Tag Archives: 26

Ezekiel 26

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Vs. 3, “therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the sea casting up its waves.”  Tyre was located about 40 miles north of Israel.  During their time, Tyre was one of the great port cities of its time.  They would see great benefit at God’s people suffering (one less competitor commercial purposes), but God would bring vengeance.  For Jerusalem’s conqueror would become Tyre’s too.

Regarding application…Secular Music.   Vs. 13, “I will put an end to your noisy songs, and the music of your harps will be heard no more.”  I couldn’t help but laugh at this!  I always feel like a cranky old man with how loud youth play music :P   But, in this case…God would silence their music that brought Him no glory.  If this is how God treated secular music then, I wonder how God looks at our secular music today.  So much loud noisy songs that talk about love, relationships, money, sex, etc.  The conviction concerning such can only come from a open heart and the Holy Spirit.  Music was created by God, but I do believe there is some secular music that has no place in the Christian life.  Seek the Lord and see if He is convicting you on how you approach the type of music you watch.

Matthew 26

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Vs. 15, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.”  It has begun.  Mary seems to know the ramifications of what is going to happen and anoints Jesus with her perfume (vs. 6-13).  Sadly, the one who rebuked her would be the one who would sell out Jesus (vs. 14-16).  What a contrast between these two!  We move on to the Last Supper as Jesus would spend his last night with those whom He loved (vs. 17-30).  I will expound upon Peter in the application section.  The garden scene always touches my heart as Jesus would prepare himself for us (vs. 36-46).  The sadness would begin as Jesus stands before the Sanhedrin (vs. 57-67).  I want to go in and defend Jesus as he is beaten and spit upon (vs. 67), yet…we would have scattered like the rest of Jesus’ disciples.

 

Regarding application…Who Me?  Vs. 33, “Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”  Question: What would you have done?  Peter reminds us that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  But this denial of Peter isn’t really about Peter is it?  It’s about Jesus’ forgiveness.  Sometimes we have a higher estimation of ourselves, but compared to Jesus we are all sinners.  Question: Who me?  Yes you…Jesus loves you anyway.  Even when you fall, even when you fail him, even when you want to give up…Jesus still loves you.  That’s grace.  That’s forgiveness.  This weekend, the Youth Group was really challenged about these two topics.  What good is it if we don’t apply God’s word.  Jesus extended forgiveness to Peter and to all that fateful night.  And yes…also to you.  Pray that this week you can do something to show grace, mercy and forgivness this week!

Jeremiah 26

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Vs. 8, “But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die!”  It’s quite obvious to see how dangerous it was for Jeremiah to boldy proclaim God’s message.  But He would obey in complete faith even with the prospect that those who would hear may retaliate.  Be very careful dearest brothers & sisters not to distort the Word of God when it is received to us.  And this is exactly what they did.  Fortunately, the leaders of Judah gave Jeremiah the opportunity to defend himself against the false accusers.  Calmer heads prevailed and Jeremiah found favor amongst some of the leaders (Ahikam) who would not have him executed.  God still had work for Jeremiah to do!

 

Regarding appliaction…Faithful under Fire.  Vs. 21, “When King Jehoiakim and all his officers and officials heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it and fled in fear to Egypt.”  You may be wondering what this last story of Uriah has to do with anything.  Uriah was a prophet much like Jeremiah.  The difference between the two is that Uriah had fled when threatend while Jeremiah faced the fire.  Remember last Sunday’s message: When God takes us (clay jars) and puts it in the furnace to be perfected…we must stay in the fire.  Uriah would lose his life for this.  This is what seperates boys from men and girls from ladies.  It takes tremendous faith to face the hatred of this world.  But, Jesus told us not to be suprised when the world hates us because it also hated Him (John 15:18).  As many of you live in a secular world, be courageous in your work places and in your schools!  Don’t flee and be ashamed of the life God has called you to live!