Aug 13
25

Household Worship Guide – 8/25

This guide can be downloaded as a PDF by logging into the CITY.

Prayer

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

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

  • Praise God for His eternalness
    “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:1–2, ESV)

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 Gospel To Spread Among All Peoples (Matt. 9:37-38)

  • COUNTRY: Mauritania
    DESCRIPTION: Mauritania is one of the world’s poorest countries and one of the most restricted. Freedom of religion is nonexistent, and Sunni Islam has dominated for more than 1,000 years. Social and family matters are judged under Shariah, or Islamic, law. A bloodless coup in August 2008 led to democratic elections and a new president in 2009.

    Category: Restricted Nation
    Religion: Muslim 99.8{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}, Christian 0.3{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}
    Ideology: Islam
    Head of State: President Mohamed Ould AbdelAzizIslam is the constitutionally declared religion of the people and of the states. The government prohibits the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials and the evangelism of Muslims. It is illegal for citizens to enter non-Muslim households, and anyone who confesses Christ faces the death penalty. There is tremendous social pressure against anyone who converts. Last year, VOM helped build a well to support persecuted believers.*Information taken from The Voice of the Martyrs, Persecution.com

“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)

  • See the CITY for a list of families to pray for this week.


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: San Jacinto Mayor – Mark Bartel
  • State: Majority Leader – Senator Ellen M. Corbett
  • Nation: Vice President – Joe Biden

“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

Song of the Month  

  • The song “Speak, O Lord” by Keith & Kristyn Getty is one of the songs we sing during the service on the Lord’s Day. Mike provided a link to the specific version he uses to lead us into worship. I would encourage you to begin to incorporate musical worship in some way within your household worship time.
  • Click here to purchase and download from iTunes.

_______________________________________________

Preparing for the Lord’s Day

Our Sermon Text For This Week Is: Galatians 1:1-9

  • “Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

_______________________________________________
Catechism – Instruction of God’s Word

Doctrinal Standard – Baptist Catechism #95 (Compare WSC #88)

  • Q. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?
  • A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, especially the Word, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and Prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42, ESV.)

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Proverbs 2
  • Support Passages: Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 5:15-20; Colossians 3:12-17
  • Bible Story: Acts 2:41-47

Thoughts

  • “Imagine a father who is away on a trip. He has been wanting to buy a horse for his son. While he is away, the father sees the perfect horse for his son. So he buys it for him. The father has paid the full price for the horse. Nothing more needs to be done to make the horse the boy’s horse. But because the boy is at home, in a different state, he cannot enjoy the benefits of having a horse. So the father hires a truck and a trailer as the way to bring the horse to the boy. Now the boy can enjoy all the benefits of having the horse that his father bought for him.The Lord Jesus paid fully to redeem His people when He died on the cross. Nothing more needs to be done to redeem them. But the benefits of being redeemed need to be brought to God’s people. The Lord Jesus has chosen ways to bring those benefits to us. This answer lists those ways. The Word of God, the (ordinances) (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), and prayer are the ‘ordinary, external ways Christ has chosen to bring us the benefits of redemption.’ As we read and hear God’s Word, as we pray, and as we receive baptism and communion, we enjoy the benefits of the redemption Christ bought for us.The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, giving him instructions about prayer, worship, and preaching and teaching God’s Word. He told him that using these things would result in salvation for Timothy and for those whom he ministered. Read 1 Timothy 4:15-16.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What does redemption mean?
  • What are the means by which Christ communicates the benefits of redemption?
  • Why is it important for Christians to read the Word of God?
  • Why is it important that Christians be baptized and attend baptisms?
  • Why is it important for Christians to participate in the Lord’s Supper (communion)?
  • Why should Christians be in continual prayer?

[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Aug 13
19

Household Worship Guide – 8/18

Below you will find the “household worship guide” that I presented yesterday as a means to equip fathers and mothers with resources to instruct and guide their children in the Lord. In addition, we intentionally chose the title “household worship” because it is intended to be used by all of Emmaus, not just those with children, to worship God throughout the week. If you were unable to attend Sunday, I would encourage you to listen to the sermon to better understand the goal of this resource.

Blessings,

Phil

 

Prayer

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

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

  • Praise God for His sovereignty. “To say that God is Sovereign is to say that He is supreme over all things, that there is no one above Him, that He is absolute Lord over creation. It is to say that His Lordship over creation means that there is nothing out of His control, nothing that God hasn’t seen and planned. It means that even the wrath of man must ultimately praise God and the remainder of wrath God will restrain (Psalm 76:10). It means that every creature on earth, in heaven and in hell must ultimately bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10)” (A.W. Tozer, Attributes of God).
  •  “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel” Jeremiah 18:6 (ESV).

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

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

  • Country: Morocco
    Description: In March 2011, King Mohammed VI was forced to enact reforms and agree to revise the constitution in response to popular protests, but authority remains in the hands of the monarch. A moderate Islamist party won the majority of the parliamentary seats, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the government. The Moroccan government is committed to the preservation of Sunni Islam as the religion of all Moroccans.Category: Restricted Nation
    Religion: Muslim 99.9{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}, Christian 0.1{e0b72a53c242df1424785628340537005f8b2ebeecfbb0205a95286f7b4c8fc9}
    Ideology: Islam
    Head of State: King Mohamed VI

    All Christian activity is carefully monitored by the government. Although talking about Christ is legal, “proselytism” and converting from Islam to Christianity are illegal. Muslims who convert to Christianity may face severe punishment. They endure ostracism from their families, loss of employment and imprisonment for their faith. Anti-Christian sentiment is common in the media. Since March 2010, Morocco has deported at least 135 foreign Christians for proselytism. The government justified the deportations by claiming the Christians posed a threat to the state. VOM has distributed food, clothing and school supplies to children of families undergoing persecution in Morocco.

    *Information taken from The Voice of the Martyrs, Persecution.com

“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)

  • See the CITY for a list of families to pray for this week.

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 Mayor – Robert Youssef
  • State: Governor – Jerry Brown
  • Nation: President – Barack Obama

“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

Song of the Month Encouraged To Be Used In Family Worship

  • The song “Speak, O Lord” by Keith & Kristyn Getty is one of the songs we sing during the service on the Lord’s Day. Mike provided a link to the specific version he uses to lead us into worship. I would encourage you to begin to incorporate musical worship in some way within your household worship time.
  • Click here to purchase and download from iTunes.

_______________________________________________

Preparing For the Lord’s Day

Our Sermon Text For This Week Is:

  • This Sunday’s sermon will be topical and will not focus on one particular scriptural text.

_______________________________________________

Catechism – Instruction of God’s Word

Doctrinal Standard WSC #84

  • Q. What does every sin deserve?
  • A. Every sin deserves God’s anger and curse, both in this life and in the life to come.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them” (Galatians 3:10, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Ephesians 5:3–7
  • Support Passages: Ephesians 5:6; Galatians 3:10; Lamentations 3:39; Matthew 25:41
  • Bible Story: Revelation 20:11-15

Thoughts

  • Doctrinal standard 83 explains that the Bible teaches us that not all sins are equally evil.
  • “In the eyes of God some sins in themselves are more evil than others, and some are more evil because of the harm that results from them” (WSC #81). While not every sin is equally evil, all sin is equally punishable by death. Yes, murder is more heinous than a single lie but both transgress the Law of God requiring the righteous punishment of death. James explains this truth eloquently in chapter two verse ten, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” In order to gain acceptance before God apart from Christ one would have to live obediently to all of the Law. We know this is an impossible feat. James explains that if we fail in even one area we are guilty of all the Law. This is why some sin can be more evil than others but all deserving the same curse.

Discussion Questions

  • What does every single sin deserve?
  • Last week’s catechism asks: Are all sins equally evil? The answer, in the eyes of God some sins in themselves are more evil than others, and some are more evil because of the harm that results from them. Discuss how these two doctrinal standards complement each other.
  • Do you think it is fair that the smallest infraction of God’s law requires death? Explain.
  • What would it reveal about God if he deemed “minor” sins acceptable?
  • The fact that even the “smallest” of sins require death, who must we depend on for salvation?
  • Explain what it means to depend on Jesus for Salvation.
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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Family Worship, Household Worship, Lord's Prayer, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Ephesians 5, Galatians 3, Revelation 20, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Aug 13
11

This Weeks Catechism – 8/11

Doctrinal Standard WSC #83

  • Q. Are all sins equally evil?
  • A. In the eyes of God some sins in themselves are more evil than others, and some are more evil because of the harm that results from them.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin”  (John 19:11, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Luke 12:35-48
  • Support Passages: Ezekiel 8:6,13,15; 1 John 5:16; Psalms 78:17,32,56
  • Bible Story: 1 Samuel 2:12-26

Thoughts

  • “Sins intended against God are more evil than sins intended against other humans beings. Some sins against people are more evil than other sins against people. A sin against another is more evil depending on how much harm it does to the person. In the Ten Commandments, the commandments that forbid us to sin against others go in order of forbidding the most harm (you shall not murder) to the least harm (you shall not covet). It is more evil to take a man’s life than to harm his marriage. It is more evil to harm a man’s marriage than to steal his property. Read proverbs 6:30-35.
  • Another thing that makes some sins more evil than other sins is the position of the person committing the sin. God has made some people leaders to others. People look up to them as leaders and watch their example. When people in leadership positions sin, others may follow them. People see leaders doing something that God has forbidden and think there is nothing wrong with it since, after all, this leader is doing it. Parents, teachers, church leaders, and others in positions of authority must be especially careful not to set a harmful example. Read James 3:1.
  • Growing up in a Christian home is a great privilege. It gives you many advantages that other people do not have. You grow up knowing who God is and what He requires of you. You grow up learning the gospel and knowing that God has provided a Savior so you may be justified by faith. Growing up in a Christian home also carries great responsibilities. The more you know about who God is and what He wants, the less excuse you have for sinning. The Bible teaches that those who fully know what they should do and refuse to do it will be punished much more severely than those who do not have such knowledge. Read Luke 12:47-48[1]

Discussion Questions

  • Are sins all equally evil? Explain.
  • Discuss various sins and determine which one might be more evil than others.
  • Because there are different degrees of sin does it mean that the “lesser” sins are ok? Explain.
  • What is the punishment of all sin no matter the severity?
  • What is the only rescue from any type of sin? Explain

[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Punishment, Sin, Starr Meade, Training Hearts Teaching Minds, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Samuel 2, John 19, Luke 12, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Aug 13
5

This Week’s Catechism – 8/4

Doctrinal Standard WSC #83

  • Q. Are all sins equally evil?
  • A. In the eyes of God some sins in themselves are more evil than others, and some are more evil because of the harm that results from them.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin”  (John 19:11, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Luke 12:35-48
  • Support Passages: Ezekiel 8:6,13,15; 1 John 5:16; Psalms 78:17,32,56
  • Bible Story: 1 Samuel 2:12-26

Thoughts

  • “Sins intended against God are more evil than sins intended against other humans beings. Some sins against people are more evil than other sings against people. A sin against another is more evil depending on how much harm it does to the person. In the Ten Commandments, the commandments that forbid us to sin against others go in order of forbidding the most harm (you shall not murder) to the least harm (you shall not covet). It is more evil to take a man’s life than to harm his marriage. It is more evil to harm a man’s marriage than to steal his property. Read proverbs 6:30-35.
  • Another thing that makes some sins more evil than other sins is the position of the person committing the sin. God has made some people leaders to others. People look up to them as leaders and watch their example. When people in leadership positions sin, others may follow them. People see leaders doing something that God has forbidden and think there is nothing wrong with it since, after all, this leader is doing it. Parents, teachers, church leaders, and others in positions of authority must be especially careful not to set a harmful example. Read James 3:1.
  • Growing up in a Christian home is a great privilege. It gives you many advantages that other people do not have. You grow up knowing who God is and what He requires of you. You grow up learning the gospel and knowing that God has provided a Savior so you may be justified by faith. Growing up in a Christian home also carries great responsibilities. The more you know about who God is and what He wants, the less excuse you have for sinning. The Bible teaches that those who fully know what they should do and refuse to do it will be punished much more severely than those who do not have such knowledge. Read Luke 12:47-48[1]

Discussion Questions

  • Are sins all equally evil? Explain
  • Examine our legal system or the different types of punishments within your home. Are all sins or crimes punished the same way? Does this reveal to us something about God’s punishments?
  • Discuss various sins and determine which one might be more evil than others.
  • Because there are different degrees of sin does it mean that the “lesser” sins are ok? Explain.
  •  What is the punishment of all sin no matter the severity?
  • What is the only rescue from any type of sin? Explain

[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Sin, Training Hearts Teaching Minds, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Samuel 2, John 19, Luke 12, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Jul 13
29

This Week’s Catechism – 7/28

Doctrinal Standard WSC #79 & 81

  • Q. What is the tenth commandment?
  • A. The tenth commandment is: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
  • What does the tenth commandment forbid?
  • The tenth commandment forbids any dissatisfaction with what belongs to us, envy or grief at the success of others, and all improper desire for anything that belongs to someone else.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “Nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10:10, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Psalm 112
  • Support Passages: Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; 1Kings 21:4; Esther 5:13; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Galatians 5:26; James 3:14,16; Romans 7:7,8; Romans 13:9;
  • Bible Story: Numbers 11:1-15,31-34

Thoughts

  • “God requires us to be content with what we have. He is angry when we covet what He has not given us. God had set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt. He led them to the land He had promised to give them. There were no grocery stores along the way where the many Israelites could buy food. They would have starved to death, but God provided for them. He caused bread to fall out of heaven for them. It was called manna. It would fall in the night and every morning when the Israelites got up, there was fresh manna on the ground. All they had to do was to go out with baskets and gather it.
  • From the description the Bible gives of the manna, it must have been very tasty. You would think the Israelites would have thanked God. Out in the middle of nowhere, He had provided food for so many people. However, the Israelites were sinners like we are. They were thankful enough at first, but they became dissatisfied. Day after day, the same old food, they complained. Read what they said in Numbers 11:4-6. God sent quail, birds that can be eaten, to the Israelites’ camp. Thousands of them flew very low over the camp, making it easy for the Israelites to catch them for food. God was angry with the Israelites, though, because of their dissatisfaction over the manna. Read verses 33 and 34 to see what happened because of God’s anger.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the Tenth Commandment?
  • What does the Tenth Commandment forbid?
  • What does it mean to covet something?
  • What does covetousness reveal about our heart towards God?
  • What are specific heart changes that need to be made to overcome covetousness?

[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Covetousness, Moral Law, Ten Commandments, Tenth Commandment, Training Hearts Teaching Minds, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, 1 Corinthians 10, Numbers 11, Psalm 112, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Jul 13
22

This Week’s Catechism – 7/21

Doctrinal Standard WSC #79 & 80

  • Q. What is the tenth commandment?
  • A. The tenth commandment is: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
  • A. What does the tenth commandment require?
  • Q. The tenth commandment requires us to be completely satisfied with our own status in life and to have a proper, loving attitude toward others and their possessions.

Memory Verse(s)

  • Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 8:26-30
  • Support Passages: Exodus 20:17; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6; Job 31:29; Romans 12:15; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
  • Bible Story: Job 1:13-22

Thoughts

  • “It would not be inaccurate to say that coveting is the root of all other sin. James says, ‘every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts [or covetous desire] and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death’ (James 1:14-15). So, as Paul says, a ‘covetous man… is an idolater’ (Eph. 5:5). Or in other words, if the sinful desire is there, then there is already a violation of all the other commandments at least in principle. Thus some have held that the first beginning of sin in Adam and Eve was covetousness (the sinful desire to eat the forbidden fruit). Then, when this desire was expressed outwardly, there was a simultaneous violation of all other nine commandments.
  • But why does this commandment speak of such common possessions (house, wife, manservant, maidservant, ox, or ass) if it has such far-reaching implications? The answer is this: covetousness begins with a dissatisfied heart. It begins when we compare our own situation with that of another who has (or appears to have) more than we do! ‘Take heed,’ said Jesus, ‘… for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth’ (Luke 12:15). Let a man once become dissatisfied with the portion God has given him, and he will then be tempted with a thousand other sins. And it can hardly be denied that this a besetting sin today. We are constantly stimulated, by television, by advertisement, by easy credit plans, and so forth, to feel that we must have something newer, and bigger, and better! The ‘good life’ is pictured as belonging to those wgi have everything. How different the thought expressed by the Apostle Paul. ‘ I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need’ (Phil. 4:11-12). This, then is the biblical requirement: full contentment with what God has given us.
  • This does not mean that we should make no effort to improve our wealth and outward estate. The Bible says, ‘he becometh poor that dealth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich’ (Prov. 10:4). Scripture teaches us that God has given us abilities that we ought to use diligently. God also gives us the opportunities that come to us to use our abilities. It is therefore our duty to us both our abilities and opportunities fruitfully. But we must at the same time be content with the limits of both our ability and opportunity. And we are not to grieve when someone else is enabled to advance beyond what we are able (Gal. 5:26; James 3:14, 16). There is a sense, in other words, in which men are not created equal. God himself gives more to one than to another. And it is our duty to accept our place as God ordains with humble and thankful hearts.” [1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the Tenth Commandment?
  • What does the Tenth Commandment require?
  • What does it mean to be content? How does this relate to the Tenth Commandment?
  • Explain the difference for wanting (working for) something better and covetousness.
  • Read Phil. 4:11-12 regarding contentment in Paul’s life. Discuss if you are content with your life.
  • What does covetousness and contentment reveal about our heart and appreciation towards God?
  • Discuss the statement, “coveting is the root of all other sin.”

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, C.I. Williamson, Moral Law, Ten Commandments, Tenth Commandment, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Hebrews 13, Job 1, Romans 8, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Jul 13
15

This Week’s Catechism – 7/14

Doctrinal Standard WSC # 76 & 78

  • Q. What is the ninth commandment?
  • A. The ninth commandment is: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
  • Q. What does the ninth commandment forbid?
  • A. The ninth commandment forbids anything that gets in the way of the truth or injures anyone’s reputation.

Memory Verse(s)

  • “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape” (Proverbs 19:5, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Leviticus 19:9-18
  • Support Passages: Exodus 20:16; 1 Samuel 17:28; Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 15:3
  • Bible Story: Jeremiah 23:23-40

Thoughts

  • “The Catechism mentions (false testimony) as a special concern of the ninth commandment. This means there are certain times and circumstances when the sin of lying (which is evil at all times) is even more heinous that at other times. If we are called as witnesses in a court of law, for example, we are charged by duly appointed authority to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The very fact that the oath is necessary in such instances is a reminder of the fact that we are too carless, ordinarily, as respects the truth. Yes, as Jesus taught us, we ought to learn to speak in our daily conversations, in such a way that truth has the same priority with us at all times, as it would for unbelievers in a solemn trial in court-room (Matt. 5:33-37). Let us conclude our study of the ninth commandment then, with a brief consideration of some ways in which we can study greater obedience. (1) one of the things that we can do is to think before we speak. ‘ In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.’ (Prov. 10:19). We need to learn what an unruly member the tongue is, and we need to know what a great fire it can ignite (James 3:5). At the same time we need to remember that (2) silence can be as wrong as an evil speaking. If we know that a wrong has been done and do not speak up, we are guilty when our very silence will seem to express our consent (Lev. 5:1). (3) Perhaps the chief need is to consider God, rather than man, as the one that we must please. So much of what we say is really calculated to please people. We want to win their approval, or gain some advantage from them. But when a man realizes that nothing really matters except to please God, then his speech will change radically. This reminds us that there is only one way that we can ever learn to speak the truth. It is by a saving relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. And no man can obtain the truth except in Him.” [1]

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, C.I. Williamson, Moral Law, Ninth Commandment, Ten Commandments, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Jeremiah 23, Leviticus 19, Proverbs 19, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Jul 13
8

This Week’s Catechism – 7/7

Doctrinal Standard WSC #76 & 77

  • Q. What is the ninth commandment?
  • A. The ninth commandment is: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
  • Q. What does the ninth commandment require?
  • A. The ninth commandment requires us to tell the truth and to maintain and promote it and our own and others’ reputations, especially when testifying.

Memory Verse(s)

  • I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth (I John 2:21, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: John 14:1-17
  • Support Passages: Genesis 20; Genesis 27:1-27; Proverbs 11:13; Joshua 8:3-29; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; I Samuel 16:1-13
  • Bible Story: Joshua 2

Thoughts

  • “ But what is truth? This is the question Pontus Pilate asked, and it has been asked again and again since man fell in Adam’s transgression. God created man to think his true thoughts after Him. So long as man accepted God’s word and obeyed His commands, he knew and spoke only the truth. But when the Devil deceived man he began to try to find the standard of judgment, or truth, in his own reason. He was thus the victim of the lie of Satan, and could not speak the truth. As Jesus once said to the unbelieving Jews: ‘Ye are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father ye will do. He was a murder from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it’ (John 8:44). Truth, then, is that which is in accord with the mind of God. And it is only the regenerated person – the person who repents and believes – who can again learn to speak the truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. It is only when we are in union with him that we can really know the truth. This does not mean the converted person will, as soon as he is converted arrive at perfection in his knowledge of, and obedience to, the truth. No believer, in this life, perfectly attains unto truth. But he does come to know truth, and he does attain to a more and more perfect conformity to the truth.
  • In order to speak the truth, then, two things are essential. (1) First, it is necessary that we speak what we sincerely believe to be the truth. We cannot say that a person is truthful if he himself does not believe what he is saying. (2) But it is also necessary that we speak what actually is. We cannot say that a person is telling the truth unless he speaks what is in accord with existing reality. It is not enough, in other words, that we simply repeat something as true, which we have heard from others. For this reason the Bible condemns gossip. ‘Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people’ (Lev 19:16). The godly man does not take up ‘ a reproach against his neighbor’ (Ps 15:3). He doesn’t believe everything he hears, especially when it is an evil reports. Before he tells anyone else he wants to know whether or not it really is true.”[1]

Discussion Questions

  • What is the ninth commandment?
  • What does the ninth commandment require?
  • What is truth?
  • Provide a definition or explain what it means to lie?
  • How were lies a major part of Adam and Eve’s first sin?
  • How can lies destroy relationships?

 

[1] Williamson, C.I. (2003). The Westminster Shorter Catechism – 2nd Edition. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.

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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, C.I. Williamson, Ninth Commandment, Ten Commandments, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, I John 2, John 14, Joshua 2, Posted by Phil. No Comments

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