CONDITION OF SOCIETY

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD" (Isa. 30:9 NKJV).

Although Isaiah is speaking about the conditions of his day, these same conditions exist in our society today. The condition spoken of was one of disobedience, deceit, disinterest, and defiance.

Disobedience – “This is a rebellious people.” The rebellion spoken of here relates to the Word of God: Israel simply would not obey God’s Word regarding their conduct. The same is true of our society today. Folks simply refuse to obey God’s commands by living contrary to the way He has ordered us to live.

Deceitful – “Lying children.” The Israelites were guilty of living deceitfully and our society is not much better. Lying and deceit is among the most prominent characteristics of our society. The news media deceives, politicians deceive, business executives deceives, and even religious leaders deceive. Lying is extremely common today.

Disinterest – “Will not hear the law of the Lord.” Israel was not interested in God’s Word. It is the same with folks today as many do not read the Bible much, and fewer are even attending church to hear the Word of God. Folks will spend hours watching TV and hours on the internet, but they will not spend even minutes in the Bible.

Defiance – “Will not hear the law of the Lord.” This phrase also speaks of the defiance of the people towards the Word. Israel would not listen to the prophets speak God’s Word. They rejected the truth and turned away from it. Many folks are like that today. Although they are shown the truth of Scripture, they will not listen but go their own sinful way. They literally defy God.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“We are either in the process of resisting God’s truth or in the process of being shaped and molded by His truth!”

Charles Stanley (1932 – ) Evangelical Pastor, Author and Theologian

Word Study

Discipline

In 1 Cor. 9:27 we read, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (NKJV).

Discipline is the Greek word hupōpiazō (ὑπωπιάζω = hoop-o-pee-ad'-zo). It is made up of two words: “hupo” which means under, and “ops” which means eye. It is a boxing term which means to strike under the eye or to give a black eye. To strike in this manner was generally considered to be a ‘knockout’ punch by the ancient Greek boxers. The idea then is to strike hard and heavy on one’s face. Figuratively, it means to tease or annoy.

In secular Greek literature hupōpiazō meant to beat the face black and blue. There is no reference to hupōpiazō in the Septuagint. In the New Testament Paul used hupōpiazō to describe the manner in which he disciplined his body for service. The word is also present tense which speaks of Paul’s continual practice which implies a continual need. So, just as an athlete must train and master his body to compete, so the Christian must ‘keep under’ or “discipline” his body in order to bring it into subjection.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah will bear the title “the First and the Last” (Isa. 48:12)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 1:30; Rev. 1:8, 17

Did You Know…

In the Bible, it states that Jesus forgives sins (Matt. 9:1-7; Luke 5:20; 7:48)

Bible Quiz

Which disciple of the Lord Jesus did some people believe would never die?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to the Book of Joshua, what did Rahab do to put a marking on her home saving it from destruction? She tied a scarlet cord to her window (Josh. 2:18).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Second coming”

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also!” (John 14:3 NKJV).

“Second coming” - The expression “second coming” carries the idea of resurrection and refers to Jesus’ return. In context, the Lord Jesus is talking about going away to prepare a place for His disciples. The disciples greatly valued the presence of Christ, so He was re-assuring them that though He was leaving for a time, He would eventually return, and they as well as we will enjoy His presence forever. This has reference to the Rapture of the church when Christ will return for His sheep (cf. 1 Thes. 4:13-18).

Did You Know – Christian History

Gerard Groote was born in October 1340 in Deventer, Netherland. He was a Dutch Roman Catholic deacon, who was a popular preacher and the founder of the Brethren of the Common Life. He was a key figure in the Devotio Moderna movement.

Groote graduated from the University of Paris and lived a life of luxury until his conversion in 1374. Immediately he dedicated his life to Christ and gave up almost everything he owned. He turned his family home into a shelter for poor women. After two years as a guest in a Carthusian monastery, Groote became a deacon and obtained permission to preach. He worked his way through the lowlands as a traveling preacher, teaching the word of God and decrying the abuses prevalent in the church.

So severe were Groote’s attacks on current errors, which spared neither priest nor monk, that his authorization to preach was yanked. Eventually opposition to the lay Brethren caused them to become Augustinian monks.

From the start, Groote, gathered men around him to copy scriptures and religious texts. From the revenues they earned, they supported themselves and helped the poor. They did not beg for alms. The band became known as the Brethren of Common Life. Eighteen houses of these brethren had formed before Groote died. Groote also gathered a group of women called the Sisters of Common Life. These groups did not take monastic vows. Nor were they bound to remain celibate. Their aim was to live the life of Christ while engaged in toil. This way of life became known as Devotio Moderna (the modern way of serving God). These brethren became deeply interested in education and used their residences as schools in larger cities.

Groote died August 20, 1834 from pestilence, contracted in ministering to the sick. He was the first successful practical mystic, who worked and prayed, and taught others to do the same. Groote left behind a band of followers dedicated to reforming the church, spreading the gospel in all Christendom and putting the scriptures into the hands and minds of the common people. He did much for literature in general, for the spread of knowledge, and for the development of the language in the Netherlands and Germany. Of his biographies the “Vita Gerardi” of Thomas à Kempis still remains the best.

A Little Humor

The Bible through the eyes of a child - Moses was an important man. He led the Israel lights out of Egypt because of the bad Pharaoh. God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians. Some of the plagues were mice, frogs, bugs, lice and no cable. Every day in the desert, God fed the Israel lights some manicotti. He gave them His “Top Ten” commandments. They were things like: don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t dance, don’t smoke, and don’t covet your neighbor’s stuff. He also told them to humor their fathers and mothers.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“To walk in our own way is to run away from God!”