Prepare Him Room, Part One (Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 9:6-7) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

The prophet Isaiah lived seven hundred years before the birth of Christ and wrote the book of Isaiah sometime between 740-698 B.C. Isaiah served as God’s prophet during the reigns of four kings, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The message of Isaiah is one of warning and judgment for their rebellion against God and call to repentance, “Listen heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: ‘I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me… O sinful nation, people weighted down with iniquity, brood of evildoers…” (Isaiah 1:2,4a HCSB).

Ultimately however, the book of Isaiah is a message of hope and good news! God would one day redeem His people through the One who “bore the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12b). Isaiah’s prophesies about Jesus are amazingly accurate. Luke 1:26-38 records the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she is the woman of whom Isaiah prophesied, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son…” (Isaiah 7:14). Gabriel’s announcement to Mary identifies four specific prophesies from Isaiah. Identify these prophecies by comparing Luke 1:26-38 with the following Scriptures from Isaiah.

Isaiah 7:14--

Isaiah 9:7--

Isaiah 14:1--

Isaiah 9:6--

Much of what we know about the first Christmas comes from the announcing of the first Advent (adventus, Latin meaning arrival). What does Isaiah 52:6-10 and Romans 10:15 reveal about the necessity of announcing good news for it to truly be good news?  

Application

Romans 10:14 asks, “But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?” (HCSB) With whom do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to announce Good News this Christmas?

Memorize This

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. ESV

FREE Movie Night Showing of Silver Bells, December 13th at 7 P.M.

From the producers of God's Not Dead, an overly win-driven sportscaster (Bruce Boxleitner) goes too far and must perform community service during December as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army. At first he finds this humiliating, and in his self-pity determines to be the world’s worst bell ringer, but as he encounters the people behind the kettle, his life and especially his relationship with his son (Kenton Duty) is changed by something as simple as ringing a bell. Also starring Antonio Fargas as Major Melvin Lowell.

Deeper, Part 10 (1 John 4:17-18) Questions for Reflection

  

  Dig Deeper

In 1 John 4:18 the apostle John writes, “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love” (HCSB). Later in a vision from God recorded in Revelation John declares, “Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify Your name?” (Revelation 15:4, KJV).  Many Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments command us to fear the Lord, for example, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge and “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (Proverbs 1:7 and    1 Peter 2:17).

How ought a Christian to reconcile John’s assertion, “There is no fear in love…” with numerous other commands to fear God? The answer lies in understanding there is a healthy and unhealthy fear of God. It is unhealthy for a Christian to fear punishment for sin because Jesus as our propitiation has taken that punishment therefore there is “now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). Growing in our understanding of God’s holiness, greatness and goodness are all motives for healthy fear of God.

What do the following Scriptures describe as unhealthy reasons for fear?

1 John 4:17-18--

Romans 8:15--

2 Timothy 1:7--

Hebrews 2:14-18--

What motives for a healthy fear of God are revealed in the following Scriptures?

Revelation 15:4--

Psalm 2:11; 112:1; 115:13; Proverbs 1:7; 14:27; 15:16; and Malachi 4:2--

Deuteronomy 10:12. 17--

1 Samuel 12:24--

Colossians 3:22--

Application

What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to cultivate a healthy fear and reject an unhealthy of God? 

Deeper, Part 9-- (1 John 4:1-11) Questions for Reflection

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In 1 John 3:23 John writes, “And he that keeps His commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.” Similarly, in 1 John 4:16 John concludes, “And we have known and believed that love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.” Many Bible scholars refer to such repetition of the same or similar statements as an inclusio. John frequently uses this literary device to emphasize major themes. In this case it is the theme of God’s abiding love in us.

In 1 John the apostle makes two declarative statements about the nature of God. First, “God is light” (1 John 1:5) and second, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, and 16). In context here “light” refers to God’s holiness, as verse five concludes, “and in Him is no darkness at all.” What  insights are gleaned from the following Scriptures as to the necessity of affirming both God’s love and holiness?

The love of God (Zephaniah 3:17; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:4-5; 3:17-19; 1 John 4:7-8, 9-11, and 16)--

The holiness of God (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 5:16; 6:3; Habakkuk 1:13; John 17:11; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:5; and Revelation 4:8)--

How does the doctrine of propitiation affirm God’s love and holiness?

Romans 3:24-26--

1 John 2:2 and 4:10--

Application

In his book We Become What We Worship, author Greg Beale observes, “What people revere, they resemble… our worship exposes us and changes us.”[1] This is consistent with John’s assertion, “But we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). How might a distorted view of God, minimizing either His love or holiness, have a negative effect on your character? How is the Holy Spirit impressing you to deepen your knowledge of God’s character revealed in His Word?  

Memorize This

1 John 4:11 We love Him, because He first loved us.

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[1] http://www.desiringGod.org/blog/posts/we-become-what-we-worship

Happy Veteran's Day

On June 18th a flash mob in Fayetteville, NC paid tribute to soldiers throughout the country as our way of saying 'thank you' for the untold sacrifices soldiers make by leaving their families behind to serve. Happy Veteran's Day, Thank You to all who served!

Deeper, Part 8 (1 John 3:16-24) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

In 1 John 3:16-24 John explains that a clear conscience is the result of obedience toward God, “The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him” and love for one another (1 John 3:24, HCSB). We experience a deeper fellowship with God through a clear conscience, “if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:21). A clear conscience in turn leads to boldness in prayer, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments” (1 John 3:23a).  

God created our conscience with the innate ability to know what is right and wrong. (Romans 2:14-15) Because of sin our conscience is marred and far from an infallible guide. (Titus 1:15) A clear conscience under the influence of the Holy Spirit and informed by the Word of God is a powerful indicator of a deepening relationship with God. (1 John 2:24)  What benefits of a clear conscience before God are gleaned from the following Scriptures?

Job 27:6--

Acts 23:1 and 24:16--

Romans 9:1 and 2 Timothy 1:3--

What insights about keeping a clear conscience with one another do you observe from the following Scriptures?

Genesis 20:5-6--

1 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 1:12; and 4:2--

1 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:5 and 3:9--

Hebrews 13:18 and 1 Peter 3:16--

Application

What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to love others in deed and truth? (1 John 3:18)

Memorize This

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters NIV

Deeper, Part 7 (1 John 3:1-10) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

1 John 3:1 reveals the greatest motivation a Christian has for pursuing holy living, the love of God, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us…!” The KJV translates this verse more literally, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.” The word “behold” is from the Greek word haraō meaning “to stare at.’ Our motivation for a deeper walk with God is brought about as we behold or “stare at” God’s lavish love toward us adopting us as His children.

What do the following Scriptures reveal about the characteristics or “manner” of God’s love for us?

Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 103:17; and 136:1-26--

Deuteronomy 7:9, 12; 5:10; and Psalm 106:45--

Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 103:8; Joel 2:13; Ephesians 3:18; 1 John 3:1; and 4:2--

Psalm 33:5; 37:28; 99:4 and Isaiah 61:8--

John 16:27; 17:23; and Revelation 1:5-6--

Application

1 John 4:19 John declares, “We love because He first loved us.” What additional insights do you glean about the transforming power of God’s love from the following Scriptures? How do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to respond?

Deuteronomy 6:5; 30:6; Ephesians 5:1; Colossians 3:12-14 and 1 John 4:16-19--

Matthew 5:44-45; Hosea 3:1; 1 John 2:15; 4:7-8; and 11-12--

Memorize This

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. NIV