Test Your Knowledge

Instead of the usual article, I thought we'd do something a little different today. So here is a do-it-yourself quiz covering what we have had in the reading schedule so far this year, with the answers on the inside. Some are easy, some may be more difficult for you. See how many answers you know, and then let us all strive to learn more of God's word.

Questions:
1. How many days did creation take?
2. What was the name of Moses' brother?
3. What was Jacob's name changed to?
4. How many brothers did Joseph have?
5. Who were the kings over Israel, before the nation divided into two nations?
6. Who were the two men who never died?
7. Who is the longest living man in the Bible?
8. Who led the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after Babylonian and Persian captivity?
9. Who was fed by ravens?
10. What was Jerub-baal's original name?
11. How many people were saved during the great flood?
12. What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
13. Which Jew became queen over the Persian Empire?
14. What was the last plague in Egypt before the Israelites were set free?
15. Who led the Israelites after the death of Moses?
16. What did God provide for the Israelites to eat in the wilderness?
17. Where was the law given to the Hebrews?
18. Who led the rebellion against Moses and was swallowed up by the earth?
19. Who prayed for a son, and a priest thought she was drunk?
20. Who was the worst king of Judah?

Answers:

1.Six (Genesis 1)

2.Aaron (Exodus 4:14)

3.Israel (Genesis 32:28)

4.Eleven (Genesis 29:31-30:24)

5.Saul, David, and Solomon (I Samuel 9:17, I Samuel 16:1-13, I Kings 2:12)

6.Enoch and Elijah (Genesis 5:21-24, II Kings 2:11-12)

7.Methuselah (Genesis 5:27)

8.Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-6)

9.Elijah (I Kings 17:2-6)

10.Gideon (Judges 6:32)

11.Eight (Genesis 7:6-10)

12.Psalm 119

13.Esther, also known as Hadassah (Esther 2:17)

14.Death of the firstborn (Exodus 12:12

)15.Joshua (Joshua 1:1-2)

16.Manna and Quail (Exodus 16:35, Exodus 16:13)

17.Mt. Sinai (Exodus 31:18)

18.Korah (Numbers 16)

19.Hannah (I Samuel 1:9-16)

20.Manasseh (II Kings 21:1-18)

Comfort in Christ

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

I Corinthians 1:3-7 (NASB)

We live in a time where many wish they could have some comfort, for a great many reasons. In Christ, there is great comfort and peace. Paul writes to the church in Philippi that the peace of Christ goes beyond what we can understand (Philippians 4:7).

In order to receive the comfort offered in Christ, we must first be in Christ (I Peter 5:14). If we are not in Christ, then we do not have the peace and comfort which He offers. Being in Christ requires having come to faith and obedience (Galatians 3:27).

Part of this comfort offered by Christ is in knowing that the Lord cares for you (I Peter 5:7). In Matthew 6:24-34, Christ makes a promise to those who follow Him. That they will be taken care of and provided for. Now, notice that this passage does not say that His disciples will be wealthy or well off. Nor does He say that they will be of good health. Nor does He say that nothing bad will occur in their life. The only promise made is that we will have what we need for as long as we need it. While a far cry from the “gospel of health and wealth” that many advocate, it is nonetheless a comforting thought.

Part of the comfort offered by Christ is knowing that there are others who obey Christ who will be there to help us and work with us in the Lord's service (II Corinthians 7:6). As in all things, it is comforting to know that others are with us. More importantly, we have the promise that God is with us (Matthew 18:20). The Lord who will strengthen us is always with us, if we live in faith and obedience (Philippians 4:13).

Part of the comfort offered by Christ is knowing that no matter happens in this life, we have something more to look forward to. This is why Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica,
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I Thessalonians 4:16-18

However, the Lord's return is only of comfort to those who have lived for Him. For those who have not put their faith in the Lord, obeyed Him, it should be a terrifying thought (II Corinthians 5:11).

The Importance of __________ Knowledge

In writing to Christians, Pete urged them to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (I I Peter 3:18) Grace, as is well known, is extremely important for all. It is by grace that men and women can have the hope of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-10). No one would doubt the importance of God's mercy. Held equally in this passage is knowledge. The knowledge of our Lord is vital to the Christian, and so he should pursue it. Not content with what he already knows, he will strive to learn more.

The Importance of Having Knowledge
As is seen in Hosea 4:6, there is a consequence for lacking knowledge: destruction. And it is a pretty simple and straightforward reason for this to be so: if one does not know what the commandments of God are, then then the word of God cannot be followed. If God's instructions are got followed, then it is impossible to please God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Hebrews 11:6). There are negative consequences for not having knowledge, and the end is destruction (II Thessalonians 1:8-9). It is not as though we are not given what we need to know. The Lord has provided us with all pertinent information (II Peter 1:3). And so, we are held responsible for not remaining ignorant (Acts 17:30).

At the same time, there are positive consequences for having knowledge of the scriptures. Through knowledge of God's word, belief is possible. (John 20:30-31). Through knowledge, it is possible to obey God (John 14:15) and thus love the Lord. Through knowledge of the scriptures, it is possible to please God and live with Him for eternity (I John 5).

The Importance of Right Knowledge
Now, simply having some knowledge is not good enough. It must be right knowledge. That is, it must be true. To put it in the simplest form, Christ promises that the truth will set you free (John 8:32). By stating this, He of course excludes all non-truths. If we wish to be pleasing to the Lord, our knowledge must be in accordance with what He has said. Many will sincerely follow teachings not by Christ (II Peter 2:1-3). But their sincerity will not save them from condemnation for believing a lie (II Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Instead, caution must be used to have knowledge of the truth: the gospel, the word of God. It is through the gospel that we can know what we must do to be saved (Romans 1:16). It is through proper knowledge of the scriptures that we can be made mature and complete workers (II Timothy 3:16-17). No matter how comforting or appealing lies may be, they do not lead to the same end as the truth.

The Importance of Applying Knowledge
It is one thing to know what to do. It is another thing to actually do it. Having knowledge of the truth does a person no good unless it is applied. In Matthew 7:24-27, Christ teaches about two people: one who hears His words and does nothing, and one who hears His words and acts on them. The first man is compared to a foolish builder whose house collapses. The second man is described as a wise man who built on a rock. A person can completely memorize the entire Bible, but if that person does not follow what the scriptures teach, that knowledge is useless and accomplishes nothing. James teaches us that we cannot be simply a hearer, but must also be a doer of the word (James 1:23-27). It is pretty simple: action must follow knowledge.

Knowledge that is both true and applied is absolutely necessary for living a Christian life. All should dedicate time to studying the scriptures and seeking out the will of God (Acts 17:11, Acts 20:27). In study, knowledge is gained. That knowledge in turn leads to more understanding. And when that knowledge is applied, the cause of Christ is furthered.

Sin and Punishment

Sin is simple. When you do someone that God has said not to do, you sin (I John 3:4). When you do not do something God has commanded, you sin (James 4:17). That covers a pretty wide area, which is why lists of sins found in scripture do not claim to be complete. For example,

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21

This list teaches that adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness (that is, all forms of lust and sexual activity outside of marriage) are sin. Idolatry (letting anything be more important than God in your life) is a sin. Witchcraft (false religion and applying to “another power” other than God) is a sin. Hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, and strife (all of which are sins against others) are all sins. Seditions and heresies (turning others away from the Lord) is sin. Envying (jealousy over another’s possessions, status, abilities, etc.), murders, drunkenness and revellings, are all sin. And then Paul ends with “and such like,” which means that there are more works of the flesh (in other words: sin), than in this list.

If we choose to sin, there are consequences. It’s that simple. If we choose to do that which God has forbidden, or if we choose to not do that which God has commanded, there is a result. And it’s not a happy one.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:43-48

If you live in sin, all you have to look forward to is an eternity of suffering and torment. Of course, the opposite is equally true. If we live for Christ, we have eternal life to look forward to. It shouldn’t be hard to choose which we prefer, and then make up our minds to live accordingly. Do you want to have eternal life with Christ? Do as He says (John 14:15). Do you want to suffer in eternal torment? Then sin. Just remember the consequences.