July 27, 2014 | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 |
Pastor Stephen Combs teaches us from Deuteronomy 6:1-9 on what the Bible says about parenting the soul of your child and leaving a Godly legacy.
July 27, 2014 | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 |
Pastor Stephen Combs teaches us from Deuteronomy 6:1-9 on what the Bible says about parenting the soul of your child and leaving a Godly legacy.
April 10, 2014
Many attributes of Moses’ ministry could have been mentioned here that made his prophetic office unique. Challenging Pharaoh, leading Israel out of Egyptian slavery, shepherding them in the wilderness, giving them the laws of God… any one of these would make him one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Yet, here it is supported by the fact that the Lord knew him “face to face.” It was this intimate relationship with God that marked Moses’ ministry. He was a mediator, a go-between for God and Israel. In this, Moses was a Christological type, one whose life pointed to a future fulfillment in Christ Jesus. Unlike Moses, who could never really “see” God in all His glory (Read Exodus 33-34), Jesus came from God Himself. As John wrote: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). Jesus is our Great Mediator. There never has been, nor will there ever be another like Him!
April 6, 2014
Moses gave final instructions to the Israelites before his departure. He told them that they all had to make a choice between life and death. Both paths are clearly marked, yet few choose life. Here, Moses said that the “key to life” is to love, obey and commit yourself to God. Yet, the only One to really accomplish this is Jesus, who alone expressed love, obedience and commitment to the Father fully. When we “choose” Jesus (who has already chosen us), we choose life.
April 2, 2014
This Mosaic law along with the double importance that the Passover Sabbath began at sundown was the motivation behind the Jews’ insistence that Pilate remove the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves from their crosses before sunset. Strange that they cared so much for this minor law, yet willingly broke the commandment not to murder. Also, it is significant that the law says that anyone who is executed on a tree is “cursed.” This emphasizes the degree to which Christ took on our sin and death that he became “accursed” for us. So, the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).
March 29, 2014
The addition and subtraction from God’s Word began even in the Garden. When the serpent questioned God’s command, Eve added to it saying, “You shall not eat of the fruit of this tree, neither shall you touch it lest you die” (Gen. 3:3). God never said anything about “touching” it. This was her addition. Then the serpent made his subtraction saying, “You shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4). I wonder did the devil hand it to her so that she might “touch it” first? And after touching it and not dying, decided it was good. It is no surprise that the devil works to subtract from God’s Word, but isn’t it surprising that our flesh works in league with him by adding to it? I suppose we think we are doing a good thing when we add to God’s commands, that we are moving the railing back farther from the precipice. But external law cannot control the flesh. Adding to the law, we make it so hard that we break the spirit of the law and instead become utterly lawless. Be careful not to add or subtract from God’s Word, turning neither to the left or to the right (Joshua 1:7). Instead, receive the righteousness of Christ Jesus, who kept the law perfectly, so that the commands of God are written on your hearts.
March 23, 2014
So begins the 5th book of the “Torah” (Hebrew: Law). The name Deuteronomy (From the Greek Septuagint: deutero “second” + nomos “law”) means “second law” because it’s a re-telling of the 40 days in the wilderness by Moses. For those who are reading the Bible for the first time, it is a bit confusing because the story starts over again after the book of Numbers. It is helpful to see Deuteronomy as the record of three speeches that Moses made to the Israelites reminding them of everything that had happened, and of all that God commanded, before they finally enter the Promised Land.
April 10, 2013
I’ve been on Mt. Nebo. It is located in the modern nation of Jordan. The Bible says that Moses could see all the promised land from there. I’ve stood on Mt. Nebo and I can confirm that this is true. The five books of Moses can be confirmed archaeologically and geographically. Here are some photos taken from Mt. Nebo…
March 27, 2013
The Lord warned the Israelites not to forget Him after they possessed the promised land. As long as they were wandering in the wilderness, they were dependent on God, but soon they would have houses, lands, vineyards, flocks and wealth. Would God’s blessing actually result in them forgetting the One who gave them this bounty? Yes. Within a generation after those who had experienced Egypt and the wilderness had died, they forgot the Lord (read the book of Judges). Can you think of a nation that has experienced more of God’s blessing in modern history than ours? Where is the generation that remembers from where this blessing came? Do you remember?
March 25, 2013
Near the end of his days, Moses reminded the Israelites of all that the Lord had revealed and done for them since bringing them out of Egypt. He explained that God wanted a people that “might know” Him, a people confidently convinced of His existence and trustworthiness. Moses also made it clear that they were from that day forward accountable for this knowledge. How has God made Himself to known to you? How have you responded to God’s revelation?
March 28, 2012
God taught the Israelites how to treat foreigners by reminding them that they were once foreigners too. This principle should inform how we treat immigrants to America. It should also inform how Christians should love those who are “foreign” (far away) from God.