Things we need to consider!
Things [that the word of God tells us] we need to
“CONSIDER”
(by Mark Fitzpatrick)
{Summer 2006}
1. The Uniqueness of God.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
(Deuteronomy 4:39)
The phrase “The Lord he is God” is used four times in Scripture.
These scriptures illustrate the uniqueness of God in five different areas.
{I} He is unique in his Person and Position.
Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.
(Deuteronomy 4:35)
{II} He is unique in his relationship to his people.
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
(Deuteronomy 7:9)
Note: Where have all the gods mentioned in the Scripture gone?
{III} He is unique in his Dominion and Sovereignty.
Rahab speaking to the two spies.
And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
(Joshua 2:11)
{IV and V} He is unique in Creation and Redemption.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
(Psalms 100:3)
2. The Implications of the Fatherhood of God.
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
(Deuteronomy 8:5)
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
(Job 5:17)
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
(Proverbs 3:11)
Read Hebrews 12: 5-11
Note:
7 things that this passage teaches!
{I} We are God’s children.
Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
{II} We are loved by God.
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
{III} God is training us as his sons.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
{IV} This proves that we are true, and not illegitimate children of God.
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
{V} This discipline is normal and we are to give honour to the Lord for his faithfulness in it.
Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
{VI} God is seeking the best for us.
Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
{VII} There is rich blessing as a result.
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
3. We need to Consider the dealings of God with our Forefathers.
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
(Deuteronomy 32:7)
Read verses 7-14
Remember that the Old Testament was written primarily for us as New Testament believers.
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
4. We need to Consider what God has done for us.
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
(1 Samuel 12:24)
Look at these verses from the book of JOB
Eliphaz Speaking:
Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
(Job 5:9)
Job 5:10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:
Job 5:11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
Job 5:15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
Job 5:18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
Job 5:19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
Job 5:20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
Job 5:22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
Job 5:23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
Job 5:25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.
Job 5:26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.
Job 5:27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.
Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
(Job 9:10)
God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
(Job 37:5)
----------
Note:
There is a close connection between the righteousness of God and what he has done.
Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
(Psalms 71:19)
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
(Luke 1:49)
-----------
Note:
It will make us glad to think upon what God has done for us!
The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
(Psalms 126:3)
-----------------
There is also, in this phrase “great things”, a pointer to the Divinity of Our lord.
In Mark 5 after Jesus had healed the Demon possessed man we read this,
Mark 5: 18-20.
And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Mar 5:18
Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
(Mark 5:19)
And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
(Mark 5:20)
5. In order to truly Consider the works of God we must cease from all other activity.
Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
(Job 37:14)
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
6. When we Consider, the works of God it will put everything, including man, in context.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
(Psalms 8:3)
Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
7. Lessons in Isaiah regarding those who do not consider.
Three things that the People of God had forgotten to Consider.
A. Their relationship to God.
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
(Isaiah 1:3)
B. The main purpose of their meetings.
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
(Isaiah 5:12)
C. The dealings of God with them in the past.
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
(Isaiah 43:18)
But even though they were so forgetful God had prepared the solution.
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
(Isaiah 52:15)
8. We need to Consider our ways.
Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
(Haggai 1:5)
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
(Haggai 1:7)
They had forgotten to give time to the building of God’s house.
They had become Lazy in the things of God.
They could have learned a lesson from the Ant.
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
(Proverbs 6:6)
Pro 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Pro 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Pro 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Pro 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Pro 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Pro 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Have we become like this in Spiritual things?
We need to beware of Spiritual lazyness.
9. We need to Consider how we approach the House of God.
Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
(Ecclesiastes 5:1)
10. We do well to consider the knowledge of God.
And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. (Hosea 7:2)
11. Let us also consider the providence of God.
Do we doubt that God will provide for our needs? |
Older
Top
