The document summarizes a passage from 2 Chronicles that describes how King Hezekiah of Judah reestablished worship in the Temple after his father King Ahaz had abandoned it. When Hezekiah wanted to celebrate Passover, he decided to do it in the second month instead of the first month as prescribed by God's instructions. Surprisingly, God supported this change and blessed the people when they celebrated Passover at the wrong time. The document notes this seems inconsistent with God's strict rules and punishments for disobedience in the Old Testament. However, a passage from Isaiah suggests God was tired of meaningless rituals and wanted sincere worship instead of outward compliance to rules.
10 Minute presentation of the Fall Feasts of the Lord and their prophetic significance. Learn the Hebrew roots of our faith and that our Father loves celebrations and wants us to meet with each other and with Him at His appointed times.
The document discusses the Hebrew feasts and their connection to biblical prophecies and the sanctuary message. It notes two great disappointments experienced by Jesus' disciples and Millerites that paralleled the spring and fall feasts. It explores the fulfillment of prophecies around 1844 and the establishment of the Seventh-day Adventist church thereafter. Key aspects of the sanctuary doctrine and their representation in Revelation are summarized.
This document provides an overview of the seven biblical feasts known as the festivals of the Messiah. It explains that the feasts were given by God to teach about the coming of the Messiah and God's redemption plan. The first four feasts - Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost - correspond to events in Jesus' first coming, while the final three - Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles - relate to his second coming. Studying the feasts provides insight into both prophecy and believers' relationship with God. The document aims to help readers of all faiths better understand the significance of these important biblical appointments.
The document discusses the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the Hebrew feasts. It describes how the feast was celebrated in Jerusalem, with people dwelling in booths and branches. It notes parallels between the shadows of the feast and the realities fulfilled in Christ, such as the water ceremony representing Christ as the living water. It explores the significance and future fulfillment of the feast at Christ's second coming.
The Feast of Trumpets, also known as Yom Teruah or Rosh Hashanah, marks the Jewish New Year according to the biblical calendar. It commemorates the beginning of the fall harvest season and prophetically points to end times events in God's plan of salvation. The blowing of the trumpet on this feast is likened to the last trumpet that will sound at the rapture of the church, gathering believers to meet the returning Jesus in the air. The 100 trumpet blasts, with the final one longest, picture the trumpet blast announcing Christ's second coming to earth to establish his kingdom.
The document provides an overview and analysis of Acts 2:1-21, which describes the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It discusses how the Holy Spirit came with the sound of a mighty rushing wind and divided tongues of fire, empowering the disciples to speak in other languages. When the disciples did this, devout Jews from various regions heard them speaking in their native tongues. Some accused the disciples of being drunk, but Peter explained that it was the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's words about pouring out the Spirit in the last days. The Holy Spirit's coming marked the beginning of the new covenant age.
This document discusses the latter rain and Pentecost, drawing comparisons between the two outpourings of the Holy Spirit. It provides biblical references to support the concept of a latter rain revival as foretold in prophecies such as Zechariah 10:1 and Joel 2:23. The document asserts that as with Pentecost, God's people must earnestly seek the Holy Spirit and have living connections to God in order to experience the latter rain and be prepared for Christ's return.
10 Minute presentation of the Fall Feasts of the Lord and their prophetic significance. Learn the Hebrew roots of our faith and that our Father loves celebrations and wants us to meet with each other and with Him at His appointed times.
The document discusses the Hebrew feasts and their connection to biblical prophecies and the sanctuary message. It notes two great disappointments experienced by Jesus' disciples and Millerites that paralleled the spring and fall feasts. It explores the fulfillment of prophecies around 1844 and the establishment of the Seventh-day Adventist church thereafter. Key aspects of the sanctuary doctrine and their representation in Revelation are summarized.
This document provides an overview of the seven biblical feasts known as the festivals of the Messiah. It explains that the feasts were given by God to teach about the coming of the Messiah and God's redemption plan. The first four feasts - Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost - correspond to events in Jesus' first coming, while the final three - Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles - relate to his second coming. Studying the feasts provides insight into both prophecy and believers' relationship with God. The document aims to help readers of all faiths better understand the significance of these important biblical appointments.
The document discusses the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the Hebrew feasts. It describes how the feast was celebrated in Jerusalem, with people dwelling in booths and branches. It notes parallels between the shadows of the feast and the realities fulfilled in Christ, such as the water ceremony representing Christ as the living water. It explores the significance and future fulfillment of the feast at Christ's second coming.
The Feast of Trumpets, also known as Yom Teruah or Rosh Hashanah, marks the Jewish New Year according to the biblical calendar. It commemorates the beginning of the fall harvest season and prophetically points to end times events in God's plan of salvation. The blowing of the trumpet on this feast is likened to the last trumpet that will sound at the rapture of the church, gathering believers to meet the returning Jesus in the air. The 100 trumpet blasts, with the final one longest, picture the trumpet blast announcing Christ's second coming to earth to establish his kingdom.
The document provides an overview and analysis of Acts 2:1-21, which describes the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It discusses how the Holy Spirit came with the sound of a mighty rushing wind and divided tongues of fire, empowering the disciples to speak in other languages. When the disciples did this, devout Jews from various regions heard them speaking in their native tongues. Some accused the disciples of being drunk, but Peter explained that it was the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's words about pouring out the Spirit in the last days. The Holy Spirit's coming marked the beginning of the new covenant age.
This document discusses the latter rain and Pentecost, drawing comparisons between the two outpourings of the Holy Spirit. It provides biblical references to support the concept of a latter rain revival as foretold in prophecies such as Zechariah 10:1 and Joel 2:23. The document asserts that as with Pentecost, God's people must earnestly seek the Holy Spirit and have living connections to God in order to experience the latter rain and be prepared for Christ's return.
1) Luke provides a historical account of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, noting that Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census that required Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. 2) Mary gave birth to Jesus and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. 3) The story fulfills Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem and highlights how even secular rulers like Augustus unknowingly played a role in God's salvation plan.
The article discusses the second coming of Jesus Christ. It notes that while Christians believe Jesus will return, there is disagreement about the timing and nature of His return. The article urges readers to rely on the Bible for truth about this event. It summarizes that Jesus' return will occur unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and that Christians should watch and be ready at all times by living faithfully, as Jesus could return at any moment.
The document discusses the law of God and the law of Moses. It explores the differences between the Ten Commandments written by God's finger on stone tablets kept inside the ark, and the ceremonial laws and feasts written by Moses in a scroll kept outside. While the ceremonial laws and feasts were nailed to the cross and abolished, the document argues that the Ten Commandment moral law of God expressed in Exodus 20 was not abolished based on various scriptures. It concludes by affirming the importance of keeping God's commandments.
The three feasts discussed in the document are:
1. The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which foreshadowed Jesus's unblemished sacrifice on the cross.
2. The Feast of First Fruits, which was fulfilled when Jesus arose from the dead as the first fruits of those who slept, taking captives from their graves with Him.
3. The Pentecost, which involved offering two loaves of bread made with leaven, representing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and others gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. They began speaking in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. When the crowds heard this, they were amazed because each person heard the believers speaking in their own native language. Peter addressed the crowd and explained that this was the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's prophecy about God pouring out His Spirit on all people. Some in the crowd mocked that the believers were drunk, but Peter said it was too early in the day and they were experiencing what God had promised through the prophet.
The document discusses a prophecy in Daniel about 70 weeks of years, or 490 years, that are focused on the Jewish people, Jerusalem, and the coming of the Messiah. It notes that the prophecy gives a starting point of a command to rebuild Jerusalem in 445 BC, and predicts that after 69 weeks of years (483 years), the Messiah will come. Calculating 483 years as 173,880 days from March 14, 445 BC brings one to April 6, 32 AD, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
The document discusses the authority of prophets and prophetic messages. It explores how prophets like Moses and Jeremiah initially resisted their calling, and how Ellen White also struggled. It examines how Jesus has all authority and how prophets receive authority from Him. The document also discusses how prophetic messages from figures like Ellen White have been both accepted and rejected, and how Adventists view the relationship between the Bible and Ellen White's writings.
The document is a newsletter from the First Southern Baptist Church of North Hollywood announcing upcoming events and discussing preparations for Easter Sunday and revival. It includes:
1) An announcement that Easter Sunday will be on April 1st this year and encourages members to make a list of unchurched people to pray for and invite to visit the church in the coming weeks.
2) A discussion of the meaning of revival according to passages from the Bible and how revival aligns with praying for God's kingdom to come and his will being done on Earth as it is in heaven.
3) Notices of upcoming events at the church including Women's Sunday on May 13th, Men's Sunday on June 17th, and
This document provides a summary of key aspects of the Gospel of Luke, including:
1) Luke presents Jesus as the perfect man who is fully dependent on God and shows grace towards sinners.
2) Luke's account can be divided into Jesus' birth and early years, his service in Galilee, his journey to Jerusalem, and the events leading up to his death and resurrection.
3) The document examines several ways Luke uniquely presents Jesus' humanity and dependence on God through his focus on Jesus' prayer life and interactions with people in their homes.
Sermon Acts 2:1-13 The Meaning of PentecostRODNEY TAN
God equipped His church with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost so that He would be glorified among all nations. The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in other languages and reach people from various regions. Pentecost marked the formation of the church and the beginning of the age of the Holy Spirit. The ultimate goal of Pentecost and the church's mission is for the whole earth to know God's glory.
Jesus First and Second Coming thru the Feasts of the Lordcharlesmartel1974
1) The feasts of the Lord outlined in Leviticus 23 foreshadow important events in God's plan of salvation, including Jesus' first and second coming.
2) Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts - Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits - through his death and resurrection on the exact biblical dates.
3) The fall feasts - Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles - point to Jesus' second coming, the rapture of believers, Israel's national redemption, and Christ's millennial reign on earth.
The document provides an overview of Pentecost and the Sacrament of Confirmation from a biblical perspective. It discusses how Confirmation is rooted in the Old and New Testaments. Key points include Jesus promising the disciples the Holy Spirit, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the history and traditions surrounding Confirmation, and the responsibilities of Confirmed Christians.
The document outlines the sanctuary service in the earthly tabernacle and its antitype in Jesus' heavenly ministry. It describes the daily and yearly services on earth, which pointed to the continual intercession of Jesus and His final atonement cleansing believers of sin's record. It urges readers to come humbly before God's judgment, pleading only the merits of Christ, who will present believers faultless before the Father.
This document discusses the identity of Jesus Christ. It provides biblical passages showing that Jesus is God based on his use of the phrase "I am" and his relationship with God the Father. It argues that Jesus was not crucified on Good Friday but instead on a Wednesday based on an analysis of biblical accounts of Jesus' last days and Jewish calendar traditions. The document aims to correct misunderstandings and traditions not supported by scripture.
The document discusses the biblical basis for speaking in tongues and the benefits of praying in tongues. It references several passages from the New Testament that describe believers receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues, including on the Day of Pentecost. The document asserts that praying in tongues, or in the Spirit, allows the Spirit to intercede through groanings that cannot be uttered otherwise and ensures that believers pray according to God's will. It suggests praying in tongues can strengthen and edify believers.
The document discusses the origins and history of the Sabbath day. It provides quotes from Catholic and Protestant sources acknowledging that the Bible commands keeping the seventh day (Saturday) holy, but that Sunday observance was adopted based on tradition rather than scripture. The document argues that true worship of God requires obeying his commandments, including keeping the Sabbath on the seventh day as commanded, rather than substituting human traditions.
The document provides a summary and analysis of the book of Job from the Bible. It discusses how Job loses his wealth, property, and children due to a wager between God and Satan about Job's loyalty. Job's friends accuse him of sinning, but Job insists on his innocence and wants to confront God directly to understand his suffering. The document aims to unpack the book's examination of God's character and how he uses his power in relation to humanity.
1) Solomon had great wealth, wisdom, and power as king of Israel, but found it all meaningless when he looked back on his life.
2) In Ecclesiastes, Solomon analyzes his experiences with pleasure, work, wisdom, and wealth, and concludes it is all meaningless without God.
3) God gives meaning and purpose to life through His commandments of love, relationships, and finding fulfillment through other-centeredness rather than selfish pursuits.
Ezekiel was a priest among the exiles taken to Babylon in 597 BC. He received visions around 592 BC, contemporary with Jeremiah and Daniel. Ezekiel and other prophets warned of Judah's destruction if they did not repent. God sent many prophets with the same message in hopes it would get through. Ezekiel performed dramatic acts to symbolize Judah's fate in an attempt to gain their attention. God did everything possible through warnings and signs to get Judah to repent so they could live, but they refused to listen.
(1) The document provides an overview and summary of the biblical book of Ruth. (2) It discusses the time period and location of the story, which takes place in Bethlehem and Moab during the time of the Judges. (3) The story is about a Moabite woman named Ruth who follows her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem after both of their husbands have died, and how Ruth finds protection and a new marriage through obeying God's laws on gleaning and redemption.
1) Luke provides a historical account of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, noting that Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census that required Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. 2) Mary gave birth to Jesus and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. 3) The story fulfills Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem and highlights how even secular rulers like Augustus unknowingly played a role in God's salvation plan.
The article discusses the second coming of Jesus Christ. It notes that while Christians believe Jesus will return, there is disagreement about the timing and nature of His return. The article urges readers to rely on the Bible for truth about this event. It summarizes that Jesus' return will occur unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and that Christians should watch and be ready at all times by living faithfully, as Jesus could return at any moment.
The document discusses the law of God and the law of Moses. It explores the differences between the Ten Commandments written by God's finger on stone tablets kept inside the ark, and the ceremonial laws and feasts written by Moses in a scroll kept outside. While the ceremonial laws and feasts were nailed to the cross and abolished, the document argues that the Ten Commandment moral law of God expressed in Exodus 20 was not abolished based on various scriptures. It concludes by affirming the importance of keeping God's commandments.
The three feasts discussed in the document are:
1. The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which foreshadowed Jesus's unblemished sacrifice on the cross.
2. The Feast of First Fruits, which was fulfilled when Jesus arose from the dead as the first fruits of those who slept, taking captives from their graves with Him.
3. The Pentecost, which involved offering two loaves of bread made with leaven, representing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and others gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. They began speaking in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. When the crowds heard this, they were amazed because each person heard the believers speaking in their own native language. Peter addressed the crowd and explained that this was the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's prophecy about God pouring out His Spirit on all people. Some in the crowd mocked that the believers were drunk, but Peter said it was too early in the day and they were experiencing what God had promised through the prophet.
The document discusses a prophecy in Daniel about 70 weeks of years, or 490 years, that are focused on the Jewish people, Jerusalem, and the coming of the Messiah. It notes that the prophecy gives a starting point of a command to rebuild Jerusalem in 445 BC, and predicts that after 69 weeks of years (483 years), the Messiah will come. Calculating 483 years as 173,880 days from March 14, 445 BC brings one to April 6, 32 AD, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.
The document discusses the authority of prophets and prophetic messages. It explores how prophets like Moses and Jeremiah initially resisted their calling, and how Ellen White also struggled. It examines how Jesus has all authority and how prophets receive authority from Him. The document also discusses how prophetic messages from figures like Ellen White have been both accepted and rejected, and how Adventists view the relationship between the Bible and Ellen White's writings.
The document is a newsletter from the First Southern Baptist Church of North Hollywood announcing upcoming events and discussing preparations for Easter Sunday and revival. It includes:
1) An announcement that Easter Sunday will be on April 1st this year and encourages members to make a list of unchurched people to pray for and invite to visit the church in the coming weeks.
2) A discussion of the meaning of revival according to passages from the Bible and how revival aligns with praying for God's kingdom to come and his will being done on Earth as it is in heaven.
3) Notices of upcoming events at the church including Women's Sunday on May 13th, Men's Sunday on June 17th, and
This document provides a summary of key aspects of the Gospel of Luke, including:
1) Luke presents Jesus as the perfect man who is fully dependent on God and shows grace towards sinners.
2) Luke's account can be divided into Jesus' birth and early years, his service in Galilee, his journey to Jerusalem, and the events leading up to his death and resurrection.
3) The document examines several ways Luke uniquely presents Jesus' humanity and dependence on God through his focus on Jesus' prayer life and interactions with people in their homes.
Sermon Acts 2:1-13 The Meaning of PentecostRODNEY TAN
God equipped His church with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost so that He would be glorified among all nations. The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak in other languages and reach people from various regions. Pentecost marked the formation of the church and the beginning of the age of the Holy Spirit. The ultimate goal of Pentecost and the church's mission is for the whole earth to know God's glory.
Jesus First and Second Coming thru the Feasts of the Lordcharlesmartel1974
1) The feasts of the Lord outlined in Leviticus 23 foreshadow important events in God's plan of salvation, including Jesus' first and second coming.
2) Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts - Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits - through his death and resurrection on the exact biblical dates.
3) The fall feasts - Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles - point to Jesus' second coming, the rapture of believers, Israel's national redemption, and Christ's millennial reign on earth.
The document provides an overview of Pentecost and the Sacrament of Confirmation from a biblical perspective. It discusses how Confirmation is rooted in the Old and New Testaments. Key points include Jesus promising the disciples the Holy Spirit, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the history and traditions surrounding Confirmation, and the responsibilities of Confirmed Christians.
The document outlines the sanctuary service in the earthly tabernacle and its antitype in Jesus' heavenly ministry. It describes the daily and yearly services on earth, which pointed to the continual intercession of Jesus and His final atonement cleansing believers of sin's record. It urges readers to come humbly before God's judgment, pleading only the merits of Christ, who will present believers faultless before the Father.
This document discusses the identity of Jesus Christ. It provides biblical passages showing that Jesus is God based on his use of the phrase "I am" and his relationship with God the Father. It argues that Jesus was not crucified on Good Friday but instead on a Wednesday based on an analysis of biblical accounts of Jesus' last days and Jewish calendar traditions. The document aims to correct misunderstandings and traditions not supported by scripture.
The document discusses the biblical basis for speaking in tongues and the benefits of praying in tongues. It references several passages from the New Testament that describe believers receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues, including on the Day of Pentecost. The document asserts that praying in tongues, or in the Spirit, allows the Spirit to intercede through groanings that cannot be uttered otherwise and ensures that believers pray according to God's will. It suggests praying in tongues can strengthen and edify believers.
The document discusses the origins and history of the Sabbath day. It provides quotes from Catholic and Protestant sources acknowledging that the Bible commands keeping the seventh day (Saturday) holy, but that Sunday observance was adopted based on tradition rather than scripture. The document argues that true worship of God requires obeying his commandments, including keeping the Sabbath on the seventh day as commanded, rather than substituting human traditions.
The document provides a summary and analysis of the book of Job from the Bible. It discusses how Job loses his wealth, property, and children due to a wager between God and Satan about Job's loyalty. Job's friends accuse him of sinning, but Job insists on his innocence and wants to confront God directly to understand his suffering. The document aims to unpack the book's examination of God's character and how he uses his power in relation to humanity.
1) Solomon had great wealth, wisdom, and power as king of Israel, but found it all meaningless when he looked back on his life.
2) In Ecclesiastes, Solomon analyzes his experiences with pleasure, work, wisdom, and wealth, and concludes it is all meaningless without God.
3) God gives meaning and purpose to life through His commandments of love, relationships, and finding fulfillment through other-centeredness rather than selfish pursuits.
Ezekiel was a priest among the exiles taken to Babylon in 597 BC. He received visions around 592 BC, contemporary with Jeremiah and Daniel. Ezekiel and other prophets warned of Judah's destruction if they did not repent. God sent many prophets with the same message in hopes it would get through. Ezekiel performed dramatic acts to symbolize Judah's fate in an attempt to gain their attention. God did everything possible through warnings and signs to get Judah to repent so they could live, but they refused to listen.
(1) The document provides an overview and summary of the biblical book of Ruth. (2) It discusses the time period and location of the story, which takes place in Bethlehem and Moab during the time of the Judges. (3) The story is about a Moabite woman named Ruth who follows her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem after both of their husbands have died, and how Ruth finds protection and a new marriage through obeying God's laws on gleaning and redemption.
The document provides an introduction and summary of the book of 2 Samuel, which describes the reign of King David over Israel after the death of Saul. It notes that historically David first ruled only the tribe of Judah for 7 years before becoming king over all the tribes of Israel for a total of 40 years, from around 1010 BC to 970 BC. The document then discusses several stories from 2 Samuel, particularly the account of Uzzah reaching out to steady the Ark of the Covenant and being struck dead, and analyzes the context and significance of this event.
This document provides a summary of the book of Exodus from the Bible. It discusses how the book tells the story of the Israelites' exit from Egypt where they had been enslaved. It highlights how God had prepared Moses throughout his life to lead the Israelites out of slavery. The document also discusses how God gifted certain individuals like Bezalel and Oholiab with skills to build the tabernacle, and how God continues to uniquely prepare people throughout history for specific purposes.
The document provides a detailed summary of Acts 2 from the Bible. It discusses key events from the chapter, including the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Peter's sermon where he quotes the prophet Joel, and around 3,000 people converting to Christianity and being baptized in response to Peter's message. The summary analyzes several Greek words and provides historical context for the Jewish feasts mentioned in the chapter.
Hezekiah sends invitations to all Israelites and Judeans to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. He also writes letters to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them. Some commentators note that the king of Israel at the time, Hoshea, did not oppose this and allowed Israelites freedom of religion. In response, most Israelites mocked and scorned the messengers, but some from various tribes humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. Hezekiah also commanded the men of Judah to attend, and they obeyed with one heart. Scholars view this as an important move to revive proper worship of God in Jerusalem as prescribed in Deuteronomy.
Church Workers' Retreat - Breakout Session - 14 October 2023.pdfRaph78
King Hezekiah desired to bring revival to Judah by celebrating the Passover. He invited the remnant of Israel in Jerusalem to participate, demonstrating a desire for unity. Many people were unclean but participated anyway, showing God's mercy. The celebration was extended voluntarily, reflecting deeper devotion. There was great joy as the people experienced God's presence, leading to sustained revival. The case study teaches that repentance, prayer, and studying God's word contribute to sustained personal revival, as demonstrated in the New Testament. Individual commitment to change is needed to apply lessons from the retreat.
Hezekiah began his reign over Judah at age 25 and reigned for 29 years. He purified and reconsecrated the Temple in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disuse and disrepair during the reign of his father Ahaz. Over the course of 16 days, Hezekiah and the priests cleansed the Temple of idolatrous items and purified its courtyards and vessels. They then offered sacrifices to rededicate the Temple, following the detailed instructions and rituals prescribed in the books of Moses. Scholars note that this chapter provides evidence that the Pentateuch existed during Hezekiah's reign, contradicting theories that it was composed later.
The document summarizes key people and events from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It describes how the Israelites returned from exile in Babylon and lists that were made to account for sacred temple articles, repatriated exiles, Levites who lagged behind, dwellers of Jerusalem, and members of the choir. The overall message is that God was in control of history and cared for each individual and detail as the Israelites rebuilt Jerusalem and restored worship at the temple.
Acts 2, One time miracles, non blessing miracles, similes, filled with the Sp...Valley Bible Fellowship
Acts Chapter 2, One time miracles, non blessing miracles, similes, filled with the Spirit, glossa, dialektos, God opened the spigot, predetermined, foreknowledge, signs wonders and miracles mark an Apostle, who raised Jesus
The document discusses the significance of the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles. It summarizes that this day:
1) Marked the beginning of the kingdom/church as promised, with the coming of power from the Holy Spirit;
2) Saw the reversal of the curse of Babel as people from many nations heard the gospel in their own languages; and
3) Signaled an end to the Law of Moses and beginning of the Law of Christ, paralleling but reversing what happened at Mount Sinai.
The document discusses biblical interpretations of prophecies related to the timing of Jesus' second coming. It argues that a "prophetic time" refers to 360 years based on biblical references. It then explains how this relates to a "seven times" prophecy in Leviticus involving the punishment of Israel, stating that precisely 2,520 years after the first Assyrian invasion of Israel in 745 BC, the United States was founded on July 4, 1776, fulfilling the prophecy when God would restore Israel. The document uses various biblical references to support interpreting prophecies about the timing of end times events.
This document discusses the significance of the first day of the first month in the Jewish calendar and biblical scriptures. It references several passages that mention this date, including Genesis chapters 8 and 6, Exodus 12 and 40, Ezekiel 45, and Ezra chapters 7 and 10. The overall message is that the first day of the first month marks a new beginning, whether it is Noah leaving the ark after the floodwaters receded, the command to establish the tabernacle, or Ezra preparing his heart to follow God's law. This day symbolizes fresh starts and recommitment to God.
The document discusses the biblical feasts of the Lord, including the weekly Sabbath and annual feasts such as Passover and Pentecost. It explains that God gave Moses the dates and names of the feasts and that they are prophetic, pointing to future events. The Sabbath occurs every seventh day while the annual feasts follow a lunar calendar. Jesus observed the Sabbath but taught that acts of mercy and healing were permitted.
Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' disciples. The passage from Acts describes what happened on the first Pentecost - the disciples experienced the Holy Spirit as a violent wind and tongues of fire, and were then able to speak in other languages to proclaim the gospel. Peter explained that this fulfills the prophecy of Joel about God pouring out his Spirit on all people.
Esther prepares to go before the king on the third day of fasting and praying, feeling confident God has answered her prayers. In Scripture, the number three often symbolizes completion or fulfillment. The passage suggests this scene represents Jesus' second coming and establishment of his millennial kingdom, as the king is sitting on his throne, which Jesus will do after returning. The number of days and references to a third day point to a pattern in the Bible timing Jesus' second advent for around the year 2000 AD.
The document discusses the importance of complete obedience to God's commands based on biblical examples. It provides several examples from the Old and New Testaments of individuals who fully obeyed God's commands, such as Noah and Abraham. It also gives examples of partial obedience that was displeasing to God, such as King Saul sparing captives against God's instructions. The document emphasizes that anything less than full obedience to all that God commands is not true obedience. It then discusses the definition and importance of understanding the church that Jesus Christ established based on New Testament teachings.
The document discusses the biblical Sabbath, beginning with several passages about proclaiming God's judgment and glory. It then examines concepts of God's glory being his character, presence and light. Several passages are presented that link the Sabbath to God's sanctification and as a sign of sanctification. The Sabbath is described as a day of rest and rejoicing. God is identified as the creator who rested on the seventh day. Jesus' redemption work is connected to his rest in the tomb on the Sabbath. The document encourages choosing to serve the God of the Sabbath.
This document discusses the differences between the kingdom of heaven and the church. It provides biblical references to support the position that the kingdom of heaven refers to Christ's future earthly kingdom during the Millennium, while the church refers to believers in the current church age. Key points made include that the kingdom will be a physical, earthly kingdom where salvation is based on works, while the church is a spiritual body entered by faith. The document also examines multiple passages in Matthew that reference the kingdom of heaven to argue they are referring to Christ's future earthly reign.
The document discusses what it means to be "in the spirit" based on biblical passages. It provides definitions of key Greek words related to spirit and examines what scripture says about the holy spirit, unclean spirits, and being led by the spirit. It explores Jesus' teachings on the spirit and lists the fruits of the spirit. The overall message is that being "in the spirit" means having God's spirit dwelling within through obedience to Jesus, which produces holy experiences and Christ-like virtues in one's life.
This document provides a summary of a sermon given at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi about the prophet Zephaniah and end times biblical prophecy. The sermon discusses Zephaniah's prophecy regarding judgments on Israel's neighbors during the future tribulation period and Israel's occupation of these lands during the millennium. It also summarizes biblical perspectives on the tribulation, millennium, and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
1. In 1848 Ellen White had a vision at a meeting in Dorchester, Massachusetts where Adventists were discussing the sealing message and the Sabbath.
2. In the vision, Ellen White described the Sabbath truth as arising like the sun, growing stronger over time until its rays were powerful and sanctifying.
3. She encouraged Joseph Bates to write about what he had seen and heard regarding the sealing message, promising the blessing of God would attend his efforts. This provided encouragement for the early Adventists to publish their beliefs.
Class 10 Feast of Pentecost and TabernaclesRichard Spinos
This document provides an overview of three feasts mentioned in Leviticus chapter 23: Pentecost, Trumpets, and Tabernacles. It discusses the historical, prophetic, and personal significance of each feast. The historical aspect of Pentecost marks the end of harvest, while Acts 2 fulfills its prophecy of the Holy Spirit coming. Trumpets' prophecy of gathering God's people remains to be fulfilled. Tabernacles represents Christ's millennial reign on earth when God will dwell among humanity. Overall, the document examines how these feasts point to past and future events in God's divine calendar.
God reveals secrets of the future to give people understanding and confidence. Daniel received revelations from God about future kingdoms that would rule, helping Nebuchadnezzar understand his dream. Prophecies in Daniel have come true, showing God knows the future. Fulfilled prophecies act as mile markers, helping people recognize where they are in history and have trust that God is in control of what is to come.
Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations to mourn the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC. Lamentations is a collection of poems structured around the Hebrew alphabet that expresses Jeremiah's grief over the devastation he witnessed. Though God allowed and even raised up Babylon to punish Judah's sins, Jeremiah still feels compassion for the suffering people and hopes for restoration. The book illustrates the dilemma God faces in dealing with human evil and suffering.
Jeremiah lived in Jerusalem from around 626 BC to 586 BC, a time of invasion and destruction by Babylon. He warned his people to repent and follow God's laws, but was mistreated for his message. God used the Babylonian exile to get the Jews to abandon false gods and idolatry, and to see that obedience to God was more important than rituals. This paved the way for God to eventually return the Jews to Jerusalem and bring future prosperity through a changed heart.
This document provides context about the book of Isaiah and the prophet Isaiah's ministry. It discusses the historical backdrop of Isaiah's time period and how God worked through dramatic events like defeating the Assyrian army to make himself known to the nations and challenge their views of competing gods. The overarching goal of God establishing Israel was to introduce the world to the one true God and bless all nations, but the Israelites' own disobedience made this difficult.
1) Song of Songs is a biblical book about romantic love between a man and woman that is rarely discussed in church due to its intimate imagery.
2) While the book does not explicitly mention God, it can be understood as representing God's love for His people, as God is described elsewhere as the husband of Israel.
3) Experiencing romantic love through marriage and family helps people understand aspects of God's nature and love for humanity that are difficult to grasp otherwise, such as selflessness, commitment through good and bad times, and unconditional love even when not reciprocated.
Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs, which contains practical advice and wisdom for everyday life matters such as relationships, finances, and decision-making. Though written thousands of years ago, statistical data shows that adhering to the principles in Proverbs relates to greater wealth, satisfaction in marriage, and overall well-being. The document discusses how Proverbs provides guidance applicable to modern life situations and important life decisions. Examples given include warnings against debt and cosigning loans, as well as advice for choosing a spouse and maintaining a healthy marriage.
This document provides an overview and discussion of the book of Psalms in the Bible. It notes that the Psalms were written by different authors over a long period of time and contain varying and sometimes opposing descriptions of God. However, reading Psalms in their entirety often resolves apparent contradictions. The document argues that the Psalms show God wants an open and honest conversation about all aspects of human life and experience, both positive and negative. They demonstrate God is real and listens to real human struggles, questions, hurt, and more.
The document provides an overview and analysis of the book of Esther from the Bible. It notes that while God is not explicitly mentioned, He was working behind the scenes to protect the Jewish people. It explains how Esther became queen through a beauty pageant and selection process that would not be considered ideal today. However, the document argues that God has always been willing to work within less than ideal human systems and circumstances to reach out to people and guide them towards His ideals over time. The heart of God depicted in Esther is of one who is loving and not aloof, intervening to care for His people no matter how far they have strayed.
This document provides a summary and analysis of the biblical book of Nehemiah. It discusses how Nehemiah and Ezra provided leadership to the Israelites as they returned from exile in Babylon. Both leaders took radical steps, such as breaking up families who intermarried with foreigners, in order to prevent the Israelites from repeating the sins that led to their exile. While painful, their interventions helped set the Israelites on a new path of obedience to God. The document argues that God sometimes uses tough love and leadership to turn people from sin and help them make a fresh start, though the process of fixing damage from sin is often messy.
The document summarizes a sermon about the book of Ezra. It discusses how after the Jews were exiled to Babylon, God moved Cyrus, king of Persia, to allow the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. Though only around 50,000 Jews returned, they made progress rebuilding until facing opposition which halted construction. God then sent prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people to resume building. When challenges arose again, the Jews trusted God and continued working. King Darius later issued a decree fully funding the project, and the temple was completed in 515 BC, restoring the Jews' relationship with God.
This document provides a summary and discussion of the book of Numbers in the Bible. It discusses some of the key events and themes in the book, including:
1) The Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years after leaving Mount Sinai on their journey to the Promised Land.
2) God providing manna and quail to feed the Israelites, despite the immense logistical challenge of feeding 2 million people daily.
3) Challenges to Moses' leadership from Miriam, Aaron, Korah and others, and God's forceful shuttering of these rebellions to maintain order.
This document provides an overview and analysis of key themes in the book of Leviticus. It discusses how Leviticus deals with ceremonial law including sacrifices and holiness. While the laws seem difficult to attain, the document argues that God, through the work of Jesus, is the one who makes people holy, not their own works. The Sabbath rest points to how salvation is a gift of God's work, not human effort. Overall, the document seeks to explain the purpose and meaning of Leviticus' laws in light of Jesus' finished work of salvation.
This document provides an introduction and overview of the book of Joshua. It discusses how Joshua becomes the new leader of Israel after Moses' death and leads them into the Promised Land. A key story examined is Rahab and the spies, which shows how God was using Israel to make Himself known to other nations, as Rahab demonstrates awareness of God's power through what happened in Egypt. The document suggests Israel was chosen so God could establish His credibility among all peoples through making the nation great.
God makes unilateral covenants throughout Genesis, promising blessings without conditions. This includes promising Noah survival through the flood, telling Abram he will make him a great nation, and vowing to Jacob that he will watch over and protect him. These covenants communicate God's unchanging desire to be in relationship with humanity, even after the fall separates them, and that he will restore their broken relationship. The covenants also establish God and Satan as opponents, with God putting enmity between mankind and Satan.
This document provides an introduction and overview of the biblical book of Judges. It discusses the time period and geographical location covered in the book. The book spans about 300 years from after Joshua's death until the time of King Saul. It describes a cycle in the book where the Israelites would sin, be oppressed by other nations, cry out to God, and then be delivered by judges God appointed. The document argues this shows God respected the Israelites' freedom of choice but let them experience the natural consequences of choosing to worship other gods instead of Him.
The document provides a summary of the book of Deuteronomy, which retells the laws given to the Israelites. It discusses how God used both intrinsic and imposed consequences to discipline the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness. While some discipline was harsh, it was intended to teach the Israelites to follow God's laws for their benefit. The document argues that God hopes His people will one day mature and obey His laws not due to fear of punishment but because they understand the intrinsic blessings that result from following God's wise guidance.
The document provides background on the biblical book of 2 Kings and summarizes a story from 2 Kings chapter 1. The story involves King Ahaziah of Israel who is injured in a fall and sends men to consult the god Baal-zebub instead of God. God sends Elijah to intercept the men and tell Ahaziah he will die for not consulting the true God. Ahaziah sends armed troops to bring Elijah down, but God sends fire from heaven to consume the troops. This gets Ahaziah's attention about who the true God is.
This document provides an introduction and summary of the book of 1 Kings. It discusses:
- The book covers the transition of power from King David to his son Solomon, and the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death.
- It introduces stories that raise questions about determining who and what to trust, such as prophets providing conflicting messages.
- The document uses these stories to encourage examining faith with evidence and understanding, rather than blind belief, by comparing other examples in the Bible.
The document summarizes the key points of the book of 1 Chronicles. It explains that 1 Chronicles was likely written by Ezra during the period after the Jewish exile to Babylon to help reestablish their national and religious identity. The book contained genealogies to help organize society based on inheritance of land and duties. It also retold their history and heritage to connect the returning exiles with their cultural roots and remind them that God wants them to belong. While focused on the exiled Jews, the document notes 1 Chronicles has a broader message that all people belong to God's family regardless of earthly circumstances.
This summary provides the key details from the document in 3 sentences:
The document provides background on the book of 1 Samuel and discusses God granting the Israelites' request to have a king even though it meant they would no longer see God as their ultimate king. It also summarizes the story of Hannah, who was unable to have children, and how God answered both her prayer and that of Peninnah, her rival wife, by giving Hannah a son and allowing Peninnah special time with their husband during trips to the temple.
1. 2 Chronicles – Friday Night Genesis, Friday, April 5, 2013
Scripture reading: Isaiah 1:2-4, 11-15
I feel like I need to begin tonight with a little disclaimer. I don’t know what your religious
background is and what your religious experience has been, but tonight’s topic has the
potential to turn some well established ideas about God, especially ideas about the Old
Testament God, on their head. So you can’t say I didn’t warn you!
Now that we’re done with the small print, let us turn to the story that we’ll be looking at
tonight. Our story tonight begins in 2 Chronicles chapter 28 with Judah’s king Ahaz. The
reign of king Ahaz represents one of the dark chapters in Judah’s history. King Ahaz had
gone after other ‘gods’ – you know those idols made of wood, stone and metal that seem
to play such a prominent role in the Old Testament. He put up a whole bunch of altars to
different ‘gods’ all over the place, took out the holy articles from the Temple and instead
filled the Temple with junk and then eventually closed it down altogether. Since Ahaz
abandoned God, there was little that God could do for him, and so Ahaz found himself in
a whole lot of trouble. It seemed like he was being attacked from every possible side.
Even their brothers to the north from the kingdom of Israel added to their woes by giving
them a good routing. This is what the Bible records about the attitude of king Ahaz: “In
his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD. He offered
sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him; for he thought, “Since the
gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them so they will help
me.” But they were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.” (2 Chronicles 28:22-23).
So this was the situation in Judah when king Ahaz died and his son Hezekiah
succeeded him on the throne. With Hezekiah’s accession to the throne, Judah begins a
whole new and exciting chapter in its history. “In the first month of the first year of his
reign, he opened the doors of the temple of the LORD and repaired them. He brought in
the priests and the Levites, assembled them in the square on the east side and said:
“Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the
LORD, the God of your ancestors. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary.” (2
Chronicles 29:3-5). It took the priests and Levites 16 days to clear out and consecrate
the Temple so that it was usable again! I mean, can you imagine the state of things so
bad that it would take a team of people working 16 days straight to get this church ready
for use again?! But they did get it ready and what followed was Hezekiah and the
leaders coming together before God at the Temple with a whole lot of burnt offerings and
sin offerings. And so the Bible records “So the service of the temple of the LORD was
reestablished. Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for
his people, because it was done so quickly.” (2 Chronicles 29:35b-36).
The next thing Hezekiah wanted to do was to celebrate Passover. “Hezekiah sent word
to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to
come to the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the LORD,
the God of Israel. The king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem
decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month. They had not been able to
2. celebrate it at the regular time because not enough priests had consecrated themselves
and the people had not assembled in Jerusalem. The plan seemed right both to the king
and to the whole assembly. They decided to send a proclamation throughout Israel, from
Beersheba to Dan, calling the people to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover
to the LORD, the God of Israel. It had not been celebrated in large numbers according to
what was written.” (2 Chronicles 30:1-5)
Passover, you may remember was the commemoration of the night when God led Israel
out of Egypt, when the Angel of Death saw the blood sprinkled on the door posts of the
Israelite households and passed them over. So this was a holiday that commemorated a
specific event and as such it was tied to a specific day. Clear back in Exodus, God gave
specific instructions about the Passover. “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in
Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the
whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb
for his family, one for each household.” (Exodus 12:1-3), and then He proceeded to give
them specific instructions on how to prepare the lamb, door posts etc. In verse 14 He
then says: “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall
celebrate it as a festival to the Lord – a lasting ordinance.” (Exodus 12:14) Following this
was more instructions on how to celebrate it and who may celebrate it. These
instructions were then repeated in Leviticus 23, Numbers 9 and 28 and Deuteronomy 16
and every single time the time specified for the celebration of the Passover was in the
first month.
But, as we have read Hezekiah and his officials decided to celebrate the Passover in the
second month! You may be forgiven if you expect that what follows in the story is
lightning bolts from heaven striking Hezekiah or at the very least a prophet coming to
Hezekiah to express God’s serious displeasure. Because, translated into our language,
what Hezekiah was essentially proposing was equivalent to celebrating Independence
Day on 4th of August instead of 4th of July! And since God gave them this holiday and
specific instructions when, who and how to celebrate it, would you really want to mess
with that? I mean, isn’t God all about the rules and following the rules? Are there not stiff
penalties for not following the rules? There are times in the Old Testament when that
certainly seemed to be the case!
But nothing like that happened. Instead the messengers went out all over Judah and
also some tribes of Israel calling people to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. And the
Bible records: “Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled
themselves and went to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to
give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following
the word of the LORD. A very large crowd of people assembled in Jerusalem to celebrate
the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month.” (2 Chronicles 30:11-13). The
hand of God was on the people to carry out what the officials have ordered?! Whoa!
Wait a minute! So the rules that God set out are being broken and instead of
condemning, God is actually supporting it?! Like I said at the beginning, this story does
turn a lot of things upside down!
3. But things get even more mixed up. Many people were not consecrated or ceremonially
clean. They did some fancy footwork around this by having the consecrated Levites
slaughter their Passover lambs and present their offerings. But then came the eating of
the Passover meal. Now you couldn’t very well have a Levite eat a meal for you. So
people had to eat the Passover themselves. The Bible records that “Although most of
the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not
purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But
Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who
sets their heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of their ancestors—even if they are
not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the LORD heard Hezekiah and
healed the people.” (2 Chronicles 30:18-20). What followed was a huge party at the
temple that lasted a whole week. After the week was over, the people decided they had
such a good time praising God they would do it for another week! So two weeks of
partying at God’s house! At the end of the two weeks “The priests and the Levites stood
to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy
dwelling place.” (2 Chronicles 30:27).
So let’s recap – they celebrated the Passover at the wrong time, those who weren’t
suppose to eat the Passover ate it and then they had a two week party. And God
condoned and blessed all this?! How is this possible?
It seems that God is completely inconsistent. It was God who gave all those rules and
regulations, and we spent a good deal of time laboring through them in the early books
of the Bible. We even saw a number of examples where God dealt quite severely with
people who broke the rules. After all, isn’t sin breaking the rules? So how come that He
was now okay with people breaking the rules and even blessed them in doing so? The
clue to unraveling this conundrum is found in our scripture reading from Isaiah 1.
“The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?” says the LORD.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12
When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
13
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14
Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them. (Isaiah 1:11-14)
When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my
courts? Why, you asked for it God! You prescribed all the offerings, festivals, holidays
4. and assemblies! So why is it that all of a sudden God is sick and tired of the very things
that He asked for? Because it was all a charade.
Your hands are full of blood! - He continues.
16
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” - some translations say ‘let us reason together’,
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
19
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
20
but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 1:15-20)
So what is ultimately important to God? Obviously, just following the rules is not it! The
Israelites were observing the rules and going through the motions, but obviously it made
no difference in their lives. They were mistreating one another and carrying on with all
kinds of evil, and then showing up at the temple, going through the motions and
assumed that this made them okay with God. But what God was looking for was a
relationship. A life-changing relationship. The meetings at the temple were never
intended to be just actions and phrases that were carried out by rote in order to
propitiate the favor of God. They were intended to bring the people into a meaningful
relationship with God. And as that relationship grew, the people themselves would grow
into the image of the God they worshipped. In the beginning people needed a structure,
a “standard way” of relating with God as it were. When our kids are young, we put house
rules and structures in place to teach them how to relate with us. But the ultimate goal
here is not for them to just follow the rules. It is to enable a relationship that will grow
well beyond merely observing the rules. It is the same with God and us. It is not about
the rules. Rules are only there to make possible a relationship that is to grow well
beyond merely following the rules.
And that is the key to understanding the apparent discrepancy between God’s actions in
the early books and His response to Hezekiah and the people celebrating the Passover
against the rules. In the early books, the only reason someone didn’t follow the rules was
in rebellion. It was like a little kid basically flipping the bird and saying “I’m not going to
do it”. And I don’t know how you handle it, but if I had done something like that as a kid,
my behind would have been a bit warmer. When Hezekiah and the people celebrated
5. Passover, there was no such sentiment. In fact, the whole point of that Passover was the
return of Judah and Israel to God after many years of rebellion. This wasn’t a “screw
you” to God, this was a “we want to come back” to God. It was a whole different attitude!
And this is what was important to God. Not that the people were breaking the rules, but
that they were coming back to Him, they were genuinely seeking to re-establish a
relationship with Him. It may have been at the wrong time and in the wrong way, but it
held a lot more meaning than just going through the right motions by rote ever could
have.
This story perfectly illustrates for us the nature of sin. Sin is not so much about following
the rules. It is about attitude. Sin is an attitude of rebellion – flipping God the bird and
saying I don’t want to, I know better, I can do better, leave me alone. Even if we follow
the prescribed motions – show up to church every week, say the right phrases and
prayers, but we have no interest in what God is saying, let alone in following - it means
nothing. But if we are set on seeking God, getting to know Him and following Him, even
if we are doing it clumsily, not saying the “right” things, not doing the “right” motions, God
ultimately honors and values our genuineness far above any ritual.
What God is saying in this story is quite simply “Come”. I am not interested in the form
so much as I am interesting in the fact that you come to Me. Come and be My children
once again. Come and be My friends. In the years to come Hezekiah and the people
celebrated the various festivals according to regulations, but what was important at that
time was that they simply came back to God and rejoiced in His presence. And that was
surely worth two weeks of partying! Because once their hearts were turned towards God
and God accepted them their relationship was healed. Healed from years of neglect and
outright rebellion. Their relationship was re-established and it was this relationship that
gave meaning to the festivals that followed which were celebrated “by the book”.
I’d like to encourage you tonight that God is not looking for perfect people, following
rules perfectly. He is simply saying “come”. Come any way you know how, no matter
how clumsy it may seem to you – all that God cares about is that you come to Him. He
will accept you. He will accept and bless your genuine desire to establish or re-establish
your relationship with Him. So don’t let the rules hold you back. Just come.
6. Passover, there was no such sentiment. In fact, the whole point of that Passover was the
return of Judah and Israel to God after many years of rebellion. This wasn’t a “screw
you” to God, this was a “we want to come back” to God. It was a whole different attitude!
And this is what was important to God. Not that the people were breaking the rules, but
that they were coming back to Him, they were genuinely seeking to re-establish a
relationship with Him. It may have been at the wrong time and in the wrong way, but it
held a lot more meaning than just going through the right motions by rote ever could
have.
This story perfectly illustrates for us the nature of sin. Sin is not so much about following
the rules. It is about attitude. Sin is an attitude of rebellion – flipping God the bird and
saying I don’t want to, I know better, I can do better, leave me alone. Even if we follow
the prescribed motions – show up to church every week, say the right phrases and
prayers, but we have no interest in what God is saying, let alone in following - it means
nothing. But if we are set on seeking God, getting to know Him and following Him, even
if we are doing it clumsily, not saying the “right” things, not doing the “right” motions, God
ultimately honors and values our genuineness far above any ritual.
What God is saying in this story is quite simply “Come”. I am not interested in the form
so much as I am interesting in the fact that you come to Me. Come and be My children
once again. Come and be My friends. In the years to come Hezekiah and the people
celebrated the various festivals according to regulations, but what was important at that
time was that they simply came back to God and rejoiced in His presence. And that was
surely worth two weeks of partying! Because once their hearts were turned towards God
and God accepted them their relationship was healed. Healed from years of neglect and
outright rebellion. Their relationship was re-established and it was this relationship that
gave meaning to the festivals that followed which were celebrated “by the book”.
I’d like to encourage you tonight that God is not looking for perfect people, following
rules perfectly. He is simply saying “come”. Come any way you know how, no matter
how clumsy it may seem to you – all that God cares about is that you come to Him. He
will accept you. He will accept and bless your genuine desire to establish or re-establish
your relationship with Him. So don’t let the rules hold you back. Just come.