I Corinthians 14

• I Corinthians 14:2 – Speaking in tongues is only beneficial if the language is understood or can be translated.
• I Corinthians 14:3-5 – Prophecy is seen as the more generally useful gift.
• I Corinthians 14:6-9 – Speaking in tongues is useless unless the language is understood.
• I Corinthians 14:10-11 – See Genesis 11:7-9. Clear communication is critical!
• I Corinthians 14:13 – Apparently it was at least sometimes possible for one speaking in tongues to also interpret.
• I Corinthians 14:14-17 – “Mind” is also translated “understanding.”
• I Corinthians 14:18-19 – Compare Paul’s attitude in I Corinthians 10:33. The emphasis was always on edification.

James 2:14-26

• James 2:14 – This is a rhetorical question.
• James 2:18 – If I truly have faith, it changes how I live.
• James 2:19 – Compare Luke 4:33; Acts 19:15. The demons believe in God also!
• James 2:21-24 – Exhibit A: Abraham
  • Galatians 3:7
  • Abraham was declared righteous because of his works.
  • Titus 3:7; Romans 5:9; I Corinthians 6:11
  • Genesis 22:1-3, 10-12, 15-18
  • Hebrews 11:17 “by faith” vs James 2:21 “by works.” Two ways of describing the same event.
• James 2:25 – Exhibit B: Rahab
  • Hebrews 11:31
  • Joshua 2:1-6 – Rahab was commended for welcoming the spies in peace – not for lying.
  • Joshua 2:8-11

But what about Romans 4?

• Romans 4:1-8
• Romans is using the word “works” in a different way than James 2.
• Romans 4: Works = actions which allow one to “boast” about what he is “due.”
  • Romans 3:23
  • None of us are saved from being perfect!
• James 2: Works = obedient actions which make faith come alive.

Develop a faith that works!

• Hebrews 11:7-9, 23-25, 30
• Joshua 6:1-5, 20 – They did these things by faith.
• Ephesians 2:8 ➡ I Peter 3:21

Treatment of slaves

• Exodus 21:1-11
• Hebrew slaves
  • Temporary servitude – Hebrew – six years
  • Other factors
    • Married?
    • Given to marry?
    • Children?
    • Willing to remain?
  • Selling a daughter
  • Method of early redemption
  • Severe treatment

Did God approve of slavery?

• Did not approve of divorce – stated so
  • Malachi 2:16
  • Mark 10:2-12 (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9) – “from the beginning”
• Where it starts
  • Exodus 21:16 – To forcibly take a slave = death
  • Appears forced slavery not allowed
  • No restriction as to nationality or religion
• Fact of slavery

Tortfeasance

• Exodus 21:12-22:31
• Uhhhh… What?
  • Archaic legal term
  • Twisted conduct
  • Modern version: torts
  • Better known as common law
  • Requires both knowledge and wise interpretation
  • Concerns all varieties of harm caused by imprudent conduct
  • Code of Hammurabi?

Code of Hammurabi

• 18th Century BC
• Legal code in Babylon
• Some similarities with Law of Moses

Justice between Israelites

• Exodus 22:16-23:9
• Specifics and principles of justice
  • “What to do if …” statutes
  • Some capital offenses
  • Usury laws
  • First fruits and first born
  • Perjury and suborning perjury
  • Mob activity
  • Partiality
  • Returning lost property
  • Perverting justice
  • Graft
  • Oppression against foreigners

Sabbaths and festivals

• Exodus 23:10-19
• Sabbaths for land
• Sabbaths for animals
• Sabbaths for servants, slaves
• Feats to observe and some rules
• Appearance of all males before God

The promise of victory

• Exodus 23:20-33
• Guardian angel
  • Obey him
  • Bring you to promised land
• Serve God only
  • You’ll be fruitful
  • You’ll be victorious
  • Enemies confounded, scattered
  • No covenant or service to their gods

The blood of the covenant

• Exodus 24
• Moses comes down
  • Recounts to the people
  • They answer
  • Moses records
  • Makes sacrifice
• Moses takes the blood
  • Sprinkles half on the altar
  • Reads the covenant
  • People respond
  • Moses sprinkles the people
  • Declares it the “Blood of the Covenant”
• Hebrews 9:18-28

Moses and others appear before God

• Exodus 24:9-18
• God appears
• Moses moves up
• After six days, He calls Moses
• Moses remains for 40 days and nights

God instructs Moses

• How to build the tabernacle
  • Contributions needed (Exodus 25:1-9)
  • Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-22)
  • Table for Bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23-30)
  • Golden lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40)
  • The tabernacle structure (Exodus 26:1-37)
  • The bronze altar (Exodus 27:1-8)
• More instructions
  • Tabernacle court (Exodus 27:9-19)
  • The lamp – oil and when to burn (Exodus 27:20-21)
  • Priests’ garments (Exodus 28)
  • Consecrating the priests (Exodus 29)
  • Altar of incense (Exodus 30:1-10)
  • Bronze basin for priestly purification (Exodus 30:17-21)
  • Anointing oil and incense (Exodus 30:22-38)

Filling in the details

• Importance of Oholiab and Bezalel
  • Supply the details
  • Provide excellence in workmanship
  • Put their skill to work
  • Do all under God’s inspiration

Paying the census ransom

• Exodus 30:11-16
• Applied to everyone 20 years and older
• Also called atonement money
• Half a shekel
• Same amount for all
• Went to the service in Tent of Meeting

Introduction

• I Samuel 1:20, 27; 2:11, 26; 3:19-20
• I Samuel 7:15-17 – Samuel served as prophet and judge.
• I Samuel 25:1 – Death of Samuel

He summoned the courage to tell hard truths.

• I Samuel 3:1, 10-14 – Samuel receives a message for Eli from God.
• I Samuel 3:18 – Samuel delivers the message to Eli.
• I Samuel 13 – Samuel rebukes Saul for failing to wait for him.
• I Samuel 15:19, 27-28 – Samuel told Saul his kingdom was being removed.
• I Corinthians 5:1-2
• III John 1:9-10 – John had courage to talk to Diotrephes.
• We must have the courage of Samuel to tell hard truths.
• Proverbs 15:2
• Parents need to have the courage to talk to their children.

He cared.

• I Samuel 8:4-9
• I Samuel 15:10-11
• Amos 6:6
• Psalms 119:136
• Samuel was bothered by sin. Does sin bother us?

He lived with sadness in his life.

• I Samuel 7:3-4
• II Chronicles 35:18
• I Samuel 8:1-3 – Samuel’s sons did evil.
• Hebrews 11:32, 6

“Who is God?”

• Exodus 5:2
• All men need to learn about God.
• We live in an ever-changing world … but God never changes.
  • God’s basic character never changes.
  • You can use the word “always” to express this truth.
  • Malachi 3:6
  • Psalms 102:25-27
  • Hebrews 13:8
  • “He is the still point in a turning world.”
  • God’s purposes do not change.
    • Isaiah 14:23-27
• The God who sent His Son to die on the cross and raised Him from the dead IS THE SAME GOD …
  • Who created the universe
  • Who walked in the garden and talked to Adam and Eve
  • Etc.
• Remember He said what He purposed would be done, therefore God’s promises do not change or fail.
  • II Peter 3:3-10
• But what about those verses that say God changed His mind or that God repented?
  • Genesis 6:6; Jonah 3:10
  • This expresses God’s grief over sin. It doesn’t mean He made a mistake.
• What difference does this make in practical terms?
  • First consider God’s immutability as it applies to the lost.
    • This is very bad news for those living in sin.
      • Psalms 139
    • This is very good news to those who want to be saved.
    • God’s attitude toward obedience and disobedience has never changed!
      • Deuteronomy 6:5-6; 5:10
• So what’s the difference in the Old and New Testaments?
  • Matthew 22:37; Romans 6:17
  • Romans 8:2; Hebrews 8:9-10
  • The Old Covenant did not offer a means of forgiveness. The New Covenant does offer forgiveness through grace and forgiveness in Jesus.
  • In both the Old and New Testament, God expected faith and obedience.
• When faced with requirements and restrictions in God’s word, some reject it by saying God is just not that “picky.”
  • Well, He’s as picky now as He’s always been.
  • Adam and Eve – ate a fruit.
  • Nadab and Abihu – used the wrong fire.
  • Ananias and Sapphira – lied about what they gave.
  • Paul blinded a man who perverted the right way of the Lord!
  • He wants man to love and obey Him!
• God is still the same.
  • His expectations concerning man haven’t changed since creation.