Secret Things

1 Corinthians 4:1-3 - This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.


Titus 1:7-8 - For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Romans 11:25 - Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Application:

· Am I blameless? Am I overbearing, quick-tempered or given to drunkenness? Am I violent? Do I pursue dishonest gain?
· Does God’s merciful plan to include me in His great salvation plan humble me or fill me with arrogance?
· My judgment is human and my conscience may be mistaken. Only God is fully qualified to judge.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Copies Of The Heavenly Things

Hebrews 9:19-23 - For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.


Exodus 24:8 - And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Leviticus 17:11 - For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

Hebrews 8:5 - They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Application:

· Only after I agree to obey the Lord can I participate in His covenant with Him
· Atonement is a gracious gift. Atonement ransoms my life from the deserved judgment of the Lord
· Christ entered with His own blood the sanctuary of God’s presence

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Things That Mark An Apostle

2 Corinthians 12:10-12 - That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.


Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Hebrews 2:2-3 - For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Application:

· Do I see union with Christ as the secret of being content? Is Christ the source of my strength?
· Is my behavior Christ-like? Does the power of God give me strength to endure adversity?
· If disregard for the law brings punishment, then disregard for the gospel will bring even greater punishment.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Day Of Small Things

Zechariah 4:6-7,10 - So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”… “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”


Haggai 2:23 - “‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

Revelation 5:6 - Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Application:

· God oversees the whole earth and is therefore in control of all situations.
· The Holy Spirit is the seal guaranteeing my future inheritance
· Jesus has been victorious and will have all power because of His death and resurrection
· Do I understand that my resources for overcoming obstacles comes from an outpouring of God’s Spirit?
· Faith in the power of God’s Spirit can overcome opposition and my unwillingness to persevere.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Things

Amos 9:11-14 - “In that day “I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name,” declares the LORD, who will do these things. “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.

Acts 15:16-18 - “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—things known from long ago.

Ruth 2:3 - So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

Joel 3:18 - “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias.

Application:

· God does what He says
· God's intention was and is to save me
· Divine providence is at work
· When I am fully redeemed, streams of blessing from God's presence will refresh me

All Scripture verses taken from NIV