Our God Is Faithful

January 24, 2013            Gen 49–50, Matt 15:21–39, Ps 15, Prov 3:3–4

There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.
Blaise Pascal

Genesis 49-50

Jacob utters prophecies about his sons and their descendants. What are these prophecies based upon?

Do the sins and deeds of the father pass on to generations later?

Reuben was the firstborn and as such is given a great inheritance and honor than his brothers. However, because he had sinned greatly (35:22) he lost his standing.

Jacob made it clear that that the violence of Simeon and Levi was not godly. He said that they would be scattered over the land. How did God take this curse and turn it into a blessing?

Judah is given the rights of the firstborn, why? He would become like a lion, where is this seen fully in the future?

What is the blessing to Zebulon?

Issachar is likened to a strong donkey loaded down with saddlebags. What does this mean?

Dan would provide justice for his people. Samson’s victories over the Philistines may be in view here.

What do we learn about Gad? What about Asher? Naphtali?

In what ways is Joseph like a fruitful vine? In what ways would he be blessed?

Which of the titles of God here do you most like and why? He is the Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, the Almighty.

What do we learn about Benjamin

Chapter 50

This is the first time we see an elaborate funeral in the Bible and it is also the first person embalmed.

Joseph’s brothers doubted his word, but his attitude is tremendous. Have you learned to trust and forgiven like this?

Genesis begins with creation and ends with a coffin; this is the result of sin. Never fear though Christ was on His way and the Bible ends with life everlasting.

Matthew 15:21-39

Why does Jesus seem so hesitate to help this woman? What titles does she call Him?

Why is it so significant that Jesus says her faith is great? Could we say the same of you?

It is interesting that the disciples doubted the ability to feed 4,000 when they had seen Jesus feed 5,000 already. Notice the differences between the two feedings:

The 5,000 (Matt. 14:15–21)		The 4,000 (Matt. 15:32–39)
Predominantly Jews		Predominantly Gentiles
Took place in Galilee, Bethsaida		Took place at Decapolis (Mark 8:31ff)
5 loaves, 2 fish		7 loaves, “a few fish”
12 baskets left over		7 baskets left over
In the spring of the year		In the summer
Crowd with Him one day		Crowd with Him three days

What most amazes you about the ministry of Christ?

Psalm 15

This psalm begins with a question (v. 1), and ends with a promise (v. 5b).

Who is worthy to be a guest of the King? The simple answer is only by grace are any of us, nonetheless we do see some characteristics given here.

God is pleased with those that walk with integrity; work righteousness; and are committed to the truth. Would these characteristics describe you?

He goes on to give some other characteristics in this Psalm. God is against slander, evil done to your neighbor, and those who take reproach against a friend. Are you guilty of slander? Are you a good neighbor and friend? Do you make fun of your friends mistakes and misfortunes?

Next God says those who honor the righteous (fear the Lord) and have nothing to do with the vile are to be invited to be His guest. Also we have to be people of our word, if we said we will do something we will do it. We will not show our greed by extorting anyone or taking a bribe to say untruths against someone.

The promise is that one who lives this lifestyle “shall never be moved.” We can have fellowship with God and He will bless us. What else could you ask for in life?

Proverbs 3:3-4

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

      Bind them around your neck,

      Write them on the tablet of your heart,

      And so find favor and high esteem

      In the sight of God and man.

Do you show mercy and truth often, do they go with you everywhere you go? Who do you need to show mercy to today? The promise is we will find favor in the sight of God and man.

In all these texts we see that God is faithful to His people and His promises. We are in a covenant relationship with Him. We need not fear that He will forsake us, but we must be sure we do not forsake Him. 

Pray today that you can show the characteristics God calls you to live by as seen in these texts.

Praise God today for His protection and wisdom. 

His Word Shall Stand Forever

January 23, 2013            Gen 46:28–48:22, Matt 14:34–15:20, Ps 14, Prov 3:1–2

“Feelings come and feelings go,

And feelings are deceiving;

My warrant is the Word of God--

Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned

For want of some sweet token,

There is One greater than my heart

Whose Word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word

Till soul and body sever,

For, though all things shall pass away,

HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!”

― Martin Luther

Genesis 46:28-48:22

Why did Joseph want Pharaoh to know that his family was shepherds?

What advantage was there to do this?

How could this protect them spiritually?

How would you describe Jacob’s attitude when he comes before Pharaoh? Why is he so grumpy?

Why are we so grumpy when we are so blessed?

How would you describe the policies of Joseph during the famine?

Do his policies seem fair?

Why was it is so important to Jacob where he was buried?

Chapter 48

Why are Joseph’s sons given equal status as their uncles?

How does this play out later in the Bible?

Matthew 14:34-15:20

While Jesus did take time to get away and spend time with God, he then came back to do the work God called Him to do. Never use solitude to escape responsibilities, rather use it to prepare for responsibilities.

Chapter 15

Read Matthew 23:25-26

Notice that Jesus goes to the Word to answer His critics. We must learn to do the same.

In what ways were they hypocrites here?

In what ways have you acted like a hypocrite in the past?

Why did what Jesus said in verses 10-11 upset the religious leaders so much?

What we see on the outside is not what matters, what is the heart is what matters. It is with our hearts that we believe (Romans 10:9-10), we love from our heart, we sing from our heart (Col. 3:16), we give with a grateful heart (2 Cor. 9:7), we serve from the heart, and we pray from the heart. How is your heart?

Psalm 14

The fool here is not so much what we would call an atheist today, but the one who lives as if there is no God. We know lots of people like this, and some of us have acted like this. Perhaps the better question is what part of lives do we act like a fool today?

These first three verses are quoted in Romans 3:10-12, what do we learn from those verses and what follows?

While there is great evil in the world God will still be with the righteous. Does this bring you comfort?

Proverbs 3:1-2

How can your heart keep the commands of God?
What is peace in the Biblical sense of the word? Do you have this peace in your life?

Pray today that God work through the mistakes of you and others to bring about good as He did with Joseph.

Pray that you can maintain perspective in the trials of life.

Pray that you can know how to respond to the attacks of others like Jesus did with the Word and the right attitude.

Pray that you can see how you live as a fool at times.

Please also pray for those that are preparing to teach tonight. Specifically at First Christian this week pray for Cheri Parnell as she leads our ladies Bible study. 

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus

January 22, 2013            Gen 44:1–46:27, Matt 14:13–33, Ps 13, Prov 2:20–22

Genesis 44:1-46:27

Why did Joseph give this last test? What was he trying to learn?

How had their attitude changed over the years?

What bad traits has God taken from you over the years?

What can we learn from the attitude of Joseph? What can we learn about God from this story?

What would your response had been if you were Jacob and you were told not only was your son not dead, but he is a powerful man in Egypt?

God appears to Jacob one last time to encourage him. Why would God want them to go to Egypt?

We are given a list of the names here. In chapter 28 another list is give that includes the names of those born in Egypt as well.

Matthew 14:13-33

Jesus got away from the crowds after hearing the news of John’s death. We all need times away to spend time with God and with our families. When do you schedule time to be with God?

The feeding of the 5,000 is told in all four of the Gospels. What makes this account so important?

Again Jesus got away to pray. We are too busy not to pray my friends.

Why were the disciples afraid?

Why did Peter sink?

When do you take your eyes off of Jesus?

Psalm 13

In this Psalm David feels like the Lord has forgotten him. He prays to God to help him and then he rejoices in faith that God will answer his prayer. Do you have that kind of faith?

Proverbs 2:20-22

This chapter ends with a contrast of the wicked and righteous. Are you wise or foolish?

Pray about who you need to forgive in the way Joseph forgave his brothers.

Pray today the Bread of Life would feed you spiritually.

Pray that you can keep your eyes on Jesus.

Pray for God’s protection and strength.