The LORD's Day, February 28, 2010

God's Promise in the Rainbow

Genesis 9.8-17

This is the first covenant. A covenant is a promise between two parties with a sign or symbol to seal it and to serve a reminder.

The first covenant had as its sign, the rainbow. We see it in the final book of the Bible. In

Revelation 4.3 we are told, "A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne," of God. Ezekiel also saw this. Ezekiel 1.28 "Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day. so was the radiance around Him." The glory around God is like a rainbow.

There are things in this first covenant and its sign which encompasses all of God's Promises.

1. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE FULL OF COLOR. v.13

They are exciting. When a rainbow appears, people stop to look at it. Many take pictures.

The promises of God are vibrant. They thrill the soul and dazzle the imagination.

As the rainbow is colorful so God's Promises, like the diamond, are mulifaceted.

Let me illustrate. Jesus made a promise in Matthew 28.20 "I am with you always."

Just take the phrase "I am" This is how God revealed Himself to Moses in the desert.

John 6.35 I am the Bread of Life. He feeds us.

John 8.12 I am the Light of the world. He shows us the way. Darkness may come but He shines!

John 10.11 I am the Good Shepherd. He cares for us to the point of laying down His life.

John 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life. He is with us in life and has overcome death.

John 14.6 I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the answer.

God set the rainbow in the sky. It is His rainbow. It is His promise.

The LORD adds color, living color to our lives. The soul without the LORD is lost, weighed down and dull. The soul who trusts in the LORD has His Spirit within and radiates with the brillance of His rainbow.

2. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE FROM ABOVE. v.14-15

It is significant that this first covenant had as it sign something in the sky, in the clouds. This shows us that all the covenants and promises are from above. This is why we don't need to swear- God's throne is in heaven and earth is His footstool. He is listening and present always.

Let's take the marriage covenant. I am not sure how many weddings I have officiated at now- many. In the wedding ceremony are the words, "There for what God has joined together, let not man put asunder." What God has joined... marriage covenants are from above as with all.

We pray as taught by Jesus, "Our Father in Heaven" Matthew 6.9

Heaven is the place of His residence/ The position of His Authority

James 1.17 Every good nad perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.

God placed the sign of this first covenant in the sky. If you look down from heaven on a rainbow it is a ring... the sign and symbol of marriage, unbroken.

3. THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE FANTASTIC! v. 16

Everlasting covenant- I will see it.

When the rainbow appears in the sky and we are looking at it, we and the LORD God are looking at the same thing. One time, when I was standing on the Sea of Galilee, a person commented, "Just think perhaps Jesus stood and looked out at what you are now looking out at! "Thrilling Possibility!"

But we are plainly told that while we are ooing and ahing, the LORD is remembering His covenant. This is usually what happens with all His Promises. Why? Because...

The LORD is faithful to all His Promises and loving to all He has made. Psalm 145.3

God's promises come to us in times of difficulty- rainbows come as the sun shines through the rain!

It is from Him to us.

His promises are fantastic.

They are from above and full of color.

Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations Amen! Ephesians 3.20-21

The LORD's Day February 21, 2010

What We Learn From Noah

Genesis 6.7-7.24

Each story in the Bible is history. History is really His Story- God's account of working on earth.

We have in Genesis 1-2 The His Story of Creation
Genesis 3 The His Story of Sin
Genesis 4-5 The His Story of Cain and Abel
and the generations to Noah

In the scripture we read this morning we have the His Story of the flood on the earth and how life was preserved to repopulate it.

When you come to faith in the LORD Jesus Christ you take Him at His Word and accept the Bible as fact, as it it indeed is.

Each Story in His Story contains things we can glean from for our lives. These are Eternal Universal Truths. God speaks from the accounts in the Bible to our souls today. We learn and live. There is much to learn from in the account of Noah.

1. In the Absolute Worst of Times God Still Has His People.

Noah's time was a time of great wickedness on the earth 6.5
when every inclination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil all the time
The earth was corrupt on God's sight and full of violence -6.11

It was the worst time on earth up to now but Noah found favor/grace in the eyes of the LORD.

In times of national and worldwide crisis God's people can lose perspective.
Elijah's lament:I Kings 19.10 The Israelites have rejected Your Covenant, broken 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- looking at the situations can cause our hearts to melt in fear.
v.18 7,000 all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.

2. Noah Spoke God's Word in a Time When Judgment was Imminent. II Peter 2.4-5
He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness and seven others.

Preacher= a herald or messenger with public authority conveying official messages of a king.

Hebrews 11.7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness that comes by faith.

Noah spoke with God's authority, the Word of God and no one responded. After 120 years of giving out God's Word while building the ark, he had the same amount of people, the same people he began with. He was commended for his faithfulness to the LORD, even when there were no converts.

3. The Days Preceding Jesus' Return Will Be Like Noah's Matthew 24.37-44

Life will be going on 24.37-38
Unaware of judgment until it is too late vs.39-41
The ark must have appeared to the people on earth as a foolish waste of time.
Our faith in Genesis-Revelation appears the same II Peter 3.3-7

Jesus used(s) the Noah analogy to drive home to His followers this point: Be ready for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.

4. The LORD Keeps His People Secure When The Earth Gives Way Psalm 46.2

Whether it is "our world" coming down in loss and tragedy or literally the earth itself.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of trouble.
He is faithful to all His Promises. Psalm 145.13
II Peter 2.5 He protected Noah
Protect= to guard that he may remain safe, to keep watch, have an eye upon him

See how wonderful the LORD is! In a terrible time He had Noah speaking His Word. He kept His servant safe when the judgment came. He will do the same now at the end of the age!

The LORD's Day February 14, 2010 Happy Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year!

Greiving God

Genesis 6.1-6

We don't hear this enough today. Soren Kekegard wrote, "The human race in the course of time has taken the liberty of softening Christianity until at last we have continued to make it exactly the opposite of what it is in the New Testament."

Too we simply look at what we can get from God alone. This shows up in our prayers. We tend to gravitate to what we need. We move over to Thanksgiving but we have to stay focused on that or we revert back to asking. Few people get to the place Isaiah got to where he said, "Here am I. Send me." (Isaiah 6.8)

True disciples of Jesus follow Him and look at what they can give the LORD. They look at how tye can serve Him.

Here in this scripture we see God's heart being grieved. His heart was filled with pain (v.6) The LORD has feelings. It is possible to delight in Him or grieve Him by the way we live.

1. THIS IS THE FIRST INSTANCE OF GRIEVING THE LORD. vs.5-6

Man's great wickedness - His heart inclined to evil thoughts constantly.
v.11 the earth was full of violence

The idea of grief here is to be moved to pity, to have compassion, be comforted.
It carries the idea of hurt, pain, being displeased, torture and vexed

We are told in Genesis 1.31 God saw all that He had made and it was very good.
Now as He looks (6.5) it has become very bad. This is all due to sin, sin entering the human race and the world, men becoming evil and violent and wicked. God is grieved to the point of being sorry He even created life (v.7)

v.8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD... and so we see the beginnings of Grace!

Let's go to the New Testament. Is this concept of grieving the LORD a possibilty? Look at Ephesians 4.30

2. WE NEED TO GUARD AGAINST GREIVING HIS SPIRIT Ephesians 4.29-31

This means we can bring sadness or sorrow upon the Holy Spirit by our lives as believers!
Look at the context.
* v.29 any unwholesome talk
Jokes that are improper, foul language, fourletter words are out of place for God's people.

Gossip tears people up and has absolutely no benefit.

Our conversation should be limited to only what is helpful to building others up.
Following Jesus- He spoke the words that cheered and blessed. Imagine people listening to our conversations and receiving blessings and benefits. That is possible!
A man walked into the Park Street Church in Boston one night after the Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. The wives of the elders were in a meeting with the pastor. The ladies sat in the sanctuary waiting for their husbands when in he came in. He asked to the pastor. The ladies told him he was in a meeting and would be out shortly. The meeting ended. They pointed introduced the man to the pastor. The man said, "I came in here tonight to decide whether to follow the LORD or not. But I don't need to see you now. After listening to these ladies talk my mind has been made up. Their conversation was so good about Him and others that I decided to follow Him. Their conversation drew me in."

This pleases the LORD- unwholesme talk grieves His Spirit.

There is more:
v.31 These things specifically are mentioned here as grieving the Spirit.
Bitterness- we all have things floating around that we could harbor- Don't! Send them out to sea!
Rage and Anger- self control is a fruit of the Spirit/ fits of rage a work of the flesh
Brawling, slander, malice in all its many forms- all grieve the Spirit.
Of course nay sin does.

3. LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE! Ephesians 4.32-5.7

For God vs.4.32-5.2
For Others vs.3-7
Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
Love Others as yourself and you will not grieve the Spirit and you will fulfill the law. Love is the fulfillment of the law and the only way to please the LORD!

Calling on the Name of the LORD

Genesis 4.1-26

This was early in human history. In just a few generations from Adam, as the population of the earth increased, men began to call on the Name of the LORD.

This is the first time prayer is mnetioned in the Bible. In between the fall of Adam and Eve, until this point, there does appear that there was a great deal of communication with the LORD. Abel brought sacrifices that pleased God. This was right and good. Now there is widespread prayer.

1. At That Time vs.1-25

We read of tremendous progress taking place here in the early days of life on the earth. Livestock is being raised, the arts in music being developed, tools being made and cities being built. It is something what man was able to do back then with his imagination and the natural resources of the earth.

We also read of the first and second murder as well as the first lie. These things can ame the progress seem as Solomin wrote in Ecclesiates, "meaningless!"

It was a time of progress and pain, a time of hope and a time of sin moving through the young population on earth.

At that time men began to call on the Name of the LORD.

2. Our Time II Timothy 3.1-5

We live in a time of terror, a time when we need to take precautions and security with our belongings all the way through to our identities. There are horrific things going on.

But we ought not to be anxious or distressed! God's promises are true. His Word stands firm. Psalm 119.89 Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens!

We are facing the same old evil but now it is in exponential form.

Yet as believers we have no business writhing our hands and fretting or worrying or acting as if we are on the losing side. The time we are in, this time, is a time for men to call upon the Name of the LORD.

I remember being part of a dinner a few years ago at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. There were 40 pastors there, all from Long Island. Pastor Cymbala asked us a question, "Is your churchcring out to God? If not, why not?"

We are to look to God and His Word for strength, wisdom and spiritual growth. We have His Spirit to guide us. This is a time for men to call upon the Name of the LORD!

3. Call out to God- Calling on His Name. vs. 26

The names of God are the nature of God! Calling out to Him means:

* To cry out to Him- baby in need cries, children in pain cry

* It means to do it loudly with emotion "God Help Us!" This is what we do when we are in distress. If someone we love is in danger we cry, "O God Please help us!" Souls in danger this day.

* It means to summon. We need you O LORD!

*To invite

-Recognize the time- it is time to call out to God

-Realizing our needs- God's power (Ephesians 3.20-21) God's help (Psalm 46.1) For forgiveness Psalm 86.5 You are forgiving and good, O LORD, abounding in love to all who call to You.

-Remembering Who He Is

The Creator, the Sustainer

Psalm 89.37 David liked the promises of God to him to the moon, the faithful witness in the sky. When I was just 2 years old growing up in Queens, one hot summer night my dad and mom and Nana and Poppa and I went for a walk. We lived right across from Kennedy Airport, then known as Idlewhile. I was fixated with the moon. I didn't care about the planes. I wanted to walk to the moon. Way back then God was drawing my heart. As I put this message up on early this morning on this blog, I looked out the window and there was the moon shining in all its brilliance. That same moon I saw 51 years ago in Queens on that hot summer night, that same moon that David saw 3,000 years ago and wrote about it. That same moon that God spoke into existence at creation. He is drawing my heart. He is drawing your heart today to call out to Him in this time we are in. It is time to call- when we call He answers!

The LORD's Day, January 31, 2010

The Original Temptation

Genesis 3.1-7

We hear a lot about original sin, but seldom do we hear about the original temptation. It is important we see temptation so we can overcome it. Too often it is upon us before we are aware what it is. Seeing it first gives us insight and thus an advantage in the battle.

We are told everything we need to know about the tempter in God's Word. I don't believe we should delves into books or studies about Satan beyond God's Word. Paul said, "I want to know Christ..." That should be our highest goal.

Paul did write to the Corinthians about being aware of Satan's work. II Corinthians 2.11 "... in order that Satan might not outwit us for we are not unaware of his schemes."

1. He is a liar and the father of lies. John 8.44
Every time we see him in God's Word speaking he is lying or falsely accusing or seeking to deceive: Here, Job when he was tested, Jesus when he was tempted. He twisted scripture.

2. He is crafty and prowls around like a roaring lion. I Peter 5.8

3. He seeks to steal, kill and destroy. John 10.10
At the end of every temptation there is some sort of destruction and loss.
I John 3.8 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

4. He accuses before God. Revelation 12.10-12
He did this with Job. He accused him of impure motives.

5. The LORD God will soon crush Satan under our feet. Romans 16.20

Look at the scripture of this morning. Genesis 3.1-7

Notice how he tempts so we can recognize it when it happens to us.

1. He deceitfully puts questions about God in the minds of people, twisting the truth and attempting to make God look bad. vs.1-3

Note these tactics. Be aware of his devices. II Corinthians 2.10-11

Resist him. I Peter 5.9 Don't engage him in conversation, even in your mind.

2. He outright lies. v.4

About God's Word- temptation to become discouraged or if you are to quit. Elijah

Look at the essence of this lie.
You will be like God. You will attain His wisdom.
Isaiah 55.8-9
The essence of wisdom is Proverbs 3.5-6 See how these views are diametrically opposed to each other.

He lies about the consequences of sinful behavior.
That no one will know.
That you can get away with it. He tries bring on the pleasure factor while dulling your sensitivity to evil.

3. He makes promises he cannot possibly keep. v.5

The LORD is faithful to all His promises. Satan lies. His "promises" are never kept.

What he was saying was partly true. So deceptive.

What he was implying was a lie.

What he promised and painted never happened.

Ephesians 6.10-11

I Corinthians 10.13

It Will Be Worth It All!

The LORD's Day, January 24, 2010

Freedom In Christ

Genesis 2.4-17

Here in the beginning of the creation and the human race as we know it there was harmony and tranquility in the creation itself. It wasn't until after sin came into the world that there were hurricanes and earthquakes and even rainstorms.

Since sin came, we are told in Romans 8.19-22

The whole creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

1. What Adam Lost vs.16-17

v.16 you are free

Adam did not know how precious his freedom was until he lost it.

He lost the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest. Work was going to be harder. He was going to have contend with sin and its consequences and death itself.

He lost the freedom to experience innocency. He and Eve did not even have a knowledge of good and evil. What a treasure this was! Freedom from seeing anything bad. Freedom from having to know about the things we all know too much about. No death, devastation or destruction due to sin.

to eat from any tree in the garden

The Garden had wonderful vegetation. There were a number of fruit bearing trees. The description of this Garden is sublime- irrigated by rivers and streams.

v.17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Within this basic and easy to understand guideline, God established, Adam had a wonderful life- beyond our ability to really comprehend.

for when you eat of it you will surely die. A consequence of disobeying God.

Romans 5.12-17

2. What Jesus Gives

He delivers us from evil- The LORD's Prayer. We live in an evil fallen wicked world but Christ has overcome the world and we can be free in it.

Deliver us from evil- from the things which destroy body and soul.

We are not talking about absolute freedom here. That is utter nonsense. True Christlike freedom is concerned about God and others and self. When my freedom takes away another's -trespass- then it is sin.

Boundaries are necessary. Clear lines are given in the Ten Commandments. Every individual, family and nation which live outside its boundaries ends up destroying itself. Look at the Middle East/ Look at America. Last Friday in Washington- the March for Life. We are in a battle today.

Freedom In Christ is Wonderful!

Freedom to live a life of eternal fulfillment.

Freedom from worry Matthew 6.25-33

Freedom from resentment due to forgiveness.

Freedom from revenge- lots of work!

Freedom from hatred, jealousy, envy- all the works of the flesh

Freedom to love (fruit of the Spirit), forgive, give generously- which has its own reward.

Freedom to serve God and enjoy Him forever!

Glorious Freedom!

The LORD's Day, January 17, 2010

God's Spirit In Creation and Us

Genesis 1.1-31

The LORD is the Creator of all that is. He is the Author of Life. Around God's throne the twenty four elders worship the LORD. Their words are recorded in Revelation 4.11
You are worthy, our LORD and God, to receive gory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.

We see in Genesis 1.2
1. God's Life Giving Spirit in Creation Genesis 1.1-2
We read this morning about how the Creation is full of life. Plant life. Animal life. Look at verse 20 the water teem (swarm, multiply) with fish.
Verse 25 And God saw that it was good v.31 very good. His Spirit in the beginning was hovering over the waters. Then the waters were teeming with life.

In vs.26-31 We see God's creation of us- human beings. He gave responsibility for the creation to man- benefits of it too. God did something very special to man- to Adam...

2. God Has Placed Eternity In The Hearts of Men Genesis 2.7
He did that when He breathed into man's nostrils and man became a living being.
God breathed into Adam "the breath of life" God gave us what no other creature in all of His creation has- His Spirit eternity from His breath.

He placed Adam in the Garden (2.15) to work it and take care of it. He gave him the freedom with one restriction- Adam chose to disobey God.
This resulted in...

3. The Loss of the Spirit from Mankind. Genesis 3 (The earth under a curse 3.17-19)
Genesis 6.2 God said that His Spirit would not always strive with man
Strive= contend- plead a cause, govern, remain in

4. The Return of the Spirit of God to Mankind.
We see evidences of it in the Old Testament.
Psalm 51.11 David's prayer

Prophets, priests, kings were anointed and God's Spirit was given to them.

Luke 1.41 Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit

Joel 2.28-29 I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

The Promise in John 14.15-16 and in Luke 24.45-49
The Promise of the Father reiterated by Jesus Acts 1.4-8

God's Spirit gives us power
*The power to witness boldly Just look at Peter John 18.15-27 and then in Acts 2.14-16,22-24,36-41
*The power to live righteously. II Peter 1.3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him Who called us
*The power to love completely Galatians 5.22
The fruit of the Spirit is love.

We are born sinners- without the Spirit- in need of a Savior

Jesus Christ is the Savior and He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit

We need fresh infillings. We need to be filled and keep on being filled.

Be filled with the Spirit!