Psalms 2:1-12

Rachel Workman: ¹ Why are the nations so angry?
    Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
² The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
    the rulers plot together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.
³ “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
    “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
The only kind of slavery I'm down with is being a slave to Christ. Christ loves, provides for and protects that what is his.
⁴ But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
    The Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ Then in anger he rebukes them,
    terrifying them with his fierce fury.
⁶ For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
    in Jerusalem,^[a] on my holy mountain.”
God has provided the only thing we will ever need to defeat evil. Christ is enough and he always will be.
⁷ The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.^[b]
    Today I have become your Father.^[c]
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
    the whole earth as your possession.
⁹ You will break^[d] them with an iron rod
    and smash them like clay pots.’”
¹⁰ Now then, you kings, act wisely!
    Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
¹¹ Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
¹² Submit to God’s royal son,^[e] or he will become angry,
    and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
    But what joy for all who take refuge in him!
Verse 10-12 are great verses. I do know that even evil is under the authority of Christ. God uses those who appear to us to be unusable. I've seem many times in the Old Testament where God handed people over to a evil nation to be destroyed and it really makes me wonder if it's not happening right now. We are a society who has become way to accepting and lax in our morals.

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John Burnett:  2 Why are the ^[a]nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
² The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His ^[b]Anointed, saying,
³ “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”  God being holy and just also has a sense of humor and he watches and laughs at Satan’s attempts to destroy His Anointed Israel.  The terrorist complaining about their God moving our rockets is classic.

⁴ He who ^[c]sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
⁶ “But as for Me, I have ^[d]installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”  Those of us who know the King will get to see this.  I will be sitting on my white horse in my white linen watching the battle of all battles that has already been won.

⁷ “I will surely tell of the ^[e]decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
⁸ ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the ^[f]nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
⁹ ‘You shall ^[g]break them with a ^[h]rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like ^[i]earthenware.’”

¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O ^[j]judges of the earth.
^11 [k]Worship the Lord with ^[l]reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
^12 [m]Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may ^[n]soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!  Hundreds of years before the Son appears, we are told to adore him and learn from Him.  The warning of coming wrath is more true today than when it was written by the Psalmist.  Thank you Jesus for blessing me.

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Krista Cook:  Vs 11-12 pretty much sums up these verses . When all is said and done, we need to SERVE and SUBMIT.

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Psalms 1:1-6

Rachel Workman: 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.

Although there is a lot in these verses the one that stands out the most to me is 6. For the Lord watches over the path of the Godly but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. I love the fact that God watches over my path. While I'm doing the things I do every day God is watching over me, protecting me and keeping my path straight. Though I make decisions that steer me from his path he will use whatever necessary to reroute me to his original path. I might have some baggage now that God never intended for me to have because of my decisions but he's still watching over my path. Thank you Jesus that I'm not headed for destruction.

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John Burnett:  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.  We are promised joy when we refrain from doing the things listed.  We cannot fathom what the wicked, unrepentant sinners, and mockers will reap.  I
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.  I have trees in my yard that are dropping branches because they are so dry and withered.  We put these branches on a brush pile that will eventually be burned.  Foreshadowing if I have ever seen it.

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.  Remembering when this was written, before Christ, those sinners that have repented of their sins and placed their trust in Jesus Christ, are seen as godly because Jesus is all that God the Father sees when he looks by our name in the Book of Life.
⁶ For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.  He has watched over my path because I am His and He is mine and I am not destined to suffer his wrath.  Amazing Grace.

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Krista Cook:  What great words to start out with!

Godly living vs ungodly living -

I want my life to reflect that of the "blessed 

man" - one who stands firm and tall like

a tree, producing fruit and prospering -

not one driven away by every wind of evil

and perishes.  What about you?

Which way will you choose?

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Mike Grimm:  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.

This is a psalm of instruction concerning good and evil, setting before us life and death, the blessing and the curse that we may take the right way which leads to happiness and avoid that which will certainly end in our misery and ruin. The different character and condition of godly people and wicked people, those that serve God and those that serve him not, is here plainly stated in a few words; so that every man, if he will be faithful to himself, may here see his own face and then read his own doom. This psalm shows us;

1) The holiness and happiness of a godly man, (Ps. 1:1-3).

2) The sinfulness and misery of a wicked man, (Ps. 1:4, 5).

3) The ground and reason of both, (Ps. 1:6).

Whoever collected the psalms of David (probably it was Ezra) with good reason put this psalm first, as a preface to the rest, because it is absolutely necessary to the acceptance of our devotions that we be righteous before God (for it is only the prayer of the upright that is his delight), and therefore that we be right in our notions of blessedness and in our choice of the way that leads to it. Those are not fit to put up good prayers who do not walk in good ways.

Matthew 5:5-13, Mark 7:30, Luke 7:1-10 and 13:28-29, John 4:46-54 (The Centruion of Capernaum)

Rachel Workman:

Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer[b] came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant[c] lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. 12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour. Several things stand out to me here. The first things is that the officer says Lord I am not worthy. Indeed, none of us are worthy but this man recognized it. When was the last time I truly felt and realized that I am not worthy of the blessings God has given me. Even the small things I take for granted. Second thing was he knew Jesus had authority. I mean imagine just being able so speak someone healed and they are. Jesus had the authority to do that. Jesus was amazed when he heard of the officers faith in him. Do I amaze Jesus? Have I ever amazed him? The other thing that stands out is Jesus hadn't seen faith like that in all of Israel. That's pretty astounding really and sad.   This one really stands out to me. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” God has prepared a place in his Kingdom for ALL people. Even those who will never choose him. His love is relentlessness. His faith surpasses anything we can imagine. God has prepared a place for those even destine for hell. No one is left out of God's plan for salvation. Because this man believed it was done. I know I have stood in my own way many times with my unbelief.		7:1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum. 2 At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer[a] was sick and near death. 3 When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. 4 So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, 5 “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.” If anyone deserves your help he does. Not one of use deserve anything. 6 So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7 I am not even worthy to come and meet you. I love this version, not only did he say he wasn't worthy of a visit but he wasn't even worthy of meeting up with Jesus. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 8 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” 10 And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed. 13:28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. 29 And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God.	There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die. 48 Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” 49 The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” 50 Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. 51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. 52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. I liked this reading also. The father obviously didn't have faith In Jesus. Jesus asked will you not believe unless you've seen miraculous signs and wonders? The officer did believe and had faith and Jesus was faithful to him in his healing. Jesus is faithful to those who are faithful to him even if it means blessing those who do not deserve it.

Matthew 4:24-5:2, Mark 3:7-13a, Luke 6:17-19 (Occasion of the Sermon)

Rachel Workman:

Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,[h] Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. 5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.	7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, 8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. 9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. 10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. 11 And whenever those possessed by evil[a] spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” 12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him.	17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil[b] spirits were healed. 19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.	I know this reading is a repeat, but I'm still amazed when I try to envision the crowds and Jesus just touching them and healing them. A touch is all it took. Can you imagine?

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Mike Grimm: 

Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There’s no sin or problem too great or too small for Him to handle. Jesus’ words were good news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,[h] Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. 5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.	7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, 8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him. While Jesus was drawing fire from the religious leaders, He was gaining great popularity among the people. Some were curious, some sought healing, some wanted evidence to use against Him, and others wanted to know if Jesus truly was the Messiah. 9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. 10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. 11 And whenever those possessed by evil[a] spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” The evil spirits knew that Jesus was the son of God, but they refused to turn from their evil purposes. Knowing about Jesus, or even believing that He is God’s Son, does not guarantee salvation. You must also want to follow and obey Him. 12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was. Jesus warned the evil spirits not to reveal His identity because He did not want them to reinforce a popular misconception. The huge crowds were looking for a political or military leader who would free them from Rome’s control, and they thought that the Messiah predicted by the Old Testament prophets would be this kind of man. Jesus wanted to teach the people about the kind of Messiah He really was – one who was far different from their expectations. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual. It begins not with the overthrow of governments, but with the overthrow of sin in people’s hearts. 13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him.	17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil[b] spirits were healed. 19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone. For many Christ became a symbol of good fortune, a lucky charm, or a magician. Instead of desiring God’s pardon and love, they only wanted physical healing or a chance to see spectacular events. This continues even today. But God is not a magician-He is the Master. Prayer is not a way for us to control God; it is a way for us to put ourselves under His control.

JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE CONTINUED

Matthew 7:24-27 and 7:28-29, Mark 1:21-22, Luke 6:47-49 (The House Built upon the Rock) (The Effect of the Sermon)

Rachel Workman:

Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
(The House Built upon the Rock) 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (The Effect of the Sermon) 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.	When we hear the word of God and we really hear it, when we believe that Christ is who he says he is and he has done what he says he has done, when we ask for forgiveness of our sins, our foundation is being build upon a solid rock. No sorrow or pain can cause that foundation to be washed away. We are forever his, resting in his peace and mercy awaiting the day of our glorious salvation. I shutter to think of what happens to those who hear and do not believe. There is no peace or mercy. And worst of all no salvation. (The Effect of the Sermon) 21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.	(The House Built upon the Rock) 6:47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

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John Burnett: 

Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
(The House Built upon the Rock) 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (The Effect of the Sermon) 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.	Those that have built their house on the sand are also easily blown off the narrow way going through the narrow gate.   (The Effect of the Sermon) 21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.	(The House Built upon the Rock) 6:47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”