Epaggelia

Notes for Bible Discussion, Gold Canyon Church of Christ, 16 Dec. 2018.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

A Psalm of David.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

v1… “Hear My Prayer”, Persuading God by emotional displays may look & feel good in the movies, but God wants us to care deeply about the things He cares deeply about, Yes the Almighty has an agenda as the lover of our soul. The prophet Isaiah spoke with sorrow about the lack of this in Israel:And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You (Isaiah 64:7). When prayer seems ineffective, it is worth taking a spiritual inventory to see if there is a reason for unanswered prayer. The Bible tells us there are many reasons why prayer may not be answered.

– Unbelief (Matthew 17:20-21)

– A Bad Marriage Relationship (1 Peter 3:7)

– Unconfessed Sin (James 5:16)

– Trusting in the Length or Form of Prayer (Matthew 6:7)

v2-3, Another contrast between the godly & ungodly. Christians can have confidence in being heard, basing that confidence on Christ, not our self, our education, our own righteousness or morality, but only on Christ and his righteousness. David didn’t have Christ, so what did he base his confidence for being heard upon? Where was his “godliness”? Compare John 15:5& 16:24. Do you recognize the significant role the “mercy seat” in the Temple fulfilled? Where is our mercy seat?

v4, Surely the apostle Paul was familiar with this song, when he wrote Ephesians 4:26. Usually strong resolve arrives in our heart when we stop to rest on the truth and re-align our priorities in order to sleep on them after we have prayed about them. It is consoling to know that we are cared for by The One whose eyes never close, Psalm 121:3-4. The word “Selah” is referring to a pause in lyrics.

v5, placing our trust in God’s abilities, but not your own ability to sacrifice, while at the same time making a sacrifice can be tricky business for the human heart. This forces us to think about our motive in sacrificing. Is it for a pat on the back, or is it to only benefit someone else,preferably God? This is why Peter reminds us of the faithfulness of our Creator God, in the face of suffering from making sacrifices, 1st Peter 4:19.

v8, “You Alone O Lord”, Paul experienced this depth of security and self-value,which is why he wrote Romans 8:35-39. God’s love for you and me in Christ is the only virtue that gives true confidence & peace

(Notes for Bible Discussion 9 Dec 2018, 9am, Gold Canyon Church of Christ)

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;  for the LORD knows the way of the righteous.

But the way of the wicked will perish”.

If your happy and you know it, USE THE PSALMS! See James 5:13, Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. This is the height of being blessed!

Do we see the difference between the blessed person and ungodly people? See Matthew 5:6

The ungodly are not blessed by God; they do not have delight in God’s Word, and they will not bear fruit by the Holy Spirit. See 1st Corinthians 2:12-14

Note the way of the wicked is described as:

Note the way of the righteous is described as:

What does “walk” mean to you?

The chaff is with the grain until the wind blows, signifying the day of judgment, then comes the separation. See Luke 3:16-17

The ungodly can not stand in the judgment, we will stand in the day of judgment. What does “stand” mean to you?

What is the determining factor in whether a tree stands or falls?

John 3:16-17 is a good reminder of the what the word “Perish” means, to be destroyed, remember it is the way of the wicked, not the wicked themselves that are destroyed, they will live forever in eternal punishment, but their wicked way will be totally annihilated. The way of the righteous lives on! This is good news.

Hebrew poetry is unlike English poetry. Jews formed their poetry for the purpose of memorizing God’s praise and to teach their children God’s precepts. They educated with methods of repetition, giving meaning to obscure and figurative words. Christian praise is primarily for the purpose of expressing our love to God and encouraging fellow Christians. The Psalms were very close to the heart of Jesus, they were so much a part of his nature, he quoted them as part of his dying words on the cross, Mat. 27:46 (Psa. 22:1) & Luk. 23:46 (Psa. 31:5). He also used them in his teaching, Mat. 7:23 (Psalm 6:8). The New Testament writers quoted from the Psalms in at least 67 passages.  We can find God’s strength from using them. The Psalms were not written for just our reading, they were written to help shape our praise, they are better described as divine praise, instead of poetry.  Jesus was obviously educated with the Psalms, Luk. 24:44.

The Psalms have known authors and many anonymous authors: 73 by King David, 12 by Asaph, 9 by the Sons of Korah, 2 by King Solomon, 1 by Heman, 1 by Ethan and 1 by Moses, with 51 that are anonymous, totaling 150. Since David was the main contributor, it is obvious why instruments play such a big role in Jewish praise. It was King David who introduced and presumptuously authorized instrumental music in the Temple worship, 1Chron. 23:3-5. David’s authority has no bearing on Christian praise, because Christ is the fulfillment of his messianic promises in the Psalms, and Christ reigns supreme. Jesus set an example of singing with his disciples. The only time it is recorded is on the night he was betrayed. Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26. We do not know for sure how he sang. Most likely it was a solemn chant, rather than a boisterous melody.  The reason God is silent on the melody of Jesus singing is because he does not want Christians globally, to feel led in practicing only Jewish music. The same mindset was in the writers of the New Testament, which were mainly Jewish.  They had use and knowledge of instruments in their praise as Jews, but refrained from imitating that in Christian praise. The only type of music for the apostles, Jesus and his disciples, was singing with grace in our hearts. This takes on all types of music in the very generic description of Colossians 3:16. We should take the opportunity to sing seriously. It is not the harmony of voices which God hears, but rather the united feelings of love from our hearts, Eph. 5:19.

All 150 Psalms are divided into 5 sections, resembling the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament).  This was done early in Hebrew history probably during Ezra’s day after their captivity to impress upon the people that they were the authorized words for Prayer and Praise which God would accept. But the most famous grouping of Psalms is 113-118 and 120-136 as the Hallel Psalms used in all three of the mandatory feasts during the Jewish calendar. The exception being 119, glorifying God’s word and being used educationally. Do we pray with an emphasis on praising God? Or do we pray with an emphasis on other desires? Interspersed throughout all 5 sections are 6 different types of Psalms with 19 different tunes. Some tunes are so ancient, no Jew alive today can recite them with any certainty.  These 6 types are not necessarily formats of music, the type of tune expresses the purpose of the Psalm. Actually meditation, instead of harmonic singing was preferred amongst the writers of the Psalm, which is demonstrated in Psalm 19:14. Meditation is translated from “Higgayon”, “a musical notation, as a murmuring sound while thinking or meditating”.

6 Types of Psalms

1.  Didactic – Teaching on the nature & virtue of God’s Lawful word.

2.  Praise – Expressing love to God

3.  Thanks – Expressing gratitude for the mercies of God to His people.

4.  Devotional – Expressing penitence, faith and hope.

5.  Prophetic – Messianic

6.  Historic – Recounting God’s Providence.

How do you use the Psalms? Do you have a favorite Psalm?

There seems to be a desire by God’s Spirit to be closely associated with water, from the creation of the world, He is hovering over water, Genesis 1:2, and also in the creation of the church, He uses water, Acts 2:38-39. Jesus even talks of His Spirit as if it is like living water, John 7:37-39. Here are twelve ways in which the Scripture describe Christ’s Spirit working:

1. Gives us eternal life, Romans 8:9-11
2. Renews us in a regenerating wash, Titus 3:5 & 1^st Peter 3:20-21
3. Waters us, so that we never thirst, John 7:37-39 & 1^st Corinthians 12:13
4. Seals us and keeps us, Ephesians 1:13-14
5. Unites us into one body, Ephesians 4:3
6. Convicts us of sin, righteousness & judgment, John 16:8
7. Sanctifies us in applying Christ’s blood, 1^st Peter 1:2 & Hebrews 10:19-22
8. Helps us pray to The Father, building us up in the faith, Romans 8:26 & Jude v20
9. Helps us understand the Word of God, 1^st Cor. 2:12-16
10. Leads us, helping us walk with Him, Romans 8:4, 8:14 & Galatians 5:16-25
11. Loves & Comforts us, 2^nd Corinthians 1:4 & Romans 15:30
12. Bears Fruit in our heart, growing the virtues of Christ, Galatians 5:22-23

God the Holy Spirit of Christ, brings repentance and brings about an awareness of when we are not doing the right thing, 2^nd Timothy 2:25. He will begin to deal with the sins in our life and help us overcome them.  We are not the ones necessarily that conquer sin; God the Holy Spirit is the power that dwells in us to help us do this.  We can not possibly overcome sin by our own human effort alone.  This doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit stops all the urges nor will He stop our returning to sin, but the Holy Spirit can remind the believer by His power in the gospel, to not engage in bad behavior and other ungodly acts.

Here are points we tried to emphasize from each of the twelve discussions we had on the household of God in Christ. These virtues will help us be real friends in the church and attract worldly people to God’s friendship Family. Christ is our peace, Ephesians 2:14. 

Courage for Christ is what helps every family grow, John the Immersionist is an excellent example of evangelism, emphasizing repentance & baptism. Matthew 3:1-2

 Humbly sharing the gospel and showing the power and wisdom of Christ is what helps every family to grow. Mark’s gospel attracts others outside the family to become a member. Mark the gospel writer reminds us of the essential virtue of humility, Mark 16.

 Precision when sharing the gospel is what Luke’s gospel emphasizes concerning the Christ. As a doctor, Luke was able to tell us exactly who Jesus is. His letter of Acts is full of accuracy in describing how the Spirit of Christ worked to bring the church into the world.

 Righteous living defeats hypocrisy in our family, Zacharias & Elizabeth are supreme examples of practicing what we preach. Marriages that are built on teamwork, work! Luke 1:6

 Parenting skills which are built on honesty & love, give families the essential ingredients in providing the best education for children. Joseph & Mary excel as an example in what it means to grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ, as they raised the Christ! Every church family needs an emphasis on teaching children.

 Expressing our faith through opening up our homes and letting people see our personal lives, is what Mary, Martha & Lazarus do in the gospel narratives. Mary & her anointing, Martha & her dinners as well as Lazarus in his sickness & death, was used to exemplify the power of Christ’s resurrection! Every family needs members who are willing to express their faith in God in everyday common events where outsiders can see what is inside the family!

 Personal devotion in growing closer to Christ is a hallmark of spiritual maturity. Mary of Magdala is an excellent example of intimacy with Christ which every family needs. No matter what your background is, we are never so far from Christ that we can not be brought close to God. How personal are your prayers? How strong is your desire to be with Christ? This is what makes a Christian a disciple, devotion! John 20:1-18

 Public sacrifices in public have their place in every family. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are both excellent examples of being essential to the public outreach of the church with the gospel. Making big sacrifices, not just a contribution, but sacrifice is what Christians should grow to perform, both personally and publically. Without the hypocritical fanfare of bringing attention to who exactly is giving how much! John 19:38-42

 Teamwork in evangelism by husbands & wives is shown clearly by Aquila, Priscilla & Apollos. Every church family needs a couple like this. Equality in Christ is a reality that the church as a whole should appreciate and use. Acts 18-19.

 Leadership in praise, prayer & everyday encouragement is essential for the daily life of the church. Barnabas & Silas are used to set this essential example for leadership in the church. If our leaders aren’t skilled in praise, prayer and encouragement, the rest of the family grows weak! Acts 14-16

Guarding the gifts, talents & truths of the church in individuals is paramount for cultivating leadership. Timothy & Titus teach us what our priorities should be as a family in both establishing and maintaining healthy leadership for the future of any church family. Titus 1:5 & 1st Timothy 6:20

On the second visit by Paul to Derbe, Lystra & Iconium, the Apostle saw the pure faith of Timothy, and since from a child he had known the sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament (2 Tim 3:15), and also seeing his Christian character, he wanted Timothy to “accompany him” (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy accepted Paul’s desire, and as preparation to his work in being an evangelist, both to Jew and Gentile, two things were done. In order to promote unity between Gentile Christians (Hellenistic) & Jewish Christians (Hebrews), who would otherwise have caused trouble, which would have weakened Timothy’s position and his work as a gospel preacher. Paul took Timothy and circumcised him and had him “ordained”. Paul wanted this done, on account of the fact that Timothy’s mother was a Jewess. It was therefore quite a different case from that of Titus, where Paul refused to allow circumcision to be performed (Acts 15:2 & Galatians 2:1-8)–Titus being, unlike Timothy, a Gentile by birth. The other act which was performed for Timothy’s benefit, before he set out with Paul, was that he was prayed over and had hands laid upon him by the Eldership from Derbe, Lystra & Iconium. Showing the importance which Paul assigned to this act of ordination, he refers to it in a letter to Timothy written many years afterward: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Tim 4:14). In this ordination Paul himself took part, for he writes, “I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands” (2 Tim 1:6). This passage should be viewed in the light of 1 Tim 4:14. It was very likely prophetic voices (through prophecy; compare 1 Tim 1:18, `according to the prophecies which went before in regard to thee’) which suggested the choice of Timothy as assistant of Paul and Silvanus (Silas), and his appointment to this work with prayer and the laying on of hands (compare Acts 13:2 ff) The churches in the neighborhood of Timothy’s home, according to Acts 14:23, had been furnished with an Eldership soon after their founding, which God used.

Both Timothy & Titus were given priorities by the Apostle Paul to find brothers who were qualified to become Elders and Deacons. This points us to the circle of leadership we should be trying to cultivate, teach and pray that it grows from our youth in the congregation. Titus 1:5 & 1^st Timothy 6:20 “Guard” what has been entrusted to you! Encourage the youth to preserve what they are taught and the tasks they are appointed to.

From all of Paul’s friends, it is only Timothy & Titus whom he refers to as his own spiritual “sons” (1^st Timothy 1:2 & Titus 1:4) and this continues with the congregation as a whole in the context of God’s fatherhood of children with sisters as “daughters” in 2^nd Corinthians 6:18. Therefore we know it is not a matter of who physically baptizes a new child of God. But who is it that invests personal time working & teaching the new child of God? They have the right to speak and refer to them as their spiritual children, having the personal touch which God’s Spirit uses to help them be raised to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Why? Because there is only One Father and Teacher in reality, Matthew 23:8-10. Christians with a Jewish heritage, seem to have the same right as Gentile Christians, to refer to Abraham as a spiritual father, Acts 7:2 & Romans 4:12 & James 2:21-25.

So what do we learn from Timothy & Titus to better instill virtues that will help the family be better friends in our congregation? People need to be treated differently, because we have different needs, but that doesn’t mean any single individual is any less important, or less loved, or less valued than the next person even if we are treated differently. We should try to honor one another moreso, than our-self, Romans 12:10, excelling in respecting each other.

Barnabas & Silas were examples of the kind of Christians God want us to see Christ in. They help beautify and strengthen Christ’s family. The Apostles and Elders of the early church needed Leaders who could help them make the message of Christ come alive in the community by working with the church in performing good deeds which physically helped move a spiritual message and Kingdom, See Acts 15:22, “ Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers. The leadership of Barnabas & Silas doesn’t mean they were appointed to a public office in the church, like Apostles, Elders and Evangelists, holding scriptural criteria and qualifying marks of character like them, but it does mean they were recognized by the church as multiplying their talents which God used to put them in a ministry leadership position, “among brothers”. Every congregation of the Lord’s Family needs brothers who will lead in support of evangelism!

Problems can arise, which should be expected, and with love & patience, we will see solutions and blessings, if we follow Christ and prayerfully help grow the fruit of the Spirit. Paul had a problem with Mark, which seems awful in the moment, but later blessed the church as a whole, because Barnabas showed Paul how to treat Mark who was struggling with a problem, which Paul didn’t know how to deal with, see Acts 15:37-40, “Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark, but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work. The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord.” Every congregation will have family problems that they don’t know how to deal with, we simply need love & patience to help us grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ to find the solution, see 2nd Timothy 4:11 & Colossians 4:10

When persecution arises against the church, our Leaders need support. Silas was a supporting leader that suffered alongside the Apostle Paul, See Acts 16:22 & 25 “The crowd joined in the attack against them. Then the magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped of their clothes and ordered them beaten with rods.…around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them”. God uses leaders to keep the church encouraged through persecution. Praise has been used by God during war, with great success for centuries and will continue in us and in our children, King Jehoshaphat saw it in 2^nd Chron. 20:1-29, being one of many incidents of praise used in victory against God’s enemies. Joshua saw it, Deborah saw it and David did too, 1^st Kings 1:5-53. Today the church sees, feels and experiences personal problems which bring great pain to us. The influence of the Devil in the world does this to us, sin is very real in the world we live in. Without the example and power of praise in the lives of leaders, we will weaken, fall and fail to stand-fast in the good fight of overcoming evil with good. The Christian soldier’s description begins with “TRUTH” and ends with “PRAYER”, Ephesians 6:10-18. Keep praising Him who upholds us, Colossians 3:15-17. Every congregation should have leaders who are skilled in praise & encouragement like Silas & Barnabas, they are needed! Without them, we are in danger, believe it and praise God with them in order to be more than a conqueror, Romans 8:37.