Nahum 1 July 24 2022 PM.

I am struck by how similar the 2015 ISIS offensive in Iraq, which

advanced rapidly since June 2014, looked like the Assyrians, and

the Babylonians after them. The religion is different, but the brutal

tactics are eerily similar.

God is not mocked. Galatians 6:7 says that what someone sows, they

will certainly, eventually, also reap. Whether soon, in this life, or

later in judgment, the results will make clear what kind of seed was

planted in life. The Ninevites planted a terrible crop with their

wickedness, and received a commensurate harvest. Those who live

by the sword will die by it as well (Matt. 26:52). The specific

14

situation of Nineveh offers the general principle that God judges

wickedness. Those who oppose God, He will oppose. Those who

conspire against God, God has a plan for them too. Those who do

damage to God’s people will suffer damage themselves. As they

increase their sin, they heap up for themselves increased

judgment. Our nation, the United States, is doing that just now.

Some sins are practiced by a minority; but those who applaud and

support those sins are many more (Romans 1:32; read the entire

passage from 1:18-32 and let the full effect sink in).

We believe God is righteous. We know He is. We see that He

expresses judgment in very harsh and even mocking terms which

might offend our sensibilities. But this shows that righteousness is

not incompatible with severe judgment against sinners, and we see

it in both testaments.

What God prophesied through Nahum did indeed happen. In 612 B.C.

the kingdom of Assyria was destroyed. God’s word was vindicated,

around 40 years after it was written. God’s promises always come

to pass—whether for good or for calamity. Bank on it!

Matthew 21:23-27 July 24, 2022 AM.

We ask again: what is the source of authority for how you live your

life? God, or you? If you, why do you believe so much in yourself? Do you have enough

knowledge, experience, and wisdom to make the right decisions?

Be honest and realistic with your answer! For instance: do you

know, in yourself, what happens to a person after death? If you do

not know that in yourself, how do you even have a prayer of

guiding your steps aright in this life?

Why should I believe in your ability to do that as over against God’s

infinitely wise and experienced ability to do far better? Remember,

there is a way that seems right to a man, but... (Prov. 16:25). Our

lives are not our own, and it is not in our ultimate purview to direct

our own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). If Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in

his humanity, was not His own authority, how could you dream to

be your own authority? He did the will of God, and thus modeled

for us how we ought to think of ourselves.

Do you fear God? Do your objections to His moral demands really

justify you to ignore those demands and try to make up your own

morality?

Real joy comes when you can honestly say that you are living your life

in accordance with the authority of God. When He is your Lord,

guide, boss, teacher, counselor, etc. then you can have confidence

you are doing the right stuff with your life.

Jude July 24, 2022 SS.

In this message speaker James Widgeon leads our new study in the book of Jude. In this study, we see how Jesus warned of false prophets that would arise, how peoples hearts would grow cold, and how only those who kept the faith in Jesus Christ would be saved.

Matthew 21:18-22 July 20, 2022 PM.

Jesus went into Jerusalem, looked around, saw the sorry state of

things in the temple and city, and went back to Bethany for the

evening’s rest. He will use a fig tree to teach the disciples about

what he (and they) have just experienced. A barren tree reminds you to live a fruitful life so as to have a good

judgment before God. Our prayers can be powerful, but they have

to come from a righteous, forgiving life.

Matthew 21:12-17 July 17, 2022 PM.

I am struck on the initial reading of this passage that Jesus went into

Jerusalem, visited the temple, saw it needed some tidying up, and

then cleaned it out in preparation to work there in the upcoming

days. He was cleaning up his workspace!

When Jesus came into the city, he was making a public

announcement of Himself as king. Verse 17 tells of our Lord’s departure back to Bethany to stay for the

night. He did not have a home in Jerusalem to stay and the city was

packed with worshippers, so he stayed where he had made other

arrangements. Tuesday would see continued confrontation with

the religious leaders.

Notice how the Lord judged some of the people but also exercised

mercy toward others. Behold the goodness and severity of God

(Romans 11:22).

Jonah 4:1-11 July 17, 2022 AM.

God’s rule over the world is exalted. He oversees the fish, the storm,

the sirocco, the worm, the city, and everything else. He sovereignly

gives mercy to whom He wills. He cares for the world’s inhabitants,

even wicked ones. He has compassion on people. We submit to

God’s rule, not deny His grace to people. But judgment is not

postponed forever.

Jonah needed to learn Matthew 7:2 and James 2:13. If you do not like

God’s mercy, then don’t take it for yourself. His own self-interest

should have taught him that, but he was not concerned for others.

As for you, do you have any Jonah-like tendencies?

Jude July 17, 2022 SS.

In this message speaker James Widgeon leads our new study in the book of Jude. In this study, we see how Jesus warned of false prophets that would arise, how peoples hearts would grow cold, and how only those who kept the faith in Jesus Christ would be saved.

Matthew 21:1-11 July 13, 2022 PM.

Some in Jerusalem recognized Jesus as their coming King. Others were clueless. All this took place on “Palm Sunday,” and it could even be

as specifically pinpointed as Nisan 9 in A.D. 30. See the

prophecy of Daniel 9:24-26 which gives us warrant to

speak with such precision. Given this, the people and the

leaders should have been expecting Him. If only they had

known… (Luke 19:42).

Matthew 20:29-34 July 10, 2022 PM.

Has Jesus shown compassion toward you?

Did you have faith to be given your sight?

From what blindness has the Lord delivered you?

Do you now follow Him?

Jonah 3:1-10 July 10, 2022 AM.

Therefore “today is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2) because a day is coming for every person when God will declare that enough is enough. Years of opportunity to recognize our need of God’s forgiveness will come to an end. But be assured that if you repent, you will find as the Ninevites did that God is compassionate and gracious. He is not a mean deity whatsoever. We are getting closer to the message of Jonah. The book was not written primarily to provide an illustration for Jesus to use about His death and resurrection, although it serves that purpose. It was not written primarily about the Ninevites. It has something to do with Jonah and his understanding of God. The repentance of Nineveh happened in those individuals alive at the time. It did not transfer to future generations. Each generation must do its own repentance.