This Week's Sunday School Lesson, 'The Blessing Of Intercessory Prayer", Exodus 34:27-35, 11/29/2020

     

THE BLESSINGS OF INTERCESSORY  PRAYER

Exodus 34:27-35

BACKGROUND

After breaking God’s covenant by worshipping the golden

calf, Moses went back to the mountain and successfully 

interceded for Israel in the present of God. Moses asked

And receives the promise of God’ continued favor with

Israel, 

God called Moses back to the top of the mountain to 

renew the covenant with Israel by replacing the two stone

tablets and reinforcing His commands.

GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY

God proclaimed His grace and mercy to Moses in the

Following verses

 Ex 34:5-7

Then the Lord  came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord . 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord , the Lord , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." 

THE HOLY WORD

V:27 Then the Lord  said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel." 28 Moses was there with the Lord  forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant — the Ten Commandments. 

A. These “words” that Moses was instructed to write are included in

      Exodus chapters  25-31.

    1. God’s commands to Israel include worship, required sacrifices 

        and every day living instruction.

B. The prayers of a righteous man accomplishes much.

     1. Moses prayed to the Lord for the atonement of Israel because

         they willfully broke covenant with Him.

     2. The Lord heard Moses prayer and renewed the broken

          covenant.

     3. This is an example of the importance of your prayers.

C. We should not be to quick to end our prayers with Lord.

    1. Moses was in the presence of the Lord for forty days and

        forty nights.

    2.We should prepare our mind and bodies to meet with the Lord.

    3. Moses sacrificed his physical need for food and water for 40

       days.

    4. Humans can go without food for three weeks and without water

        for about 4 days.

D. When we are focused on God we can do the super natural.

    1. We serve a supernatural God.

    2. The first stone tablets were provided by God.

    3. The second stone tablets Moses was instructed to carve out of 

        stone and bring up the mountain to God/

     4. God does not tell us, but I suggest that Moses learned the

         important of being careful of God’s works.

     5. Moses broke the first tablets out of anger when he saw

         Israel worshipping the golden calf

     6. The first tablet was all God.

     7. The second tablets were a collaboration between God and Moses

         Moses carved the tablet, God wrote the words.

LET THE GLORY OF GOD SHINE IN YOUR LIFE

V:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord . 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

A. When we have been with Lord in prayer and meditation, we ought

     To come away with a Word of hope, joy, peace and commitment. 

    1. The Word is one of encouragement and hope.

    2. When we study the Word we ought sparkling with confidence

    3. First we must believe that the Word is speaking directly to

        you.

    4. We must believe that the Word was given for your edification.

B. Moses radiant face authenticated the message from God

    1. His radiant face reflected the glory of God. 

    2. His radiant fact indicated that he was placed in a position of honor.

    3. His radiant face indicated God’s divine authority.

    4. Moses radiant face was a forerunner of Christ transfiguration

        Matthew 17:2-5

    5. His radiant face indicated the present of God

C.  The stone tablets indicated the renewal of the covenant with

      Israel

    1. There was a difference between the first two stone tablets

         and the second set of stone tablets.

        a. The first set was all God.

             He carved the tablets out of stone and He wrote the 

             commandments on the tablets.

         b. The second set of stone tablets were a collaboration between

              God and Moses.

              Moses carves the tablets and took them up the mountain to

              God.

              God wrote the commandments on the tablets.

    2.  Since the second set of tablets had man involvement, God’s

         trust in Israel was broken.

       a, God left room for Israel continued sin and subsequent need 

            for intercessory prayer.

       b. God continues to remind us that we are a stiff necked, hard headed

            people in need of an intercessor.

    C. We ought to reverence the pastor God has placed in charge of us.

       1. He has the power of intercessory prayer,

       2. God places on his heart to use us as co partners in the ministry.

       3.  It is to our good to serve  under the leadership of pastor

            chosen by God.

DON’T MISS THE MESSAGE BY WALKING AWAY

V:31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord  had given him on Mount Sinai. 

A, It is the job of the pastor to teach the Word of God.

    1. He is responsible to teach all the Word, not just that which

        pleases us.

    2. It is our job to show up to be taught.

B. The Word will convict us of our sins. 

    1. We should welcome the chastisement of the Lord.

    2. God chastise those He loves.

    3. We should not run form the Word, but run to the Word.

THE IMPORTANTS OF MOSES’ VEIL

V:33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the Lord 's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord . 

A. The Apostle Paul gives us light as to the purpose of the veil that 

     Moses wore.

 

THE LAW CONDEMNS       

2 Cor 3:7-10

7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 

GRACE SAVES    

2 Cor 3:12-15

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 

The law does not save, but brings death

The law condemns, but grace saves.

No man has ever been able to keep the law. But Christ fulfilled all

the requirements of the Law.

    

2 Cor 3:16-18

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

MOSES A TYPE OF CHRIST 

We are indeed blessed to be called before the foundation of the earth to

Be in Jesus. Ephesians 1:4

We witness through the scriptures the work God did through Israel to make

possible our salvation in Jesus Christ.

Moses was a type of Christ

    1. He was a deliverer

    2. He was a kinsman redeemer

    3. He was an intercessor

    4. He was warrior for God

    5. He was a teacher

    6. He was dedicated to the Father

    7. He was a governor

    8, He had compassion on the nation

    9. He was unselfish 

    10 He showed his love by following God’s commands

    11. He was the good shepherd.

THANK GOD FOR THOSE WHO PRAY FOR US

 

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Comfort Of Prayer", Exodus 33:12-24, 11/23/2020

     

THE COMFORT OF PRAYER

Exodus 33:12-24

Starting with the first verse of this chapter, God told Moses to lead the

People toward the promised land, but He would not go with them

because of their stiff-necked heart and He would kill them

along the way. He would send an angel to guide them.

The Nation of Israel heard the Word of God and became sadden

Then God told them to take off all their jewelry. This indicated 

His extreme dissatisfaction with them.

Moses immediately began to intercede for the lives of the people….

just as Jesus intercedes for us. 

PLEAD YOUR CASE BEFORE GOD

V:12 Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 

A. From Moses conversation it would appear that he was concerned that

    God had not forgiven Israel for breaking the covenant that they

    Had agreed to by worshipping the golden calf.

   1. Moses was concerned that the favor God had shown Israel was

       gone. 

     a. One could conclude that God no longer favored Israel since He said

         HE would not go with them.

     b. One could assume that God was no longer patient with Israel since He

         said He would destroy them if they were in His sight.

  2. Moses reminded God of His promised Word that He had found

      favor with him.

  3. God’s plan for us includes the now and all future events.

  4. The favor of God includes the good, the bad, and His chastisement.

B. Moses reminded God that the stiff-necked people were His.

    1. It is our sins that are the root cause of our trials and tribulations.

    2. We grieve God by our disobedience to His commands.

    3. Our existence during the hardships of life is the evidence of His

        grace and favor.

    4. God’s favor includes the consequences of our sins. 

    

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

V:14 The Lord  replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 

15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 

A. We have to believe God’s Word even if it is beyond our understanding.

    1. Moses pressed God for assurance in his present situation.

    2. God’s promises includes the situation of the present generation

        and all future generations.

B. Verse 14 is the assurance of the fulfillment of the promise of Israel

      In the promised land even though it would be 40 years later, 

    1. To get to the later, God deals with our present sins.

    2, People know we have the favor of God because we continue

        to proclaim His name and rely on Him. 

    3. What distinguishes us from the world is our hope in God and

         their hope in themselves. 

    4. The fact that we have the conscience to call on God is the

         evidence of His favor.

HEAR GOD’S ANSWER

V:17 And the Lord  said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." 

A. This verse is the same promise that Jesus gives us today.

         

      John 14:13-14

      And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring     

      glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I 

      will do it. 

   1. Do not take this verse lightly or out of its context.

   2. The promise has a condition.

   3. Our asking must have as it's purpose giving God the glory.

B. Prayers are not to be selfish but must include God’s favor to

     others.

   1. Moses was concerned for the future of Israel.

   2. Moses knew Israel would continue to sin against God and would

       need God’s presence. 

B. Let me suggest the “know you by name” phrase means God knows

    that your heart is for Him.

   1. If your heart is fixed on God you can do all things. 

   2. It is in the promises He made.

   3. God's pleasure with us is through our obedience to Him.

   4. Moses’ desire was for the Nation of Israel to enter the

       promised land.

STOP, LOOK AND SEE THE GLORY OF THE LORD

V:18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." 

19 And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

A.. The fact that we can continue to come to God with our prayer

    requests are evidence of His glory.

   2. God’s glory is all around us. Open your eyes and see.

   3. The sun is 92 million miles from the earth, but I can see it

     and feel its heat.

   4. Stars are 5.9 trillion miles from the earth, yet I can see them at

        night.

B. The formula for water is H20. One molecule of  hydrogen and two 

     molecules of  Oxygen, which cannot be seen with the eye.

   1. It takes 1.67 sextillions molecules of H20 to make one drop of

       water for me to see.

   2. Only God can make all the water I need.

C. God’s goodness passes before our eyes continuously. 

    1. I can see the effect of the wind blowing, but I can’t see

        the wind.

    2. In the wind, God proclaims His own name.

    3. The best man can do is study the creation of God, but can never

         duplicate His works.

D. God has mercy and compassion for us because of His love

    1. We don’t deserve His mercy, but it bestowed upon us every day

        we live. 

     2. God shows His compassion for us even in our sinful state.

     3. God has no obligation to us but loves those who are obedient

          to Him. 

     4. It is only by His grace and mercy that He allows us to know Him.

    

        1 Cor 1:18

         For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,   

         but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 

    5. Since God made everyone, He made some to perish and some

        to be saved.

      a. God made some to know Him and some to deny Him.

GOD SHOWS YOU HIS POWER AND GLORY DAILY

V:20.  But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." 

21 Then the Lord said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen." 

A. Moses' insistence prompted God to act.

    1. the power of prayer is God acting on your behalf.

    2. No man has seen the face of God at any time, but we

        see His back all the time.

B. God positions us in life through our circumstance to see His

     Power. 

   1. We are witnessing the power of God with the worldwide rapid

       spread of this Covid 19 virus. 

   2.  I believe we will see God working through science to bring this

        virus under control. 

THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and visit my blogs

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

Bible Study Series: The Heart Of Christ

 

   

 

THE HEART OF CHRIST

 

2 Kings 4:8-24

 

 

 

HER OBSERVATION

V:8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.

A. The first thing we notice in the text is the woman’s observation.

    1. She noticed a stranger passing by her house.

    2. There was no MacDonald’s, Burger King or I Hop for the

        man to eat.

    3. One thing that Christ does is constantly watch over us.

    4. He knows what’s going on in our lives.

    5. Jesus knows our needs.

B. At this point in the story, she did not know who the man

     was that passed her door.

     a. He was a stranger to the town and she was concerned about his

         welfare.

     b. She had been blessed, and wanted to bless others.

     c. Be kind to strangers, you never know when you are

         entertaining an angel.   Hebrews 13:2

C. She invited the stranger to stay for a meal anytime he came to town.

     1. For some reason, Elisha did not tell her who he was.

     2. God loves a cheerful giver.

     3. One of things we can do in this environment is share with others

         what God has blessed us with.

     4. Our neighbor is anyone we come in contact with. She

         showed the stranger her love treating him as a neighbor.

     5. The woman had a kind heart.

     6. She had a generous spirit.

     7. These are characteristics of a Christ like woman

 

 

 

HER COMPASSION

V: 9 She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us."

A. Elisha had eaten at her house several times, yet has not

    revealed to her who he was.

   1. She determined that he was a man of God.

   2. How did she come to this conclusion?

   3. The way we live our lives points to our character.

   4. People ought to hear the God in us by what we talk about.

   5. People ought to see the God in us by our actions.

   6. People ought to see the God in us by the way we treat others.

B. This woman felt comfortable enough with this stranger

     to build an addition to her house for him to stay in.

    1. Notice it was in her heart to do so, but she talked it

        over with her husband.

    2. God gives us marriage counseling.  In a marriage

        any decision ought to be by agreement.

    4. Any decision we make affects the entire family.

C. We ought to be comfortable enough with God

      to invite him into our lives.

    1. There ought to be a room in our hearts for God.

    2. We know there is room in our hearts for God when we wake up

         with the desire to prepare a meal for Him.

        a. You prepare a meal for God when you thank Him for being Him,

        b. You prepare a meal for God in praise and worship..

        c. You prepare a meal for God when you put complete trust in Him.

        d. You prepare a meal for God when you serve Him.

        e. You prepare a meal for God when you feed his children.

        

             Lev 3:16

             The priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by   

             fire, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the Lord 's.

 

 

              2 Cor 2:15

              For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being    

              saved and those who are perishing.

 

HER SECERT DESIRES

V:11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, "Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?'"

She replied, "I have a home among my own people."

14 "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked.

Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old."

A. God takes note of your service.

    1. When you serve God you store up treasures in heaven.

    2. God knows your unspoken desires.

    3. The woman did not ask for anything from the man of God.

    4. She was content with what she had been blessed with.

    5. I suggest that it gave her joy to serve Elisha and Gehazi.

B. When someone has been generous to you, find a way to

     show your gratitude. ( I made a note to myself).

    1. Elisha reflected on her goodness and wanted to reward her for

        dedication to him and Gehazi.

    2. God has the power to give you anything you ask for.

    3. When asked what she wanted, she had no request.

         a. It is a good thing to find contentment with what God has

             done in your life.

         b. The quality of your life is found in contentment with God

               in all situations.

       4. God ask that same question to King Solomon and He responded

           all he wanted was wisdom to serve.

           God responded by making him the wises of all men and gave

           him riches beyond measure.

C. It is good to have a friend, family member, or spouse to share your ideas.

     1. Someone else may be able to see what you cannot see.

     2. Elisha asked Gehazi what the woman needed.

         a. Elisha was focused on the will of God.

         b. But Gehazi saw the desires of every woman of that time to

             have a son to carry on the family name.

      3. Because of her husband’s old age, she had not been able to have

          a child.

      4. Sometimes God sets us up to glorify Himself by what he withholds

          from us.

      5. If the woman had had a child, she may not have noticed Elisha

          passing by her house.

       6. Our needs are God’s opportunity to glorify Himself.

 

    Look at verse 13 again

    Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?

    

 When you serve God, He can give you influence in high places!!

 

HER PROMISED REWARD

V:15 Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms."

"No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!"

17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

A. The woman developed a long standing relationship with Elisha.

     1. She continued to serve and provide for him and Gehazi without

         fail.

     2. She respected him for his relationship with God.

     3. She came to have a relationship with God through Him.

     4. We should not have an on again, then off relationship with the

         Lord.

B. When God places preachers in our lives we should honor them

     because they have been selected by God.

    1. The more we honor our pastor, the more God honors us.

    2. The woman didn’t ask for a son, but God gave her a son

         because of her dedication to Him.

    3. God can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or

        conceive.

C. The woman response was initially based on the impossibility of

     conception based on the old age of her husband.

    1. The God we serve is the God of all possibilities.

    2. If we can dream it, God can make it possible.

    3. Watch this!  Even though she knew the impossibility of her

         situation, she accepted God’s promise by faith.

    4. Never doubt God. He can give you the desires of your

        heart.

    5. My wife always reminds me, that you don’t have to see the way

       to your dreams, because God is the way.

    6. God took the daughter of immigrant and made her the vice president

        of the United States.

       a. If He did it for her, He will do it for you.

 

TESTING OF HER FAITH

V:18 The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers. 19 "My head! My head!" he said to his father.

His father told a servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.

A. Just because you have been blessed by God, does not mean you want

     have  problems in the future.

    1. The son, a blessing from God, died.

    2. The son had grown to an age to be called a boy.

    3. The woman never doubted the power of God.

B. Notice, we do not have any recorded conversation between the father

     and Elisha.

    1. God slipped a little nugget in the text.

    2. It was the woman, not the man that called on Elisha.

    3. Men sometimes are slow to develop their faith in God.

        a. God uses the believing party to influence the unbeliever.

                

            1 Cor 7:15-16

              God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife,   

              whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know,    

              husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

C. Even though her son was dead, she took him to the Lord.

     1. She placed her trust in God not the circumstance.

     2. There are times when doors are closed and the answer is no.

          But God can open closed doors and change no to yes.

 

YOUR FAITH MOTIVATES OTHERS.

V:22 She called her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go to the man of God quickly and return."

23 "Why go to him today?" he asked. "It's not the New Moon or the Sabbath."

"It's all right," she said.

A. God is available to us 24/7

    1. We don’t serve a Sunday God. We serve a 7 day a week God.

    2. Its our job to call on the Lord when we got a problem so

        others can see our faith.

B. The woman’s husband was exposed to the power of God

     because of her faith.

    1. We never know who is watching us trust the Lord.

    2. The woman’s son was raised from the dead because of

         Her faith.

    3. We were dead in our sins until we trusted Jesus with our lives.

 

IN SUMMARY

 

BE OBSERVANT OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS

 

SHOW COMPASSION

 

GOD CAN GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

 

GOD HAS A REWARD FOR YOUR SERVICE

 

EXPECT YOUR FAITH TO BE TESTED

 

YOUR SERVICE IS WORTH THE LIVES OF OTHERS

 

Rev. M. Mitchell

 

 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Loving Discipline Of The Lord", Exodus 32:25-35, 11/15/2020

 

THE LOVING DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD

 

Exodus 32:25-35

 

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

V:25 Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. 26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." And all the Levites rallied to him.

A. It is never good to go along to get along.

     1. The decisions you make can affect the lives of others

     2. Good decisions can save lives.

     3. Bad decisions can cause the lost of lives.

     4. Let me be clear, sometimes there are adverse consequences

         for standing for what is right against the crowd.

         a. However God will protect and reward you for your dedication.

         b. Matt 16:24

            Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he  

            must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

         c. Cross bearing involves standing up against the crowd for

             what is right before God.

 

B. Aaron who was left in charge of the Israelites. Went along with

     Men who suggested making an idol god.

   1. It was Aaron who asked for the gold rings and earrings

       to make a calf.

   2 . It was Aaron who threw the gold in the fire and fashioned the

       golden calf.

   3. It was Aaron who planned the worship and sacrifices to the golden

       calf.

   4. Aaron decisions was in part the reason Israel broke the covenant

       they had made with God.

   5. When Moses came down the mountain and saw what Aaron allowed

        he threw the stone tablets to the ground with such force they broke

        into pieces indicating the broken covenant and God’s disapproval.

   6. Why was Aaron not killed immediately?

        a. God does not give us an answer other than the Levite tribe became

            the priest of Israel.

        b. Aaron repented by coming to Moses on the Lord’s side.

        c. God is sovereign.

                

         Ex 33:19

         I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have   

         compassion on whom I will have compassion.

 

        c. No matter how bad we mess up, God gives us another

            chance.

 

THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

C. Moses gave the Israelites another chance to repent and  be atoned from

     God’s wrath. 

     1. Only the Levites came to Moses indicating they were on the Lord’s

         side.

     2. every day God gives us a chance to be His side.

     3. Anytime we decide to choose the side of the world we risk

         God’s wrath and eternal damnation.

 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTING THE LORD

V:27 Then he said to them, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.'" 28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.

A. The Levites became God's army, killing three thousand of their

     family members, friends, and neighbors.

   1. All of those that were killed chose to stay on the side of idol

       worship.

   2. Jesus, our High Priest will cast into hell all who reject Him as Lord

        and Savior.

B. God knows the heart of every person. He knew who would be a

     A threat to Israel following His commands.

   1. A little leaven will leaven the whole dough.

   2. God got rid of the leaven.

 

SET APART BY ATONEMENT

V:29 Then Moses said, "You have been set apart to the Lord  today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day."

30 The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin."

A. Moses was the constant intercessor for Israel/

    1. Jesus intercedes on our behalf daily/

    2. If it was not for Jesus, we would be dead in our sins.

B. Moses went in the presence of the Lord to make intercession for

       Israel.

 

THE INTERCESSION OF JESUS

V:31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin — but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."

33 The Lord replied to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin."

A. Moses loved Israel enough to sacrifice his life for theirs.

    1. Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

    2. Moses was a type of Christ.

    3. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for us

 continuously.

B. When we sin, all we have to do is ask for forgiveness.

    1.    

        1 John 1:9-10

        If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins   

        and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

   2. No matter what we have done in the past. We can start with God

       with a clean slate each day by asking for forgiveness.

 

FORGIVEN BUT CHASTISED FOR LOVE

V:35. And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.

A. God's forgiveness does not eliminate His punishment.

    1. God’s punishment has a purpose in our lives.

    2.    

        Heb 12:11

        Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:    

        nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness    

        unto them which are exercised thereby.

 

 B. God’s chastisement show His love for us.

          

         Heb 12:5-6

         "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,

         and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

         6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

          and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”

 

 

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst. Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

 

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and visit

My blogs; revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrecmitc.bogspot.com

 

Bible Study Series: "Bad Stuff Happens To Good People", 2 Kings 4:1-7

 

BAD STUFF HAPPENS TO GOOD PEOPLE

BUT GOD

 

 

2 Kings 4:1-7

 

    

INTRODUCTION

(o-ba-di'-a) (‎±obhadhyah‎, more fully ‎±obhadhyahu‎, "servant of Yahweh"):

The steward or prime minister of Ahab, who did his best to protect the prophets of Yahweh against Jezebel's persecution.

 

Obadiah was one of God’s flowers. He served the Lord. But he died

leaving his wife and two sons destitute. He owed money to a creditor.

The creditor had the right to take his sons as slaves to pay the debt.

 

His wife lived in a community that did not come to her rescue.

Her neighbors may not have known her situation or knew, but would

Not help. We are presented only with her desperate condition.

 

GOOD PROPLE FACE BAD SITUATIONS

V:1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord . But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."

A. Some say Obadiah borrowed money to support the ministry of God.

     1. When he died, his wife was left with nothing but debt.

     2. On the surface that may be true, but he left his family with something

         more valuable than a bank account.

B. Obidiah left his wife with a knowledge of God.

     1. His work for the Lord stored up treasures in heaven

    

         Matt 6:20-21

         But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust

         do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For

         where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

      2. The best thing we can do for our families is to teach them to trust

           the Lord.

      3. By our example, we teach our families to devote themselves to the

            Lord.

        4. Teach your children to go to God in prayer for all their needs.

    

            Phil 4:6

            Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication   

            with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

TAKE YOU PROBLEM TO THE LORD

V:2  Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?"

"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."

A. The Lord is waiting on your prayer

    1. He is waiting on you to ask for what you need.

        

         2 Chron 6:19-20

       Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O      

       Lord  my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying

       in your presence.

 

     2. Your prayers activates God power in your life.

     3. What you have is enough in the hands of the Lord.

     4. The first thing you need to do is put your problem in the

          hands of the Lord.

     5. Your situation is God’s opportunity to perform a miracle

          before your eyes.

         a. He used the staff of Moses to show His power

         b. He used a boys lunch to feed 5000 men plus women and

              children.

                 

            Matt 16:8-10

            You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about     

             having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don't you

             remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many

             basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four

             thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

 

     6.  Do you remember what God has done in your past?

     7. When you have a problem the worst thing you can do is

          to forget that it is God that sustains you.

     8. It is God who puts us in situations where we can learn to

          trust Him.

     9. It is possible, as the wife of a prophet, the woman’s trust in

         God had never been tested.    

    10. When we teach our families to trust the Lord, we set them up to

          be tested by Him.

    

          Prov 22:6

          Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will

          not depart from it.

 

     11. You and I have to practice in front of our families trusting the Lord.

           a. Obadiah working for Ahab, risk his life to save 100 of God’s   

               prophets from Jezebel’s persecution.

           b. God needs no reminder, but He loves to hear the testimony of your

               service.

       12. God loves families. He will not leave them begging bread.

    

            Matt 19:29-30

            And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or  

            Mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred

            times as much and will inherit eternal life.

 

WAIT ON THE LORD FOR DIRECTIONS

V:3 Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."

A. The number of jars she collected was the measure of her faith.

     1. At this point the woman had no idea what she would do with the

         jars.

     2. Sometimes, what God tells us to do may not make sense.

     3. She was destitute with a number of jars.

     4. God will bless us, but we must work for the blessing.

     5. God uses you in the miracles He performs for you.

     6. God will bless you with a job, but you have to go looking.

B. When God is working with you, you neighbors don’t

      need to know.

 

    

 

 

        Matt 6:6

         But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast   

         shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father

         which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

 

     1. God works with you in private to keep your neighbors from

         casting doubt in your mind.

     2. You need a calmness of mind to do what God ask you to do.

C. Seeing the little oil she had fill the many jars she borrowed

     from her neighbors was the miracle she and her sons witnessed.

    1. Let me suggest that seeds of goodness Obadiah sowed were

        harvested with the filling of the jars with oil.

    2. The treasures Obadiah stored in heaven by his service

         were withdrawn by his wife and sons.

    3. Your bank account may not reflect the blessing God has for you.

 

FOLLOW GODS DIRECTIONS

V:5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one."

But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.

 

A. Once she filled the last Jar she collected, the oil she used

       stopped flowing.

    1. She had jars of oil, but still destitute.

    2. When God is working with us, we must continue listening

         to His voice.

    3. You can have a lot, but don’t know what to do with it.       

 

LET THE LORD ORDER YOUR STEPS

V:7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

A. Pray without ceasing.

    1. Continue listening for a word from the Lord through out

        your life.

    2. You are never in a situation where you can determine the outcome.

B. God created a market for the sell of the oil.

    1. God brought people with money to her to buy all the

         oil.

    2. God does not tell us how many jars of oil she sold.

    3. What God tells us is she had enough from the sell to

         pay off her debt and enough left to live on.

 

LIFE IS FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS. IT’S THE TRUST

YOU HAVE IN GOD THAT DETERMINES THE QUALITY

OF YOUR LIFE.

 

Let me leave you with this acronym ; PLOT

 

P  pray without ceasing. Take your problem to the Lord FIRST.

 

L  listen, expecting God to give you directions.

 

O   obey the commands from God and follow

      His directions immediately.

 

T    Trust the Lord expecting Him to do exceedingly,

       abundantly more than you can ask of conceive.

 

Carry your problems to God with thanksgiving.

 

When you Got a problem  P L O T

 

Rev. M. Mitchell