Bible words that have more than one meaning.  (studied to dispute people who use “damned” verses saying salvation can be lost.)

Hate/hated

* Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 

* Matt 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

* Gen 29:30-31 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.  And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. (Jacob)

* (There are specific reasons why Jesus spoke this.  He’s not talking about salvation, that is a free gift, he is talking about being his disciple.  He explains in other places that there is a cost involved when choosing to be a disciple of the Lord and you need to count that cost before you decide.  Loving him more than others and being willing to put him first is part of that cost.)

* (Cross references on hating your life, taking up/bearing your cross, follow me John 12:25; Luke 9:23-26; 14:27-33; Matthew 10:32-39 Mark 8:34-38)

Damned/damnation

* Jesus using the word damned/damnation

* Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

* Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

* Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (don’t believe the gospel)

* John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

* Paul using the words damned/damnation

* Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (government)

* Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

* 2 Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (don’t believe on Jesus)

* 1 Timothy 5:11-12 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. (they got tired of serving the Lord and married)

* (Damnation can mean going to hell but can also be very similar to be condemned/to be declared guilty or to be under judgment.  Context is important.)

Love

* Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

* 2 Samuel 13:1-4: And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.  And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.  But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man. 

* And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister. (italicized words are the only words Amnon actually spoke in these verses.)

* (Strong desire toward something/someone, affection, to be pleased with, or sacrificial love like John 3:16.

This phrase sowing discord appears twice in the Bible and both are here. Illustrate discord on the piano

Planting discord like a farmer

Discord is planted like a farmer seeding his field and waiting for a crop.

Discord is like a seed in that it is first small and insignificant. But it contains the genetics for the tree that grows in time.

Discord is planted with a froward mouth, perverted mouth. 

Seeds on different soil. Some soil isn’t good to receive seeds of discord. It comes in one ear and out the other. But it’s not as scattered as the sower and the seed in Jesus’ parable. The sower of discord sows among the brethren in verse 19.

Some seeds take longer to sprout and grow.

A house divided cannot stand.

Identifying the seeds of discord

We’re not talking about Discord the app. Discord is to be divisive, to cause factions, and bring division among people for which there should be unity. To say or do things that cause distrust among one another.

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Avoid the temptation to demean someone behind their back.

The person responsible for discord

Paul asked the Galatians, Who hath bewitched you? There is a person responsible for your distrust, for your anger towards your brother or sister.

His body language says there’s more going on than what’s at the surface.

He’s influential, he’ll show you how.

Winks with his eyes

Froward is difficult to deal with, contrary, argumentative.

Makes plans to do mischief – harm, hurt, injury, damage, and evil.

The strongest condemnation

This person is an abomination to the LORD. There isn’t a stronger word than to say someone is an abomination to God. An abomination is someone who causes hatred and disgust. Is God love? Yes. Does God hate some things? Yes. You might say that the LORD hates things in the list of six, but he that soweth discord is the person.

Thou hatest all workers of iniquity (Psalm 5:5).

Look at verse 15, quickly and without remedy.

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

This is not someone who just misspoke or maybe said something out of turn. This is a person who plots and plans to divide a flock and gather sheep to himself like a wolf. He preys on weak sheep and plans his divisiveness.

Wedding Garments (by Allen Hons)

David and Bathsheba (by Craig Ingram)

In the World, Not of the World (by Joe Hons)

Text: Job 19:25-29

Redeemer is alive during Job’s trial

For I know that my redeemer liveth…

Job knows his redeemer is alive. He knows the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ who 1,700 years later will be born, is alive at the time of his trial.

The Lord Jesus Christ is alive. He was alive 3,800 years ago when Job went through his trials. He was alive and walking the earth 2,000 years ago and there is a record of his life. He was crucified, buried, and three days later he was alive again in the same body that went into the grave. And today, He is alive! He lives!

I serve a risen Saviour; He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.

I know that He is leading, thro’ all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart

Redeemer will physically be on this earth

…and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth

Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Ascension

Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Inheritance and reward

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

And when he returns, every soul that by faith believed that God is a rewarder and therefore stored up treasure in heaven will be given a place in the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

Redeemer’s visitation will mark the end of this present evil world

…and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth

Time is determined by the Redeemer.

Dating system.

Beginning and end.

It will be the beginning of a 1000 year reign. Revelation 20:1-5

Redemption will physically put together a new body (vs 26)

Physical change of the body

1 Corinthians 15:50, 53-57 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. … 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God,

Text: Job 33

Elihu is a man who will speak for God (vss 1-14)

Elihu is a comforter who will speak on God’s behalf.  Look at verses 6-7 to begin to see the gracious nature of Elihu’s conversation.  With the understanding that Elihu is not an accuser but a man who will speak for God, let’s take a look at these verses.  How incredible it is that 1700 years before Jesus Christ walks this earth, in the oldest book in the world, God lays out His plan for salvation of mankind. 

God’s words are spoken through a human vessel (vss 1-3)

Elihu takes the role of a preacher and teacher of righteousness.

Verse 2 seems repetitive as in how many ways can you say you’re talking? But you might add emphasis when you say something important too.  You might say, “Read my lips.”  You might say, “Put your phone down and listen to what I’m going to say to you.”

God’s words made flesh (vss 4-5)

John 1:14-18 And the Word was made flesh (This is talking about the Lord Jesus Christ.  His name before He became a man was the Word of God up in heaven.), and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Elihu is a type of Christ in that he is God’s representation in the flesh.

Verses 5 and 32 go together showing the spirit with which Elihu speaks.

God is reasonable and God is good and God is infinite in His understanding.  He is never put on the defensive by anyone.  But interestingly enough, God is willing to consider the prayers and petitions of those who trust Him.

Woman petitions the Lord Jesus Christ for her daughter. 

Good news from God is brought in human vessels (vss 6-7)

Elihu is a type of Jesus Christ the comforter.

Isaiah said concerning Jesus Christ’s coming, Isaiah 40:1-3 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned… 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Jesus said the Holy Ghost is another Comforter beside himself.

Job is cautioned (vss 8-14)

Comfort in knowing that God’s goal is not to hurt people.  Verses 10-11 God’s end goal is not looking for people to terrorize and hurt.

There are many things God does and says that you don’t know about.  The comforting news is this: whether you see God’s work or not, He is good and right.  What you know of God is good and right.  And rest in this that even what you don’t know of God is still good and right.  It will always be wrong to accuse Almighty God of wickedness.

Verse 14 God speaks once and twice – He did exactly that in Job 1 and 2 and Job knew nothing about it.

God’s goodness in sending a messenger (vss 15-30)

God’s goal is deliverance

Dreams that deliver man from his pride (vss 15-18)

Abimelech is warned in Genesis 20

Solomon dreams in 1 Kings 3

Nebuchadnezzar dreams in Daniel 2 and 4.

God’s good news comes when man is brought to the end of himself (vss 19-24)

When a man is brought to the end of himself, then God is able to show his goodness to that man. The word gospel means good news. (vss 19-22)

The presence of a preacher means God has found a ...

Text: Proverbs 6:6-11

Note the word sluggard. This is a sluggish person. Laziness leads to poverty.

Prepare for what is clearly coming (vss 6-8)

A lesson on six legs

Common sense is often spiritual sense. In fact, it’s no surprise people don’t understand spiritual things because they can’t see the simple principles in the dirt.

Seed like the word of God. It grows well here, it doesn’t grow well there. That’s an agricultural principle and a spiritual principle.

You reap what you sow. That’s an agricultural principle and a spiritual principle.

You sow little and you reap little. That’s an agricultural principle and a spiritual principle.

Go… consider… be…

No matter what kind of ant, one thing you learn from all ants is that they know how to prepare.

They prepare their food so when it comes time to eat and they can’t gather food, they still have food.

Prepare for a test. If you didn’t study or you didn’t learn the material, when the test comes you’ll fail the test. But if you prepared, if you know the material, when you’re given the test, you can have confidence that you did well on the test.

Ants are master preppers. They know there is coming a time when they will not be able to gather food, they know there is a test coming, and so they gather food for that time.

Prepare to meet thy God

You say, Not now, then when? (vs 9)

How long…? When wilt…

When will you be motivated? You know this is coming, so why are you putting it off? What else can possibly be done to get you to move?

I notice the only thing this person does is what they do from their bed. Won’t get up to do anything. It’s all video games, TikTok, and movies, but nothing productive.

Proverbs 26:14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

Sin of laziness stole from you (vss 10-11)

Here is what’s going to happen. When it comes time to move out of the house, when it comes time to eat on your own and feed yourself, there will be no opportunity. You’ll find that your laziness has stolen that opportunity.

Laying around in bed all day is a thief.

Paul makes the application to a person’s spiritual life in Romans 13:11-14.

Biblically speaking this is redeem the time

Colossians 4:5 redeeming the time toward those that are without.

What happens when I need wisdom, but I haven’t cultivated any wisdom? What happens when I need joy, but I haven’t cultivated any joy? What happens when I need hope, but I haven’t cultivated any hope? What happens when I need to be kind, but I haven’t cultivated any kindness?

If you wait to pass out a tract for a time when you feel like it, it’ll never happen. If you wait for a feeling to serve God, you’ll never serve God.

Prepare to meet thy God

Text: Genesis 34

Jacob’s first four children were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. The seed who is Jesus Christ would come through Jacob, but which of the twelve sons would carry the seed? The reason this story is in the Bible is to disqualify Simeon and Levi from carrying the seed. The seed of promise would not only be physically related to Abraham, but more importantly would have spiritual characteristics desired by God the Father. Simeon and Levi would not carry any characteristics of the promised seed.

Jacob has come short of where he is supposed to be. He’s planted his family in the wrong place. Now, the family gets into trouble. Here’s what happens.

Dinah is defiled (vss 1-5)

Jacob and Leah had a daughter named Dinah. She sleeps with a prince named Shechem. Some think this is a forced assault on Dinah, but doesn’t look that way.

Shechem tries to do the right thing and marry Dinah. He convinces his dad, Hamor, to make arrangements with Jacob about the marriage.

Deceptive plan (vss 6-19)

Dinah’s full brothers Simeon and Levi make arrangements with Shechem and Hamor saying that if Hamor will have his men circumcised then they can move forward. See verse 15. But this is all a lie.

Shechem is said to be more honorable and does what the brothers require in order to marry Dinah. See verse 19.

Deal seems peaceable (vss 20-24)

Hamor and Shechem return with news to his city that they’ll be able to trade and marry and work with Jacob’s very wealthy family if the males are circumcised.

The people agree that this will be worth the few days of pain to secure a great future with Jacob and his wealthy family. So the men go through with the circumcision and hopes of a prosperous future.

Deadly instruments (vss 25-31)

After the men have been circumcised and are recovering, Simeon and Levi lead a group in to kill Shechem and Hamor and all the men, then take everything they have.

Jacob is terribly troubled now. See verse 30.

Now look at Jacob’s prophecy of Simeon and Levi in Genesis 49:5-7.

These men do not possess any spiritual qualities of the promised seed.

Text: 2 Samuel 5:11-25

This chapter deals with the leading of the Spirit of God and the expansion of the nation of Israel under David’s leadership. Look at verse 10, there is God’s leadership. Look at verse 12. Look at verse 19 as David requests God’s leadership. Look at verse 24, how the Spirit of God literally led.

* Unification of the nation (vss 1-3)

* Patience in well doing (vss 4-5)

* Christ’s spirit is greater than the spirit in the world (vss 6-10)

God’s gift to benefit the people (vss 11-12)

Gifts of the spirit are for others. David’s leadership is for the benefit of the nation. The nation needed David.

Just like the nation needed Moses. The difference between Israel in idolatry and Israel serving God was Moses. The difference between Israel in bondage in Egypt and Israel’s deliverance out of bondage was Moses.

Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. … 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

God’s blessing doesn’t always meet my approval (vss 13-16)

David continues to marry wives and have children. The polygamy is a troubling part of David’s social and political life. It creates confusion when you compare God overlooking the king’s polygamy and continuing to bless David, almost like the LORD ignores David’s married life.

The conclusion I’ve come to is that God’s blessing doesn’t always meet my approval.

David seeks out the LORD’s leadership (vss 17-21)

David enquired of the LORD. Seven times it is recorded that David enquired of the LORD.

This ought to be first. But usually it’s the doctor’s advice first. Or your friend’s advice. In David’s case it could’ve been some military leader’s advice.

Exclusive search where David isn’t looking for other lines of help.

David removes the idols, other sources of authority that take the place of God in vs 21.

Let the LORD lead the way (vss 22-25)

…then shall the LORD go out before thee…

This is not the same method that was used earlier. Probably so the enemy doesn’t catch on. But David let’s the LORD lead the way.

The LORD is my shepherd…he leadeth me. Then it’s said again, he leadeth me.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. You and I love the never being plucked out of God’s hand part, but did you hear the first part of that verse? My sheep follow me. Before you complain, Oh that’s works, that’s works. No no no. That’s no different than Paul saying For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14).