Eastside Baptist Church, Winfield, Alabama

“Running from People and from God”

“Running from People and from God” (Jonah 1:1–16)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, October 9, 2016
Jonah 1:1–16 (NIV) 

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 
3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. 
4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. 
But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” 
7 Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” 
9 He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 
10 This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.) 
11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 
12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” 
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. 
Main Idea: Running away from people that God wants you to minister to is the same as running away from God.

Introduction and Chapter 1: The Cultures of Suffering

Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering (by Tim Keller)
Introduction and Chapter 1: The Cultures of Suffering

Introduction

Suffering is everywhere and unavoidable.
The purpose of the study is to help us take life seriously and anticipate suffering and understand its purpose and meaning in our lives.
In the face of suffering, many deny the existence of God, but just as many find God through grief and pain.
Suffering has the power to pull non-Christians to God and to pull Christians into a deeper experience of God's reality, love, and grace.
Suffering is one of the main themes of the Bible.
The central figure of the Bible is Jesus Christ, a man of sorrows.
The great theme of the Bible is how God brings fullness of joy not just despite but through suffering.


Chapter 1: The Cultures of Suffering
 
Training for Suffering

Nothing is more important than to learn how to maintain a life of purpose in the midst of painful adversity.
A society/culture can greatly serve its members by helping them face terrible evil and adversity.
Modern western culture is more unprepared to face suffering than perhaps any other culture today or in the history of the world.


Edified by Our Miseries

Non-western cultures help their people to be “edified by misery.” They perceive the causes of suffering in highly spiritual, communal, and moral terms.
Moralistic View
Self-transcendent View
Fatalistic View
Dualistic View

 
Interrupted by Our Miseries

Western culture is very much different from these other religious and philosophical systems of dealing with suffering.

Western culture adopts a naturalistic view of the universe.
There is no God, no invisible spiritual forces, no eternal bliss, no moral battle between good and evil.
It is a universe of blind physical forces, and people fall victim to bad circumstances by mere chance.
Suffering has no purpose. It has no meaning at all.
By and large, the goal of Western culture has been personal freedom and happiness. 
Pain and suffering are at complete odds with freedom and happiness, so in the secular worldview suffering is to be avoided at all costs.
This is why suffering is so traumatic for citizens of Western culture. It has no place, no meaning, no purpose. It is an interruption of our lives, not a part of it.
The sufferer is a victim, under attack from natural forces devoid of intentionality.
In older cultures suffering has been seen as an expected part of a coherent life story, a crucial way to live life well and to grow as a person and a soul. But in Western culture, if the meaning of life is individual freedom and happiness, then suffering is of no possible use. It is to be avoided, managed, minimized as much as possible.

 
Victims of Our Miseries

Because suffering has no meaning and happens by blind chance, the sufferers are victims.
The responsibility for responding to suffering is taken away from the sufferer.
Older cultures viewed suffering as an opportunity for the sufferer to do some internal “soul work”—learning patience, wisdom, and faithfulness.
Contemporary Western culture does not see suffering as an opportunity or a test.
Sufferers are referred to experts to help them cope with the symptoms of their suffering without addressing the underlying issues or life story. These experts include psychologists, doctors, therapists, etc.

 
Outraged by Our Miseries

Since suffering has no meaning, there are only two responses in the secular worldview:

Manage the symptoms (pain, stress, anxiety, etc.)
Look for the cause of the pain and eliminate it.
Older cultures sought ways to be edified by their sufferings by looking inside, but Western people are often simply outraged by their suffering—and they seek to change things outside so that the suffering never happens again.
So, in the secular worldview suffering is an accident. Our response to it is to find a solution or technique to eliminate the material/natural cause of suffering. The goal is a better society in the here and now with no thought of an eternal reality.

 
Christianity among the Cultures

The Christian view of suffering is completely unique from the secular as well as other religious and philosophical views.
Unlike the fatalistic view, Christianity does not put emphasis on human honor and glory. Christians cry out to God in prayer, not accepting circumstances as that of blind fate.
Unlike Buddhists, Christians believe that suffering is real, not an illusion.
Unlike moralistic views like karma, Christians believe that suffering is often unjust and disproportionate. Life is not always fair. Suffering is not always the result of a direct cause/effect relationship with someone’s personal mistakes or transgressions (Job/Jesus Christ).
Unlike the dualistic view, Christianity does not see suffering as a means of working off your sinful debts by virtue of the quality of your endurance of pain.
The Christian understanding of suffering is dominated by the idea of grace. In Christ we have received forgiveness, love, and adoption into the family of God. These goods are undeserved, and that frees us from the temptation to feel proud of our suffering.
Christianity teaches that, contra fatalism, suffering is overwhelming; contra Buddhism, suffering is real; contra karma, suffering is often unfair; but contra secularism, suffering is meaningful. There is a purpose to it, and if faced rightly, it can drive us like a nail deep into the love of God.

 

“Joseph in Potiphar’s House”

“Joseph in Potiphar’s House” (Genesis 39:1–23)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, October 2, 2016
Genesis 39:1–23 (NIV) 

39 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 
2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. 
Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 
8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. 
11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. 
13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” 
16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” 
19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. 
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. 
1. In the most discouraging times of life we can have hope in our Sovereign God (37:36; 39:1)
2. In every place, situation, responsibility, and vocation, we can faithfully and diligently work for the good of others, trusting in our Gracious and Generous God (39:2–6a)
3. In every spiritual battle and temptation, we can overcome and escape by fearing our Holy God (39:6b–10).

4. We can face slander, betrayal, and unjust condemnation trusting in our Just and       Righteous God (39:11–20a)
5. When it seems like nothing is going our way and things keep going from bad to worse, we can press on with confidence in our Faithful, Unchanging God (39:20b–23).

“The One Who Bore Our Sins”

“The One Who Bore Our Sins” (1 Peter 2:24–25) 
Communion Message
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, October 2, 2016
24 "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."  25 For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 
(1 Pet. 2:24-25, NIV)
1. Communion reminds us of our sin (“our sins”).
2. Communion reminds us that Jesus came to earth in flesh and blood to save us from our sins (“his body” / “his wounds”).
3. Communion reminds us that Jesus, though righteous, gave his life in bloody sacrifice to bear our sins away in atonement (“bore our sins” / “by his wounds you have been healed”).
4. Communion reminds us that Jesus’ atonement guaranteed our salvation, and he came to seek and save his lost sheep (v. 25).
5. Communion reminds us that having been brought into the fold of the good shepherd, we are dead to sins and we are alive unto righteousness (“so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness”).
6. Communion reminds us that we look forward to a coming day when all suffering and sorrow will be no more and we will be perfected in glory (see preceding context of suffering and Christ’s perfect example in suffering on the way to glory).
18 ¶ Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.  19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.  20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."  23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (1 Pet. 2:18-23, NIV)

"Wisdom from the Inside Out"

Wisdom from the Inside Out
The Disciplined Heart and Mind

1. Your Thoughts Govern Your Life.
• They Tell What You Really Are Inside.
Proverbs 12:5 NIV
  The plans of the righteous are just, 
              but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 

Proverbs 23:7 NIV
          for he is the kind of person 
             who is always thinking about the cost. 
             “Eat and drink,” he says to you, 
             but his heart is not with you. 

Proverbs 12:20 NIV
          Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, 
             but those who promote peace have joy. 

Proverbs 27:19 NIV
           As water reflects the face, 
              so one’s life reflects the heart. 

• They Determine the Direction and Outcome of Your Life.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
            Above all else, guard your heart, 
               for everything you do flows from it. 

Proverbs 4:26 NIV
            Give careful thought to the paths for your feet 
                and be steadfast in all your ways. 

Proverbs 21:5 NIV
            The plans of the diligent lead to profit 
                 as surely as haste leads to poverty. 

Proverbs 14:22 NIV
             Do not those who plot evil go astray? 
                 But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. 


2. God Cares About Your Thoughts.
• He Knows All of Your Thoughts.
Proverbs 15:11 NIV
             Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— 
                  how much more do human hearts! 

Proverbs 21:2 NIV
            A person may think their own ways are right, 
                but the LORD weighs the heart. 

Proverbs 20:27 NIV
            The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD 
                that sheds light on one’s inmost being. 

• God Hates Evil Thoughts.
Proverbs 6:16 NIV
            There are six things the LORD hates, 
                 seven that are detestable to him: 

Proverbs 6:18 NIV
             a heart that devises wicked schemes, 
                 feet that are quick to rush into evil, 

Proverbs 15:26 NIV
            The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, 
                 but gracious words are pure in his sight. 

Proverbs 28:8–9 NIV
             Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor 
                   amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. 
                   If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, 
                   even their prayers are detestable. 

• God Sovereignly Overrules Thoughts and Plans.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
             Many are the plans in a person’s heart, 
                   but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. 

Proverbs 16:9 NIV
              In their hearts humans plan their course, 
                   but the LORD establishes their steps. 

Proverbs 21:30 NIV
            There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan 
                 that can succeed against the LORD. 

• God Rewards and Fulfills Righteous Thoughts and Plans.
Proverbs 14:22 NIV
             Do not those who plot evil go astray? 
                  But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. 

Proverbs 10:24 NIV
             What the wicked dread will overtake them; 
                   what the righteous desire will be granted. 

3. Submit Your Thoughts to God and His Wisdom.
• Put Away Improper Thoughts.
Proverbs 30:32 NIV
             “If you play the fool and exalt yourself, 
                  or if you plan evil, 
                  clap your hand over your mouth! 

• Seek to Align Your Thoughts with God's Wisdom.
Proverbs 16:1–3 NIV
            To humans belong the plans of the heart, 
                 but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. 
                All a person’s ways seem pure to them, 
                but motives are weighed by the LORD. 
                Commit to the LORD whatever you do, 
                and he will establish your plans. 

4. The New Testament on Our Thoughts
Luke 6:43–45 NIV
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 

Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

Romans 12:3 NIV
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 

2 Peter 3:1–2 NIV
Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 

Hebrews 4:12–13 NIV
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

[Outline adapted from Donald Orthner, Wellsprings of Life: Understanding Proverbs, 71-74.]

“Judah’s Family Troubles”

“Judah’s Family Troubles” (Genesis 38:1–30)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, September 25, 2016
Genesis 38:1–30 (Tanakh) 

38About that time Judah left his brothers and camped near a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah. 
2There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and cohabited with her. 3She conceived and bore a son, and he named him Er. 4She conceived again and bore a son, and named him Onan. 5Once again she bore a son, and named him Shelah; he was at Chezib when she bore him. 
6Judah got a wife for Er his first-born; her name was Tamar. 7But Er, Judah’s first-born, was displeasing to the Lord, and the Lord took his life. 8Then Judah said to Onan, “Join with your brother’s wife and do your duty by her as a brother-in-law, and provide offspring for your brother.” 9But Onan, knowing that the seed would not count as his, let it go to waste whenever he joined with his brother’s wife, so as not to provide offspring for his brother. 10What he did was displeasing to the Lord, and He took his life also. 11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Stay as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”—for he thought, “He too might die like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. 
12A long time afterward, Shua’s daughter, the wife of Judah, died. When his period of mourning was over, Judah went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, together with his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13And Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is coming up to Timnah for the sheepshearing.” 14So she took off her widow’s garb, covered her face with a veil, and, wrapping herself up, sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, yet she had not been given to him as wife. 15When Judah saw her, he took her for a harlot; for she had covered her face. 16So he turned aside to her by the road and said, “Here, let me sleep with you”—for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. “What,” she asked, “will you pay for sleeping with me?” 17He replied, “I will send a kid from my flock.” But she said, “You must leave a pledge until you have sent it.” 18And he said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your seal and cord, and the staff which you carry.” So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she conceived by him. 19Then she went on her way. She took off her veil and again put on her widow’s garb. 
20Judah sent the kid by his friend the Adullamite, to redeem the pledge from the woman; but he could not find her. 21He inquired of the people of that town, “Where is the cult prostitute, the one at Enaim, by the road?” But they said, “There has been no prostitute here.” 22So he returned to Judah and said, “I could not find her; moreover, the townspeople said: There has been no prostitute here.” 23Judah said, “Let her keep them, lest we become a laughingstock. I did send her this kid, but you did not find her.” 
24About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot; in fact, she is with child by harlotry.” “Bring her out,” said Judah, “and let her be burned.” 25As she was being brought out, she sent this message to her father-in-law, “I am with child by the man to whom these belong.” And she added, “Examine these: whose seal and cord and staff are these?” 26Judah recognized them, and said, “She is more in the right than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he was not intimate with her again. 
27When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb! 28While she was in labor, one of them put out his hand, and the midwife tied a crimson thread on that hand, to signify: This one came out first. 29But just then he drew back his hand, and out came his brother; and she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” So he was named Perez. 30Afterward his brother came out, on whose hand was the crimson thread; he was named Zerah. 
1. Judah’s immoral character and unwise choices laid the foundation for his family troubles.
2. Seeking pleasure without accompanying responsibility and faithfulness leads to God’s judgment.
3. We must honor our commitments, because or unfaithfulness to our word will find us out. 
4. The work that God is doing in his redeemed people is often slow and hard. 
5. God is able to take the messiest and most broken people and make it a part of his plan of redemption. 
11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, "We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.  12 Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah."  (Ruth 4:11-12, NIV)
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:  2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,  3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,  4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,  5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,  6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,  (Matt. 1:1-6, NIV)
Main Idea: God takes immoral, self-serving, deceptive, commitment breaking sinners and includes them in his plan and transforms them by his amazing grace for his glory.

“When Everything Is Made Right”

“When Everything Is Made Right” (Psalm 2)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, September 25, 2016
Psalm 2 (NIV) 

1 Why do the nations conspire 
and the peoples plot in vain? 
2 The kings of the earth rise up 
and the rulers band together 
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 
3 “Let us break their chains 
and throw off their shackles.” 
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; 
the Lord scoffs at them. 
5 He rebukes them in his anger 
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 
6 “I have installed my king 
on Zion, my holy mountain.” 
7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: 
He said to me, “You are my son; 
today I have become your father. 
8 Ask me, 
and I will make the nations your inheritance, 
the ends of the earth your possession. 
9 You will break them with a rod of iron; 
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 
10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; 
be warned, you rulers of the earth. 
11 Serve the Lord with fear 
and celebrate his rule with trembling. 
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry 
and your way will lead to your destruction, 
for his wrath can flare up in a moment. 
Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 
I. Rebellion against God is utter futility.
A. But the wicked still plot and scheme how to avoid God’s authority.
B. The wicked do not want to be in bondage to God and his rule.
II. Because God Reigns.
III. Therefore, put your trust in God. 
Main Idea: Ultimate hope comes from trusting in the one who rules all things and is bringing all of history to its intended conclusion.
A. There are consequences for rebelling against God. 
B. There is blessing for those who trust in him. 
Ultimate hope comes from trusting in the one who will make everything right.

"Themes in Proverbs: Friends and Friendship"

Themes in Proverbs: Friends and Friendship

Importance of Friendships

Friendship and good relationships with others were very important to the sages.A good friend is as valuable in tough times as a close relative such as a brother (17:17). 27:9–10 suggests that friends are sometimes more valuable than relatives during hard times, especially if a friend is closer at hand (Tremper Longman III, Proverbs, 555–556). 

Choose Friends Carefully

A friend’s character affects your own:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Prov. 27:17, NIV)

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Prov. 13:20, NIV)

Good friends help you improve:

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (Prov. 27:9, NIV)

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Prov. 27:5–6, NIV)

Harmful friends drag you down:

Pleasure-seekers

Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. (Prov. 23:20–21, NIV)

A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. (Prov. 28:7, NIV)

Angry and Rebellious People

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. (Prov. 22:24–25, NIV)

Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? (Prov. 24:21–22, NIV)

Thieves and Fools

The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath and dare not testify. (Prov. 29:24, NIV)

Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. (Prov. 14:7, NIV)

Immoral and Sinful People

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. (Prov. 29:3, NIV)

Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. (Prov. 24:1–2, NIV)

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. …my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; (Prov. 1:10, 15, NIV)

Be True to Your Friends

Support them in their need:

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Prov. 17:17, NIV)

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24, NIV)

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative's house when disaster strikes you-- better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. (Prov. 27:10)

Keep their confidence:

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (Prov. 17:9, NIV)

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. (Prov. 16:28, NIV)

Show them respect and courtesy:

If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. (Prov. 27:14, NIV)

Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, "I was only joking!" (Prov. 26:18–19, NIV)

Beware of Insincere Friends

Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. The poor are shunned by all their relatives-- how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. (Prov. 19:6–7, NIV)

Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. (Prov. 19:4, NIV)

The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. (Prov. 14:20, NIV)

Don’t Guarantee a Friend’s Debts

One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. (Prov. 17:18, NIV)

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go-- to the point of exhaustion-- and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. (Prov. 6:1–5)


[Outline adapted from Donald Orthner, Wellsprings of Life: Understanding Proverbs, 130–133]

“Joseph, Despised and Sold”

“Joseph, Despised and Sold” (Genesis 37:12–36)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, September 18, 2016
Genesis 37:12–36 (NIV) 

12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem, 13 and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.” 
“Very well,” he replied. 
14 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. 
When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?” 
16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?” 
17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” 
So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 
19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” 
21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. 
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing—24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 
25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. 
26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. 
28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. 
29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?” 
31 Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. 32 They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” 
33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” 
34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave.” So his father wept for him. 
36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard. 
Jacob sends Joseph, his favored son, to spy on/check on his brothers (12-17)The Mission (12-14)The Detour (15-17)
Joseph, the despised one, is threatened with violence by his brothers (18-24)The original scheme: murder and cover-up (18-20)The motive: hatred and jealousyThe method: kill, throw into a cistern, blame on wild animalThe end-game: destroy the dreamer and his dreamsThe double agent: Reuben tries to alter their plan so he can later rescue him (21-22)The method: don’t kill; throw him into a dry cisternThe end-game: rescue and return to his father JacobThe motive: Brotherly compassion? Earn standing and favor with his father because of past misdeeds (35:22)?The revised scheme: throw into a cistern (23-24)The method: strip ornate robe, throw into a dry cisternThe end-game: Torment and release? Left to die? Wait and see?
Joseph, the despised one, is sold by his brothers as a common slave in exchange for money (25-30).The opportunistic scheme: sell as a slave for money (25-28)The opportunity: Ishmaelite traders on way to Egypt (25)The opportunistic scheme: don’t kill, sell as a slave (26-27)The motive: no profit in killing; profit in selling The method: sell for 20 shekels of silver to Ishmaelites who were going to EgyptThe end-game: get rid of Joseph and make a profit-double bonusThe reaction of the double-agent: Reuben is angry and despondent (29-30)
Jacob loses Joseph, his favored son, because of the hatred, jealousy, and deception of Joseph’s brothers (31-36).The Ruse (31-32)The method: deceive their father into thinking Joseph was killed by a wild animalThe motive: absolve themselves of responsibility for Joseph’s disappearance in the eyes of their fatherThe Response (33-35)Jacob sees the evidence and assumes the worst.Jacob responds with mourning and sorrow.Jacob’s intense sorrow and depression reveals his over-attachment to his son.The Reality (36)Joseph is not dead, but has been sold as a slave to an Egyptian official.The final verse of the scene hints at more to come.

“O God, You Are My God”

“O God, You Are My God” (Psalm 63)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, September 18, 2016
Psalm 63 (NIV) 
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. 

1 You, God, are my God, 
earnestly I seek you; 
I thirst for you, 
my whole being longs for you, 
in a dry and parched land 
where there is no water. 
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary 
and beheld your power and your glory. 
3 Because your love is better than life, 
my lips will glorify you. 
4 I will praise you as long as I live, 
and in your name I will lift up my hands. 
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; 
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 
6 On my bed I remember you; 
I think of you through the watches of the night. 
7 Because you are my help, 
I sing in the shadow of your wings. 
8 I cling to you; 
your right hand upholds me. 
9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; 
they will go down to the depths of the earth. 
10 They will be given over to the sword 
and become food for jackals. 
11 But the king will rejoice in God; 
all who swear by God will glory in him, 
while the mouths of liars will be silenced. 
Main Idea: When the trials of life overwhelm us, we must run to God. 
1. When the trials of life overwhelm us, we must long for God with all of our hearts.

2. When the trials of life come, we must trust God for protection and deliverance.

3. When the trials of life come, we must joyfully anticipate the good that God has intended to accomplish with the trial.

"Themes in Proverbs: Planning for the Future"

Themes in Proverbs: Planning for the Future
Outline drawn from Tremper Longman III, Proverbs, Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006), 557–558.

Having a Goal in Mind
Planning requires a goal.A strategy is needed to reach the goal.Planning involves the imagination.To be a successful planner, one must understand what it takes to reach a goal.A good planner must anticipate obstacles on the way and devise alternatives to reach the goal or perhaps even alter the goal.To plan well requires wisdom, a skill of living that knows how to navigate life.

Benefits of Wise Planning
A number of proverbs make it clear that the sages knew the value of planning.Wise planning will be successful and lead to great benefits.“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Prov. 21:5, NIV).Wise planning leads to great confidence in the future (ex: noble woman, 31:25).Those who plan wisely receive “covenant love” and “faithfulness.” 

Wise vs. foolish planning
Wise planning seeks advice from other wise people.Yet the counsel of others is only helpful if the advice is coming from those who are wise.Examples of Bad counselors: Amnon and Jonadab (2 Samuel 13); Rehoboam and his “young” counselors (1 Kings 12).Wise planning also has a virtuous goal and will only utilize strategies that are fair and honest (12:5a). 

God’s Plans and our Plans
The most important aspect of wise planning is awareness that one’s plans are ultimately at the service of God’s superseding purpose. 

To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. (Prov. 16:1, NIV)

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Prov. 16:3, NIV)

The LORD works out everything to its proper end-- even the wicked for a day of disaster. (Prov. 16:4, NIV)

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. (Prov. 16:9, NIV)

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Prov. 16:33, NIV)

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Prov. 19:21, NIV)

A person's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? (Prov. 20:24, NIV)

People cannot be absolutely certain that they know the way the future will pan out. In spite of their planning, they must be ready to implement changes if God so wills. 

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. (Prov. 27:1, NIV)

Daniel the Wise Planner
A good example of wise planning is Daniel (Ch. 1).Daniel wants to eat differently than the king desires, consuming vegetables and water instead of the rich food and wine of the king. His plans lead him to request the chief official, Ashpenaz, to substitute the former for the latter, but Ashpenaz refuses out of fear of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel does not panic but rather devises an alternate plan. He privately approaches the unnamed servant who actually brings the food to him and his three friends and asks him to make the substitution. He proposes a ten-day trial period, and if the four Israelites grow weak and tired looking—what Ashpenaz feared—they would go back on the rich-food menu. The underling agrees, and Daniel reaches his desired goal.

Foolish Planning
Proverbs does not talk only about wise planning; it also contrasts it with foolish planning. God condemns foolish plans. 

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:     …a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, (Prov. 6:16, 18, NIV)

The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight. (Prov. 15:26, NIV)

They are characterized as fraudulent.

…the advice of the wicked is deceitful. (Prov. 12:5b, NIV)

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil (Prov. 12:20a, NIV)

Those who plan in such a way will not succeed but will wander aimlessly.

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. (Prov. 14:22, NIV)

“Joseph, the Dreamer”

“Joseph, the Dreamer” (Genesis 37:1–11)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, September 11, 2016
Genesis 37:1–11 (NIV) 
37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 
2 This is the account of Jacob’s family line. 
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. 
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. 
5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 
8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 
9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 
10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. 
1. Favoritism that Fuels a Family Feud (1–4)
a. Jacob was in the right place (1).
b. But Jacob was not leading his family the right way (2–4).
i. Jacob’s unwise choices resulted in ongoing family tension (2).
ii. Jacob’s favoritism of Joseph was foolish, and it fueled an internal family feud that caused Joseph to be hated and alienated by his brothers.
2. Dreams that Disclose Destinies (5–11).a. Broken but not useless…
b. Divinely given dreams…
c. Despised dreams…
d. Deliberated upon dreams…
Main Idea: In our selfishness and shortsightedness, we act in foolish ways that create tension and hatred and cause people to be despised. But God is not hindered by our foolishness. God is not bound to use only those who come from healthy families or those who are well-liked by everyone. No, in his grace and wisdom God is often pleased to call into his service the castaways, the rejected, and the despised for his purposes. 

“Worship the Almighty, Holy God”

“Worship the Almighty, Holy God” (Psalm 95)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, September 11, 2016
Psalm 95 (NIV) 
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; 
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving 
and extol him with music and song. 
3 For the Lord is the great God, 
the great King above all gods. 
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, 
and the mountain peaks belong to him. 
5 The sea is his, for he made it, 
and his hands formed the dry land. 
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, 
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 
7 for he is our God 
and we are the people of his pasture, 
the flock under his care. 
Today, if only you would hear his voice, 
8 “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,  
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, 
9 where your ancestors tested me; 
they tried me, though they had seen what I did. 
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation; 
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, 
and they have not known my ways.’ 
11 So I declared on oath in my anger, 
‘They shall never enter my rest.’” 
1. Rejoicing (1–5)

2. Reverence (6–7a)

3. Response (7b–11)
Main Idea: True worship of God demands rejoicing, reverence, and a response of faith and obedience.
Worship is not only the bending of the knee; it is also the bending of the will before our sovereign God.

"Opening Up Proverbs"

Opening Up Proverbs
A study by Jim Newheiser
 
“The Wise Woman” Chapter 13
  Which women are worthy of honor?
  What kind of woman does God honor? Wisdom in the home There is more to Proverbs 31 than meets the eye
  Search for a woman of excellence (vv. 1-3, 10-12) Listen to your mother (vv. 1-2) The wrong kind of woman will ruin you (v. 3) An excellent wife will contribute to your success (v. 10) She is trustworthy (v. 11a) She is an asset (vv. 11b-12) She enhances your standing in the community (v. 23)
  An excellent wife will help you in many ways (vv. 13-27) She is home-centered (v. 27) She is diligent (vv. 13-14a, 17, 19, 21-22) She brings beauty and quality into her home (vv. 14, 21-22) She is a responsible administrator (vv. 11, 14-16, 21, 25, 27a) She is wise in her speech (v. 26)
  The excellent wife will be richly rewarded (vv. 28-31) Her glory is in the home (vv. 28-29) Her beauty is unfading (v. 30) The secret of her success is that she fears God (v. 30b) God will reward her
 
Conclusion Ladies: aspire to be a woman of excellence Husbands: encourage your excellent wife Single Men: seek a woman of excellence Christ is our virtue

“Hospitality and the Truth”

“Hospitality and the Truth” (3 John)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, September 4, 2016
3 John (NIV) 
1 The elder, 
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. 
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. 
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true. 
13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name. 

1. Gaius: A spiritually healthy person lives and loves the truth. (1–8).
2. Diotrephes: A spiritually diseased person is a hindrance to the truth, because their own self-interest gets in the way (9–11).
3. Demetrius: A spiritually healthy person has a good reputation and is faithful to the truth (12).
Main Idea: A spiritually healthy Christian who loves the truth will seek to advance it by providing hospitality and help to its messengers.

“Wisdom for Leaders” Chapter 12

Opening Up Proverbs
A study by Jim Newheiser
 
“Wisdom for Leaders” Chapter 12
  A manual for leadership
  A wise leader reflects God’s holy character: Righteous Not greedy Not enslaved to substance abuse Not given to sexual immorality or unfaithfulness Has personal integrity Fears God Earnestly seeks wisdom Governs (leads) justly Protects the rights of the righteous and shows compassion to the helpless Has an impact on people
  Act wisely towards those in authority over you
  Jesus Christ is the ideal King.
 

“Isaac’s other Son”

“Isaac’s other Son” (Genesis 36)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, August 28, 2016
Genesis 36:1–43 (NIV) 

36 This is the account of the family line of Esau (that is, Edom). 
2 Esau took his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite—3 also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. 
4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel, 5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in Canaan. 
6 Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the members of his household, as well as his livestock and all his other animals and all the goods he had acquired in Canaan, and moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob. 7 Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock. 8 So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir. 
9 This is the account of the family line of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir. 
10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: 
Eliphaz, the son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath. 
11 The sons of Eliphaz: 
Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz. 
12 Esau’s son Eliphaz also had a concubine named Timna, who bore him Amalek. These were grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah. 
13 The sons of Reuel: 
Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 
14 The sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon, whom she bore to Esau: 
Jeush, Jalam and Korah. 
15 These were the chiefs among Esau’s descendants: 
The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: 
Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam and Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in Edom; they were grandsons of Adah. 
17 The sons of Esau’s son Reuel: 
Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in Edom; they were grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 
18 The sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: 
Chiefs Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah. 
19 These were the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these were their chiefs. 
20 These were the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the region: 
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21 Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These sons of Seir in Edom were Horite chiefs. 
22 The sons of Lotan: 
Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan’s sister. 
23 The sons of Shobal: 
Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. 
24 The sons of Zibeon: 
Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who discovered the hot springs  in the desert while he was grazing the donkeys of his father Zibeon. 
25 The children of Anah: 
Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah. 
26 The sons of Dishon: 
Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Keran. 
27 The sons of Ezer: 
Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan. 
28 The sons of Dishan: 
Uz and Aran. 
29 These were the Horite chiefs: 
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 30 Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These were the Horite chiefs, according to their divisions, in the land of Seir. 
31 These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned: 
32 Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah. 
33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king. 
34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king. 
35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith. 
36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king. 
37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king. 
38 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king. 
39 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab. 
40 These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, according to their clans and regions: 
Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 43 Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied. 
This is the family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites. 

1. God is the Lord of history, and his story involves real events and real people.
2. God is concerned not only with Israel, but also the nations.
3. God is faithful to his promises. 
4. God is sovereign in his gracious choice. 
5. God is gracious not only to his chosen, but also generally to the world.

“Loving the Truth”

“Loving the Truth” (2 John)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, August 28, 2016
2 John 

1 The elder, 
To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 
3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 
4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 
7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. 
12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 
13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings. 
1. Believers must love the truth (1–3).
a. We love the truth when we love its believers (1).
b. We love the truth when we defend its purity (1-2).
c. We love the truth when we remember its source (3).
2. Believers must live the truth (4–6).
a. Live the truth.
b. Live in love.
c. Live in obedience.
d. Living in truth, love, and obedience is not only our duty but is a demonstration that we are genuine children of God.
3. Believers must guard the truth (7–11).
a. In order to guard the truth, we must recognize error (7).
b. In order to guard the truth, we must not embrace error (8-9).
c. In order to guard the truth, we must combat error (10-11).
Main Idea: True believers love, live, and protect God’s truth.

“Wise Child Training” Chapter 11

Opening Up Proverbs
A study by Jim Newheiser
“Wise Child Training” Chapter 11
Discipline Your Children
Why is discipline necessary?God has given the rod of discipline as a tool to remove folly from your child’s heart.Discipline is a test of your love for your child and your trust in God.How to carry out biblical disciplineDon’t misuse discipline.Apply both the rod and reproof.
Impart Wisdom to Your Children
Teach them.Education takes place in the home.The goal of parental instruction is to shape character.Formal and informal instruction
Children Should Honor Their Parents
Embrace discipline and instruction.Honor your parents in their old age.Bring joy to your parents.Honor your parents or else…
Why Are Some Children Wayward?
Does wise parenting guarantee wise kids?Why do kids turn out the way they do?
Conclusion:
Train your children in wisdom.

“Jacob Returns to the House of God”

“Jacob Returns to the House of God” (Genesis 35:1–29)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday PM, August 21, 2016
Genesis 35:1–29 (NIV) 
35 Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.” 
2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. 5 Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them. 
6 Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan. 7 There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. 
8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak outside Bethel. So it was named Allon Bakuth. 
9 After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. 10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel. 
11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from him at the place where he had talked with him. 
14 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.  
16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” 18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni.  But his father named him Benjamin.  
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb. 
21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. 22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it. 
Jacob had twelve sons: 
23 The sons of Leah: 
Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, 
Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. 
24 The sons of Rachel: 
Joseph and Benjamin. 
25 The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah: 
Dan and Naphtali. 
26 The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah: 
Gad and Asher. 
These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram. 
27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. 
1. Worshiping the one and only holy God (1–7).
a. Worship requires obedience (1, 6–7).
b. Worship demands allegiance and purity (2–5).
2. Honoring those deserving of honor (8).

3. Reaffirming God’s gracious promises (9–15).

4. Blessing in the midst of tragedy (16–20).

5. A house full of sinful sons (21–26).

6. Back home at peace (27–29).

Main Idea: Even though we experience trouble and hardship in this life, those who worship God exclusively and in purity may anticipate enjoying the blessings of God and the peace and rest that God brings to his people.