PM Reflections of AM Sermon - Joshua 24
class=MsoNormal>PM Reflection of AM Sermon – Joshua 24 9-21-08
Introduction: The Bible is story of one big promise
1- The story of the Bible is the story of a single promise made by God Himself and then how he goes about keeping that promise
2- God has made a promise concerning you and what it means for you to respond to that promise
3- With God there is no such things as a promise that is too good to be true
4- The story of God’s Promise – How do we trace the story of God’s Promise in the OT?
OT
a- Gen 3 – God’s promise is to put enmity between the seed of man (Christ) and the seed of satan
b- Promise to Noah
c- Choosing of Abraham
d- The promise perseveres through Moses, who grew up to lead the people out of Egypt to the PL
e- God raises up a new generation and a new leader – Joshua
o Against all odds they defeat bigger and stronger enemies
o God delivers on His promise and leads them into the PL
f- In an ultimate act of rebellion, God’s people demand a king like the other nations. In time, God anoints David, a man after his own heart.
g- God further promises that a son will always sit on David’s throne and deliver his people.
· Solomon seemed like that son but was not.
h- God reminds His people through prophets that His promise will never be broken, and there will be a new covenant.
NT
a- But even as the South returns, it is apparent that the new covenant has not been fulfilled -- until a baby is born in Bethlehem.
· Everything about His life suggests that He is the promise fulfilled.
· His incredible wisdom and healings give hope.
· Then the religious leaders of the day reject him and hand him over to the Roman authorities to be crucified and laid in a tomb.
· Three days later Jesus walked out of the tomb, demonstrating that God keeps all His promises.
Hebrews 6:11-12
Ø Hebrews makes immensely valuable contributions to the doctrines of His Incarnation, His substitutionary death, and His priesthood. [1]
Background of Chapter 6:
1. He is not satisfied that many believers are developing spiritually; he wants everyone to make progress.[2]
2. In short, he is the shepherd tending the spiritual flock.[3]
6:11-12:
1. Verse 11 challenges the audience to continue performing faith and love for that is the evidence of one’s own salvation
· Diligence in Christian works is the confidence that we can have in knowing that we are truly saved
· The answer to “Are you saved?” is found in asking what are you doing for Christ now?
· This is the doctrine of perseverance – meaning that true believers will persevere in their faith
· True believers will show diligence in performing good works till the end
2. Verse 12 admonishes the recipients to not become lazy (sluggish – ESV)
· (TDNT) The word expresses a twofold deficiency which is no true part of the Christian life: a lack of receptivity for Christian knowledge, and a stale, exhausted spirit instead of the glowing joy of hope. [4]
· When Christian life shows exhaustion both in breathing in (hearing and receiving) and in breathing out (believing confidence in the future), the author of Hebrews warns his readers against being sluggish (νωθροί).[5]
· The author of Hebrews tells the readers to imitate the saints in their loyalty, perseverance, and commitment.[6]
Application:
1- v12 echoes Joshua’s charge to covenant loyalty because they both are telling us to be diligent in our service to God
2- To have the complete covenant loyalty to God that Joshua petitioned for, takes the diligence in Christian service that the author of Hebrews appealed to.
3- If covenant loyalty to God is something serious to you it will show in your life – that is a greater barometer than if you tear up during the songs sung.
Discussion: Joshua charted a course for his family and those in his household that they would serve the Lord
1) Why must passing on covenant loyalty to the next generation begin with a personal decision?
- What role does being an example to them play in passing the baton?
- What are ineffective ways of passing on godliness to the next generation? Judges 2:10
Ø First, when the knowledge of God is preserved in a community, especially by those who have personally experienced God's power, faith is nourished and obedience flourishes.
Ø Second, if we parents allow our children to grow up without this knowledge of God, we serve not only their ignorance and unbelief, but also their destruction.
Ø Third, therefore it is the solemn duty of all parents to teach their children about God and his saving work, so that the next generation will know and be saved.
2) According to Hebrews 6:12, what produces laziness/sluggishness in or Christian lives?
- What can we do to prevent us from becoming lazy in our Christian service? (address heart issues)
Ø Is our covenant loyalty to God out of diligent faith or out of getting something in return?
----
[1]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:777.
[2]Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, vol. 15, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Hebrews, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 167.
[3]Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, vol. 15, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Hebrews, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 167.
[4]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vols. 5-9 Edited by Gerhard Friedrich. Vol. 10 Compiled by Ronald Pitkin., ed. Gerhard Kitt Geoffrey William Bromiley and Gerhard Friedrich, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976), 4:1126.
[5]Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vols. 5-9 Edited by Gerhard Friedrich. Vol. 10 Compiled by Ronald Pitkin., ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey William Bromiley and Gerhard Friedrich, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-c1976), 4:1126.
[6]Simon J. Kistemaker and William Hendriksen, vol. 15, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Hebrews, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 168.