The Guide for the Week
February 18th -24th 2024 AD.
The First Week of Lent
Bible Passage for the Week
Proverbs 16:31-17:3
1 Corinthians 6
1 Samuel 14:23-52
Psalm 112
Verse to Memorize
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Catechism Questions
Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
People to Pray for:
Church: Pine Grove Community Church
Pastor Jeremy Vander Galien
Ministry: Daniel Courney Nepal
Civil Magistrate: Jeffersonville City Council
Amy Semones
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 16:31-17:3
A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
Deuteronomy 31:1-4 So Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, “I am a hundred and twenty years old today; I am no longer able to come and go, and the Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan.’ 3 It is the Lord your God who will cross ahead of you; He will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken.
When you are a child, you always hope to be older than you are, which is why kids often count their age in halves: “I am 9 and a half years old.” But as you grow up, the opposite happens, and you don't want to be old.
Many people, as they move into middle age and beyond, start downplaying their age because they want to be youthful. There is a trend among grandmothers, for example, not to want to be called “grandma” because it sounds old to them. Some people even balk at being called Mr. or Mrs. by someone younger than them because it makes them feel old, which is the last thing they want to feel. There are many reasons why people try to fight growing older, including the fact that death is always pressing closer.
However, being faithful to Christ means being faithful in the station that God has placed you in life.
Both youth and old age are gifts from God, and they both come with duties and responsibilities. You cannot be faithful to these duties if you are constantly trying to avoid recognizing your stage of life.
For example, being called Mr. or Mrs. by someone may make you feel old, but it also gives you an opportunity to teach the younger generations how to show respect to their elders. This gives them an opportunity to exercise their faith by being obedient to the 5th commandment.
Another example is when you are younger, you may be given jobs and duties that those older than you are unable or unwilling to do. You may feel like you are getting the short end of the stick, but instead of growing bitter at those who are older, you can have faith in your station in life and be obedient in your role, even if it means being the low man on the totem pole.
Moses was an old man, and he knew it. He knew that his time of leading was up, so he made sure to pass on the baton to a younger man, Joshua. In other words, he was faithfully training his replacement.
In our church, we do not have many gray-haired people, but this lesson still applies. Each of us should begin the work of discipling those who are younger. Moses didn't wait until he was on his deathbed to start this work with Joshua. Instead, he had been working with Joshua for a long time.
Therefore, have faith in the time God has placed you in. If you are younger, look for mentors and those who can disciple you. Don't despise your youth or let anyone look down on you. Instead, set an example in your faith.
As you age, embrace it and take seriously the duties that come with it. If you are faithful, no matter your age, you will find that in your old age, you will still be useful for God's kingdom.
You will be like the mighty tree of God mentioned in Psalm 92: “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green...”
Finally, make sure you teach your children to respect those who are older than them. Mr and Mrs, Yes Sir, No Sir are all good ways to put into practice this respect. Scripture teaches us to show this respect. Leviticus 19:32 You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6
The church at Corinth was a mess. They divided from each other by their proud boasting about whom they had heard the gospel from (Chapters 1-3), yet they were united in thinking they had advanced beyond needing the Apostle’s instruction (Chapter 4). Worse, they boasted in their foolish tolerance of gross immorality in their midst. They refused to exercise church discipline on a man sleeping with his father's wife (Chapter 5). They wouldn't discipline and judge themselves rightly, but they were quick to take each other to civil court over trivial matters. They failed to rightly judge themselves, yet hastily sought civil courts for minor disputes, airing their grievances before the world and showcasing their sinfulness for all to see. The Apostle Paul rebukes their twisted priorities.
Paul says that Christians should be able to handle the small offenses against each other in the Church. Why? His people will reign with Him forever. Those who love Jesus will judge the wicked with Christ at the final judgement. And if it is the case that Christians will be granted this right, shouldn’t they have the wisdom to judge small offenses in this life? Is the church so lacking in wise men that it cannot counsel its members through these disputes? Resorting to civil courts over issues that could be overlooked or resolved within the church is disgraceful.
Now, Paul does not dismiss the role of civil courts or propose that the church usurp civil authority. There are circumstances where legal intervention is justified. The church must not conceal crimes, especially sexual crimes. Thus, Paul's critique is not an outright rejection of legal action or public exposure of sin.
Rather, Paul is calling the Church of Corinth to get its priorities right. Hand the man committing adultery over to Satan. Cast him out of the church because those who practice such things don't inherit the kingdom of God. Flee from sexual immorality—in all its forms. Christians are the temple of God. We shouldn't be a shame to Christ.
But coming back to the issue of lawsuits, it’s less common today for Christians to take each other to civil court over small, trivial matters. Though it should still be avoided. What is common is that Christians take each other to the court of public opinion over small offenses. We go to social media to blast our brother or sister over how they offended us in some way or another. We slander each other and air out all the dirty laundry for the world to see. Christian wives complain about their husbands. Husbands complain about their wives. We bash the last church we attended. And on and on.
Now, this is not to say that there is never a time and place to publicly expose sin. Furthermore, false teaching which is public should be dealt with publicly. Not all use of social media to expose evil is wrong.
But many times, people take issues online that they should have first gone to the person privately to deal with. They could have first gone to their pastors and elders to mediate the issue before writing a post with all their gripes. They could have even preferred to bear with the sin and suffer a little wrong rather than make a public embarrassment of Christ and their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Many resist church discipline on significant matters yet readily engage in public discipline for inconsequential issues. Let us get our priorities right. We have been bought with a price. One day we will judge angels.
1 Samuel 14:23-52
Jonathan was a man who acted with faith. Yes it was he and his armor bearer against an Army. But he loved God and His people. He had complete faith that God could defeat the enemy. And he followed the leading of the Lord. God therefore gave Jonathan the victory. The mighty army of the Philistines was routed. When a faithful man acts boldly and God gives the victory, there will be many people who want to jump into the fray but who are not operating in faith.
Jonathan’s own dad was one of these rash men. He saw the battle and the way the winds were blowing and he rushed to join in. He didn’t even wait for the priest to finish consulting with the Lord. In the process, Saul began to act rashly. He made his people enact an oath, not to eat until evening, even though they were exhausted from the battle. Anyone who ate would be cursed. Saul’s command was rash and made without consulting God.
Jonathan did not hear of it and so when he came across some honey, he ate it. His strength was renewed. But this put it at odds with Saul. The people than told Jonathan and he dismissed his father’s command before the people. This was unwise too. Because the people took it as permission to not only disobey the king but to disobey God. They started slaughtering animals and eating them with the blood- which was forbidden by God.
Saul immediately recognized that this was sinful when he was told about it. So he told them to stop and he raised an alter to seek God’s forgiveness. The problem was that when Saul drew near to God and inquired of Him, God did not answer. Saul then wanted to find out who had sinned. Saul rashly said that whoever it was would be put to death.
After casting lots, it because clear that Jonathan was the one at fault. What had Jonathan done? He ate the honey. Saul was ready to put to death Jonathan but the people would not allow Saul to do this. Jonathan had got the victory that day and they were not going to allow the hero to die.
What a mess, right? God had given the victory and everyone begins to act rashly. Saul gives rash commands. Jonathan dismisses them rashly. The people give themselves to sin. Than Saul makes an oath to put someone to death and it turns out that someone is his son. Then the people save Jonathan by intervening.
So what do we learn? Saul's impulsive decision to curse anyone who ate food before evening, in an attempt to encourage his troops and perhaps invoke God's favor, ended up putting his troops in a difficult position and nearly cost Jonathan his life. This illustrates the importance of wise and considered leadership that takes into account the well-being of those under one's authority. It also warns against making rash vows to God without fully considering the implications or seeking His will. As Christians, we are reminded to be thoughtful and prayerful in our decisions, especially those that impact others, and to avoid making promises to God lightly.
Psalm 112
Psalm 112: Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
This psalm commences with a shout, "Praise the Lord." And why does the Psalmist shout praise? It is because God blesses those who fear and love Him. The Lord bestows abundant gifts upon those who faithfully adhere to His commandments. What are some of the blessings this psalm speaks of? God blesses the household of the faithful man. God blesses his descendants. The Bible is clear that God’s promises are for you and your children. God generally works to save the children of the righteous. God provides wealth to the man’s household. Again, it is generally true that the righteous man will have a fruitful house and material blessings. It is always true that the righteous man will have wealth and riches stored up in heaven. God ensures that the endeavors of the man who fears Him are fruitful; deeds wrought in faith are eternally remembered. He vindicates the righteous in their judgments, shaming the wicked adversaries while honoring the faithful. The wicked will fade away, but the faithful endure forever. So, what are the characteristics of the man whom God blesses as found in this passage?
A reverence for the Lord.
A love for God’s commands.
A gracious and generous spirit.
An unwavering trust in the Lord even in the face of evil.
A commitment to care for those in need.
In other words, the righteous man, by faith, loves God and loves his neighbor. It often seems like the righteous are forgotten. We all know the cliché "nice guys finish last." We look around and it seems like those who succeed are those who hate God and clamor for all they can get. But this is not the truth. It is a lie from the devil. Those who fear God, God takes care of both in this life and in the next. The wicked may sprout up for a little while, but they and their desires will perish. Therefore, these truths are something to shout about. Praise God, for He champions the cause of the righteous and showers blessings upon those who fear and love Him. The question for us is “do we fear the Lord and love to keep his commands?”
Catechism Questions:
Isaiah 44:6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.
Today, we scoff at those in other cultures who make statues and bow down to them. We look back upon the Greek and Romans with their many gods like Zeus, Apollos, Artemis, and Ares, and we think how ignorant those people were. They certainly were ignorant but are we much more enlightened?
John Calvin famously said ““Man's nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” We constantly turn our heart’s attention and desire to things which are not God. We are a people with all kinds of gods. You can list off the usual suspects, money, fame, power, sex, and comfort. But our pantheon of gods does not end there. We take the good things that God created and try to turn them into the source of our joy. We can take even something very good like family and exalt it above God. Men can be tempted to this as they make sure to defend their authority in the home while refusing to acknowledge God-given authority outside of the home in the church or state.
On the other hand, our culture has turned the State into a god which oversees every area of life no matter how small. We reject the law of God and replace it anywhere and everywhere with the law of man. This is because our favorite god to worship is man. Ultimately, we fashion idols out of things created so that our created gods will serve us, our “one true” god. The result of this is as the Bible says an utterly foolishness and depraved mind given over to evil. Rejecting God above leads to foolish thinking. Those idols whom we think will serve us become slave masters, albeit slave masters without any power to save or to give lasting joy.
Listen how the prophet Isaiah describes those who make idols:
Isaiah 44:9-17Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame. Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit? Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them tremble, let them together be put to shame. The man shapes iron into a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary. Another shapes wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with red chalk. He works it with planes and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, so that it may sit in a house. Surely he cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an oak and raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.”
Again, you are tempted to say, “well of course that is stupid.” And it is. The idol maker takes from the creation things meant for him to use rightly and from that very creation he fashions a god, whom he serves. The prophet Isaiah says its shameful and foolish. No salvation can be expected from these idols.
In contrast to all this folly, God tells his people “Remember these things, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant (Isaiah 44:21).” God fashioned us. He is our maker. We are designed to serve him. Unlike our fashioning gods to serve us, God has made us to serve him. We have one Creator and He alone is God. He is the first and He is the last. Before the world was formed, He was. And after the end of time, He will be. He is the one living and true God. He was not made. He is without equal. He is God. Because He is living and because He is true, then He can and does hear our prayers and can and will save His people.
Let us shut down that idol-making factory in our hearts. Instead, lift up our heart to the only God who is.
How to Pray for Those we are praying for:
Pine Grove Community Church & Pastor Jeremy Vander Galien
Heavenly Father, We come before You today to lift up our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin, especially Pastor Jeremy Vander Gailen of Evangel Presbytery. As he embarks on a three-month Sabbatical in May, we ask for Your hand of rest and rejuvenation upon him and his family. In times of rest, Lord, refine and strengthen his spirit for the work You have set before him.
We also pray for the church during his absence. May the other pastors and elders rise to the occasion, guided by Your wisdom and strength. Let them serve Your flock with diligence, ensuring no gap in the spiritual nourishment and leadership of the congregation. May their efforts be a testament to Your providence and grace, leading the church to grow in faith and unity. In all things, let Your will be done, Your name be glorified, and Your people be edified. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Daniel Courney
Sovereign Lord,
We come before You with hearts earnest for the work of Your servant, Daniel Courney, in Nepal. As he stands boldly to preach Your Word in the open air, facing opposition from authorities both abroad and at home, we thank You for the favor You have shown him in legal matters. With the court proceedings behind him, grant him peace and a clear path to resume Your mission in Nepal.
Lord, we ask for Your protective hand over Daniel as he navigates the challenges of proclaiming Your truth in a land where such a message often meets resistance. Strengthen his resolve and fill him with Your Spirit, that he may preach with clarity and conviction.
We also lift up the orphanage he leads in Nepal. Watch over these children, Lord. Provide for their needs, both physical and spiritual, and let them feel Your love through the care they receive. May Daniel and his wife be vessels of Your grace, teaching these young ones about Your love and salvation.
Guide Daniel in his ministry, protect him from harm, and bless the work of his hands as he serves You in Nepal. May his efforts bear fruit for Your kingdom, bringing glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jeffersonville City Council Amy Semones:
Almighty God,
We bring before You Amy Semones, a new member of the Jeffersonville City County Council. With the recent changes and the shift in majority, we pray earnestly for her. Grant her wisdom beyond her experience, and faith strong enough to stand for what is righteous and true in Your eyes. May she navigate her role with integrity, guided by Your principles.
We also pray for her personal journey with You, Lord. Draw her close, that she might come to know Jesus Christ as her Savior, experiencing the transformation and hope found only in Him. Help her to despise her sins and turn from them. Instill in her a deep commitment to her home and family, prioritizing them in a way that honors You.
Protect Jeffersonville and its council from adopting policies that stray from Your truth, causing harm to its people. May Amy and her colleagues seek Your will above all, leading with a sense of accountability to You for the welfare of their community.
In all things, let Your light shine through the decisions made and the actions taken by the council. May Your presence be felt in Jeffersonville, guiding its leaders towards paths that bring peace, prosperity, and honor to Your name. Amen.
Church History Spotlight
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and Martyr
23 February 156
Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna (today known as Izmir), a city on the west coast of Turkey. The letters to the "seven churches in Asia" at the beginning of the book of Revelation include a letter to the church in Smyrna, identifying it as a church undergoing persecution.
Polycarp is said to have known the Apostle John, and to have been instructed by him in the Christian faith. Polycarp, in his turn, was known to Irenaeus, who later became Bishop of Lyons in what is now France. We have (1) Irenaeus's brief memoir of Polycarp; (2) a letter to Polycarp from Ignatius of Antioch, written around 115 AD when Ignatius was passing through Turkey, being sent in chains to Rome to be put to death; (3) a letter from Polycarp to the church at Philippi, written at the same time; and (4) an account of the arrest, trial, conviction, and martyrdom of Polycarp, written after his death by one or more members of his congregation.
Polycarp was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on the charge of being a Christian. When the proconsul urged him to save his life by cursing Christ, he replied: "Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" The magistrate was reluctant to kill a a gentle old man, but he had no choice.
Polycarp was sentenced to be burned.
As he waited for the fire to be lighted, he prayed:
Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole race of the upright who live in your presence: I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen.
The fire was then lit and shortly thereafter a soldier stabbed Polycarp to death by order of the magistrate. His friends gave his remains honorable burial, and wrote an account of his death to other churches.
A prayer of thanksgiving for Polycarp:
O God, the maker of heaven and earth, who gave to your venerable servant, the holy and gentle Polycarp, boldness to confess Jesus Christ as King and Saviour, and steadfastness to die for his faith: Give us grace, following his example, to share the cup of Christ and rise to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Announcements for the Week
New Video
Prayer Concerns:
Schedule Updates and Events:
Proverbs 16:31-17:3
1 Corinthians 6
1 Samuel 14:23-52
Psalm 112
Verse to Memorize
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Catechism Questions
Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
People to Pray for:
Church: Pine Grove Community Church
Pastor Jeremy Vander Galien
Ministry: Daniel Courney Nepal
Civil Magistrate: Jeffersonville City Council
Amy Semones
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 16:31-17:3
A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
Deuteronomy 31:1-4 So Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, “I am a hundred and twenty years old today; I am no longer able to come and go, and the Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan.’ 3 It is the Lord your God who will cross ahead of you; He will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken.
When you are a child, you always hope to be older than you are, which is why kids often count their age in halves: “I am 9 and a half years old.” But as you grow up, the opposite happens, and you don't want to be old.
Many people, as they move into middle age and beyond, start downplaying their age because they want to be youthful. There is a trend among grandmothers, for example, not to want to be called “grandma” because it sounds old to them. Some people even balk at being called Mr. or Mrs. by someone younger than them because it makes them feel old, which is the last thing they want to feel. There are many reasons why people try to fight growing older, including the fact that death is always pressing closer.
However, being faithful to Christ means being faithful in the station that God has placed you in life.
Both youth and old age are gifts from God, and they both come with duties and responsibilities. You cannot be faithful to these duties if you are constantly trying to avoid recognizing your stage of life.
For example, being called Mr. or Mrs. by someone may make you feel old, but it also gives you an opportunity to teach the younger generations how to show respect to their elders. This gives them an opportunity to exercise their faith by being obedient to the 5th commandment.
Another example is when you are younger, you may be given jobs and duties that those older than you are unable or unwilling to do. You may feel like you are getting the short end of the stick, but instead of growing bitter at those who are older, you can have faith in your station in life and be obedient in your role, even if it means being the low man on the totem pole.
Moses was an old man, and he knew it. He knew that his time of leading was up, so he made sure to pass on the baton to a younger man, Joshua. In other words, he was faithfully training his replacement.
In our church, we do not have many gray-haired people, but this lesson still applies. Each of us should begin the work of discipling those who are younger. Moses didn't wait until he was on his deathbed to start this work with Joshua. Instead, he had been working with Joshua for a long time.
Therefore, have faith in the time God has placed you in. If you are younger, look for mentors and those who can disciple you. Don't despise your youth or let anyone look down on you. Instead, set an example in your faith.
As you age, embrace it and take seriously the duties that come with it. If you are faithful, no matter your age, you will find that in your old age, you will still be useful for God's kingdom.
You will be like the mighty tree of God mentioned in Psalm 92: “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green...”
Finally, make sure you teach your children to respect those who are older than them. Mr and Mrs, Yes Sir, No Sir are all good ways to put into practice this respect. Scripture teaches us to show this respect. Leviticus 19:32 You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6
The church at Corinth was a mess. They divided from each other by their proud boasting about whom they had heard the gospel from (Chapters 1-3), yet they were united in thinking they had advanced beyond needing the Apostle’s instruction (Chapter 4). Worse, they boasted in their foolish tolerance of gross immorality in their midst. They refused to exercise church discipline on a man sleeping with his father's wife (Chapter 5). They wouldn't discipline and judge themselves rightly, but they were quick to take each other to civil court over trivial matters. They failed to rightly judge themselves, yet hastily sought civil courts for minor disputes, airing their grievances before the world and showcasing their sinfulness for all to see. The Apostle Paul rebukes their twisted priorities.
Paul says that Christians should be able to handle the small offenses against each other in the Church. Why? His people will reign with Him forever. Those who love Jesus will judge the wicked with Christ at the final judgement. And if it is the case that Christians will be granted this right, shouldn’t they have the wisdom to judge small offenses in this life? Is the church so lacking in wise men that it cannot counsel its members through these disputes? Resorting to civil courts over issues that could be overlooked or resolved within the church is disgraceful.
Now, Paul does not dismiss the role of civil courts or propose that the church usurp civil authority. There are circumstances where legal intervention is justified. The church must not conceal crimes, especially sexual crimes. Thus, Paul's critique is not an outright rejection of legal action or public exposure of sin.
Rather, Paul is calling the Church of Corinth to get its priorities right. Hand the man committing adultery over to Satan. Cast him out of the church because those who practice such things don't inherit the kingdom of God. Flee from sexual immorality—in all its forms. Christians are the temple of God. We shouldn't be a shame to Christ.
But coming back to the issue of lawsuits, it’s less common today for Christians to take each other to civil court over small, trivial matters. Though it should still be avoided. What is common is that Christians take each other to the court of public opinion over small offenses. We go to social media to blast our brother or sister over how they offended us in some way or another. We slander each other and air out all the dirty laundry for the world to see. Christian wives complain about their husbands. Husbands complain about their wives. We bash the last church we attended. And on and on.
Now, this is not to say that there is never a time and place to publicly expose sin. Furthermore, false teaching which is public should be dealt with publicly. Not all use of social media to expose evil is wrong.
But many times, people take issues online that they should have first gone to the person privately to deal with. They could have first gone to their pastors and elders to mediate the issue before writing a post with all their gripes. They could have even preferred to bear with the sin and suffer a little wrong rather than make a public embarrassment of Christ and their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Many resist church discipline on significant matters yet readily engage in public discipline for inconsequential issues. Let us get our priorities right. We have been bought with a price. One day we will judge angels.
1 Samuel 14:23-52
Jonathan was a man who acted with faith. Yes it was he and his armor bearer against an Army. But he loved God and His people. He had complete faith that God could defeat the enemy. And he followed the leading of the Lord. God therefore gave Jonathan the victory. The mighty army of the Philistines was routed. When a faithful man acts boldly and God gives the victory, there will be many people who want to jump into the fray but who are not operating in faith.
Jonathan’s own dad was one of these rash men. He saw the battle and the way the winds were blowing and he rushed to join in. He didn’t even wait for the priest to finish consulting with the Lord. In the process, Saul began to act rashly. He made his people enact an oath, not to eat until evening, even though they were exhausted from the battle. Anyone who ate would be cursed. Saul’s command was rash and made without consulting God.
Jonathan did not hear of it and so when he came across some honey, he ate it. His strength was renewed. But this put it at odds with Saul. The people than told Jonathan and he dismissed his father’s command before the people. This was unwise too. Because the people took it as permission to not only disobey the king but to disobey God. They started slaughtering animals and eating them with the blood- which was forbidden by God.
Saul immediately recognized that this was sinful when he was told about it. So he told them to stop and he raised an alter to seek God’s forgiveness. The problem was that when Saul drew near to God and inquired of Him, God did not answer. Saul then wanted to find out who had sinned. Saul rashly said that whoever it was would be put to death.
After casting lots, it because clear that Jonathan was the one at fault. What had Jonathan done? He ate the honey. Saul was ready to put to death Jonathan but the people would not allow Saul to do this. Jonathan had got the victory that day and they were not going to allow the hero to die.
What a mess, right? God had given the victory and everyone begins to act rashly. Saul gives rash commands. Jonathan dismisses them rashly. The people give themselves to sin. Than Saul makes an oath to put someone to death and it turns out that someone is his son. Then the people save Jonathan by intervening.
So what do we learn? Saul's impulsive decision to curse anyone who ate food before evening, in an attempt to encourage his troops and perhaps invoke God's favor, ended up putting his troops in a difficult position and nearly cost Jonathan his life. This illustrates the importance of wise and considered leadership that takes into account the well-being of those under one's authority. It also warns against making rash vows to God without fully considering the implications or seeking His will. As Christians, we are reminded to be thoughtful and prayerful in our decisions, especially those that impact others, and to avoid making promises to God lightly.
Psalm 112
Psalm 112: Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
This psalm commences with a shout, "Praise the Lord." And why does the Psalmist shout praise? It is because God blesses those who fear and love Him. The Lord bestows abundant gifts upon those who faithfully adhere to His commandments. What are some of the blessings this psalm speaks of? God blesses the household of the faithful man. God blesses his descendants. The Bible is clear that God’s promises are for you and your children. God generally works to save the children of the righteous. God provides wealth to the man’s household. Again, it is generally true that the righteous man will have a fruitful house and material blessings. It is always true that the righteous man will have wealth and riches stored up in heaven. God ensures that the endeavors of the man who fears Him are fruitful; deeds wrought in faith are eternally remembered. He vindicates the righteous in their judgments, shaming the wicked adversaries while honoring the faithful. The wicked will fade away, but the faithful endure forever. So, what are the characteristics of the man whom God blesses as found in this passage?
A reverence for the Lord.
A love for God’s commands.
A gracious and generous spirit.
An unwavering trust in the Lord even in the face of evil.
A commitment to care for those in need.
In other words, the righteous man, by faith, loves God and loves his neighbor. It often seems like the righteous are forgotten. We all know the cliché "nice guys finish last." We look around and it seems like those who succeed are those who hate God and clamor for all they can get. But this is not the truth. It is a lie from the devil. Those who fear God, God takes care of both in this life and in the next. The wicked may sprout up for a little while, but they and their desires will perish. Therefore, these truths are something to shout about. Praise God, for He champions the cause of the righteous and showers blessings upon those who fear and love Him. The question for us is “do we fear the Lord and love to keep his commands?”
Catechism Questions:
Isaiah 44:6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.
Today, we scoff at those in other cultures who make statues and bow down to them. We look back upon the Greek and Romans with their many gods like Zeus, Apollos, Artemis, and Ares, and we think how ignorant those people were. They certainly were ignorant but are we much more enlightened?
John Calvin famously said ““Man's nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” We constantly turn our heart’s attention and desire to things which are not God. We are a people with all kinds of gods. You can list off the usual suspects, money, fame, power, sex, and comfort. But our pantheon of gods does not end there. We take the good things that God created and try to turn them into the source of our joy. We can take even something very good like family and exalt it above God. Men can be tempted to this as they make sure to defend their authority in the home while refusing to acknowledge God-given authority outside of the home in the church or state.
On the other hand, our culture has turned the State into a god which oversees every area of life no matter how small. We reject the law of God and replace it anywhere and everywhere with the law of man. This is because our favorite god to worship is man. Ultimately, we fashion idols out of things created so that our created gods will serve us, our “one true” god. The result of this is as the Bible says an utterly foolishness and depraved mind given over to evil. Rejecting God above leads to foolish thinking. Those idols whom we think will serve us become slave masters, albeit slave masters without any power to save or to give lasting joy.
Listen how the prophet Isaiah describes those who make idols:
Isaiah 44:9-17Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame. Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit? Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them tremble, let them together be put to shame. The man shapes iron into a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary. Another shapes wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with red chalk. He works it with planes and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, so that it may sit in a house. Surely he cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an oak and raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.”
Again, you are tempted to say, “well of course that is stupid.” And it is. The idol maker takes from the creation things meant for him to use rightly and from that very creation he fashions a god, whom he serves. The prophet Isaiah says its shameful and foolish. No salvation can be expected from these idols.
In contrast to all this folly, God tells his people “Remember these things, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant (Isaiah 44:21).” God fashioned us. He is our maker. We are designed to serve him. Unlike our fashioning gods to serve us, God has made us to serve him. We have one Creator and He alone is God. He is the first and He is the last. Before the world was formed, He was. And after the end of time, He will be. He is the one living and true God. He was not made. He is without equal. He is God. Because He is living and because He is true, then He can and does hear our prayers and can and will save His people.
Let us shut down that idol-making factory in our hearts. Instead, lift up our heart to the only God who is.
How to Pray for Those we are praying for:
Pine Grove Community Church & Pastor Jeremy Vander Galien
Heavenly Father, We come before You today to lift up our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin, especially Pastor Jeremy Vander Gailen of Evangel Presbytery. As he embarks on a three-month Sabbatical in May, we ask for Your hand of rest and rejuvenation upon him and his family. In times of rest, Lord, refine and strengthen his spirit for the work You have set before him.
We also pray for the church during his absence. May the other pastors and elders rise to the occasion, guided by Your wisdom and strength. Let them serve Your flock with diligence, ensuring no gap in the spiritual nourishment and leadership of the congregation. May their efforts be a testament to Your providence and grace, leading the church to grow in faith and unity. In all things, let Your will be done, Your name be glorified, and Your people be edified. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Daniel Courney
Sovereign Lord,
We come before You with hearts earnest for the work of Your servant, Daniel Courney, in Nepal. As he stands boldly to preach Your Word in the open air, facing opposition from authorities both abroad and at home, we thank You for the favor You have shown him in legal matters. With the court proceedings behind him, grant him peace and a clear path to resume Your mission in Nepal.
Lord, we ask for Your protective hand over Daniel as he navigates the challenges of proclaiming Your truth in a land where such a message often meets resistance. Strengthen his resolve and fill him with Your Spirit, that he may preach with clarity and conviction.
We also lift up the orphanage he leads in Nepal. Watch over these children, Lord. Provide for their needs, both physical and spiritual, and let them feel Your love through the care they receive. May Daniel and his wife be vessels of Your grace, teaching these young ones about Your love and salvation.
Guide Daniel in his ministry, protect him from harm, and bless the work of his hands as he serves You in Nepal. May his efforts bear fruit for Your kingdom, bringing glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jeffersonville City Council Amy Semones:
Almighty God,
We bring before You Amy Semones, a new member of the Jeffersonville City County Council. With the recent changes and the shift in majority, we pray earnestly for her. Grant her wisdom beyond her experience, and faith strong enough to stand for what is righteous and true in Your eyes. May she navigate her role with integrity, guided by Your principles.
We also pray for her personal journey with You, Lord. Draw her close, that she might come to know Jesus Christ as her Savior, experiencing the transformation and hope found only in Him. Help her to despise her sins and turn from them. Instill in her a deep commitment to her home and family, prioritizing them in a way that honors You.
Protect Jeffersonville and its council from adopting policies that stray from Your truth, causing harm to its people. May Amy and her colleagues seek Your will above all, leading with a sense of accountability to You for the welfare of their community.
In all things, let Your light shine through the decisions made and the actions taken by the council. May Your presence be felt in Jeffersonville, guiding its leaders towards paths that bring peace, prosperity, and honor to Your name. Amen.
Church History Spotlight
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna and Martyr
23 February 156
Polycarp was Bishop of Smyrna (today known as Izmir), a city on the west coast of Turkey. The letters to the "seven churches in Asia" at the beginning of the book of Revelation include a letter to the church in Smyrna, identifying it as a church undergoing persecution.
Polycarp is said to have known the Apostle John, and to have been instructed by him in the Christian faith. Polycarp, in his turn, was known to Irenaeus, who later became Bishop of Lyons in what is now France. We have (1) Irenaeus's brief memoir of Polycarp; (2) a letter to Polycarp from Ignatius of Antioch, written around 115 AD when Ignatius was passing through Turkey, being sent in chains to Rome to be put to death; (3) a letter from Polycarp to the church at Philippi, written at the same time; and (4) an account of the arrest, trial, conviction, and martyrdom of Polycarp, written after his death by one or more members of his congregation.
Polycarp was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on the charge of being a Christian. When the proconsul urged him to save his life by cursing Christ, he replied: "Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" The magistrate was reluctant to kill a a gentle old man, but he had no choice.
Polycarp was sentenced to be burned.
As he waited for the fire to be lighted, he prayed:
Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole race of the upright who live in your presence: I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen.
The fire was then lit and shortly thereafter a soldier stabbed Polycarp to death by order of the magistrate. His friends gave his remains honorable burial, and wrote an account of his death to other churches.
A prayer of thanksgiving for Polycarp:
O God, the maker of heaven and earth, who gave to your venerable servant, the holy and gentle Polycarp, boldness to confess Jesus Christ as King and Saviour, and steadfastness to die for his faith: Give us grace, following his example, to share the cup of Christ and rise to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Announcements for the Week
New Video
- When Should My Children Take the Lord’ Supper: Every Christian parent yearns for their children to embrace the Lord and find their place at His table. Determining when they are ready for this significant step, where they consult with the elders and openly declare their faith, can be perplexing. In this video, Pastor Joseph delves into the conditions for partaking in the Lord's Supper and offers guidance on identifying the marks of God's transformative work within your children's hearts. https://www.sovereignkingchurch.com/media/t9yfp9j/when-should-my-children-take-the-lord-s-supper
Prayer Concerns:
- Expectant Mothers: We request special prayers for Shawn Crone, Chelsea Mix, Rowina Spurgeon, and Maddie Sands.
- Pine Grove Community Church: Join in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin. Pastor Jeremy Vander Gailen is a member of Evangel Presbytery. He will be taking a 3-month Sabbatical starting in May. Pray for him and his family as he gets some much-needed rest. Pray for the church while he is away that the other pastors and elders will pick up the slack and be used by God to bless the church.
- Prayer for Daniel Courney: Daniel Courney is a missionary and pastor in Nepal. He preaches often in the open air. He has received some flack from police in the past, not just in Nepal but in the US. He has had to fly back regularly to the US to deal with litigation for preaching outside of an abortion mill. God though granted favor and his court proceedings are over. He is able to return back to Nepal and continue his work there. He also leads an orphanage in Nepal. Pray for the children under there.
- Jeffersonville City County Amy Semones: Mrs Semones is a new member on the council. This past election, there was a lot of turnover on the board. It flipped from Republican majority to democrat. Pray that God would grant her wisdom and faith to do what is right. Pray that she would come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that the council would not begin to adopt wicked and woke policies that harm Jeffersonville.
Schedule Updates and Events:
- New Members Class: New Members Class will continue this Sunday 1:00 to 2:00 PM, immediately following our worship service. We encourage you to bring a packed lunch to enjoy beforehand, and rest assured, childcare will be provided during class time. Don't miss this opportunity to connect more closely with our community and learn about our faith, mission, and the ways you can be involved.
- Lent: Advent prepares us for Christmas, while Lent is the season leading to Easter. Initially, Lent was a time for new believers to learn the faith's fundamentals, involving fasting and prayer to prepare for baptism or joining the Lord's table at Easter. This observance eventually included the whole church, signifying a collective commitment to spiritual discipline. Lent starts on February 14th this year. Although the Bible doesn't mandate Lent, engaging in fasting and prayer can be benficial, helping us focus on God and the meaning of Christ's sacrifice. It's important, however, to avoid superstition and instead use Lent to concentrate on the Lord abd remembering His sacrifice for us.
- Genevan Pub: Calling all men 16 and older, join us on February 18th for fellowship, food, beer, and a study through the Westminster Confession of Faith. This month we will begin looking at the first article of the confession on the word of God and its supremacy. We will meet at Mark Cox’s House.
- King’s Men and Daughters of the King: February 21st. 6:30-8:30 PM. Ages 5 and up.
- Women’s Bible Study: Why did God make women and how can you fulfill this purpose. Come join the ladies of Sovereign King on Feb 28th 6:30-8:30 for engaging bible study and fellowship.
- Palm Sunday: On March 24, Celebrate Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem with worship and a fellowship meal afterward
- Good Friday: Join us as we remember the sacrifice of our savior Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. His death paid the penalty of our sins. March 29, 6:30-8:00 PM
- Get Your SKC Swag: Grab one of these limited run water bottles for Sovereign King Church. $15 each. All proceeds go toward the building fund. https://subspla.sh/p72cy9x/