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Proverbs 8:1-12
1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding
lift up her voice?
2 She takes her stand on the top of the high
hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.
3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of
the city, At the entrance of the doors:
4 "To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.
5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And
you fools, be of an understanding heart.
6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will
come right things;
7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing
crooked or perverse is in them.
9 They are
all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And
knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot
be compared with her.
12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And
find out knowledge and
discretion.
Father God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon our loved ones
so they will have a change of heart and accept your Son as their Saviour. In
Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Book of I Peter 4:10-19
NKJV
In this lesson Peter tells us about
the gifts that each of us have from God and that we are to use those God given
gifts. If we use these gifts we will be exhibiting the light of God to those
around us. He also touches on suffering again along with the type of suffering;
good and bad. Peter ends this chapter with judgment.
10 As each
one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.
As
each one has received a gift; When
a person accepts Jesus as their Saviour the Holy Spirit will bring out a
special gift in that person. It could be a gift that a person is already
ministering to others and in cases like these the gift may become more obvious
by the power of the Holy Spirit. Other people may have a burning desire to
start doing something for other people that they never have done before. For
instance I know someone that has gotten involved with a teen pregnancy center
and he is using his talents in leadership. Peter isn’t just speaking of
ministry of the Word here, but to all the gifts and graces by which we can
contribute to the welfare of others. Romans
12:6-8 Having then gifts differing
according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or
ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in
teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives,
with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with
cheerfulness. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, Ephesians 4:11
Minister it to one another; Here Peter is telling us to use our
gifts to aid one another and not keep the gift hidden. These gifts not only
pertain to helping one another, but also helping at the church one attends.
There may be teachers, prayer warriors, healers, musicians, carpenters,
bookkeepers, etc. that the church is in need of and by stepping forward one
helps their brothers and sisters of that church.
If
a person is a true Christian, meaning Born Again they will normally want to be
involved in the ministering of the Gospel and/or humanitarian aid within the
church. For instance we all are, or have been members of organizations or a
church, have you noticed there are only a handful of people that want to be
involved in planning and executing activities. Other members often say they
don’t have time to help, why? Could it be they are serving self and not others?
As good stewards of the manifold grace
of God; To be a good
steward of God we are to use our gifts for the Glory of God. Have you ever
thought of the grace of God being distributed through a manifold? When I think
of a manifold I think of the intake or exhaust manifold of a vehicle’s engine.
What a clever word choice to represent the equality
of grace given to Gods children.
11 If anyone
speaks, let him speak as the
oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let
him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God
may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever and ever. Amen.
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; This phrase is telling us that when we
speak it should be as if God is speaking, or to coin a phrase, “what would
Jesus do”. Our speech is to be of a holy manner and not one of blaspheming Gods
name, cursing, or using the f word if we call ourselves Christians.
If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability
which God supplies; What
this phrase is saying is that the gift God has endowed someone with, they are
to minister it fully and not hold back. God supplies us with talents and we are
to execute theses talents for God’s glory. Just like the water that gushed out
of the rock for the Israelites, our God given talents should gush forth.
That in all things God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ; In
all that we do we are to be Christlike by doing all the good we can to others.
It is through faith in the sacrifice that Jesus did for us that we have the
power of the Holy Spirit within to do things to glorify God.
To whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever and ever. Amen; This
phrase is referring to Jesus. He is due all the praise because of His great
sacrifice for mankind. This great sacrifice enables us to choose who we will
serve, self or God. This sacrifice gives us a choice just like Adam and Eve had
a choice to continue living for God or for self. What choice do you choose?
12 Beloved,
do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened to you;
Beloved, do not think it strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you; Peter is telling us that fiery trials
do not just happen, they are designed by wisdom and executed out of love for
our benefit. We are to remain faithful and seek the lesson God has for us. Take
Job for instance, his lesson was faith, to remain faithful and stay in the will
of God.
As though some strange thing happened
to you; Sometimes
when things happen to us we think we are the only one suffering this particular
type of hardship. Hardships come in all forms, for example cancer, Parkinson’s,
financial burdens, family matters, employment, etc. many people suffer these
hardships, no matter what the trial is, other’s have also suffered the same
hardship.
13 but
rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His
glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
But rejoice to the extent that you
partake of Christ's sufferings; Here
Peter is telling us that we may suffer in forms other than persecution from
nonbelievers. No matter what type of suffering we go through, always keep in
mind the suffering on the Cross Jesus did for us, and then our suffering will
seem trivial. As a Christian we should rejoice with suffering, because as a
child of God we are to be Christlike, so to be Christlike we can expect to go
through suffering in some fashion.
That when His glory is revealed; This phrase means Jesus second come,
which appears to be soon with worldly events. This is off topic but let me add
this for you to think about. I could never figure out how the nations north and
east of Israel would join in the fighting against Israel that is mentioned in
the Book of Revelations, but know I see. Russia and China are joining in the
Middle East now to fight ISIS. Could this relationship turn on Israel? Is
prophecy of Revelation being played out right before our very eyes, hmmm! If
you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Saviour, now it the time, the Rapture is
just around the corner.
You
may also be glad with exceeding joy; This
is referring to the second coming of Jesus also, but also includes all the
Saints of God; those that are Born Again; that have their faith in Jesus death
and resurrection and not in religious rules and rituals, as stated many times
before a person isn’t saved by means of a religious denomination, but through
repentance and faith in the message of the Cross. Why will the Saints with
Jesus return have exceeding joy? Because with the return of Jesus, evil,
sickness, wars, death, heartache, trials, etc. will be wipe off this earth and
it will be restored. Revelation 19:11-14 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white
horse. And He who sat on him was
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His
head were many crowns. He had a
name written that no one knew except Himself.
13
He was clothed with a
robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine
linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. (Born Again Saints)
14 If you
are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On
their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
If you are reproached for the name of
Christ, blessed are you; Again Peter brings to mind Jesus'
words: "God blesses you when people
mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things
against you because you are my followers" (Matthew 5:11).
For the Spirit of glory and of God
rests upon you; With
trial and tribulation a child of God can rest assured that the Holy Spirit will
be right there helping one through the hardship. God's plan for your life may
include pain and hardship, so when trouble comes, don't be surprised.
On their part He is blasphemed, but on
your part He is glorified; What
this phrase is stating is that the unsaved speak evil of God, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. On the part of a believer that lives for God, Jesus is glorified
by our speech and actions.
15 But let
none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in
other people's matters.
What
Peter is telling us here with this verse is that if we are called to suffer,
make sure it isn’t because of a crime we have done. We are to be careful that our
sufferings are brought upon us only in consequence of failing in our faith, and
not because any crime was committed. This is why our faith has to be grounded
in the Message of the Cross.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let
him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
Here
Peter is reinforcing what he said in the previous verse. If a Christian suffers
because of his faith in Jesus and will stand up boldly for the Gospel, this is
an honorable thing in God’s eyes and it Glorifies God. This is something not to
be ashamed of; but something to stand tall and proud for.
When Peter and John were
persecuted for preaching the Good News, they rejoiced because such persecution
was a mark of God's approval of their work (Acts 5:41 So they
departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for His name.).
We don't want to seek out suffering, just keep on doing what is right.
17 For the
time has come for judgment to
begin at the house of God; and if it
begins with us first, what will be
the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
For
the time has come for judgment
to begin at the house of God; When
a person first reads this verse he thinks Peter is talking about the judgment
of God at the end of time, he isn’t though. The judgment Peter is talking about
started with Jesus death and resurrection and is still going on; the judgment
based on the Cross; New Testament; living by faith and not law. God deals with
His children in a chastening manner to keep us on the straight and narrow so we
will one day join Him in Heaven. Hebrews
12:7 If you endure chastening, God
deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not
chasten?
God often allows believers
to sin and then experience the consequences/correction in their lives. I
believe He does this for several reasons: (1) to show us our potential for
sinning, (2) to encourage us to turn from sin and more constantly depend on
him, (3) to prepare us to face other, even stronger temptations in the future,
and (4) to help us stay faithful and keep on trusting him.
And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God; God tends to His flock first and
foremost. Those that reject God and have no regard for the Gospel will be dealt
with at the Great White Throne Judgment. If God judges His church based on the
Cross of Christ how much harsher will His judgment be for the unfaithful? This
is something all unrepentant individuals need to think about and fear.
18 Now
"IF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE IS SCARCELY SAVED, WHERE WILL THE UNGODLY AND THE
SINNER APPEAR?"
What
this verse is alluding to is this, if a person is saved, despite the fact of
Salvation being a free gift, the purification process (sanctification) of the
Saint after Redemption is not simple or easy. The word “scarcely” is the
translation of a Greek word that means literally “with difficulty.” If the saved
need disciplinary judgments, how much more will the unsaved merit the Wrath of
God Whose offer of Salvation they have rejected?
19 Therefore
let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a
faithful Creator.
This
verse is telling us no matter what we as true believers go through here on
earth, as long as we remain faithful and keep our heart fixed on Jesus, the
reward of Heaven will be beyond what words can describe.
God
is a faithful creator and He has created a way of Salvation through His only
begotten Son. All we have to do is follow His way.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All
things were created through Him and for Him.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God."
The
Lighthouse Full Gospel Church
Sinners
Prayer; Pray this, and if you believe it with your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord Jesus I know I am a
sinner. I confess my sins to you; I am
sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a sinful
lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness. I believe that only you can forgive sin. I commit my life to you and ask you to come
into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from
my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and
right now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are
the Son of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my
Savior.” I believe this and have faith
you will make a new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my
heart and lead me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”
(John 3:16,17; Romans
3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians
2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-14; 1:6-10)
(Sin: Rom. 1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph.
5:3-7)
