The Living Word

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August 9: Faith is learning to see with God’s eyes

July 29, 2020 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

St Catherine’s Monastery, Horeb. Elijah’s cave is thought to be on the mountainside above.
Image credit: Grace Still Amazes

Theme for Sunday, August 9, 2020: Faith is learning to see with God’s eyes

Following the set readings (Revised Commmon Lectionary) used across denominations which have set readings. TLW is published a week early to encourage reading and reflecting on the word during the week, as a preparation for Sunday worship. (TLW31A)

See this week’s linked article ‘Understanding… Stepping out in faith’

Also Really Quick Introduction – a one-minute Instagram video


1 Kings 19:9-18 — God shows Elijah that faith sees beyond beyond big events to God working in quiet ways

Jump to 1 Kings 19:9-18 verse by verse

Matthew 14:22-33 — Peter learns to keep his eyes on Jesus while stepping out in faith

Jump to Matthew 14:22-33 verse by verse

Romans 10:4-17 — The righteousness that justifies comes only by faith; trying to be righteous by works cannot succeed

Jump to Romans 10:4-17 verse by verse

And also: Psalm 85:8-13

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1 Kings 19:9-18 — Faith sees God working in hidden ways

Elijah encounters God but not in the hurricane, earthquake or fire

8-9 So [Elijah] got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.

“Horeb” – the region around Mount Sinai, a long journey south to the desert place where God revealed Himself to Moses, and later gave His laws. Both Moses on the mountain and Jesus in the wilderness, were sustained by God for this length of time.

• For further study, see Exodus 3:1, Exodus 19:1-3, Exodus 24:18, Matthew 4:2,11.

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

“What are you doing here” – God is asking Elijah why he chose to go rather than God having called him, and whether he knew the significance of the place.

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

“He replied” – indirectly, in terms of the unbelief and opposition he had faced, not the recent miraculous victory.

• For further study, read 1 Kings 18:19-40, 19:2-3.

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

“The Lord was not in the wind… earthquake… fire” – Elijah had experienced God in a spectacular way with fire at Carmel. God was showing how He was at work, powerfully through His word, in quiet ways.

13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

“I am the only one left” – Elijah has not yet grasped what God was showing him, about how the power of God had continued working in undramatic ways, not just the confrontation with the Baal worshippers he had been involved in.

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.

16 “Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.

“Go back… and… anoint Hazael… Jehu… and Elisha… as prophet” – God treats Elijah with grace and mercy, overlooking his self-pity, and giving him three important commissions.

17 “Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.

18 “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel — all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

“I reserve seven thousand” – it felt to Elijah like he was the only believer in Israel. The round number seven thousand signifies completeness – the remnant was enough for God’s purposes.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Elijah’s prophetic passion for the Lord has given way to a similarly intense feeling of despondency — and to be fair to him, he is under a death threat from an evil pagan queen who will stop at nothing to destroy him. On the run, he travels deep into Sinai desert, a significant place where he learns that the power of the Lord is not just big signs but also quiet, steady change.

APPLICATION  God is gracious to Elijah, who let one evil woman displace his faith with fear. Like Elijah, we pay too much attention to what we see and feel, and not enough to the unseen work of God bringing change to people’s hearts in quiet ways.

QUESTION  Where is God extending His kingdom, not in church attending but ‘under the radar’?


Matthew 14:22-33 — Peter learns about stepping out in faith

As he takes his eyes off Jesus and looks at his situation, his faith caves in

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd.

“Made the disciples… go on ahead” – the word has the meaning of ‘compel’. Following the feeding miracle, the crowd wanted to make Jesus king, John 6:15. To prevent the disciples getting caught up in this, Jesus ‘compelled’ them to find a boat and go.

23-24 After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

“Distance from land” – about three miles out, half way across the Sea of Galilee, John 6:19,  but not making much way into the wind.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

“Walking on the lake” –  a demonstration of God’s sovereignty over stormy waters.

• For further study, see Job 9:8; Psalm 77:19; Isaiah 43:16.

26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.

“It’s a ghost” – in a dream or vision, something that is not real. The disciples thought their eyes were deceiving them.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’

“It is I” – literally “I AM”, the name that God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. Jesus is revealing His divinity.

28 “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.”

29 “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus.

“Out of the boat” – note Peter’s considerable faith in getting out of the boat.

“Walked on the water” – a physical impossibility. The disciples’ lesson is seeing that in the power of Christ, they could do things ordinarily impossible.

30-31 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,’ He said, “why did you doubt?”

32-33 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

“You are the Son of God” – only God could exert mastery over the created order, reminding the disciples of “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea,” Job 9:8.

Reflection

SUMMARY  The disciples are rowing hard into the wind at night following a day in which they participated in God multiplying food for many thousands gathered on the hillside to hear Jesus. Now they are crossing the Sea of Galilee, having been rather forcibly dismissed by Jesus who wanted to find a quiet hillside to be alone with His Father and pray. Shortly before dawn they see a ghost-like figure walking over the water who identifies Himself as the Lord and calls Peter. Peter, in rising faith, goes over the side and walks on the water towards Him. But for a moment his focus changes from Jesus to the reality of the wind and the waves – and he starts to sink.

APPLICATION  There are times that Jesus calls us to step out in faith and do what logic tells us cannot be done. And with careful attention to Him, we can — but we cannot be double-minded, James 1:6-8.

QUESTION  How does ‘stepping out in faith’ work with Jesus ascended and not physically present?


Romans 10:4-17 — How to find the righteousness that is by faith

Trying to be righteous by works and not faith will always fail

4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

“Culmination” – telos, end-point or, as here, fulfilment. Christ makes it possible for anyone who believes (see v. 13 below) to be in right standing before God.

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”

The person who does these things…” – This, from Leviticus 18:5, is the path toward righteousness Israel was called to under the Moses covenant, although relationship with God was also by faith, Genesis 15:6. Paul taught earlier that life cannot come this way because all violate the law, Romans 1:18-3:20.

6-7 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ “(that is, to bring Christ down) or “Who will descend into the deep?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

“Do not say in your heart…” – this from Deut. 30:12-14 is about the law; Paul applies three sayings in a fresh way to the Good News. There is no need to go up to heaven to find Christ and be made right by Him, because He has come to earth as man. Nor do we need to go the the place of the dead to find Him, because He has been raised from the dead.

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:

“The word is near you” – continuing the quote above, Christ is where we are when we simply believe the message. He explains more in succeeding verses, summarised in v.17 below.

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

“Declare… and believe” – not just an acknowledgment that that Jesus is Lord of the universe because even demons believe that, James 2:19. This is the deep and unreserved declaration that Jesus is one’s own sovereign. People about to enter the water of baptism would declare this.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

“For” – explaining v.9, the condition for righteousness (being justified), is heart faith, which is internal. The condition for salvation from the power of sin and God’s just judgment, is our declaration — an external action.

11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

“As Scripture says” – Paul quotes from Isaiah, but this is the essence of the New Covenant foretold by Jeremiah.

• For further study, read Isaiah 28:16, Jer. 31:33-34, Romans 9:32-33

12-13 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

“Jew and Gentile” – who have exactly the same access to the Lord by the same means, declared faith.

14 How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

“How can they call on” – rhetorical questions in reverse order answer the argument that the Jews were not able to hear and respond to the gospel. The necessary elements are: preachers that are sent, the message proclaimed, the hearing of the message – and (where the Jews fell down) believing it.

15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

“Faith comes from hearing” – unlike hope, a confident general expectation in God and His goodness, believing faith arises on the basis of what God is heard to say. This is through the word, through spiritual gifts, or impartation of God’s truth by preacher, word and Spirit together.

Reflection

SUMMARY  This passage sets out two kinds of righteousness. One is becoming right by God by our own efforts, works or religious involvement. The problem is, we never get there! It is inaccessible. The second is very accessible but we dismiss it because it doesn’t require us to do anything, but to trust in what Jesus has done on our behalf. This is the ‘being justified’ real righteousness that comes from repenting of sin, believing in Jesus, and being able to say so.

APPLICATION  A real, personal relationship with God and the assurance that goes with it, is not something we strive for — it doesn’t work that way. The only way we can be completely justifed and made right with God, is by hearing the message, allowing faith to rise and evidently believing who He is and what He has done on our behalf.

• Link to The Jesus Prayer

• Link to article on How God helps us to know Him personally

QUESTION  How easy or difficult is it to let go of all your own efforts and simply trust Christ?

PRAYER  Lord, like those first disciples we ask, “Increase our faith” but we know you will tell us to put to work the little faith we have. Help us to learn from Elijah and Peter by keeping our focus on You. And protect us from a devotion that becomes an attempt to gain merit. We are so grateful for what You, Jesus, have done for us, and we cannot add to it. Amen.

Download print edition to print on A4 paper to make 4pp A5 folder:

TLW31A August 9 final – BookletDownload

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Filed Under: Pentecost to Advent, Year A

August 2: God’s abundant generosity

July 25, 2020 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

More than enough: sourdough by Baz Munday. Image credit: Ian Greig

Theme for Sunday, August 2, 2020 (TLW30A): Bible study on the week’s set readings — OT1: Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 — The Lord’s love is seen in His compassion to all; OT2: Isaiah 55:1-5 – God’s generosity cannot be paid for, but is given out of an eternal promise ; NT gospel — Matthew 14:13-21 — Jesus reveals Himself by providing food in a reminder of manna in the wilderness; NT letter: Romans 9:1-5 — God’s generosity was to the Jews first, but many could not accept Jesus.

Following the set readings (Revised Commmon Lectionary) used across denominations which a scheme of set readings. TLW is published a week early to encourage reading and reflecting on the word during the week, as a preparation for Sunday worship.

Theme: God’s abundant generosity

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 — The Lord’s love is seen in His compassion to all

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 NIV text

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 verse by verse

Isaiah 55:1-5 — God’s generosity cannot be paid for, but is given out of an eternal promise

Isaiah 55:1-5 NIV text

Isaiah 55:1-5 verse by verse

Matthew 14:13-21 — Jesus reveals Himself by providing food in a reminder of manna in the wilderness

Matthew 14:13-21 NIV text

Matthew 14:13-21 verse by verse

Romans 9:1-5 — God’s generosity was to the Jews first, but many could not accept Jesus

Romans 9:1-5 NIV text

Romans 9:1-5 verse by verse

BOTTOM

See also this week’s linked article Understanding… the generosity of God

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 — God is compassionate to all

The Lord’s love is seen in His generosity of spirit, and watchful provision

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

“Gracious and compassionate” – almost a quotation of Exodus 34:6 in which God reveals Himself to Moses. This is the opposite of the popular view of God as stern and fickle, long on demands and short on tolerance.

9 The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.

“Good to all” – God’s common grace is benevolent to all people, with one proviso: it does not save the rebellious from judgment, v.20 below. For that, He has special grace to reach out to those who turn and believe, John 1:12; Romans 3:22.

14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

“Lifts up all who are bowed down” – in the context, those burdened by oppression or difficulty. God’s kingdom works the opposite way to the world’s ‘success’ culture. Also, in vv.18-20 (below) “upholds… lifts up” can apply to believers bowed down in the submission of worship.

15 The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time.

“You give them their food” – in Jesus’ model prayer, “Give us today our daily bread”, Matthew 6:11, connects with this promise.

16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does.

18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.

“The Lord is near” – those who trust Him know that God is near, approachable, and ready to help like a friend.

• For further study, see Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 55:6; John 14:14.

19 He fulfils the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

20 The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.

“Watches over… will destroy” – the verbs sound similar in Hebrew and the form is like a mirror. The point of the psalm is that true faith will see and enjoy God’s goodness.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name for ever and ever.

“Praise His holy name” – the Lord’s name stands for the revealing of His presence, His power and impeccable character.


Isaiah 55:1-5 – God’s generosity in forgiveness and salvation

What cannot be earned or paid for is given, out of an eternal promise

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

“Come” – God speaks to the exiles in a tone which is urgent but reflecting opportunity, not a problem. It looks back to the Servant’s redeeming work and kingdom which is for all who will come, Isaiah 53:6.

“Come to the waters” – for spiritual refreshment, similarly wisdom’s invitation in Proverbs and Christ’s invitation to drink the water of life.

• For further study, read Psalm 42:1-12; Proverbs 9:5; John 4:14, 7:37.

“Buy wine and milk… without cost” – all who are spiritually hungry and thirsty find salvation here “without cost”. Salvation cannot be earned or bought.

2 “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

“What is not bread” – the un-nourishing husks of pagan religious practice, the “bread of deceit” rather than the bread of life, Proverbs 20:17, John 6:32-35. God’s gracious gift of salvation through the death of His Servant is beyond price. People cannot earn it, only act on it, Ephesians 2:8-9.

3 “Give ear and come to Me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David.

“An everlasting covenant… promised to David” – the promise of an unending dynasty, one that would be fulfilled in the Messiah. Acts 13:34 quotes from this verse: Christ’s resurrection was further evidence of this promise to David.

• For further study, read 2 Samuel 7:14-16; Isaiah 9:7, 54:10, 61:8.

4 “See, I have made Him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples.

“A witness to the peoples” – a reference first to David, who exalted the Lord among the nations, and to David’s Son, the Messiah who is a light to the nations.

• For further study, see Psalm 18:43, 49-50; Isaiah 42:6, 49:6.

5 “Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has endowed you with splendour.”

“Nations you do not know” – this follows the OT theme of nations being attracted to the God of Israel, Isaiah 2:2-4, 45:14; Zechariah 8:22. Through David’s descendant (and through the church) would come an endless witness to the world that Yahweh, our God, is the only Saviour.

Reflection

SUMMARY  The encouragement to come to God to have your spiritual thirst satisfied was first spoken prophetically to the discouraged exiles. However, it runs through the Bible. When God gave water to the Israelites walking through the desert to Mount Sinai, Exodus 17:1-6, it was drinking water, but in  their predicament, it also saved them. This invitation to “come to the waters… without cost” extends grace to the original exiles, alienated by their own breaking of the covenant with God ­— and it extends grace to everyone of every age, alienated from God by sin.

APPLICATION  The invitation also speaks to anyone who is distant from God. God’s offer is gracious — no one deserves it. Nothing we can do contributes towards it. God’s purpose is saving people, through His Son Jesus, the “witness to the people” and their just ruler, and our response is simply to “Come to Me; listen, that you may live”.

QUESTION  Why is it difficult for us to receive an offer which is made without cost or condition?


Matthew 14:13-21 — Abundance in the mountainside feeding miracle

Jesus reveals Himself in a scene that is a reminder of manna in the wilderness

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.

“When Jesus heard” – about Herod’s hostility, Matthew 14:1-2, He distanced Himself from the threat; His time had not yet come.

14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed those who were ill.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

“This a remote place” – or “desolate”, ESV, a scene that recalled the tribes in the wilderness, and how God met their need then with manna. “Go to the villages” – even many small villages would have nowhere enough bread for such a huge crowd.

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“You give them…” – getting the disciples to recognise the impossibility, so that they will see the miracle for what it is. Later, it is the disciples who are hands-on and giving out the multiplying food, v.19 (below).

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Five loaves” – small, hard barley rolls, a boy’s portion.

18 “Bring them here to Me,” He said.

19 And He told the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

“He gave thanks and broke the loaves” – as any Jewish head of the household would do.

“The disciples gave them to the people” – also stated by Mark and Luke.

• For further study, see Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13.

20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

“Twelve basketfuls… left over” – a reminder of Elisha’s miracle where barley loaves were multiplied, 2 Kings 4:42-44. Also a reminder of Jesus’ earlier teaching on God’s abundance, Matthew 6:11, 25-33.

21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

“The number of those who ate” – amounting to more like 10-15,000 counting the women and children together with the 5,000 men.

Reflection

SUMMARY  The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle of Jesus recounted in all four gospels. Shortly afterwards, Jesus underlines its significance by revealing Himself as the true manna or “the bread of life”, John 6:32-35. To people steeped in their history of finding the Promised Land and relying on God’s provision of manna in the desert, this was a powerful and meaningful way of Jesus helping them to work out who He was.

APPLICATION   Involving the disciples in the miracle was also a lesson to them on many levels. Although none of the gospel accounts gives detail of exactly how the miracle unfolded, three of them show the disciples having a significant part in the multiplication. It was a partnership requiring them to be involved, and to exercise their faith.

QUESTION  Why did Jesus involve the twelve disciples in giving out the food and collecting the scraps?


Romans 9:1-5 — God’s generosity was experienced by the Jews first

Paul laments those receiving the original promises— but who did not receive Jesus

1 I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit –

“My conscience” – not always a reliable guide unless aligned to the leading of the Spirit.

2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

“I have great sorrow” – because Paul observes that most were unable to believe the Good News about Jesus, and respond to Him to be saved.

3-4 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

“I could wish… myself… cursed” – not an offer that could be accepted – only Christ can stand in for another’s sin. Following the golden calf rebellion, Moses made a similar plea, Exodus 32:32.

“Theirs is adoption” – in their rescue from Egypt, and the glory of God in the tabernacle, the law which prescribed their life and worship and saving promises through the covenants.

5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, for ever praised! Amen.

“The patriarchs” – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were of the Jewish people. Paul’s most painful reflection was that the Messiah they rejected was from their own people, fully human — but also fully God.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Paul, classically educated in Judaism, expresses his devastation that the Good News of Jesus, the final instalment in a long list of covenant promises and privileges, should be dismissed by most of those at the front of the queue! Jesus had taught that He was sent, first, to the lost sheep of Israel, Matthew 15:24, and in His humanity He shared the same ancestry and revered the same patriarchs. Yet His own people proved the most resistant and threatening, and here Paul reflects — with both sadness and love — that his experience was the same.

APPLICATION  Those who believe they have it all, are often the most reluctant to receive more. And to be offered something more can be perceived, wrongly, as taking away from what has been offered before, even if it complements what has been given. Another aspect of Paul’s pain here is the reality that often those closest to us, are the hardest to witness to. But he was prepared to go to any length to see them receive Jesus and salvation.

QUESTION  When disappointments and discouragements come, how should we handle them before God?

PRAYER  Father, You so loved the world that You gave…
and we experience Your grace and generosity in so many ways.
You invite us to draw near for refreshing,
You make provision for us to meet our needs
and You are generous in forgiveness when we turn to You.
May we always be open
to what You want to do next in our lives.
Forgive us our tendency to pride and self-sufficiency,
when we are nothing and we have nothing
and we can do nothing of enduring value — apart from You.
Thank You so much for sending Jesus, our Saviour, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Use the link to download the printed edition, prints on A4 paper to produce a 4pp A5 folder
TLW30A Aug 2 final – Booklet
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Filed Under: Pentecost to Advent, Year A

July 26: God’s kingdom, our assurance

July 15, 2020 by Ian Greig Leave a Comment

Image credit: Ian Greig

Bible study on the week’s set readings, for Sunday, July 26, 2020 (TLW29A):
OT: 1 Kings 3:5-12 — God assures Solomon He will meet his request for a wide and discerning heart ;
NT gospel — Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Nothing we seek is as valuable as God’s life-giving and transforming kingdom;
NT letter: Romans 8:26-39 — If we are in relationship with God, we have assurance that God, out of His love, is working to bring His good order.

This follows the set readings (Revised Commmon Lectionary) used across denominations which use a scheme of set readings. TLW is published a week early to encourage reading and reflecting on the word during the week, as a preparation for Sunday worship.

Theme: God’s kingdom order is also His assurance to us

1 Kings 3:5-12 — God assures Solomon that his request for a wise and discerning heart will be granted

1 Kings 3:5-12 NIV text

1 Kings 3:5-12 verse by verse with commentary

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 — Nothing we seek is as valuable as God’s life-giving and transforming kingdom

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 NIV text

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 verse by verse with commentary

Romans 8:26-39 — If we are in relationship with God, we have assurance that God, out of His love, is working to bring His good order

Romans 8:26-39 NIV text

Romans 8:26-39 verse by verse with commentary

And also read: Psalm 119: 129-136

Article linked to this theme: Explaining… Our assurance in the kingdom of God

See also in Believe the Good News God’s assurance and the five common doubt s we all struggle with

1 Kings 3:5-12 — God assures Solomon He will help him be a good king

His request for a wise and discerning heart will be granted

5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.”

“At Gibeon” – where the tabernacle was located, although the ark was in Jerusalem, 1 Chron. 16:39, 2 Samuel 6.

“In a dream” – God often communicated with people in dreams.

• For further study, read Genesis 37:5 -10; Daniel 4:4-18, Matthew 1:20, 2:13,19.

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to Your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to You and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

“Kindness” – Hebrew hesed, which is about upholding a covenant promise, and more generally, God’s gracious and loving treatment of His nation. Covenant faithfulness is an important emphasis of the OT, Psalm 118:1-2, Deut. 7:9, 12.

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made Your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.

“A little child” – Solomon, aged about 20, expresses a humble reliance on God, which pleases Him (v.10).

8 “Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.

“A great people” – from one family living in Egypt, Genesis 46:26-27, now about four million.

9-10 “So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

“A discerning heart” – rather than wealth or power or military skill, he asks for the ability to hear all perspectives before ruling — the definition of a ‘good king’, Isaiah 11:2-5.

11-12 So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this, and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

I will give you a wise and discerning heart” – or “mind”, ESV. Not common sense ‘do what is right’ wisdom, 1 Kings 2:6,9, but supernatural wisdom to apply what God reveals, like the spiritual gift of 1 Cor. 12:7-8.

Reflection

SUMMARY  The encounter Solomon has with God in a dream is unusual because it is a two-way conversation.  God is pleased that Solomon is not asking for wealth, power,  or destruction of enemies, but for the means to govern well and bless others.

APPLICATION  What God gives him is an impartation of spiritual insight and wisdom of the kind that would associate with the life of the Spirit in the Early Church. James, in his letter, tells us we should ask God for wisdom but we must ask with faith to receive it, James 1:5-6.

QUESTION  What wisdom or other impartation do we need? Are we asking for it?


Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 — Nothing is as valuable as God’s realm

God’s order  assures transformation rather than revolution

31-32 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

“A mustard seed” – then the smallest known seed, which could become a large bush.

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

“Yeast… worked all through the dough” – enough for 50 good sized loaves, but the amount of yeast needed is miniscule. Like the mustard seed, the point is how transforming kingdom life is.

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Like treasure hidden in a field” – paired with the finding of the fine pearl, vv.45-46 below. These discoveries were of such value, any sacrifice was worth making to get them. In ancient times hiding treasure this way was not uncommon.

45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

“Looking for fine pearls” – the first seeker stumbled upon a treasure trove but this one was looking for it, perhaps in the wrong place. The point is the same – it is to take hold of even if it costs you everything. Nothing can buy salvation, but receiving Jesus as Saviour and Lord costs us our old life, pride and independence.

47-48 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

“Collected the good… but threw the bad away” – the long drag-net being pulled on to the shore, like the parable of the wheat and weeds, Matt. 13:24-30, 38-43, teaches that the world has good and evil co-existing.

49-50 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“The angels will come and separate” – only at the end of the age will there be a separation of the unredeemed, but until then, the church has the responsibility to cast the gospel before all of society.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.

“Have you understood” – Jesus’ teaching had revealed to them things that had been hidden, Matt. 13:34-35 (omitted), giving them a better storeroom to draw on, v.52, than the scribes and Pharisees.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

“New treasures as well as old” – the order is important: the disciples were receiving an understanding of the New Covenant in Jesus and fuller message of the kingdom, through which the treasures of the old covenant would have new meaning.

Reflection

SUMMARY  The parables Jesus told illustrate the way the realm of God grows and brings its life even from insignificant beginnings. It may be something we just become increasingly aware of, or perhaps we have been searching in the wrong place before we find it, but it is of such unique value we would give up everything else to get it. A different picture of the kingdom comes from the image of fishermen hauling in a drag-net and then sorting the fish caught in it. The gospel net is set to enfold all of them, clean and unclean, but at the end there will be a separation.

This was a far cry from Messiah as a David-like military hero leading an uprising as part of God’s judgment to bring in the kingdom in the future. They were both seeing, and learning, that the kingdom rule of God was happening now – the new treasure that makes the old useful again.

APPLICATION  We, too, can miss God’s kingdom if we confuse it with an institution or an exclusive kind of grouping. All the Lord needs us to do is to open ourselves to this dynamic spiritual life and transformation will follow.

QUESTION  Where do we see the dynamic spiritual growth of the kingdom that Jesus portrayed?


Romans 8:26-39 — Our assurance is being securely held by God’s love

If we are in relationship with God, we know that He is working for our good

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

“The Spirit Himself” – the third Person within the Trinity of God — “Himself”, not an impersonal force or influence — can bring prayer through us when words do not come.

“Wordless groans” –  akin to praying in the Spirit, Jude 1:20; Ephesians 6:18.

27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

“Intercedes… in… the will of God” – the Holy Spirit’s requests are in agreement with God, Matthew 18:19, and He always prays according to the Father’s will.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

“In all things” – references “our present sufferings”, v.18. The promise is that God is always working His good, bringing everything into conformity with Christ, v.20) and His purpose. Romans 8:18-20.

“Those… who have been called” – the object of the promise, “those who love Him” are believers in Jesus.

29 For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

“Those God foreknew” – means simply ‘knew beforehand’. Unlike us, God is able to know beforehand who will respond to His call, v.30, below.

30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

“He predestined… called… justified… glorified” – four time events including one still in the future, showing that God exists beyond our barriers of time.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

“He… did not spare… but gave Him up” – by doing what is much greater, we are assured that God will be graciously generous to us – a similar argument to the one Paul used in Romans 5:9-10.

33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

“Who will bring any charge” – for the Christian, God has already pronounced a verdict of not guilty and no charge can be brought.

34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

“Who… condemns?” – those who are in Christ Jesus are not under condemnation, Romans 8:1,  because (1) Christ Jesus died and paid the full penalty for us, (2) He is resurrected and alive and (3) is active on our behalf, interceding for us by the Father’s side. A Friend  in the highest place!

35-36 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

“Shall… persecution… famine… danger or sword?” – Paul has proved that crisis situations do not break the bond of God’s love. Do what in life can? Suffering is part of the territory, as Psalm 44:22 reminds us, but so is God being with us.

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“I am convinced” – if God is for us, Romans 8:31 above, and no created thing can separate us, then our assurance and security in Him, Paul asserts, is a certainty.

Reflection

SUMMARY  Paul assures us that  God knows us, and being outside time He knew from the beginning that we would choose to know Him, through trusting what Jesus had done for us. He is for us, working for His best in all our circumstances, and whatever charge or accusation may be brought against us, the verdict is settled. Jesus died, paying the full price for our sin was resurrected and now sits in the place of supreme authority representing us to the Father. 

APPLICATION  The devil is a slanderer works by trying to get us to believe his lies: God doesn’t really love us, what we have done puts us beyond redemption, Jesus’ power wasn’t enough for us, no one will hear us now. Sometimes the truth becomes more clear if we take each lie and consider its opposite. Jesus died for us, God knows us, and is for us in life’s attacks, working for good – getting things back into His order. Jesus conquered sin and death – and we are on the side of victory — His victory!

QUESTION  How do we know that God is for us, working for good, when it feels like we are on the side of defeat, not victory?

PRAYER  Father, as I come to You again through Jesus,
I thank You for calling me, pursuing me, challenging me
and helping me to respond to Your love ––
and to have the assurance of being a part of Your kingdom.

Thank You for Your Son, Jesus,
being the demonstration of the kingdom,
and teaching us what it means.

May I recognise the working of Your kingdom
with its life and growth, joy and peace.
May I see Your kingdom coming more and more,
both in the church and in the wider community.

And may I be a kingdom bringer together with You. Amen.


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  • Renewed and restored
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  • So, who is this Jesus?
  • Spiritual Confidence is Yours with a Little Practice
  • The Big Story
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  • The Grace and Glory of God Appear — and Our Part In It
  • The Great Realisation
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  • Three Common Pitfalls to Avoid
  • To know Jesus is to have fellowship in Him
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  • Understanding God’s grace + our faith = new life in salvation 
  • Understanding God’s gracious generosity
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  • Understanding… How we learn to see where Jesus is present
  • Unexpected — The King Who Serves
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  • Who is Jesus? Where is Jesus? How Mystery Leads Us to Revelation
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  • About…
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    • A personal guide through the maze of Bible versions
  • About TLW print edition
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    • Explaining… Christmas: the call to worship
    • Explaining… God’s call to all
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    • Explaining… How to see ourselves as God sees us
    • Explaining… How too easily we can be frustrating God’s plan
    • Explaining… Our assurance in the kingdom of God
    • Explaining… Revitalisation — God’s kingdom vs our control
    • Explaining… the ‘review and renew’ that God is doing
    • Explaining… Why the good news is good
    • Understanding… The danger in our complacency
    • Explaining the kingdom of God 1
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    • Understanding… Holiness and the Great Commandment
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    • Understanding… How we raise our expectation
    • Understanding… Revival
    • Understanding… Stepping out in faith
    • Understanding… the difference between reacting and responding to God
    • Understanding… The freedom that is ours in Christ
    • Understanding… the generosity of God
    • Understanding… The invitation we must respond to
    • Understanding… The need to be ready for the Lord’s return
    • Understanding… The way agreement and conflict play out in the kingdom of God
    • Understanding the Good News – God’s grace
    • Inexpressible and glorious joy
    • The need to be reborn from above
    • Understanding the Trinity of God
    • First-century gnosticism

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Welcome to The Living Word

You get a lot more out of the Sunday service readings if they are already speaking to you. TLW is about reading and re-reading these Scriptures with some commentary to bring out what is hidden and make connections with cross references. This is different from liturgy because it is a Bible study, putting the Bible passages in sequence from OT, through the NT gospel era, and then through the lens of the post-resurrection, early church in the power of the Spirit. Enabling this progressive revelation points to a theme.  The translation used is the readable and widely-used 2011 edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible. Commentary is drawn from a wide range of sources and is Bible-centric and theologically neutral. As we read and reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to help us hear God through His word during the week, we prepare ourselves to hear afresh and receive the Sunday sermon in church or chapel.

For convenience, use the ‘Subscribe’ box below to receive a short email with the Bible passage and notes for each weekday (and that’s all!).

Unsubscribing is just as easy.

A little about me and my vision for The Living Word

I live in the Marches, a green and beautiful expanse of hills between England and Wales where churches and chapels share duty to the Christian faithful in every valley, and churchgoing is still part of the community life. However, there are few Bibles to be seen in these buildings, and home-based groups for fellowship and Bible study are rare.

I want to encourage Sunday worshippers in churches and chapels to enjoy reading the Bible during the week, to get used to hearing God for themselves through His word, and to be  spiritually prepared for the message they will hear on Sunday from the lectionary readings they all share. It is no substitute for meeting and worshipping together, nor for Holy Spirit-inspired preaching. It supports both by encouraging the personal growth of church and chapel members of any denomination. It offers faith encouragement for those no longer able to, or no longer wanting to take part in, formal physical church.

My background is not in churches that use the lectionary and I bring a breadth of tradition and spiritual understanding to the writing.  I have pastored a number of churches and been involved in a variety of other missional initiatives with a ‘kingdom of God’ agenda.

As well as The Living Word and its weekly video I also post regularly on www.freshbread.today and www.thelivingword.substack.com with a podcast as well as video and written content. There is also a Facebook page at fb.com/TLWbiblestudy

Revd Ian Greig BD (Hons), DPS

SEE ALSO other Living Word Publications

Substack newsletter and podcast (free subscription) — audio podcast, video and written content all in one place

Fresh Bread Today — the freshest bake, with a bit of a tang, unpackaged and uncut. His word to live by, today.

Believe the Good News – finding the good news and encouragement all through the Bible

GLOW – God’s Love Over Weobley, encouraging prayer and spiritual fellowship. With a local flavour for this NW Herefordshire village.

 

 

 

 

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