Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Sunday Review, October 19, 1 John 20-21

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols Amen."

Daniel 1:8a "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself."

This week we are leaving 1 John and moving to Daniel. The last verse: "Keep yourselves from idols is a great prelude to this fantastic OT book, because we are going to see Daniel and his friends defy the idols of Babylon, and watch the Almighty God at work.

We find in Daniel a consistent discipline to serve and worship God. No matter what situation he finds himself on the outside, within he remains true. He understood well "walking in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh". (Galatians 5:16)

We also find, that even in this dark time he had at least three strong believing friends with him, and they would encourage one another. It makes me think of our Community Groups which we have on the first and third Sundays of each month, and will be enjoying tonight.

This is a time of fellowship and mutual encouragement between a small group of individuals from our church, meeting "house to house" for a more intimate fellowship. We'll be sharing dinner, then discussing how to apply last week's sermon, and end with a period mutual prayer. It is a time of encouragement and friendship building, getting to know a particular group of believers from our church for two years, and then rotating to different fellowships.

We learn to apply the principles that had been taught, and are able to "keep away from idols" by mutual strengthening and encouragement. I hope your church has something similar.

And as we leave 1 John, we leave with the great understanding that "we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ."

Convey that joyful understanding to fellow pilgrims in your congregation this morning as you also discipline yourself to weekly church attendance and daily service to the Body of Christ for Jesus' sake. And reflect His marvelous love to the world around you for the short time He has you on this weary, lost world. For "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all". (1 John 1:5), so "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps:

It wouldn't hurt to begin to read through the book of Daniel, since that is on our agenda for next week!