IN COURT WITH THE LORD

BIBLE PASSAGE: MICAH 6:1-8

• Picture taken from Google
• Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page
• APRIL, 2024

INTRODUCTION:

If were to ask how’s your relationship to God, what’s your answer? How about God, if he would answer, what would be the possible reply you expected based on GOD - YOU- relationship?

In Micah chapter 6, we can read that God had complaints against His people and the people urged God to voice out His complaints and it’s like telling the case in the court. Also, the Israelite people were complaining of God’s expectation of them.

In verse 3, God asked, “What have I done to you? And How have I wearied you? (In tagalog: Ano ba ang nagawa ko sainyo? Paano ba ako naging pabigat sainyo?)

Sometimes, as Christians, we think that being a Christian has a lot of responsibilities to do and this is one of the possible reasons why some of us don’t commit in a certain ministry. Have you experienced having complains in the ministry and converse it to the Lord?

I remember one time in our church when the ministry leaders had a meeting with the pastor and we talked about the prayer ministry. At the end of the meeting it was time to vote for what time would go church to pray (once a week) and the winner for that vote is 6:00am. I had a kind of complains at that time but I had no choice because that was time mostly the leaders voted for. I was thinking of the things I need to prepare on that early morning but I asked the Lord for my heart to humbly accept the decision. Eventually, God gave me the heart of acceptance and though there were sacrifices, I felt the intimate time praying with the Lord. I asked the Lord to forgive me and accept my service in prayer.

In the passage, let’s see the dialogue as witnesses of what had happened to the GOD-ISRAEL relationship.

 

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  GOD PROVIDES A BRIEF HISTORY OF ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE TO THEM.

God provides a brief history of all that God has done for them through the years (6:4-5). Given this story, they should be more grateful than their complaining suggests. Those “saving acts of God” (verse 5) on Israel’s behalf include: the exodus from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 1-15); the leadership of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam (a striking female reference, Exodus 15:20-21); the deliverance from the Moabite King Balak through the agency of Balaam as the people made their way through the wilderness (Numbers 22-24); and the climactic move into the promised land itself, using familiar shorthand:  from Shittim, east of the Jordan, to Gilgal on the west (see Joshua 2:1; 3:1; 4:19; 5:19). (workingpreacher.org)

 

We can see that like in a courtroom, Israel stepped as a witness and God asked what He has done. Sometimes we need to be reminded what God has done to our lives in order for us to remember that God has done nothing but good to all of us. Israel was thinking that they were cursed by God because of the things happened to them but God reminded them about what happened to King Balak who wanted to curse Israel through Balaam but God intervened and instead of cursing, Balaam blessed them.

 

Not only did God not do evil to Israel, He also did them an enormous amount of good. He redeemed them and gave them godly leaders. God’s case against Israel was strong and Israel was guilty in the prophet’s court.

 

In light of this, Israel must remember that God could never be persuaded to curse Israel, except if they brought curses on themselves through their own idolatry and disobedience. In the prophet’s courtroom God showed Israel that if they felt cursed in any way, it was entirely their responsibility. (enduring.com/bible-commentary)

 

Sometimes we are in the same situation with Israel; we blame God for everything that happens in our lives. We don’t see that our stubbornness has consequences and leads us to a wrong path.

 

Remembering God has done in our lives is the best way to be a witness that God doesn’t want us to have a miserable life. If we just only be obedient to His instructions.

 

 

2.  THE ISRAELITES REPLIED WITH BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT (MICAH 6:6-7)

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord? This was a question asked out of bitterness and resentment. In Micah’s imagined courtroom, Israel called out to God from the witness stand and said, “Just what do you want from me?”

 

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? This reply from Israel is like saying, “You’re asking too much from me.”

 

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? This answer from the people was like saying “Would that be enough to please You?”

 

Sometimes we are in a situation that pleasing the Lord is hard for us. To the extent that we’re thinking that God is asking too much from us without realizing that obedience is the best way God wants.

 

Of all God has done for us, is it worth to become obedient to Him?

 

 

 

3.  GOD TELLS WHAT HE REQUIRES OF US (MICAH 6:8)

He has shown you: In Micah the prophet’s imagined courtroom God stopped the shouting of the angry defendant from the witness box. God essentially said, “You act as if what I require of you is some mystery. In fact, it is no mystery at all. I have shown you clearly what is good and what I require of you.”

To be just is to be fair in all you do. To act justly means to be honest and tell the truth. It means you treat every person equally, hold them to the same standard, and not apply a different system of fairness to one person versus another.   This means you will do what is morally right even when it is not socially popular. 

To love mercy means you will respond in the situation the way God would. You will uphold his standard in the earth and view every situation through this lens. It means you will love people the way he loves them and care for people the way he cares for them. Especially those who are less fortunate.

To walk humbly with God means you are not only careful about your walk, but you recognize your position is a result of God’s grace and nothing else. Your walk with God should cause you to increase in humility, not become full of arrogance.

When you add it all up, this verse is about your character. One of the ways character is displayed is how you treat people who disagree with you, and how you treat people who can give you nothing in return. In Matthew Jesus talks about how easy it is to love those who love you back. That does not display character or fruit. How do you love those who choose not to love you back, or where there is no personal benefit from loving them? When you can do these things, you are fulfilling the challenge to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. This is what God has shown us. Now let’s go do it. 

In Micah the prophet’s imagined courtroom God has proven His case before the court. Israel was afflicted, but it was not because of the neglect or disregard of God. Their own sin brought their affliction upon them. In addition, what God required of them was not mysterious or too difficult – they simply did not do it.

 

 

 

FOLLOW YOUR GOD (1 KINGS 18:1-46)

 

FOLLOW YOUR GOD

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 KINGS 18: 1-46

Picture taken from Google
Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

JANUARY 16, 2022

MEMORY VERSE

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

JOHN 12:26

 

INTRODUCTION:

Israel had come to the time of its history which it hit battle. King Ahab was a very wicked man. He had introduced all kinds of immoral practices among the people. The nation had sunk to the bottom. He had married a woman named Jezebel whose name is synonymous with “evil” and together this couple introduced the worship of Baal, the worship of Ashtoreth. They were guilty of leading the people away from God. In fact, they had set about to execute all the prophets of God. Suddenly during this period of history, a man seemed to appear to nowhere. We know a very little of his background and in fact we know nothing of his background. This man stood before the king and before the people and he said, “It is not going to rain again until I give the word” and then he disappeared. At first people didn’t matter before they may be thinking who he thinks he is who can control the weather. When the year without a rain, they began to wonder “who was that man, where did he go.” Two years they began to search for him; no rain drought had set in. The king ordered that they be found and be delivered to the king and when the searched parties came back they said “We’d searched all over we can’t find him.” The king ordered to put them to death to those who unable to find the prophet. In the third year, King Ahab called Obadiah, the governor of the palace; they will be both finding fountain of water, brooks and grass for the cattle. King Ahab went his way while Obadiah went in other direction. Then Obadiah met Elijah on the way and he fell on his face. Elijah asked Obadiah to tell the king that he wanted to meet him but Obadiah refused because he might be killed by the king when he would tell him but then eventually caught by the spirit of God and disappeared. In the verses 12 to 15, Obadiah explained how he fear the Lord and helped the prophets during the slain by the order of the queen Jezebel.

In verses 17-18, we can see how the king was in denial of his sins. Let’s read, “And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” Then Elijah rebuked him, “And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” In the next verses, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal and Asthoreth (verses 19-20.

When the people of Israel gathered together, Elijah said in verse 21, “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  STOP HALTING BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS (1 KINGS 18:21)

There are three groups that had assembled in Mount Carmel. The prophet of God, Elijah the Tishbite. We don’t know the meaning of Tishbite; it probably indicates the locality where he came but even the scholars don’t know where the location is or what it is. What we know is, he was a rough and rugged fellow dressed in rough clothing and carry a heavy message. He comes on the scene very suddenly in times of great spiritual crisis but his name is very significant; the name Elijah means “Jehovah is My God.” Next, there in the mountains were gathered the prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth. These were the men who were defiling the land by leading the people in those abominable practices. They were leading the people in this moral decay; leading the nation down to worship other gods. These men were openly defiant against Jehovah the God of Israel. And then there was the third group, the halting multitude; the multitude that Elijah was cried out to. Imagine you took an opinion poll; you believe in God that you would gotten probably believe in God 100% but they were also all of them bowing their knees at the altar of Baal. They were mixed: in their devotion, in their commitment; in fact, they just worked committed and that was their problem. They were neither committed to God nor were they were committed to Baal; they were sort in between. Since that time, times have changed but people haven’t changed. Still today, we have three classifications of people same three categories. We have here, committed their lives as Elijah took totally serving the Lord. They are involved in active service; they are seeking to get more involved than they are waiting patiently for the call of God to lead them in what particular ministry or area of service that God would have them to commit their lives. Those who have made that decision and commitment. They are those who have given their lives to evil.

Then there is the large vast majority of the halting multitude. Those that who haven’t just made a commitment either direction. Jesus describes them as lukewarm. You were neither cold nor hot. Jesus said to them “I would rather that you be cold or hot” but because you are lukewarm, “I would spew you out in my mouth.” Uncommitted lukewarm condition or uncommitted multitude is the silent majority. The silent majority who stand by and do nothing; they just watch, stand for nothing, and thus, allow anything. These were the crowd Elijah was addressing and when he challenged them, “How long will you halt between two opinions? How long will you live out of the fence? How long will you go without making a real commitment?

For illustration, take your little son up to main street in Los Angeles. Walk down the sidewalk with him and let him see all of those men lying there on the gutter. Their own vomit caked on their clothes. Let them smell the stench. Let them look at the destroyed ruined lives of men who were one professionals but to see them lying helpless on the gutter. Within the mind of your son, will come a strong resolve, “I would never drink or take drugs.” But you in the uncommitted class, where the son watches you savor your wine at the dinner table, watches you seldom go to church, watches you don’t commit your life in the ministry, watches you prioritizing some other else rather than spiritual matters, watches you spending time watching television rather than reading the Bible and pray. You would say, “I would able to handle it” but how do you know what you kindling in your son’s little bosom and mind and he will not able to distinguish and you were actually encouraging him to go the path you wouldn’t like. Your influence upon him is far worse than the person who is turned themselves totally to evil.

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

Let’s read again in the last line, “And the people answered him not a word.”  So the uncommitted people in this verse allow the evil to continue and you would say to yourself, “I can handle it” but you just encourage others who can’t handle it. Your liberty becomes a stumbling block to the weaker. How many times pastor asks you, “Would you commit?” and you answer him not a word. Elijah said, “How long you halt between two opinions?” Would I commit or not?

To those who have committed but halting between two opinions which means committed in paper but not in heart, beware of your silent work in the ministry. Some Christians only committed in a few months then no show after that; God sees everything.

To others until know who is still in the state of being indecisive, Elijah said, “How long you halt between two opinions?” What is indecisive? (of a person) not having or showing the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. Again, Elijah said, “HOW LONG?”

2.  CHOOSE WHOM YOU WILL SERVE (1 KINGS 18:21)

 “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

If we take notice of the prophets of Baal, we can see many things: their courage; they had the courage to accept the challenge of the prophet of God. They hadn’t seen the power of Baal but they took the courage. Also, we can see their enthusiasm; not only did they pray but they began to leap on the altar, they began to cut themselves and screamed. Another thing, their determination; they stocked with that all day long up until evening. How about us, what we got? That we would be as enthusiastic and as determined in the causes of righteousness as they are who are involved in the causes of evil; that was be a different world.

Elijah said in verse 27, “And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.”

After the prophet of Baal had tried everything and nothing happened, this verse shows that the god that they’d chosen, the god they were bowing their knees to, came a great question, are you sure that he can hear you in the day of trouble? Psalms 135:16-17 say, “They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.” t

 

 

 Is your god that way? You see every man has a god; every man has a master passion that governs his life. Every man bows his knee to some ideal, to some philosophy and to some ambition. There is that the heart of your life that keep you going that which occupies your mind whether it will be pleasure, whether it will be educational pursuit, whether it will your business, whether it will be your bank account and some materials things that devoting yourself to. It is your god that has the control your life but the thing is, is it able to help you in time of need. Will your god be asleep? Do you see pity in the life of the prophets of Baal? Imagine their bodies gushed out with blood when they cut themselves (verse 28) and they were weak, and tired, they leaped, screamed all day till evening. They had chosen god who cannot hear nor speak.

In Elijah, the prophet of God, you see the courage; he’s alone. There are 850 prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth and he stood alone for God and yet stands for the Lord, yet he stands alone. His calmness in times of the prophet of Baal did the demonstration is what we should I admire. He trusted God and saw that God was in control and able to meet the need.

In the mixed multiplied, nothing much to admire; they were the one that responsible that whole evil happened; they didn’t speak against it they were allowed to happen. Elijah was addressing to them, “How long halt ye between two opinions? How long you will sit and let things happen?  If the Lord be God, then follow him: commit yourself, get involve! Don’t just sit, but commit yourself to following Him, serving Him with all your heart, and begin to love your God with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength and make that commitment.

And in verse 30 and onwards, he showed the great demonstration. Though the altar was wet and he started praying, then the fire of the Lord fell to the altar.

 

CONCLUSION:

In which of the three categories do you fit? Where would you place yourself? Those who are fully committed to following Christ? Those who are fully committed to evil? Or are we the one who are halting between the two? How long will we stay there? If the Lord Jesus Christ is God, let’s begin to commit and serve Him. Bible says in John 12:26,

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

 

 

FOLLOWING GOD FROM AFAR (Luke 22:54-62; Matthew 26:33-58)

 

FOLLOWING GOD FROM AFAR

BIBLE PASSAGE: LUKE 22:54-62; MATTHEW 26:33-58

Picture taken from Google

Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon’s Wisdom FB page

JANUARY 02, 2021

 

MEMORY VERSE

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

JOHN 12:26

 

INTRODUCTION:

Do you want to serve the Lord? Say Amen if you do want (allow responses). Many Christians when asked, would you like to serve the Lord, no one will say NO! Yes, that’s true; no one will say NO but they want to serve the Lord in a distance. What does this mean? They want to serve the Lord but don’t want to give up the things they give them pleasure – they don’t want to give up the pleasures in the world. Some want to serve the Lord they don’t want their lifestyle, time, pleasures to be interfered by the Lord or the church. They want to serve the Lord according to their time or schedules. For example: they just want to serve the Lord during morning services only, some don’t go to prayer meeting because that’s the only time she or he has to have quality time with his or her girlfriend or boyfriend, some don’t want to commit in music ministry because that’s the time for household chores, though he has the talent in music, and some want to serve but based from their will and perspective. I remember one time a member told me the reason why once in a while she was not in one of the church services. She said, “We need rest and self-checking,” and that’s why she was not consistent. If we want self-checking and rest, don’t do it on Sundays. I say these things not because I’m perfect but because I know the struggles and feelings but we need to fight for it and do what is God’s will.

Our lesson is titled “FOLLOWING GOD FROM AFAR” and this is about Peter. In the passage we have read is the night of arrest of Christ which is also a night of extremes for Peter. In Matthew 26 verses 33-35, we can see how he boldly mentioned to Christ his allegiance. He won’t deny Christ and will follow him even for the result of his death but in Matthew 26:40-41, we can read how sleepy he was in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Lord Jesus Christ urged him and the others to pray with him even just an hour but they were too sleepy. When Jesus was arrested this was the time where Peter lost his temper and drew a sword for defense; he smote the ear of the high priest’s servant. This was the time all the disciples forsook Jesus; they left and fled.  Drawn back, Peter followed Him afar off (Matthew 26:57-58). When confronted, he denied Jesus three times (Matt. 26:69-75). So you see, Peter ate his words.

LESSON OUTLINE:

1.  NO CHRISTIAN IS STRONG WHEN FOLLOWING GOD FROM AFAR (MATTHEW 26:69-70)

⁶⁹ Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.  ⁷⁰ But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

From the experiences of apostle Peter, we can see agree that no Christian is strong when following God from afar. From the verses, we see that Peter denied Jesus in front of the people.  In the previous verses we’ve read, we can sense that Peter wouldn’t come to a point in his life where he will deny the Lord Jesus Christ though his confirmation of his allegiance was firm and bold. So not up close to the Lord will lead to become unprepared to resist sin and error. You will lose when you follow God from afar.

Peter declared he was strong enough to stay with Christ, to never deny Jesus. We have no strength in ourselves. Our strength is Jesus. Our strength is His power in us. We are to cling to Him, to read His Word, to draw near to Him as sheep to a Shepard. He is our strength.

The weakest you will ever be is far from Christ. You cannot afford to have a once a week or once a month or twice yearly relationship with Christ.

When we were saved dear Christian you were called not to Religion but to the Savior’s side. The safest and most powerful place you can be is close to Jesus, close to His Word, close to His Family, His Church, close to Him in prayer and closely heeding His Word.

2.  WE ARE CLOSER TO THE ENEMY THAN TO CHRIST (JOHN 18:17-18)

¹⁷ Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. ¹⁸ And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

What comes to mind when someone says, “It seems like there is a distance between us?” In our daily relationships we understand that to mean that something isn’t what is should be and that we should give close attention to it. Sometimes that distance is an indication of a closeness that is fading or sometimes it represents that there is a danger of the relationship crumbling. A distance can leave us vulnerable, open to danger, or drifting away from something that is sure and solid. The gospels show us where Peter “followed at a distance” at one point in his relationship with Jesus. What can we learn from that to help strengthen our relationship with God?

Peter tried blending in with the crowd. If you belong to the Lord, you are no longer your own. You are bought with a price. Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. You are no longer a part of the darkness, but are the Light of God. You do not belong huddled in among the lost pretending to be lost with them. You are God’s people. Shine for Him! Glorify Him. Live because Christ lives in you.

In James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God,” friendship with the world is enmity with God. In 1 John 2:15-17, we are reminded not to love the world.

What will be the situation if we are closer to the enemy? We become comfortable with the world and uncomfortable with the Lord. You show less importance to spiritual matters and give your time more to yourself, friends, school and other things not spiritual. Also, you begin justifying your wrong decisions. To sum it up, we are prone to mire in sin.

 

Many times believers make the mistake of thinking they can face the world and even move toward it without adverse consequences. They think that since they are not yet too close, they are fine. But in truth, the direction in which we are pointed tells the story of where we will end up.

 

3.  WE ARE SPECTATORS RATHER THAN PARTICIPANTS (MATTHEW 26:58)

But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

This we have heard: “I am a born again Christian and I am happy that my sins are forgiven and I go to church on Sunday because I like the fellowship!” We ask: “Do you not go to put yourself in the way of spiritual blessing?” The answer: “No, I am saved and I do not need anything!” We ask: “Have you offered to witness, to pray, to encourage, to assist, to participate in your church’s life and outreach?” The answer: “No. My church seems to get along very well without my help!” Brethren, this “non- participation” kind of faith is a strange parody on Bible Christianity. Men and women who say they are believers just cancel themselves out. Is it something we have learned from the sporting events? -the great majority are spectators. They come and sit! If there is any true spiritual life within us, God will give us a gift of some kind and the humble soul will find something to do for God!

— A.W. Tozer, Christian Theologian

A lot easier to join in criticizing and condemning others for what they are doing when you are on the sidelines instead of in the game (when you’re not in the arena, battling the devil, Eph. 6:10-13).

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Let’s check our actions and our words if we are more in criticizing, watch out! We need to go on the field and work.

 

 

 

CONCLUSION:

John 12:26 says, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

It's a measure of a person's sincerity. Those who earnestly want to submit to God will put Him at the very top of their priorities. They won't "love" things as much as they "love" God and His will. To the world, that looks like death, just as burying a seed has all the appearance of killing it (John 12:24). In reality, that act is what allows the seed to achieve the purpose for which it was created!

Have you been following Jesus at a distance? Walking far enough behind that you can still see Him but others don't see you right next to Him? Grab a Bible. Crack it. Get into God's Word and get His Word into you. No more lagging behind. Let's walk right beside the Lord, unashamedly, and allow others to see our desire to be near Jesus in hopes they will long to get to know Him too.

This month is commitment month; may this remind us about our decision in committing our lives to the Lord.