Trevor S. Ferguson
June 25, 2010
Joshua 24:14-15 (KJV)
14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The Father in Jewish Society
The nation of Israel was a patriarchal society. The father was the dominant family member. He was the head of the house and, along with his wife, he was to be respected and honored by children and other members of the household. The father was responsible for the temporal and spiritual well-being of the family unit as well as for its discipline. Although his temporal role was important, the father's prime responsibility was religious. He was the “priest” of the family and a teacher of the faith. One of his main objectives was to transfer the principles of faith to the next generation. The bible contains several examples of successful transmission of faith across multiple generations as we see in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Adam, Seth and Enos. The father then had primary responsibility to model the worship of God before his family and pass this on to his children.
Joshua’s Example
The scripture text above illustrates one father’s dedication to model worship before his household and provides an example as to how fathers ought to manage and lead in their households.
Joshua was the leader of Israel who had taken over after Moses’ death. He is well known for many great feats such presiding over Israel as the walls of Jericho came tumbling down and commanding the sun to stand still so that he could complete a victory over the Amorites. His most often quoted statement however, comes from a much less dramatic scene. In the last days of his life Joshua perceived that Israel’s commitment to Jehovah was waning and some had begun to serve other God’s. In his last recoded speech to Israel, Joshua issued a challenge to Israel which is still relevant to us today. Note Joshua’s instructions to Israel:
1) Serve the Lord
2) Put away false gods
3) Make a definite choice to serve the Lord
Note also that Joshua did not just provide instruction and asked the people to do whatever they pleased. He clearly declared position so that everyone could know where he stood and what he considered to be right: “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”. We also see that his declared position was not just for him alone but he was also speaking on behalf of his entire household. He would ensure that they too chose the Lord. Joshua must have been a faithful and respected father; otherwise we would not expect him to speak with this degree of confidence.
Today’s challenge to the fathers and other household heads is to commit to serving the Lord as leader of our families. What we model before them will have a lasting impression on their lives. Let us remember Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. Remember however that training is not just telling, but requires us to model righteousness before our children.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Revive Your Ministry
Trevor S. Ferguson
June 17, 2010
2nd Timothy 4:10-11
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
The Story of John Mark
John Mark was a young associate of the apostle Paul, but is better known to us as the author of the gospel of Mark. He is first mentioned in Acts 12 where it was said that the saints had gather at the house of the mother of John whose surname was Mark, as they prayed for Peter’s release from prison. In Acts 12:25 we are told that Barnabas and Paul took Mark with them on their missionary journey(Barnabas was Mark’s cousin). In Acts 13:5 we are also told “…they had also John as their minister”. Mark is next mentioned in Acts 15:37-39. Here we are told that Mark had left the missionary journey at Pamphylia. The reasons for him leaving were not given but we can guess that it might have been related to the hazards of missionary activity or the desire to pursue temporal goals.
When Paul and Barnabas were planning to set out for their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them but Paul was adamant that he would not. This resulted in a separation between Barnabas and Paul. Barnabas took Mark with him and went to Cyprus while Paul took Silas with him. Nothing further is said of Mark until Paul mentions him in 2nd Timothy 4. Here we note it is just one statement but it is loaded with information - “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry”.
Lessons from Mark
Looking at the story of John Mark we can learn the following lessons which may be applicable to our lives today:
The best of us may falter in our walk or our work with the Lord, but this does not mean it is the end of our ministry. Many of us may start working for God with youthful exuberance, not having counted the cost, but when the realities of ministry set in, we may be tempted to throw in the towel. Let me encourage you: Don’t leave your ministry – It may be hard but keep on going. Get will help if needed, but keep on going. Some persons may have already stopped working for God. The reasons may vary, probably due to stress, the cares of this life, deceit by the devil, persons may have fallen into sin or it could be that “the work is too hard”. However you can learn from John Mark and get your ministry going again.
To falter is not to fail. You can get up and start again - Although Mark had faltered and left the ministry by the time of the second journey he was available again. Note that the return may not always be easy – Paul was adamant that he was not taking him back but Barnabas was willing to give him as second chance. As we see in today’s text Paul later accepted however that he was profitable for the ministry - "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry".
Application
Today I am challenging persons who once worked for God but now find themselves no longer working in ministry. It’s time to revive your ministry. Make yourself available to God again. It may not be easy; you may not regain immediate acceptance, but if you stick to the task you will be declared profitable. Some persons might have never started working for God; now is a good time to start. God can only work through our hands. The harvest is plentiful but labourers are few. Let us revive our ministry. Our reward is sure!!
June 17, 2010
2nd Timothy 4:10-11
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
The Story of John Mark
John Mark was a young associate of the apostle Paul, but is better known to us as the author of the gospel of Mark. He is first mentioned in Acts 12 where it was said that the saints had gather at the house of the mother of John whose surname was Mark, as they prayed for Peter’s release from prison. In Acts 12:25 we are told that Barnabas and Paul took Mark with them on their missionary journey(Barnabas was Mark’s cousin). In Acts 13:5 we are also told “…they had also John as their minister”. Mark is next mentioned in Acts 15:37-39. Here we are told that Mark had left the missionary journey at Pamphylia. The reasons for him leaving were not given but we can guess that it might have been related to the hazards of missionary activity or the desire to pursue temporal goals.
When Paul and Barnabas were planning to set out for their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them but Paul was adamant that he would not. This resulted in a separation between Barnabas and Paul. Barnabas took Mark with him and went to Cyprus while Paul took Silas with him. Nothing further is said of Mark until Paul mentions him in 2nd Timothy 4. Here we note it is just one statement but it is loaded with information - “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry”.
Lessons from Mark
Looking at the story of John Mark we can learn the following lessons which may be applicable to our lives today:
The best of us may falter in our walk or our work with the Lord, but this does not mean it is the end of our ministry. Many of us may start working for God with youthful exuberance, not having counted the cost, but when the realities of ministry set in, we may be tempted to throw in the towel. Let me encourage you: Don’t leave your ministry – It may be hard but keep on going. Get will help if needed, but keep on going. Some persons may have already stopped working for God. The reasons may vary, probably due to stress, the cares of this life, deceit by the devil, persons may have fallen into sin or it could be that “the work is too hard”. However you can learn from John Mark and get your ministry going again.
To falter is not to fail. You can get up and start again - Although Mark had faltered and left the ministry by the time of the second journey he was available again. Note that the return may not always be easy – Paul was adamant that he was not taking him back but Barnabas was willing to give him as second chance. As we see in today’s text Paul later accepted however that he was profitable for the ministry - "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry".
Application
Today I am challenging persons who once worked for God but now find themselves no longer working in ministry. It’s time to revive your ministry. Make yourself available to God again. It may not be easy; you may not regain immediate acceptance, but if you stick to the task you will be declared profitable. Some persons might have never started working for God; now is a good time to start. God can only work through our hands. The harvest is plentiful but labourers are few. Let us revive our ministry. Our reward is sure!!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
God Has Erased Your Past
1st Chronicles 1:1
Adam, Sheth, Enosh
INTRODUCTION
The books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles details the history of Israel from the time of creation until the carrying away of the southern kingdom into Babylonian captivity. The first nine chapters of 1st Chronicles contain a listing of genealogies starting with Adam and ending with the family of Saul – Israel’s first king. 1st Chronicles 1:1 has only three words, three names, two of which are unfamiliar to most of us, but which are important for recognizing the transmission of the divine seed (see Genesis 3:15). What I would like to emphasize however is not so much what is included in this verse but what is excluded. It is noteworthy that the writer of the Chronicles (most likely Ezra) omitted all reference to Cain and his descendants as well as all reference to Abel. Genesis chapter 4 provides us with details as to events in the lives of Cain and Abel, but when it came to writing the records of God’s plan’s and dealings with humanity this phase of history was omitted from the records.
EXPOSITION
Let’s briefly recount the happenings of Genesis 4. Cain was the firstborn son of Adam & Eve; His name means “to acquire” as Eve said “I have gotten a man from the Lord”. Abel’s name means “breath” or “vapor”; probably associated with the shortness of his life. Abel was a keeper of sheep while Cain a tiller of the ground. Both sons offered sacrifices to God but Abel’s sacrifice is accepted while Cain’s is not. Cain is quite angry about the turn of events and eventually kills Abel. God challenges Cain regarding his actions and banishes him to the land of Nod.
Genesis 4 vs. 9-24 gives a description of the descendants of Cain. They included Jabal, Jubal, Tubal-Cain and Lamech. Cain’s descendants developed expertise in buildings, cattle rearing, music and metal work. Lamech is noteworthy for starting polygamy by taking two wives. Lamech is also reported to have killed a man and later boasting to his wives about it. This symbolized the rapid moral decay in the line of Cain.
The death of Abel would have gravely affected Adam and Eve, one is son killed by another, the seed gone and no hope of redemption. The chapter however ends with new hope; verses 25-26 describe the birth of Seth and subsequently Enos. Seth means “appointed” or “replacement” as Eve says “… God had appointed me another seed instead of Abel”. Seth later had a son named Enos who is believed to have established public worship – “Then began men to call on the name of the Lord”.
God’s record system
Let us now return to 1st Chronicles 1:1. With this history one would expect that the genealogy would have read something like this: Adam begat Cain and Abel; Cain killed Abel. Afterwards Adam beat Seth who begat Enos etc. While these may be the historical facts, in the eyes of God the errors along the path becomes irrelevant once we find our way back to God. So the record in 1st Chronicles reads: Adam Sheth, Enosh and NOT Adam, (Cain, Abel), Seth, Enos. Note that this is the same way that the genealogy Adam is presented in Genesis 5 and also the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3.
So then, for persons whose lives might have been messed up, like Adam and Eve, for whom things might have gone utterly wrong so that you find yourself in sin, corruption and much disgrace, you can find your way back to God! God wants you to know that your past can be erased. Your history may be known, your errors may be common knowledge, but once you repent and present yourself to God He will blot out all records of your error in His heavenly books.
Look at what God says about your sins:
Isaiah 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Jeremiah 31:34 … for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
So God places our sins behind his back, He puts them in the bottom of the sea, He removes them as far as the east is from the west and He remembers them no more.
CONCLUSION
Although you may think that your condition is too messed up for God to give you new life, I would like to tell you that God has erased your past. There is a Seth in your womb; there is an Enos in your loin. Blot out the memories of Cain and his trespasses; Release the Seth that God has placed in you. Let out the Enos praise and begin to call on the name of the Lord!
Receive it by faith today! God has erased your past!!
Adam, Sheth, Enosh
INTRODUCTION
The books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles details the history of Israel from the time of creation until the carrying away of the southern kingdom into Babylonian captivity. The first nine chapters of 1st Chronicles contain a listing of genealogies starting with Adam and ending with the family of Saul – Israel’s first king. 1st Chronicles 1:1 has only three words, three names, two of which are unfamiliar to most of us, but which are important for recognizing the transmission of the divine seed (see Genesis 3:15). What I would like to emphasize however is not so much what is included in this verse but what is excluded. It is noteworthy that the writer of the Chronicles (most likely Ezra) omitted all reference to Cain and his descendants as well as all reference to Abel. Genesis chapter 4 provides us with details as to events in the lives of Cain and Abel, but when it came to writing the records of God’s plan’s and dealings with humanity this phase of history was omitted from the records.
EXPOSITION
Let’s briefly recount the happenings of Genesis 4. Cain was the firstborn son of Adam & Eve; His name means “to acquire” as Eve said “I have gotten a man from the Lord”. Abel’s name means “breath” or “vapor”; probably associated with the shortness of his life. Abel was a keeper of sheep while Cain a tiller of the ground. Both sons offered sacrifices to God but Abel’s sacrifice is accepted while Cain’s is not. Cain is quite angry about the turn of events and eventually kills Abel. God challenges Cain regarding his actions and banishes him to the land of Nod.
Genesis 4 vs. 9-24 gives a description of the descendants of Cain. They included Jabal, Jubal, Tubal-Cain and Lamech. Cain’s descendants developed expertise in buildings, cattle rearing, music and metal work. Lamech is noteworthy for starting polygamy by taking two wives. Lamech is also reported to have killed a man and later boasting to his wives about it. This symbolized the rapid moral decay in the line of Cain.
The death of Abel would have gravely affected Adam and Eve, one is son killed by another, the seed gone and no hope of redemption. The chapter however ends with new hope; verses 25-26 describe the birth of Seth and subsequently Enos. Seth means “appointed” or “replacement” as Eve says “… God had appointed me another seed instead of Abel”. Seth later had a son named Enos who is believed to have established public worship – “Then began men to call on the name of the Lord”.
God’s record system
Let us now return to 1st Chronicles 1:1. With this history one would expect that the genealogy would have read something like this: Adam begat Cain and Abel; Cain killed Abel. Afterwards Adam beat Seth who begat Enos etc. While these may be the historical facts, in the eyes of God the errors along the path becomes irrelevant once we find our way back to God. So the record in 1st Chronicles reads: Adam Sheth, Enosh and NOT Adam, (Cain, Abel), Seth, Enos. Note that this is the same way that the genealogy Adam is presented in Genesis 5 and also the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3.
So then, for persons whose lives might have been messed up, like Adam and Eve, for whom things might have gone utterly wrong so that you find yourself in sin, corruption and much disgrace, you can find your way back to God! God wants you to know that your past can be erased. Your history may be known, your errors may be common knowledge, but once you repent and present yourself to God He will blot out all records of your error in His heavenly books.
Look at what God says about your sins:
Isaiah 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Jeremiah 31:34 … for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
So God places our sins behind his back, He puts them in the bottom of the sea, He removes them as far as the east is from the west and He remembers them no more.
CONCLUSION
Although you may think that your condition is too messed up for God to give you new life, I would like to tell you that God has erased your past. There is a Seth in your womb; there is an Enos in your loin. Blot out the memories of Cain and his trespasses; Release the Seth that God has placed in you. Let out the Enos praise and begin to call on the name of the Lord!
Receive it by faith today! God has erased your past!!
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