is coming to a close, he is being poured out like a drink offering - this image in the ancient world was symbolic of someone giving up their life. Regardless Paul rejoices and wants the Philippians to rejoice with him (v17-18).


Paul was unable to return to Philippi due to his chains but he didn't want the Philippians to stand alone. He hoped to send Timothy eventually but he would send Epaphroditus to Philippi immediately. Paul wanted to hear good news about the Philippians and he wanted to send them aid. The Philippians were to receive these men and honour them as servants of the Lord.


Brothers and sisters, we are called not to inactivity but growth. Christ is our example in obedience and humility. Look to Him and follow Him! Yet when you stumble and fall (and you surely will) remember that the Lord has started the work in you and He will surely finish it. Fear Him, honour Him and walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q76 Which is the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
​

Year 3 Day 78


Pray (ACts)


Read - Ezekiel 7:10-27


Message - Alan Burke


One of the things I face all to often, is the inevitable reality that from the dust I was made and to the dust I will return. It is maybe not something that you really want to be confronted with today of all days but it is the reality of this life. You may be reading and you are old and tired, or you may be young and full of energy, you may have money squirrelled away that no one knows anything about for a rainy day or you may have nothing to show for your labours and worry about tomorrow, yet the reality that all of us face death and we cannot escape the inevitable reality no matter what we have or who we are. 


Here in Ezekiel 7 as the judgement of God comes upon the people we are reminded of the severity of the judgment that is coming and how it doesn’t matter who they are or what they have the judgement will come upon all. Look first of all to verse 12-13, the buyer and the seller. 


The judgement will come so suddenly that the seller and the buyer will not benefit when the day of the Lord arrives. To understand what is being said by the Lord in this prophetic word, we have to understand some of the law, how God had given his people a Year of Jubilee (Lev 25:13–16). According to the law, every 50 years was to be a year of Jubilee, it was when slaves were set free, land was retired to its owners, families were freed from the bondage of debt. For those, the buyer, the seller, those who were awaiting the coming year of Jubilee will not benefit from it, for neither of them will own the property, they will likely be dead but even if they are spared by the Lord and they remain alive and in the land they will not possess it, the Babylonians will. 


Then in verse 19-22 as what the people once valued will be worthless, thrown into the streets, unclean, for they have went after other gods and their economy faced total collapse in God’s judgment. All they had hoarded would not save them, it could not satisfy them in their desperation. Now all that they had was worse than worthless, because they used it for their idolatry, their wealth made them stumble into sin. The invaders, the foreigners would have it as plunder and the Lord. 


Finally look to verse 27 for even the upper echelons of society, those who are normally shielded from what happens the poor, weak and marginalised, well they would face the consequences. For their wealth and status was now worthless and the king would mourn, the prince would be clothed in despair, the hands of the people will tremble. All of what they faced, the judgement that come was the Lord dealing with them according to their own conduct, by their own standards they were judged. All so that they would know that the Lord is indeed the Lord. 


In the judgment of God that came in Ezekiel’s day, it didn’t matter if you had or didn’t have, it didn’t matter if you had accumulated much in your lifetime or you had nothing, it didn’t matter who you were or your background, all faced the judgment of God. Each of us will have to give an account to the Lord, we will all face His judgment it is inescapable, this life is but temporal and fleeting and what matters most of all is Christ, Paul in 2 Corinthians reminds us that; “…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Co 5:10). So what drives us, is it our own self interest or is it the great and glorious hope that we have in Jesus Christ, is it this life or the next?


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q75 What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?
The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbour’ s wealth or outward estate. (Prov. 21:17, Prov. 23:20–21, Prov. 28:19, Eph. 4:28)
​