A Sinful Man Luke 5 8

Read the passage: Luke 5

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+5&version=ASV

(When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart

from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.)

1. To mistrust or doubt God is a careless deed for the believer.

see. v. 5

2. To question God is an action which will be reproofed by God, perhaps

gently and mercifully.

The believer must be convinced of the power of Christ’s hand.

3. To deny Christ opportunity to reveal Himself is to demonstrate an

insensitive heart, at least an unlearned heart.

4. To fail to trust the Lord is to deny others also the witness of Christ.

see v. 7

5. Unbelief is a sin, a sin to be repented of.

6. The grace of God and His generosity in the presence of our unbelief and

doubt is a marvelous benefit; a provision befitting a king not a sinner.

Rom. 11: 22

7. The righteousness of Christ is magnified as we see Jesus through our own

heart’s need for Him.

He is so good and we are so foul.  Truly abundant grace has met a

genuine sinner.

Extended Privilege Numbers 23 20-24

Read the passage: Numbers 23

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers+23&version=ASV

v.20,1. Absolute perfection is not the condition of blessing; being chosen

    21 of God is.

(He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob.)

Ps. 32: 2

v.21 2. God is not overcome by the challenges of His people.

(neither hath He seen perverseness (trouble) in Israel:)

God's people do not trouble Him.

v.21 3. Being in a specific place is not an essential; having God's presence is.

(the Lord his God is with him,)

Israel is still in the wilderness in the book of Numbers.

v.21 4. The strength of joy is God's abiding rule of authority.

(and the shout of a king is among them.)

Ps. 89: 15-18

v.22 5. The determined strength of God's commitment in covenant to His people

  cannot be ruled over nor overruled by men.

(God brought them out of Egypt; He hath as it were the strength of a 

unicorn.) unicorn- wild ox noted for its large size, colossal strength and 

ferocity.

v.23 6. The devil cannot impose his will over the will of God for God's people. 

(Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any 

divination against Israel.)

Psalms 31: 18, 19

v.23,7. The greatness of God is an undeniable adornment to the people of God; a

   24 testimony to God's victory, and a record of God's final order.

(according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God 

wrought!)…

Lifeless Counsel 1 Samuel 28 1-25

Read the passage: 1 Samuel 28

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+samuel+28&version=ASV

v.21 1. It is easier to see there is a need than to provide the right kind of help.

(And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said 

unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life 

                in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.)

The woman saw Saul was troubled.

The unskilled may be very sincere.

v.21,2. Some gain support for their counsel through obligation.

    22 (thine handmaid)

I obeyed you, now …

v.22 3. Unskilled counselors in observing a physical problem propose a physical

  solution.

(Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, 

and let me set a morsel of bread before thee: and eat, that thou mayest have 

strength, when thou goest on thy way.)

v.23 4. Although unskilled in spiritual counsel, there is no lack in persuasion to their way.

(But he refused, and said, I will hot eat. But his servants, together with the 

woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the 

earth, and sat upon the bed.)

v.24 5. It is easier for man to accept an available physical solution than to seek a 

spiritual one.

(And the woman had a fat calf in the house and she hasted, and killed it, and 

took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:)

v.25 6. One unskilled in counsel is appeased with a feeling of providing true help in time 

of need.

(And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants: and they did eat. Then

  they rose up, and went away that night.)

v.25 7. A man with a full stomach and empty heart is still empty.

                There is no life in empty counsel.

When you Discount Spiritual Disciplines Judges 16 15-19

Read the passage: Judges 16

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+16&version=ASV

v.15 1. Arguments appealing to the flesh are heard.

(And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is

  not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me 

wherein thy great strength lieth.)

v.16 2. Resistance to evil fails.

(And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and 

urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;)

v.16 3. Words of man become more important than words of God.

v.17 4. The heart is not kept for God.

(That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a 

razor upon mine head: for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my 

mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall 

become weak, and be like any other man.)

There is no guarding of the heart.

v.18 5. The enemy is not seen as God sees him.

(And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and 

called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath 

shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her,

  and brought money in their hand.)

v.19 6. The servant is pleased with things God doesn’t provide.

(And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and 

she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head: and she began to

  afflict him, and his strength went from him.)

7. The servant is made powerless before the enemy.

Having an Incurable Problem 1 Samuel 28 15-19

Read the passage: 1 Samuel 28

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+samuel+28&version=ASV

v.15 1. Refusing to obey God will always gain the accompaniment of great distress.

(And Samuel said to Saul  Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?

                And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war 

against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, 

neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou

  mayest make known unto me what I shall do.)

v.15 2. Refusing to fellowship with God may lead to God’s denial of opportunity for

fellowship.

(…God is departed from me …)

v.16 3. Refusing to accept God’s solutions but constantly seeking for one you like

better can only gain God’s rejection.

(Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is 

departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?)

v.16 4. Refusing to cooperate with God may cause one to be construed as God’s

enemy.

(…and is become thine enemy?)

either for or against                       Unbelievers are God’s enemy.

v.17 5. Refusing to accept God’s wisdom and will can only bring destruction.

(And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the Lord hath rent

  the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David.)

v.17,6. Refusing to give up what God has taken or is taking away will lead to an

    19 even greater loss.

(Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the

Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also

  shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.)

v.19 7. Refusing to allow problems to be cured according to God’s master design

                results in God, as the master designer, curing them Himself.

Beginning Young Genesis 48 8-10, 18, 20

Read the passage: Genesis 48

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+48&version=ASV

v8 1) Don't wait to expose your little ones to their Biblical heritage. 

(and Israel beheld Joseph's sons, ... ) 

v9 2) Acknowledge God's gift of children with acceptance of your stewardship responsibilities. 

(They are my sons, whom God hath given me) 

v9 3) Place your children before God in line to receive His blessings. 

(Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. ) 

principally, by prayer

Expose them to Godly teaching- biographies of Godly men.

Safeguard from false doctrine, from worldly pleasure, from fleshly enticement.

v.10 4)Give to your children Godly love and nurture. 

( ..• and he kissed them, and embraced them.) 

Nurture obedience, not just command.

Nurture a desire for God.

Nurture a desire to please Christ and an awareness of responsibility to Christ.

Reveal God as the source of all of life, all of your life. (father must live accordingly.)

V12 5) Show them RESPECT AND  humility at a young age. 

(And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.) 

Respect and guard the plan and purpose of God for their life.

Receive them and respect them as God’s gift.

Respect God by respecting His gift.

Matthew 18: 2-6   Don’t offend little ones.

Matt. 19: 14  Don’t discourage faith of little ones.

V18 6) Contend for their faith.        V.15,16 spiritual heritage

(And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father; . . .) 

based on Joseph's heart not his understanding 

desire for them God’s best.

Intercession- keep them  before the Lord; keep the Lord before them.

Spiritual defense- spiritual warfare, spiritual protection, spiritual instruction.

Help identify for them their own opportunities of faith; desire faith of them.

Be faithful in trust of God on their behalf.

Don’t attribute want of error or sin to them.

Pray for God’s given opportunities- their correct response to them.

Pray for their Godly gain and nurture.

V20 7) Secure the promises of God on their behalf. 

(and he blessed them that day ... ) 

secure them in God's promises 

To be blessed by God is a great thing--though Ephraim was favored. 

The Choice of Obedience Acts 5 4

Read the passage: Acts 5

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+5&version=ASV

v.1     1. A decision is made in response to what God is communicating.

(But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,)

v.2     2. A decision to only appear spiritual is a grave error.

(And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a 

certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.)

v.2     3. An intent to obey is not obedience, particularly when there is willful

disobedience.

(His wife also knowing it)

v.2     4. Deception is a choice.

(And brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.)

v.4     5. Obedience to what God is communicating is not forced…

(While it remained, was it not thine own?)

v.4     6. The choice of disobedience visits again unless obedience cuts it off.

(And after it was sold was it not in thine own power?)

v.4     7. The choice of obedience, once lost, may not be regained.

(Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?)

God in His mercy may give another opportunity, but that opportunity is gone.

The Sustainment of Jesus Prayer Luke 22 32, 62

Read the passage: Luke 22

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+22&version=ASV

(But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.)
(And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.)

1. It will sustain through the deepest trial.
   
   
2. It will not fail when the need of the disciple is the greatest.
   
   
3. When the disciple would desire to hide, he is hidden in the shelter of Jesus’ prayer.
   
   
4. When the pathway seems darkened, there is yet the light of Christ’s prayer.
   
   
5. Without the life of Jesus prayer, faith would surely fail due to the severity of the failure of the disciple.
   
   
6. Godly sorrow is nurtured by the prayer of Jesus for His disciple.
   
   
7. The heart of the disciple will be able to return to fullness of love and service to/before Jesus. 
   

The Immutability of God's Counsel 1 Samuel 28 18-20

Read the passage: 1 Samuel 28

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+28&version=ASV

v.12 1. God releases revelation of Himself in any situation in which He can receive 

honor, even through using evil.

(And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman 

spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.)

It honors God for truth to reveal corrupt practices.

v.13, 2. A vision of God’s plan of order can only be given of God. It is not nor can it be 

originated by man.

    14       (And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the 

woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.)

v.14 3. God’s counsel is immutable--doesn’t change--is eternally the same.

(And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; 

and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he

  stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.)

Here the servant of God (Samuel, as recognized by Saul) again brings the word 

of God-God’s changeless word, picturing clearly God’s immutability.

v.14 4. God’s immutable counsel ultimately requires humble submission.

(he stooped)

Phil. 2: 9-11

v.17 5. All who receive God’s revelation find God acts precisely as He revealed He

  would.

(And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the Lord hath rent the 

kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David.)

This requires Godly reverence for God’s promises of scripture, but also for God’s

  reproofs of scripture.   i.e.   1 Peter 4: 17         …    time for judgment to begin

                at the house of God  …

v.18 6. God’s counsel and conduct is always consistent with His nature of wisdom and 

judiciousness.

Because thou obeyest not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath 

upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day.)

God’s clear instruction violated.  1 Samuel 15: 1-,20-28

Ch. 31

v.19,7. God’s counsel ultimately exclusively rules, forever unchanged.

    20 (Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the 

Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also 

                shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.)

(Then Saul straightway all fell along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because

of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in Him; for he had eaten no

  bread all the day, nor all the night.)