GODS WORD WILL PREVAIL! (Nehemiah 3:28)

Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house.

THE STUDY:

          The Horse Gate stood north of the Water Gate, adjacent to the temple area. It was here that wicked Athaliah was executed (2 Chron. 23:15). God warned His people not to trust in horses and chariots (Deut. 17:14–20), but Solomon imported them from Egypt (1 Kings 10:26–29), and they became an important part of the nation’s defense system (Isa. 2:7). The Horse Gate reminds us that there is warfare in the Christian life (2 Tim. 2:1–4) and that we must always be ready to do battle (Eph. 6:10–18).^[1]

          The Horse Gate may speak, then, of soldier-service in a world opposed to God and His truth. It bids us to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

          The truth has been given to us at a great cost, not only to the One who is Himself “the Truth,” but for its preservation, and recovery when lost at times.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that just as the days of Jesus, there will always be a battle for the faith. God’s word will be challenged and attempts will be made to silence it. BUT HIS WORD WILL PREVAIL!

APPLICATION:

 I watched a movie a few years ago called, “The Book Of Eli!” If you have not seen this movie and are planning too don’t read or listen to me from this point on. The main character “Eli” explains to his partner “Solara” his mission. According to Eli, his book is the last remaining copy of the Bible, as all other copies were intentionally destroyed following the nuclear war. He says he was led to the book by a voice in his head, which then directed him to travel westward to a place where it would be safe. The voice assured him that he would be protected on his journey. Thus, for the last thirty years he has been traveling west, guided by his faith.

Once He arrives to his destination Eli tells the guards that he has a copy of the King James Version of the Bible. Once inside, Eli, who is revealed to be blind, begins to dictate the Bible from memory to the leader of the group. Eli dies, but not before he has finished reciting the Bible. The printing press at Alcatraz begins making copies of the new King James Bible.

Today, let us remember no matter how crazy the world may seem, no matter what efforts are made to silence or destroy our faith, GODS WORD WILL PREVAIL!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Determined. “Be” Commentary Series (45). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[2] Ironside, H. A. (1913). Notes on the Book of Nehemiah (47). New York: Loizeaux Bros.

Not Memorizing, But Remembering! (Jude 17)

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE STUDY:

          Now his readers, again addressed as “beloved” (see Jude 3), are called back to active involvement. The letter has never lost sight of them, but they have been passive since v. 5. Now they are again in focus, and what these readers are to do is “remember.” The function of the “remembering” is to give a final proof that the presence of the teachers he opposes is not something unexpected but part of the apostolic teaching, and thus forms an eschatological sign.^[1]

          Remembering in the Scriptures does not involve mere mental recollection, as when we remember a person’s name that we had temporarily forgotten. Remembering means that one takes to heart the words spoken, so that they are imprinted upon one’s life (cf. v. 5).^[2]

          In this verse, Jude is making the transition from describing the false teachers (vv. 5–16) to addressing the Christians (vv. 17–23). In a sense, the main part of his letter is an explanation of his remark about the condemnation of ungodly men (v. 4). But in the concluding part of the epistle, Jude wants to write about the salvation of the believers (v. 3).^[3]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that even though ungodly character needs to be addressed through dialogue, there is a greater need to end that discussion by remembering and reminding the individual of the teachings of God. Hopefully, the very teachings you have taken to heart will now be engraved upon that person’s life.

CONCLUSION:

          Jude is very adamant toward the idea of remembering. Not memorizing, but remembering. There is a difference! I don’t know if you are like me but I have a hard time with memorization. I would love to be able to recite scripture at a drop of a hat. I know people who have memorized entire books of the bible. I would beat myself up because I was not able to do the same.

          Over the years of reading God’s word and listening to some wonderful preachers, I have found that I can recall a subject found in scripture or a passage that is needed for that moment in time. I may be counseling or talking with someone and, at the right moment, I am given the verse that is needed for that person. His word has become embedded in me. This is not memorization but remembering!

          You might be thinking, I want to remember God’s word not memorize it. I believe this happens over time as we are faithful to read and study His word. Today, start taking to heart God’s word so that it not only affects you but will have an everlasting effect on others around you as well. Amen? Amen!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Davids, P. H. (2006). The letters of 2 Peter and Jude. The Pillar New Testament commentary (85). Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

^[2] Schreiner, T. R. (2007). Vol. 37: 1, 2 Peter, Jude (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (477). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[3] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 16: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude. New Testament Commentary (400). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.