Although history seems to be filled with coincidences, the fact is that there are no coincidences with God. Seeming happenstance is always God's providence. Be with us tonight as we continue our study of King David.

The Effects of the fruit of righteousness On People 1. On the whole palace guard (1:12; 4;22) 2. On fellow saints (1:14) 3. On fellow preachers (1:15-18) In People 1. Confidence in adversity (1:14) 2. Confidence in the Holy Spirit (1:19,20) 3. Confidence in mission (1:21-24) 4. Confidence in the future (1:25,26) 5. Confidence in conduct (1:27-30)

Having shown us the revelation of God's wrath upon unrighteousness, Paul has revealed to us the Gospel of God's grace through faith. A person condemned by sin can be declared righteous by his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only so, but much more, a person is given access through faith into the very throne room of God where He invites the believer to dwell through prayer and fellowship with Him. A believer is reconciled to his Maker and secures the blessings of salvation not only in this life but throughout eternity. One of the most crucial passages in the word of God is verses twelve through twenty-one of chapter five. It ties the book of Genesis to salvation. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin...." Was there one original man? Were Adam and Eve historical personages? Was there death on earth before man sinned? Did God actually create male and female? Who were the only two men to walk the face of the earth who had no human fathers? Does any of it matter?

In most of his epistles Paul asserts his position as an apostle of Jesus Christ as he writes with apostolic authority. However, as he writes to the beleaguered Philippians, he writes as a friend. His purpose is to encourage the Philippians in their walk with Christ in a cruel world. Although Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he wrote with joyful optimism. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (1:6). He prayed that their love would abound and that they would be "filled with the fruits of righteous which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (1:11). What are "the fruits of righteousness"?

History is often determined by the counsel a leader was given. The long account of Absalom's rebellion turned on a single verse. Be with us tonight as we continue our study in the life of King David.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith...." Paul has presented to us the gospel of Christ (1:16). He has made clear two revelations: "the righteousness of God" (1:17), and the "wrath of God" against all ungodliness (1:18). He has shown all the world is guilty before God (3:19) and "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (3:23). But he has also revealed "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe" (3:22). He has introduced to us some very blessed words: Grace: God's unmerited favor Righteousness: God's standard of perfection Redemption: a price that is paid Justification: a judicial act in declaring debts forgiven Propitiation: satisfaction that a debt is paid Imputation: an accounting term meaning something was given Reconciliation: a change in relationship from enemy to friend

As Jeremiah prophesied Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Jeremiah watched as the city was starved into submission and then burned. The inhabitants were treated mercilessly--many were slaughtered, the rest taken captive back to Babylonia. Jeremiah surveys the city and is inspired of God to write. Lamentations (which means "loud cryings") is a set of five poems or elegies. It can be called "an elegy written in a graveyard." The chapters, except the middle one (chapter 3) have the same number of verses, that is, twenty-two, and the third chapter has three times the number of the others, that is, sixty-six. This is because there are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet. In chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4, each verse begins with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The third chapter runs in triplets and the first verse of each triplet begins with the corresponding Hebrew letter. The fifth chapter has 22 verses but does not follow the same pattern.

Intro to Lamentations

In war, many times it is difficult to distinguish friend from enemy. Passion and deception can rule the day. Be with us tonight as we continue our study in the life of King David. Scripture Reading: II Samuel 16

In chapters one through four the Apostle Paul revealed the Gospel of Christ. The two great revelations Paul made in Romans 1:16-18. First, the righteousness of God can only be attained through faith. Second, the wrath of God is revealed on all ungodliness and unrighteousness. A vivid picture is painted of man's ungodliness and how he is a slave of sin. We are taken to the courtroom of the Almighty where everyone is guilty before God. Beginning in chapter 3, verse 21, we are introduced to the righteousness of God. This righteousness can only be attained through faith in the provision God has made. We are introduced to several legal terms: Grace: God's unmerited favor Righteousness: God's standard of perfection Redemption: a price that is paid Justification: a judicial act of declaring debts forgiven Propitiation: satisfaction that a debt is paid Imputation: an accounting term meaning something was given Chapters five through eight introduce us to what God does in and through the believer once he is saved. A key word is RECONCILIATION. The believer is no longer an enemy of God but has begun a new relationship with his Savior. "Therefore, having being justified by faith...." We now see the great blessings that come from this justification.