Integrity: Wholeness and Holiness

Integrity: Wholeness and Holiness
(Titus 2, Matthew 4)

Introduction: When I was growing up, one parent of a friend liked to challenge my group of friends on whether we were saved. It was good to be forced to think about eternal things and my relationship with God. However, I also remember that same parent was not honest - he suggested a way in which I might save money by cheating the government. The contrast was stark - and I remember his lack of integrity as clearly as I remember his gospel prod. How about you? Is your life a mixed message? What does it mean to live a life of integrity? Let's jump into our study of the Bible and see what we can learn!

1. The Right Example
1. Read Titus 2:6-7. What is our obligation to those who are younger? (To encourage them by setting a proper example.)
1. Why do we have an obligation to them?
1. Does this obligation extend only to those of us who are teachers? (We all are teaching something, whether we realize it or not.)
2. I listened to a young atheist complain that when he was out sharing his beliefs people would give him the "evil eye." The adult in the conversation assured him that society was improving by becoming more open to all views. Is an open, tolerant attitude our personal goal? Or, are disapproving looks part of setting an example? (The Bible tells us to set an example by doing what is good. When there are enough good people who live good lives, it creates social pressure to do what is good. A positive example is more compelling than a negative look.)
2. Read Titus 2:7-8. Who else, besides the youth, are watching us? (Those who oppose us. Allies of Satan.)
1. It may not come through in these lessons, but I regularly use humor when I teach my class. When I stand up to preach, the audience grins at me because they know what is coming. If I'm saying something funny, am I violating the Bible's direction to be "serious" in teaching? (The Hebrew word means "weight" or "honesty." If you look at the three words in our verse - integrity, seriousness and soundness - it paints a picture of high-level teaching. Not lightweight. Not last minute. Not second-rate. That does not exclude humor (I hope), but too much humor may make it seem you are not serious about the subject.)
1. Have you ever walked out of a boring sermon or lesson and immediately forgotten what was preached or taught?
1. Is part of being "serious" about teaching taking steps to help people pay attention and remember what was taught? (When I preach, about a third of the time I'm telling what I hope are humorous stories. The reason is to retain attention and pin my (serious) point in the memory of the listeners.)
2. From your own observations about teachers of the gospel, how important is integrity? (Opponents of the gospel love to point out the hypocrisy (generally in the area of sexual sins) of Christian leaders. You can think of several who fell. On the other hand, Christian leaders like Billy Graham, James Dobson, Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell stood for decades in the spotlight without moral failure.)
2. The Right Example
1. Read Matthew 3:16-17. In the conflict between good and evil, what has just happened to Jesus? (The conflict begins in earnest. God has just said He is "well-pleased" with His Son. Satan wants to trip-up Jesus. Satan wants to ruin His example.)
2. Read Matthew 4:1-3. Put yourself in Jesus' place. Would you take Satan's suggestion?
1. What issues are involved in Satan's suggestion? (Satan is challenging Jesus' position and power as the Son of God.)
2. What would be wrong with turning stones to bread? God just told Jesus He was the Son. Jesus is hungry. Why not? (Satan is asking Jesus to prove that God is right. Satan is asking Jesus to depend on His own power, rather than trusting God.)
3. Read Matthew 4:4. How does this answer Satan's temptation?
1. How did Jesus understand the temptation? (Jesus saw this as an issue of trusting what God had just told Him - that He was the Son of God.)
4. When we think of being a good example to those around us and to unbelievers, what kind of things do we have in mind? (Obvious things. Not stealing, not lying, not committing adultery, and not swearing.)
1. Why are we studying such an obscure thing, trusting God, in a lesson about being a proper example? (All of the obvious things start out as an issue about trusting God. People steal to support themselves, people lie to avoid problems, people commit adultery to satisfy pride, people swear to sound brave. Trust and reliance in God is a cure for all of these obvious sins.)
5. Read Matthew 4:5-6. Would you be tempted to throw yourself down from a high building?
1. Does this show us that Satan is not very smart? "Here, jump off this cliff."(Satan is following up on Jesus' answer to the first temptation. Jesus said He was going to trust God and trust the Scriptures. Satan reacts by quoting the Bible and saying, "Let's see how much you trust God. Throw yourself down from this high point.")
6. Read Matthew 4:7. How do you understand Jesus' answer? (Satan is taking Jesus from one extreme to the other. Jesus' answer shows that we are partners with God in obedience. We should not put ourselves in dangerous places.)
7. Read Genesis 3:1-5. How is this like Jesus' first temptation? (It is a challenge over whether Eve will depend upon herself (or worse, the serpent) or whether she will trust God.)
1. The Bible does not say this explicitly, but what has allowed Eve to be confronted with this test? (She is apparently standing by the forbidden tree! There is just one tree in the entire garden that she should avoid, and she is standing by it! Worse, she says that it is wrong to even touch this tree so she should know that standing close is a bad idea.)
2. How does this compare to Jesus' second temptation? (She has put herself in harm's way. Jesus refuses to do that.)
8. In setting a good and honest example, how would you apply the point we just discussed? (Part of our example is to avoid being involved in activities which are obvious tests of our faith. The best example is not that we were tested and won, the best example is avoiding unnecessary testing.)
9. How else do you think we can we test God? (Jesus' answer in Matthew 4:7 is a quotation from Deuteronomy 6:16. Deuteronomy refers back to a story found in Exodus 17.)
1. Read Exodus 17:1-3. How are the people testing God? (By complaining about their circumstances and God's leading.)
10. How would you apply the point we just discussed in living a life of integrity? (We need to avoid complaining about God. We should set an example of gratitude towards God.)
11. Read Matthew 4:8-9. What issue do you see here? (Isaiah 14:13-14 suggests that sin originated because Satan wanted to be like God. Here, Satan asks Jesus to worship him. Since worship should only be given to God, in this way Satan would be "like God.")
1. Why would Satan think Jesus would fall for an obvious temptation like this? (Satan offers Jesus a "shortcut" for His mission on earth to win back the world for God. Accepting Satan's offer would avoid the pain and suffering that lie ahead for Jesus.)
12. Read Matthew 4:10. What answer does Jesus give to Satan? (Only God must be worshiped. Jesus rejects the offered shortcut.)
1. What lesson do we find in this for living a life of integrity? (No shortcuts. The most impressive example of a life devoted to God is serving Him when it is not easy. When it costs us something.)
13. Friend, your life creates an influence for either good or evil. You either bring glory to God or glory to Satan. Why not determine today to use your life to give glory only to God?
3. Next week: Optimism: Happiness and Healing.

Temperance

 

Temperance
(1 Timothy 3, 2 Peter 1, 1 Corinthians 9, Romans 14)
Introduction: Is temperance the right goal for a Christian? My old Webster's dictionary tells me that the word temperance comes from the Latin for "moderation." The new Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as "moderation in action, thought or feeling." I hear Christians say that they are "sold-out for Jesus." Preachers tell me that I must give my heart 100% to Jesus. This is consistent with Deuteronomy 10:12 which tells me to serve God with "all" my heart and soul. It seems to me that 50% of my heart and soul would be more in accord with the goal of the moderate, temperate person. 100% seems a little extreme if moderation is the goal! Let's move cautiously into our study of the Bible and find out if temperance is truly God's goal for our life!

1. Christian Leaders

1. Read 1 Timothy 3:1. What is the "highest" office in your church? (Some Bibles translate the word "overseer" as "bishop," "elder," or "pastor.")

1. Would it be sinful to want to hold that highest office? (The context suggests this is a proper ambition.)

1. Read 1 Timothy 3:2. What do we learn about temperance and holding the highest office in the church? (Being "temperate" is a requirement.)

1. If someone had, say, ten wives, then that might be a little extreme. Isn't it just as extreme to have only one wife, as opposed to a more moderate three? (We learn from this that the way the Bible uses the term "temperate" might not be the same way we use the term "moderate." The Bible takes the "extreme" one wife standard.)

1. Read 1 Timothy 3:8-9. Deacons are the next level of leadership. Are they to be temperate?

1. Is there anything temperate about holding the "deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience?" (This suggests that the deacon knows the truth and then obeys it. This does not suggest a moderate approach to sin.)

1. Moderate Christian Followers?

1. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. What topic is the Bible discussing? (The end of the world.)

1. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:4-7. In this context, if you were to be moderate, you would be in favor of twilight, right?

1. If I told you someone never slept, would you consider that temperate? (No.)

1. Is God telling us not to sleep?

1. If you say "no," then is God also not discussing getting drunk? (God is not talking about sleep or drunkenness, He is talking to us about being alert. A person who is asleep or drunk is not alert.)

1. What, exactly, is God telling us about temperance? (He is telling us to be alert and self-controlled. When we think about temperance, we need to think about self-control.)

1. Read Revelation 3:14-16. Are these temperate, moderate, people? (Yes. Luke-warm is the picture of moderation.)

1. Before you reach a firm conclusion about moderation, read 1 Corinthians 9:20-23. What does this suggest about moderation? (Paul seems to change with the crowd - the perfect moderate!)

1. Read Romans 14:19-23. Are standards to be sacrificed for the sake of peace? Isn't this the picture of moderation? (It seems so.)

1. We've gone through a number of Bible texts, some seem to promote moderation, others say moderation is terrible. How can we determine what situation requires moderation and what situation requires "extremism?" (Read Romans 14:1. We have to decide what matters to God. On disputable matters we need to be moderate. On matters of growing faith for others, we need to avoid condemnation. On things that matter - like promoting the gospel, we need to be "hot," we need to be extreme.)

1. The Path to Temperance

1. Read 2 Peter 1:5-8. What kind of list is this? (It is a progressive list of Christian attributes.)

1. Where do we start? (With faith! The text assumes that we have faith because it says to "add to" your faith.)

1. Does it make sense to start with faith? (Read John 11:25-27. Faith in Jesus as God is foundational.)

1. Look again at 2 Peter 1:5-8. What is added next? (Goodness.)

1. Has goodness anything to do with temperance? (Goodness must refer to actions. Temperance refers to actions. God is asking us early on in our Christian experience to have good actions. To have a positive attitude towards others. This means moderation in condemnation on disputable issues.)

1. Does it make sense to you that "knowledge" would be added after goodness? How can you be good without knowledge? (This is a call to understand God's will with regard to our actions. Just being good is not sufficient. We need to know how best to act to help others.)

1. Why would "self-control" and "perseverance" logically come next? (Faith is a belief in Jesus. Goodness is a kind attitude towards those around us. Knowledge, is an understanding of what God would have us to do. Self-control and perseverance, involve putting in place those things taught to us.)

1. Do you think that self-control and perseverance would be included in what the Bible calls temperance? (Yes. We see that the Bible equates self-control with temperance. Perseverance is extended self-control. These calls to persist in living a temperate life are next to the most important step in the ladder of life.)

1. How do you explain that love is last step in the list? (This suggests that it is the most difficult to add to our Christian character. It involves a conversion of the heart to the greatest extent. This is not seem to be a 50% conversion.)

1. Examples For Christians

1. Read Genesis 6:9-10. What kind of man was Noah? (Righteous and blameless.)

1. I'll assume that you know the story of Noah and the flood. If not, read Genesis 6:11-9:17.

1. Read Genesis 9:20-22. Why would Ham tell his brothers about the condition of his father? (He wanted them to laugh at their father. This would decrease the stature of a man the Bible called righteous and blameless.)

1. Read Genesis 9:23. How did Noah's other sons treat him? (With love and respect. They took steps to retain the dignity of their father. They were not like Ham, who took steps to increase his father's shame.)

1. Read Genesis 9:24-27. Now we get to the hard issues. Isn't Noah the one at fault? He got drunk, no one made him do it. If Noah is at fault, why does the son of Ham get cursed?

1. Let's think back to our conclusions about the Bible and moderation. How would you apply those lessons here? (We must always ask "What is important? What matters to God? What will promote the gospel? In the ladder of Christian character, love was at the top. Ham and his son were not showing love and respect to Noah, a righteous man of God. This mattered much more to God than Noah getting drunk.)

1. What logic is there to the curse and the blessings? (Slavery degrades a person. Ham (and apparently Canaan) were degrading Noah. Thus, the curse imposes the same type of harm.)

1. What lessons should we to learn from this? (It is important to be able to decide when "moderation" is required and when "standing firm" is required. We need to "stand firm" on love and respect. Another important lesson that we must not miss is that alcohol opens the door to being humiliated. Finally, an important motive for love is that God's system of justice has a "pay back" aspect to it. See Ecclesiastes 11:1.)

1. Friend, in the past have you stood strong when it mattered and been moderate when the issues didn't matter very much? If you think you might not have gotten it right in the past, ask the Holy Spirit, right now, to convict you about God's priorities.

1. Next week: Integrity: Wholeness and Holiness.

Atmosphere of praise

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The Atmosphere of Praise

 

The Atmosphere of Praise
(Matthew 6, 1 Chronicles 29)

Introduction: Praise God! Just past midnight, a fire broke out in the first of a line of six townhouses between where I live and the beach. A strong wind drove the fire so that it quickly consumed one townhouse after another. I was certain that our condominium, which was only 15 feet from the last townhouse, was doomed. My wife, daughter and I prayed, the firefighters battled the flames, and the fire was stopped at the last townhouse! The fire even burned a hole in the fence between the townhouse and our condominium! Our hearts are filled with intense gratitude and praise. Let's explore what the Bible teaches us about praise from His people!

1. Model Praise
1. Read Luke 11:1. Look deeper into the disciple's request. What was He asking Jesus? (How should he address God? What should he say when speaking to God?)
2. Read Luke 11:2. What is the first point that Jesus tells us to make when addressing God? (Holy is Your name. The first point is to praise God!)
3. Read Matthew 6:10. What does this part of the Lord's prayer assume? (That a conflict exists between good and evil. God's heaven is coming to earth to solve that conflict.)
1. Is there a praise in this? (Yes! God has a superior way of life. God's superior way of life will prevail - and we are asking that this happen now.)
2. Step back a moment. What praise opportunity do we find in the conflict and the coming Kingdom of God? (If I am praying that God's will be done on earth, then I am seeking to have my thinking and my actions aligned with God's side of the conflict. Therefore, my thoughts and actions should bring glory to God. If so, that is one type of praise to God.)
4. Read Matthew 6:11. Is there any praise aspect to this? (We acknowledge God as the source of our existence, the provider of our daily needs.)
1. What praise habits do you have in connection with your "daily bread?" (It is proper to thank God before we eat. This is part of a life of praise.)
5. Read Matthew 6:12. Thinking of my sins is discouraging. Is there a praise opportunity in this? (Jesus is not asking us to dwell on our sins, He is asking us to dwell on the opportunity for forgiveness. This is one of the most powerful motives for praise - our God died for us to allow us to escape the death penalty for our sins.)
1. Notice that asking forgiveness for our sins is not what Jesus mentions first in this model prayer. Why is that? (Some Christians think we should soberly dwell on our sins. Jesus starts out with praise for God and only (much) later gets to the topic of our sins.)
2. The second part of this phrase mentions forgiving those who have sinned against us. Can you find a praise in this? (Having an attitude of forgiveness towards those who have sinned against us, reflects God's love. In this way we give glory to God for forgiving our sins.)
6. Read Matthew 6:13 and James 1:13-15. How can you reconcile these two seemingly contradictory texts?
1. Read Psalms 141:4. How does this shed more light on the issue? (David says "don't let me be sucked into evil." James explains that God does not "lead" us into temptation. But, God does aid us in escaping from temptation and from evil. I think Jesus is praying that God will stop us at the earliest point of temptation.)
2. If you prayed "lead us not into temptation," what would you be seeking from God? (To give us the right desires and to help us control our evil desires.)
1. How does that deliver us from evil? (Again, James tells us that we do not accidentally fall into the pit of sin. Instead, it is a process that begins with evil desires. If, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we get our thoughts under control, we will avoid the evil consequences that flow from our sins.)
3. How else does God deliver us from evil? (How about the fire that stopped just short of my condominium! See Psalms 91:9-11. But see Hebrews 11:35-38. We are right to praise God for deliverance from the evils of life. We should pray for this deliverance.)
2. David's Praise
1. The Bible records many of King David's praises. Let's study the one he gave at the end of his life. Why would that be the best praise to consider? (You have the perspective of time and experience - a life lived within and outside the will of God.)
2. Read 1 Chronicles 29:10. What reason does David give for praising God? (In these lines David praises God for who He is.)
1. How does this compare with Matthew 6:9? (Jesus and David start their praise in precisely the same way - praising God for who He is.)
3. Read 1 Chronicles 29:11. What about God is David praising here? (God is King of heaven and earth.)
1. How does that compare with Matthew 6:10? (Again, this parallels the Lord's prayer.)
4. Read 1 Chronicles 29:12-13. What other reasons does David give for praising God? (David next praises God for sharing His honor, wealth and glory with us.)
5. Read 1 Chronicles 29:14-15. Why is God's generosity to us so shocking? (Presents are often given to encourage the person receiving the gift to do something good in return. We have nothing to give God that He has not first given us!)
1. Have you ever heard of re-gifting?
2. Read Matthew 6:11. What parallel do with find with David's praise? (Both Jesus and David encourage us to praise God for giving material blessings to us.)
6. Read 1 Chronicles 29:17-18. What parallels do you find in Matthew 6:13? (Both speak of a life of integrity. We praise God by obedience to His will.)
3. Times of Praise
1. Read Psalms 92:1-3. When should we praise God? (Every day! In the morning and the evening.)
1. What has music to do with praise? (Music is one of the best vehicles, in my experience, for lifting my heart in praise to God.)
2. Read Exodus 20:8-11. What connection does the Sabbath have to praise? (Sabbath is a special time when we praise God for being the Creator of heaven and earth.)
1. How does this relate to Matthew 6:10: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?" (Sabbath is not only a time to celebrate God's historic act of creation, it is a time to celebrate God's coming recreation. We celebrate the time when God's will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.)
3. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. What does it mean to "proclaim the Lord's death until He comes?" (I don't think this is simply telling the story. I think this includes an element of praise. When we celebrate Communion/the Lord's Supper/Eucharist, we are praising God for His victory over sin and death by His death on our behalf!)
4. Friend, do you live in an atmosphere of praise? Do you pray the Lord's Prayer and consider the praise in it? Do you praise God in the morning, the evening and before every meal? Do you set aside the holy Sabbath for praise? Do you celebrate the Lord's Supper as praise for the victory of the Kingdom of God on earth? If not, why not determine today to live fully in the atmosphere of praise?
4. Next week: Temperance.

I must tell Jesus

6. 
   
   
   

   
   
   I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
   I cannot bear these burdens alone;
   In my distress He kindly will help me,
   He ever loves and cares for His own.
   • 
     
     
     
     Refrain:
     I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
     I cannot bear my burdens alone;
     I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
     Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
7. 
   
   
   
   I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
   He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
   If I but ask Him He will deliver,
   Make of my troubles quickly an end.
8. 
   
   
   
   Tempted and tried I need a great Savior,
   One who can help my burdens to bear;
   I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus:
   He all my cares and sorrows will share.
9. 
   
   
   
   What must I do when worldliness calls me?
   What must I do when tempted to sin?
   I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
   Over the world the vict’ry to win.
   
   

Rest and Restoration

Rest and Restoration
(Matthew 4, 5 & 11, Luke 12, Numbers 8)
Health & Healing: Lesson 7

Introduction: "I'll rest when I'm dead." Have you ever heard that? Ever said it yourself? Sometimes it feels that way to me. When I was in law school, students seemed to study every day. I believed that I should not work on Sabbath. It was a wonderful, guilt-free rest. God blessed me for it and gave me better grades than my buddies who studied every day. But, these days rest is more elusive. I still refrain from secular work on Sabbath, but I teach this lesson and sometimes preach. That seems to be as much work as anything I do during the work week. Some pastors take off Monday, but I need to work Monday. How do we balance work and rest? Let's jump into our study and see what God has to say on the subject!

1. Rest Defined
1. What do you consider to be most restful? When you think of rest what comes to mind? Read Matthew 11:28-30. What kind of rest is Jesus offering to us? Is this spiritual or physical or both?
1. When I think about rest, I think about laying down. This text talks about resting in a "yoke," - which is a device to pull a load. How can putting on a load-bearing device be considered "rest?" (It assumes that we already have a burden ("come ... all you who are ... burdened"). Jesus is offering to share the effort of pulling our burden.)
2. How, exactly, do we add Jesus as a partner in carrying our burdens? (The text tells us to "learn" from Jesus how to be gentle and humble.)
1. What has that (being gentle and humble) have to do with resting?
2. For a few years now my wife and I have been in the process of moving to the town where I teach. We have not sold our old home and we have not purchased a new home in the new town. My wife and I have our eyes on a very impressive home that is for sale. When I consider the cost, I think "Not much rest there!"
1. Why would you or I buy an impressive home? (It has to do with not being humble.)
1. Can you see, now, why rest is linked to humility? (As long as we are pushing to impress those around us with our things, rest is not likely.)
3. I started out asking you whether Jesus is offering spiritual or physical rest. Has your opinion changed after further consideration of this text? (The two are linked. If our heart is right (we are humble) then physical rest is easier.)
2. Rest Essentials
1. Read Matthew 4:23-25. Imagine Jesus' life. Was His life like that of a movie star? (Yes, crowds followed Him.)
1. How would you feel if you had Jesus' job? (Imagine what a great thing it would be to heal severe pain, paralysis and demon-possession. I'm sure the people healed were ecstatic and grateful. It was a great job.)
2. Read Matthew 5:1. Has Jesus turned His back on those with severe pain, paralysis and demon-possession? (Yes. He saw the crowd coming and He headed for the mountains to rest!)
1. Was it a sin to refuse to heal these needy people? (Jesus lived a perfect life.)
2. Is your job as important and compelling as Jesus' job? (No.)
1. What does this teach us about our jobs and rest? (We think that we are indispensable. We think that others cannot get along without us. We think that we cannot rest. Jesus shows us by this example that sometimes we just need to sit down and rest - even if there are compelling reasons not to rest.)
1. Is the attitude that we are indispensable linked to the humility question we just discussed?
3. Read Genesis 2:2-3. John chapter 1 reveals that Jesus was the Creator. Even before Jesus took on human nature, He rested. Do you think that the God who could speak the universe into existence needed to rest? (I doubt it very much.)
1. So, why did Jesus rest? Why elevate rest to such a degree that the rest day would be considered holy? (He must have done it for us. God wanted humans to rest.)
4. Read Mark 6:30-31. Is it wrong to be busy - so busy that you do not have time to eat? (The text does not say that being busy is wrong, it simply says that rest "in a quiet place" is important.)
5. Read Exodus 23:12. How widespread is the human need for rest? (Assuming you have an animal which works - you need to give it rest. Even the least valued in the society (slaves and aliens) are entitled to rest.)
3. Rest and Balance
1. Read Luke 12:16-18. What do you think about this plan? (It seems like a reasonable business plan.)
1. What is the alternative? (Let his crops rot or give them away.)
2. Read Luke 12:19. Do you want to retire as soon as possible? What do you think about this farmer's plan?
3. Read Luke 12:20-21. When I was a college kid, one of my friends told me I should take a break from school, earn money and have some fun. I refused, saying that my goal was to be a lawyer and I needed to keep pushing on with my schooling. My friend responded, "What if you get run over by a truck?" I admitted that would be a problem for my plan.
1. Isn't Jesus' parable a lot like my buddy who said "What if you get run over by a truck?" (I did not get run over by a truck (although I had a very close call), and I soon had my doctorate in law. My buddy, who was also not run over by a truck, never finished college.)
1. Does my experience show Jesus' parable is a little unreasonable? Or, does Jesus have another point? (Jesus explains His point in verse 21 - don't be selfish with God.)
2. How was the farmer not rich towards God? How did this plan cheat God out of anything?
4. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Does this suggest an answer to our questions about the farmer? (The farmer intended to have an extended rest in which he would focus only on himself.)
1. What does the Bible say that the rich (those who don't need to work) should do? (They need to "do good, to be rich in good deeds" and to be generous and share their money. This tells us that we have an obligation to God for both our time and our money.)
2. What does this teach us about rest? (That rest should come periodically. Resting all the time is not God's plan.)
4. Retirement Rest
1. After reading the story of the farmer, you may have some reluctance to retire. Is the idea of retirement consistent with the Bible?
2. Read Numbers 8:23-26. What does this suggest about God's view of retirement? (At least as to the Levites, God took them out of regular service at the age of 50.)
1. Was that the end of work for them? (No. The Keil and Delitzsch Commentary distinguishes the word "work" from the phrase "assist their brothers." Work meant labor, but this commentary argues that the Hebrew word (mishmeret)means oversight, rather than just assisting. Whether the NIV or this commentary have the more correct view, the 50+ crowd was not laying down.)
2. What does this and the farmer story teach us about retirement rest? (Laying down and watching television all day is not the goal. At some point we can (and should) reduce the extent of our physical labor, but the ideal rest is to always stay in the yoke with Jesus helping to advance the Kingdom of God.)
3. Friend, have you reached the right balance in life? Do you have sufficient, but not too much, rest? If not, join me in praying that God will aid you in moving towards that right balance.
5. Next week: The Atmosphere of Praise.