Habakkuk puts things into perspective for us this morning. When all around us seems to be overrun by evil, remember Who is on the throne.
Habakkuk 2:
1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith
2 And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end---it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
4 "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
5 "Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples."
Woe to the Chaldeans
6 Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, "Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own--- for how long?--- and loads himself with pledges!"
7 Will not your debtors suddenly arise, and those awake who will make you tremble? Then you will be spoil for them.
8 Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them.
9 "Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm!
10 You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life.
11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, and the beam from the woodwork respond.
12 "Woe to him who builds a town with blood and founds a city on iniquity!
13 Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labour merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing?
14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
15 "Woe to him who makes his neighbours drink--- you pour out your wrath and make them drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!
16 You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD's right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory!
17 The violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, as will the destruction of the beasts that terrified them, for the blood of man and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them.
18 "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!
19 Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it.
20 But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
Things to think about…
1. What should our response be if the Lord takes His time to answer? Ans – ‘keep watch’, Hab 2:1. Don’t leave your post. You are in the right place. Habakkuk stays at his watch post and station on the tower. Where is your watch post? E.g. Your family, your job, your faith, your church. It starts of course by keeping watch over your heart and holding thoughts captive to Christ, 2Cor 10:5.
2. Look at this OT truth. “The righteous shall live by faith”, Hab 2:4. This of course is pre – Luther, pre-Paul, pre- Cross. Our Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. The blood of bulls, lambs and rams, just as our church attendance etc., will not please Him without faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb 11:6.
3. The Babylonians were being raised up to judge the Israelites, but they were also judged, Hab 2:8-13. Babylon gloried in itself. But God says His glory will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea, vs 14. It seems this same area in Iraq is still having the prophecy fulfilled that “the remnant of the peoples will plunder you”, vs 8. We may despair at certain events whether local or global but the final purpose is being revealed. The Lord will receive the glory.
4. Look at Habakkuk’s sarcastic wit to expose Babylon’s foolish idol worship, Hab 2:15-19, especially vs 19. This is what they trusted in. Habakkuk says in vs 20 where the focus remains when we have a truth understanding of God. Another way of putting it “Be still and know that He is God”. Why not do that again today.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s message – “There is no appeasing some people” – Acts 21:17-36
a. Is the hardest person to Christ that you know of? Saul was a hard man yet the Lord converted him. Discuss what you know about Paul’s conversion.
b. Some believing Jews still kept the law. Why did they keep the law when they were under grace in Christ?
c. Other Jews wanted to beat Paul and even have him put to death. This was after Paul explained to them he was not breaking the law but rather showing that the law points to Christ. How do you reason with unreasonable people?
d. Pray for our Palm Sunday outreach event that we can have the boldness to invite people to church and see people won to Christ.
Prayer Points
1. Pray the CBC reaches our into our community and we see many coming to Christ and added to the church. Please come along to the Working Bee this Saturday morning 8am at Church.
2. Continue to pray for the earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria – over 45 000 dead. Have mercy Lord Jesus! More people have been found alive after over 270 hours trapped under rubble. The leadership will be discussing our involvement through Baptist World Aid.
3. That our Kids@Church and Chuwar Youth group grow beyond anyone’s expectations.
4. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod for Friday’s. Pray as he meets with youth at Westside, Ipswich and Bundamba high schools.
5. How you can serve in ministry this year.
6. Pray for other building projects – café turf to be redone, roof, the repair of the house, working bee 11th Mar.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful worship and word on Sunday thankyou Doug, Beatty boys and sound/technical team.
2. More visitors on Sunday – pray they are integrated into the church
3. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Chuwar Youth Friday nights – 6:30-8:30pm. Grades 7 to 12. Chat to the Youth Pastor Jarrod for more details 0478 845 123.
2. Working Bee - this Saturday 11th March – 8:00am at church. Please get involved. Rob Brand and Steve Hawkins are team leaders.
3. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 6. Are there more gods than one? A. There is only one God.
