Come and learn a lesson

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Jeremiah 35:1-19 NLT

This is the message the Lord gave Jeremiah when Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah: “Go to the settlement where the families of the Recabites live, and invite them to the Lord’s Temple. Take them into one of the inner rooms, and offer them some wine.” So I went to see Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah and grandson of Habazziniah and all his brothers and sons—representing all the Recabite families. I took them to the Temple, and we went into the room assigned to the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. This room was located next to the one used by the Temple officials, directly above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the Temple gatekeeper. I set cups and jugs of wine before them and invited them to have a drink, but they refused. “No,” they said, “we don’t drink wine, because our ancestor Jehonadab son of Recab gave us this command: ‘You and your descendants must never drink wine. And do not build houses or plant crops or vineyards, but always live in tents. If you follow these commands, you will live long, good lives in the land.’ So we have obeyed him in all these things. We have never had a drink of wine to this day, nor have our wives, our sons, or our daughters. We haven’t built houses or owned vineyards or farms or planted crops. We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed all the commands of Jehonadab, our ancestor. But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked this country, we were afraid of the Babylonian and Syrian armies. So we decided to move to Jerusalem. That is why we are here.” Then the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and learn a lesson about how to obey me. The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jehonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me. Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me. The descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’ “Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you refuse to listen or answer when I call, I will send upon Judah and Jerusalem all the disasters I have threatened.’” Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’ Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’”

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Fiddler on the Roof is one of my favourite films! And in that film is a song entitled, Tradition that just about scratches the surface of this bible passage. 

In summary of the passage above, there was a clan of Jews that was faithful to keep the traditions of their ancestors even when it made them seem completely out of step with the rest of society. The Recabites were the Amish of their day. It wasn't that they thought that they had a special mission from God or any special revelation. It was that they honoured their fathers' teaching. And as a whole group they had taught all their families to follow this teaching.

God had told his people how to live but his people had disregarded him. God wanted his people to be ashamed of their disobedience and their refusal to listen to the prophets he had sent them.

Who do you listen to? Whose advice are you freely disseminating? Are you happy to propagate the latest diet or financial plan? Do you swear by a particular type of technology and feel quite proud that you chose it and stick with it. Do your choices make you superior and a little smug? Whether it is money, holidays, cars, mobiles or computers, people listen to some "authority" and then then make their choices accordingly. When I was in the states, I remember people who were really proud they pretty much only bought American made products. And here in England, there are many people who feel like they are really doing a good thing by supporting faithfully the Fair Trade movement or only buying free range animals and eggs.

 Do you listen to God? Are you proud that you do? Are you willing to tell others that you follow God's Word? 

God wants a following. More to the point only God deserves a following. Far more than your football team, the X-Factor or I'm a Celebrity, God demands you plan your life around his Word! You might record your favourite show so you don't miss it. And you may proudly wear the accessories of your favourite star, fad, company or team. But are you willing to follow God? Are you willing to make it known. Are you willing to plan your life around God?

Why not? Is God not worth it? Do you find God boring? Does God not help you create the image you want to have?

God is asking you to follow him. God is telling you to listen to him. There is nothing greater you can dedicate yourself to. Why are you not proud to say you follow God? Someday you'll get tell God face to face.

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700 years before

https://soundcloud.com/wkbode/consider-the-following-700
Isaiah the prophet wrote prophecies concerning Jesus 700 years before he was born in Bethlehem.

Listen to the prophet foretell of Jesus' suffering.

All passages quoted today are from the New Living Translation.

Isaiah 49:15-16 NLT

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.

Isaiah 50:5-7 NLT

The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.

Isaiah 52:13-14 NLT

See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.

Isaiah 53:2-12 NLT

My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

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1 Peter 1:20
God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

Ephesians 1:4
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Luke 24:25-27 NLT

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.  Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”  Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

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Isaiah describes in detail the events around the crucifixion of Jesus. We should not be surprised at this because the Bible is clear that all along it has been God's plan for Jesus to die for our sins.
Jesus himself repeatedly tells his disciples he must suffer and die.

 (Matthew 16:21, 17:12, 20:22, Luke 9:22, 12:50, 17:25, 22:15,42, Mark 8:31, 9:12, 10:38, John 18:11)

Conclusions - -

• God keeps his promises.
• God's plan for Jesus is plan "A" not a plan "B".
• God wants his people to know what his plans are in advance.
• Jesus claimed to be the Messiah foretold by Isaiah's prophecies.
• Jesus is the focus of the Bible, the events of human history, and God's plans.
• Jesus asks us to follow him in being obedient to God's plans even in suffering. Jesus set the example to follow.
• Salvation and forgiveness for sin are found in Jesus.
• You can trust God's plans.
• You should read the Bible to understand God's plans.

Questions --

• Do you believe the Bible?
• Do you trust God to work out his sovereign plan in your life?
• Do you believe Jesus is the suffering servant foretold 700 years before by the prophet Isaiah?
• Do you trust Jesus as your saviour and the only one who can forgive your sin?
• How are you following Jesus? 
• What about your life shows you are suffering in obedience to the Father?
• Why would anyone think you are following Jesus?

Simon, Satan, Sifting, and Strengthening (ver. 1)

Luke 22:31-34 NLT

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
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Satan wants to have a go with Jesus disciples. Satan requires Jesus' permission. The image Jesus used to describe Satan's goal and method, is the sifting of wheat to separate the kernel from the chaff. This processes reminds me of Psalm 1(pasted below the Matthew Henry's Luke commentary passage). In Psalm 1 the contrast is between the fruitful vibrant tree planted by a stream and the worthless waste product of life, chaff blown away so they get to the thing of value.
Satan wanted to show that Jesus' ministry was fruitless. Satan had been allowed to have Judas and apparently thought he might have all of Jesus' disciples. Jesus knows the disciples are fruitful or at least will be. So he allows Satan to 'sift' all the disciples. Strangely some versions of the Bible do not translate the object of Satan's sifting as plural. But the original language is indeed plural and Jesus is referring to all the disciples. And I believe it is important because of Jesus intent for Peter.

Jesus pleads in prayer for Simon's faith.

And Jesus prays Simon's faith will not fail when Satan 'sifts' him. Although Satan's goal is to show Jesus as fruitless, it is interesting that the process not only will show fruit (faith) but will also get rid of chaff.

Might Jesus allow you to be sifted? Will your faith remain?

So Jesus prays faith will remain and that faith will bring repentance and a turning back to Jesus.

This is not the end goal of Jesus. And neither should it be ours.
Listen now!
The purpose of allowing Satan to sift, the purpose of Jesus' pleading in prayer for faith to remain, and the purpose of Simon's repentance and return to Jesus, was to strengthen the other disciples; Presumably, so they too would repent, turn to Jesus, and have faith that remains. And so all the disciples could strengthen others who would have faith, repent and turn to Jesus.

We can not do it on our own. Like Peter, we'll deny Jesus. Like Peter we may be sifted. But like Peter, Jesus is praying for us.

John 17:20“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (NLT)

I'm not sure why you thought it would be easy. It will not be easy. I'm not sure why you thought you'd always win, stand strong, and never deny Jesus. I'm not sure why you thought Satan could not try and uncover your fruitless faithlessness. Probably God will allow you to face temptations and trials. Jesus did. You are following Jesus! Aren't you? Satan tried to get Jesus to worship him. The Holy Spirit led him to face Satan. Jesus let Satan have a go at his disciples.
Aren't you in the same rank and file? Aren't you following Jesus and God disciples?

Then believe me this will happen to you. And Jesus prays for you. And Jesus wants your faith to remain. He wants you to repent. He wants you to strengthen others.
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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Luke 22:21-38 How unbecoming is the worldly ambition of being the greatest, to the character of a follower of Jesus, who took upon him the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the death of the cross! In the way to eternal happiness, we must expect to be assaulted and sifted by Satan. If he cannot destroy, he will try to disgrace or distress us. Nothing more certainly forebodes a fall, in a professed follower of Christ, than self-confidence, with disregard to warnings, and contempt of danger. Unless we watch and pray always, we may be drawn in the course of the day into those sins which we were in the morning most resolved against. If believers were left to themselves, they would fall; but they are kept by the power of God, and the prayer of Christ. Our Lord gave notice of a very great change of circumstances now approaching. The disciples must not expect that their friends would be kind to them as they had been. Therefore, he that has a purse, let him take it, for he may need it. They must now expect that their enemies would be more fierce than they had been, and they would need weapons. At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves.

Book One (Psalms 1–41)
psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. (NLT)

Everyone is following someone; Who is your Shepherd?

John 10:14-15, 27-30 NLT

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,  just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,  for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one.”

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Do you listen to Jesus? Do you hear his voice? Do you follow Jesus?

Many people say they are following Jesus but they don't listen to his voice. They don't read the Bible. They don't agree with what Jesus says. Many people say they follow Jesus but they are not willing to do what Jesus did.
Jesus obeyed God the Father. So a person following Jesus would be trying to obey the Father. Jesus sacrificed his life by putting the interests of others ahead of his comfort. A person who was a sheep of Jesus would also live sacrificialy. Jesus went the way of the cross. If you are following Jesus then you too will take up your cross.
If you follow Jesus you are not afraid of death because God promises life. You don't have to cling to this life because God promises eternal life to his followers. Do you believe that God is promising to give you eternal life?

Are you really following Jesus? Is he really your Shepherd?

If you were Shepherded by Jesus would you want?

Psalms 23:1-6 NLT

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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If the Lord were your Shepherd would you want for anything good? Would you have all you need?

If the Lord Jesus were you're Shepherd would your soul lack enough rest?

If the Son of God were your Shepherd would your strength be being renewed?

If the Saviour of the World were your Shepherd would your life be on a path that was right and brought glory to his name? Wouldn't you have confidence God's was using the path he had set you on for good?

If the Victor of the Cross were you're Shepherd wouldn't you be more peaceful than you thought you'd be even as you faced death or near death situations?

If the Host with the most, thrower of the biggest party of all time, bridegroom of the marriage feast of the Lamb were your Shepherd wouldn't you be holding the golden ticket and laughing all the way to the buffet?

If the man who turned water to wine and multiplied bread were your Shepherd wouldn't you be grazing without a care in the world?

If the God of Abraham, Joseph and Moses were your Shepherd wouldn't you be pretty sure that God would keep his promise and make an impossible situation, even after years, come good? Couldn't he because of his promise and great love extravagantly welcome you into his kingdom?

Is Jesus your Shepherd or not?

Who are you following? Who's your Shepherd?