ANGER

Posted on by BETH

“Of the Seven Deadly Sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back—in many ways it is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.” Frederick Buechner

Likely we all have harbored feelings of anger against someone else because of wrongs we perceive they have done, but when their anger is turned toward us our perception of it is totally different. We may fear or we may think about how foolish they appear. Why is anger such a delicious feeling in ourselves and yet so odious coming from others? Solomon, the wisest man on earth said, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Eccl. 7:9).

Solomon also told us how to defer someone’s anger and turn away the wrath that is causing carnage in our lives. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1). We know that tempers only escalate when we answer an angry man the same way he has spoken to us. But what if we are right and he is wrong? Does it really matter that we have our way or prove our point if we lose a friend or drive a permanent wedge in family relationships? Can we not rather take wrong in order to make peace and thus please God (1 Cor. 6:7)?

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Prov. 19:11).

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city (Prov. 16:32).

In defense of their anger, many will quote Ephesians 4:26-27 and they will say, “See anger is not a sin, as long as I do not let the sun go down on it.” But these people fail to notice that five verses later, we are told to get rid of anger just like we are told to get rid of other evil qualities in our lives. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Eph. 4:31). Would anyone deny that these are all evil qualities?

Later, in his letter to the church at Colossi, Paul wrote, “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Col. 3:8-10).

Let’s all work to rid ourselves of this very deceitful, sinful emotion which men have taught us to use to get our way.

A SOWER WENT FORTH TO SOW

Posted on by BETH

A parable places two or more objects together, for the purpose of a comparison. In the broadest sense of the term there is practically no difference between a parable and a simile. Agnostics claim that the parables were imaginary stories, yet admitting the details could have actually transpired. We agree that the purpose for using a parable was to illustrate some higher truth for the listeners, but our question to these doubters is whether the creator of the world could surely have known every account He used to illustrate His points! He did not have to make up His stories; since the beginning of time, He had known all the men who ever lived as well as what they did. Consider that the one and only teacher of parables in the New Testament is Christ Himself. Christ alone would have known all the situations He used to illustrate His points.

Considering the parable of the sower, we can well understand that many agricultural people followed Christ to hear His word. Christ had farmers nearby as He was teaching. What a graphic illustration it would be for His listeners who lived off the land! The parable of the sower is found in Mat. 13:3-13; Mat. 18-23; Mark 4:3-20, Luke 8:5-15. The main difference between Matthew’s account and the other two is that there is an additional concept (application) of the reason for the Devil snatching away the word from those whose “ground” is like the wayside—hard and impenetrable. Verse 19 says they did not understand the word and thus Satan snatched it away. Again in verse 23 we see, “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The difference between those who have the word snatched away and those who produce manifold fruits is whether or not they understand the word. We ought to “give the more earnest heed” to the words given by the Spirit so that we may understand and produce fruit (Heb. 2:1-4). Long ago, King David prayed that God would give him understanding so that he might “live” before Him (Psa. 119:144). David also prayed, “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works” (Psa. 119:27).

Under the Old Law, the Levites, Priests and Scribes “caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place” (Neh. 8:7-8, 13). Job begged God to, “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred” (Job 6:24). Solomon, the wisest man to live, said, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Prov. 1:5).

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isa. 28:9-10).

Finally we need to consider the profound teaching found in the book of Daniel and understand why Daniel was so favored by the Lord. “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words” (Dan 10:12).

QUESTIONS:

  1. What is a parable?
  2. Why did Jesus speak to the people in parables (Mat. 13:10-16)?
  3. What right did Jesus have to teach in parables?
  4. What is the main difference between the accounts of the sower in Matthew, Mark and Luke?
  5. What important word is included in Matthew’s account?
  6. What happens to the word of God in the hearts of those who don’t understand it (Mat. 13:19)?
  7. Why did God give the apostles understanding to his word (Mat. 7:7-9)?
  8. How does a man understand the word of God (2 Tim. 2:7)?
  9. Why did Jesus not want the Jews to understand his word (John 8:44, 47; Luke 13:34; 2 Thes. 2:10-12)?
  10. According to Solomon, how does understanding come (Prov. 2:1-6; Prov. 15:32)?
  11. What did David command Solomon to get as he searched for wisdom (Prov. 4:1-7)?
  12. According to Solomon, what is an essential part of our growing in wisdom (Prov 14:33)?
  13. According to Isaiah 28:9, 19, when should we begin teaching knowledge and understanding to our children?
  14. What did the Levites, Priests and Scribes do for the people (Neh. 8:7-8, 13)?
  15. When did God begin to hear Daniel’s words (Dan. 10:12)?

IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH WHAT I PLEASE

Posted on by BETH

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:10-11).

Our Heavenly Father says that His word is like the snow and rain from heaven which makes the earth to bud and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. Like the moisture from the sky, His word will not return to Him void, but it will accomplish the purpose for which it has been sent. The comparison here is between the earth receiving the snow and rain and being nourished or watered by it and His word (both Old Testament and New) being sent into the hearts of the people. Sometimes the earth is rocky and hard; likewise the hearts of the people may not be receptive. Yet the gospel has a way of softening or watering those stony hearts to make them grow into what God wants them to be.

When we have studied and worked with an individual or a group of people who seem not to understand or respond, we need to remember this passage and know that God’s word will not return to Him empty. It will accomplish His will even if it only serves to put Jesus enemies under His feet (1 Cor. 15:24-26). Our Father is fair and will give these people every possible chance to repent (2 Pet. 3:9).

God has ordained that He will accomplish His will through His word. Man’s ways and thoughts are not the same as God’s ways and thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). The only way we can know God’s thoughts is for Him to reveal them to us, for only the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God (1 Cor. 2:11). God’s prophets and apostles were inspired to write the word of God in the scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17). All truth is in the scriptures (John 16:13). We can build in wood, hay and stubble, but the only thing that will endure the test of the fire is gold (1 Cor. 2:12-13). God’s word is pure gold, and we must use that to build in the hearts of the people. The Lord commanded Timothy to preach what he heard from the inspired apostle (2 Tim. 2:2), and was told to preach God’s word (2 Tim. 4:4). He commands us to preach the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). If we trust Him, and preach His word, it will not return to Him void.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What two things are being compared to God’s word (Isa. 55:10-11)?
  2. For what purpose does God ‘send’ his word?
  3. What did God promise and how did his word come to pass when the children of Israel were grumbling about the manna (Num. 11:23)?
  4. How did the Israelites rebel at God’s word at the waters of Meriba (Num. 20:24)? What happened as a result?
  5. What kind of a man does God favor (Isa 66:2)?
  6. What should the man of God do who has His word (Jer 23:28)?
  7. To what is God’s word also compared (Jer. 23:29)?
  8. He that heareth ______ ___________ and believeth on _________________ hath __________________ (John 5:24).
  9. Jesus said, “If you continue in ________ _________ you are my disciples indeed (John 8:31).
  10. Why could the Pharisees not “hear” Jesus word (John 8:43)?

COME AGAIN REJOICING

Posted on by BETH

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psa 126:5-6).

The metaphor here seems to be that of a poor farmer who has had a very bad harvest the year before. A very scanty portion of grain and food has been gathered from the earth, yet the seeding time has come again. Out of the previous year’s famine, he must plant for a new year. Maybe only a little seed has been saved to be sown, or perhaps the farmer has purchased the seed at great expense, in hopes of another crop to feed his family. The poor farmer must sow, or else despair and perish. He carries his precious seed with him in his bag, and with a sorrowful heart commits it to the plowed soil. Though the sowing of seed is a work of labor and sorrow, yet the return (the harvest) brings rejoicing. Works which are begun under many difficulties, and which require much labor, are crowned with success. The joy is more than equivalent to all the weariness and sorrow felt in carrying out the task whether it is the toil of the farmer; the cares and anxieties of the student; the work of conversion and repentance; the labors of the preacher or minister; the efforts of the Bible class teacher; the faithfulness of the Christian parent; the endeavors of elders in overseeing the flock; even the zeal and sacrifice of the Christian missionary. Whoever labors hard, in cold and in rain, in fear and danger, in poverty and in want, casting his precious seed in the ground, will surely come again, at harvest-time, with rejoicing, and bearing his sheaves with him.

The prophets who sowed in tears will reap in joy. The righteous were persecuted and served their God with weeping (Hos. 10:12). Paul wept as he sowed the seed of the kingdom, but he will reap in joy (John 4:34-38). Paul sowed the word of God to Ephesus and many others (Acts 20:17-19). He reminded them of the tears he shed in sowing the seed to them (Acts 20:31). He did not labor in vain, but reaped in joy. Those who sin can sow the word and humble themselves to obey (Jas. 4:9-10). Those who sow in tears of sorrow for their weaknesses can still sow and reap in joy. Jesus is the classic example of one who sowed in tears and reaped in joy (Heb. 5:7). Who could possibly reap more than Jesus?

QUESTIONS:

    1. What reasons might make the farmer sow his seed with tears (Psa. 126:5)?
    2. Why would the analogy of sowing and reaping be such a graphic illustration to those living in Israel during David’s time?
    3. Why would Christians sow eternal seed in tears?
    4. Explain how the time of reaping would bring joy to those who sow the seed.
    5. What does the faithful Christian mother do with her children every day (2 Tim. 3:15)?
    6. How would a faithful, qualified elder sow in tears and reap in joy?
    7. When are we to sow the seed (2 Tim. 4:2)?
    8. If we do not work in the field when it is “cold,” to whom will we be likened (Prov. 20:4)? What will he and we have in the harvest?
    9. What is the eternal seed (Matt. 13:22-23; Luke 8:11)?
    10. What if a farmer sowed the wrong seed or mixed seed? Would he then reap in joy?
    11. According to the parable of the sower, the word of God is the seed sown in the hearts of men. What is the fruit of that seed?
      • Using the vine analogy, what are God’s children in the vine (John 15:5)?
      • Is the fruit which the branch produces grapes or more branches (John 15:2)?
      • Is the child of God commanded to bear more branches or more fruit (John 15:8)?
      • What is the fruit that the child of God is to produce (Tit. 3:14)?
      • What does the Father purge so the branch will bear more fruit (John 15:2)?
      • Some say the fruit of a Christian is another Christian. If this is true and the Christian is a branch, what would the Christian produce?
      • If the Christian bears another branch, and the Father purges the first branch, what would happen to the second branch?
      • If the fruit of a Christian is another Christian, what does the Father promise to do if the first branch produces fruit (good works) (John 15:2; Tit 3:14)?

RESEARCH QUESTION:

  1. Find as many ways as you can to show how the apostle Paul sowed in tears and reaped in joy. Remember that Paul wrote at least 13 of the NT epistles and possibly 14. There are examples of his “sowing in tears” in all of his letters. Pay particular attention to 2 Corinthians, chapters 10 through 13.

HE WHO SLEEPS IN HARVEST

Posted on by BETH

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame” (Prov. 10:4-5).

Even on a literal level, we see that the son of the husbandman is expected to enter into labor with others, and to reap where they have sown. For him to sleep when the harvest lies ready for the sickle is the most extreme laziness and indeed a great shame to his father.

A similar passage dealing with the harvest of souls is found in 1 Corinthians. Paul says, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:6-9).

We all have a job to do, and certainly we do not want to be a shame to our Heavenly Father—the husbandman of souls. Our part may be to water or to glean where others have sewn, but the Lord will still require that “harvest” at our hand. Remember that the fields are white unto harvest and we must not deal with a slack hand (John 4:35). Why? Because “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

QUESTIONS:

1. Physically, what must anyone do to reap a harvest?

2. Spiritually, what must someone do in order to reap a spiritual harvest?

3. In whose vineyard have we been called to work (1 Cor. 3:9)?

4. According to Mat. 13:18-23, what does one sow in order to reap a good harvest?

5. What did Paul do in order to reap a great harvest in Corinth (1 Cor. 3:5-8)?

6. What would have happened to Paul if he had not sown the seed (1 Cor. 9:16-17)?

7. Does it matter what the sower and the reaper think as they sow and reap (1 Cor. 9:16-17)?

8. Does it matter how hard or how wisely a person works to get a harvest (1 Cor. 3:8, 10)?

9. What did Apollos do in order to reap a great harvest in Corinth (1 Cor. 3:5-8)?

10. How many does the Lord expect to be involved in sowing the seed (Heb. 5:12)?

11. What kind of son or daughter are we if we do not sow in the spring and reap in the harvest?

12. When do we receive a reward for what we have sown and reaped (Luke 14:13-14)?

13. Who is blessed with the greatest reward, the sower or the reaper (1 Cor. 3:5-8)?

14. Does it matter who reaps or who sows (John 4:36-37)?

15. Are we required to sow what we reap in order to gain a reward (John 4:36-38)?