Understanding From God

Luke 24:45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

TEXT:  Jesus opened the understanding of the disciples after his resurrection.

1. Luke 24:31 – the eyes of the two disciples going to Emmaus, and they knew Jesus. 
2. Luke 24:37 – Christ taught from the scriptures.  Many today do not want instructions from the Bible, instead they want their feelings stirred.  See examples of the gospel vs contemporary music.  ..\Music\Contemporary Music.doc 

a.       John the Baptist did not use music to draw a crowd.

b.       Jesus Christ, likewise.

c.       Music was not used to draw a multitude to the Jewish synagogue or the temple. 

d.       No music on the Day of Pentecost.

e.       Paul the apostle never used music to draw people to the gospel message. 

f.        Acts 16 – the only time music is mentioned in the salvation of a soul – the Philippian jailer. 

g.       Examples:

1)      Speaking to Ted about the contemporary music in his church.

2)      Speak about Bill Phillips and his wife.

3)      Speak about the two women who came to IBC and did not like our singing.

3. Luke 24:32 – Their heart burned within them as Jesus talked with them. 

Because of Total Depravity, we need God to give us understanding about our eternally doomed soul.

1. Psalms 14:1-3 – God looked down from heaven to see if there was any that sought him. 
2. Romans 3:10-13 – There is none good, no, not one – a confirmation of Psalms 14. 
3. Ephesians 4:18 – understanding darkened, alienated from the life of God through ignorance, because of blindness of the heart. 

James 1:5-8 – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally, and upbraideth not.  There is a difference in common sense and spiritual wisdom.  A cow might know to get in out of the rain, but spiritual wisdom will instruct us on how to get out of hell. 

Solomon – 1 Kings 3:9  Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  Solomon was not wise in himself to ask God for wisdom.  He got that idea from his dad, David, who prayed for him. 

David speaking to Solomon – 1 Chronicles 22:12  Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.  David did not get the idea from wisdom all at once, but throughout his life, learned that he needed the wisdom of God to rule Israel and be faithful to him.

1. Places in Psalm 119 where David asks for wisdom.
2. Psalms 119:34  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
3. Psalms 119:73  JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. 
4. Psalms 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. 
5. Psalms 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
6. Psalms 119:169  TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

Jeremiah 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.  God will give his people wise pastors if they will ask.  But many people do not want a wise and understanding pastor, instead they want a pastor who will “tickle their ears” with fables.

 II Timothy 4:3,4 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

Daniel – Daniel 9:22  And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. Daniel was old, probably about 85, but he still need understanding from God. 

1 Corinthians 12:3  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 2:7  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.  Paul wrote Timothy to (1) consider what I say, then (2) pray that God will give understanding.