REJECTED MINISTRY

“So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them" (2 Chron. 30:10 NKJV).

After laying the plans for the observance of the Passover which had not been observed for many years, Hezekiah sent messengers (runners) throughout the land with a message that called people to repent and return to the Lord. We therefore want to note the way of the messengers, the work of the messengers, and the wickedness to the messengers.

Way of the messengers - “The messengers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun.” Hezekiah sent the messengers far beyond the borders of Judah; to the northern kingdom of Israel composed of the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun and others. Because these lands were plagued by idolatry and a history of cruelty to God’s servants, the messengers had to have courage to carry the message about returning to the Lord and about the Passover. Those who serve God will need courage since their ministry is in a sinful world that is often very hostile to God.

Work of the messengers - “The messengers from city to city.” Taking the message was not done by car but by foot. Thus the ministry of the messengers required much hard work. They had to walk many miles delivering the king’s message. Yet they were faithful to their assignment. Anyone who serves the Lord will quickly learn that faithfulness to one’s calling will require much labor. It is not easy work serving the King of kings.

Wickedness to the messengers - “They laughed at them and mocked them.” The reception the messengers received by some of the people was anything but cordial. Though their ministry was for a noble cause, many of the people ridiculed the messengers. Those who serve God will often find that they may be mistreated. But we cannot give up. We need to keep going, just as the messengers did. The mockery did not discredit the messengers but only the mockers. Further, there were others who responded well to their message of the messengers (2 Chron. 30:11).

(Adapted from Bible Exposition Commentary)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“What you do for Christ is the test of your service - what we suffer for Christ is our test of love!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Dissensions

In Gal. 5:19-21 we read, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are…idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (NKJV).

Dissensions is the Greek word dichostasia (διχοστασία = dee-khos-tas-ee'-ah). It is made up of two words: “dicha” which means asunder, apart and “stasis” which means standing. Thus dichostasia means a standing apart. Literally it is a standing apart which is a picture of dissension, discord, disunity, contention, division into opposing groups. The idea of dissension is disagreement which leads to discord.

The word is not found in the Septuagint and in the New Testament is only used by the apostle Paul. Paul was apparently referring to internal dissension in the church, which he regarded as totally contrary to godly behavior. Dissension is on the ‘vice-list’ of the “works of the flesh.” There is no need for a believer to display the works of the flesh. Rather, the characteristics that God wants in our lives are seen in the nine fold fruit of the Spirit that are listed in vv. 22-23. Observe also, that the fruit described is not produced by a believer, but by the Holy Spirit working through a Christian who is in vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – The Messiah would be adored by great persons (Psalm 72:10-11)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 2:1-11.

Bible Facts

God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life (Isa. 40:12). We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.

Bible Quiz

According to the Scriptures, what animals were present at the birth of Jesus?

**Answer to last week’s trivia:What are the meanings of the names Jesus and Emmanuel? The name Jesus means Savior and Emmanuel means God with us. Jesus is the same name as the Old Testament name Joshua which also means Savior (Matt. 1:21, 23).

That’s in the Bible

"Daily bread”

“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11 NKJV).

“Daily bread” - The expression “daily bread” refers to one’s physical needs. This verse alludes to God’s provision of “daily bread” (manna) for His people in the wilderness after He had redeemed them. So, this is a petition for our earthly needs. Note the word “daily.” It means sufficient for today. It means three things – the emphasis is on mercy not merit; it involves looking to God everyday by faith, not for a year’s supply but for a day’s supply; it indicates our needs as opposed to our wants. Bread is common, not a luxury. Bread also says we are to pray for our material needs as well as our spiritual needs.

Did You Know - Christian History

Benajah Harvey Carroll (B. H. Carroll) was born December 27, 1843 was born near Carrollton in Carroll County in North Central Mississippi. He was a Baptist pastor, theologian, teacher, and author.

Almost from the day he learned to read, he was a devoted student, devouring whatever books were available on the frontier. He had an amazing memory and could recall at will material he had read years before - even to the point of giving the page locations! Eventually he was able to read 300 pages a day without neglecting his regular responsibilities

But despite his Christian upbringing, he became a fanatical atheist, authoring a book on his radical views. But with God all things are possible. After his released from the army, Benajah attended an old-fashioned, Methodist camp meeting where the preacher challenged his audience to ‘make a practical, experimental test’ of Christianity and to give Jesus Christ a fair trial. As he rode home, he stopped in the woods, got down on his knees and ‘had it out with the Lord.’ The Lord won!

Ordained in November 1866, Carroll assisted in camp meetings, revivals, and pastored the First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas, for 28 years. He taught at Baylor Theological Seminary and in 1908, at age 64, became president of Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary which he helped to found. Carroll published 33 volumes of works, and is best known for his 17-volume commentary, An Interpretation of the English Bible. Carroll died November 11, 1914, and is buried at the Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas.

A Little Humor

A constantly nagged and harried husband decided to buy his mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift. The next year at Christmas time he didn’t buy her any gift. The mother-in-law was upset and asked her son-in-law why she was forgotten this time. The angry son-in-law responded, “Well, you still haven’t used the gift I bought you last year!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Unless we see the cross overshadow the cradle, we will have lost the real meaning of Christ's birth!”