8th August 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Hebrews 7v11-28) Message (Scott Woodburn) First posted 22nd October 2022 Jesus Christ is our great high priest and He is superior in every way to the priesthood that we see in the Old Testament. In what ways is Christ the superior priest? Firstly, perfection was not possible under the Old Testament priesthood (v11-12). During the days of the sacrificial system the priests came from the tribe of Levi. But the sacrificial system was temporary and supposed to point worshippers to Christ. It is only through Jesus that perfection is possible. Secondly, although Jesus isn't from the tribe of Levi, He is still our perfect priest (v12-14). Jesus came from the tribe of Judah and no one from that tribe ever served at the altar (v13) and Moses never mentioned anything about Judah and priests (v14). Jesus instead comes in the likeness of Melchizedek who was a priest long before Moses, the Levites, the Law and the sacrificial system. Thirdly, Jesus didn't become a priest because of His family descent but by the power of His indestructible life (v16). He died but rose again and is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (v17). Fourthly, Christ obeyed the law completely on our behalf. The law could not save us, it could make no one perfect but Christ has introduced us to a greater hope. By grace alone, faith alone in Christ alone, we can draw near to God (v19). Fifthly, the Levitical priests were introduced to their role without an oath but Christ was made a priest with an oath from God that Jesus would be a priest forever (v20-21). Sixthly, there was a multitude of Levitical priests because their role ended when they died, but only Christ is a high priest forever. Because Christ lives forevermore (v23-24), He is able to save fully any who draw near to Him and He lives to pray for them daily at the Father's right hand (v25). Finally, Jesus is the sinless, spotless, Son of God. He is perfect in every way and is exalted in heaven (v26). Therefore His sacrifice is once and for all and never to be repeated. He doesn't need to offer daily sacrifices for His own sin and that of His people - He has no sin and Calvary paid the price for His bride the church. The Levitical priests were appointed in weakness but Christ is the perfect high priest forever (v28). It's hard to believe that some of the Hebrews were seriously considering a return to the old system that couldn't save and the old priests who were as weak as them. Instead the Apostle pointed them directly to Jesus who was superior in every single way to the Levitical priesthood. Today if you would be saved then Jesus is the only way. Today if you need help then Jesus is the one to turn to. Today if you seek assurance of salvation then Jesus is at the right-hand interceding for you. Don't look back, instead look to Jesus who is the guarantor of better covenant (v22). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q12 What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created? When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.
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7th August 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - Ezekiel 11:1-3 Message - Alan Burke First Posted 4th July 2022 Now to give you an idea of how the people like Ezekiel ended up in Babylon in exile it was because the Babylonians came in and took the best of the best to Babylon. The political and ruling classes had been deported. Not only that, along with them the leaders of the army, craftsman, anybody who was of any use to the Babylonian empire and had any wit was taken (2 Kings 24:13-16) and those who were left were the poorest of the people. What had happened in Jerusalem was that in this power vacuum, some rose and led the people, it took time, but a new leadership emerged from among the people. As Ezekiel sees the vision of the Lord and there at the entrance of the eastern gate there were twenty five men. These are not to be confused with the twenty five sun worshippers back in chapter 8(16). The thing is that those who were left behind, who weren’t taken into exile believed that they were the fortunate ones, and those who had been taken into exile were under the judgment of God and not them but they were wrong. Those who are initially mentioned here in verse 1 are nobody’s in the grand scheme of things, they had risen to power under the rule of Zedekiah but they are never mentioned anywhere else, and we are told that they were plotting evil and giving wicked advice. They thought they were fine, Zedekiah had upgraded Jerusalems fortifications, they thought God had left them in peace so they could live as they wanted (8:12), and in their ignorance, or rather in their sinfulness, they were arrogantly asserting the security of their position. Look what they say in v3, ‘Will it not soon be time to build houses? This city is a cooking pot, and we are the meat.” Now these aren’t common saying today, so what do they mean? Well lets break it down, first of all, “‘Will it not soon be time to build houses?”. Well here economically and politically as well in their relationships with surrounding nations these twenty five men thought it will be soon time to build houses, things are going well, economic recovery is coming. So they are positive, things looked good, they were on the up, but they couldn’t see that the reality was far from the case. Next they say “This city is a cooking pot, and we are the meat”. Think big clay cooking pot, what you put in the cooking pot is the best bits, the bit that you don’t want are the bits of entrails, hoofs, the stuff that’s thrown into the fire. What they are speaking of is their perceived safety, it's better being within the walls of the cooking pot, that is city of Jerusalem than it is outside it. The contrast is being made between those who are inside the city and the exiles, those whom they believed God’s judgment was upon. They were an arrogant, they were self deceived people and Ezekiel is to prophecy against them. These people although God’s people were trusting in themselves and the fortifications of the city of Jerusalem, they were not trusting in God, they were wise in their own eyes but they were barking up the wrong tree. The scriptures reminds us that we are to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil”. Prov 3:5-7. In His impending crucifixion in John’s gospel Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (Jn 14:1), our place of trust in the midst of all of life is not to be the things of this world, in our strength, in our mind, in our wealth, it is rather to be placed in the creator of this world. He can be trusted in what ever we face. In fact it is in Him we must trust, when we start to trust our own abilities and strength, we will end up in a dire situation that things may look good here but God is gone, His glory has left and His judgment is coming. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q11 What are God’ s works of providence? God’ s works of providence are, his most holy, (Ps. 145:17) wise, (Ps. 104:24, Isa. 28:29) and powerful preserving, (Heb. 1:3) and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. (Ps. 103:19, Matt. 10:29–31) 5th August 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Hebrews 6v13-20) Message (Scott Woodburn) First posted 15th October 2022 Do you know the difference between an oath and a vow? A vow is a promise made directly to God, for example "Lord I vow that for the next thirty days I will pray each morning". An oath on the other hand is a promise made to another person with God called as a witness, for example "Joe, I promise that I have told you the truth as God is my witness". In both cases we are to act with all seriousness. If you make a vow to God then be sure to carry it out and if you call upon God as your witness make sure you deal truthfully. But what about the Lord? If He makes a promise how does He prove His faithfulness? Paul's answer is that God swears by Himself. When the Lord reiterated the Covenant of Grace to Abraham he promised that He would both bless and multiply Father Abraham. To underline His commitment, the Lord swore by Himself. People often swear by something or someone greater than themselves and they give an oath as a confirmation (v16). In the same manner the Lord wished to show us convincingly that His promise and purposes would come to pass, therefore He guaranteed it with an oath (v17). We see a little glimpse of this in Genesis 15. The Lord promised Abram that his descendants would inherit the land. Abram was to take various animals and cut them in half. The Lord then appeared as a fire pot and a flaming torch and passed between the pieces of the animals. Essentially the Lord was swearing by Himself and telling Abram "If I break my promise, let me be cut in half like these animals." Needless to say, the Lord was never cut in half for He kept His word fully to Abram. If we are struggling to believe that the Lord will keep His promises then we need to remember two unchangeable things (v17). There is none greater than the Lord (v13) and His promise is certainly true. We sometimes tell children that God can do all things but there are things which he cannot do. One of them is that God cannot lie (v18). Therefore we have a strong encouragement to cling tightly to the promises of God (v18). He will certainly fulfil His Word and not one of His promises will fail. But how can we cling tightly if this world causes us trouble? How can we stay the course in the midst of the storm? As every Boys Brigade member will tell you, we have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure as the billows roll (v19). Like the high priests of old who went behind the temple curtain to the holy of holies, Christ is our anchor and He has gone on our behalf to the most holy place (v19-20). He is a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (v19). Who was Melchizedek? He was an Old Testament figure who was both the king and priest of Salem. He wasn't Jesus but he gave us a little glimpse of Christ long before the arrival of the Lord. Jesus is the true priest-king. His sacrifice was enough and today He is at the right hand of the Father where He rules and reigns. In Jesus we have an anchor who keeps our soul, not least when the storms of life threaten to blow us away. My brothers and sisters the Gospel is no fraud and our God is no snake-oil salesman. What He has promised is true and what He has promised He will do. Every promise is yes and amen in Christ Jesus our Lord. How can we be sure? Because God has sworn by Himself and cannot lie. Trust Him! Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q10 How did God create man? God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. 4th August 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - Mark 12:41-44 Message Alan Burke Today we come to a passage that is often referred to as ‘The Widows Mite’. The day before Jesus had had condemned the people for what they had made the temple into and now he commends the sacrifice of a widow who came. This takes place in what was often referred to as the court of women as it was as far as women could go in the temple courts and it was where the treasury of the temple was. Around it there were boxes, thirteen of them with were what were shaped like trumpets on the top, that flared out from the bottom. These were known as alms boxes and where the people placed their free will offering. God himself instituted these offerings to be made (Ex 30:11-16) as a provision for the service in the tent of meeting, this is how the priesthood was funded as well as temple, and the work among the people of the land, and the people gave just as we give our Free Will Offering that supports the church, the more they gave the more could be done and likewise with our giving. So as Jesus is watching people there are some who were evidently rich who threw large amounts and then there was a widow who threw in but two coins. They were of little value, the least in the currency at the time. Jesus draws our attention to this not to pity her poverty but to show here generosity, this woman who gave was showing the reality unlike the teachers of the law, she was an example of a genuine faith. She was such a contrast to the scribes, such a contrast even to those who gave generously, she was one without honour unlike the teachers of the law and those who had much, yet she was willing to give to God that which was costly to her. What do we here learn from the windows offering, because Jesus draws our attention to it as an example, well I think it’s this; our giving is not measured by count, but it’s cost, it is not measured by its amount but its portion, not by what is given but by what is kept, not by money but by spirit. So does what you give cost you, is your giving proportionally significant, is it greater than what is kept aside that you have stored away for a rainy day, does your giving show where your heart is? Sadly I have come across individuals in the past who are happy to give nothing or nominal amount a year and demand everything in return and there is a truth our money tells and what truth does it tell about you? Jesus though talks amore about money than he does about faith and prayer combined, 11 of the 40 parables were about money, he used money to teach spiritual truth, he compared the kingdom of heave to riches, and many other examples, why does Jesus seem to care so much about money? Simply because there is a truth our money tells, the truth it tells is of the reality within. You may not like that comment, but it is true, this lady gave, she gave and it was costly to her, when was the last time for any of us our giving to the work of the church of Christ was costly? We might have all the appearance, but what about the reality, for you know the realty is everything for us. Jesus taught so much about money because For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:21), there is a truth our money tells, so what does it say about you? Do you give to the work and witness of the church, is your giving like the rich in this passage where it in truth costs you nothing, or does your giving show the spiritual reality of the value you place on what Christ has done for you? Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q9 What is the work of creation? The work of creation is, God’ s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. (Gen. 1, Heb. 11:3 3rd August 2023
Pray (ACts) Read Hebrews 4v14-16 Message Scott Woodburn First posted 1st October 2022 Every young boy in the 1980’s knew that if you had a problem and no one else could help and if you could find them, then maybe you could hire the A-Team. I had many problems in the 1980’s but I never did manage to find the A-Team. If only I’d paid more attention back then when I sat regularly in my local Gospel Hall. They knew what I refused to believe - that Jesus Christ was a Saviour and friend of sinners. As chapter four closes, the Apostle zeroes in on that exact truth. He describes Jesus as our “great high priest” and this description would immediately remind his original hearers of the Jewish high priest. He was a man who would enter behind the curtain into the holy of holies once a year. Christ is the true priest. He has passed not through a curtain but through the heavens (v14). He has ascended to glory and even now makes intercession for us. He is the Son of God, true man and without any sin, therefore we are to hold fast our confession. We are to hold fast to what we have believed. It’s not always easy to hold fast especially when life is giving us a hammering. We are called names, we are slandered, family life is a mess and we are fairly sure our marriage is falling apart. What is to be done in such circumstances? We are to draw near to the throne of grace (v16). That’s where Jesus is and He is ready, willing and able to help us in every way. Christ knows what it is to be human for he was tempted in every respect as we are (v15). That’s an extraordinary truth isn’t it? The Lord knew temptation. He understood the realities of the human condition and yet at no turn, not once, not for a single solitary second did He fall into sin (v15). Jesus sympathises with our weaknesses. He understands. He gets it. He knows and He is able to help. As we hold this truth in our hands we are to cling tightly to it. We know that Christ is for His people and so we can with confidence draw near to His throne (v16). I suspect you wouldn’t barge into the throne room of King Charles III nor would you shove your way into 10 Downing Street. But the Christian has been given extraordinary access and privilege. Because we belong to Jesus we have every right to draw near to Him and when we do we will receive mercy and grace in our time of need (v16b). How often do we forget things like this! How often do we find ourselves in trouble and we turn everywhere except heaven! My brothers and sisters, we have a great high priest who ever lives to help us. He doesn’t sleep. He doesn’t take breaks. He doesn’t have His phone set to silent. Christ offers help to His Bride. My friends if this day is too tough for you to face and you weep into your hands…then perhaps it is time for a new posture. Look up and draw near. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q8 How doth God execute his decrees? God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence. 2nd August 2023
Pray (ACts) Read - Mark 12:38-40 Message Alan Burke Here Jesus even though the teachers of the law were desiring to kill him choose to teach against them, it’s like the preverbal red rag to the bull. Jesus warns people about them and the first thing that he mentions is that they like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces. Theses fellas, well the’d have never been caught on their odd day off wearing jeans and a t-shirt cutting the lawn, nah, these guys were dressed to set them apart, they wanted people to know who they were and they wanted the respect that came with it, they didn’t need to dress that way all the time but they choose to, they were making a public statement of who they were. The teachers of dressed to impress, in their flowing robes, they would have been addressed by all and sundry for it was the social convention at the time. What is curious about what Jesus says in this warning is where the teachers of the law like to walk around, where they like to be greeted. We are told it was in the marketplace, not in the temple, or the temple courts or complex, no in the marketplace, why the marketplace? Well as the teachers of the law in their flowing robes walked around the market, you would have seen almost like a Mexican wave of people standing for the teachers of the law as they walked past, all being addressed by their title, people showing respect, and no matter it you liked doing it or not, no matter if you agreed with the teachers of the law or not, you would stand because to do anything else would have marked you out. You get the picture, well these these guys who were set apart by their position, they dressed to impress to make sure no one forgot about who they were. Their position also allowed certain perks, they got the seat of honour at the banquet, special seats in the synagogue (v39). In addition the teachers of the law had certain responsibilities and added functions if you will, like I get to sign photos for drivers licences for fun to say that you are who you are, or gun licences etc. The teachers of the law likewise had responsibilities and functions, one of which is that they were to serve as consultants for widows, to give them advice, so they played a part of society that was important. While some were genuine, there were others who were not. Jesus concludes by saying they devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. The thing is that these teachers of the law were in a position of authority and influence, they were in a place of trust but many of them used their position to intentionally pray on individuals who were vulnerable, widows were especially vulnerable in the ancient near east. They were using their position to take advantage of others, here the teachers of the law were devouring widows houses because they were taking all that they could, they would take money from widows, all that they could, they would make promises to them that they couldn’t keep. the teachers or the law were because of their a position were given respect, trust, but there were many of them who used their position to take what they could, they lined their own pockets from individuals. These teachers of the law would but judged severely. As we close I want to draw a couple of things out. Firstly; The thing is that none of us live up to what God requires of us, we all fall short, we miss the mark we do what we should not do in many ways, but these teachers of the law were out and out hypocrites, there are times that we may feel like hypocrites when we fail but we are not hypocrites for trying, for desiring to live as God requires, we are only hypocrites when we are putting on an appearance of something we are not. The reality matters, if you find yourself living in a way that is contrary to what God requires repent of it and you will have forgiveness. Finally prayer, these guys made it a show but prayer doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact its not but we make it complicated. If you are struggling to pray use the psalms, talk to God, he hears the prayers of his children through Christ Jesus. Pray simply, adore him (A), say sorry for your sin confess it (C), give him thanks for the salvation and the everyday blessings (T) and bring your prayers for others your supplication (S), it doesn’t have to be complicated but we make it that way. We use ACTS in these devotions for a reason, begin with Adoration and Confession, then move to Thanksgiving and Supplication, it doesn’t have to be an essay just a few words will do. Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q7 What are the decrees of God? The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. (Eph. 1:4,11, Rom. 9:22–23) 1st August 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Hebrews 3.1-6) Message (Scott Woodburn) First posted 24th September 2022 In the previous chapter the Apostle made it abundantly clear that Christ was greater than the angels and yet for a little while He was made lower than the heavenly host. Jesus became like us in every way but was without sin. He suffered and was tempted and tried but His sacrifice was complete and has delivered the faithful from the slavery of death. Jesus Christ is our great high priest. As we remember this, Paul adds another "therefore" (v1). The point being that in light of everything we have heard we are to respond by constantly considering Christ (v1b). We share in a heavenly calling and so we are to think upon Jesus who is both the apostle and high priest of our confession. What does this mean? Apostle means "sent one" and so Christ is the true Apostle who was sent by God to redeem a fallen people. Jesus is also our high priest and as we have already discovered, He made the sacrifice that has paid for the sin of His bride the church. When we speak about "our confession" we are describing that which we believe. Christ is the sent one and high priest of our confession. He has revealed to us the Gospel by which we are saved. He is the content of the Gospel by His most excellent sacrifice. We confess our belief in the Gospel and we confess our certainty that Jesus is the Christ. Therefore we are to consider Jesus frequently. We do not move on from Christ and we will never master Him. When we are tempted and tried we are to consider Jesus and His faithfulness to God (v2). Just as Jesus is greater than the prophets and the angels, He is also greater than Moses. Christians coming from a Jewish background would have been well aware of Moses and would certainly have held him in the highest regard. He was unquestionably a man of faith and acted faithfully in God's service (v2). Nevertheless, Christ is the greater Moses and counted worthy of more glory than the Old Testament leader (v3). To underline his point, the Apostle encourages us to imagine a house. When a house is built we walk around it and marvel at its beauty, but no house ever built itself. The house might be honoured by those who appreciate it, but the builder of the house deserves more honour still. He was the one who designed the house and shaped it by the sweat of his brow. God is ultimately the builder of all things and God is the builder of His house the church (v4). In the house of God, Moses was a good and faithful servant who spoke about the things that were to come (v5). But Christ is worthy of the greater honour because He serves God's house as a Son (v6). The Apostle's language is interesting - Mose WAS faithful IN God's house, Christ IS faithful OVER God's house. Moses needed to be saved by the coming Christ and now the ministry of Moses is over. Christ came not to be saved but to save and His ministry over the church continues. Jesus is greater than the prophets, angels and even Moses. We are His house and therefore we are to remain confident in Christ and boastful of our hope (v6). This isn't sinful, arrogant boasting but instead we rejoice in our hope and we speak of it frequently. My brothers and sisters the Christian doesn't need to pretend that everything is okay. The Lord does not require us to put on a brave face or a stiff upper lip. If you know trouble, doubt and fear then there are two words which should be like honey to your soul...consider Jesus. 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. |
Alan
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