How Not To Be A Hypocrite☺️ (Psalm 50:16-23)

VIDEO

 How Not To Be A Hypocrite☺️ (Psalm 50:16-23)

GIST: If our worship is just motions and our hearts remain unchanged, we’re missing out on who God is and the salvation He brings —which are both absolutely vital!

Before Father’s Day, we started walking through Psalm 50. We’re going to pick back up with that today. To recap a bit, the psalm starts by reminding us of the beauty and power of God, and then addresses judgment for two groups of people. Two weeks ago, we talked about the first group. We called them the moralist. They were called the “people of God”, but they had fallen into the trap of thinking God needed their sacrifices—as if they were earning His pleasure and salvation. God made it very clear that they had flipped the script! We need Him. He needs nothing. Our salvation is His gift of rescue because of His unmerited love.

Today, we’re going to look at another group. I would try to hold you in suspense about what this group might be…but the title of the sermon probably gave it away. So, let’s talk about hypocrites. 

* Note: I always teach from the ESV translation, but this summer we’re having different members from the congregation read the Scripture, so I will post the translations they are reading from here. Today’s reading will be from the RSV.

“16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? 17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. 18 If you see a thief, you are a friend of his; and you keep company with adulterers. 19 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you. 22 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I rend, and there be none to deliver! 23 He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!"

So, we’re sticking with the same gist statement this week, but we’ll be camping out more on the second half of this, as we consider not only what hypocrisy is but also why it is so devastating. Here’s our gist: If our worship is just motions and our hearts remain unchanged, we’re missing out on who God is and the salvation He brings —which are both absolutely vital! Now, let’s just walk through the text and then chew on a few takeaways.

“16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite My statutes or take My covenant on your lips?”

From the beginning, we see why this is hypocrisy and not just people living apart from God. Because the condemnation is that these people are living like the wicked, but talking about the teachings and promises of God. In fact, the words seem to imply they might even be teaching these to others. I like how the NLT translates this. “Why bother reciting My decrees and pretending to obey My covenant?” 

This is the core of hypocrisy: words and hearts not lining up. They are saying all the right stuff, but they are lying because their hearts are unchanged. In fact, it’s more serious than that. God doesn’t call them misguided. He calls them wicked. Their hearts are corrupt, but outwardly they are calling people to follow after Him. It’s just all talk. The next few verses then start to unpack some of what this looks like practically. You could consider this the “how to be a hypocrite (or not)” section ☺️.

“17 For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you.”

There are two points in this verse, but they really go hand-in-hand. They hate discipline and treat God’s Word like trash. That’s actually how the NLT translates the casting part. The key truth here is that hypocrisy is fueled by sin, and sin at the core is pride, elevating ourselves above God, seeking what we want at all costs…etc. Therefore, this will lead to hating discipline because discipline implies we’re doing something wrong which, in turn, means we need to change. 

Well, if we don’t want to be challenged on anything, then reading God’s word probably isn’t a good idea ☺️. It will most definitely call us out. So what does the hypocrite do? Talk about God’s Word while also turning away from it. Not only is this disrespectful to God, but it also leads us away from the truth we (and the world that is watching us) need.

In his commentary on this psalm, Charles Spurgeon said: “To this day we see men explaining doctrines who despise precepts! They make grace a coverlet for sin, and even judge themselves to be sound in the faith, while they are rotten in life. We need the grace of the doctrines as much as the doctrines of grace, and without it an apostle is but a Judas, and a fair spoken professor is an arrant enemy of the cross of Christ.” I love that. So often God’s Word is taken for granted, if not outright ignored. Spurgeon points this out, but also calls the doctrines, the teachings of God, grace. We have to remember this. Instead of throwing God’s word out like trash, we need to see it as the gift it is. We might not understand it. It might sometimes push against the grain. Following Him might put us at odds with what the world is saying is right. BUT that’s ok, because His ways are not our ways—they’re better. His word isn’t a burden; it’s a blessing.

So, instead of embracing God’s word, what is the hypocrite doing? Embracing sin. That’s really what these next few verses outline. These aren’t the only way hypocritical people can live, but they are a sampling of ways their lives don’t line up with what God’s Word clearly teaches.

“18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. 19 "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.”

Let’s unpack this a bit. Again, these are just examples of hypocrisy, but they hit plenty hard ☺️. Here are three bigger principles we see here. First→

They Are Affirming Sin. That’s what we see happening when it says they are pleased with thieves. They are affirming. In fact, the RSV says they are “friends”. I’m not trying to imply that Christians can’t have friends that aren’t believers. That’s not the case at all. The picture here is of being friendly with the sin itself. It’s a picture of compromise. They know that theft is a sin. Remember, they teach the Bible. BUT, in practice, they are saying it’s ok. Do you see any of this happening in our world today? Of course you do, because it is so much easier to affirm what God’s word opposes when the rest of the world is doing the same.

This affirming then becomes more. In fact→ 

They Are Embracing Sinful Lifestyles. Keeping company with adulterers is a deliberate choice. They are surrounding themselves with sinful practices. This is more than just affirming what they know to be wrong. They are uniting themselves with sinful practices. Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees (ultimate examples of hypocrisy) “an adulterous generation” (Matthew 12:39). Remember, Christianity is described using marriage language all the time. We are to be the bride of Christ. So, while this could be talking about actual adultery, it could also be talking about embracing lies and false teachings of any kind that pull us away from the love of Jesus. Either way, they are all in on sin and→ 

Their Tongues Are Telling On Their Hearts. Luke 6:45 reminds us that from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. That’s what we see happening here. They have unbridled tongues. They give them free reign—which means they are just saying whatever comes to mind. We don’t have to break this down at all, right? If we don’t control our tongues, how much good do they bring? James minces no words when he says, “2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:2-5).

If we have any doubts, we’re then given some pictures of what these unbridled tongues are doing. They are crafting lies. Puritan commentator John Gill called this lying in an artful manner. They are well-practiced and good at it. But they’re not just liars, they are slanderers. Apparently, they are well versed in this art as well because the ones they are slandering are family. The whole idea here is that they are slandering even those closest to them—those you’d typically want to protect. And these people are walking around claiming to represent God. That’s hypocrisy. That’s taking God’s name in vain. It’s a serious offense, and He doesn’t take it lightly. Look at what He says to this→ 

“21a These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself.” 

They had been getting away with this, so they just assumed He was good with it. They were wrong. Here’s the sad reality: they were ignoring God’s glory and missing His grace in the process. What’s the result? Well, He’s silent no more→

“21b But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. 22 "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"”

He brings a serious charge. And really He tells them there are two options Hell or Hope. He isn’t gentle with this rebuke. He describes those who continue to live for themselves as heading willingly toward complete destruction. Once you are there, escape isn’t an option. However, don’t miss the grace in this. First, He calls them to mark this or consider this. He is telling them it doesn’t have to be like this. In fact, He tells them how it is meant to be. Instead of just offering lip service, they are called to offer thanksgiving and glorify Him. These are heart-orientation issues. If we love Him for who He is, we will be thankful and live our lives pointing others to His grace. It is then, that we walk rightly and see His salvation—because we are people rescued for real, not just saying stuff. 

Ok, to the→ 

TAKEAWAYS

1. Hypocrisy dishonors God. It ignores His character and His truth.

2. Hypocrisy leads to personal sorrow. It might feel good because you’re living like you want, but you running down a path of self-destruction. Eternally, this is true. But it will find its way out in your life, as well. If you’re living hypocritically, people will see this too, and it won’t be a boon for your reputation here either. And, that leads to my 3rd point, as well.

3. Hypocrisy hurts other people. One of the major complaints people have about Christianity is that the people who claim to be followers of Jesus are terrible people. Is your lifestyle pointing people to the hope of Jesus or away from His grace?

PONDERING... Another Dose of Stinky Feet

GIST: We are to do AS Jesus did, not Judas. This means living the fruit of the spirit.

(Note: I am indebted to Tim Keller for these thoughts. I was ready to move on to the next passage, but could not let this go.) 

John 13:12-20  12  When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?  13  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  14  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  15  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  16  Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  17  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'  19  I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.  20  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

1. It's Not About the Actions

Judas probably had more outward signs of righteousness than we will ever experience. He had more meaningful theological education. He was sent out and used by Jesus. He would have been involved in proclaiming the repentance sins, casting out demons, and healing the sick. (Mark 6:7-13  "And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits... 12  So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.  13  And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.") Yet, he was not a Christian.

Sometimes we try to do many "Chrisitan" things in hopes that they will prove our faith or improve our lives. But it's not about the things that you do, but what moves you to do them. Is there a real change?

2. It is About What Changes You

 Jesus, in this great act, demonstrates the fruit of the spirit. He loves the disciples, and us, completely though He knew their hearts. Then, He tells us: "15  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (Emphasis added). 

The idea is not to do this exact act, but to mimic His heart. Which would be that of a true Christian. One way to look at this is by examining the Fruit of the Spirit (an all or nothing description of the Chrisitian life. Fruit, not Fruits). Or the Beatitudes, as they line up.

Keller points out that we need to pray for genuine, Jesus change. We can fake our way into "acting better", but not really be changed by the Spirit. Look at your weakest area and see if that is growing as you grow in Christ. 

Activity:

1. Make a list of all the fruit of spirit and the beatitudes. (See lists below.)

2. Try to match up the list. (i.e. Peacemakers and Peace, Merciful and Kindness and Love...etc.)

3. Identify which category represents your spiritual strength. (Circle it, and put an "s" beside it.)

4. Identify which category represents your spiritual weakness. (Circle it, and put an "w" beside it.)

5. Pray and meditate on how these fruit are or are not lived out in your life.

6. Pray that God would transform you.

Galatians 5:22-24  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  24  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Matthew 5:3-12  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  4  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  5  "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  7  "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.  8  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  9  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  10  "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11  "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  12  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

PONDERING... What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?

Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us.

• Exodus 20:16-17 ESV - "16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.""

• Zechariah 8:16 ESV - "16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;"

• 1 Peter 3:16 ESV - "16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

• 3 John 1:12 ESV - "12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true."

• Proverbs 14:5, 25 ESV - "5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. ... 25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful."

• 1 Corinthians 10:9-10 ESV - "9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer."

• Galatians 5:26 ESV - "26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

• Colossians 3:5 ESV - "5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

• James 2:8 ESV - "8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well."

Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive,

Deliberately misleading in what is said or left unsaid

but speak the truth in love.

This is why we tell the truth. It doesn't come naturally to us; but if we love, we will speak out of love.

Tenth, that we are content,

Contentment should not be taken negatively. In the sense of-- Ah, this is good enough, I won't try to know more, love better...etc. Contentment is a peaceful happiness with what God has given you. This is not lazily ignoring or not using what God has given you. It is the opposite. Don't become bitter because God has equipped you to do one work instead of another. Rather, do all that you can with all you have been given joyfully unto the Lord!

not envying anyone

Rejoice in what others have. Don't let the talents and possessions of others lead you away from desiring God.

or resenting what God has given them or us.

Like I just said--Don't become bitter because God has equipped you to do one work instead of another. Use what you've been given.

PONDERING... What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments? (Quick breakdown)

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What does God require in the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments?

Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them. Eighth, that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else, nor withhold any good from someone we might benefit.

• Exodus 20:13-15 ESV - "13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal."
• Genesis 9:6 ESV - "6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."
• Proverbs 24:11-12 ESV - "11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 12 If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?"
• Matthew 5:28 ESV - "28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
• Colossians 4:6 ESV - "6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
• Ephesians 5:4 ESV - "4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving."
• 2 Timothy 2:22 ESV - "22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."
• 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV - "8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
• Proverbs 28:19 ESV - "19 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty."
• Proverbs 21:6 ESV - "6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death."
• Ephesians 4:28 ESV - "28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."
• Romans 13:9 ESV - "9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.""

Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor,

We should not cause intentional physical harm, harbor extreme bitterness or passionate dislike (ignoring the grace and love of God for all people), or deliberately mistreat anyone.

But be patient and peaceful,

Though a virtue, this is not easy. People sometime bother us (...ok maybe more than sometimes), but we must be patient with them and strive for peace. Two thoughts here: 1- Oh, how patient is Jesus with me! I was a sinful wretch when He died for me, and a saved sinful wretch today. 2-Those who make peace will be called the children of God (Matt 5). They are reflecting the character of God.

Pursuing even our enemies with love.

How did Jesus pursue us? 

Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully,

Sexual immorality isn't sex in general, it's sex outside of faithfulness to God's design (within marriage, between a husband and wife). 

Whether in marriage or in single life,

Lust is never permissible. Before, during, or after marriage.

Avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires,

It's about the heart. Not just what we do, but what we think, see, say..etc. We need to ask God continually for pure hearts, because we live in an impure world, and have corrupt hearts.

And whatever might lead to them.

Stay away from things that cause you to stumble.

Eighth, that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else,

Do not steal...even little stuff, or even if everyone else is doing it. (office supplies, pirating music..etc)

Nor withhold any good from someone we might benefit.

If we can help, we should. 

PONDERING... Could Not Believe

John 12:37-43  Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,  38  so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"  39  Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,  40  "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them."  41  Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.  42  Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;  43  for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

First, let's get a little context here. Isaiah is quoted twice in this passage. First from chapter 53, then from chapter 6. Both instances reference disbelief in the face of hearing and seeing. The quote from chapter 53 directly precedes the prophetic passage about Jesus coming and dying for the sins of the world. It was prophesied that people would see this and still not believe. This clearly is happening in the above passage. The quote from chapter 6 comes right after Isaiah is called as a prophet. He sees the glory of God in the temple and is blown away by His holiness, then he is given this message. People would continue to hear and see, but not believe. They are responsible for these actions, but it is also clear that God has a hand in this hardening. (Again, the paradox of God's sovereignty and human responsibility... It is everywhere in Scripture.) This has been dissected by many, but at the core we see that the people could not because they would not. Which came first and why and how are beyond me, but I do see these 3 points as warnings for us. 

1. They did not believe what they saw

37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 

I'm not saying "seeing is believing". We believe many things without seeing them (Space, Gravity, Wind...etc). But these people clearly saw they evidence of Jesus' divinity and still rejected Him. The first 1/2 of John's gospel is dedicated to signs that Jesus is God. They saw these (water to wine, blind seeing, dead rising), and would not believe. 

We see God at work too. It might not be as direct, but it is no less clear. Do we believe?

2. They did not believe what they heard

38  so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

We'll see more on the severity of this next week when we talk about the words of Jesus judging those who reject Him. But here we see that they heard Him speak truth. He proclaimed man's need for salvation and His plan to save them, but they would not believe. He proclaimed the gospel--the good news: we are sinners destined for Hell, but Jesus (God incarnate) came as the only possible sacrifice, died for our sins, rose again, and saves all who believe and trust in Him. If you're reading these words, you've heard this message. I have heard this message. We cannot reject this and think ourselves "off the hook". 

As I said in the morning lesson, it is easy to say we believe and hard to live it. I know this myself.

3. They loved people more than God

43  for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Here's the issue. The truth was not less true for them; they just saw it less important. They loved people more. This belief was intellectual only, and not saving faith. I understand the temptation of wanting praise. But Jesus gave up His glory in Heaven for my filthy sinful life. Can't I give up my vain glory for Him? He gave everything. I lose nothing worth gaining. 

PONDERING... What is the work of creation?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What is the work of creation?

The work of creation is God's making all things of nothing, by the Word of His power, in six normal consecutive days, and all very good.

• Genesis 1:1 ESV - "1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
• Hebrews 11:3 ESV - "3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."
• Exodus 20:11 ESV - "11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
• Genesis 1:31 ESV - "31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."

God Created-

This lesson may seem very elementary to some, but it is far from universal. God created, made, brought into being, everything. The question that often arises when I say this is 'Then, who created God?' Part of the definition of being God is being the ultimate source. If God had a creator, He would not be God for two basic reasons. 1. He would not be eternal. Eternal beings have no starting point. 2. He would not be all powerful. Whoever created would have to be more powerful than God, an impossibility of course (what is more powerful than a being that is all powerful...). Thus, by definition, that creator would be God. The argument becomes circular.

All Things-

Everything that exist. One of my son's favorite self-responses right now is "because God made it!" (Sometimes I'm sure he asks us questions just so he can answer them :D). I think we sometimes lose that wonder. God created everything, and we think nothing of it.

Out of Nothing-

There wasn't, and then there was. There are non-Biblical, scientific theories (I make this destination because science in itself is not "non-Biblical") that essentially say the same thing. Only, they don't explain how the something got into the nothing to make everything else...because you can't.

By the Word of His Power-

There was nothing He used, no outside power or source. It was all Him.

Romans 11:36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

In Six Consecutive Days-

This is something that even theologians I respect have disagreements over. However, it is the clearest and most direct reading of the creation account. Six actual 24hr days back to back.

And It was All Good-

He made it just the way He intended, and it was good.

PONDERING... What are the decrees of God?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What are the decrees of God?

The decrees of God are His eternal purpose according to the counsel of His own will, whereby for His own glory He has foreordained whatever comes to pass.

• Ephesians 1:11-12 ESV - "11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."
• Romans 11:36 ESV - "36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

BREAKDOWN

Decrees-

This is what is being defined by this answer, but it won't hurt to place Easton's definition here, as well. ""The decrees of God are his eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise, and sovereign purpose, comprehending at once all things that ever were or will be in their causes, conditions, successions, and relations, and determining their certain futurition." —Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

Or Pink's "The decree of God is His purpose or determination with respect to future things."- A.W. Pink, The Attributes of God.

Or Webster: "...predetermined purpose of God; the purpose or determination of an immutable Being, whose plan of operations is, like himself, unchangeable."-Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English

Eternal Purpose-

Eternal means without beginning or end...literally forever. A purpose is a goal, or aim.

Counsel of His Own Will-

By the instruction of, or following the desires of His own will. They are what He wants.

For His Own Glory-

In order to point the world to Himself. This is not an act of pride, but benevolence (kindness). We need to see Him for who He is.

Foreordained-

To determine in advance

How does God execute His decrees?

God executes His decrees in the works of creation, and providence.

• Revelation 4:11 ESV - "11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.""
• Daniel 4:35 ESV - "35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?""

Creation

That which is made

Providence

I like this dictionary.com definition: Care or preparation in advance; foresight

(We will be addressing creation and providence in the weeks to come.)

SUMMARY:

God has worked everything out to happen the way He wants for the reason He wants, and nothing is outside of His plan. We might not understand this plan. We might not be able to see how it could possibly be from God. But it is.

PONDERING... Killer Snakes and the Promise of Eternal Life

In John 3:14-15, right before arguably the most famous passage in all Scripture, Jesus alludes to Numbers 21:4-9, and compares Himself to a bronze snake. Let's look at that.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,  15  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.-John 3:14-15

"4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." 6 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7 And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live."-Numbers 21:4-9

There are so many awesome parallels between these accounts. 

The people had sinned and were punished for this by killer snakes. In order to provide salvation from this punishment, Moses was instructed to make a bronze snake--the very image of what was killing them only without poison--and have people look upon it. 

We have sinned, and our punishment is also death. We might not be attacked by fiery serpants, but we are heading for the full wrath of God in fiery Hell. Jesus came and...2 Corinthians 5:21- "21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Our situation is equally dire. God, in His mercy, has provided us with an escape. By looking unto Jesus for our salvation, we will be given life!

Look, also, at it this way--Christ being lifted up (that is symbolic of His death and resurrection)--was an imperative for our salvation. This wasn’t an optional thing. Now, that is not to say that He had to die for us. We did nothing to impose this upon Him as a necessity. He could have left us in our sin. The imperative reflects our desperate need. There is only one way that we can be saved from our own death-leading, sinful condition. For that to happen, it was a must that Jesus be lifted up. Because He has been lifted up, anyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. 

Consider what the Israelites did with the bronze snake, however.

"1 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. 4 He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan)."-2 Kings 18:1-4

Let us not be tempted to worship any sign of Christ in the place of Christ Himself!

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions!

Upchurch-out

PONDERING... Time and Jesus (The Resurrection of Lazarus Part 2: vs 7-16)

Disclaimer: This is a very famous passage of scripture, and will be addressed in several parts. However, I do not want to take for granted that everyone is familiar with how this passage ends. This is the account of Jesus raising Lazarus, His friend, from the dead. In the account, we learn that Jesus allowed this all to happen for a purpose. Lazarus died, and Jesus brought Him back...teaching us, and those who witnessed the event, much about Himself.

John 11:7-16  Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."  8  The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?"  9  Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  10  But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."  11  After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."  12  The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."  13  Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.  14  Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died,  15  and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."  16  So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

In these next few lessons, we'll be looking at the lessons Jesus taught through this situation. Today, we'll look at what He had to say about the time we're given in this life.

1. The Length is Determined by God 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."  8  The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?"  9  Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.  

The disciples question why Jesus is wanting to go back to the area where they are trying to kill Him. Jesus responds with this statement about time. The Jews divided time into two 12 hour parts. So, He was referring to the "daytime". 

We all have an appointed time to die. This appointment is made by God. Jesus, as He frequently does in John's gospel, is pointing out that it is not yet "His time". 

2. But, It's Limited...Don't Waste It; Do What God Sends You to Do! (Same Verses)

Also, we see that this time we're given is limited. There were 12 hours in the day, then night came. We are given a specific amount of time here on earth, and then we die. 

Jesus did not sqwander this time. Knowing it was not yet His time, He used the time He had to serve the Father. We should do the same.

3. Live In the Light, Don't Stumble 10  But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

Jesus is the Light! We are to walk in Him, in His Word. Not walking in the light of what He teaches is stumbling in darkness.

4. Death is Sleep for Believers 11  After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."  12  The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."  13  Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.  14  Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died,  15  and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 

This is our blessed hope as believers. This is not the case for the lost.