Here are the bare bones of the sermon outline for this Sunday. May God give us the grace to apply.
Background: The Book of Deut was written by Moses close to the end of his life. The years of wondering were over and the people of God were preparing to enter the land of promise. The book is a recounting of the law of Jehovah to a new generation who would enter in and posses the land which there fathers would not enter because of unbelief. It is a series of discourses given by Moses to the people of Israel.
1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’
Notice:
1st The purpose of the commandment - Obedience,
2nd The motivation for the commandment - Fear of the Lord.
3rd The result of the commandment - It will be well with you.
1. The purpose of the commandment - Obedience
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
2. The Motivation for the Commandment - Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is that respect, awe, and reverence for God which drives us away from sin and toward the Savior.
Deut 4:10 especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
Ecc 12:13 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
3. The result of the commandment - It will be well with you.
Psa 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night.3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Obedience to God is:
1. Based on an understanding of who God is.
Duet 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
Elijah on the mountain demonstrates to us what happens when we don't know the Lord.
1Ki 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.
God’s position gives him all the right in the world to tell us what to do. He deserves to be honored, glorified, and obeyed by us.
Example: Jonah
2. Motivated by a love for God.
Duet 6:5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
We recognize love for God in obedience to his commands. I love God to the degree that I am willing to obey.
John 14:21.
3. Perpetuated through:
A. Personal meditation in the word.
Duet 6:6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
MacArthur says “The people were to think about these commandments and to meditate on them so that obedience would not be a matter of formal legalism, but a response based upon understanding.”
Ref. Rom. 12:1-2
B. Discipleship of the next generation.
Duet 6:7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Speak his word. "Don't let it depart out of thy mouth."Joshua 1:8
C. Constant reminder. Public and private
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Our New Baby Boy
On September 11, 2008 the Lord blessed us with the birth of our first son. Andrew Lansdon Marr was born at 1:00 AM. What a blessing this young man has the potential to be. If we are faithful to raise him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, I believe that he will carry on our name and our legacy of faith to the honor and glory of Christ.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Should a Woman be Vice President
I just finished reading some more from Brother Voddie Baucham. Here is an excerpt from his blog that I thought was great.
Not only do I believe that a pro-family candidate would prefer to see Mrs. Palin at home taking care of her children, I believe a pro-family candidate would also avoid validating and advancing our culture’s desire to completely erase gender roles. Much of the discussion about Mrs. Palin’s candidacy centers around her opportunity to “break through the class ceiling” and be a “role model for young women.” The same was said of Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy in the Democratic primary. But what does this mean?
Are we really saying that we want to completely erase the distinctions between men and women. Do we really believe that it is good for our country to promote the view that women are merely men who happen to be biologically capable of having children (when it does not interfere with career advancement, of course)? I don’t think so. What do we do with the Bible’s admonition in Titus chapter two? Are Christian conservatives saying that Paul’s instructions concerning women’s duty to be “keepers of their homes” has somehow been overturned in light of recent discoveries? Or are we saying that pro-family means one thing when we’re in church, but something else when we’re trying to beat the Democrats?
Let me be clear. I am not arguing that it is always wrong for a woman to be engaged in affairs outside the home. I agree with Albert Barnes who wrote:
This does not mean, of course, that they are never to go abroad, but they are not to neglect their domestic affairs; they are not to be better known abroad than at home; they are not to omit their own duties, and become “busy-bodies” in the concerns of others. (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
My point is simple. The job of a wife and mother is to be a wife and mother. Anything in addition to that must also be subservient to it. There is no higher calling. Moreover, I believe Paul’s admonition should lead us to reject any notion of a wife and mother taking on the level of responsibility that Mrs. Palin is seeking.
My heart breaks for her. She has been blessed beyond measure with five incredible children, but she is running hard after what the world says is ‘something more.’ I fear she will regret this some day. In fact, I believe she already does. I can’t imagine her going to sleep at night without a nagging doubt in the back of her mind as she thinks about the time with her children that she will never get back.
My heart breaks for her children. Their mother, by all reports, is an incredible, intelligent, energetic woman with a great deal to offer. Unfortunately, right now she is offering it to the people of Alaska, and the people of the United States of America when her first priority is to offer it to them. God designed them to flourish under the nurturing care of their mother, not some surrogate.
My heart breaks for her husband. Mrs. Palin is not even supposed to be the head of her own household (Eph. 5:22ff; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7), let alone the State of Alaska, or the United States Senate (The VP oversees the Senate). He should be shepherding her, but instead she is ruling over him (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17). How difficult it must be for him to walk the fine line of bowing to the culture that is stealing his bride while still trying to love his wife and lead his family.
My heart breaks for the so-called Christian right. All the usual subjects have been falling all over themselves to praise Mr. McCain and justify their blind allegiance to the Republican Party in an effort to secure more “pro-family” judges. They want to protect marriage from redefinition by the homosexual movement, and they are willing to redefine marriage (and motherhood) to do it.
Ironically, the Neocons are merely using Mrs. Palin as a political pawn. She is beloved because she gives them the coveted “moral high ground” in the upcoming debates. Read recent articles and the goals become clear. We must win on abortion. She makes it hard to argue for it. We must win on the race/gender issue. She gives us a woman to their ethnic minority. We must win on being young and hip. Obama is 47; Palin is 44. We must win the “change” argument. Obama is new to Washington; Palin has never served there. Checkmate!
Thank you Dr. Baucham for your perspective.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Not only do I believe that a pro-family candidate would prefer to see Mrs. Palin at home taking care of her children, I believe a pro-family candidate would also avoid validating and advancing our culture’s desire to completely erase gender roles. Much of the discussion about Mrs. Palin’s candidacy centers around her opportunity to “break through the class ceiling” and be a “role model for young women.” The same was said of Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy in the Democratic primary. But what does this mean?
Are we really saying that we want to completely erase the distinctions between men and women. Do we really believe that it is good for our country to promote the view that women are merely men who happen to be biologically capable of having children (when it does not interfere with career advancement, of course)? I don’t think so. What do we do with the Bible’s admonition in Titus chapter two? Are Christian conservatives saying that Paul’s instructions concerning women’s duty to be “keepers of their homes” has somehow been overturned in light of recent discoveries? Or are we saying that pro-family means one thing when we’re in church, but something else when we’re trying to beat the Democrats?
Let me be clear. I am not arguing that it is always wrong for a woman to be engaged in affairs outside the home. I agree with Albert Barnes who wrote:
This does not mean, of course, that they are never to go abroad, but they are not to neglect their domestic affairs; they are not to be better known abroad than at home; they are not to omit their own duties, and become “busy-bodies” in the concerns of others. (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
My point is simple. The job of a wife and mother is to be a wife and mother. Anything in addition to that must also be subservient to it. There is no higher calling. Moreover, I believe Paul’s admonition should lead us to reject any notion of a wife and mother taking on the level of responsibility that Mrs. Palin is seeking.
My heart breaks for her. She has been blessed beyond measure with five incredible children, but she is running hard after what the world says is ‘something more.’ I fear she will regret this some day. In fact, I believe she already does. I can’t imagine her going to sleep at night without a nagging doubt in the back of her mind as she thinks about the time with her children that she will never get back.
My heart breaks for her children. Their mother, by all reports, is an incredible, intelligent, energetic woman with a great deal to offer. Unfortunately, right now she is offering it to the people of Alaska, and the people of the United States of America when her first priority is to offer it to them. God designed them to flourish under the nurturing care of their mother, not some surrogate.
My heart breaks for her husband. Mrs. Palin is not even supposed to be the head of her own household (Eph. 5:22ff; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7), let alone the State of Alaska, or the United States Senate (The VP oversees the Senate). He should be shepherding her, but instead she is ruling over him (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17). How difficult it must be for him to walk the fine line of bowing to the culture that is stealing his bride while still trying to love his wife and lead his family.
My heart breaks for the so-called Christian right. All the usual subjects have been falling all over themselves to praise Mr. McCain and justify their blind allegiance to the Republican Party in an effort to secure more “pro-family” judges. They want to protect marriage from redefinition by the homosexual movement, and they are willing to redefine marriage (and motherhood) to do it.
Ironically, the Neocons are merely using Mrs. Palin as a political pawn. She is beloved because she gives them the coveted “moral high ground” in the upcoming debates. Read recent articles and the goals become clear. We must win on abortion. She makes it hard to argue for it. We must win on the race/gender issue. She gives us a woman to their ethnic minority. We must win on being young and hip. Obama is 47; Palin is 44. We must win the “change” argument. Obama is new to Washington; Palin has never served there. Checkmate!
Thank you Dr. Baucham for your perspective.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
I was thinking about this verse this evening and quoting it to my daughters. We frequently refer to and think about meditation in the word as being vital to our success as Christians. But I had frequently thought of meditation as being almost exclusively an internal discipline, i.e. figuratively chewing up the word in my brain. This is an accurate understanding, however, if we look at the first clause of the verse "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth" we will see that the application of meditation involves the use of the mouth which indicates communication with others. Here our Lord is commanding Joshua to talk about his word. To quote his word. Presumably, not merely for personal edification, but also for the benefit of others.
My Application
His word is to be an important part of my every day conversation. If I am to have good success in my christian walk, both internal meditation on the word and verbal expression of the same, are vital.
Love God Hate Sin,
Nathan
I was thinking about this verse this evening and quoting it to my daughters. We frequently refer to and think about meditation in the word as being vital to our success as Christians. But I had frequently thought of meditation as being almost exclusively an internal discipline, i.e. figuratively chewing up the word in my brain. This is an accurate understanding, however, if we look at the first clause of the verse "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth" we will see that the application of meditation involves the use of the mouth which indicates communication with others. Here our Lord is commanding Joshua to talk about his word. To quote his word. Presumably, not merely for personal edification, but also for the benefit of others.
My Application
His word is to be an important part of my every day conversation. If I am to have good success in my christian walk, both internal meditation on the word and verbal expression of the same, are vital.
Love God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Just a Start
Hello Friends,
Let me introduce you to my blog.
The book of Jude was written in a day when deceptive teaching and sensuality were rampant in the society and infiltrating the church. God spoke to the faithful through his servant Jude exhorting them to struggle earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
That is what I want to typify my life. Faithfulness to the Lord and an earnest contending for the faith. May God grant me the wisdom to accomplish this.
In Contend for the Faith you will find a journal containing many of the lessons that God is teaching me in this journey of knowing Him.
I have also added an audio feature to which I will upload music for your listening pleasure. Tune in frequently to hear new songs.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Let me introduce you to my blog.
The book of Jude was written in a day when deceptive teaching and sensuality were rampant in the society and infiltrating the church. God spoke to the faithful through his servant Jude exhorting them to struggle earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
That is what I want to typify my life. Faithfulness to the Lord and an earnest contending for the faith. May God grant me the wisdom to accomplish this.
In Contend for the Faith you will find a journal containing many of the lessons that God is teaching me in this journey of knowing Him.
I have also added an audio feature to which I will upload music for your listening pleasure. Tune in frequently to hear new songs.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
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