Are you Resolved to Grow Spiritually?

In 1722, when he was only 19 years old, Jonathan Edwards sat down and wrote out 21 resolutions in one sitting. Over the next year, he expanded that list to 70. 

He read through them every week for the rest of his life.

And now, more than 250 years after his death, we’re still reading them and his influence continues.

He serves as a great example of what a deeply Christ-focused life looks like. What a life focused on sanctification looks like.

The goal is sanctification.  

Psalm 1:1-6

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, 

nor stands in the way of sinners, 

nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 

² but his delight is in the law of the Lord, 

and on his law he meditates day and night. 

• Walking, standing, & sitting suggests deepening relationships.

So we are not to be in deepening relationships with those who are wicked, sinners, and mockers, but we are to delight in God’s Word.

Meditate on it day and night. And we should walk, stand and sit with others that are also delighting in God’s Word.

Where better to do that than within a local body of believers that puts intentional focus on the Word of God?

• This is an intentional focus on the Word of God.

This is a picture of someone resolved to focus on God’s Word

And we should be too.

• Jonathan Edwards was resolved was to pursue sanctification. 

Spiritual depth doesn’t have “one click ordering” like Amazon does.

It takes work. 

It takes effort.

It takes time.

It takes focus.

It takes determination.

It takes resolve. 

Resolution: A commitment to do something.A statement of commitment to intended reality.

Resolutions Fail because the details of how to carry them out are not planned out. Resolutions must be planned out and must have a right purpose. 

• Jonathan Edward’s resolutions were all for Christ’s sake. For the sake of His glory.

Jonathan Edwards wanted to grow in sanctification and destroy sin. And it was all for the glory of God. 

One of the resolutions says this:

Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently that I find, and plainly see myself growing in the knowledge of the Scriptures.

When you’re growing in the knowledge of the Scriptures, you start thinking biblically. You think rightly about things.  As we think toward 2013, we need to make sure that we’re thinking rightly about the church.

Biblically, the purpose of the church is threefold.

1. The Exaltation of Christ

One of the primary things the church should always focus on is worshiping God, especially in a corporate setting

2. The Edification of the Body

This is the body life. Believers function together and build each other up. It’s how we work together as the body. The different parts work together toward a unified goal. 

3. The Evangelism of the Lost

The church is the primary vehicle that God wants to use to proclaim His Gospel.

This is why we will always be very gospel centered in all that we do. 

We need to be a people who are all about knowing, believing, living, and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The idea behind all of this is self-evaluation with the goal of greater sanctification. 

So grade yourself in the following areas. You can use letter grades (A, B, C...), numerical grades (100, 95, 85, etc.), or just go “Pass/Fail.”

Spiritual Report Card

Don’t worry - you’re grading yourself...

Grade yourself in the following “subjects”

SANCTIFICATION Grade: ______

Do you have a clear understanding of sanctification? 

Do you understand your own need for sanctification? 

One of the primary elements in sanctification is Scripture Input. How are you doing in this vital area? 

Scripture Input…

• Includes hearing, reading, studying, memorizing

  and meditating on God’s Word. (John 17:17)

• Prayer for yourself, others, “stuff.” (Mark 1:35)

EXALTATION Grade: ______

Worship is something you do with your life, but corporate worship is a necessary part of the activities of the church.

Corporate Worship…

• Do you come prepared to worship?

• Are you engaged in worship? 

EDIFICATION Grade: ______

This is a broad area including many things. 

The summary of this is: What are you doing to build up the body?

The Body of Christ…

• Are you actively involved in the Body? (Acts 2:42)

• Are you serving & committed to the Body? 

Others Focused

• Are you loving the brethren? (John 13:35)

The church is the visible demonstration of the Body of Christ.

How are you showing this?

Giving…

• Money, Time, Resources, etc. (2 Cor. 8:7)

EVANGELISM Grade: ______

Sharing the Gospel…

• Are you prepared/preparing to share 

  the gospel? (1 Pet. 3:15)

• Are you making efforts to share the gospel?

Matt 28:19-20 , 1 Cor. 9:16

And that’s the “where you are”

Now for the “where are you going?”

10 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. What can you could do this year to grow and increase your enjoyment of God? (what will you do?)

2. How will you intentionally approach all of your relationships rightly? (exhortation, encouragement, evangelism)

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In what way will you intentionally grow in your love for and devotion to Scripture, and how will you go about it? (The 2013 Challenge?)

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. How will you grow in your love for and commitment to your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. How will you grow in your understanding of and love for the Gospel?

9. What specific thing can you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What can you plan to do this year will really matter ten years from now? In eternity?

For another great list of questions, go to http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2012/12/28/10-point-inventory/

To read all of the Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, go to http://www.apuritansmind.com/the-christian-walk/jonathan-edwards-resolutions/

Remember: The goal is sanctification.

Scripture plays a role in that as well as exaltation, edification, and evangelism. And don’t miss that the driving force behind it all is the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like help working through any of this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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P.S. – if you haven't had a chance, check out "The 2013 Challenge" in our church newsletter. Click here to read it.

How to Study the Bible

Bible Study Guidelines

The Bible was written by God, so it’s extremely important!

God gave us Scripture, His Word, so that we could know Who He is and who we are. It holds deeper truth than anyone can ever completely wrap their mind around. It has continued to be relevant for over 2000 years. 

When you really look at Scripture, all the ancient documents, and the importance of them, it’s pretty incredible that people like you and me are able to have copies of it. 

Every time you read your Bible, the goal is to meet with, know, and hear from God. He speaks to us through His Word. One of the most important things you can do each day is spend time in God’s Word. Below, is outlined a strategy to study God’s Word in a meaningful way. Use this method each day as you sit down to study God’s Word. 

Remember: We seek to know not only what the Bible says, but also what it means, and how we are changed by it so that when we encounter the various situations in our lives, we respond in line with God’s will. 

Before you begin:

Approach your study each day with prayer, asking God to open your heart and mind to what He will be saying to you through His Word. 

Five basic steps to study the Bible:

~ 1. Observation: what does it say?

Who, what, when, where, why, how do you see in this passage?

What is surprising, emphasized, or challenging? Anything else?

~ 2. Interpretation: what does it mean?

Read the principles on the back side - this is the most crucial step and will take the most time.  

        The more time you put in during the “Observation” stage, the easier this will be.

~ 3. Application: how am I changed? How do I respond?

How does your life compare to this? What does this passage say to someone in your shoes. 

        How specifically will you change? 

Keep in mind that Application isn’t about next week when a certain situation comes up. You should ask “how does this change me right now?” Obviously it will impact what happens in every situation and there are definitely specific implications, but remember that God’s Word has power. The change should occur right now. How are you changed right now? Then that change will continue to overflow and affect other areas of your life in the future. Your decisions should be reflective of a changed heart and mind. 

~ 4. Pray: (prayer is talking to God) 

What do you need to praise God for, repent of, ask Him for, or yield in response to this Scripture 

         passage?

~ 5. Sharing it with someone: don’t keep it to yourself!

Who will you share this truth with? How will you share it? 

Interpretation Principles:

As you read the Bible, seek to understand what it means, and apply it to your life, please keep these principles in mind. 

1. Content – This flows from the Observation. You look at terms, structure, the grammar (who do the pronouns refer to? who is “he” or “they?”), the who/what/where/when/why/etc.. The more observation you do, the more content you have and the easier interpretation will be. 

2. Context – The Bible is a unified book. It is 66 books that stand together as one. Context basically means you look at the before and after of the passage you’re studying. Keep in mind the historical situation, the cultural situation, the geography, and the theological situation surrounding the passage. Also: the Bible NEVER contradicts itself!

3. Comparison – compare Scripture with Scripture. Remember that Scripture will never contradict itself. You can, almost always, use the Bible to help you understand and explain what’s in the Bible. Using a concordance (like in the back of many Bibles) and cross reference notes are both great way to compare Scripture to Scripture.

4. Culture – Culture was mentioned in Context, but it’s important enough for its own point. You need to look at the cultural background of not only the writer of the passage, but also who it was written to. A good study Bible (MacArthur, Reformation, ESV) will be a very helpful tool.

5. Consultation – This involves looking at what others have said about the passage. The technical term is “secondary resources.” Bible dictionaries, Bible handbooks, atlases, good commentaries, and other tools can be very helpful. Looking at what others say about a text can be helpful in understanding it for yourself. This should never be the first step you take. Always do this last. (the ESV MacArthur Study Bible is an excellent place to start. If you don’t have one, get one here)

Journaling - Write it down. It helps you solidify what you’re thinking and you won’t forget what you’ve learned. The difference between reading and studying is a pen and paper (or keyboard, or iPad, etc.). 

One of the biggest benefits of journaling is that it forces you to fully process your thoughts. If you have to write it down, it’s no longer thoughts floating around in your head, but words written down. And now, you won’t forget what you’ve learned because it’s in writing.

Check back on Wednesday for a specific method for the “Observation” part of your Bible.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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What did Esau Do?

Someone at my church recently asked the question, “Why does God hate Esau? What did Esau do?” It’s a great question, one that could be answered with a book-length answer, but I’ll try to answer it a little more concisely. First, the background passages:

Malachi 1:2-3 – “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob ³ but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.”

The answer is found in Romans.

Romans 9:10-16 –  And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹ though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— ¹² she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 

¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

This is the simple answer with a more complex theological background. It wasn’t about something Esau did or didn’t do. This is an illustration of God’s sovereignty in salvation. He will choose who He will chose regardless of anything they might or might not do.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that our salvation is not your own doing... not a result of works,

Esau and his people clearly rejected God (as does everyone according to Romans 3). They later became known as the Edomites (Jacob’s people became known as Israel). In Obadiah 10, we see that the violence of Esau/Edom’s toward Jacob/Israel was part of the picture as well. Obadiah was written over a thousand years after Esau lived, so this clearly is about Esau’s people, not Esau himself. Also, God’s love of Jacob referred to his descendants as well. Specifically, the remnant, (through whom Christ was descended). Those who trust in God. Remember: God is faithful to His people and punishment will come to those who are not His people. 

Psalm 5:4-6 says, For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. ⁵ The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. ⁶ You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. Ultimately, it’s sin that God hates. And God’s hatred is not like ours. Our “hatred” is typically a malicious attitude, but God is righteous when He hates evil. In fact, we are called in many places to hate sin and evil. (Amos 5:15 – Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. See also: Psalms. 97:10 & 139:19–22; Proverbs 8:13 & 13:5).

The bottom line is this: God is God. Anything He does is just and righteous. We are only saved because of His grace and mercy. We all deserve condemnation, death, and hell. Yet, for those of us who repent of our sins and trust in, rely on, and cling to what Christ has done - we receive salvation and are reconciled to God. 

God didn’t “hate” Esau for what He had done, but neither did he love Jacob for anything he had done. This is all an illustration of God’s sovereignty in salvation. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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Priorities Reveal Everything

The Twelve: God has spoken!

The Book of Haggai

Where do your priorities truly lie?

The book of Haggai has some very practical application and instruction for us today.

The Overall Message of Haggai: Consider: Is God truly your main priority?

The basic background to Haggai is this: The Jews had been in exile in Babylon. King Cyrus issued a proclamation that the Jews could go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and he was even going to finance it. So about 50,000 (the remnant) Jews who truly wanted to honor God went back to Jerusalem. They started strong, clearing the rubble and laying the foundation, but then got distracted by many things and for the next 16 years, did no work on the temple.

Haggai issues a Challenge to them: 

Get back to it - rebuild the temple

1. Consider your Ways (1:2-11)

    (look at your priorities & your focus)

This really is the central message of the book: 

Consider your ways or as the NIV translates: Give careful thought to you ways.

While the people had inverted spiritual priorities, there were four positive things about them:

They were:

• The Right people - they weren’t the entire Jewish people. Most had stayed in Babylon

These were the Israelites who had set themselves apart by an obvious devotion to God.

 • The Right place - They were in Jerusalem. We know that worship is not about a specific place, but in the Old Testament - Jerusalem is a special place of worship. Part of God’s punishment had been exiling them away from Jerusalem. 

• Right work - The priority was to be the rebuilding of the temple, and that was their original purpose in returning to Jerusalem, even if they had gotten distracted.

• Right reasons - Their goal wasn’t to “show the Babylonians” or prove they could rebuild - it was to please and honor God.  

The people had lost their passion for the things of God. They had become distracted, doing other things.

Haggai 1:4-6 – Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” ⁵ Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. ⁶ You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” 

They were focused on their own lives. And they would not be satisfied. They weren’t satisfied with their pursuits. Sounds kind of like our American culture doesn’t it?

• What things in your life would indicate to others that God is a priority?

Is it that you don’t cuss?

Is it that you come to church on Sunday?

Is it that you eat at Chick-fil-A? 

You voted for the right candidate?

Is it that you have a Bible on your coffee table?

For 16 years the house of God had been a heap of ruined stones, while they were busy fixing up their houses, building a better patio, putting in a pool. It’s not that these things are wrong, but they had priorities were backward. This is so relevant to us today. 

• Does God have priority, or does He have to compete for space?

If we are not careful, our lives can easily become cluttered with secular interests and non-essentials and there becomes less and less time for the things that really matter, Like prayer, reading God’s word, meditation, and worship.

• What are you investing in? (a key question)

Are you committed first and foremost to God? If not, are you any less guilty than they are?

• Are you investing your all in Christ and His Body, the Church?

Mark 12:41-44 – And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³ And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” 

The question isn’t “what are you giving?”

• The question is: “what are you keeping?”

There is so much that God calls us to - The commitment should be whole and entire

Give careful thought to your ways

We all have “discretionary time” - time that’s not pre-committed to other things. Things like work, family, sleep.  How are you investing this discretionary time?

• If you are truly fully committed to God, here’s the question you should ask: Have I committed to giving too much of my time/$/etc. to something other than God?

Haggai had pointed out the truth to them. And it must have stung. He pointed out their obvious lack of true commitment to God. But here’s something so encouraging, when he did that, 

• The People Obey (1:12-15)

Haggai 1:12 – Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of the prophet Haggai, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the Lord.

Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the whole Remnant obeyed the voice of the Lord...  They obeyed!

A major part of God’s plan is to communicate to and teach His people is  through the proclamation of His Word. He did it through Haggai, and He continues doing it today through the preaching and teaching of His Word.

How seriously do you take the teaching of God’s Word? 

This verse also says and the people feared the Lord.

When we talk about “fearing” God, we don’t mean whimpering in the corner cringing in fear.

Think of it this way: 

• Fear of God vs. Fear of Man - it’s a scale

The more you fear man - the less you fear God

Are you afraid of being less popular? Of being looked at like the weirdo?

It’s okay to want to be liked and well-thought of. That’s not bad, but when you let your fear of man take over and displace your fear of GOd....

Then - a month later:

2. The Good Old Days (2:1-9)

They seemed to be focusing on what had been instead of what was in the future. They realized that the new temple wasn’t going to be as magnificent as the original one.  And there was some frustration, especially with the older people who had seen the first temple.

They apparently had the idea that the external beauty of the temple glorified God more than what went on inside it.

• It’s the activity that goes on inside that matters.

You know what else we do? We talk about the “good old days” They were worried about Solomon’s temple instead of praising God for delivering them and bringing them back from exile.

We have the tendency to do this as well.

Remember the “good old days” This isn’t a healthy attitude to have. 

We should be looking forward, not backward. 

(Philippians 3:13b-15 – But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way)

It’s not about what happened in the past - it’s about what God is doing NOW. What He wants to do in and through us in the future. 

• Your most exciting time of spiritual growth should be RIGHT NOW as you focus on your sanctification and what God is doing in, around, and through your life and ministry.

Here’s an important question: 

• Is your experience of God’s salvation richer now than it was six months ago?

a year?  5 years?  10? 20? It should be. 

3. True Holiness  (2:10-19)

They may have thought - hey! We’re back in the Holy Land - all is well. We are holy. But they weren’t holy

But - they were ignoring the temple. Their harvests weren’t working well. The result was that everything they did was polluted. Haggai took them back to the OT law to teach them a principle.

• Holiness isn’t contagious, but evil is.

You don’t spread holiness by contact, but evil spreads that way. Holiness is an inward condition of the heart

Your heart is made holy only by the presence of the Holy Spirit within you. Holiness isn’t just “don’t go to bars and brothels” and avoid certain websites and you’re good.

4. God’s Signet Ring  (2:20-23)

A signet ring is as symbol of authority. It was used to seal the word of the king. Zerubbabel’s authority came from God. As we look at Zerubbabel we see a few things.

1. We shouldn’t rely on our own strength - but on God’s Spirit working through us.

2. The problems of the day (social, political, economic) shouldn’t deter us from doing what God has told us to do.

3. God will finish what He starts, including His work in us

Philippians 1:6 – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We must be intentional.

We must be focused

We must be passionate about God and His Work. 

What you’re passionate about will be evident to those around you.

Reflection Questions:

• What will you do with all of this?

Will you consider your ways?

• Is God truly the priority in your life? HOW is God truly the priority in your life?

Would it be obvious looking at all your financial information? Your Schedule?

Would it be obvious if I were to come spend the evening at your house?

• What are you keeping?

It’s not about what you’re giving. It’s about what you’re keeping. Whether it be money, or time, or talents, or resources.God should come first.

• Do you have a high view of God?

I’ve said for several weeks now that we need to have this

But - if God is not THE priority in your life, you don’t have a very high view of Him.

• Are you being serious about holiness?

Because God is serious about holiness. And holiness can’t just be in certain areas. It must be comprehensive. All-inclusive.

• As you consider your ways, what needs to change?

Because we’ve all got things we need to change. If you’re thinking “well, I think I’m good” then either you’re not really interested in all of this, or you haven’t really considered your ways.

Is God truly your main priority, or have the things of life become more important?

Consider your ways

Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob

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The Attributes of God in Prayer

Many are familiar with the "A•C•T•S" prayer pattern.
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication
But all too often, we fly through "ACT" so that we can get to our long list in "S."
My encouragement to you is to spend the bulk of your time in Adoration as we saw in Habakkuk's prayer. To help you with that, below are some attributes of God you can use as you strive to adore Him in your prayer life (both informal and formal prayers).

Click this link:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/Challies_VisualTheology/the_attributes_of_God.pdf
For a PDF chart of some of the Attributes of God. (It's a big file)

OR - Here's a list you can copy and paste and print out in whatever format you'd like:
Holy
All-Knowing
Supreme
Sovereign
Unchanging
Powerful
Faithful
Good
Patient
Gracious
Merciful
Loving
Wrathful
Infinite
Immense
Just
Omnipresent
Immanent
Perfect
Self-Existent
Self-Sufficient
Transcendent
Eternal
Omnipotent
Wise

Here is the prayer that I prayed on Sunday morning at the conclusion of the sermon.
Part of it is assembled from a list of Attributes I had and part of it I wrote:

Lord Jesus, 

You are the Superlative One! 

No language is adequate to describe You.

You are the Incomparable One! 

Your importance will continue to eclipse all others, outranking every other being in heaven, on earth, or in hell. 

You are the Exalted One! 

For eternity You will forever hold the primary focus of our praises, a position of unrivaled distinction, prestige, and majesty in the universe.

You are the Preeminent One! 

The most important. The one on whom our thoughts must ever dwell. As you were at the beginning , so You will at the end 

You are the Sufficient One! 

Forever proving totally adequate for for all our longings, fears, needs, or heart cries.

You are the Triumphant One! 

You will defeat all foes unconditionally – whether human or demonic – and emerge forever unthreatened, unhindered, and victorious over all opposition, permanently and forever.

You are the Unifying One! 

You will bring all things under Your feet as Lord, You will permanently redeem and reconcile innumerable sinners from all the ages and all the nations. 

Your decrees are irrevocable and Your might is indestructible might. 

And Father, we trust in You.

We confess that all too often our focus is inward.

We ask today, that You would cause our focus to shift from ourselves to you. 

That we would beginning right now - be more intentional as we seek to keep our focus on you. 

Thank you for the life-giving, life-chaning, life-sustaining sacrifice of your Son on the cross for all of those who turn to Him and trust in, rely on, and cling to what He has done. 

We pray this in the name of the Glorious One, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

You CAN trust in God...

The Twelve: God has spoken!

The Book of Habakkuk

Corporately, as a body, we need be growing toward these things: 

A high view of God,

Understanding the sufficiency of His Word,

Growing in the hope of His gospel, and

Experiencing the joy of His church.

As you read through Habakkuk, keep in mind that: 

• Habakkuk is a thinker

In the midst of what’s going on - what Habakkuk came to God with, God’s answer, Habakkuk’s response, and again, God answers, we see in Habakkuk someone who really thinks through things. 

–> Always remember: The Centrality of Christ <–

because it’s here in this book.

The Minor Prophets emphasize:

1. The Sovereignty of God

2. The Holiness of God

3. The Love of God 

As in all of the minor prophets, we clearly see all three of these in Habakkuk.

The Overall Message of Habakkuk: 

In the midst of chaos & evil - you can trust in God

In the formal, literary sense - what we have here is a record of a conversation with God.

Now it wasn’t Habakkuk and God sitting down over coffee and having this conversation. 

It was spread out a little more than that - he carefully crafted what he wanted to ask or say. 

Also, there’s something unique in Habakkuk. In the other minor prophets we’ve looked at, the prophets have come to the people with a message from God - God speaking to His people through His prophets. 

Here, however, Habakkuk is coming to God to speak for the people.

The other prophets make bold declarations – Habakkuk makes inquiry.

Remember that as King of Judah, Josiah had not only attacked pagan idolatry, but had led the people to renew their commitment to God. Then, Jehoiakim came and had turned the nation away from God again. It would seem that Habakkuk was frustrated with this different direction and had been praying for revival.

• We have the classic question here in Habakkuk - how can such bad things happen to good people? God’s people?

We all want to be happy, right? Habakkuk is a prophet who doesn’t appear to be happy. 

1. Habakkuk’s Complaint

• An Honest Question

How can I be happy when it seems that God doesn’t care?

We have a tendency to start doubting God as soon as He stops doing things like what we think He should.

We get nervous, upset, and maybe start complaining. But we need to see these things as things God is using to accomplish His purposes. We’re so prone to idolatry. To putting our trust in our stuff. In our prosperity. In our 401K, in our job, in our government, in our president, in our military...

Instead of trusting in God Himself!

2. The Lord’s Answer

God answers - I’m going to send the Babylonians to be my arm of punishment for the sins of Israel.

Habakkuk is perplexed - confused. Um.... the Babylonians? They’re evil people, they’re not holy. THEY are going to be the punishers? What?!?!?

• How can you use the even-more-wicked Babylonians?

When God answers this question - we’ll be at the heart of Habakkuk.

• Four History Lessons from the first Two Chapters

1. History is under God’s Control (1:5-6)

It wasn’t the Chaldeans military power that got them where they were. It was God.

2. History follows God’s plan 

The events of history are not accidents, 

3. History follows God’s Schedule

We’re on God’s schedule. He’s not checking our schedules.

4. History Revolves around God’s Kingdom

The key to the history of the world is the kingdom of God. Other nations matter only relevant in how they interact with God’s people.

When you see surprising (or upsetting) things happening in the world, don’t be bothered or question God, instead ask - “How does this relate to the Kingdom of God?”

Better yet, ask:

• “What is there in me that needs to be corrected? Where have I gone wrong?”

3. Another Question, and a a Right Response

Habakkuk backed up, thought about who God was, and trusted Him.

If God is sovereign, this invasion isn’t just chance

If God is sovereign, their victory must be for the good of God’s people.

• There’s definitely thinking going on in Habakkuk’s mind.

4. The Central Truth

2:4 – “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. 

This is quite possibly the great central text of the entire Bible.

• The righteous shall live by his faith

If you understand this, you understand the gospel.

• Righteousness

In ourselves, we are not righteous. 

So how do we get this righteousness that we so desperately need and is apparently freely given?

• Faith

Faith is believing God and acting on that belief.

In Hebrews, all of the heroes of the Hall of Faith - demonstrated their faith through deeds. 

The deeds didn’t save them - they were demonstrations of their faith.

• Live (or Life)

The righteous will [continuously] LIVE by faith.  24-7-365

It’s by faith that the Justified one will live.

Next, Babylon is described.  

2:19 points to their idolatry. Their worship of these non-gods.

Then it takes this dramatic pause in

2:20 – But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” 

This is about “being silent,” or “reverent”

It’s about being quiet in expectancy.  Our God isn’t silent like the pagan gods. Our God speaks! He’s real!!!!

So close your mouth and open your ears, because the real God will speak through His Word.

Mark Dever: If you’re not spending time reading and studying your Bible regularly - what are you spending your life doing? You’re doing something. 

5. The Prayer

Practical elements that should pervade your prayer life.

• Approach with Humility

We cannot succeed if we think that we deserve to be able to speak to God. We are a people who have an entitlement mindset. We do not deserve to be heard. But because of the Love of God. Because of what Christ has done. All of God’s children can come confidently (yet in humility) before their loving Father with all of their concerns. Pains. Joys. 

• When Habakkuk turned his attention from Himself, from His people and turned toward God - there was a significant change.

• Approach in Worship and Adoration

Stand in awe of what He has done.

He began:

You’re probably familiar with the “ACTS” acrostic. 

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

Adoration is first - but how often do we fly through Adoration quickly, so we can get to our long list of things to pray for? Stop there - spend some time there.

• Approach with God’s Will in the forefront

It’s all too easy to want our own will. But he asks for God’s work and God’s renown to be revived.

This word “revive” - it’s not a “remodel” kind of word. Put on a fresh coat of paint. Sand and re-paint things. Bring in some new carpet and new furniture. 

It means to make alive. The people were spiritually dead. He’s asking for them to be made alive by God’s Spirit.

• Ask for renewal in the midst of bad times.

When you think about it - many of the “great revivals” did happen in the midst of bad times. 

• Ask for Mercy

In Luke 18, what does the “justified man pray? - Lord be merciful to me, a sinner!

• The Conclusion: Victory!

As believers in Jesus Christ - we should approach everything with joy. 

God is sovereign. God is in control. You can have a deep, abiding joy because of what God has done.

Remember in the darkness, what you learned in the light. (from “Jesus is Better” Caleb & Sol)

• He remembers the faithfulness of God. 

(And all before the New Testament!)

Verses 17-18 – Though the fig tree should not blossom, 

nor fruit be on the vines, 

the produce of the olive fail 

and the fields yield no food, 

the flock be cut off from the fold 

and there be no herd in the stalls, 

¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord; 

I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 

Wow! 

Habakkuk wasn’t afraid of anything because His God was greater than all of that. 

• Here is a high view of God

When we have this right view of God, we can look at whatever is going on in our lives through the right lens.

And rejoice in the Lord. Taking joy in the God of our salvation.

Reflection Questions:

• Where are you looking for happiness?

You’ll only find it in the person and work Christ. You’ll only find it in the Gospel.

• If we can see God’s hand in the history of the Bible, why don’t we follow that path forward to the history that’s unfolding today, right in front of us?

Are you more focused on your own situation, or on God’s plan, purpose, and schedule?

• Do you contemplate the glory of God?

Or are you all about the glory of me? Because it’s one or the other.

How are you pointing to God with the details of your life?

• “What is there in me that needs to be corrected? Where have I gone wrong?”

• The Prayer Question

Charles Spurgeon says “Prayerless souls are Christless souls”

Do you have both informal and formal prayer in your life?

And finally, do you understand what it means when it says

• The righteous shall live by his faith

You should be growing in your understanding of righteousness, faith, and living it.