Can God forget the sins we commit? If God can forget sins, how can He be said to be omniscient, or all-knowing? If God can’t forget things, how can He say He forgives us any more than angry people in marriage counseling forgive their spouse when they can’t forget it? The biblical answer is God doesn’t forget our sins, but He chooses not to remember them: “I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12, see also Jeremiah 31:34 and Isaiah 43:25).

https://youtu.be/yZNF8cWDYyQ

God doesn’t forget our sins, but He chooses not to remember them: “I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12 and Jeremiah 31:34).

Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon Notes for I Will Remember Their Sins No MoreLesson One: God doesn’t forgive like us.Lesson Two: God says, “I will remember their sins no more,” (Part One) like David forgave Saul.Lesson Two: God says, “I will remember their sins no more,” (Part Two) like the Father forgave the prodigal son.

Family Worship Guide

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews 8:12, 10:17, Micah 7:19, Psalm 103:12, 2 Samuel 12:13—Considering all God has forgiven us for through Christ, why do you think it is still so difficult for us to forgive others? What can you do to better forgive others, and in particular what verses or passages can you meditate on? What does it look like to apologize the right way? What about the wrong way? How does God apologize differently than us?

Day 2: 2 Samuel 1:17-24—What is so honorable about David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan? What can we learn from David’s lament to apply to our own lives? Why do you think David spoke so well of Saul? Are there any Sauls in your life, and if so, what do you need to do to feel toward them like David did toward the Saul in his life?

Day 3: Luke 15:20-23—Do you struggle with whether God has forgiven you, why or why not? What verses or passages can you meditate on to be better encouraged about God’s forgiveness? How can we be encouraged by the father’s forgiveness of his son? What application does this have for us in our lives?

Sermon Notes for I Will Remember Their Sins No More

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “I Will Remember Their Sins No More.”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves in the middle of the parable of the prodigal son, but for Scripture reading open to 2 Samuel 1. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word. We will start at verse 17…

2 Samuel 1:17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18 and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said: 19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 21 “You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 24 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

I appreciated Jake covering for me last Sunday so that I could enjoy the week at camp without a sermon to prepare. Or I should say I appreciated Jake covering for me until the end of his sermon when he said that he is going to finish preaching through a book of the Bible before I do. He thinks he’s funny. He might finish a book before me…unless I don’t let h...

How can a wife have the inner beauty of a meek and quiet spirit that 1 Peter 3:3-4 describes? Read or listen to this material from Your Marriage God’s Way to find out.

Table of ContentsA Godly Woman's Inner BeautyWhat About Jewelry and Makeup?Outward Appearance Is a Reflection of the HeartGreater Beauty Is Found InwardlyThe Inner Beauty of a Meek and Quiet Spirit Is IncorruptibleInner Beauty Is Independent of Outward AppearanceA Meek and Quiet Spirit Is the Source of Inner BeautyGod’s View of Inner BeautyJesus Was not Beautiful to the World

What makes a woman beautiful? Is it her physical appearance, such as her hair and face? Is it her mental understanding, such as her intelligence and education? Does it have to do with her emotions, such as her personality, or her spirituality, such as her heart for God? The apostle Peter answers this question for us, stating from a biblical standpoint what makes a woman beautiful to God. That kind of beauty, of course, is the kind that a Christian woman should pursue and a Christian man should value.

A Godly Woman's Inner Beauty

First Peter 3:1-2 states that a wife’s most significant asset for winning over her spiritually immature or unbelieving husband is godly character. Then, in the following verses, Peter lays out what such a godly woman looks like. He begins with her physical appearance, which is a good indicator of her spiritual health. It wouldn’t be too much to say that what comes forth on the outside is produced from the inside: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:3-4).

The Greek word translated as “adornment” is kosmos, which is related to the English word cosmetic. Kosmos is an umbrella term encompassing everything related to physical appearance—clothing, makeup, and jewelry. Peter’s instruction does not forbid outward adornment—his use of the word “merely” indicates a woman’s beauty should not come only from her outward appearance. The NASB and Amplified Bible render the passage this way: “Your adornment must not be merely external.” Scripture does not instruct women to neglect their appearance. As Christians, we all want to pay attention to our physical appearance because every one of us—male or female, young or old—is an ambassador of Christ. We should care about what kind of Christian testimony we present to others. Yet Peter says outward beauty should not be a woman’s primary focus.

What About Jewelry and Makeup?

If you have ever been made to feel guilty about any form of external beautification, let me point out that Scripture makes positive references to jewelry and fine clothing. Proverbs 25:12 states, “Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.” Gold jewelry is compared to the way an obedient ear accepts instruction. If outward adornments such as earrings were immoral, Scripture would not compare them to wise behavior. Likewise, the beautiful bride in Song of Solomon is complimented on her jewelry: “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold. We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver” (Song of Solomon 1:10- 11). If the jewelry were wrong, Solomon’s bride wouldn’t have been complimented on hers.

Also, consider the virtuous wife of Proverbs 31—she was not complimented on her outward simplicity or plainness. Instead, she was applauded for adorning her family and herself: “All her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple” (Proverbs 31:21-22). At that time, scarlet, fine linen, and purple were costly materials, which indicates this virtuous wife cared about her family’s appearance.

Isaiah 61:10 beautifully compares salvation and righteousness with fine clothing,

Luke 15 contains three parables, and the themes are repentance and joy. The third parable about the prodigal son does something different than the previous two. Instead of using the words repent and joy, we get to see repentance and joy demonstrated by the father and son. The son is never said to repent, but we get an answer to the question, "What does repentance look like?" by examining his actions. This allows us to draw out wonderful lessons about to apply to our lives.

https://youtu.be/4h1Guo_f6Ro

The prodigal son is never said to repent, but we get an answer to the question, "What does repentance look like?" by examining his actions.

Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon NotesGenuine repentance (Lesson One) seeks to return to the Father.Genuine repentance (Lesson Two) takes responsibilityGenuine repentance (Lesson Three) uses the word, “sin.”.Genuine repentance (Lesson Four) knows the sin is against God.Genuine repentance (Lesson Five) accepts the consequences of sin.Genuine repentance (Lesson Six) produces a change in direction.Genuine repentance (Lesson Seven) gives hope.

Family Worship Guide

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Luke 15:18, 2 Samuel 12:13 cf. 1 Samuel 13:11-12, 15:15-16—Why was the son finally willing to return to his father? What application does this have for us? What are some mistakes we make with our confessions that the son avoided?

Day 2: Genesis 39:8-9, Psalm 51:3-4, Luke 15:19—What did the son do in his confession that was worth imitating? How is the world removing the word sin from our vernacular? Why is all sin against God even when it looks like we are sinning against someone else?

Day 3: 15:15-16 cf. Luke 15:17-19—What does it mean that we can be forgiven but still have consequences? Can you provide some examples? In what ways did the son show that he was willing to accept the consequences of his sin? In what ways does repentance give hope?

Sermon Notes

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “What Does Repentance Look Like?”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves at Luke 15:18. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word. We will start at verse 11 for context.

Luke 15:11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

Look at verse 18…

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

Notice the words, “I will set out and go back to my father.”

And this brings us to lesson one…

Genuine repentance (Lesson One) seeks to return to the Father.

It seems like the son tried going just about every other place he could. He was even willing to hire himself out to a Gentile and feed his pigs.

But, finally,

Luke 15:17 says the prodigal son came to himself, or came to his senses. This is one of the best descriptions in Scripture of what it means to be trained God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:11). He recognized he was experiencing discipline versus a trial.

https://youtu.be/Ipeis6tkq_4

The prodigal son "came to himself," or came to his senses in one of the best examples of being trained God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:11).

Table of Contents for When the Prodigal Son Came to HimselfFamily Worship Guide for When the Prodigal Son Came to HimselfSermon Notes for When the Prodigal Son Came to HimselfLesson One: We suffer because of trials we experience or sin we commit.Lesson Two (Part One) Trials can produce maturity…Lesson Two (Part One) Trials can produce maturity (Part Two) and discipline should produce repentance.Lesson Three: Be encouraged when disciplined, because it means we (Part One) are God’s child.Lesson Three: Be encouraged when disciplined, because it means we (Part Two) are in God’s hands.Lesson Three: Be encouraged when disciplined, because it means we (Part Three) can produce fruit.Lesson Four: Coming to our senses is part of being trained by God’s discipline.

Family Worship Guide for When the Prodigal Son Came to Himself

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: 1 Peter 2:19-20, 3:17, 4:12-15, Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4, 2 Chronicles 16:12, Numbers 20:12, 2 Samuel 12:10, 2 Chronicles 20:37—Describe a time you suffered because of trials. Describe a time you suffered because of sin you committed. Why do trials produce maturity? What is discipline supposed to produce and why?Day 2: Hebrews 12:5-11, 2 Samuel 24:12-14, Proverbs 27:22, Jeremiah 5:3—When disciplined by God what can you tell yourself to be encouraged? Can you think of other reasons to be encouraged when disciplined by God that were not mentioned in the sermon? Why is genuine repentance accompanied by fruit?Day 3: Luke 15:17, 2 Timothy 2:25-26—What does it mean that the prodigal son came to himself? In what ways is repentance having a change of mind? In what ways is repentance coming to our senses? What does it mean if we “Come to ourselves” regarding our sin?

Sermon Notes for When the Prodigal Son Came to Himself

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “When the Prodigal Son Came to Himself.”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse, but for Scripture reading I would like to look at some verses in 1 Peter 4, if you would please turn there. We will read verses twelve through fifteen. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

I know the parable of the prodigal son is very familiar to all of us, so I have been trying to dig out some wonderful truths that you might not have thought of before. This morning I hope to give you greater insight into Luke 15:17 which says The prodigal son came to himself.

This is going to involve sharing some things at the beginning of the sermon, and we will connect the dots at the end.

Let me begin by inviting you to think about the book of 1 Peter. Along with Job, this is the other main book in the Bible dealing with suffering.

And Peter teaches that there are two causes of suffering:

We suffer because of trials we experience. We did nothing to cause this suffering. It is simply the suffering that comes with living in a fallen world.We also suffer because of sin we commit. We did everything to cause this suffering.

We see frequent examples in Scripture of why we should rejoice over the results versus the motivation. When other men began to prophesy Joshua was concerned, but Moses rejoiced (Numbers 11:26-29). When a man was casting out demons, the disciples were concerned, but Jesus said to let him continue (Mark 9:38-41). Paul said some people were preaching the gospel with good motivation and others with bad motivation, but he rejoiced that the gospel was being preached (Philippians 1:15-18). The prodigal son returned to his father because he was hungry (Luke 15:17). We can rejoice he returned home.

https://youtu.be/JBuxTUsTIbg

We see frequent examples in Scripture of why we should rejoice over the results versus the motivation (Mark 9:38-41 and Philippians 1:15-18).

Table of ContentsFamily Worship Guide for Rejoice Over the Results Versus the MotivationSermon Notes for Rejoice Over the Results Versus the MotivationRejoice over people (Lesson One) using their gifts.Rejoice over people (Lesson Two) preaching the gospel.Rejoice over people (Lesson Three) repenting.

Family Worship Guide for Rejoice Over the Results Versus the Motivation

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Numbers 11:16-29—Why was Moses so overwhelmed in the wilderness? Why did God tell Moses to appoint elders? What happened with many of the men who were appointed? Why did Joshua object? How did Moses respond to Joshua’s objection?

Day 2: Mark 9:38-40 and Philippians 1:15-18—Why did Jesus’s family think He was out of his mind? Why did the disciples try to stop the man casting out demons? How did Jesus respond to their objections? What application does this have for us? What are some good and bad reasons people preach the gospel? How did Paul feel about people preaching the gospel even for bad reasons?

Day 3: Luke 15:11-17, John 6:44, 65—Why did the prodigal son want to return home? Do you think this was a good or bad reason for him to return home and why do you feel that way? Why should we consider the results versus the motivations? Can you think of some examples of results you could rejoice over even though the motivation was bad?

Sermon Notes for Rejoice Over the Results Versus the Motivation

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “Rejoice Over the Results Versus the Motivation”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves at Luke 15:17. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Luke 15:11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

We are working our way through what is commonly called the parable of the prodigal son.

I saw something in the account that I wanted to elaborate on, especially with VBS approaching, which is that we should look at the results of what happens, versus the motivation.

Instead of jumping right into it, I want to back up and look at some other examples that make the same point.

We will turn back to Luke, but for now please turn to Numbers 11.

Look with me at verse 11…

Numbers 11:11 Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight,

What leads to repentance? Romans 2:4 says, "God's kindness is meant to lead [us] to repentance." When we are thinking of repenting, we wonder, "Will God really forgive me? Have I done too much for Him to be able to love me? Would God ever want a relationship with me again?" It is thinking about God's kindness that gives us the confidence that we can repent and be forgiven.

Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon Notes for What Leads to Repentance?Lesson One: Sometimes the worst thing to do is give because it can (Part One) be poor stewardship.Lesson One: Sometimes the worst thing to do is give because it can (Part Two) prevent shame.Lesson One: Sometimes the worst thing to do is give because it can (Part Three) hinder repentance.Lesson Two: (Part One) God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance.Lesson Two: (Part One) God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance (Part Two) and so is His wrath.

https://youtu.be/r8e_h4A_byY

What leads to repentance? Romans 2:4 says, "God's kindness leads us to repentance." God's kindness gives us confidence we can be forgiven.

Family Worship Guide

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Luke 15:16, Genesis 2:25 cf. Genesis 3:5-7, Micah 1:11, Nahum 3:5, Revelation 3:18—Why was it good that nobody gave anything to the prodigal son? Why can it be bad stewardship to give to people at times? Why is shame so important? How does giving to people prevent shame? How can giving hinder repentance?Day 2: Romans 2:1-5, 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 15:17, Jude 1:22—Why are we without excuse when we judge others? How can God’s kindness lead us to repentance? Why is God patient with us when we sin? How can God’s wrath lead us to repentance?Day 3: Psalm 73:1-22—Why was the psalmist struggling in his faith? Why do the wicked prosper at times? Why might we envy the wicked? What can we tell ourselves to avoid being envious of the wicked? What caused the psalmist’s attitude toward the wicked to change?

Sermon Notes for What Leads to Repentance?

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “What Leads to Repentance?”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves at Luke 15:11. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Luke 15:11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

We are working our way through what is commonly called the parable of the prodigal son.

The son left home with lots of money, but then something happened. Look at verse 14…

Luke 15:14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

As soon as the money was gone the people who acted like they were his friends were gone as well. At this incredibly low point, things got so bad he had to start caring for pigs. As we talked about last week, this was the lowest point a Jewish person could reach.

Luke 15:16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

We are not told how much the son was paid,

We are prone to wandering from God the Father. Generally, when we have sin in our lives we want to be as far away from God as possible. We don’t wander physically like the son in the parable, but we do wonder spiritually. We don’t physically go to a far country, but we avoid praying, reading the Bible, attending church and fellowship.

https://youtu.be/Bu4-vZmz4D0

We are prone to wandering from God the Father. When we have sin in our lives we avoid praying, reading the Bible, and attending church.

Table of ContentsLesson One: God lets His children wander from Him.Lesson Two: Sometimes parents must let their children wander from them.Lesson Three: God has ways of bringing us back from wandering.Lesson Four: Slavery to God results in freedom.

Family Worship Guide for Prone to Wandering from God the Father

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Luke 15:12, Jeremiah 2:2, Mark 10:21-23, John 6:66, Lamentations 3:27—Why did the son go to a far country? In what ways do we, spiritually speaking, go to a far country away from our Heavenly Father? Why do you think the father didn’t go after his son? What application does this have for us in our relationship with God and in our relationships with our own children?

Day 2: Jeremiah 2:19, Luke 15:14-15—When we wander from our Heavenly Father how does He bring us back to Himself? How do our backslidings rebuke us? What does it mean that sin punishes the sinner? Provide some examples of what this looks like in your life or other people’s lives.

Day 3: 2 Peter 2:19, John 8:34-36, Romans 6:18, Exodus 21:5-6, Matthew 6:24—How does sin make people slaves? What does it mean for people to be slaves to sin? How can people be freed from slavery to sin? Describe the process for people to become a willing slave of a master in the Old Testament? What application does this have for us as Christians?

Sermon Notes

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “Prone to Wandering from God the Father.”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves at Luke 15:11. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Luke 15:11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

On Sunday mornings we have been working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and have reached what is most commonly known as the parable of the prodigal son.

We took a brief detour for a few weeks because of something I saw at the beginning of the parable that I thought was so important I wanted to elaborate on it by showing you a few other examples in Scripture.

Let’s back up to the beginning of the parable to briefly review…

Luke 15:11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

As we talked in our sermon on these verses, the son’s request was incredibly rude and disrespectful. The listeners in Jesus’s day would’ve expected the father to:

Reject the son’s request

Rebuke him for his disrespect

Slap him across the face

Remove him from the family

Announce the son should be viewed as dead

And then hold a funeral for him

Instead, we read…

Luke 15:12b And he divided his property between th...

When God says, “Obey their voice,” it doesn’t always go the way we expect. In 1 Samuel 8 God told Samuel to obey the people’s voices and give them a king to their own detriment. In our lives, when we keep pushing sometimes God gives us what we want to our detriment.

https://youtu.be/9n9RO9QI9GI

When God says, “Obey their voice,” it doesn’t always go the way we expect, like in 1 Samuel 8 when God told Samuel to give Israel a king.

Have you ever wanted something so badly that, even after God warned you it wasn’t good for you, you kept pressing until you got it?That’s exactly what happens in 1 Samuel 8, when the Israelites demanded a king. And in one of the most surprising responses in Scripture, God said to Samuel, “Obey their voice.”

This passage reminds us of a sobering truth: sometimes God gives us what we want—to our own detriment.

The People’s Request: “Give Us a King”

1 Samuel 8:4–5“Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, ‘Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.’”

The Israelites were tired of being different. They wanted to be “like all the nations.”But holiness means being set apart. By asking for a king, they were really asking to be unholy—to give up their unique identity as God’s chosen people.

At this point in Israel’s history, God Himself was their King. He fought their battles, guided their leaders, and protected His people. But they wanted an earthly ruler they could see.

God’s Heartbreaking Response

1 Samuel 8:6–7“But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.’”

This is one of the most heartbreaking statements in Scripture.The God who rescued Israel, split the Red Sea, and thundered against their enemies now says, “They have rejected Me.”

Even after warning them that an earthly king would oppress them—take their sons, daughters, land, and flocks (1 Samuel 8:10–18)—the people persisted:

1 Samuel 8:19–20“No! But there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

The tragedy is that God had already been fighting their battles.

The King They Wanted—Not the King They Needed

Just one chapter earlier, in 1 Samuel 7:10, God Himself delivered Israel:

“As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.”

No human king could match that.Yet Israel traded the invisible, all-powerful King for a visible, impressive one.

Enter Saul: tall, handsome, and exactly what the people wanted.

1 Samuel 9:2 — “There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he.”1 Samuel 10:23–24 — “From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people... And all the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!’”

Saul wasn’t chosen because he was what God wanted—he was chosen because he was what the people wanted.

Lesson One: When God Says, “Obey Their Voice,” It Doesn’t Always Go Like We Expect

When the Israelites insisted on a king, God essentially said, “Okay—if that’s what you want, you can have it.”But what followed wasn’t what they expected.

1 Samuel 13:5–7“The Philistines mustered to fight with Israel... When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble... the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns.”

Their great, tall, warrior king couldn’t deliver them. They hid in fear—exactly the opposite of the confidence they thought a king would bring.

...

Settling outside the Promised Land is problematic. The Promised Land’s physical rest prefigures the Christian’s spiritual rest in Christ. Two-and-a-half tribes stayed on the east side of the Jordan, outside the Promised Land, and it was detrimental to them. Spiritually it is detrimental to us when we stay outside the rest we can have in Christ.

https://youtu.be/SlMoXSzpEcE

Settling outside the Promised Land was problematic for 2.5 tribes and it is detrimental to us if we don't enter the spiritual rest in Christ.

Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon NotesLesson One: The Promised Land was a place of rest beyond the Jordan.Lesson Two: The 2.5 tribes got what they wanted to their detriment.Lesson Three: The Promised Land’s physical rest prefigures spiritual rest in Christ.Lesson Four: We settle outside the promised land when we don’t rest in Christ’s (Part One) finished work.Lesson Four: We settle outside the promised land when we don’t rest in Christ’s (Part Two) forgiveness.Lesson Four: We settle outside the promised land when we don’t rest in Christ’s (Part Three) victory over Death.

Family Worship Guide

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Deuteronomy 3:20, 12:9-10, Joshua 22:4, Numbers 32:1-15, 33 cf. Joshua 22:10-12, 1 Chronicles 5:26—How was the Promised Land a place of rest? How was it NOT a place of rest? Why didn’t the 2 ½ tribes want to settle in the Promised Land? Why was Moses concerned about them not settling in the Promised Land? What did the 2 ½ tribes experience to their detriment for settling outside the Promised Land?

Day 2: Hebrews 3-4—How does the physical Promised Land prefigure our spiritual rest in Christ? In what ways is Moses a type of the law? In what ways is Joshua a type of Jesus? How does the law serve as our tutor?

Day 3: Matthew 11:28-30, 12:5, Hebrews 10:11-12, John 1:29, Hebrews 2:15, 1 John 5:13—Why do we struggle to rest in Christ’s finished work? Why do we struggle with whether we have truly been forgiven of our sins? Why do we still fear Death despite Christ’s victory over it? What can we do to overcome these struggles and truly rest in Christ?

Sermon Notes

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “Settling Outside the Promised Land.”

Please open your Bibles to Numbers 32 and stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Numbers 32:1 Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, and behold, the place was a place for livestock. 2 So the people of Gad and the people of Reuben came and said to Moses and to Eleazar the priest and to the chiefs of the congregation, 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the land that the Lord struck down before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.” 5 And they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan.” 6 But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here? 7 Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel from going over into the land that the Lord has given them? 8 Your fathers did this, when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the people of Israel from going into the land that the Lord had given them. 10 And the Lord's anger was kindled on that day, and he swore, saying, 11 ‘Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not wholly followed me, 12 none except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the Lord.’ 13 And the Lord's anger was kindled against Isr...

Some people have a mistaken notion about God. They think that if God doesn’t want them doing something, that He will prevent them. But it doesn’t work like this. God might give us what we want to our detriment. If we push God, He might let us have what we want even to our own detriment. We saw that in last Sunday’s sermon when God let Moses take Aaron with him. We see it in this sermon when God gives the Israelites meat in the wilderness and lets Balaam go with Balak.

https://youtu.be/Lc6Oydt51q8

Some people think if God doesn’t want them doing something, He will prevent them, but God might give us what we want to our detriment.

Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon NotesGod might give us what we want but later (Lesson One) we might not want it.God might give us what we want but later (Lesson Two) He might punish us.God might give us what we want but later (Lesson Three) He might be angry.

Family Worship Guide

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: 1 Numbers 11:1-19—Why would the Israelites complain at the beginning of the chapter after everything God had done for them? Why do we complain despite all God has done for us? Why do you think the Israelites no longer wanted the manna? Why do you think God gave them meat? Why would the meat become loathsome to them and what application does this have for us?

Day 2: Numbers 11:31-34, Philippians 3:19, Psalm 78:26-31, 106:12-15—Why would God punish us after giving us what we want? What do you think it means that they ate but weren’t filled? What application do you see this having for us? What does it mean that God sent leanness into their soul?

Day 3: Numbers 22:2-22—Why was God angry with Balaam after he went? Why would God be angry with us after giving us what we want? How did things end up going for Balaam after he went? What application does this have for us?

Sermon Notes

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “God Might Give Us What We Want to Our Detriment.”

Please open your Bibles to Numbers 11 and stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

Numbers 11:1 And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. 2 Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. 3 So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among them. 4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” 7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. 8 The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. 9 When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it.

Go ahead and skip to verse 18…

Numbers 11:18 And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19 You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, 20 but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’”

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

On Sunday mornings we have been working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse,