Sunday Morning IBC. 11/8/2015. James 1:26-27. Testing Our Religion.

Testing Our Religion. James 1:26-27.
Pastor Nam Park.

James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

When we look at "worship," we might naturally thing of the outward look of it. Singing. Yet, scripture would call us to something MUCH more careful than the act. It's the HEART behind the action. It's not just about what we DO. It's about what is happening within.

Is our religion worthless or is it PURE? 

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Our Outline:
v.26 WORTHLESS RELIGION.
v.27 PURE RELIGION 
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Praxis: A Marx term. Taking a theory and making it practice.

v.26 "IF" is a linear conditional in English. Here this is an argument from the greater to the lesser. "Anyone"... There is HIGH PROBABILITY that it could be YOU! Consider yourself here. "A self-deceived religionist," watch out, there is a danger that you are thinking of yourself as a religious person.
The result of giving offering and singing worship... Self-convinced that we are doing our religious duty.

Contrasted to v.27, the religion in v.26 is IMPURE and DEFILED. Word used is "FUTILITY/VANITY of RELIGION." It speaks of the FUTILITY of their minds. It's empty b/c it's an issue of the idolatry of heart.

There are many religions. Some cults. 
What is it that makes Christianity so unique?
A: It's our gospel. It's not how "religious" you act that brings you closer to God. You CAN NOT earn salvation. The natural man is DEAD to things spiritual. Completely incapable to find anything within God worthwhile.

We can commit vows of celibacy, vows of poverty... we can sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice, but unless we our hearts are transformed, then our sacrifices are EMPTY in the eyes of the Lord.

A warning from our Lord:
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
- NEVER knew you...
- "you who practice lawlessness"... this isn't the focus. The focus is the "I NEVER KNEW YOU"
- It's not about doing because you have to... it's about doing because you WANT TO.

We're all looking for worthwhile relationships.
- When there is no element of the WANT TO, then things get old really fast.
- Something not satisfying about it.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 
- Seriously, all this from "not bridle his tongue"? A: well, no, in addition to the heart...
- It's able religious activity without self-control. What this individual lets out of his heart.
- Not bridle his tongue (bit in a horse's mouth; lead by the bit). The true test of a man's religion is his ABILITY to control his tongue.

Movie: CHAMP.
They're just actors. They're not even related. How does the written work affect us so much? A: We were created in the image of God. We were created differently than the animals.

Sticks and Stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me... That's a lie from the pit! We were created in the image of God.

v.26 "but deceives his own heart"
- It is a revelation of his soul that comes through his mouth.

Matthew 12:33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

- v.36 One of Nam's most terrified verses. 
- The tongue reveals the deception of our own hearts.

Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Human Beings can only focus on one thing at a time.

Dangerous: How will we let ourselves churn over bitterness and wrong things.
It will ultimately be impossible for us to suppress the speech.
It is an issue of the soul.
Are we working on THINKING Rightly so that we are SPEAKING Rightly.

Worthless Religion has One Test:
1. What comes out of the mouth.

TRUE = PURE.
v.27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
- When you hear of "pure" and "undefiled" what word comes to mind? A: Sacrifice. The exercise of religious practice.

Parable of the Good Samaritan
That was a parable to teach about love, not about being "pure and undefiled." The Lord is concerned about the heart. The Act of the Samaritan was the good act of love.

v.27 [in the sight of our] "Father"
- mentioned since the next line brings up the Father-less. The Husband-less.

Exodus 22:22 You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. 23 If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; 24 and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

- Our Lord avenges the weak.

Isaiah 1:16 

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.

Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.

- Our Father's heart cares for those who are destitute.

- Our God is a Father who would adopt the most worthless of children.

Pure Religion has two tests:
1. Charity for the Helpless. (LOVE)
2. Holiness to the World. (Without Conformity to the World.)

Application:
1. Take SIN Seriously.
2. Pray Seriously.

Shouldn't we confess our sin to the Lord because we believe that the Lord is worth it?
A: It's ultimately about WHO GOD IS.
Pursuing the things of the Lord from the heart.

Sunday Morning IBC. 11/1/2015. Luke 22:47-53. Hour of Darkness.

Hour of Darkness. Luke 22:47-53.
Pastor Nam Park.

The first part of Gethsemane was Jesus Praying.

Jesus isn't afraid of dying. It's spiritual; drinking the cup.

Jesus was anxious about the cup.

Today we look at the second part of Gethsemane.

In the midst of darkness, He stands as courageous, as fearless, as determined as we will ever know Him. He stands strong.

Luke 22:47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.51 But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? 53 While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”

Three Groups (Human-beings try to take matters into their own hands):
- Judas' group
- Jesus' disciples: Desire to Defend
- Pharisees: Determined Hypocrisy. It is their time.

GROUP 1: Judas' Group
Dozens of armed men. All led by Judas.
Luke 22:47 "the one called Judas, one of the twelve, "
- This stresses the relationship Judas has with Jesus. You can only betray someone you're close to. This betrayal is going to hurt.

Luke 22:27 "he approached Jesus to kiss Him."
- A way to recognize Jesus in the dark. Diabolical.
- The physical expression of Phileo.

1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

- A greeting of friendship/affection.

Luke 22:48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

- The Son of Man has the power to forgive sins.
- Do you know WHO you are betraying??? How outrageous.
- Striking at the conscious of Judas.
- He's betraying the HOPE of all mankind.

GROUP 2: The Disciples 
They're intentions were good. Their methods were off.
They are acting wrongly in the moment from what they knew of the Lord.
"Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 
It's Passion without wisdom.
All these things are happening EXACTLY how Jesus described.

Luke 9:22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
- There's no question of what Jesus is alluding to.

As they left the passover meal, they would have been singing the Halal songs.

Psalms 118:22 
The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief corner stone.

John 18:10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.
- Peter reaches for weapons. He was probably not aiming for the ear; rather aiming to kill?
- Why is Malchus named? A: Maybe he becomes a Christian later.

If Christ doesn't heal Malchus, then Jesus' enemies would find this as evidence against Jesus. He's about to appear before Ponticus Pilate.

John 18: 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 
- If Jesus had let that violent act by Peter stand, it would have been ruinous.
- It would give the leaders cause to think that Jesus is a violent revolutionary.
- Obviously Jesus' prophetic word said he would be here to suffer.

The connection.
It's the PRAYER of SUBMISSION that gives Jesus the courage to do these things.

Our church fathers often equate wrestling with prayer.
Here in the garden, Jesus is about to take on the sins of the world.
The worst that we can imagine in way of MY SINGULAR SIN; but Christ would take on ALL the sins of the world. Jesus was anxious but did not lose control. That wrestling and struggling in prayer... this makes Jesus as strong as He is. He was clear and open with the Father in prayer. He let all OPENLY lay before the Father; Trusting that the Father knows BEST.

GROUP 2: The Pharisees
The plain hypocrites.

Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? 53 While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”

- The chief priests, officers of the temple, and elders.
- They came out with torches and clubs.
- Are you afraid that I am a "murderous robber"? That's absurd b/c of v.53
- Cowardly, they were afraid of the people.
- Hypocrisy isn't just knowing what you are doing is EVIL and still doing it. YET at the beginning of it, it's trying to do "good", by whatever means necessary. "Thank God that I am not a dog, woman, or Gentile, because then I couldn't read the Torah."
- These are helping the power of darkness.
- Even in this moment of darkness, the Savior is STILL in control. He delivered Himself into their hands.

John 18:4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and *said to them, “Whom do you seek?”5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 
- A guess: when saying "I am," just His words are sufficient to make armed men crumble backwards.
- Who is in charge? A: Not men. It is Jesus: Lord of All. He has never lost control of the circumstances of His death. 

He is our Lord.
He is in absolute control.
Even in this moment of darkness, OUR SAVIOR REIGNS.
All your weaknesses/sins. Even when you have no hope, you can turn to the Savior and He will save you.
We should praise the Savior, because He is Sovereign Lord of Everything.

Neglected.

Sad to think that I've neglected this blog site for so long.

At moment I'm just sitting here and pondering that I'm in the month before my exam. More-than-normal crunch time. I haven't seen people in so long. And yet amid the conversations I have at church, there are people that are just glad to see me. And there are others that have strong opinions against my exams. "Quit now" "Idol worshipper" come to mind. I can only imagine that my profession and it's demands are harder on me than on anyone else. And how to convince others regarding idol worship or not... I guess they just should be left up to their own opinions and are free to judge others as they please. An opportunity of mine to fear men less.

I admit it: I'm not a genius. There, I said it. I've had conversations with others at church too about how sometimes it's easy to envy those that can pass these exams fast. I do get jealous. And I still struggle with looking left and right. BUT, God created us all different. What comforts me is a few verses I read in Galatians a few months ago...

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load.

I realize that this is in context to carrying the burdens of others. Each person will be able to handle a different amount. Yet I see this as a way to also let go of the jealousy that I may have towards others. Others will be smarter. Others will be able to handle a heavier spiritual load. Others will be able to do great, great things for God. We're all different parts of the body. And, maybe there will be those that have to handle less. And maybe, that's me. I know that I can't handle too many things. And I think the Lord is okay with that. 

At moment, I think the best course of action is to try my best on the upcoming exam. The Lord gave me my job, may I do my best to honor Him in it. I have sacrificed a lot and have tried my best. If I fail, I don't think I'll have regretted trying to do my best. And if this is the end of the road, I pray that those around me will know that I've tried my best and did my best not to drag the Lord's name through the mud. 

It will be okay if I fail. But only because I tried my best.
I'm not sure I've done what the Lord has wanted me to do these past 5 years.
But from the limited information that I have, I've tried. I've tried.
And maybe not everyone will have agreed with my decisions, but that should be okay too.
There should be only one's opinion that matters. Only one. 
Yet I'm sure I disappoint Him too since I'm not perfect.

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Lord, please help me not to grumble in this process as well.

Please help me to endure just a bit longer.

Sunday Morning IBC. 10/12/2014. Luke 12:49-59. Discernment.

Discerning the Times. Luke 12:49-59.
Pastor Nam Park.

The exhortation to discern this present time.

Luke 12:54 And He was also saying to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. 55 And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it turns out that way. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?

57 “And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? 58 For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent.”

They perceive the "easy" signs of the world, but why can't they read the spiritual signs?
v.54 "cloud rising"
v.55 "a south wind" 

v.56 You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time?
- They are called hypocrites because they should know better.
- They criticize Jesus for hanging around sinners and tax collectors. They treat the lamb of God poorly when they should honor Him.

Luke 4:17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,

19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

- Jesus was to usher in the "golden age": the power of Jesus Christ to save.

Luke 7:22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

- What better news could John have received?  Since John was a man of the Word, he knew that Jesus was affirming the fact that He [Jesus] was the Messiah.

THEY use their minds on foolish things.
- Yes, we want our children to be smart... However, we are to use discernment to learn spiritual things. 
- What is the point of "reading," if you don't read the scriptures?

- DO YOU ANALYZE/UNDERSTAND THIS PRESENT TIME?

- Each one of us [individually] will have to bear an account: "How did you live to glorify the Son?
- It's not for a lack of information that we don't live rightly.

Luke 12:57 “And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? 58 For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent.”
- Take this opportunity NOW to make things right, before it's too late.
- It is implied that YOU ARE (I am) guilty.
- Respond now, before it's too late.

Sunday Morning IBC. 8/10/2014. Luke 11:29-36. Judgement Blind Hearts.

Judgement on Blind Hearts. Luke 11:29-36.
Pastor Nam Park.

Jesus is addressing unbelievers here that should know better.
Group 1 of unbelievers were the blasphemers. 
But this morning, we look at Group 2, unbelievers that were the "fence-sitters."
Unbelief isn't always enemies of the cross. 
The majority of people are respectful of Christianity but seek a miraculous sign.

Luke 11:29 As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation at the judgment and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

33 “No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35 Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.”

Story of a young lady that heard the gospel story. They crucified Him.
And the young girl's cry could be heard throughout the auditorium, "Why did they do it?"
- The hardness of heart is natural to the sinful man.
- They believe that they are saved b/c they showed up on Sunday. Mundane pattern.
- We can act the part and be civil. This are the actions of these religious leaders. These men know the scriptures; they are encouraged to think and hope for a Messiah. But instead, they are blaspheming the Son of God.

Luke 11:29 As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. 
- The crowds are increasing. 
- We appreciate the Lord's diplomacy.
- Technically all generations everywhere are "wicked"... why did Jesus highlight it here?
- Characteristic of a "wicked generation": they demand a sign from God.
Question: Is there a sign that is sufficient to make faith?
A: We look to the parable of the rich man & Lazarus. There is no "show" good enough to make faith where faith is not there.
- "sign of Jonah": Swallowed by a huge fish and then vomited on land 3 days later.

Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites. 
Jesus [future tense] will be a sign.
Matthew 12:40 for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
- If the revelation of God's word is insufficient for hope, there is nothing (no sign that saves).

Luke 11:31 The Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation at the judgment and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
- Two Gentile judges that will judge them (the Jews).
- Judge #1. Queen of the South = Queen of Sheeba = Queen of Yemen. She comes at their judgement before the living God. She will accuse them of sinfulness. She came SEEKING for TRUTH and WISDOM, this Gentile Queen. She may not be a believer; but she recognized Solomon was great, and someone greater than Solomon was here. Jesus is that much greater.
- Judge #2. The Men of Ninevah will also condemn them. These men completely changed the direction of their lives at the preaching of Jonah.

Luke 11:33 “No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 
- Light is meant to illumine an entire place.
- Your eyes takes in light for the body.
- They had closed their eyes from the light; Their eyes were dimming.

Luke 11:36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.”
- A ray of hope, literally. If you could let the light in, your body would become like a lamp.

Story of prisoners that only had a ray of light part of the day. One man would stand on the shoulders of the others and study the scriptures. Then when the light was gone, he would climb down. The others would ask,"Now, tell us what you read when you were in the light."

We are often distracted by other affections of this world. 
Our eyes are not illumined by Christ as it should.
Our habits, our affections should become wholly His.
The Lord doesn't offer us fire insurance. The offer is LIFE, and LIFE ABUNDANT!
Confess and contemplate who Jesus is. 
Jesus is the light and it's not like He has been hiding.

Friday Night Singles' Flock. 8/8/2014. Daniel 2:19-49.

Friday Night Singles' Flock. Daniel 2:19-49
George Park.

Comments before the passage in Daniel.
Complacency: Remember why you do the things you do, or you will experience burnout.
Emotional Response: Does God command a Biblical response from us?  A: Yes, to Rejoice Always. 1Thess 5:16. To not rejoice is sin.
Remember also to do things with the right motivation as well. (ie.Washing dishes with the right attitude.)

DANIEL 2

The Secret Is Revealed to Daniel

19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 

20 Daniel said,

“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.

21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs;

He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.

22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;

He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.

23 “To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,

For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

24 Therefore, Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and spoke to him as follows: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king’s presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king.”

25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king’s presence and spoke to him as follows: “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!” 26 The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. 28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed. 29 As for you, O king, while on your bed your thoughts turned to what would take place in the future; and He who reveals mysteries has made known to you what will take place. 30 But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

The King’s Dream

31 “You, O king, were looking and behold, there was a single great statue; that statue, which was large and of extraordinary splendor, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was awesome. 32 The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.34 You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

The Interpretation—Babylon the First Kingdom

36 “This was the dream; now we will tell its interpretation before the king. 37 You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory; 38 and wherever the sons of men dwell, or the beasts of the field, or the birds of the sky, He has given them into your hand and has caused you to rule over them all. You are the head of gold.

Medo-Persia and Greece

39 After you there will arise another kingdom inferior to you, then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth.

Rome

40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. 41 In that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have in it the toughness of iron, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with common clay. 42 As the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. 43 And in that you saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery.

The Divine Kingdom

44 In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

Daniel Promoted

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. 47 The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel made request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego over the administration of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the king’s court.

Start of Notes.

The point of talking about Daniel is not to cover the prophecies but rather to cover Daniel's character.

Daniel 2:18 so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

- Daniel was a man of prayer.

Daniel 2:19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 

20 Daniel said,

“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.

21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs;

He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.

- Daniel has the right reaction. He thanks God for being the revealer of all things. (v.19-20)

- He thanks God for the sovereignty He has over his life. (v.21)

Daniel 2:24 Therefore, Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and spoke to him as follows: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king’s presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king.”

25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king’s presence and spoke to him as follows: “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!”

- Arioch went to the King on Daniel's behalf.

- If Daniel couldn't deliver the dream, the blame could have possibly been on Arioch.

- Daniel was well-liked by all. This was his reputation.

Remember the reputation the other wise men had with the king...

Daniel 2:8 The king replied, “I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch as you have seen that the command from me is firm

- The king didn't trust them.

Daniel's response was different. He takes the gift that the Lord gives him and turns it back to God.

Daniel 2:26 The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. 28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed. 

- Application: You each have a gift and you can bring that gift to the church body. Don't take pride in the gifts that God has given you because they were not yours to begin with... Give glory to the Lord.

Daniel 2:46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. 

- Sound weird? It looks as if the King is worshipping Daniel. And Daniel doesn't reject it?

Daniel 2:47 The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

- This sounds worshipful. But we soon see in Daniel 3 that the King builds himself an image of gold for the people to worship.

Do you think Nebuchadnezzar was a believer at the end of his life?

George would argue "yes".

Daniel 2:30 But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

- Humility is the backdrop of worship. Daniel had it.

Sunday Morning IBC. 8/3/2014. Luke 11:14-28. Unbelief.

Judgement on Blind Hearts. Luke 11:14-28.
How the Lord views Unbelief.
Pastor Nam Park.

Jesus’ Power Is from God

Luke 11:14 One time Jesus was sending out a demon who could not talk. When the demon came out, the man who had been unable to speak, then spoke. The people were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people.”

16 Other people, wanting to test Jesus, asked him to give them a sign from heaven. 17 But knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And a family that is divided against itself will not continue. 18 So if Satan is divided against himself, his kingdom will not continue. You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons. 19 But if I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons, what power do your people use to force demons out? So they will be your judges. 20 But if I use the power of God to force out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

21 “When a strong person with many weapons guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger comes and defeats him, the stronger one will take away the weapons the first man trusted and will give away the possessions.

23 “Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not work with me is working against me.

The Empty Person

24 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But when it finds no place, it says, ‘I will go back to the house I left.’ 25 And when it comes back, it finds that house swept clean and made neat.26 Then the evil spirit goes out and brings seven other spirits more evil than it is, and they go in and live there. So the person has even more trouble than before.”

People Who Are Truly Blessed

27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out to Jesus, “Blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and nursed you.”

28 But Jesus said, “No, blessed are those who hear the teaching of God and obey it.”

Start of Notes.

Luke 11:14 One time Jesus was sending out a demon who could not talk. When the demon came out, the man who had been unable to speak, then spoke. The people were amazed. 

- Backdrop: Jesus has been casting out demons. This verse sets the scene for Jesus' discussion on unbelief.

Luke 11:15 But some of them said, “Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people.”

- "Beelzebul" is synonymous with "Satan". Literally "Lord of the flies" (dungheap).

Luke 11:16 Other people, wanting to test Jesus, asked him to give them a sign from heaven. 
- The appearance that they just want to see another parlor trick. 
- Physical healing is only a small portion of Jesus' ministry. It's not the reason that he came to Earth. It expresses who He is, to have such authority and power.

GROUP 1: Blasphemers 

Luke 11:17 But knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And a family that is divided against itself will not continue. 18 So if Satan is divided against himself, his kingdom will not continue. You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons. 

- Great empires in history crumble from the inside-out.

Luke 11:19 But if I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons, what power do your people use to force demons out? So they will be your judges. 20 But if I use the power of God to force out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 

- By what power do the others use?

- Jesus is driving to a main point: the KINGDOM OF GOD is upon you.

- This is the reason why Jesus casts out demons: He does the IMPOSSIBLE to signify that the Kingdom of God is HERE.

- Idea of the "finger of God" which is in Exodus 8:18-19 when the magicians could not replicate the miracles God was bringing down.

- Exodus 8:18 Using their tricks, the magicians tried to do the same thing, but they could not make the dust change into gnats. The gnats remained on the people and animals. 19 So the magicians told the king that the power of God had done this. But the king was stubborn and refused to listen to them, just as the Lord had said.

Luke 11:21 “When a strong person with many weapons guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger comes and defeats him, the stronger one will take away the weapons the first man trusted and will give away the possessions.

23 “Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not work with me is working against me.

- Illustration of the Strong Man. Not only defeat, but distributes the plunder.
- Jesus isn't just a "little" stronger, but much more stronger. This isn't an even-match.

Statement of Faith: Are you for God, or not?
Fear Him who can not only take your life, but Your very soul.
How do you demonstrate your allegiance towards Christ?

GROUP 2 of Unbelievers: The Neutral.
Luke 11:24 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But when it finds no place, it says, ‘I will go back to the house I left.’ 25 And when it comes back, it finds that house swept clean and made neat.26 Then the evil spirit goes out and brings seven other spirits more evil than it is, and they go in and live there. So the person has even more trouble than before.”
- Illustration of a demon having left a man. (not cast out).
- You can't just be neutral with the things of God. You must choose.

Joshua 24:15 But if you don’t want to serve the Lord, you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve. You may serve the gods that your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River, or you may serve the gods of the Amorites who lived in this land. As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

People Who Are Truly Blessed

Luke 11:27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out to Jesus, “Blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and nursed you.”

28 But Jesus said, “No, blessed are those who hear the teaching of God and obey it.”

- Saying a blessing to Jesus' mother: Mary. 
- Remember the importance of having children in that day. 
- Remember the story of Hannah and how she dedicated Samuel to temple service.
- But Blessed are those who hear God's Word. It's a blessing open to everyone.

Jesus' life points toward teaching the people.
- Hear the Word. Obey the Word. Follow through.