Holy War

I always appreciate the insights gained from Michael Horton and the rest of the contributors on The White Horse Inn, but I found this episode to be particularly insightful.

I would imagine that most Christians have, at some time in their lives, puzzled over the texts in Joshua where God commands the people of Israel to utterly destroy all of the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. How are we to interpret these passages? Should they be in the Bible? If so, how do these texts jive with the emphasis upon love and mercy that we see in Christ? And beyond that, what do these texts say to us today about war in general, or holy war in particular?

Certainly these are challenging questions. In fact, these are the texts that critics of the Bible will often go to first. Critics will claim that the God of the Old Testament is different than the God of the New, or that the God of the Bible is, in fact, morally repulsive. In my opinion, Horton and the crew deal beautifully with this difficulty.

As you listen I would encourage you to take special note of the way that these men go about interpreting scripture. Among other things, they pay special attention to the context of the book of Joshua. Not only do they pay attention the cultural and literary context, but also the redemptive historical context.

I notice that there are also other episodes pertaining to this topic both before and after this one in the White Horse Inn archives. Though I have not listened to them, I’m confident in these men to recommend them to you as well.

Please have a listen!

Pastor Joe

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/holy-war/id356920632?i=234013247&mt=2

Web: http://www.whitehorseinn.org/blog/2014/01/19/whi-1189-holy-war/


Week of January 19th, 2014

Memory Verse:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).

Doctrinal Standard: WSC #3

Q. What does the Bible primarily teach?
A. The Bible primarily teaches what man must believe about God and what God requires of man.

Posted in Weekly Passages, Posted by Mike. No Comments

Household Worship Guide – 01/19/14

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Address God and Praise Him for Who He Is (Matthew 6:11)

  • The Names of God: El
  • Meaning: The Strong One
  • Exodus 15:2; Numbers 23:22; Deuteronomy 7:9

Thank God for All That He Has Provided (Ephesians 5:20)

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Pray For the Ministry of Other Churches (Matt. 28:18-20)

  • The Promise, Hemet CA – Website

Pray For the Gospel to Spread Among All Peoples (Matt. 9:37-38)

  • Country: Nepal
  • Population – 30,430,000
  • Hindu: 75{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}, Buddhist: 16{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}, Evangelical: 3{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}
  • Click here for information about Nepal and the missionaries in that country.

Give us this day our daily bread

Pray For Yours and Your Family’s Needs (Matthew 6:11)

Pray For One Another (James 5:16)

  • Log into the CITY for a list of families to pray for.

Pray For Those Who Feed, Lead, And Care For The Flock (Col. 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1)

  • Elders: Joe Anady, Steve Bovee, Kris Vanderschuit
  • Deacons: Dave Anady, Mike Thezier

Pray For Kings And Those In Authority (1 Timothy 2:2)

  • Local: Hemet & San Jacinto Council Member – Robert Youssef, Crystal Ruiz
  • State: Governor – Jerry Brown
  • Nation: Senators – Dianne Feinstein, Barbra Boxer

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Ask Forgiveness From God And Others. Forgive Those Who Sinned Against You. (1 John 1:9)

lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Pray That God Would Strengthen Us From Giving Into Temptation (James 1:12-17).

_______________________________________________

Worship through Song

Sunday Worship Set 

All the songs are linked to iTunes or you can listen to them for free on other sites.

________________________________________

Preparing for the Lords Day

Our Sermon Text for This Sunday: Galatians 5:16-18

______________________________________________

Catechism  Instruction of Gods Word

Doctrinal Standards WSC #3

  • Q. What does the bible primarily teach?
  • A. The Bible primarily teaches what man must believe about God and what God requires of man.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
  • Support Passages: Matthew 22:23-46; John 5:30-47, 15:3, 17:17, 18:37; 2 Peter 1:16-21; I John 1:1-3
  • Bible Story: Acts 8:26-39; Ethiopian is lead to Christ through reading scripture.

Thoughts

  • It is through the scriptures that God has spoken and revealed His will to mankind. It is our responsibility, through the help of the Holy Spirit, to study and understand the scriptures. The Bible was given by God to reveal truths about Him that could not be concluded from studying creation. Furthermore, scripture was given to make us wise for salvation, instruct us on how to live a life pleasing to God, correct our misunderstandings about mankind and God, and to rebuke us of our sinful actions.
  • What does God require of man? God requires man to realize that his greatest efforts of righteousness are like dirty rags before God. Man must trust in Jesus Christ’s death as a substitute for the punishment He deserves for his sins. Once the righteousness of Christ is placed on man, man must walk in obedience to the commands of the Lord with the help of the Holy Spirit.
  • G.I. Williamson in his book “The Westminster Shorter Catechesim” mentions that catechism questions 4-38 teaches what we must believe about God while questions 39-107 teach what God requires of man.

Discussion Questions

  • Why must we study scripture?
  • What would be the result of misunderstanding the truths about God or mankind?
  • Are there any other sources of truth about God or mankind?
  • Does God accept ignorance as a reasonable excuse for not knowing scripture?
  • How does the Bible apply to everyday life?
  • What does God require of man?

GCG Questions for Sermon on 01/19/14

1. Take a moment to asses your current relationships. Are they filled with unity? Do you have a particular relationship that needs attending to? Why? Share with your group.

2. What is a godly and biblical way to deal with an individual who claims to be a Christian, yet has strong beliefs that are contrary to scripture? What theological issues should divide and what issues should be dismissed for the sake of unity? List and share.

3. How is your faith? Are you strong or struggling? Why? Explain and share.

4. Are you clearly and consistently “loving one another” in your GCG group? How so/ how can you tell? Discuss.

5. What is “love” according to Paul in Galatians 5? Define, explain, and share. See sermon notes at www.emmauscf.org/sermons for more information.


The Girls and Boys Catechism: A Resource for Younger Children

I had previously posted the first ten questions from the Boys and Girls Catechism and mentioned how they were developed to be used with our younger children. After further study and discussion with the Elders of Emmaus, we believe that that the entire Boys and Girls Catechism would be a great resource for parents to use alongside the Emmaus Catechism.

I’m providing a side-by-side comparison of the Emmaus and Boys and Girls Catechism. The intent of this document is for parents to supplement the Boys and Girls Catechism with the Emmaus Catechism when applicable. For example, the Westminster Shorter Catechism standard #4 asks “What is God?” the answer is “God is a spirit, Whose being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth are infinite, eternal, and unchangeable.”

The Girls and Boys Catechism addresses this standard in four separate questions:
GBC 9.Q. Who is God? A. God is a Spirit, and does not have a body like men.
GBC 10.Q. Where is God? A. God is everywhere.
GBC 11.Q. Can you see God? A. No. I cannot see God, but he always sees me.
GBC 12.Q. Does God know all things? A. Yes. Nothing can be hidden from God.
GBC 13.Q. Can God do all things? A. Yes. God can do all his holy will.

As you review this document, you will noticed that all the doctrinal standards do not align perfectly. Much effort was made to align them as close as possible.

It is also important to note that it is still our desire for our children to memorize and understand the Emmaus catechism. We believe that the Girls and Boys catechism can be a great resource to help teach our toddlers through early elementary age children the essential truths of our faith.

The side-by-side comparison of the Emmaus and Girls and Boys Catechism can be downloaded here.


Week of January 12th, 2014

Memory Verse:

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.” Psalm 19:7-9 ESV

Doctrinal Standard: WSC #2

Q: What authority from God directs us how to glorify and enjoy Him?

A:  The only authority for glorifying and enjoying Him is the bible, which is the word of God and is made up of the Old and New Testaments.

Posted in Weekly Passages, Posted by Mike. No Comments

GCG Questions for Sermon on 01/12/14

1. What role do works have in the process of Salvation? ( We know the ultimate answer is none, but is there any role we play?) Explain.

2. Are you currently fully trusting in the accomplishments of Christ for your salvation or have you been struggling with guilt and/or doubt? Share with your group.

3. Why is Galatians 5:3-4 NOT a verse that supports the teaching that one’s salvation can be lost? See sermon notes at emmauscf.org/sermons for more information.

4. Why is just believing in Jesus really not completely sufficient for proper salvation? In other word, why does theology matter in salvation? Explain.

5. Remember to pray for your group throughout the week, that you may fully trust in Christ and from that produce good works for His Kingdom.


Household Worship Guide – 1/12/14

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Address God and Praise Him for Who He Is (Matthew 6:11)

  • The Names of God: El Roi
  • Meaning: The God Who Sees Me
  • Genesis 16:11-14; Psalm 139:7-12

Thank God for All That He Has Provided (Ephesians 5:20)

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Pray For the Ministry of Other Churches (Matt. 28:18-20)

  • Christ Reformed Baptist Church, Vista CA   – Website

Pray For the Gospel to Spread Among All Peoples (Matt. 9:37-38)

  • Country: Japan
  • Population – 127,253,000
  • Unreached People Groups: 22
  • Buddhist: 70{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}, Evangelical: Less than 1{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}
  • Click here for information about Indonesia and the missionaries in that country.

Give us this day our daily bread

Pray For Yours and Your Family’s Needs (Matthew 6:11)

Pray For One Another (James 5:16)

  • Log into the CITY for a list of families to pray for.

Pray For Those Who Feed, Lead, And Care For The Flock (Col. 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1)

  • Elders: Joe Anady, Steve Bovee, Kris Vanderschuit
  • Deacons: Dave Anady, Mike Thezier

Pray For Kings And Those In Authority (1 Timothy 2:2)

  • Local: Hemet & San Jacinto Mayor Pro Tem – Shellie Milne, Alonso Ledezma
  • State: Assembly – Melissa Melandez
  • Nation: Represenatives – Raul Ruiz, Ken Calvert

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Ask Forgiveness From God And Others. Forgive Those Who Sinned Against You. (1 John 1:9)

lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Pray That God Would Strengthen Us From Giving Into Temptation (James 1:12-17).

_______________________________________________

Worship through Song

Sunday Worship Set 

All the songs are linked to iTunes or you can listen to them for free on other sites.

________________________________________

Preparing for the Lords Day

Our Sermon Text for This Sunday: Galatians 5:7-15

______________________________________________

Catechism  Instruction of Gods Word

Doctrinal Standard WSC #2

  • Q. What authority from God directs us how to glorify and enjoy Him?
  • A. The only authority for glorifying and enjoying Him is the bible, which is the word of God and is made up of the Old and New Testaments.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7-9, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Psalm 19
  • Support Passages: Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 2; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:14
  • Bible Story: Exodus 32:1-21; Exodus 24:4, 7-8, 12: Israelites worship a golden calf.

Thoughts

  • There are two types of revelation: general and special revelation. General revelation is what we can learn about God from the things we can see. For example, we know that God is orderly because we see His creation is full of order. Special revelation is information about God found only in the scriptures. Scripture is the only place that informs us that God has sent His Son to be the substitute for our sins.
  • The Bible is the only source of the saving knowledge of God therefore we must study it and follow its commands. Jesus said that if we love the Father we will keep His commands. We study and obey not to gain merit with God but to shows our love and respect for God. Our Father’s commands are not intended to be burdensome but an abundant life freed from sin.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is obeying God’s commands considered a way of glorifying Him?
  • Why is obeying God’s commands considered an enjoyable thing?
  • Why did God give us commands on what to do and what not to do?
  • Compare how obeying God’s commands is like obeying your parent’s commands.
  • What does obeying God reveal about our relationship with Him?
  • Jesus says his commands are not burdensome. Do you find this true? Explain.
  • What does creation teach us about God? What can’t creation teach us about God?


"Him we proclaim,
warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
(Colossians 1:28, ESV)

©2026 Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church