The Old Testament Part 2 #2

With endurance the race is looking to Jesus, founder and perfecter of our nation Israel had one reason for being bring forth the Messiah would first die as a sacrifice for sin and later raised the return one day all of your from the Moody Church in Chicago. This is Sir Lewis clear teaching helps us across the finish line. Estimates are as we read the Bible, it becomes here that Satan wanted to stop the birth of Jesus at all costs. Dave, that's true, and not only did Satan want to stop the birth of Jesus.

Satan has always wanted to destroy the Jews. I think that that began as soon as God chose Abraham back in Genesis chapter 12 and as we think about the destruction of the Jews are the attempted destruction of the Jews, of course, our minds go to Nazi Germany. I've written a book entitled, when a nation forgets God. Seven lessons.

We must learn from Nazi Germany, and in this book I discuss various political and moral issues that were going on in Germany that would eventually bring about the Holocaust for a gift of any amount. This book can be yours.

Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Now let us listen carefully as we again introduce the conflict between Satan and God, as we shall discover God always wins then you think of Esau growing up. Of course, and having antagonism with his twin brother Jacob, and later on he said goes in one direction and Jacob. Those in another. Esau and his descendents become known as Edomites and they live in today is called Petro that some of us have had the opportunity of visiting and what you have in history all throughout the Old Testament is antagonism toward the Jews, and especially toward the seed of the woman I have no doubt that Satan often thought to himself I wonder who is going to bear the Messiah, and as so he would try to work his wonders, so that he would prevent the purpose of God from being accomplished. As a matter fact there were times in the Old Testament when it seemed as if the line that God had chosen was almost wiped out. But God always kept a remnant in that line kept progressing throughout history until we get to Jesus, but it was always attacked and that the Edomites of course were part of that who antagonized Israel. Israel wanted to go past them. The Edomites didn't let them. The Amalekites are descendents of the Edomites and these Amalekites attacked Israel, and God says I will have war with Amalek in one generation to another generation. But one day in the land that we today call Israel. There was a king who was in Edomites and he was a descendent of Edom and his name was Herod the great and Herod the great was a madman but one of the things that he did is to continue to attack the seed of the woman did name when he hears that Jesus is born in Bethlehem. He says to the wise men come and tell me about it because I want to worship them to, and thereon to him and they don't do that any becomes angry and he kills all of the boys in Bethlehem who were two years of age and under hoping to kill Jesus so matter-of-fact Herod the great, even killed his own family members. He was a very evil king, but one of the things about Herod is that he really love to Bill and he wanted to build the Jews the temple you said no. We have a temple and Zerubbabel we have Zerubbabel's temple. He said okay I want build your temple all simply renovate Zerubbabel's temple actually he rebuilt it all the matter fact the tearing down of the old one in the building of the new one happen simultaneously and it was a you glorious temple factory trained a thousand priests as Masons to work on it to make sure that the Jews were satisfied, he himself indicated that he was converting to Judaism so is doing them a huge favor and also to try to give himself a great position in history, and so Herod's Temple was built today when you go to Israel Bill talk about the first Temple. They mean Solomon and then will talk about the second Temple. In the second Temple period is basically Herod's Temple you sell what about Zerubbabel's temple, by and large in history. It didn't play a big part and because it was absorbed into the great Herod's Temple, Zerubbabel's Temple is not spoken about but Herod's Temple is all right now. Let's do the math. He begins at about 20 years before Jesus is born building this massive structure. Jesus comes on the scene. The building is not yet finished my view, the inner part was at the outer part was still being built on an Jesus is sitting on the opposite side of the Mount of olives and he's looking at Jerusalem.

He says to the disciples look at the stones that are here and Herod's glorious temple. They were everywhere. He says not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be human down while Jesus said that this Temple will be destroyed because the Jews did not know the day of their visitation.

It's finally finished in about 64 A.D. and a few years later in 70 A.D. this glorious temple that was built by Herod, which supposedly housed worship the temple into which Jesus was brought as a child when his parents took him to Jerusalem. This glorious temple was taken down the stone by stone. It is said that when the Romans came and Titus came and conquered the city that they believe that there was gold in the stones and so it was totally and come lately dismantled in accordance with the words and the prophecy of Jesus the temple was gone. Today you can go to Jerusalem, and there are no artifacts of Herod's Temple, except for a retaining wall that was left in that retaining wall is known as the Wailing Wall was an outer wall to hold in the temple area and the mounds of dirt that were taken into the area to build the temple. That's all that was left whenever you go to Rome please please go to the Roman forum because there in the form you can see the arch of Titus, which commemorates the victory of the Romans over Israel and on the arch. There is a candelabra made a replica of a candelabra that was taken from the temple area of Jerusalem and brought to Rome.

Now if you were to go to the temple area today. What would you see today you would see what is known as the dome of the rock. The dome of the rock which was built in them.

The latter part of the 600 so we could say the seventh century. This is a Muslim shrine, and when you're at the Mount of olives and you're looking toward the temple area.

You can see the wall course on the other side of the wall is the dome of the rock and before you is the Kidron Valley and the best place to see it really is from the garden of Gethsemane, which is then your opportunity to see Jerusalem, but today there's this Muslim shrine, and when you're at the shrine you notice many different to what shall we say inscriptions from the Quran and one of those inscriptions says and heaps basically a curse on Christians who believe the Trinity is saying that there could not possibly be the son of God.

God could not have a son. What happens when you go inside the dome of the rock inside the dome of the rock. As you might expect you find a rock.

This rock is the top of the mountain.

I've been in the dome of the rock many times and what you can see is people who had come in the chiseled pieces from the rock but at the top of the mountain and years ago when I was studying in Israel.

More than 40 years ago I wrote a paper on Herod's Temple and also on the dome of the rock and according to my studies. This rock is probably the place where you had the burnt offering Holter so you can understand that this is a very historical site is a site that is very holy to the Jews because it is here that the temple stood.

It is a shrine built by the Muslims condemning Christianity and it is a holy place to them. And no wonder so much of the history of the world has taken place and still will take place on this particular piece of real estate.

Let's look at that rock again and let's think now the Bible says in second Chronicles chapter 3 verse one that Solomon built his temple on Mount Moriah on the very hill where David had purchased from around of the Jebusite where he might worship the Lord. So Solomon builds his temple on Mount Moriah.

That's interesting. Where do we find Mount Moriah again in the Scripture. Well, we actually find it earlier. Remember way back in Genesis chapter 22 God says Abraham I want you to take your son and I want you to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah so as far as we know it was on top of this mountain.

This hill, this is where Abraham came you say well I don't see the mountain well you have to remember that were talking about many years before Christ 1800 years before Christ area was filled in, so that the temple could be built. So when you look at that rock you realize it has a tremendous unbelievable history, perhaps right there is where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac. So let me say again, it's holy to the Jews there temple was here it's holy to the Muslims because they built a shrine here. It is not a mosque. It is a shrine. The dome of the rock. What about the Christians well Christianity is spoken against in the dome of the rock and if you go less than 1/2 a mile, maybe 1/3 of a mile.

You get to the very spot in Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was himself crucified so the spot also is holy to Christians. Is it any wonder that peace is very elusive in the Middle East while I brought you right up to the time of Jesus because this next message in the series is going to pick up with the New Testament, but where does this leave us what's the take home. Why should our lives be changed forever because we know this history.

Couple of reasons. First of all number one. Notice that God disciplines his people.

God disciplines his people, you know, I read the story of the Old Testament. I just can't get over it. As I explained last time the Israelites were always falling into sin they had this love of idolatry and God was constantly warning them, and constantly punishing them.

I think of those two beautiful temples. I think of the temple of Solomon. Yes, it did exist for 350 years, the glorious temple, God comes along and says, you know, because of your rebellion in your sin. The Babylonians were going to destroy it. I think of Herod's Temple. What a wonderful tourist attraction. It would've been today and that there is no doubt it could easily have stood the test of time 2000 years. Other buildings have come close to that.

But Jesus is saying because of your disobedience and because you didn't accept me as Messiah you're going to be destroyed and so the Romans, and Titus comes in. He says, surely God was on our side or we could not have done this said Titus as he destroys the city and the temple. Isn't it amazing how God apparently is willing to do anything. When people continue to sin our nation of the United States is under judgment, no question about a longer story, but judgment has come to us and so we have to ask ourselves how do we live in a society that clearly is abandoning God and facing the consequences. But you know he disciplines individual believers to the Bible says in the book of Hebrews that those whom the Lord loves he chastens Andy's scourges every son that he received as a matter fact it says that if you are not disciplined. You are not a child of God. No Christian can leave God and to live in sin without God's discipline and chastisement. Maybe it will be mental torment. Maybe it'll be guilt. Maybe it will be consequences. But in some way or another, God disciplines his people. If there's a lesson to be learned from all of this is God really genuinely hates sin.

That's the first lesson God disciplines us. Secondly, God restores us, God restores us.

Isn't it interesting the 10 tribes go off into Assyria. There never heard from again obliterated to history. They intermarry and they're gone, but God made a promise.

God promised Abraham that he threw his seed through his seed, he would find that the promise of Jesus the promise of Redeemer would come about and then that promise can be traced through the pages of the Bible. It comes through Judah, and God fulfills his promise, but he fulfills it only to a remnant Old Testament is filled with uses of that word remnant. What does the word remnant mean well, if you look it up in the dictionary. It's is a small part or fragment.

It also says that it is a piece of cloth frequently that is left over, and on the used piece of cloth maybe have gone into a store intending to purchase some cloth and that they sell.

You know we don't really have that but we have this remnant over here know God often works just through a remnant. He works through a few there are some religions in the world that say that the truth of our religion is proved by our military conquests. Jesus says something very different from that. He says to his people, fear not, little flock, it is God's intention to give you the kingdom. God often works through small churches. Sometimes small ways, always a remnant, never, never an entire nation. Always the righteous within that nation, and God restores us say that God also redeems us. God also redeems us in the end, as we shall learn next time Jesus comes in fulfills all the prophecies of the Old Testament, he turns out to be the seed of the woman, then he does indeed crush the head of the serpent the serpent's head is there in the dust. And Jesus comes and proves who he really is and he comes and he does die on the cross and he does die for sinners such as you and me to reconcile us to God and to bridge the gap between our sin and God's holiness so that we can belong to God forever your sale.

Pastor Luther, how can I belong to the remnant.

I'll tell you how what you do is admit your sinfulness. Admit your need to trust Christ as your Savior. Recognize that it is your sin that is separated you from God and come in humility and repentance, and even in the Old Testament God's grace and mercy was clearly seen for those who came with repentance and faith and he is there for us as well. Thank you so much for being with me in this very very quick survey of hundreds of years of history at the end of the day. Remember it is the drama of God's redemption that is always triumphant God will always win always, would you join as we pray. Father, we ask that you will help us as we contemplate studying your word reading your word. Help us to put it together. Help us Lord to understand its context. But most of all, give us hearts that are willing to receive it.

Willing to listen willing to respond and for those who may be here today who need to be restored to those who need to be redeemed. We ask that you will do that. Thank you so much for the coming of Jesus and the fulfillment of your purpose and promise. And now, before I close this prayer if you need to pray if you need to talk to God. You do right now, hear our prayer, Lord God, we pray in Jesus name, amen. You know, my friend, this is Pastor Luther.

Isn't it exciting to realize that we can be a part of God's drama of redemption. If you come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. That is true of you.

You are a part of this story as we glance over the text of Scripture, Old Testament and New Testament in this very quick survey were reminded that God's purposes.

Always move forward. Brabson.

Listening to this you've missed some of the sessions and you would like to have these sermons to listen to them again and again that they will be a great blessing to you. I'm sure for a gift of any amount they can be yours, either as a CD or a DVD.

The drama of redemption. Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337 thanks in advance for helping us. We exist for the sole purpose of helping you make it across the finish line. And even as we study the Scripture in a quick fashion. As an overview, were reminded that God always wins.

And as I've already implied.

We are a part of that drama 1-888-218-9337 it's time again for you to ask Pastor Luther question you may have about the Bible or the Christian life running to when listeners have a variety of backgrounds, but the common thread is an ever increasing longing toward God. Listen to what Kevin wrote to us. My family has never really taken religion seriously, so I guess I haven't either. I have a wonderful family a decent job, a loving wife pretty much all the things a man should be grateful to God for. However, I find myself struggling in the ways of faith during harsh times like these.

What's more, I've made many many mistakes. Most of them unspeakable. I was wondering if you could give me some insight on how to ask for God's forgiveness for myself and my other family members who have turned away from his blessings Kevin that as I read your question and listen to it now as it is read to me. I can't help but think of the words of Jesus who said to a young man you are not far from the kingdom of God and your heart comes through in this question and I don't think that you are far from the kingdom of God what you need to do is to continue to pursue it now answer specifically to your question, how do you begin to receive God's forgiveness. You begin by understanding the cross of Jesus Christ that when Jesus died on the cross. The purpose of his death was a sacrifice for sinners just like you but what you need to do is to receive that for yourself. As many as received him, to them he gave the authority to become the children of God, even to those who believe in his name and when you believe Christ's righteousness is credited to you.

You say in your question that you made many mistakes. Some of them horrible. I think that's your language. The issue is not the greatness of your sin, though it would be much better if you hadn't send in these ways, the real issue is the wonder of the righteousness that is credited to your account when you believe in Jesus and so I urge you to come to him read the New Testament and learn about Christ that what about your family well. You have the privilege of praying for them and to continue to witness to them about what you are learning. You cannot pray for them, you cannot receive Christ on their behalf. You must do it for yourself. They must do it for themselves.

But clearly, God is working in your heart pursue what God is talking to you about through his word join a good church become a part of the fellowship, and God will direct you and I believe your family will be blessed as well. Thank you Kevin for sharing your heart with us. Thank you Dr. lutes are as well. If you'd like to hear your question answered. Go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask Pastor Luther or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to is run into when 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, Hanoi 60614 on our next going to win will begin our race through the New Testament and see how it fulfills the Old Testament in the drama of redemption.

Don't miss our next program. Thanks for listening for Dr. Erwin lutes are this is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the Moody Church