by Rick Marin | Aug 11, 2021 | Resting in Christ
When God forgives our sins, do we and he then forget them?
(Gen. 42:7-24; Isa. 55;11; Matt. 25:41-46; Luke 23:34) Blog Aug 08-14, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Rest is a gift from God. Sin is the primary thief of rest. Jesus offers rest from sin and help in walking in paths of righteousness. We can rest from striving to save ourselves by trusting in the work that Jesus completed on earth. Besides showing us how to find rest from the guilt of sin and from striving to save ourselves, the Bible also gives principles that restore rest in families and societies.
Joseph & his Brothers
1. When at his father’s command Joseph took provisions to his ten brothers in Shechem what happened? Joseph’s brothers stripped off his coat of many colors, cast him into a pit, sold him to Ishmaelite merchants, dipped his coat in blood, & showed the bloody coat to Jacob their father (Gen. 37:12-35).
2. Which of Joseph’s brothers was guilty of suggesting that they sell Joseph to the Ishmaelite merchants? Joseph’s brother, Judah, was the one who suggested that they sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites who sold him into Egyptian slavery (Gen. 37:26-27).
3. How was Judah’s life filled with sinful, turbulent unrest after selling Joseph into Egypt? After selling Joseph into Egypt, Judah married a Canaanite woman, she died after bearing him three children, his sons were wicked, he consorted with a “prostitute” who turned out to be the daughter-in-law that he had defrauded, & she tricked him into justice (Gen. 38:1-19).
4. When did Joseph find rest in relation to the sin his brothers committed against him? Joseph found rest in his heart when on his journey to Egypt he committed himself to God & forgave his brothers in his heart (Gen. 39:1-4).
5. Through what means was the Holy Spirit working to convict Joseph’s brothers of their sin? The Holy Spirit worked through the individual consciences of Joseph’s brothers, through Ruben’s remonstrance, & especially through Joseph’s rough treatment of them when they came to buy corn (Gen. 37:26, 29-30; 42:21-22).
6. Besides Judah’s restless experience what must have been the experience of all of Joseph’s brothers during the many years that they didn’t confess their sins against Joseph and his father? Joseph’s brothers must have been continually harassed by their guilty consciences which gave them no rest (Gen. 42:21-22; Isa. 57:20-21).
7. What should we learn from the difficult tests that Joseph put his brothers through before he revealed himself to them? We should learn that Joseph acted like God who acts with extreme love & a desire for us to confess our sins & give evidence that we have turned from them (like Joseph’s brothers did by not envying Benjamin’s receipt of greater favors). When we do this God reveals himself to us with greater blessings (Lev. 5:5-6; 26:40-42; 1 Kings 8:33-35; 1 John 1:9).
Jesus and Us
8. How did God describe himself to Moses when his people greatly sinned at Mount Sinai? God revealed to Moses that he was, “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.” (Ex. 34:6-7; Psa. 86:5).
9. If God is so anxious to forgive why do people not find peace and rest in his forgiveness? People don’t find peace & rest in God’s forgiveness because they don’t ask for it (John 16:24; 1 John 1:9).
10. What should we understand from Jesus’ statement on the cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”? Jesus’ words on the cross show us God’s willingness to forgive any sin against him if we will but ask (James 4:2; 1 John 1:9).
11. Who else besides the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers are included in Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness on the cross? Jesus’ prayer for forgiveness on the cross includes everyone who nailed his hands & feet – that is every human being, for it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross (1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 John 2:2).
12. What price did God have to pay in order to be able to forgive our sins? In order to be able to forgive our sins, it cost God the price of suffering the torment of hell for every person that has ever lived (Luke 24:26; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
13. When God forgives our sins, do we and he then forget them? A forgiven sin is not a forgotten sin. Joseph’s brothers did not forget their sin when they were forgiven but still remembered it 17 years later when their father died & God does not blot out our sins & close his record books the moment we accept his forgiveness, but rather forgetfulness comes at the time of final judgment (Gen. 50:15-19; Jer. 18:23; Acts 3:19).
14. How does the story of the two debtors in Matthew 18 illustrate that “to forgive is not to forget”? Jesus’ story of the two debtors illustrates the truth that forgiven sins can come back upon a person if that person does not forgive others (Eze. 18:24; Matt. 6:15; 18:23-35).
Us and Others
15. When we forgive another’s debt to us what do we lose? When we forgive another’s debt, we lose all that was owed to us (Matt. 18:23-35).
16. What should continually inspire us to forgive others? The realization of what God has forgiven us should be a continual inspiration for us to forgive others (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13; Heb. 2:3).
17. In Simon’s house what truth about forgiveness did Jesus state? In Simon’s house Jesus stated that those who realize how much they have been forgiven will respond with love towards their forgiver & towards others (Luke 7:36-48).
18. When should we choose to forgive a person who sins against us? Before the sun sets we should think through the situation & deny ourselves revenge (leaving that up to God) & choose in our heart to forgive the person that sinned against us, for only thus can we have peace & rest (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:21-22; Eph. 4:26-27, 31-32; Col. 3:12-13).
19. When should we tell those who sin against us that we forgive them? We should tell a person that we forgive them only after we have forgiven them in our heart & when that person repents & asks us to forgive them (Lev. 19:17-18; Luke 17:1-4).
20. Besides confronting and forgiving in our heart those who sin against us what else does Jesus recommend we do? Jesus says: “Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44).
by Rick Marin | Aug 4, 2021 | Resting in Christ
How can a person know God’s will?
(Gen. 34:1-31; 39:1-23; Deut. 4:29; Eph. 6:1-9) Blog Aug. 01-07, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In the beginning God gave humanity rest. Through sin many factors have entered that rob us of rest. The greatest thief of rest is unconfessed sin. The lack of proper rest separates us from our Creator. Jesus offers rest from sin and help in walking in paths of righteousness. Most of all, in Jesus’ finished work on earth we can rest from striving to save ourselves.
Dysfunctional families
1. What does the word “dysfunctional” mean? The word “dysfunctional” means “functionally impaired” or “not operating properly.”
2. In what way was Abraham’s family dysfunctional? Abraham’s family was dysfunctional when Hagar was included in the marriage bed (Gen. 16:1-5).
3. In what way was Isaac’s family dysfunctional? Isaac’s family was dysfunctional in that each parent favored one child over the other (Gen. 25:28).
4. In what way was Jacob’s family dysfunctional? Jacob’s family was dysfunctional in that he was forced to marry a wife he didn’t love who competed with her sister whom Jacob loved (Gen. 29:21-30).
5. In what way did Joseph find peace and rest when included in Potiphar’s household? Joseph found peace by obeying God’s Commandments even when that could cost him his life (Gen. 39:7-20).
6. What did God tell Abraham to do in order to solve the “Hagar” problem? God told Abraham to cast out the bondwoman & her son (Gen. 21:10-12).
7. How did Jacob and Esau solve their dysfunctionality? Jacob & Esau forgave each other & offered gifts thus bringing peace & rest (Gen. 33:1-11).
8. What unlikely heroes of faith that had very dysfunctional families are listed in Hebrews 11? Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, & Samuel although having dysfunctional families accomplished great things for God (Heb. 11:32).
9. What percent of earth’s families are dysfunctional today? Since the fall of man every family on earth is dysfunctional to one degree or another (Psa. 14:2-3; Rom3:10-18).
Functioning Families
10. If all earth’s families are dysfunction to one degree or another then how can any member of the family find rest? Rest to any member of the family comes only by obedience to God & by finding forgiveness when that obedience is imperfect (Psa. 119:165; Rom. 5:1).
11. How can a person know God’s will in a particular situation? In order to know God’s will in a particular situation a person must be familiar with the Ten Commandments & the Bible in general; the Holy Spirit will impress believers in the way they should go; a well-informed conscience will help; counsel from Christian friends may help; &, most of all, one can search the Bible for specific advice concerning the question at hand (Ex. 20:1-17; Prov. 11:14; Isa. 30:21; Rom. 2:15).
12. In Ephesians 6 what specific counsel does Paul give for children so that there will be peace and rest in the family? Paul tells children to obey & honor their parents for this is the will of God as stated in the Ten Commandments (Eph. 6:1-3).
13. What specific counsel does Paul give for parents in Ephesians 6? Paul tells parents not to discourage their children by provoking them to anger but rather to encourage them to trust in God’s care & to instruct them in the counsels of God (Gen. 18:19; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).
14. In Ephesians 6 what specific counsel does Paul give for those who employ household assistants? Paul teaches that household assistants are to be treated fairly & kindly without threatening them (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1).
15. What general principle teaches us how we can always have God’s guidance in our lives? Solomon tells us that if we acknowledge God (choose to do his will) in every area of our lives, he will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6).
Family Rest
16. Besides each member following the specific counsel given by Paul in Ephesians what corporate activities bring peace and rest to the family? Thanking God for every meal, having morning & evening family worship, & celebrating the rest & refreshment of the weekly Sabbath & annual spiritual feasts (like camp-meeting) are guaranteed to bring peace & rest to the family (Ex. 31:15-17; Psa. 92:1-2; John 6:11; 1 Cor. 10:31).
17. What are the general characteristics that bring peace and rest to the family? Unselfish love, willing forgiveness, bearing one another’s burdens, & kindness bring peace & rest (John 13:34; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:32).
18. What general principle should a person adhere to when seeking a life partner? In seeking a life partner, one should always limit themselves to true believers for Paul counsels “be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” & Amos writes: “Can two walk together except they be agreed,” & Paul adds: “what communion hath light with darkness?” (Amos 3:3; 2 Cor. 6:14).
19. If a woman upon becoming a Christian is married to an unbelieving husband what do Peter and Paul say she can do to win her husband and benefit her family? Paul says that the believing wife should remain with her husband for this brings sanctity both to him & to their children & Peter says that by her godly lifestyle the believing wife can win her unbelieving husband (1 Cor. 7:13-14; 1 Pet. 3:1-2).
20. Who is Satan likely to attack when seeking to destroy one of God’s servants? When Satan desires to destroy one of God’s servants he often attacks those closest to them: spouse, mother, father, child, or intimate friend (Est. 7:9; Job. 42:7; Lam. 1:2; Matt. 10:36; Mark 3:25; Luke 21:16).
by Rick Marin | Jul 28, 2021 | Resting in Christ
(Ex. 18:13-22; Matt. 5:5; 11:20-30; Gal. 5:1; 6:1-2) Blog July 25-31, 2021
What is there about Jesus’ yoke that brings rest?
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Daily cares, striving for selfish desires, complaining, and being discontent with God’s provision, his appointed leaders, his despised messengers, or with God himself all rob us of time for rest. Not only these things, but also trying to appear what we are not and trying to hide our sins rather than confessing them also deprive us of time for much-needed rest. Since we were created to experience daily and weekly rest then a lack of proper rest only separates us from our Creator. The weekly Sabbath rest that God made for us in the beginning is also a picture of resting in Jesus’ work for our salvation rather than personally striving to save ourselves.
The Offer Matt. 23:4;
1. In Matthew 11 what does Jesus offer? Jesus offers rest (Matt. 11:28).
2. If God already gave us a nightly rest and a weekly rest at creation, what kind of rest is Jesus offering in Matthew 11? If everything that God made in the beginning was very good & continued that way, meeting humanity’s every need until sin entered our world, then Jesus must be offering a rest that we need because of sin (Gen. 1:31; Psa. 38:3-4).
3. Just before Jesus offers rest in Matthew 11 what two things has he been speaking about? Jesus has been speaking about our need for repentance in the light of abundant evidence & our need for knowing the Father who only reveals himself to the humble (Matt. 11:20-27).
4. To whom does Jesus offer rest? Jesus offers rest to those who labor & are heavy laden (Matt. 11:28).
5. Since sin entered this world what heavy burden do people often carry? Besides the normal cares of this life, people carry the burden of sin & guilt (Isa. 1:4; 59:2; Psa. 38:3-4).
6. What work (labor) are all of us to be involved in in this life? We are all to be involved in the work of purifying ourselves so that our lives continually increase in holiness (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 3:12-14; 1 Pet. 1:13-16).
7. What must the rest that Jesus offers in Matthew 11 include? The rest that Jesus offers must include rest from the burden of sin & help in the work of purifying our souls for he offers us his yoke also (Matt. 11:29-30.
The Conditions
8. What is the first condition for receiving the rest that Jesus offers? In order to receive the rest that Jesus offers, one must first admit that they are working for something & are carrying a heavy burden (Matt. 11:28).
9. When a person realizes their need then what does Jesus tell them to do? Jesus tells those who realize their need: to come to him (Isa. 55:1; Matt. 11:28).
10. Besides realizing our need and coming to Jesus what else is included in the transaction that brings us rest? With his offer of rest Jesus lifts our heavy burden and gives us his yoke to bear (Psa. 55:22; Matt. 11:29).
11. What is there about Jesus’ yoke that brings rest? Jesus’ yoke brings us rest because he bore all our sins in his body on the cross & he shares with us the burden of purifying our souls, making the yoke easy (Ex. 31:13; Matt. 11:29; Acts 15:28-29; 1 Pet. 2:24).
12. What characteristics of Jesus make sharing a yoke with him a pleasant experience? Because Jesus is meek & lowly in heart he carries much more than an equal portion of the load making the load light for us while renewing our energy, making bearing his yoke a very pleasant experience (Matt. 11:29; Rom. 6:16).
13. How does the prophet Isaiah describe the unity of divinity with humanity in carrying Christ’s yoke? He says that the high & holy God “dwells with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones (Isa. 57:15).
14. In order to better enjoy bearing Jesus’ yoke what does he tell us to do? Jesus tells us to learn humility from him for in humble service we will find our greatest joy (Matt. 11:28; Phil.2:17).
The Results Rom. 6:22
15. What means has God used to make bearing Christ’s yoke a pleasant experience? God has sent angels to warn & instruct believers, given his Holy Spirit to indwell believers for their sanctification & instructive guidance, & he has sent other human beings to help us in living the Christian life (Gen. 16:11; Isa. 58:6; Gal. 6:2).
16. Who did God send with wise counsel to Moses so his burdens could be lightened? God sent Moses’ father-in-law to suggest a wise plan for handling the people’s problems (Ex. 18:13-27; Num. 11:11; Gal. 6:1-2).
17. What did Jesus say that the Holy Spirit would do for his disciples? Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, of righteousness, & of judgment & that he would guide believers into all truth & teach us about Jesus & things to come (John 16:7-15).
18. What is “the Law of Christ” in which we bear one another’s burdens? The Law of Christ is the same as the Law of his Father – to love God with all one’s heart & mind & soul & to love our neighbor as ourselves, just as Jesus demonstrated in his life on earth (Matt. 22:36-40; John 13:34; Gal. 6:2).
19. What is the yoke of bondage that unbelievers have to carry all alone? The yoke of bondage is the impossible duty of perfectly obeying God’s Law & for the Jews the yoke also included all the laws of Moses which Peter said his people had never been able to keep (Acts 15:10; Gal.3:10; 4:9; 5:1).
20. What yoke had the religious leaders of Christ’s day placed on their church members? The religious leaders of Christ’s day added foolish restrictions to God’s Law that became heavy & difficult burdens for the members of their church (Matt. 23:4, 13-31). 21. What is the result of bearing Christ’s yoke? The fruit of bearing Christ’s yoke is our sanctification & eternal life (Rom. 6:22).
by Rick Marin | Jul 21, 2021 | Resting in Christ
What will be the result of trying to hide one’s sin?
(2 Sam 11:1-27; 12:1-23; Psa. 32:1-7; 51:1-19; 1 John 1:9) Blog July 18-24, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In this life rest is essential. God gave humanity daily and weekly rest before sin entered our world. With the entrance of sin work became more difficult and rest became more essential. Daily cares tend to destroy time for rest and striving for selfish desires only make matters worse. We can add to our lack of rest by complaining and being discontent with God’s provision, his appointed leaders, his despised messengers, or with God himself. The Sabbath rest is a symbol of more than one kind of rest. It not only provides a weekly day of rest but also one of the things it symbolizes is the rest from personally striving for salvation. We are invited to rest in Jesus’ perfect life for our salvation.
The Great Thief
1. What factor, more than any other, produces depression and robs a person of peace and rest? It is the guilt of unforgiven sin that, more than any other factor, robs a person of peace & rest & produces depression (Psa. 119:165; Isa. 57:20-21; John 10:1, 10).
2. What condition brought exceeding sorrow to Jesus? Jesus became exceedingly sorrowful without peace & rest when our sins were laid on him in Gethsemane (Isa. 53:6; Matt. 26:37-38).
3. What is “guilt”? Guilt is not a feeling, but rather it is a fact. It is the fact of having committed a sin! A person can be guilty without knowing it (Ex. 20:7; Lev. 4:13-14; 5:17).
4. Why does sin produce the feeling of guilt? Sin produces the feeling of guilt because we were created with a conscience that originally was informed by the principles of love recorded in God’s Law (Gen. 4:6-7; Rom. 2:14-15; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19).
5. Why do some people not feel guilty when they really are guilty? A person can be guilty but not feel guilty if their conscience is seared or uninformed. (Some people feel guilty when they are not guilty because their conscience is misinformed.) (Lev. 4:13-14, 27; 1 Cor. 8:7; 1 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:15)
6. What alone can remove guilt? Only the shed blood of Jesus can remove guilt (Heb. 9:14, 22; 1 John 1:7).
7. At what price was the blood of Christ shed for us? Peter calls Christ’s blood precious & Paul writes that it was an infinite sacrifice for the second person of the Deity to leave the joy of heaven & become man & not just any man, but rather a servant of men, & that in order to die, & not just any death, but rather the cruel death of the cross, & that not for anything he had done wrong but rather for our wrong doing, & not just for yours & my sins but for the sins of the whole world which he bore in his body suffering the torment of hell for every human being that has ever lived. This was only possible because he was infinite Deity (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:9; 1 Pet. 1:19; 2:24; 1 John 2:2).
8. By what means can a person have the shed blood of Jesus applied to their guilty conscience for the removal of their guilt? John says “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins; and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) (1 John 1:9).
9. What can we do to educate our conscience? We can study God’s standard like David did, ask God to purge our conscience, & confess & forsake all our sins (Psa. 119:165; Heb. 9:14)
A Great Example
10. How did King David’s sin against Bathsheba and her husband, rob him of peace and rest? David records his experience, remembering how, amidst his continual groaning, God’s hand became more & more oppressive on him while his body fluids dried up & his bones deteriorated (Psa. 32:3-4).
11. Besides the guilt and loss of physical strength, what additional burden occupied David’s life after committing adultery with Bathsheba? David took on the additional burden of trying to hide his sin (2 Sam. 11:6-15).
12. What does David and Bathsheba’s son Solomon say will be the result of trying to hide one’s sin? Solomon says: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.” (Prov. 28:13; 1 Chron. 22:9).
13. How long did David refuse to confess his sin with Bathsheba? Apparently David delayed confessing his sin for about 9 months (2 Sam. 12:14-15).
14. How did God prick David’s conscience in order to get him to confess his sin? God in mercy sent the prophet Nathan with a story to David that made him see the enormity of his sin (2 Sam. 12:1-9).
15. Through what means did David find relief from the guilt, stress, and unrest that came as a result of his sin? David found relief from the guilt, stress, & lack of rest by confessing his sin to God (Psa. 32:1-5).
16. When David confessed his sin to God what else did he ask God to do for him? David asked God to be merciful to him, to cleanse him from his sin (to justify him), to create in him a clean heart (to sanctify him), to renew a right spirit (attitude) in him, to not take his Holy Spirit from him, & to restore the joy of his salvation (Psa. 51:1-12).
17. What had David lost when he sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah? David lost the joy of his salvation even though he did not lose his salvation (justification) nor God’s Holy Spirit (Psa. 51:8-12).
The Great Results
18. What did David resolve to do when he was forgiven. David resolved to teach God’s ways to other sinners, to sing aloud of God’s righteousness, & to show forth the praises of a merciful God (Psa. 51:13-15).
19. What should we learn from David’s resolve to teach God’s ways, sing of his righteousness, and show forth his praise? It should become clear that the evidence that one is truly forgiven is the visible fruit born in their life of teaching, singing, & praising God, for they now have redeemed the time spent in hiding their sin & in self-justification & are free to serve others. (Eph. 5:15-16; Luke 7:47).20. In conclusion, what is the price of rest? Rest for humanity was purchased by the infinitely precious gift of God’s dear Son who gave his life a ransom for all (Psa. 49:8; Mark 10:45; 1 Tim. 2:6).
by Rick Marin | Jul 14, 2021 | Resting in Christ
What added burden do hypocrites add to their daily duties?
(Matt 10:34-39; 23:1-13; Luke 12:13-21; 22:14-30; John 13:13-17; 14:1-7) Blog July 11-17, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Work is good. Wealth and health come from it. But work without rest is bad. Disease and poverty come from it. God gave rest before work. The Sabbath is a symbol of more than one kind of rest. It not only provides a weekly day of rest but also symbolizes the rest from personally striving for salvation by finding in Jesus’ perfect life the grounds for our eternal life. We can add to our lack of rest by complaining and being discontent with God’s provision, his appointed leaders, his despised messengers, or with God himself.
Discontent among the Prosperous
1. What great concern did the rich man have in Jesus’ parable recorded in Luke 12. The rich man was greatly concerned that he didn’t have enough barns to store all his abundant harvest (Luke 12:16-17).
2. What solution did the rich man devise to solve his problem? The rich man decided to tear down his existing barns & build bigger ones in which to store all his wealth (Luke 12:18).
3. After all the stress and effort of tearing down and building new barns in what did the rich man place his confidence? The rich man placed his confidence in his hoarded wealth but died that night leaving all his effort to the care of others (Prov. 11:28; Luke 12:19-20).
4. What did Jesus say the rich man should have done when blessed with a plentiful harvest? The rich man should have used his wealth to advance God’s kingdom in the earth thus leaving himself with many less worries & the joy of service towards others (Luke 12:21, 33).
5. Which of the Ten Commandments was Jesus emphasizing when he refused to settle an inheritance dispute among two brothers and told the story of the rich man? Jesus was illustrating the tenth commandment for he said: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
Discontent among the Pharisees & Sadducees
6. What does Jesus want us to lean from what he said about the Pharisees in Matthew 23? Jesus says that the Pharisees who occupy the teaching role of Moses go far beyond teaching the good precepts that Moses included in the Pentateuch because they add ridiculous requirements to all Moses’ laws leaving those who try to do them ladened with burdens that no one can bear. And Jesus warns us not to be hypocrites like them who say one thing & do another, placing all their emphasis on outward appearance while neglecting service to others (Matt. 23:1-13).
7. What added burden do hypocrites add to their daily duties? Hypocrites not only have the normal cares of this life, but they add the burden of having to continually pretend to be what they are not while having to cover up their true self (Matt. 6:2-5, 16).
8. When Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, what did he mean by that term? A hypocrite is a person whose words & actions are different than their heart attitude (Matt. 15:7-8; Luke 11:44).
9. What did John the Baptist tell the Pharisees and Sadducees that their future held? John told the Pharisees & Sadducees that the fire of hell was their future for they thought they were Abraham’s children while they were not sorry for their sins & bore no fruit to show it. (Matt. 3:7-10).
10. What did Jesus tell his disciples that their future held? Jesus told his disciples that a home in heaven & eternity with the One they loved was their future for they believed in him. (John 14:1-3).
11. What hope did the Sadducees not have? The Sadducees had no hope of a future resurrection nor of help from angels (Acts 23:8).
12. What does the hope of a bright future give to the person that has it? The hope of a bright future removes worry & restless stress from the heart & fills it with rest & joy in believing (John 14:1-7).
Discontent among the Disciples
13. At the Last Supper what was Jesus trying to teach his disciples by washing their feet? In washing the disciples’ feet Jesus was trying to teach them that service to others is the underlying joy in his kingdom & this produces much more rest than serving ourselves. (Matt. 11:28-30; John 13:12-17).
14. At the Last Supper what was Jesus trying to teach his disciples by breaking the bread and saying, “Take eat, this is my body (given for you)”? Jesus was trying to teach that the bread of communion represented his one perfect life which all his disciples must share if they were to have life eternal (Matt. 26:26; Luke 22:19).
15. At the Last Supper what was Jesus trying to teach his disciples when taking the cup he said: “Take this, and divide it among yourselves (This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you)”? Jesus was teaching that the communion cup represents his death which in the New Covenant provides the forgiveness of sins (a true rest for the forgiven) (Matt. 26:27; Luke 22:20).
16. While Jesus was trying to teach great lessons regarding humility and sharing at the Last Supper, what discussion were his disciples engaged in? During the Last Supper Jesus’ disciples were discussing which of them was most important in Christ’s kingdom (Luke 22:24).
17. What great thief of rest was Jesus trying to handcuff during the Last Supper? At the Last Supper Jesus was trying to disarm the spirit of self-exaltation that robs us of rest (Luke 22:14-30; John 13:14-15).
18. Why was Judas the most restless disciple at the last Supper? Judas was restless at the Last Supper for he, more than any other of the disciples was plotting his own wealth & glory in the betrayal of his loving Master (Matt. 26:20-25; Luke 22:21-23).19. In an effort to help his disciples understand the value of humility in his kingdom what did Jesus say before leaving the Last Supper? Jesus said: “Whosever shall be great among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:27; Luke 22:26).
by Rick Marin | Jul 7, 2021 | Resting in Christ
Why does God give leadership roles?
(Numbers 11-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13) Blog July 4-10, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In the beginning God gave humanity work to do, but with it he also gave us daily and weekly rest from labor. The first day began with night and the first week ended with the Sabbath rest (which was Adam and Eve’s first full day of life). God wants us to understand that true rest is found only in being rightly related to him, and that even amid daily cares and unforeseen disasters he must be our rest.
Questioning God’s Provisions
1. In Exodus 16 when the children of Israel started to complain upon remembering the abundance of flesh and bread they had in Egypt, what did God do? God gave them quail in the evening & manna, bread from heaven, in the morning (Ex. 16:12-15).
2. What was one of God’s purposes in giving manna to his people? God planned to use the manna as a test for his people (Ex. 16:4).
3. About a year later, after leaving Mount Sinai, what complaint again arose in Israel? They complained saying: “Who shall give us flesh to eat? … there is nothing at all, besides this manna.” (Num. 11:4-6).
4. How did Moses respond to the people’s complaint about the manna? Moses told God to kill him for he was not able to bear the heavy burden of all that people (Num. 11:13-15).
5. What did God do to provide help for Moses? God inspired seventy elders to assist Moses in governing the people & he sent masses of quail for a month (Num. 11:16-20).
6. What lesson should we learn from the people’s complaint? We should never question God’s provision for God has given us an ideal diet just like he gave an ideal diet to Israel (Num. 11:5-10).
7. What lesson should we learn from God’s response to the people’s complaint? We should learn that God takes very seriously the complaints of his people regarding what he has given them (Num. 11:10, 33-34).
Questioning God’s Servants
8. Why does God give leadership roles to some individuals over others? Leadership is heaven’s ordained method of maintaining order & progress. There are ranks of angels & even a leadership order in the Deity (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:21-22).
9. Give Bible examples of people that God has given leadership roles over other people: Adam, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, parents, & masters (Gen. 3:16; 18:19; Ex. 3:10; Deut. 31:3; 1 Sam. 16:13; Eph. 6:1-5).
10. Both the Apostles Paul and Peter speak of people who should be in submission to other people (wives to husbands, servants to masters, children to parents), so what is the meaning of “submission” in the Bible? Submission in the Bible is not a command to passiveness but rather it is the act of taking an active, supportive role under a leader (Gen. 2:18; 16:9; Psa. 18:44; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 2:13).
11. What leadership gift of the Spirit does Paul list and what caution does he give to those who exercise it? Paul lists the gift of “ruling” & he cautions that those who rule should do it with diligence (Rom. 12:8).
12. What unlikely persons began to question Moses’ God-given leadership over the children of Israel while traveling towards Canaan? Moses’ own sister, Miriam, together with their brother Aaron questioned Moses’ leadership role (Ex. 32:34; Num. 12:1-2).
13. What authorities has God currently placed in human society? God has placed Kings, presidents, governors, mayors, & police in authority over other human beings (Rom. 13:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).
14. What authorities has God placed in the church? God has placed elders & deacons in positions of authority in the church (Acts14:23; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-5).
15. How can we, like Miriam, oppose God’s plan of forward movement for his people? We can hinder God’s plan for his people by manifesting a spirit of envy & insubordination towards God’s appointed leaders in the church (James 3:16).
16. When the children of Israel rejected Caleb and Joshua’s report about Canaan and wanted to stone them what did God do? God’s glory appeared in the camp & he told Moses that he would grant the people’s request to die in the wilderness (Num. 14:6-39).
17. How does God view the sins of insubordination and rebellion? God regards these sins as extremely serious, even as bad as witchcraft (1 Sam. 15:23).
18. When those in authority in God’s church are not led by God’s Spirit, how are we to respond? We should first go directly to the person that we feel is in error, if the problem is not resolved take other witnesses, & finally take it to the church (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Tim. 5:19).
19. How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate respect for authority while honoring God’s Law? Daniel’s three friends obeyed the command to gather on the plains of Dura & peacefully submitted to arrest & being bound, yet they refused to worship any god but Jehovah (Dan. 3:12-18).
Questioning God’s Order
20. What is the purpose for having rules? A rule is a proscribed guide for conduct or action & brings harmony, rest, & peace where it is enforced (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
21. What is God’s attitude towards government? God loves government, he has one, & he gives kingdoms, powers, strength, & glory to earthly rulers (2 Chr. 20:6; Isa. 40:10; Dan. 2:37;).
22. Where does the Apostle Paul tell us that we should learn from the stories that happened to Israel? In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul points out that those stories should teach us not to desire evil things, nor worship substitute gods, nor commit fornication, nor tempt God, nor complain about his providence, nor his servants (1 Cor. 10:1-13).
23. How does the Apostle Paul teach us that we can overcome our natural discontent? Paul says that contentment is something that we have to learn for it does not come naturally. May God help us to lean that in less that forty years like he gave Israel in order to learn this attitude (Phil. 4:11-13; 1 Tim. 6:6-8).
