Ephesians 2 verses 1 to 10

NOTES FROM FAITH MISSION GOSPEL MISSION GARVAGH

THURSDAY 28 MAY 2021 ANDREW McCULLAGH

EPHESIANS 2 VERSES 1 - 10

It has been said that every picture tells a story.  It is a wonderful gift to have, to take a blank canvas and have the patience to paint a picture capturing a scene.  Perhaps you have marvelled at famous paintings.  Here in these verses Paul sketches for us some pictures.  In fact he presents a trio of pictures that relate to each other.  What we are by nature but what we can become by grace.

The first describes a sinner and their guilt - verses 1 - 3.  It is very dark and depressing.  The colour scheme is black and grey.  Paul reminds these people how God saw them prior to salvation - no brightness or beauty.  As we view humanity in a sinful state there are 6 words used to describe someone who was not a Christian - "you were dead in trespasses and sins."  The natural man has no consciousness of God in his life, no communication with him.  The problem is the same the world over.  There are 2 interesting words in verse 1 - "trespasses" meaning sins of commission, the wrongs we have done.  The Bible describes it as "all we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way." (Isaiah 53 verse 6) It doesn't take us to be a farmer to know sheep wander.  Each of us have stepped out of line, we have went out of bounds, rebelled against God, broken his commandments.  "There is none righteous no not one."(Romans 3 verse 10)  The second word used in verse 1 is "sins" which are the sins of omission.  A failure to do that which is right.  It is a word taken from the sport of archery meaning an arrow that has fallen short of the target.  We cannot reach God's standard.  "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3 verse 23)  This is the description of everyone.  Sin is a serious problem.  Paul then adds these people were deceived "you walked according to the course of this world according to the the prince of the power of the air."  These people were under the spell of the devil.  Evil governed their lives.  Perhaps you think you are in control of your life in all you say and do.  You are under a power greater than your own.  Jesus said "whoever commits sin is the servant of sin." (John 8 verse 34)  Think of the man from Gadara in Mark 5.  He was literally living among the dead.  He had a fearsome reputation in the community.  Neither he nor anyone could break the devils grip on his life.  Only Jesus could do that for him.  Only Jesus could do that for you.  The word "air" represents a foggy atmosphere.  When fog comes down we cannot see where we are going.  In the spiritual sense maybe the devil has his hold over you and you cannot see your spiritual need.  Another word that describes a person without Christ is they are marked by disobedience - verse 2 "now worketh in the children of disobedience."  We are sons of the disobedient one who is the devil.  Jesus said of the Pharisees in John 8 verse 44 "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar and the father of it."  This rebellious attitude can be traced back to Genesis 3.  Their God put the first human beings in a perfect environment, he provided everything for life, gave them laws to live by but Adam sinned.  "As by one man disobedience many were made sinners."(Romans 5 verse 19)  That is why man disobeys, that is why man is self centred - because of the fall, because of sin.  Paul tells us we are depraved - verse 3 "among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind."  People are capable of all kinds of evil.  This is how the bible describes it.  "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it." (Jeremiah 17 verse 9) Talking of our spiritual condition.  The heart is the problem is the problem of the heart.  That is why we need a new nature by trusting God for salvation.  Even our best is not enough.  "All our righteous acts are like filthy rags" because of all of these things. (Isaiah 64 verse 6) Paul tells us in verse 3 "and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."  It is important to realise the seriousness of sin.  God is perfect and just.  He is offended by sin and he must punish the evil doer.  The sinner is facing judgment, everlasting separation from God.   John 3 "he that believes in the son has everlasting ife and he who does not believe the wrath of God is on him." (John 3 verse 36)  The sentence has been passed.  God is delaying that day of execution, giving you an opportunity to get right with him.  That is the only ray of light you see in this dark picture.  A real reflection of who we are and where we stand with God.

The second picture is of the Saviour and his grace - verses 4 - 7.  God's beautiful masterpiece.  It is a more stunning picture after the previous picture.  When the jeweller wants to display a beautiful diamond he places it on a dark cloth so that it sparkles more.  That is what Paul says "But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us." (verse 4) An amazing work of salvation for you.  He was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.  That is what the Lord can do for you.  There is a great loving in verse 4.  We can begin to comprehend or consider the depths of God's love.  We see the great heart of God to sinners - John 3 verse 16.  Even though we are weak and wayward in our sin he loved us so much he went to the cross.  "But God demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." (Romans  verse 8)  In verse 5 we see life giving "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved)."  On 3 occasions during his earthly ministry Jesus raised people from the dead.  He done what no-one else could do.  He alone had the power to impart spiritual life.  He went further enduring death itself so we could be raised to newness of life, triumphing over the grave.  Jesus rose to guarantee eternal life for all who would trust in him.  "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10 verse 10)  Verse 6 lifting "And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." What a change in position.  we can be brought out of the dungeon and into the palace.  "He brought me up out of a horrible pit and established my steps." (Psalm 40 verse 2)  Have you been delivered by Jesus?  Perhaps you are asking how can I be saved, made right with God, sure of heaven?

The third and final picture is our view of salvation and its gift - verses 8 and 9.  He is what God offers to you tonight.  It is unmerited.  The word grace occurs 3 times in verses 5, 7 and 8.  What is grace - the unmerited favour of a loving God, something that you need but don't deserve but God gives freely.  God's richness at Christ's expense.  Sin offended him but he put in place a rescue plan to deliver us from death.  Where sin abounded grace did much more abound.  A drowning person cannot save themselves.  They need a lifeline thrown out.  Neither are we able to make us right with God.  He came to free us from our sin.  Nothing that we could do.  That is the difference between Christianity and other world religions.  God wants us to trust in him.  The human mind reasons that there are continuous boxes to tick, that there are rules and regulations to be kept but it is faith alone in Jesus to meet your need.  A woman believed that if she could just touch the edge of Jesus' garments she would be healed.  A blind beggar pleaded for mercy as he sat by the roadside one day.  A man believed if Jesus just spoke the word his sick servant would be cured.  Have you exercised that faith, believed on the Lord Jesus and been saved?  Grace is God's part in salvation and faith is ours.  Grace is the remedy for our sin and faith is taking the medicine.  Grace is the gift of heaven and eternal life.  Faith is our hand reaching up for it.  All come the same way.  Faith in the finished work of Jesus upon the cross.  To emphasise salvation is a gift.  God states it is unattainable by our efforts.  Verses 8 and 9 "that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."  So many people sincerely believe they must do their best.  If somehow they do enough then that set of scales will tip in our favour and earn us a place in heaven.  People think God will look favourably on what they have done but this is a gift.  How would you feel if someone asked how much they needed to pay for the gift you presented them with?  It would bring anguish and offence.  You have to simply reach out and receive it.  "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6 verse 23)  There is no room for pride.  Everyone is on equal ground no matter who you may be.  You have to come as a sinner to the cross.

Two people on the road to Emmaus whose lives were changed forever

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 11 APRIL 2021 pm

LUKE 24 VERSES 27 - 35

I want to turn your attention to these 2 pilgrims leaving Jerusalem heading back to their own village.  They had heard the women's story of Jesus ' body not being in the tomb but he had risen.  These 2 felt that the Lord was coming to deliver them from the Roman opposition.  They realised the Lord was not coming to do that.  He was coming to deliver people from sin.  We all have been born in sin.  We needed a Saviour.  God sent his son to be that Saviour.  These 2 were confused.  The Lord drew alongside them.  He went with them.  Maybe you have had your hopes dashed in the past days.  Someone has let you down.  The Lord wants to draw alongside you tonight and wants to go with you.  The Lord did not forsake these 2 pilgrims.  The Lord wants to draw alongside you tonight.  You are the very person that he came to save.  We read in verse 32 that he opened the scriptures to them and in verse 35 their mouths were opened.

The courage they showed.  What made the difference in these lives?  Nothing they said to one another.  It was the experience of meeting the risen resurrected Savour.  The Lord who drew near to them, that made the difference in their life.  That is what will make a difference in your life - to meet with Christ face to face.  They didn't know they would have this great experience of meeting Christ.  Maybe this is your need tonight, that the Lord would draw near to you, make a special difference in your life.  Maybe you have never had the experience of looking on the Lord dying for you, realising he was bearing your sin, crying out and saying 'come into this heart of mine, save me.'  What a difference when they met with the Lord.  Their hearts are lifted, they have been encouraged.  The Lord has opened their minds.  No longer on the way to Emmaus they returned to Jerusalem.  There as no fear in their hearts of what they might meet or what would happen to them on the way.  Once they had met with the Lord all fear has gone.  All they wanted to do is get back to Jerusalem.  Fear is one of the greatest barriers of a man coming to Christ.  What would my friends say about it?  It is only when you have that real experience of Christ that those fears will drift away.  Joseph of Arimathea had that fear of people.  He was a secret disciple until Jesus died on Calvary.  He went and asked for the body of Christ.  He was taking his stand.  Is there a fear in your heart of coming to Christ, of being saved and what others might say about you and to you? Nicodemus came to the Lord by night.  On the day of crucifixion he anointed the body of Christ.  Those religious leaders mocked him but there was no fear on his part now.  He had no fear.  In John 9 we see a man who believed in the Lord to heal him.  Jesus did that and he opened his eyes.  He was able to see.  Jesus told him to go and wash his eyes.  He could now see.  The Pharisees were so angry and they questioned him.  He told them that once he was blind but now he could see, that he didn't know who this man was.  He had a wonderful transformation of meeting the Lord as a sinner and being redeemed by the blood of Christ.

The communion now they sought.  In verse 33 they went back to Jerusalem to find the other disciples.  They had something to share.  A testimony to give.  They sought communion with other believers.  When you get saved you need to seek out other children of God.  This encounter changed their very direction in life.  After this experience they wanted the company of the other disciples who had the same experience.  Kindred minds and spirits, a change of direction.  Fears and doubts were gone.  The wise men came from the east, came asking after the child born King of the Jews.  They made their way to Herod's palace.  They were told to go again and find the baby then come and tell the king once again.  When they left the palace the star showed them where to find the baby but "they parted unto their own company another way".  Why - because they had looked into Jesus face and they were changed as a result.  When you come to the cross and repent of your sin you change your direction in life.  You are on your way to heaven and home.  Bartimaeus sat along the highway begging.  That was all he could do in life.  He depended on those few coins dropped into his begging bowl.  Jesus came to him one day and healed him.  Immediately he received his sight and followed him.  He did not want to do anything but follow the Lord.  All the people gave praise to God.  He didn't go back to the highway begging.    In Acts 2 Peter preached to the crowd on the day of Pentecost and saw thousands come to the Lord.  They yearned for something more.  Verse 42 "and they continued steadfastly in the apostles fellowship and doctrine."  The Holy Spirit came and opened their hearts.  They were saved and baptised.  They did not want to go back to the old religious way.  This truth had set them free.  Verse 44 "and all that believed were together and had all things in common."

The conversation they had.  In verse 30 they found the 11 together.  It was a different conversation they wanted now.  Here in this chapter a group of people now spoke of the resurrection in Jerusalem.  What a wonderful message to hear.  This is the conversation we need to hear today.  It is the experience of the Psalmist in Psalm 40.  He was in an awful pit, thought there was no escape.  The Lord heard his cry (grace).  That is what happens when you cry to the Lord, when you lift your voice heavenward because there is nothing you can do for yourself.  The Psalmist went on to say "and he lifted me (mercy).  That is what the Lord will do for you.  If you are not saved and you come to the Lord you are in a situation where you cannot save yourself.  

The comfort they found.  This surely brought great comfort to these 2 pilgrims.  It was a confirmation to their faith.  These pilgrims joined together and they began to explain what had happened to them.  Have you that testimony to the saving grace of the Lord?  Have you ever trusted Christ for yourself?

Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 23 MAY 2021

ROMANS 12

In Romans chapter 12 the apostle Paul is leaving behind a doctrinal section.  Up to now he has been talking about all the things we believe.  Chapter 12 moves to a practical position.  Paul tells the people to look back on all the things God has done for you and as you move forward put them into practice.  Look at verse 2 - the apostle Paul is moving on.

Check for dangers.  Totally surrender our life to him, holding nothing back to come before him, to say 'here am I.'  Just like Isaiah in chapter 6.  God spoke to Isaiah in the temple "whom will I send and who will go for us?"  Isaiah said to the Lord "send me."  As we sit here today have we ever said "here am I, I want to give you my life, my all, I give to you the entirety of my life."  Someone once said "it is not a prayer ground but a battle ground."  Remember the day when you heard the gospel of saving grace and bowed your knees at the foot of the cross, when you realised the sinless son of God was dying for your sin to pay the price of your sin.  You were redeemed by his precious blood.  Now you have come to that stage Paul says where you must surrender your life.  From the moment you trust Christ as Saviour you make a real enemy, the devil himself.  He will dog your tracks from the moment you leave the cross until you leave this scene of time.  One of the greatest dangers is apathy, carelessness, coldness.  The Laodicean church in Revelation was lukewarm.  They were neither hot nor cold but the Lord was on the outside and he couldn't get in.  There was apathy in the church.  Romans 12 speaks of unreserved commitment to Christ.  We need to come and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice unto God, give him your all.  Notice the word "and" - "and be not conformed to this world."  The word for "world" is not the Greek word "cosmos" but another and refers to the fashions and customs of that day. The danger was that Christians would be taken by the spirit of that day - "walk according to the course of this world."  The devil wants to get us to conform to the world.  Think of Demas.  Paul said of him that he was a fellow labourer.  He walked, talked and travelled with Paul.  There were times of great prayer and preaching.  "Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world."  He began to compare his life with that of others.  It was a difficult life, travelling here and there, putting up with hardships.  Remember Lot in Genesis 13.  A young man under the godly influence of an uncle, Abraham.  He adopted him because his father had died.  God came to Abraham and told him to leave his country, family and friends.  He was told he would be given a great land.  Can you see Abraham telling his family about what God had told him.  Lot followed after him.  He became very rich and it led to a conflict between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot's.  Abraham comes to Lot and tells him it was not good that there was strife.  He told Lot that they would divide the land and gave him the choice of which land he wanted.  Lot lifted up his eyes towards Sodom.  It was well watered and fertile.  He looked and thought it was good.  Lot not only looked toward Sodom, he took his tent and pitched it toward Sodom.  "The men of Sodom were great sinners."  Lot was pitching his tent toward Sodom then we soon find him living in Sodom, ruling in Sodom.  When God came with a warning to him and his family he was reluctant to leave Sodom.  It is so easy to be duped into that religiousity.  To think you will make an improvement and help that situation.  All that happens is you are brought down.  This man Lot in Genesis 18 when the angels came and told of the destruction of Sodom, was very reluctant to leave that place.  He goes back to his family and tells of the destruction that would happen.  His family have watched him all these years - their reaction was to laugh at him.  He had got so accustomed with the world he was living in.  He lost his testimony.

There is a consecration now to the decision.  How can we guard the mind - by being in God's word and presence.  1 Peter 1 verse 13 "wherefore gird up the loins of your mind and be sober."  The people Peter wrote to those who had to flee because of persecution.  Peter wrote to them and said "don't get involved with the habits of the land you are in."  1 Peter 2 "desire the sincere milk of the word of God that you might grow."  Renewing means changing habits to fit in with God's word.  When Paul speaks of the word transforming it is the idea of breaking of habits and putting on another habit.  When the children of Israel came into the land of Canaan Moses warned them that there were people living in Canaan but they were not to take up their lifestyle.  The devil is very subtle and ready to bring us down.  The process must start from within.  In 2 Timothy Paul talks about the last days "having a form of godliness but denying th power thereof from such turn away."  A cloak of religiousity.  Paul tells them it must begin in the mind "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."  We feed the mind in the word of God and in the presence of God.  That is where we come to for the renewing of our minds.  Remember the city of Berea.  Paul preached in that city, they listened intently, received the word of God gladly and when they returned to their homes took down the word of God and searched to find what Paul had said was true.  

The confidence he now has in the direction.  Ultimately we need to do the will of God.  we cannot do that if we are so taken up with what the world dictates.  Saul of Tarsus was a young religious Jew who was inspired by the religious world around him.  He had one purpose - to destroy all the churches he could come across, to arrest every Christian.  That was his mindset and it was totally changed on the Damascus road.  God spoke to Ananias "go and find Saul of Tarsus, behold he prayeth."  He was ready for the work of God.  Acts 9 verse 15 "this man is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will shew him how great thngs he must suffer for my name's sake."  Paul later said to King Agrippa "whereupon I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision."  He knew the will of God.  It is so important today that we see what the will of God is in our lives.  

Bible studies in 1 Peter

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

PRAYER MEETING NOTES ON 1 PETER

Tuesday 27 April 2021

"To the strangers" and "elect according to the foreknowledge of God."  The God of heaven knows all about our situation and what we need at this moment in time.  The purpose of the letter is to encourage.  Chapter 5 verse 12 "I have written briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand."  This letter was written at a time of great persecution.  The devil was coming against the church.  He was using a person, Nero the emperor of Rome at that time.  Historians dated this to 63 - 66AD.  Brings us into the rule of Nero and great fire of Rome  Lasted 6/7 days.  Historians would tell us that Nero actually plotted and planned the great fire.  He himself was away from the city at that time.  He wanted to rebuild his wonderful palace for himself but he needed it in ruins first.  The first wave of persecution Nero blamed the Christians for that fire.  Look at verse 1 get a look at the character.  When these apostles were set aside by God, the Holy Spirit took over and helped them to write what he wanted.  The human author is "Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ."

Notice the courage of the writer.  Peter in verse 1 describes himself as an "apostle of Jesus Christ".  Paul used a similar description.  In bible days the author's name was written at the beginning of a letter rather than the end.  By doing so the author was easily identified.  This Christian church was scattered under persecution - "throughout Pontus, Galatia, Capodicea, Asia and Bithynia"  Persecution came against the Christians in these days.  A campaign started against them.  The Christians had to flee and seek refuge. This letter was not anonymous.  He nails his colours to the mast.  Can you imagine if this letter got into the wrong hands they would have suffered greatly.  They might be thrown to the lions, some might be burned at the stake.  Here Peter puts his name to the letter.  Not afraid of who sees it or is offended in standing for Christ.  A follower of the Lord Jesus.  If anyone had found this letter would have known this, not afraid to associate with Christ and band of people called Christians.  He wrote to offer sympathy and instructions to keep them going through this time because of hardness.  He had learned many lessons himself and so wanted to bring great learning to them.  We need the same courage in these days.  Think of the revivals in Wales and NI and throughout world - what wonderful days they were to be living in.  Maybe we need to have such times again.  We need courage in these days to show who we stand for in the workplace, in the church, in the fellowship  To make sure people know where we stand.

What made Peter write this letter?  His concerns.  Why is he writing this letter?  To show his great concern for this people.  "Scattered throughout"  Peter has taken time to sit down, to think of all those who were persecuted and driven from their homes and  families and were now living elsewhere.  Now he puts pen to paper.  A practical concern for this people.  Sat down and wrote to them, didn't somehow feel that writing to these people was beneath him or too little for him. He had been with Jesus,he had spent time with Christ.  Spending time in God's word and presence, seeking his face is so important, so much so today.  In Acts 14 Paul and Barnabas "exhorted the people to continue in the faith and that they must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (verses 21 and 22)  There was a genuine concern for others.  Chapter 11 verses 19 - 22.  Romans 1 verse 9 and 11.  A concern in his heart.  We need that same concern today, to see the need of others.  Like Peter we have to make an effort, he wanted to reach out to others.  

Notice his compassion - "to the strangers scattered."  Acts 8 verse 4 "they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."  It is the picture of the farmer sowing the seed on the ground.  He wants to see fruit coming from it.  God uses man as a vehicle to be useful for him.  Let's serve with a real zeal and passion.

TUESDAY 4 MAY 2021

What an encouraging message this chapter is to us even in these dark days.  What did Peter write to them about?  3 things.  

To remind them of the position they had in the body of Christ.  Verse 1 "to the strangers" not strangers to grace but born again of the Spirit of God, saved through the blood of Christ but have been persecuted.  They were strangers in ever part of the world in which they have fled to.  Peter may not have met them all.  He wants to encourage them to show sympathy to them.  They had been driven out under great trials.  Verse 6 "wherein ye greatly rejoice though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations."  He wants to remind them of their position in Christ - verse 2 "elect" or children of God.  He brings them under the umbrella of the elect people of God.  Isn't it good to be reminded of that.  When you are going through hard time it is good to hear from someone.  Peter was glad of those who brought him the word of encouragement.  3 times Peter denied the Lord outside the Judgement Hall sitting amongst unbelievers but on the day of resurrection the angels told the women to "go and tell the disciples and Peter".  I am sure he felt he had let the Lord down but he had a special word just for him.  Although they were persecuted there was still a word for them.  Remember the 2 on the Emmaus Road who Jesus drew alongside and spoke with.  They invited him into the house with Jesus broke bread with them.  When they realised what had happened the only thing they could do was get back to Jerusalem and tell the other disciples.  We need to keep in our minds those we don't see as often because of the situation we are in.  We need to be encouragers.  

He wants to set out the plan for that position.  Verse 2 he was showing them the sovereignty of God that he was able to do it.  If God can do this and bring you into the body of Christ he can keep you through this time of trial.  The plan was threefold.  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  God loved us and God gave his life for us - he is spelling out the great plan God had begun in the heart of God.  We love him because he first loved us.  God searched after us not we searched for God.  While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  Christ died for us.  The Holy Spirit took that message, opened our eyes to what Jesus did on Calvary and he opens our eyes to that great salvation.  For Lydia God opened her heart.  Sovereignty of God on one hand and the free will of man on the other.  God calls and man responds.  That is the election of God.  "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Being saved after being called is all as a result of God's mercy.  "By grace are ye saved and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God.  Peter is showing how they came into that position through the hand of God.  If God is sovereign he will keep you.

The promise that is before them - verses 3 and 4 "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and fadeth not away reserved in heaven."  People of great persecution have had to flee their homes.  Yes you have lost some things, some important things, your properties, your position but there is something secure and safe for you - an inheritance in heaven.  Paul sitting in prison house had lost his liberty, freedom and authority for preaching the gospel.  He wasn't sure when life would end.  He knew though it would be absent from the body and present with the Lord.  To Timothy he said "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the course, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."  Peter's encouragement was to keep looking to the Lord.  For any of us in times of difficulty, times we don't know of yet there is the great encouragement for us all.  The plan - to bring us into the family of God.  The promise that is before us.

TUESDAY 11 MAY  2021 - verses 4 - 7

These people had to leave quickly and were now in a strange place, perhaps they were wondering "why is this happening to me?"  Sometimes we are in that position through no fault of our own.  Peter is writing to them about this in verses 6 and 7.  Look at chapter 3 verses 16 and 17 where he takes up the same subject again. here were a people who had come under evil accusations.  People were slandering them.  Chapter 4 verses 13 and 14 sufferings for Christ.  Chapter 4 verses 15 and 19 sufferings through our foolishness.

The permission for suffering.  God is continually monitoring this situation - verse 7 "that the trial of your faith."  Verse 6 "If need be" means if it is necessary.  God is looking at their lives and knows when they need to be corrected.  Sometimes it has to be tested through temptations and suffering.  God has permitted it.  James 1 verse 2 "my brethren count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations."  Think of Job in the Old Testament.  Satan appeared with the angels of God, into the presence of God, pointing the finger at Job, a man who had shunned evil, loved the Lord with all his heart yet he was accusing him of not living right.  Jesus said of Peter "Satan hath desired to have you" meaning that he might get into your life to take the good and leave only the chaff.  "The angel of the Lord encompath around them that fear him."   Satan said of Job "Hast not thou made an hedge about him and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands and his substance is increased in the land."  In Daniel's day a decree when out that if anyone was found praying to any other God rather than the king he would be cast into the lions den.  They found Daniel praying,  arrested him, accused him before the king and he was cast into the lions den.  Then God sent his angels.  It was all part of God's plan.  God permits things to happen in your life - why - because he sees something in our life that needs corrected.

There is the purpose here for suffering.  God doesn't allow it just for the sake of suffering.  He takes no pleasure in suffering but it is for our good.  "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose."  Verse 7 God sees what we need to go through in order that we are better equipped - "that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth"  Job 23 verse 10 "but he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  The test was to brighten the witness of Job in that area in which he lived -  God said of him "there is no-one like my servant Job". Yet God permitted, allowed Satan to go into Job's house, family and life and do what ever he could against him.  Suffering came physically and emotionally - he had to deal with 3 friends who came to him and pointed a finger at him and accused him.  He lost his health, he scraped his sores.  He had to deal with his wife at that time and she told him to "curse God and die."  The emotional and physical pain Job had to suffer.  In Daniel the 3 Hebrew children had to suffer for the testimony they had.  One day an image was set up and everyone was told that when the music begins they must bow down to this image.  The 3 Hebrew children stood still while everyone bowed down to the image.  They would not bow to this image.  They believed in what they held dear and would not bow down.  God allowed them to be put into the fiery furnace.  They wouldn't surrender allegiance for an easier life.  Our God is able to deliver but if he chooses not to deliver that is alright.  They stepped into the fiery furnace and God delivered them from the furnace.  We see that maybe in ourselves, in the things we are going through, something in our lives, our families, our homes, our work place that God is allowing it and is permitting it.

The period of suffering - verse 6 "for a season"  It will soon pass.  Writing to people who are persecuted.  Why God permits you and me to suffer also dictates period of suffering.  Job said when he has tried me it will come to an end.  Some commentators state it could have been a period of 2/3 years that Job lost his family, his herds and flocks, his health before the end came.  But God blessed him in abundant measure.  Maybe it was shorter period for the Hebrew children in the fiery furance but when they  stepped out again it was to witness for God.  It is for a season - that is the duration.  God will bring it to a close and bless our witness and work.

TUESDAY 18 MAY 2021

Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 verse 13 writes "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it."  When the Lord allows something in our lives it is for a limited period.  Peter changes now from doctrine to duty, from principle to practicality.  Verse 13 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Notice the conflict that Peter points to.  What these people are to do in the situation they are in.  We forget the enemy is there, ready to take that step, to advance his cause.  Sometimes when we are not waiting for it that is when the devil strikes.  Peter is telling these people, a people scattered here, there and everywhere, who had left their original homes that the devil comes when we least expect it.  The battlefield is in our minds.  Maybe the devil is already saying to this people - you surrendered your life to the Lord but look where you are now.  The Lord has forsaken you, he has scattered you.  The Psalmist once said "no man careth for my soul" but that was a direct thought from the devil himself.  In Acts 6 when the church was beginning to grow the devil came in and stirred up the situation.  The widow women were being neglected.  The disciples had to stop their ministry, call for 7 men to be appointed and solve the problem.  The devil was putting pressure on them.  Peter's statement to gird up the loins of their minds is the picture of being on guard.  An activity that has to be taken up.  A preparation for battle.  Think back to Exodus 12, the night of the final plague in Egypt.  The people had taken the blood of the lamb and sprinkled it on the doorposts.  They had roasted the meat and were eating together as a family.  But the people themselves were told to be ready - to have their loins girded.  They were about to make a journey and needed to go.

A caution that is called for - "be sober".  Peter is telling the people to be watchful, vigilant.  The enemy is a great planner, has a strategy.  We need to think logically.  The devil wants to attack.  Philippians 4 verse 8 "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things."  The devil wants to attack us.  Remember how Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness.  He attacked his physical hunger then he took him up to the steeple and told him to cast himself down.  He knew the angels would come to him at that moment.  He changed his tactic again and offered him the kingdoms of the world.  The devil gets into our minds at a time when we are hungry and lonely.   In Ephesians 6 verse 11 we are told to "put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

The continuance of our work - "and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."  Peter was saying to them the call of God will not take you to where the grace of God cannot keep you.  The grace of God is always there.  We can trust God's grace for very situation in life.  God's grace was extended to us at a time when we didn't think it was possible.  We need that grace day by day.  Peter is saying he hoped to the end for the grace.  Paul said "I am what I am by the grace of God."  Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple.  He didn't want to take his stand but when it came to the crucifixion he went into Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.  He was prepared to stand up for Christ.

The crown for the winning day.  Jesus is coming again - that is the consolation we have.  Jesus will return one day for all of us.

A living sacrifice

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 16 MAY 2021

ROMANS 12

J B Philips translation of Romans chapter 12 verses 1 and 2 "With eyes wide open to the mercies of God I beg you my brothers as an act of intelligent worship to give him your bodies as a living sacrifice consecrated to him and acceptable by him.  Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould but let God remould your minds from within so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of direct maturity."

We have been thinking in recent weeks of the big decisions that we make.  Paul says here "I beg of you that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice."  That is a decision only you and I can take.  If we come to present out bodies we need to be careful.  If we read the bible and take it as a measure we come to a difficult decision.  Think of Joshua in the Old Testament when he led the children of Israel into the promised land.  He told them "if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord choose."  Joshua is speaking to a people who came to a fork in the road.  We have a decision to make spiritually speaking as well.  Joshua realised the decision that needed to be made "choose you this day whom you will serve."  There is an urgency in this choice.  There is the brevity of life.  We have come into this day but we don't know if we will see the end of this day.  These are people who were brought out of Egypt and are now come into Canaan.  Joshua was bringing them to this decision.  Remember Pilate in the presence of Christ.  The people were crying out for Jesus' blood.  Pilate could not find anything to condemn Jesus to death "I find no fault in this man."  The crowd shouted "crucify him".  Pilate looked at Barabbas who should have been put to death.  He looks to the crowd and asks "whom then will you choose?"  They cried for Barabbas to be set free and for Jesus to be crucified.  Pilate asked again "what shall I do with this man Jesus?"  Have we ever come to that point in our lives when we asked 'what am I going to do with Jesus?'  When he came into the world he was rejected of man, hung on the old rugged cross that you might be saved - what does God want you to do with Jesus today?  He wants me to bring my sin and lay it at his feet and take the Lord Jesus for myself.  John 3 verse 16.  There is one channel for everlasting life and his name is Jesus.  What then shall I do with Jesus? Take him as Saviour and Lord?  What does the Lord require of me today?  In the Old Testament in Micah we read "what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah 6 verse 8)

The attention Paul calls for.  Paul asks us to take the scriptures, the word of God as they are.  He could see a great coldness in the church.  He is telling the people to face up to their responsibilities.  Chapter 12 comes with a great challenge.  Chapters 1 to 11 deal with doctrines but in this chapter Paul moves into a practical application.  This is stepping aside to the saving power of God.  This is stepping aside to the sanctified power of God.  How will we live practically?  He told the Philippian believers "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2 verses 12 and 13)  Salvation is not something earned or get after doing the best we can.  It comes the moment we trust the Lord.  Now you must work that salvation in you.  There is a salvation of good works that has to be worked out in our lives.  Paul sets the foundation of the Christian and now he sets to build the framework.  No matter how the house looks that framework is of no use unless it has good foundations to be built on.  In our Christian lives if we try to live without foundations it will be of no use whatsoever.  That is why Paul says in verse 2 that we are not to be just hearers of the word but doers also.  We are not saved by what we give, we are saved by what we receive.  This backs up what James says "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves." (James 1 verse 22)  Spurgeon used the illustration of 2 friends.  One was called Donald who was in a church service one day.  As he walked out he met his friend Sandy who asked him "is the sermon all done?"  Donald looked at him and said "no it is said but it is not begun to be done yet."  He had heard the message but now he needed to live out that message.  That is what we need to do today.  We need to apply the word of God now.  We have to live it out in our lives.

The acknowledgement that Paul alludes to.  "by the mercies of God."  Paul is calling the believers to listen and react not on his intellectual ability.  He is challenging them on the basis of what God has done.  Do we really ponder what God has done for us?  What are these mercies Paul is bringing to their attention?  In chapter 1 it is the gospel.  In chapter 2 it is the goodness of God.  In chapter 3 it is the fact that all have sinned.  In chapter 6 it is the separation from God because of sin.  Then he talks about justification and condemnation.  Now he is saying because of these mercies that word must take effect in our lives.  Think of the word of God and what it is saying.  James says "lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls." (James 1 verse 21)  We need to receive it.  We need to get ready to put into practice what we have heard in light of what God has done for us.  We are called to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.  Think of the head of the Moravian church who when he had looked at the portrait of Christ hanging on Calvary and the caption on the picture 'all this have I done for you, what have you done for me?'  What have you done for the Lord this past week?

The appreciation to be shown.  Can you and I apply ourselves today?  If the Lord has done this for us what am I going to do for him?  The Lord asks you to offer your life as a sacrifice unto God.  When I think of the day when I will stand in glory to give an account of my life, when I will look into the face of God will I say 'I am sorry, when I weighed up everything you did for me I couldn't give you my all, I couldn't trust you.'  Wouldn't it be awful to say that?  Today we have an opportunity to give our all to God.  When the lamb was brought to the altar and placed there everything was burnt.  God is asking for you and me to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.  We have to give our all and no more.  We cannot choose where we want to serve the Lord.  Nothing is beneath us in God's service.  We offer ourselves to God and then we allow him to show us what he wants us to do.  What God calls for today is to give our all to him and he will show us what he wants us to do.  In 2 Corinthians 8  there is a lovely thought of the church in Macedonia giving gifts.  Paul is collecting money for Christians around Jerusalem.  Some were suffering because of a famine.  These people had taken up an offering even though they hadn't very much themselves (verse 1).  In verses 2 to 4 we read "How that in  great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints."  The little church didn't have much but they did what they could.  Paul didn't want to take the offering from them because he felt they had more need of it themselves.  "And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God."  They pleaded with Paul and they gave themselves first and foremost to the Lord.  Then they asked the Lord 'what shall we give?'  They were giving of themselves.  One day a man who lived on the streets was in a service.  He heard the message and when it came time for the offering plate to be passed around he knew he didn't have a penny in his pocket.  The service so touched him that God opened his ears.  When the offering plate came to where he was he took it out of the hands of the stewards and set it in the middle of the aisle, then he stepped into the plate himself - he wanted to give his all to the Lord.  That is what Paul is saying today.  Have we ever done that?  We are talking here of sanctified power.  What God has done for us and what he expects of us.  In Acts 5 we read of Ananias and Sapphira.  They were quite a wealthy couple.  At that time in the church if there was a need and if someone had a piece of ground they sold it and the money was given to the apostles who would give to those in need.  Ananias and Sapphira did that but kept some of the money back.  God took them out because they didn't give their all.  God did not ask them to give anything but they wanted to become involved.  Greed took over and they held back.  The little boy in the gospels with the 5 loaves and 2 fishes was asked by Andrew to give it to the Lord.  He gave everything, he held nothing back.

The acceptance that is found.  The Lord will not turn us away.  We are saying today 'here am I, I want to give you my all, not just to be in attendance on a Sunday morning or evening in church but to give my whole life to you, use me in whatever way seems fit.'  What about it today?  Are we ready to step out and say 'here am I Lord'?  Or is it too much to ask to give ourselves entirely?

A wilderness experience

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 GENESIS 16 - THE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE What is the wilderness experience? We find it here in Hagar's life. It was a place of revelation. Sarah spoke roughly to Hagar and Hagar ran away from her troubles and difficulties. We don't want to face up to them but there comes a time when we must. Hagar was running from the attitude in Abraham's house. It caused a hurt, a grievance. The only thing she could do was to run away. Do you ever get into the situation like that? A problem in the home or in the workplace or with someone else? You may think to yourself that the best thing to do is to get away from it but it has to be faced up to. The wilderness can be lonely and barren. It is also a dangerous place for a young girl to be in that wilderness where robbers and other thieves would come upon some unsuspecting traveller. She was going into the place of danger. We need to be careful too. We need to make a decision. To flee is going against God. We are actually running away from God. The prophet of old, Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh. He thought these people were the worst of the worst, the great enemies of God's people. Instead of facing up to the situation he ran away. He got into a ship that was going to Tarshish. A great storm arose just to bring him back again. He was out of the will of God. When fleeing from God it is a dangerous place to be in. We need to be walking in the way God would lead us. Verse 7 "and the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by a fountain in the way to Shur." God had not forgotten about her. God can put his finger on that which troubles us, even in the wildernesss and solve the problem for us. A little maid in Abraham's house. She was called to do some mundane things, insignificant in that house but not to God. She was hurt and felt let down. She ran away to this barren place but God knew where she was. John 3 verse 16 - whenever we think of God loving us so much that he would send his only son to die on Calvary to save us - that is real love. In whatever situation you are in today, whether you are fleeing from God there is a decision you have to make that may have dire consequences for you and your family but God still wants to meet with you even now. Abraham was an important figure in God's hands. He would be the foundation stone in all Israel. Sarah was an important woman in the plan of God yet so too was Hagar. God did not forget about her. Sometimes we think we are not really important, insignificant, that there is someone more important than us but God loves you. He wants to come to the exact place where you are at today. He knew about the hurt Hagar was experiencing. It all came about because of turning away from God, trying to give God a helping hand. Think too of Jacob and Esau and their father and mother Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 25. Psalm 27 verse 14 "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord." In Genesis 25 a difficulty arises because they were not waiting on God Before the birth of Jacob and Esau, "Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife because she was barren and the Lord was intreated of him and Rebekah conceived." Then we see in verse 22 "and she (Rebekah) went to inquire of the Lord." She took her problem to the Lord. We read in verse 23 "and the elder shall serve the younger." God is saying to Rebekah that the eldest boy will serve the youngest boy. Yet we later find Jacob in the wilderness - why - because his mother couldn't wait on God. The blessing would have been his one day anyway. In Genesis 27 Jacob was told by his mother Rebekah to bring a lamb and she would take it into Isaac and Jacob would receive the blessing due to Esau. She then proceeded to dress Jacob up to deceive her husband into thinking it was Esau who was receiving the blessing. All she really had to do was wait on the blessing. It is also a place of recognition. In Genesis 16 verse 8 we see that the angel knew her name and knew everything about her. Do you remember when Jesus came into Jericho and Zacchaeus was up a tree watching? Jesus knew exactly where he was. He stopped at the exact tree and said his name. He asked him to come down. Maybe the Lord is stopping right where you are today. The Lord knows all about us today. Remember when the 2 disciples were on the road to Emmaeus and Jesus drew alongside them. He knew everything about them, where they had come from, what they were talking about and where they planned to stop. Remember when Jesus met Nathaniel, he told him that he knew him whilst he was under the fig tree. Or think of Samuel when he lay down to sleep one night. God came to him and spoke to him. The angel in this chapter asked Hagar 2 very searching questions - "whence camest thou and whither wilt thou go?" Most of us can answer the first question but where are we going today? To heaven and home or to a lost Christless eternity? Hagar was confused and God wanted her to face up to this situation. God had a plan and purpose for her. She admitted where she had come from "I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai." She admitted her problem. Remember Elijah the great prophet who stood on Mount Carmel proclaiming the word of God. He had seen the fire fall from heaven and everything including the water on the altar being consumed. Then where do we see him again? Out in the wilderness. Why? Jezebel had promised to kill him. It struck a chord in his heart that caused him to flee. God meets him in the wilderness, a place of reconciliation. He is in a cave hiding. The Lord came with a great searching question - "what doest thou here?" God told him he had a job for him to do but why was he hiding? God questioned why he couldn't trust him to handle the situation with Jezebel. 1 Kings 19 verse 10 Elijah boasted that he was the only one true to God. Hagar too thought that when she was pregnant she was above her mistress. Pride brought her down. Elijah was found in the wilderness. Hagar was now reflecting on her situation. What will she do? Will she allow her past hurts to stop her? Do we sometimes say to God "I have had enough?" Sometimes we get to that stage. Paul got to that stage in Corinth. He was faithfully preaching the word but not seeing any souls saved. In fact he saw more opposition that he thought possible. He decided to go to the Gentiles and preach to them. God called him in the night and told him not to do that but work on in Corinth. He waited another 1 1/2 years before he saw a great work done in that city. It was also a place of reconciliation. The Lord tells Hagar what to do - verse 9 "Return to thy mistress and submit thyself under her hands." She was told to go back. You have been hurt but you must go back and bow down to her authority. We sometimes will go back when we get an apology but that is not God's way. Hagar cannot run anymore. She must face the situation. By leaving God out of the situation she had run away. Now she must return and face the situation she had caused. Are we in a barren place today? The Lord tells us to go back. There will be a time in the future when the door will open for Hagar to leave Abraham and Sarah. Jacob stole the blessing and birthright. Esau was so angry that he threatened to kill Jacob. Many years later Jacob had to step back and offer reconciliation to his brother. Hagar had to go back, submit herself to her mistress' authority. Do we need to ask the Lord to sort out the situation we are in today? Maybe you are in a wilderness, a place of hardness, a place of barrenness. It is a place of reconciliation, revelation and recognition.

A decision to be made

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 2 MAY 2021

GENESIS 16 VERSES 1 - 16

In the home of Abraham decisions had to be made.  Maybe you have to make a decision and it is much on your thoughts.  The decisions I have made and the decisions I have to make.  We make some very bad decisions in haste, without much thought or pondering over them.  Decisions can have severe consequences.  It happened 4000 years ago and we can see the consequences of that decision to this day within the Arab nations.

The decision that had to be made.  This episode takes us back to Genesis 12.  God was separating a man from Ur of the Chaldees Abraham.  He gave him a special challenge to leave his country, his nation, his family, everything behind and follow God.  God still calls men and women like that today.  We are to separate ourselves.  Maybe physically we are involved in something we shouldn't be and we need to leave it behind.  Repentance means to step away from something.  Joseph was told "you shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins."  It does not mean that you are saved and then go back into you sins again.  He told Abraham to separate himself.  Maybe there is something in your life you cannot give up but the Lord separates us from it.  Genesis 12 verse 1 "the Lord said unto Abraham get thee out of thy country to a land I will show thee."  Then in verse 7 "unto thy seed will I give this land."  Abraham was given the promise of a family.  We read in Genesis 16 verse 3 "and Sarah Abraham's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian after Abraham had dwelled 10 years in the land of Canaan."  Abraham is 86 now, every year it seems less likely that he would have any family.  Sometimes after we are given a great promise  we become convinced that it will never be fulfilled.  The discussion begins about what they are going to do.  I am sure it was something Sarah pondered - am I a hindrance to the blessing of God?  God has promised us a child but something is wrong, after 10 years we have been given no sign of a child.  The devil was not far away, he can get into the mind and thoughts.  That is why this discussion is going on.  Sarah said to Abraham 'There is no likelihood I will give you a child, take Hagar my maid and she will have a child for you and that child will be mine.'  We need to be careful about our decisions.  Maybe there is a decision in your mind and you think that nothing will ever happen.  You decide to take matters into your own hands.  It could cause division and discord in your family, in the church, in prayer meetings.  People begin to say there is no blessing in the church, they try and point the finger.  Sometimes it is the pastor who gets the blame or maybe it is in that prayer meeting when you are praying for souls to be saved and are not seeing them saved.  Jesus himself said "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  We begin to pick and choose and point the finger.  We pick out a particular person.  God is not going to bless because of that person.  Perhaps God hasn't brought about that promise.  You feel as though the timing is wrong today.  God's timing is not ours.  When God gives me a promise he never gives me a time when it will be done by.

The direction that is taken.  In Titus 1 verse 2 we read "in hope of eternal life in God who cannot lie."  This discussion proved to be a direction they needed to take.  This decision took the attention away from God and focused mainly on the child.  They were no longer looking to the one who had promised it.  It led them away from God.  The decision was placed in man's intellect.  "Let's give God a helping hand."  Do you ever try to do that?  Sometimes we want to do this.  It is dangerous when we get to that stage.  Someone not saved and we bombard them with scripture every turn around.  Abraham listened to his wife, he got his eyes off the Lord.  He had surrendered to the Lord, worshipped the Lord, believed the Lord and now he is going through a trial of faith.  Maybe we can point back to the day when we heard God's word to ourselves, we were following the Lord as closely as possible but now we are having a trial of faith.  God said "I promised you a son, didn't promise you when, now it is 10 years later."  Abraham was beginning to listen to what was happening.  Think of Ruth chapter 1 and the home of Elimelech.  He was living with his family in Bethlehem.  The name Bethlehem means the house of bread.  There was a famine in the land.  Imagine as day passed by into another day you can hear the discussion in that home.  Elimelech had friends in Moab who he heard had plenty of bread.  Elimelech leaves the place God had promised to bless.  We should not leave the place where God would have us to be.  The place of blessing.  Elimelech  is putting his family first but in doing so he is doing wrong.  It is only when we put God first that we can put our families before God too.  We need to be careful about the decisions we make.  The Psalmist said "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass."  It doesn't say when.  We are trusting him yes, committing everything to him but are we waiting on God?  Isn't that what happened to Moses?  He had a burning ambition in his heart to lead the children out of Egypt, to take them into the land of blessing. He got up to do it but he was 40 years too early.  We need to be able to wait.  The suggestion changes the course in this family.  The idea of having a son by the maid was customary in Abraham's day.  Genesis 16 verse 2 "and Abraham hearkened to the voice of Sarah."  He began to listen to his wife.  In verse 4 he went in unto Hagar.  Abraham accepted what his wife suggested.  In so doing he strayed from the Lord.  He wanted to help God along.  In Genesis 3 Eve came with a suggestion to her husband.  The devil had appeared to her, told her she would not die if she ate of the tree.  She took of that fruit and ate it.  Then she persuades her husband to try it too.  1Timothy 2 verse 14 "Adam was not deceived."  Why did he not take the matter to the Lord?  Why did he not ask the Lord for advice?  Adam knew it was wrong but he is going in a different direction.  You will be led on a course that will take you away from God.  Maybe there is a decision you have to make.  Maybe you have listened to others, to a suggestion that has been made to you.  In going in that direction it will take you away from the Lord.   The devil will always give you what seems an easier pathway but remember the price is high to follow the Lord.

The despair that was cast.  "The way of the transgressor is hard."  Hagar got above her situation, Sarah was despised in her eyes.  She got puffed up.  The situation was badly handled.  Sarah blamed Abraham and then Abraham washed his hands off the whole matter.  It ended up with Hagar running away into the wilderness and it was there that the Lord found her.

The decisions we make can have a lot of consequences.  Eve never thought that when she took the fruit that her first son would be the first murderer.  Elimelech went to Moab and lost not only his life but the life of his 2 sons.  The decisions we make have consequences.  Keep your eyes on the Lord today as you make your decisions.