After Christ was hoisted out of the pit of death, He provided us with true courage. -1. False courage was to stay in Jerusalem out of false nationalism- true courage was to surrender to God's discipline through the enemy army- -v.1-4--2. False courage takes an obstinate stand, and damages true patriots who have true courage. -v.5-6--3. True courage takes actions in solidarity with true patriots. -v.7-13--Applying- What is the biggest problem from which God saved us--When is that moment of decision for us- Joshua 24-15 -How do we define courage- Acts 7-51,52, Luke 23-39-44-What was the condition of the people- Mt. 23-37

Not listening to God's Word results in a downward spiral of falsehoods.-1. False hopes- misunderstanding and so deceiving ourselves. -v.1-10,17--2. False accusations- incorrect statements to others, about others. -v.11-14a--3. False anger- running to false verdicts, then wrong actions against others. -v.14b-21--Conclusion- Heeding God's Word results in an upbuilding of truth--How do falsehood and truth relate to suffering--Who accused Jesus- on truth or falsehood- Luke 23-2-3, 46 -How could falsehood lead to murder- Acts 7-51,52-What does God say about daily bread- Mt. 6-11, Mt. 7-23

Divorce is forbidden, since it dishonors God and threatens the stability of families, churches, and societies.-1. Breaking God-built marriages begins with the bad practice of twisting Scripture. -v.1-4--2. Breaking God-built marriages exposes the bad condition of hardness of heart. -v. 5-9- -3. Breaking God-built marriages leads to the bad consequences of more sin. -v.10-12--How do we protect this foundational institution--What was the teaching of God, in its context- Deut. 24-1-4-Who says that the two become one flesh- Gen. 2-24, Heb. 13-4-How could there be an innocent divorced person- 1 Cor. 7-15f

We accept-listen to God's Word, because nothing can stop it from being fulfilled.-1. Listening- the officials heard the scroll and feared God, protected the prophet, and told the king. -v.1-19--2. Not listening- despite warnings, the king would not listen and tried to destroy the scroll by burning it. -v.20-26--3. God gave a verdict against the king who would not listen. -v.27-32--What indicates a person's relationship to God--Why do we fear-respect the Bible- Prov. 9-10- 1 Pet. 1-24-25-When do we listen to God's Word- Mt. 5-18- 23-27- 24-35 -Contrast our story with Josiah-Jesus. 2 Ki. 22-8-13- 2 Cor. 1-20

DGM 11, 12-WCF 14, 15, 16

Christ calls us to true discipleship -saltiness-- stay humble, keep serving, and preserve peace in the church.-1. Avoid causing others spiritual harm with your pride. -v.42- -2. Avoid causing yourself spiritual harm- renounce your sinful habit of not serving. -v.43-49- -3. Retain your saltiness, resulting in peace with others. -v.50- -Applying- what difference does it make daily that we are believers--What is the atmosphere in Christian circles- Rom. 12-18-Why are body parts poetically tied to sins- Prov. 6-16-19-What is the method of transformation for us- Rom. 12-1-2

For God to bless His people in a new covenant would require a- someone to keep his vow, and b- some way to cover disobedience.-1. God ordered a test for the reliability clan. -v.1-5--2. The clan passed the test, and continued to obey their father. -v.6-11--3. God compared that clan's obedience to His people's disobedience. -v.12-19--What must happen for God to bless disobedient people--What was different about the Nazirite clan- Num. 6-1-21-How did the lifestyles of Jesus and John differ- Luke 7-31-35 -When can God's people vary- 1 Cor.9-19-23, Rom. 14-6