Partick Free Church of Scotland (Cont)

The intending communicant needs to be reminded of the greatness of our God. Because of God's holiness we must have clean hands, a pure heart, and a soul that is not occupied with idols, and a clean tongue in order to approach Him acceptably. Thankfully, in the gospel God has made provision for us in our justification through the merits of Christ. Before partaking in Communion, the believer has a duty to seek the Lord, cleansing our hands and purifying our hearts so as to worship him acceptably.

In this chapter we find the second census almost forty years after the first. The census is more than simply numbering the people. The census reveals the faithfulness, holiness and grace of God.

In the parable about the Pharisee and the publican, the Lord teaches His disciples the manner in which they ought to pray.

Like those who bought and sold and exchanged money in the temple many people bring things into the public worship of God that should not be found there. By cleansing the temple, the Lord Jesus Christ reveals His zeal for the public worship of God that should be seen in the Christian.

The false prophet Balaam was not able to curse the people of Israel. Instead he taught the Moabites to lure God's people to commit idolatry and immorality so that God would punish them instead.

In the parable of the importune widow Christ teaches His disciples the importance of persevering in prayer.

Isaiah prophesied to a prosperous people telling them of the coming judgement. This is what happens to a nation that rejects the one true and living God.

As Christians we are born again to have a hope. That hope involves an amazing inheritance. But what assurance can we have of ever attaining it- God has promised to keep us. But do we have any duty- Yes, we must exercise faith, and so we will be kept

The Pharisees demanded that Christ would answer their question, -when the kingdom of God should come-. His answer was not what they wanted or expected.

After his great victory Elijah ran away from Jezebel and found himself out of the will of God. Yet the Lord was merciful and gracious to him and caused him to return to the path of duty.