GO & LEARN
MERCY NOT SACRIFICE
First Word
·
When you see God or Jesus giving instructions
in scripture, they are not just suggestions or recommendations; they are
COMMANDS.
·
Jesus commanded us to GO and LEARN
the meaning of showing mercy instead of offering sacrifices. He could have just
told us the meaning, but instead He wanted us to dig it out for ourselves so we
could get it deep within our spirit.
·
We are not to go beyond the value
that has been written in scripture with some special theological precept and
statement. - IT’S SIMPLE, it’s just about
obedience.
·
Jesus is our example; He was never
about sacrifices, but about mercy and compassion toward our
fellow men; but it all began with His Mercy and compassion toward us that provided
THE WAY back to God.
1 Corinthians 4:6 – Go & Learn to not go
beyond what is written
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers that you may LEARN by US NOT TO GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. (ESV)
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers that you may LEARN by US NOT TO GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. (ESV)
Matthew 9:13 – Go & Learn the meaning of MERCY
in scripture
13 Then he added, “Now GO and LEARN the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show MERCY, not offer SACRIFICES.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (NLT)
13 Then he added, “Now GO and LEARN the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show MERCY, not offer SACRIFICES.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (NLT)
Jeremiah 35:13 – Go and Learn how to be Obedient
13 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: GO and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and LEARN a lesson about how to OBEY me.
13 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: GO and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and LEARN a lesson about how to OBEY me.
(NLT)
John 14:6 – Jesus gave us THE WAY
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)
About Sacrifices
·
Let’s take a look at sacrifices.
– The pagan nations were offering human sacrifices to their god Molech which
God said was an abomination. – Human sacrifices were forbidden, but yet God
told Abraham to offer his ONLY son with Sarah as a sacrifice on an altar of fire.
·
Abraham knew God’s command about sacrifices,
yet he obeyed and trusted that when he sacrificed and killed Isaac, that God
would raise his son back to life, to fulfill the promises, that through Isaac
he would make him a great nation. – And you know the rest of the story; God was
MERCIFUL and was only TESTING Abraham’s faith and obedience. You must get this… the Mercy and testing was
for Abraham’s “testimony” to his family, it was not for God. It’s not
the sacrifices that God desires; it’s about Obedience and Mercy.
Leviticus 18:21 – Don’t sacrifice your children
21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them to MOLECH, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
21 You shall not give any of your children to offer them to MOLECH, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
(ESV)
Genesis 22:1-2 – God Tested Abraham; Sacrifice &
Obedience
1 After these things God TESTED Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (ESV)
1 After these things God TESTED Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (ESV)
Genesis 22:5 – God will resurrect Isaac and we
will return
5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (ESV)
5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (ESV)
Genesis 22:12 – Abraham Trusts God and is Obedient
12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (ESV)
12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (ESV)
Gal 3:16 – The covenant
was to Abraham and his seed.
16 The promises were spoken to Abraham
and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning
many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who
is Christ.
NIV
Gal 3:29 – If you believe in
Christ, you are Abraham’s seed.
29 If you belong to Christ, then you are
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. NIV
James 1:2-4 – TESTED Faith produces endurance
& growth
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is TESTED, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (NLT)
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is TESTED, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (NLT)
James 2:18 – Your Faith is JUDGED by your GOOD
DEEDS
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
(NLT)
James 2:26 – Faith without WORKS is a DEAD FAITH
26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. (NLT)
26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. (NLT)
About Mercy
·
Sacrifices is about Worship
directed toward God; Mercy is about compassion directed toward our
fellow man. – While I see sacrifices throughout scripture, I do not see where
God COMMANDED
sacrifices, but He did command us to show mercy and compassion. – If we want to
sacrifice, it should be “Sacrifices of Praise”.
·
God desires goodness, love,
loyalty, mercy, kindness and that we grow in KNOWLEDGE of Him.
Hosea 6:6 – Learn Knowledge of God; I Desire
GOODNESS
6 For I desire GOODNESS, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.
6 For I desire GOODNESS, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.
(ASV)
Hosea 6:6 – Learn the Knowledge of God; I Desire
LOVE
6 For I desire steadfast LOVE and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
6 For I desire steadfast LOVE and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
(ESV)
Hosea 6:6 – Learn the Knowledge of God; I Desire
LOYALTY
6 For I desire LOYALTY and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
6 For I desire LOYALTY and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
(HCSB)
Matthew 12:7 Learn - I desire MERCY, and not sacrifice
7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
(ESV)
Jeremiah 33:11 – MERCY endures forever – Sacrifice
of PRAISE
11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His MERCY ENDURES FOREVER"-- and of those who will bring the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD. (NKJV)
11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His MERCY ENDURES FOREVER"-- and of those who will bring the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD. (NKJV)
Micah 6:6-8 - Do Justice -
Love Kindness - Walk Humbly
6 With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU but to DO JUSTICE, and to LOVE KINDNESS, and to WALK HUMBLY with your God? (ESV)
6 With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU but to DO JUSTICE, and to LOVE KINDNESS, and to WALK HUMBLY with your God? (ESV)
About
Love
·
It’s hard to talk about Mercy without talking about Love,
sometimes friends, co-workers and even family members become UNLOVABLE. – Well,
we might still love them, but we sure don’t LIKE them very much.
·
The corporate office transferred a
man into my office that just dogged my management at every turn and he was JUST NOT LOVABLE. Although he was a Christian, what he was doing
was taking the company into a poor financial posture. I could see it, but he was just doing what
had always been done before. – Before things ever got better between us, I PRAYED
about my attitude and hurt; and that was the day I saw him across the room and in
prayer, I said “there goes the man I love”. – When I decided to love
and accept him was when I was able to change the policies that was separating
us and crippling the company. – Instead of attacking him, I attacked the
problem and in the end EVERYBODY won.
·
Love, do Good and Pray for
your enemies,
repay evil with good, not more evil. -
Three things will last forever, Faith, Hope and Love - Without Love you are spiritually bankrupt.
·
My granddaughter had moved down what I
call a dark path of nightclubs, bar tendering, alcohol and drugs and
chose to shake off anyone who would pull her down from the dreams and desires
of her heart. – When I HATE her lifestyle, how do I respond to it in LOVE?
·
The Prodigal Son of scripture sets the
stage. The parents stayed firm in their beliefs and did not support him, nor
did they go and get him, but were watching for the son’s return and even
prepared a festival in the expectation… In Tough Love; They Watched,
They Waited and They Welcomed his
return. – NYOBS 26.23 – PRODIGAL
SON’S BROTHER
·
I have some very close friends
that decided to break their marriage vows between their spouse and God. I was crushed, hurt, and angry and just
didn’t even want to speak to them. I certainly don’t know the emotions,
feelings and length of time that went into those hard decisions, but I believe
that the Bible teaches that God wants us to live in peace.
- Handsome or Beautiful does not compensate
for a spouse that is cranky, selfish or unkind. - God wants BELIEVERS to have peace in their lives. There
are inappropriate things that take away PEACE from the marriage
such as moodiness – insecurity - clinging – pity parties – jealousy - complaining
– criticizing - fault finding - strong wills - ready to fight - yelling – anger
- temperamental displays – verbal put downs - making demands - playing
hard to get - manipulating situations - withholding sex - physical abuse
and the list goes on and on. – The question that must be asked; IS A SPOUSE LIKE THIS REALLY A BELIEVER?
·
Scripture is about the one who stays,
NOT the one who leaves. It’s about the
believing spouse who continues to honor the vow to God. – I believe as a “Free
Willie” that God does not chose who we marry; we do that. – But it’s what we
have put into our hearts that guides our decision. – NYOBS – 24.02 - DIVORCE
·
Once we make the marriage VOW to God,
we will be judged on how we respond and take care of our spouse
and family. - We move from the position
of SELF
to the new position of THE VOW made to God. – OUR VOW IS OUR LIFE ASSIGNMENT.
– It’s what we do every day. -
·
God calls the one who leaves “an unbeliever”
and says, LET
THEM GO.
·
Keep yourselves in the
Love of God;
be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, show honor
and hospitality to strangers in brotherly love.
Gen 2:18 – It’s not good for man to be alone
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for
the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." NIV
Mal 2:14 – The Lord is in covenant with
you and your wife.
14 You ask,
"Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you
and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though
she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. NIV
Prov 14:1 – A foolish
spouse tears down their marriage.
1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her
own hands the foolish one tears hers down. NIV
Prov 21:9 – PEACE - A quarrelsome
wife divides a home
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than
share a house with a quarrelsome wife. NIV
Eph 4:31 – PEACE - Get rid
of bitterness, anger and fussing.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. NIV
Ps 6:6-7 – PEACE - I cry
myself to sleep
6 I am worn out from groaning; all night
long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; NIV
1 Cor 7:15 – Let the UNBELIEVER depart
15 But if the unbeliever departs, let
him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such
cases. But God has called us to PEACE.
Jude 1:21 - Keep
yourselves in the love of God
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
(ESV)
Ephesians 4:31-32 - Be kind tenderhearted forgiving one another
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
(ESV)
Romans 12:10 – Love one another; show honor
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
(ESV)
Hebrews 13:1-2 – Show Hospitality to strangers in
brotherly love
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
(ESV)
Matthew 5:44 - Love and
pray for your enemies
44 But I say to you, Love
your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (ESV)
Luke 6:35 – Do good to your enemies
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
(NIV2011)
1 Peter 3:9-10 - Do not repay
evil for evil
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
(ESV)
1 Corinthians 13:13 – Faith, Hope and Love will
last forever
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is LOVE.
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is LOVE.
(NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:3 – Without Love you are
spiritually bankrupt
3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. (MSG)
3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. (MSG)
Seek it
·
Seek the Kingdom of God while it can
still be found – Reverence, Honor and Glorify God.
·
Prepare your mind for action, fixing your
hope on the grace of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 55:6 – Seek the Lord while He can still be
found
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
Matthew 6:33 - Seek first
the kingdom of God
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)
Proverbs 24:21 – REVERENCE
the Lord
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, (ESV)
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, (ESV)
1 Peter 2:17 – HONOR God
17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor
17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor
Revelation 15:4 – Fear and GLORIFY God - He alone
is Holy
4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (ESV)
4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (ESV)
1 Peter 1:13 - Prepare your
minds for action
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
(NASB)
Learn It
·
You are what you think - What you think
can lead you astray because your mind is on the things of man. You cannot lean on your own understanding, you
must renew your mind, transform how you think, grasping the things that are
above.
·
Your mind should be on whatever is true, honorable,
just, pure, lovely, commendable, and if there is
anything of excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things and LEARN them.
2 Corinthians 11:3 – What you think can lead you astray.
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your THOUGHTS will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (ESV)
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your THOUGHTS will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (ESV)
Proverbs 3:5 – Do not lean on your own understanding
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (ESV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (ESV)
Matthew 16:23 – Don’t put your mind on things of
man
23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”(ESV)
23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”(ESV)
Romans 12:1-2 - Be
transformed by renewing your mind
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
Colossians 3:2-5 - Set your
minds on things that are above
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (ESV)
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (ESV)
Philippians 3:18-19 – God’s Enemies’ Mind is set
on earthly things
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
(ESV)
Hebrews 10:32 – Remember your struggle &
sufferings & endure
32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
(ESV)
Philippians 4:8 - Think on things that are pure,
true, just, lovely
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(ESV)
Joshua 1:8 – Meditate on the Word that you may be
successful
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
(ESV)
Matthew 4:3-4 – We are to live by every Word of
God
3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
(ESV)
1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the desires of the
world
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
(ESV)
Colossians 3:23-24 – Do your work as if it is unto
the Lord
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
(ESV)
Obey it
·
Obedience is better than sacrifices
and offerings – When man’s law conflicts with God’s law, we should obey God
rather than men.
·
Don’t refuse what God is speaking to you.
- Let
your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give
glory to God.
·
Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing
spiritual songs, psalms and hymns and with thankfulness in
your hearts.
1 Samuel 15:22 – Obedience; better
than Sacrifice & Offerings
22 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
22 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
(ESV)
Acts 5:29 - Obey God
rather than men
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
(ESV)
Hebrews 12:25 – Don’t refuse what God is speaking
to you
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.
(ESV)
Matthew 5:13-16 – Let your light shine before
others
13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(ESV)
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word
of Christ dwell in you richly
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
(ESV)
Teach It
·
Our Faith is a dead faith
without our works. We are not to just
hear the Word, but to do the Word, making the paths straight for those seeking to
move closer to God.
·
Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel,
be ready to share it whether it’s convenient or not. Walk it
and Talk it, day and night wherever you go.
·
Teach it to your Children;
when you lie down and when you rise up, and teach it to your grandchildren,
generation to generation. Write it on
the door post of your home.
·
Let your speech always be
gracious,
seasoned with the salt of the Word.
James 2:17 - Faith without works is a DEAD FAITH
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have
works, is dead.
(ESV)
James 1:22 – Don’t just hear the Word – Do the
Word
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
(ESV)
Hebrews 12:13 - Make the paths
straight for those that follow
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
(ESV)
2 Timothy 1:8 – Don’t be
ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
(ESV)
1 Peter 3:15 – Be ready to share the Gospel of
Hope
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the HOPE that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the HOPE that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
(ESV)
2 Timothy 4:2 – Be ready whether it convenient or
not
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
(NKJV)
Deuteronomy 11:18-19 – Walk & Talk the Word
wherever you go
18 You shall therefore lay up these Words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
18 You shall therefore lay up these Words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
(ESV)
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 – Day and Night – Walk and Talk
the Word
6 And these Words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
6 And these Words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(ESV)
Deuteronomy 4:9 – Teach the Word to your Children
and Grands
9 Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children (ESV)
9 Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children (ESV)
Proverbs 13:22 – Share the Word, Generation to
Generation
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. (ESV)
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. (ESV)
Colossians 4:6 - Let your
speech always be gracious
6 Let your speech always be
gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer
each person. (ESV)
Last Thoughts
·
Go and Learn Mercy, not Sacrifice.
– Go and Learn is a command, not a suggestion.
·
The Word of God; SEEK IT,
LEARN IT, OBEY IT, TEACH IT and WAIT ON IT;
the promises of the Lord will surely come.
·
The only sacrifices God wants
is your sacrifices of Praise. - He wants us to show Love Compassion and
Mercy towards our fellowman, even reaching out to those who are NOT LOVABLE.
·
Problems in the office; PRAY
over the issue. – Attack the problem, not the person.
·
Problems within family; PRAY
- stand firm in your faith; Operate in the 3W’s - Watch,
Wait and Welcome.
·
Problems with friends that have separated
– PRAY about
their VOW - Seek ways to help in reconciliation, not provide more support for their
separation.
·
Faith without works is a dead Faith,
we are to be doers of the word and not hearers only, GO AND LEARN MERCY, then
do it.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
(ESV)
Habakkuk 2:3 – Wait for the promise – It will
surely come
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
(ESV)
James 2:17 - Faith without works is a DEAD FAITH
17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have
works, is dead.
(ESV)
James 1:22 – Do the Word
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
(ESV)
Matthew 12:7- LEARN - I desire mercy, and not sacrifice
7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
(ESV)
Jeremiah 33:11 – Sacrifices of PRAISE
11 …"Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, for His MERCY ENDURES FOREVER"-- and of those who will bring the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE into the house of the LORD.
11 …"Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, for His MERCY ENDURES FOREVER"-- and of those who will bring the SACRIFICE OF PRAISE into the house of the LORD.
(NKJV)
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and see further that I otherwise ever could
have.
A Commentary; Critical,
Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius
Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha – Goodspeed
Baker Commentary on the
Bible – Elwell
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary – Nelson’s
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The – Tyndale
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament - Baker
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International
Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas -
Tenney
New International Version
Bible (2011) – NIV
NOTE: The “new” NIV has
been corrupted and made gender neutral. AVOID IT.
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon
McGee
Vincent’s Word Studies of
the New Testament – Mac Donald
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wycliffe Bible Commentary;
The – Pfeiffer & Harrison
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
