Bible for Dummies - Chapter 9, Part 3

In this episode, we look at the end of Saul's reign as King over Israel, and the beginning of David's reign.  Listen to the class audio and follow along on the class notes provided below.

We begin in 1 Samuel 18...

Addendum to Last Week: Re: David’s Age when he was Anointed by Samuel... and when David Fought Goliath

·      In the scholastic world, there is no consensus on how old David was when he was anointed to be King of Judah by Samuel (See 1 Samuel 16:13)

·      Working backward though…we know that the battle with Goliath happened AFTER David

Jesus is a People Watcher

Jesus was a people watcher.  During the last week of his earthly life, he watched those in the Temple, leaders and laity alike.  After observing them and their actions, Jesus had some clear teachings about their motives and practices that are helpful to us, today.

After all...Jesus is a people watcher and he is watching us. Can't you imagine... Jesus is sitting next to our Father in heaven. He leans over and says to the Father, "Abba...check that out...what               is doing."

I trust this message will be helpful to you. After all, Jesus is watching.

 “Check that Out!”

** Jesus is a people watcher…

…to hide away in a corner, somehow, to watch how people lived.

Mark 12:41 – “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.”

Note: Not to make you nervous, but Jesus watches us…he’s watching now…

Don't Let the World Silence You!

Hello friends,

Well...I'm back after a brief hiatus and time of travel as I recently watched my son, Jason - at FSU, swim in his college conference championship.   It's good to be back!

This next episode from our systematic study of the Gospel of Mark challenges us to consider our public witness. The world tries to squash the voices of those who follow Jesus. We are told to be quiet and not impose our values or beliefs on our culture.  (Of course, the world is asking us to do something they will not offer us...we call that hypocrisy.)  So the world says, "Religion and politics should not mix" or "Eternal life is a myth" or "Every path leads to God...whatever works for you is just fine" or you can name your own, and they demand that Christians remain silent and not respond.  

Well, Jesus has another thought...hear what it is by listening to this message.

I hope and pray the Holy Spirit touches your heart through this message. May God bless you as you respond.  - KM

“Tested…but True”

Fallacy 1 – Religion and Politics should not mix.

ILL:  Danbury Baptist and Thomas Jefferson

·      Separation of Church and State was for the safety of the Church from State interference…

·     

…not safeguard for the State from theocracy.

** So...the notion of the separation of Church and State, as applied today, is a complete doctrine of revisionist history wherein the "facts" are completely misinterpreted and misapplied.

Mark 12:17 – Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

** See…Pharisees and Herodians hoping people reject Jesus’ teaching…

Sermon - "A Heavenly Parade"

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on what we now know as the first Palm Sunday, no one grasped what God was doing. Yet, this was a Heavenly Parade as the Son of Man rode into the Holy City of God bringing Peace and Salvation. Truly, God was reclaiming his people (again), and opening the door for others to join his family...all because the Messiah entered Jerusalem to begin the last week of his earthly life.

May God bless you as you listen to this unique approach to Mark 11:1-11 as we at Royal Palm Church continue in our systematic study of the Gospel of Mark.

Bible for Dummies - Chapter 9, Part 2

We continue in the book of 1 Samuel by meeting the first king of Israel, Saul.  Then we are introduced to David, who along with Moses and Elijah is one of the three most influential leaders in Israel's history.

Today we cover 1 Samuel 8-18. Listen below and follow along with the notes.  God bless, KM

Chapter 9 – The King and “I Am”: 1 and 2 Samuel

Part 2 – Saul and David

Saul (~1081-1010BC), Israel’s First King

Ask and Ye Shall Receive (1 Samuel 8)

**  Israel demanded a king due, in part, to Samuel’s appointment of his sons to be judges over Israel, and in part to the corruption of Samuel’s sons vis a vis the way they abused their tabernacle responsibilities/privileges.

1 Samuel 8:4, 5 – “Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel

Bible for Dummies - 1 Samuel (Chapter 9, Part 1 of the textbook)

As the era of the judges begins to wane, we look forward to the time of the Kings for Israel as we study 1 Samuel.  Listen to the class and review the notes, below.

Chapter 9 – The King and “I Am”:

1 and 2 Samuel

Part 1 – Samuel, the Final Priest/Prophet

** The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel record a time of transition in the life of Israel

·      Each tribe has autonomy…but soon they will have a King.

·      The most influential person(s) in Israel has been the judge(s)/prophet(s)/priest(s) of God…but soon it will be a King.

·      Israel, with all of its flaws, has chosen to be subject to God…but soon they will demand a King.

·      Israel is currently “united”…but soon they will be divided into two

The Amazing Generosity of God

Ever feel like God is going overboard to let you know he's with you? 

Case in point...Dawn and I put our home on the market so we can move closer to our new church. I figured we'd list it, take a few weeks, start looking for houses in the new city, work everything out, and we'd move in July or August. Well... we put the house on the market on Wednesday, had four offers within a couple of days, and decided on which offer to accept last night (Sunday) - a whopping 5 days after we listed it. 

Now...tonight, we just put an offer on a house 1.2 miles from our new church - the Royal Palm Church in Lake Worth (about 13 miles from our current house.)  We know there is at least one other offer. So I'm asking all of our friends and family to pray with us that, if this is part of God's plan for the next chapter in our lives, we will be selected as the buyer.  

Amazing!...I know.  Sometimes he blesses just to give a reward. Sometimes he blesses to remind us of his generosity. Sometimes he blesses in order to defeat the evil around us as evil doers try to destroy our lives.  And sometimes we have NO IDEA why he blesses, but we love it when he does. 

Life is not always such a high, but our Heavenly Father has his way of reminding us, "I'm here...and I love you!"  A rainbow...a sunset...a newborn baby...a kind word from a friend at just the right time.  Even in my specific situation... it's the selling of a house and the prospect of the next one all because God is leading the way. No matter the "how", the "why" is consistent - it's all about the Amazing Generosity of our God.

Anyway, just a short testimony to the provision of God.  I think we can all say, "Anytime God wants to go overboard with me, I'm all in!"  Thank you, Jesus!