Stories Of The Bible

Stories of the Bible

GTCOTR/ws112002

The Sons of Noah

I. Genesis 10 1 ¶ Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.

A. verses 1-5 Japheth the eldest son

1. The sons of Japheth

(a) Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

2. “By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.”

3. Most likely settled most of Europe and the West

Note: This is not in chronological order: Chapter 11 describes the dividing of people and languages.

B. verses 6-20 Ham, the middle son

1. The sons of Ham

(a) Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan

2. Canaan’s Descendents

16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,

17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,

18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.

19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah …

3. Most likely spread North, South and Eastward

C. verses 21-31 Shem, the youngest

1. The children of Shem

(a) Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram

2. V.21 - …the father of all the children of Eber …

(a) Eber is the father of the Eberites = Hebrew

(b) Others say that Hebrew comes from ‘passing over’?

II. Genesis 9

8 ¶ And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.

19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:

21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.

23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.

24 ¶ And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.

25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

A. Noah’s Living Words

1. Cursed be Canaan - Servitude

2. Blessed be

(a) The Lord God of Shem

(b) Canaan shall be his servant

3. God shall enlarge Japheth

(a) he shall dwell in the tents of Shem

(b) Canaan shall be his servant

B. 1 Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

* First the natural and then the spiritual

C. Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled

D. John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

E. Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles

F. Romans 11

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

III. Conclusion - Here is the Truth

A. We Are Living In The Last of the Last Days

B. We are in a parenthetical bracket of time to fulfill our forefathers prophetic declaration and then God will fully deal with the sin of Adam left on the earth.

1. God had a plan to create & enjoy a family on the earth

2. Sin interrupted the plan momentarily

3. The sin of Adam was sin against God

(a) God cursed the parties

(b) God declared the remedy: the seed of a woman

4. The sin of Canaan was sin against man

(a) Man cursed the parties

(b) Man declared the remedy: the fulfillment of the prophecy ends the curse - ‘… and Canaan shall be his servant.’

5. God gave two tables of stone containing 10 commandments

(a) The first table dealt with sin against God

(b) The second table dealt with sin against man

6. Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

7. God gave His Son, Jesus, to pay for all sin and reconcile all parties to Himself, saying that if we walk in His light then we will have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

8. The book of Revelation picks up where Genesis 9:27 leaves off.

High Places In Life

HIGH PLACES IN LIFE

Gtcotr/ss111702

I. 1Kings 15:9-14 King Asa’s Good Reign

A. v.10: He reigned 41 years in Jerusalem

B. v.11: Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord ... like David

1. he took away the sodomites out of the land

2. he removed all the idols his fathers had made

3. he also removed his (grand) mother for making an idol in a grove

a. he destroyed her idol

b. he burnt it up

C. v.14: but ... the high places were not removed

1. nevertheless (even though) Asa’s heart was right with God

2. it was not a heart problem, but it was a problem nonetheless

II. High Places

A. In O.T. times people lived in the Kingdom of God as His chosen people

B. In N.T. times the Kingdom of God lives inside God’s chosen people

C. High Places in the O.T. times

1. traditional and contemporary places of worship to pagan deities, false gods.

2. prevalent places of social, military and religious gathering, sacrifice and celebration.

3. spoken against by God through both the law and prophets:

a. It was from the high places of baal that Balak expected Balaam to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22 - Balaam)

b. Numbers 33:52 God tells the Israelites to completely “destroy all the high places” of the Canaanites.

c. In Leviticus 26 Israel is warned: “do not make high places” and walk contrary to God or else He would walk contrary to them.

d. 1 Kings 12 Jeroboam committed sin in that he made high places and set up idols and made priests of the lowest people who were not Levites.

(1) 1 Kings 13:1-5 the prophecy against the altar of the high places and gave a sign that Josiah would destroy these high places

(2) 360 years later ... what a prophecy!

(a) 2 Kings 22:1-2 Josiah was 8 when he began to reign

1. took over from his father Amon

2. Amon was evil and served idols and worshipped them

(b) 2 Kings 22:15-16

1. Josiah broke down the altar at the high place of Bethel that Jeroboam had made as prophesied

2. burned the high place

3. stamped it to powder

4. burned the grove

5. took dead men’s bones out of their graves and burned them on the high place altar polluting it according to the Word of the Lord.

D. High Places in the New Testament

1. Ephesians 6:12 says our wrestle is against spiritual wickedness in high places

2. places of socially accepted, doctrinally or religiously allowed and personally worshipped departures from the will of God.

3. they can exist and find harbor even in the life of a good Christian, one who serves God and has a perfect heart.

III. Kings & Leaders

A. Many kings did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and their hearts were right with God, however He adds this testimony to their account:

1. Asa, King of Judah 1 Kings 15 Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, nevertheless, the high places were not removed.

2. 1 Kings 22:42-43 Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord nevertheless the high places were not taken away out of Israel and the people sacrificed and burnt incense on the high places

3. 2 Kings 12:2-3 Jehoash, King of Judah ... still the people ...

4. 2 Kings 14:3-4 Amaziah, King of Judah did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord ... howbeit the high places were not taken away and the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.

5. 2 Kings 15 Azariah, King of Judah did what was right in the sight of the Lord save that the high places were not removed and the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places

6. 2 Kings 15:32 Jotham, King of Judah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord ... howbeit the high places were not removed and the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places. He did build the higher gate of the house of the Lord though.

7. 2 Chronicles 15:17 Asa did not take away the high places away out of Israel, “nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.”

B. Chief Stewards, Kings if you will, over the portion of God’s Kingdom in you.

1. In O.T. Times chosen people lived in the Kingdom of God

2. In N.T. Times the Kingdom of God lives in chosen people (Luke 17:21)

3. Kings determine what goes on or is allowed in the kingdoms they oversee.

4. What is socially acceptable, religiously allowed, personally worshipped or spiritually desired in your kingdom is up to you, O King!

5. You may be doing what is right and pleasing in the sight of the Lord, but if you do not also remove the high places and destroy them in your own life, you will not have the best testimony.

a. your heart might be right with God, however

b. your legacy may not measure up

c. and your posterity, those you influence and leave behind, may pay for it!

d. America may be a monotheistic society but we are polytheistic in our practices.

IV. High Places I Have Observed (submitted to; allowed; worshipped)

A. Fornication: (The god of lust and sex) SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE

1. living together without the covenant of marriage

2. premarital sex

3. extramarital sex

4. extra biblical sex

5. cyber sex

6. phone sex

7. mail order sex

8. sex sells and lust lures

note: because these things are so prevalent in our society and are tolerated, even promoted, worshipped by some, Kings of today have great social challenges facing them as they attack these high places head on and destroy them, even in their own kingdoms.

B. Deception: (The god of lies, half truths and hidden motives) Little needs to be said about this high place allowed in many lives & kingdoms

1. From income tax fraud to deceptive trade practices

2. Most is done in the name of the almighty dollar & greed

C. Polytheism: (the god of idolatry and priority)

1. sports (take the time and worship belonging to Almighty God)

2. television and other entertainment

3. careers

4. time off (people protect and even worship it above God)

5. money

6. Special interest groups & orders which demand undivided loyalty

D. Immediate Gratification Syndrome

1. I can’t wait, won’t wait ... why wait ... I shouldn’t have to

2. chronic behavioral disorders

a. road rage

b. many, not all, but many medically diagnosed disorders

c. some addictions ... (like chocolate or spending or gadgets)

3. Instead of working and waiting, they sell their soul for soup

HIGH PLACES: Social pressures and socially acceptable departures from God’s Kingdom will and purposes.

4. American dream drive

5. It’s all about me!

E. Meism (the god of self)

1. causes high divorce rates even in the church among Christians who are right with God ... it’s a high place.

2. increased frivolous law suits

* Stella’s - Read from the list of 2002 Awards

3. increased profit taking

a. price gouging

b. stock market sell offs

c. premature & unnecessary layoffs

d. extended work hours

e. excessive consumer credit debt loads

4. abortion ... you can be right with God and still wrong

5. poor job performance and bottom line financials

note: Like Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”

You are also the only one who can break down and wipe out the high places in God’s Kingdom. God does not expect the world to follow Him, but He does hope you will.

V. Hezekiah, King of Judah, 2 Kings 18:1-7 is our Pattern King

A. He did that which was right in the sight of God

1. He removed the high places

2. He broke the images (idols)

3. He cut down the groves

4. He broke in pieces the brass serpent Moses had made because it had become an object of worship, an idol, and called it just a thing of brass.

B. So that there was none like him after him nor before him

1. He trusted God

2. He clave to the Lord

3. He followed Him

4. He kept His commands

C. And the Lord was with him

1. and prospered him

2. because he also sought the Lord in his troubles

a. 2 Kings 20 God sent Isaiah the prophet

b. God more than doubled his reign by giving him 15 years more to live above his appointed time to die.

(1) a man of prayer

(2) walked in truth

(3) walked in brokenness

Not only did King Hezekiah live a broken life toward God, but he also broke all of the devil’s stuff he could get his hands on. (2 Kings 18)

Break up the devil’s stuff in your life.

Tear down the high places you wrestle with.

Be a person of prayer, truth and brokenness.

Determine this morning to decree the end of high places in your kingdom.

No more: Fornication; Deception; Idols and misplaced priorities; being ruled by immediate gratification; and no more Meism thinking and living.

VI. Recovery

A. 2 Timothy 2:25-26

1. God gives repentance

2. to those who acknowledge the truth

3. we recover ourselves from the snare of the devil

4. who have been taken captive at his will

B. An Old Chinese Proverb

1. One who does not know and does not know that he does not know is a fool, shun him.

2. One who does not know and knows he does not know is humble, teach him.

3. One who knows and does not know that he knows is asleep, wake him.

4. One who knows and knows that he knows is wise, follow him.

C. Proverbs 16 says that a sluggard, (also fool), is wiser in his own conceit that seven men can render a reason.

1. He does not acknowledge the truth, when only the truth can set him free.

2. John 8:31-32 continue in word, know the truth and be set free

D. Here is the problem:

1. when you are one of the only ones who believes that you are right

2. and you don’t have a solid vision, dream, prophecy or greater spiritual direction which:

a. agrees with the word

b. achieves God’s kingdom goals

c. passes the test of pastoral counsel

3. you are most likely wrong!

a. deal with it

b. it may be a high place:

(1) fornication

(2) deception, deceiving yourself or others

(3) misplaced priorities or idolatry

(4) immediate gratification syndrome

(5) just plain selfish ... Meism

c. acknowledge the truth

d. turn away from satisfying that urge or desire, even though it is socially acceptable, religiously tolerated, personally desirable ...

(1) don’t submit to it,

(2) don’t allow it in your life,

(3) don’t worship it!

e. pray for God’s deliverance

f. allow yourself to be broken, if need be, to get God’s covering.

Noah and The Ark

Noah and The Ark

GTCOTR/ws111302

I. To Finish Up Last Week - Before the Flood Genesis 6

A. When God did decide to destroy man and every living thing

B. Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

1. He was a just man

* right, righteous and fair in conduct, character and cause

2. Perfect in his generations

* a man of integrity, truth & innocence in his day

* his fathers left him wholesome, complete & innocent - heritage

3. Noah walked with God

*his moral character demonstrated one whom God would accompany

C. Noah means ‘Rest’

D. A few other things about Noah

1. Noah had patience

2. He stuck to his message, a preacher of righteousness

3. He was a hard worker

4. He was unafraid of what others thought

5. He was a family man

II. Genesis 6 The Ark - A ‘Chest’ (not ship)

A. Some say it took 52 yrs, others 100 and some 120 yrs to build

B. Gopher wood - unknown but most likely thought Cypress wood

C. Interesting the word pitch is the same word as atonement

D. It was probably built near Eden, close to Ararat, where it landed

E. Make rooms - Prepare ‘nests’

F. Assuming the cubic was a Jewish/Egyptian/Bible cubic = 21.88 inches

* 547 feet long

* 91’ 2” wide

* 47’ 2” high

IV. Genesis 7 The Animals

A. Seven pair of every clean animal & bird

* for sacrifice

* for food after the flood

* to repopulate more clean than unclean in the new world

B. Two pair of every unclean animal

III. The Flood Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

A. It rained 40 days and 40 nights

B. Water covered the earth, more than 20’ above the highest hills

C. The water covered the earth for 150 days after the initial 40 days

D. 5 months after the water peeked, the Ark rested on mount Ararat

E. 3 months later the tops of the mountains could be seen

F. 40 days later Noah opened a window

1. He sent out a raven which continued to fly around

2. Then he sent a dove out who returned

3. 7 days later he sent the dove again: it returned with an olive leaf

4. 7 days later he sent the dove again which did not return

G. Noah removed the covering from the ark and they looked out

H. Noah & family were in the ark about 1 year and 10 days according to the Jewish calendar or 365 days by the solar calendar.

IV. Genesis 8:15 The New Day

A. The Sacrifice for a new day

Note: Gen 8:20 what a long hard ride to become the sacrifice for a new day without getting to partake. What an offering to God for others. Only the best and strongest and most able to survive were acceptable sacrifices … those who would have had the best chance and the are the best choice for survival and replenishing the earth. Destiny is it’s own master.

B. God’s New Day Grace Covenant

1. I will not curse the ground anymore for man’s sake

* his heart is continually evil from his youth

2. I will not smite every living thing again as I have done

3. While the earth remains it shall not cease to have

* seedtime & harvest

* cold & heat

* summer & winter

* night & day

* predictable patterns of season and weather

C. Genesis 9 A New Way of Life

* Given animals to eat for food just like the herbs

D. An Old Commandment for A New People

* Be Fruitful and Multiply & Replenish

E. The Rainbow covenant

The Story Of Abraham And His Servant Warriors

GTCOTR/ss111002

Genesis 14

The Story Of Abraham And His Servant Warriors

* Abraham was about 84 or 85 years old, (dies @175), about a year or so before Ishmael was born: approximately 2033 years AM or close to 2100 BC or around 4100 years ago give or take 100 or so years.

* God blessed Abraham during the past 9 or 10 years so that he has many servants and livestock … too much for the land to feed

* Lot and Abraham have parted company … Lot chose to dwell near Sodom in the fertile plains of the Jordan & its wealthy cities

* Abraham remained in the sparse land of Canaan living in tents

* A battle broke out involving the King of Sodom and 8 other kings

* Sodom & Gomorrah lost and the victors took their people and possessions as slaves & spoil, including Lot, his family & their goods

* One who had escaped came and informed Abraham of the loss

* Abraham had already made provision for just such an event

> Abraham had already amassed weapons of warfare

> Abraham had already trained warriors for battle

> Abraham armed 318 of these trained & trusted servants

* Abraham led these shepherd-warriors in pursuit of the victor kings & their battle hardened, well seasoned and experienced armies

> Abraham caught up with them

^ Josephus says it was the 5^th night after Abraham had first heard of Lot’s capture and enslavement

^ Abraham’s strategy: attack at night by surprise from all directions at once, slaughter the enemy before they can muster a defense, then pursue their coward deserters and slay them in their retreat. Pursue all the way into Syria, up to the capital if necessary

> Abraham won a great victory

> Abraham recovered all the people and their possessions

> Abraham returned with the spoil, stopping only to give tithes of all he had recovered to the Priest of God, Melchizedek …

> The rest of the goods he returned to the Kings & people

* Abraham would take nothing for himself saying:

“I swore to God that I would not take a thread or even a shoe lace so that no man will ever be able to say they made Abraham rich”

Key Scripture: Genesis 14:14

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

Born In The House

Not bored in the house … not just visitor, a stranger or a guest

Jesus needs people born in the house … what house?

The House of God … The Local New Testament Church!

Matthew 28 (NIV) The Local Church has been given the strategy to see people born into the house & birthed in the vision of that house

18. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We call this the great commission … Commissioned to do what?

Make Disciples!

The emphasis of this scripture is not on the command to go, but rather the command to make disciples … to train servant-warriors.

We see this command carried out by the Local Church in Jerusalem and then in Antioch and since through local churches all around the world. Without making disciples, those born into the house … die.

The best and most efficient discipleship program is the Local Church in action (Jesus discipled the future church: where He went, did …)

* Not only is this so … but also:

The result of any efficient discipleship is a Local Church.

Matthew 16:18 Upon this rock I will build My church … He Did!

Those born in the house (disciples) became the house (the church).

The number of times Disciple(s) or Church is mentioned in the KJV

New Testament Disciple(s) Church

Gospels 226 3

Acts 29 22

Epistles 0 71

Revelation 0 19

Why? Because the disciples became the church in action & eternity.

The church is the Bride of Christ, not just the girlfriend of Jesus.

What’s the difference: A Committed Relationship

You marry the bride …

You just date the girlfriend!

Ephesians 5:25 Jesus died for the church!

Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the church of Ephesus

Revelation 2:8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna

Revelation 2:12 To the angel of the church in Pergamos

Revelation 2:18 To the angel of the church in Thyatira

Revelation 3:1 To the angel of the church in Sardis

Revelation 3:7 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia

Revelation 3:14 To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans

The years gone by are the best proof that we at COTR have a great discipleship program in place … it is Our Local Church in action … involvement in our church will disciple people and turn them into servant warriors, born in the house, married to the vision, armed, trained, ready for next battle while tending the flock of their Lord.

Look at the bible pattern for getting people ready to become the church: In Acts 2:42, 3000 had just been saved. Three tangible changes took place in their lives that wrote the rest of the bible.

Acts 2:42 They continued steadfastly

The Apostles Doctrine (attending teachings)

Fellowship (Christian Friends & Common Encounters)

Breaking of Bread (Memorializing The Lord’s Death)

Prayers (both individual and corporate)

In Other Words They were fully committed to:

1. Prayer

2. Searching the Word of God for answers to life’s daily questions and applying those answers to life

3. Making time in their busy schedules for Church and Christian friends.

Every Christian Should Become A Pattern For Others To Follow

In Making a living

Making a life

Making a difference

We must heed the call and make disciples so that the church can be strong and prepared to go forward in the day of battle, armed, trained and victorious! Married to the vision, betrothed to the Lord.

If you will be a disciple today

You will become the church of tomorrow:

Trained, Armed and Victorious!

I ask you to commit to a marriage relationship with Jesus Christ and become a servant-warrior of the local church

Here is what it will take:

1. A commitment to prayer.

2. A commitment to seek answers from the Word of God and apply them to your life.

3. A commitment to spend priority time with Christian friends and your Church family. (more than a guest, visitor or spectator - make this house yours, become one born in the house, responsible for the vision, committed to the purpose, armed and ready for battle.)