The Knew Kingdom: February 2007

2 Kings 6:1-23

The Axhead floats (6:1-7)

Things were going well enough for the prophets to necessitate a move into a bigger facility, but in the process of building it, one man had his axhead fly off and into the Jordan river. While this story may simply be told to provide another example of Elisha's ability to perform a miracle, some take a spiritual message away from the story. The lost axhead could represent 'losing one's cutting edge' so to speak. The story, then, is about a man who, amidst God's work, has become ineffective in his spiritual walk. What steps does he take to regain his cutting edge?

1. He admits his problem (5)
2. He seeks help from godly men (5)
3. He points out where things went wrong (6)
4. He was willing to give up something of lesser value when necessary (6)
5. He was obedient to godly direction (7)

The Blind Arameans

* There seems to be a chronological gap of some degree b/w chapters 5 & 6 since it is unlikely the Arameans would go to war with Israel directly after the events of chapter 5. In this section, we learn some principles regarding battle:

1. True homeland security comes from godly men
Elisha was much more effective than having secret agents. God revealed to him the plans of the Arameans and Elisha would warn the king of potential dangers. In the 1st 3 centuries of church history, Christians didn't join the military, but prayed for political leaders. This same time was nearly unmatched in terms of peace. Godly people are a nations best defense and homeland security.

2. Peace comes through Strength
Elisha didn't tell his servant to 'not be afraid' for no reason. He told him to be at peace because the more qualified and numerous army was actually on the side of Israel. It was Elisha's servant, first, that was blinded to reality. Peace came through knowing the strength of God's army. Peace came through the ability to blind the enemy by God's power. Peace wasn't naive. War was avoided because of the power of God, not the peace of God.

3. Love your enemies
Perhaps moreso than any other Old Testament character or passage, Elisha in this chapter demonstrates a Christlike attitude in terms of loving one's enemies. Though he could have easily commanded the death of his enemies, Elisha, instead, commanded that they be well fed and sent home. And by his love, the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.

Luke 21:5-38

Luke 21:5-38
The Olivet Discourse

5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." 7"Teacher," they asked,

Luke
"when will these things happen?
And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"

Mark
"Tell us, when will these things happen?
And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"

Matthew
"Tell us," they said, "when will this happen,
and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
What signs did Jesus predict would precede the destruction?

*They were asking when the temple would be destroyed, not when the world would end

Signs Preceding the temple's destruction

1. Many will claim to be the Christ
Menahem (grand)son of Judas the Galilean, John of Gischala son of Levi
Simon bar Giora of Gerasa, The Anonymous Samaritan
Theudas (mentioned in Acts 5.36), The Anonymous Egyptian (Jew)
An Anonymous "Imposter", Jonathan the refugee

2. There will be wars and rumors of wars
Mesopotamia 50,000+
Jerusalem 10,000+
Caesarea 40,000+
Alexandria 50,000+
Scythopolis 13,000+
Damascus 10,000+ in 1 hour

“"Disturbances in Germany; commotions in Africa; commotions in Thrace; insurrections in Gaul; intrigues among the Parthians; the war in Britian; the war in Armenia.” (Roman Historian Tacitus)

3. Famines & earthquakes

"At Rome, a plague devastated the entire population.... The houses were full of corpses, and the streets of funerals." (Tacitus)

“Then did the famine widen its progress, and devoured the people by whole houses and families; the upper rooms were full of women and children that were dying by famine; and the lanes of the city were full of the dead bodies of the aged; the children also and the young men wandered about the marketplaces like shadows, all swelled with the famine, and fell down dead whosesoever their misery seized them” (Josephus)

Crucifixion (Matthew 27:54)
Resurrection (Matthew 28:2)
Paul/Silas in Prison (Acts 16:26)
Crete (AD 46)
Rome (AD 51)
Laodicea (AD 60)
Pompei (AD 63)

“Perhaps no period in the world's history has ever been so marked by these convulsions as that which intervenes between the crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem” (Plumptre)

4. Disciples persecuted and hated

“A vast multitude of Christians was put to death in the most shocking manner. Some were crucified, probably in mockery of the punishment of Christ, some sewed up in the skins of wild beasts and exposed to the voracity of mad dogs in the arena… Christian men and women, covered with pitch or oil or resin, and nailed to posts of pine, were lighted and burned as torches for the amusement of the mob” (Tacitus)

5. Many will turn away from faith (provoked by false prophets)
Galatians 1:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:17-18, Etc

6. Gospel will be preached to all nations
Acts 2:5, Romans 6:25-26, Colossians 1:5-6 + 23

7. Family relationships will break down

8. Jerusalem will be surrounded by the Romans

And now the Romans upon the flight of the seditious into the city, and upon the burning of the holy house itself, and of all the buildings lying round about it, brought their ensigns to the temple, and set them over against its eastern gate (Josephus)

9. Believers will flee to the mountains

But before the war, the people of the Church of Jerusalem were bidden in an oracle given by revelation to men worthy of it to depart from the city and to dwell in a city of Perea called Pella. To it those who believed in Christ migrated from Jerusalem. Once the holy men had completely left the Jews and all Judea, the justice of God at last overtook them, since they had committed such transgressions against Christ and his apostles. Divine justice completely blotted out that impious generation from among men.

Jesus discusses the event itself…
1. Jerusalem will be destroyed by the Romans
2. It will be obvious that a drastic change is taking place
3. Un-believers will see the mistake they made in rejecting Christ
4. Believers will be protected by Christ during this transition

When did Jesus predict this event would take place?
1. After all the previously stated signs
2. During that generation

The 10 Commandments 8 + 10

-The 10 Commandments-
-Part 8-

#8 “Thou shalt not steal”
#10 “Thou shalt not covet”

Stealing Statistics (USA)
1. Theft is the largest crime category
2. Theft makes up 56% of crime
3. Theft crimes occur 21,644 times each day
4. Theft resulted in the loss of $4.9 billion
5. Theft is on a slight decrease

Distribution of Theft (by value)
1. 32% Miscellaneous
2. 26% Motor Vehicle
3. 14% Shoplifting
4. 13% From Buildings
6. 10% Bicycles
7. 04% Purse/Pocket/Machine

Other Common Ways to Steal
1. Embezzlement in the work place
2. Dishonest business practices (Proverbs 11:1, 20:14)
3. Charging usury on a poorer party (Proverbs 21:8)
4. Withholding due payment (Romans 13:8)
5. Robbing God (Malachi 3:8)

Is Tithing for Christians Today?
Notes based on an article by Steve Gregg
www.thenarrowpath.com

1. Two isolated instances prior to Moses
Genesis 14:20, 28:20-22
2. The tithing system was created to support the Levites and the Priests and a ratio of roughly 1:10 families
Numbers 18:21
3. Tithing is mentioned just 3 times in the New Testament
a. Hebrews 7 references Genesis 14:20
b. Matthew 23:23 records Jesus rebuking Pharisees
c. Luke 18:12 records a self-righteous prayer
4. Thus, sermons commanding tithing tend to be based on Old Testament passages such as Malachi 3:10
a. The storehouse stored food for ministers
Nehemiah 10:38
b. Surplus went to the poor (Deuteronomy 26:12)
c. Not all local churches are edifying
5. The NT commands that we forsake ALL that we have
Matthew 13:44-46, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
6. The NT teaches stewardship in place of tithing
Luke 12:42, 19:12-13, Titus 1:7
7. A steward simply wants to do what the Owner would do if He were there

How would Jesus spend money?
1. To support the poor
Matthew 25:37-40, Mark 10:21, Luke 12:33
2. To support ministry/ministers/missionaries
Matt. 6:33, Gal. 6:6, 1 Cor. 9:11, 1 Tim. 5:17-18
Luke 8:2-3, Phil. 4:16-18, John 5-8
3. Taking care of our families (1 Tim. 5:8)
4. A few things for enjoyment (1 Tim. 6:17)

“The Jews offered their tithes; but those who have received liberty set apart everything they have for the Lord’s use” (Irenaeus)

Luke 20:1-21:4

Luke 20:1-21:4
Question & Answer Tuesday

The Question of Authority (20:1-8)

1. This question was a trap
IF He says ‘from God’… they would arrest Him for blasphemy
IF He says otherwise … they would dismiss Him as irrelevant
2. Jesus answered a question with a question
3. Jesus’ question was also a trap
IF they say ‘from Heaven’ … then why didn’t they believe him?
IF they say ‘from man’ … then the people would stone them
4. Jesus refused to answer their question

The Question of Taxes (20:20-26)

1. This question was a trap
IF He says ‘Yes’ … He appears to be a supporter of Rome
IF He says ‘No’ … He could be arrested for rebellion against Rome
2. Jesus answered a question with a question
3. Jesus’ question was basically a ‘Yes’ & ‘No’
YES it is right to pay taxes to Caesar
NO Caesar is not the ultimate authority
4. They became silent

The Question of Resurrection (20:27-40)

1. This was a hypothetical question concerning the future
2. This question was a trap
3. Jesus dismisses their question as irrelevant
4. Jesus discredits their premise as un-biblical

The Question of David (20:41-44)

1. This was an actual question concerning the past
2. This question was a trap
3. Jesus knew how they’d answer and had a passage in mind
4. From that day on no one dared ask him any more questions

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (20:9-19)

The Symbols
Landowner = Father
Vineyard = Israel (Isaiah 5:7)
Tenants = Israelites, especially leaders
Servants = Prophets
Son = Jesus
Wretched End = AD70
Other Tenants = The Church

The Lessons
1. God gave Israel everything needed to succeed (33)
2. God gave Israel freedom to obey or disobey (33b)
3. God gave Israel time to turn back to Him (34-36)
4. God gave Israel His only Son to save them (37)
5. National Israel rejected God’s Son (38-39)
6. National Israel ran out of time (40-41)
7. National Israel refused its invitation to God's Kingdom (42-45)
8. The Church (believing Jews & Gentiles) is God’s true people (41)

The Great Contrast (20:45-21:4)

The Religious Leaders
1. He had silenced them
2. He now goes on the offensive
3. He warns the people not to listen to them
Because they are in it for the Popularity
Because they are in it for the Prestige
Because they are in it for the Pleasures
Because they are in it for the Performance
Because they are in it for the Paychecks
4. He says they will be punished severely

The Poor Widow
1. She had none of the above P’s
2. She gave out of her Poverty
3. She gave 100 Percent

The 10 Commandments 9

-The 10 Commandments-
-Part 7-

#9 “Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbour”

When Not to Tell the Truth…
1. When delaying the truth...serves the truth
2. When your listeners aren't ready for it
3. When your listeners aren't worthy of it
4. When you can't say it in love

The Dialects of Deceit (Jeremiah 8:8, John 8:44)
1. Worship without heart (John 4:23, 1 John 1:6)
2. Quiet bitterness (Proverbs 10:18)
3. Not doing a known good (James 4:17, 1 John 3:18)
4. God hates lying (Proverbs 12:22, Revelation 21:8)

The Defeat of Deceit (John 1:14)
1. Jesus came full of grace and truth (John 1:14+17)
2. Jesus came saying ‘I tell you the truth’ (79 times)
3. Jesus believes the God’s Word is truth (John 17:17)
4. Jesus said He is truth (John 14:6)

The Victory of Honesty (John 16:13)
1. The truth paints a brighter future (Prov. 12:19, 21:6)
2. The truth frees us from fear (John 8:32)
3. The truth maximizes joy (3 John 1:4)
4. The truth holds everything together (Ephesians 4:15)

Quotable Quotes

Truth exists, lies are invented (unknown)

Truth crushed to earth shall rise again: Th' eternal years of God are hers; But Error, wounded, writhes in pain, And dies among his worshippers. (Bear Bryant)

The man who fears no truths has nothing to fear from lies (Jefferson)

A truth that's told with bad intent Beats all the lies you can invent (William Blake)

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act (George Orwell)

Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive (Sir Walter Scott)

Lying makes a problem part of the future; truth makes a problem part of the past (Rick Petino)

I have now discovered that the most powerful weapon in the world is not the bomb but the truth (Andrei Sakharov)

Romans 2:17-29

Romans 2:17-29

Characteristics of a Pharisee/Hypocrite

Do you know anyone that...

Goes out of their way to find something they can criticize? Is respected by all, except those who know them best? Goes ballistic over seemingly insignificant matters? Is very hurtful, but their life seems perfect? Has their heart in the completely wrong place? Will be right at the expense of being loving? Thinks you always owe them an explanation? You'd be afraid to rebuke when necessary? Holds to tradition closer than truth? Has never/rarely been scolded? Do you know anyone that gets away with all this because it's their personality, their way, their role, their right, their position, their responsibility, etc.

As I've been studying through Scripture, these are the characteristics I've noticed about Pharisees. Know any? Ever been there yourself?

Characteristics of a Nominal Believer

1. They call themselves a believer (17)
2. They seem more interested in law than grace (17)
3. They speak highly of their relationship with God (17)
4. They have much knowledge of God and His ways (18)
5. They approve of all the right things (18)
6. They believe everyone should be more like them (19-20)
7. They don’t have actions to match their words (21-23)
8. They give God a bad name to non-believers (24)
9. They have gone through all the sacred ceremonies (25-27)
10. They are quite often well regarded by man (28-29)

Most Ignored Verse?

1 Corinthians 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

Paul considered the judging of those outside the church to be none of his business. It seems the contemporary church often disagrees. In fact, we do the exact opposite in many cases. We exclusively judge those outside the church and fail to judge sin inside the church.

What verses do you think are ignored?

Romans 1:18-2:16

Romans 1:18-2:16

God has given light to mankind
“What may to known about God is plain” (1:19)
“God’s qualities…have been clearly seen” (1:20)
“They knew God” (1:21)
“The requirements of the law are written on their hearts” (2:15)
“Their consciences also bearing witness” (2:15)
“Their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them (2:15)

RESULT: Men are without excuse

Mankind willfully chooses darkness
“The wicked suppress the truth” (1:18)
“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (1:25)
“They did not…retain the knowledge of God” (1:28)
“Because of your stubbornness” (2:5)

RESULT: Futile Thinking & Darkened Hearts

God gave mankind over to their own devices
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires” (1:24)
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts” (1:26)
“He gave them over to a depraved mind” (1:28)

RESULT: Idolatry Immorality Heart-Level Wickedness

There is a future Day of Judgment
“You are storing up wrath against yourself” (2:5)
“His righteous judgment will be revealed” (2:5)
“God will give to each person according to what he has done” (2:6)
“There will be trouble…for every human being who does evil” (2:9)
“God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ” (2:16)

Statistics
1. Less than 1% of the population is exclusively homosexual
2. Only 1 out of 7 homosexuals has had fewer than 50 partners
3. 79% of male homosexuals have had sex with a stranger
4. 10% of homosexuals are relatively monogamous
5. 60% of homosexuals have had more than 250 partners
6. The average heterosexual male has had 5-9 partners
7. 70% of AIDS patients are homosexual/bisexual
8. 86% of homosexuals use drugs to increase sexual stimulation
9. Homosexuals are 3 times more likely to commit suicide
10. Life expectancy for homosexuals is 33 years fewer

BIBLICAL TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Genesis 2:18-25
The Lord brought woman to man as a sexual partner
Only a male/female union can produce ‘one flesh’
Sexual activity is only pure in the context of biblical marriage

Genesis 19 (Jude 1:7)
The men of Sodom sought homosexual sex
Lot & the Lord considered their desire wicked
The New Testament affirms this interpretation

Leviticus 18:22, 20:13
Homosexual activity is considered detestable to God
Homosexual activity was punishable by death
These laws were part of the moral law of God

Romans 1:18-32
Homosexual desires are products of mankind’s rebellion
Homosexual activity is unnatural in God’s creative order
God has set up consequences to such sins

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:9-10
Homosexual offenders are ‘wicked’ and won’t see heaven

Question to Consider
1. Do you joke about homosexuality and/or ridicule homosexuals?
2. What do you think about rallies against homosexuality?
3. What definition of marriage should the government work with?
4. What kind of rights should homosexual couples have?
5. How do you think Jesus treated homosexuals?

Romans 1:16-17

Romans 1:16-17

Becoming a Christian: An Event or a Lifestyle?

Romans 1:2-4
The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

1. The good news of Jesus Christ is fulfillment of a long and holy story
2. Jesus Christ was a son of man and was declared the Son of God
3. The power of this good news rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ
4. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead makes Him Lord to His people

Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

1. There is not a more powerful movement than the Kingdom
2. There is not a more inclusive movement than the Kingdom
3. The story of Christ reveals that God keeps His promises
4. God’s people are those whom live by faith in this story

What does 'from faith to faith' mean???

Question to Consider
1. Which of the above passages presents the Gospel?
2. Which of the above passages presents the fruit of the Gospel?
3. What should we think of ‘easy-believe-ism’ ?
4. What do you think of altar calls?

Romans 1:1-15

Romans 1:1-15

The Making of a 1st Century Letter
1. Name of Sender
2. Name of Recipient
3. Greeting
4. Praise/Thanks to God
5. Personal/Missions Update
6. Discussion of Main Subject(s)
7. Various Greetings
8. Benediction

How does this compare to the other Epistles?
1. He refers to himself as an Apostle 9 times
2. He refers to himself as a servant 3 times
3. He refers to himself as set-apart 1 time
4. He refers to himself as a prisoner 1 time
5. He refers to himself as simply Paul 2 times

How did Paul describe himself to the Roman Christians?
1. Paul viewed himself as a serving person
2. Paul viewed himself as a sent person
3. Paul viewed himself as a set-apart person
*This is one of his longest greetings, perhaps b/c he wants to establish from the beginning the connection b/w the Gospel and Judaism. This will help bring the church together.

Paul’s Mission Statement
I, Paul, am a servant of Jesus Christ
Called to be an Apostle
Set apart for the Gospel of God*
To call people from among the Gentiles
*notice it is FOR the Gospel, not set apart FROM Gentiles

Your Mission Statement
I, ______, am a _________ of Jesus
Called to be a/an __________
___-______ for the gospel of God
To call people from among _____________

What was the good news?
1. Jesus is the prophetically predicted good news
2. Jesus is the son of David
3. Jesus is the Son of God
4. Jesus Christ (Messiah), our Lord (YHWH/Adonai = Kurios)

How was it proven that Jesus was the Son of God?
1. His resurrection by the spirit of holiness

Why did Paul want to meet with them?
1. Because he was so thankful for their faith
2. Because he wanted to invest in their faith
3. Because he wanted to be edified by their faith

Luke 19:28-44

The Triumphal Entry (19:28-44)

Up to Jerusalem (28-29)
Luke 9:30-31 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem
Luke 9:51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
Luke 13:22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
Luke 13:33 In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
Luke 17:11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
Luke 18:31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
Luke 19:11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.

You will find a colt (30-34)
It was a sign of humility
It was a fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9)

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! (35-40)
They spread their cloaks as a symbol of honor
They spread their branches as a symbol of triumph

You did not recognize (41-44)
He speaks to Jerusalem as if it’s a person
He weeps over Jerusalem’s rejection of Him and coming demise

The Temple Cleared (19:45-48)

They wanted Jesus dead for political reasons
They wanted Jesus dead for religious reasons
They wanted Jesus dead for personal reasons
They wanted Jesus dead for economic reasons

10 Commandments 7

-The 10 Commandments-
-Part 6-

#7 “Thou shalt not commit adultery”
(Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-32, Proverbs 5-7)

The Seriousness of the Sin (Jer.29:23, Job 31:11)
1. It is a crime against marriage
2. It is a crime against society
3. It is a crime against Christ (1 Corinthians 7:9)
4. It is a crime against self
--Your own body (1 Cor. 6:18)
--Your own finances (Prov. 6:23)
--Your own name (Prov. 6:33)
--Your own life (Prov. 6:32, 34-35)

*This command speaks further than literal adultery toward all sexual immorality. The issue at hand is lust.

How to Avoid Committing Adultery
1. Get Married & Love your Spouse (1 Cor. 7:9)
2. Fear God (Prov. 5:21, 16:6)
3. Understand temptation (Ecc. 7:26)
4. Pray for your marriage

How to Avoid Causing Adultery
1. Don’t refuse relations with your spouse (1 Cor. 7:5)
2. Be careful what you say
3. Be careful how you dress (1 Tim 2:9, 1 Peter 3:3)
4. Be careful with your mannerisms (Prov. 6:25)

How to Limit Temptation
1. Don’t Feed Them (Matthew 5:30)
2. Don’t Push the Limit
3. Don’t be Alone Together
4. Don’t Emotionally Invest

The Five Love Languages
1. Quality Time
2. Acts of Service
3. Physical Touch
4. Words of Affirmation
5. Material Gifts

2 Kings 4

4 Miracles of Elisha

#1 The Widow's Oil
Josephus assumes that this widow is that of Obadiah, the aforementioned aid to the prophets. There's not much reason to doubt him on this issue so far as I can tell. If he is correct, we should take a closer look at Obadiah's characteristics:

*Re-read 1 Kings 18:1-16
1. He was a trusted leader (Ahab trusted him)
2. He was a risk-taker (providing secretly for the prophets)
3. He was an invester in God's kingdom (financially, leaving himself w/nothing)
4. He was humble/submissive (to Elijah)

And, if Josephus is correct, it speaks to why this miracle was provided for this particular widow. It was, perhaps, a reward for her husband's faithful service. In any case, two key phrases in the story of this miracle jump out.

1. "what do you have in your house?" (2)
God wants to work WITH us. He wants to use what we're willing to give.
2. "Bring me another one" (6)
God's ability to give is unlimited. It's our ability to receive that is limited.

#2 The Son Restored to Life

This woman provided great hospitality to Elisha. God rewards her with a son. Throughout the story there seems to be another theme, one that points away from Elisha and toward God. For instance,

1. Elisha is unaware of the problem when the Shunammite woman is coming toward him. The Lord, in fact, had 'hidden it' from him (27).
2. His staff is no match for the power of death (31).
3. His presence has no affect at first, he paces (35)

The emphasis is re-placed on the power of God working through Elisha instead of the power of Elisha himself. Hebrews 11:35 probably has this woman, moreso than any other, in mind

#3 Death in the pot

The theme of God's power and Elisha's authority continues with a possible NT parallel in Mark 16:18.

#4 Feeding of the Hundred

This, of course, brings Jesus' ministry to the mind of contemporary readers and gives us a chance to look at the parallels between the ministries of Jesus and Elisha.

1. Both raised individuals from the dead.
2. Both multiplied meals
3. Both healed lepers
4. Both focused on mercy miracles
5. Both gave life after their death
6. Both made the blind see
7. Both were preceeded by Elijah

2 Kings 3

2 Kings 3

v. 1-3
Joram, though not as evil Ahab (who had allowed Baal worship), was still evil (as were all those leading the northern kingdom prior to its fall in 722bc). He got rid of Baal worship, but continued in the mold of Jeroboam (the 1st Northern King).

v. 4-12

Character 1- Mesha, King of Moab (though, not really a King since Moab was subjected). Most accurately, he seems to have been the leader (wealthiest) of the Moabites and initiator of this rebellion. He timed this rebellion well, at the transition from 1 king to the next. For Ahab, despite (or perhaps b/c of) his wickedness, had been a powerful king.

Character 2- Joram, King of Israel (organized an allied force of Israel, Judah & Edom). He seems to have submitted to Jehoshaphat's leadership (he being the most tenured and wisest). Shows his lack of faith (v. 10), or perhaps his sense of guilt, believing that God has defeat in store for them.

Character 3- Jehoshaphat, King of Judah (Wise and righteous). He picks a desert route in order to 1) pick up a 3rd ally (Edom) along the way and 2) surprise the Moabites at their most vulnerable location. Turns to the Lord (v. 11) for guidance in response to the lack of water.

Character 4- Elisha, Prophet of God. Elisha first shows his rejection of the wicked King Joram, but agrees to serve them because of the righteousness of Jehoshaphat. Seems to utilize music (a harpist) to put him in the right spirit to hear from God. He gives them both a command to dig ditches and a promise that those ditches will be filled with water, despite no storm. Finally, he predicts victory for the tri-alliance.

RESULT
The prophecy proved true. The alliance dug ditches which were filled with water from the heights of Edom. What's more, the Moabites, in the morning sun, mistook the water for blood and speculated civil war. Thinking that they would easily defeat an already defeated army, they came to the camp of the allied forces. Unfortunately for the Moabites, the allies were more than ready to slaughter their enemies and did so, chasing them back to Kir Hareseth.

There is some debate as to how the war ended. A son was sacrificed, but there are mixed opinions as to whose son. Some say it was the son of the King of Moab and that this sacrifice caused great sorrow in the hearts of the allies, causing them to retreat. Others say, based on Amos 2:1, that the King of Moab was able to kidnap the son of the Edomite King and sacrificed him causing great sorrow and the retreat of the army.

Luke 19:1-27

Luke 19:1-27
Zacchaeus & the 10 Servants

Zacchaeus (19:1-10)

The King’s Ten Servants (19:11-27)

Jesus was the promised King (Matthew 2:2, 27:11)
Many Jews rejected His kingship (Mt. 27:29/37, Lk. 19:14)
Jesus went to a distant country (Lk.24:51,19:12, Hb.11:14-16)
He was made King in spite of them (Luke 19:12, 15; Daniel 7:13-14; Heb.2:9; 1 Cor.15:23-25)
King Jesus was to be gone a long time (Matthew 25:19)
King Jesus is coming back (Hebrews 9:28)

Living Between the 1st & 2nd Coming

3 Kinds of People
Rejecting subjects (Luke 19:14, 27)
Good servants (Luke 19:15-19)
Wicked servants (Luke 19:20-23)

Interim Realities
Christ has left assets to each servant (Matthew 25:14)
Each steward is given differing assets (Matthew 25:15)
Each steward is responsible to invest (Matthew 25:16-27)
Stewards produce in differing degrees (Luke19:13,16,18,20)

How to be a Good Servant
Be willing to risk! (Matthew 25:16-17)
Be grateful for the work! (Matthew 25:21)
Be faithful in the small things! (Matthew 25:23)

How to be a Bad Servant
Be inclined to recline (Matthew 25:18)
Be afraid to fail (Matthew 25:24-25)
Be prepared for a penalty (Matthew 25:26-30)

Murder

-The 10 Commandments-

#6 “Thou Shalt Not Kill” (murder)

When is ‘killing’ not ‘murder’
1. Killing plants (Genesis 9:3)
2. Killing animals (Deut. 12:15)
3. Killing at God’s Command (1 Samuel 15:3)
4. Killing accidentally (Exodus 21:12-14, Deut. 19:4-6)

What are the Principles Behind the Command?
1. Life belongs to God (Job 1:21)
2. Human life is very valuable (Genesis 1:27)
3. Murder is the fruit of Satan (John 8:44)

What attitudes can lead to murder?
1. Anger (Matthew 5:21-22)
2. Envy (1 John 3:11-12)
3. Hatred (1 John 3:13-15)
4. Depression (1 Kings 19:3-5)

What activities are compared to Murder
1. Criminal Negligence (Exodus 21:28-30)
2. Neglecting the Starving (Matt 25:40-46, James 5:1-6)
3. Using words like swords (Proverbs 12:18)

Ways in which ‘killing/murder’ is often legalized
1. Abortion (Proverbs 1:10-19)
2. Capital Punishment (Romans 12:17-21, 13:4)
3. War (John 18:11+36)
4. Euthanasia (Deut. 32:29)

The following is from David Bercot’s book
“Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up”

At a time when military valor was considered to be the greatest of virtues, the early Christians stood alone in declaring that war was simply murder on a grand scale. How ironic, therefore, that evangelical Christians in the United States not only condone war but are generally more militaristic than other segments of society…In fact, I know of no war in the entire history of the United States that evangelical Christians opposed in any significant numbers.

But doesn’t a Christian have a responsibility to His country? Shouldn’t a Christian help defend his country? The early Christians would have answered ‘yes – but in a very different way than the world.’ The Romans made the same charge to the early Christians, and the Christians replied:

“We are urged to help the king with all our might, to work with him in the preservation of justice, to fight for him…Our answer is that we do, when occasion requires, give help to kings, but in a divine way, ‘putting on the whole armor of God.’ The more anyone excels in holiness, the more effective is his help to kings, even more than is given by soldiers who go out to fight and slay as many of the enemy as they can…None fight better for the king than we do. Indeed, we refuse to fight under him, even if he demands it. But we do fight on his behalf, forming a special army- an army of righteousness- by offering our prayers to God.”

We may be inclined to call their view unrealistic; the early Christians called it trust. Who is right? History would indicate that perhaps these Christians weren’t as naïve as they might seem to us. During the period from the birth of Christ to around the beginning of the 3rd century, the Roman Empire didn’t experience even one successful invasion… In contrast, after the time of Constantine, when Christian teachers such as Augustine began teaching the doctrine of ‘holy war’ and Christians supported Rome with the sword, the entire western Roman Empire collapsed within a few decades.

Consistent with its position of not legislating righteousness in other areas of life, the early church made no law that Christians should not serve in the army… Generally speaking, the church did not permit a Christian to join the army after his conversion. However, if a man was already a soldier when he became a Christian, the church did not require him to resign. He was only required to never use the sword against anyone.

Christians viewed capital punishment much the same way they viewed war: A Christian should not execute a criminal, watch public executions, or even bring a capital charge against a fellow human being. In short, the early Christians utterly abhorred the taking of human life whether by war, execution or abortion. However, Christians did not purport to tell the secular government what it could or could not do in punishing criminals. The early Christians recognized that God allowed secular governments to use the sword.