E-pistle for November 15, 2013
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation November 15, 2013
Walking by Human precepts
(Hosea 5:1-15)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Hosea pronounced impending judgment upon the religious leaders,
the royal family, and the entire nation; he rebuked them for harlotry
(spiritual adultery), reminding them that God sees and knows their
defilement, Hosea condemned Israel for stumbling in their iniquity
and for leading Judah also to stumble into sin, vv. 1-5.
2. Hosea spoke of the futility of their pagan worship practices because,
no matter how much they sought the Lord, they would not find Him;
the Lord had withdrawn His presence from them, vv. 6-9.
3. Hosea charged the royal family with very serious crimes (like removing
a landmark, Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17), stating that oppression had
come upon them because they "willingly walked by human precept";
God's judgment, he said, would be like a moth and rottenness . . .
silently, surely, and internally bringing total devastation, vv. 10-12.
4. Hosea noted that when the nation finally realized its problems, it sought
help from a foreign power; therefore, God will tear them like a lion mauls
its prey, and then he will withdraw to heaven and allow them to contemplate
their plight, vv. 13-15.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on the spiritual truths seen in this chapter
1. Sin against the Lord is very serious; even more serious, however, is the sin
of causing (or influencing) someone else to sin against God, v. 5.
2. Sinful man, even by his most sincere efforts, cannot find God; the Lord
must take the initiative (John 6:44), but when God finally withdraws from
dealing with a person, all hope is gone, v. 6.
3. Judgment is most severe upon those persons who deliberately and
knowingly forsake God's ways, and who willingly walk according to human
precepts, v. 11; Luke 12:47-48; James 4:17.
4. God may have several reasons for sending (or allowing) adversity . . . to
punish, to teach a spiritual lesson, to strengthen character . . . but always,
His purpose includes a desire for man to reflect upon his life, to repent,
and to seek God's face, v. 15; Jeremiah 29:13.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Carefully guard my words and deeds to avoid being a bad influence or
leading persons away from the Lord.
2. Thank the Lord that salvation is entirely His divine work, and that my part
is merely to receive His blood-bought gift.
3. Seek divine guidance for all the decisions of my life, realizing that human
Reasoning and worldly wisdom often are opposite from God's divine will
and purpose for me.
4. "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider,"
Ecclesiastes 7:14 . . . in all things, ask for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.
my aim: to please god
(II Corinthians 5:1-21)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught about the believer's assurance of the resurrection; he wrote,
"For we walk by faith, not by sight," vv. 1-8.
2. Paul taught that all believers must "appear before the judgment seat
of Christ," vv. 9-11.
3. Paul taught that "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old
things have passed away; behold all things have become new,"
vv. 12-17.
4. "Ambassador" Paul implored people to be reconciled to God, vv. 18-21.
II. Meditation: on Scriptural concepts about pleasing God
1. "We make it our aim . . . to be well PLEASING to Him," II Corinthians 5:9.
2. "Do I seek to please men? For if I still PLEASED men, I would not be a
bondservant of Christ," Galatians 1:10.
3. "We pray . . . that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully PLEASING Him,"
Colossians 1:9-10.
4. "I (Jesus) always do those things that PLEASE Him (Father),"
Colossians 1:9-10.
III. Revelation: on 12 things that please God
1. LOVE – "Love one another," John 13:34-35.
2. HOLINESS – "Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,"
Hebrews 12:14.
3. EDIFICATION – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind," Romans 12:2.
4. MOTIVATION – "We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our
hearts," I Thessalonians 2:4.
5. FAITH – "Enoch . . . was commended as one who pleased God,"
Hebrews 11:5-6.
6. HUMILITY – "Walk humbly with your God," Micah 6:8.
7. OBEDIENCE – "We keep His commandments and do those things that are
pleasing in His sight," I John 3:22.
8. SERVICE – "He who serves Christ . . . is acceptable (pleasing) to God and
approved by men," Romans 14:18.
9. GIVING – "The things sent from you (are) a sweet-smelling aroma, an
acceptable (pleasing) sacrifice," Philippians 4:18.
10. REVERENCE – "Live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and reverence.
This is good, and pleases our Savior," I Timothy 2:2-3.
11. PRAISE – "Continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God . . . for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased," Hebrews 13:15-16.
12. MEDITATION/PRAYER – "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord," Psalm 19:14.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Have the right AFFECTIONS: (See #'s 1, 2, and 3 above).
2. Have the right ATTITUDES: (See #'s 4, 5, and 6 above).
3. Have the right ACTIONS: (See #'s 7, 8, and 9 above).
4. Have the right ACCESSIBILITY: (See #'s 10, 11, and 12 above).
"What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.
You can't reread a phone call."
--Liz Carpenter
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