Faith Presbyterian Church

This is truly a story of how God can take the most arrogant and proud man and humble him to the lowest of the lows in order to bring him to repentance. Nebuchadnezzar is finally broken and himself praises the God of heaven!

In this conclusion, Habakkuk truly demonstrates what faith does - waits on and rejoices in the LORD - no matter what the circumstances of life are.

This dream by Nebuchadnezzar interrupted his life of ease and prosperity to let him know that his rebellion against God which continued through another dream and an attempt to thwart God's sovereignty over his life and kingdom would result in a great humbling so that he would know that the Most High God reigns.

Habakkuk, in chapter 3, writes a Psalm, complete with the term "Selah" found only here outside the Psalms. It draws upon imagery of the the LORD's coming in history, especially associated with the Exodus, for judgment. And yet in the midst of these reminders of His coming for judgment, the LORD also comes for the salvation of His people.

This is one of the great stories of the Bible - about God! The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is in the God Who is able to save - whether He chooses to so in this situation or not. The actual miracle of sparing their lives from the furnace is a mere bonus. The truth about God is that He is able and willing to save His people.

For those who are not justified by faith, five woes are given by the LORD to Habakkuk for the ages. God's justice, retributive, terrible, with shame will come upon those who do not trust in His Savior, Jesus Christ.

What better way to unify conquered peoples than to invent your own religion and command all your government officials to worship according to your plans? That's what Nebuchadnezzar did while trying to defy God's revelation about his kingdom and world history. This is how three Jews found themselves accused of the crimes of ingratitude and impiety before the king.

Habakkuk, puzzled by God's use of the Babylonians to punish Judah for its sins, had declared "we shall live." In His response to Habakkuk, the LORD agrees with the prophet but narrows the "we" to the "righteous by faith." This core statement - the righteous shall live by faith - is the core of the Gospel from Abraham to the Day of Judgment!

Nebuchadnezzar's dream is a doozy! We obviously look at it and think about Babylon and other specific kingdoms that in his day were long in the future. But the reason for God's revealing the interpretation to Daniel were to show the king that he was only king because the LORD placed him there and he would only be king until the LORD removed the kingdom from him. God is in charge of even kings and kingdoms!

After asking when the LORD would intervene by chastening Judah and receiving the shocking answer that it would be quite soon by the hand of the Babylonians, Habakkuk is so taken aback that he asks how the LORD could answer in that fashion. Yet even here, Habakkuk's faith, though tested and causing perplexity, expects that the LORD does indeed have an answer - He is God and He is eternal and His plan will prevail!

When Daniel hears that his and his friends' lives are in danger due to the king's edict that a "wise man" would tell him his dream and its interpretation, he calls a prayer meeting. When God answers, Daniel first praises God - such an important yet often neglected response of God's people...

We don't know much about Habakkuk's background. His book starts with his own personal prayer asking God how long before He does something about the violence in Judah and why hasn't He intervened yet? The answer given is shocking in its timing and in the use of the Chaldeans for judgment on Judah. But then God is a God of shock and awe - not only in His judgment but in His plan of salvation.

The wonderful truths about God's grace not only give the basis for our foundation and remind us that grace changes and re-forms us but Paul reminds us to see grace put into action. This can mean such diverse things as performing works of hospitality and removing divisive members of the church.

Of all the stories in the book of Daniel, the first one might be the most impressive. While we tend to focus on Daniel's resolve and faithfulness it is really, even as Daniel writes, about God's faithfulness and steadfast love not only during the three years of eating vegetables but for Daniel's seventy years of serving in the palaces of pagan kings.

Titus is told by Paul to remind the church of their duty before God in the present, of the importance of remembering their status before grace in the past, and of the assurance which grace brings to them in the future.

When Daniel and his friends were among the first wave of exiles taken to Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar's plan to use them as his instruments to proclaim his superiority over gods and kingdoms was egregious. The world always tries to make us forget our heritage and our God and yet the LORD always preserves a faithful remnant!

We are saved by grace. But unlike what some who might oppose the teaching of grace might declare, grace also changes us. We first deny irreverent conduct and worldly impulses and then our lives begin to model Christ-like behavior and attitudes. We become a people of grace who then model and teach grace to others.

To study the book of Daniel, it is helpful to consider the historical context. God raised Daniel up as a prophet in the most ruinous of times among His people: the times of wicked kings, exile, and the mourning of a remnant. God, however, is sovereign and still cares about His people.

When Paul tells Titus to speak things suitable with sound teaching he surprisingly starts with the adornment of the Gospel before stating the Gospel. The Gospel is the basis for our behavior before God and this behavior should show evidence of how the Gospel has changed us.

In the last verses of John's Gospel, Jesus restores Peter. He questions Peter about his love for Him and challenges him to feed the sheep. Why is this so important and what does this teach us in the church today?

The apostle Paul, in verse 9, indicated that one of the duties of an elder is to be able to refute those who speak against sound teaching. This next section describes for us who such people are that need to be refuted and thus indicate the danger they pose to the members of the church, to themselves and to the world. How important, indeed, is sound doctrine!

This "addendum" to the book of John gives us yet another appearance of Jesus to His disciples, this time in an every day setting of breakfast on the beach. Although we can allow this story to prompt many questions, the details and the situation remind us that Jesus really did rise from the dead!

The selection of elders is not simply about putting warm bodies into leadership positions but about seeking the Lord's direction in ordaining qualified men to serve the church. Hear how Paul's instructions to Titus in his mission at Crete focus on the character and duties of elders.

In John's description of Jesus' appearance (twice) to His disciples, he gives us details of Jesus' resurrection body as well as a bit about the Great Commission, the importance of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the church. But perhaps most fascinating is Jesus' interaction with Thomas and how his profession of faith brings us both encouragement and confidence in Christ.

In this salutation of Paul's letter to Titus, Paul identifies himself by pointing to his relationship to God and focuses on the core message of faith, truth and godliness. All these themes will be important in the letter to Titus, whom he describes as a "legitimate child."

John, in this text, gives His testimony regarding His faith in the resurrection of Jesus. The facts surrounding the encounter of Peter and John with the empty tomb and the written account of Mary Magdalene's encounter of Jesus both point to the facts and wonders of the risen Christ.

As Paul organizes his mercy ministry to Jerusalem and pleads with the Corinthian church to contribute, he puts together his "A" team to administer and accomplish it. That team includes Titus and two unnamed brothers who are reliable and will faithfully carry out the task. Every ministry in the Lord's Kingdom needs earnest men who will diligently carry it out to His glory.

We recite in the Apostles' Creed that Jesus died and was buried. Why is that so important? John indicates the fulfillment of Scripture in the details as we see both the humiliation and the exaltation of Jesus in His death and burial. Also encouraging is seeing how two of Jesus' "secret" disciples were no so secret anymore - then or now!

In this first of two introductory sermons to the book of Titus, we find out that Titus is a willing worker for the Gospel. His participation in the ministry of Corinth demonstrated a willingness to be a part of the tough love of the apostle Paul. Willing to be sent on a mission, even when there is no way of knowing how that mission will be received, we find out the joy of a congregation that demonstrated Godly grief leading to repentance.

Every detail of the events leading up to and surrounding the crucifixion are full of details that fulfill Scripture and facts that show Jesus' humble obedience. But of utmost importance is the word that Jesus uttered on the cross - "It has been finished!"

This last chapter in Deuteronomy both points us to the faithfulness of Moses but also to the One more faithful than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6). While Moses died on the mountain having not seen the promised land, Jesus died and yet lives to bring His people with Him to eternal life.

Even here in His "suffering under Pontius Pilate," Jesus is shown to be both God and man; the Son of God and the Son of Man. He is the King and no Roman governor or Jewish ruling council could change Who Jesus is.

As Moses blesses the tribes of Israel, he clearly invokes the Presence of God upon them in each blessing, noting that God is the Provider and the Warrior Who is present with His people.

It's hard to hear the LORD telling Moses to die on the mountain. Scripture, in its clear, true, reality holds no punches but exposes even the faults of leaders. On the one hand, Moses' unfaithfulness led to his being barred to enter the promised land and yet, by grace, he is still described as a "man of God" who indicates that he is subject to the King.

John, unlike the Synoptic Gospels, includes an interrogation of Jesus by Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas and previous high priest, in the middle of the description of Peter's three denials of Christ. In so doing, John presents a contrast between Peter's failure and Christ's worthiness. Christ alone is our Savior!

The conclusion of the "Song of Moses" highlights the LORD's compassion on His people. Despite their rejection of Him, the One who called them as a nation to be His own and provided for them in amazing ways, He still - even through discipline - showed them compassion even through wreaking vengeance on His and their enemies.

In John's description of Jesus' arrest in the garden, perhaps the most prominent feature is the claim of deity by Jesus which takes down an entire detachment of Roman soldiers along with temple officials. Despite submitting to the arrest, Jesus remained in control, relinquishing no authority and setting no selfish agenda.

The LORD directly speaks to Moses and Joshua about the transition in leadership, the consistency of the people in their rebellious hearts and ways, and commands them to write and teach a song to the people. This song and the law both serve as witnesses against the people of God during the future seasons of rebellion.

In this concluding section of Jesus' high priestly prayer, He amazingly prays for us - for all believers who will come to believe in Him through the ministry of the apostles. He particularly prays for unity, for us to be with Him, and that the Father's love should be in us. What marvelous prayers Jesus made for us, for all His sheep!

Chapter 31 is really the conclusion of the main speech of Moses in Deuteronomy. Here he seeks to encourage the people not only as they look to cross the Jordan to embark on the conquest and division of the land but as they undergo the leadership transition from Moses to Joshua. Yet the most encouraging of all is the Presence of the LORD with them as they go.

Here, Jesus prays for the apostles. He prays for their sanctification, for their protection and for their mission to be sent out into the world.

Reading the law, one gets the impression that there are no "second chances" and yet just as a rainbow comes out after the storm, so God's grace shines through His promises after the curse. With repentance comes renewal and restoration through the power of God changing hearts!

The power of the resurrection not only gives eternal life to God's people but changes them in this life. The power of the resurrection is also, as applied by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, the power to conquer sin.

In this confusing discussion about "little whiles," "coming and going" to the Father, and being alone yet not alone, Jesus refers to the joy of the resurrection, the eternal relationship He has with the Father, and how He has overcome the world. Through His active and passive obedience, Christ truly did overcome the world!

In the early part of chapter 29, Moses brings to mind God's history with them and how they are standing on holy ground. Now he warns them of getting involved in the idolatry that they witnessed in Egypt and the countries around Canaan. Remaining covenantally faithful to the God who revealed to them the covenant is paramount to any healthy community of God's people.

The coming of the Holy Spirit is an amazing gift of God given to His people. This Spirit of Truth will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment - no small thing. The Spirit, all about Christ, puts together God's family and guides them as an amazing Advocate for the Kingdom.

This is not just a pep talk to the people before they cross the Jordan. It is a reminder that they are standing before a holy God about to enter the promised land. It takes God's power to appreciate everything that got them to this point just as it does for us to appreciate how we became a part of the family of God.

In this shocking contrast between the world and the disciple, Jesus warns His followers that the world will hate them because it hated Him. In the Spirit, a believer will testify Christ but in so doing he will also invite the wrath of the world which loves darkness rather than the Light.

The curses found in this text are overwhelming - futility, starvation and spiraling depravity in the midst of a siege, and a reverse of the covenant blessings. Lest we think this is just an "Old Testament" version of God, hell is much worse. Always we should fear the name of the LORD even as we joyfully and thankfully enjoy His blessings.