John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
—John 1:15
Key Verse Thought: Read
the Key Verse. Understand that “John” in this verse, is John the Baptist (whom
we will learn about in this lesson). His job was to tell the people that God
sent Jesus – the Promised One that the people had been told God would send.
Jesus, who came after John (for John prepared the way for Him), really was
before John (remember – Jesus is God who has always been here. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This may be difficult to comprehend. Recognize
that Jesus is the Word).
Emphasis: We are to
recognize that Jesus is the One promised from the beginning, and to remember
that Jesus came to turn our hearts to God. We are faithfully to go to church,
for that is where we learn more about Jesus and how to obey His commands.
Lesson Summary: In
our next lesson as we end our study of the Old Testament, we will recognize
that God’s people seemed unable consistently to live according to God’s Word.
God had to keep sending men to remind them. With that understanding, we find that
the Old Testament closed with a curse. Nevertheless, the promise of One to set
man free from that curse was found throughout the Old Testament. In this
lesson, we will remember, again, that God always keeps His promises.
In Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, we read of a promise God made to His people to send a messenger who would prepare the way for Jesus (see Malachi 3:1-3). In this lesson, we will learn that messenger was John the Baptist (see Matthew 11:14: “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come”). He did the job God sent Him to do: he prepared the way for Jesus.
When Jesus came, He came to the Temple – just as God had promised. We will see that Jesus’ parents took Him to the Temple first, but as he grew, Jesus spent much time in the Temple and even the synagogues (where the worship and instruction of God took place). When He went, some people believed, but some did not. Nevertheless, Jesus never stopped going to the synagogues or the Temple. We will learn, by Jesus’ example, the importance for us to go to church today: for that is where the worship and instruction of God continues to take place.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12
King Uzziah was a great and mighty king in Judah.
He fortified the city of Jerusalem
and became famous throughout the land. See how he is described in Second
Chronicles. “4. And he did that which was right in the sight of the
LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. 5. And he sought God in the
days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as
he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper” (2 Chronicles 26:4-5). Notice
the important part of this verse – as long as he sought the Lord, God made him
to prosper.
Nevertheless, we see a great tragedy in his life. We can understand that
King Uzziah forgot to seek the Lord, pleasing himself instead of God. As we
continue, remember, “God made him to prosper” (2 Chronicles 26:5b). “But
when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he
transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to
burn incense upon the altar of incense” (2 Chronicles 26:16). We read that
when King Uzziah was strong, his heart was lifted up. Notice it also tells us
in the same verse (2 Chronicles 26:16), that
was what led to his destruction. When his heart was lifted up, it caused him to
“transgress against the LORD his God.”
Toward the beginning of King Uzziah’s life, he did something good in his
life, the principle of which we can read in the following verse. “But if
from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if
thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). Nevertheless, we also see how he
failed. He transgressed. When he was confronted with his sin, King Uzziah
refused to repent and return to God. Read what he should have done in the
following verses. “6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon
him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous
man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Instead of forsaking the wrong he was about to do, he did what he wanted – and
God struck him with leprosy until his death.
Even today, we are warned not to think of ourselves better
than we ought. “For I say … to every man that is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think …” (Romans 12:3). Remember,
once King Uzziah’s heart was strong and lifted up, he thought more of himself
than he should have – trying to do the job that was only for the priest. It was
then that God struck him with leprosy. Uzziah could not have fallen any further
than to lose his position as king, separated from all of his people, while he
was still alive. He had to spend the rest of his life, estranged as a leper,
with his son judging God’s people because Uzziah could no longer function as
the reigning king.
What does the Bible say about pride? Does God like man to
become proud? “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the
lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off” (Psalm 138:6). See also: “But
he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).
If one does become proud, what usually happens? See what
Jesus said in Matthew 23:12: “And whosoever shall
exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted.” How about the following verse? “Wherefore let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). More often than not, the proud person
will fall flat on their face.
As long as King Uzziah sought the Lord, God made him to prosper. The same is true for Christians today. Instead of having to rely upon men like Zechariah (the prophet), we have the Word of God recorded by men of God through the centuries – the Bible. We have it readily available – if we will only seek God and His Word. See the following words of encouragement for any who are not sure what God wants for His people. “11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD …” (Jeremiah 29:11-14a). While King Uzziah sought God, God blessed. When he forgot God, God dealt with him.
Do you seek after God, understanding God will deal with you if your pride causes you to walk contrary to Him?
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
—Psalm 5:4
Key Verse Thought: Read
today’s key verse. We are to remember that God does not like sin, and sin cannot
stand in God’s presence. For that reason, God continually sent prophets to warn
His people when they disobeyed God’s commands. In this lesson, will learn about
the last prophet God sent to His people in the Old Testament – the final
warning before a four hundred year silence of no new word from God to His
people.
Emphasis: Christians
are not to practice a religion as the priests in Malachi’s day were doing, but
to live obeying God’s Word. Although going to church is very important (as we
have learned), it is most important to live according to God’s Word. We should
also have Christian friends to encourage us, and we should encourage them
Lesson Summary: In
our last lesson, we learned the condition of God’s people when Nehemiah
returned to Jerusalem. God’s
people, including the priests, had fallen deeply into sin. Nehemiah once again
corrected the sin and prayed.
God sent Malachi with a message for His
people, beginning with the priests who were just practicing a religion and not
serving God according to His Word. The priests, and then the people, had fallen
into sin once again. As we will learn, Malachi dealt with many of the same sins
that Nehemiah dealt with in the lives of God’s people. Malachi was the last
voice to God’s people before about four hundred years of silence.
God had Malachi remind the Jews of the great
love God had for His people. The memory of Jacob and Esau was recalled – the
love of Jacob and the hatred for Esau. Jacob loved and sought after the things
of God, and Esau hated and despised the people and things of God. Yet, God’s
people were not living as His people – for they sinned and did not even
recognize how great their sin had become. God had a poignant question for them.
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his
master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be
a master, where is my fear? …” (Malachi 1:6). The people needed
Malachi to show them how far from God they had fallen. Nevertheless, a few
people still feared God. God saw that they encouraged each other often. God
knew them and wrote them in a special book of remembrance. Remember, God knows
the heart.
We will not only learn of the condition of
God’s people and the words of correction, but the promises of which God
reminded His people – especially the promise of the Promised One, Jesus.
Malachi was not only the last prophet call to God’s people before the four hundred years of silence, but also that call ended with a promise of a curse.
We will learn a few details of the four hundred years of silence that came after Malachi, discovering some of the changes that took place among God’s people.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8
Apostle Paul, the great missionary had not given his life to please men
(see Galatians 1:10-12). He was not
teaching a “feel good” doctrine, or a comfortable non-confrontational Gospel.
Paul had given his life to be the “servant of Christ.” In that, he could
only faithfully teach the truth of the Gospel message that salvation
is only by faith in Jesus. He then presented his case (see Galatians 1:10-24).
Paul understood the Law of Moses for he had been trained in
that Law; taught to obey that Law. Because of Paul’s belief in that Old
Testament Law, when he heard of the growing church
of God, he persecuted it –
believing it to be wrong. He even excelled in his position within that
religious system. But then Jesus called upon Paul’s heart, and by His grace,
Paul was saved. Although Paul knew and understood the Old Testament, when Jesus
called upon his heart, he recognized that there was more for him to learn –
something he had missed. He had not recognized that the Law and all of the Old
Testament pointed to Jesus. He understood something very important. “8. For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: 9. Not of
works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). He understood
that obeying the Law could not save him. Only faith in Jesus could save him. He
believed in Jesus and became a new person.
Paul defended that life-changing Gospel to the Churches at Galatia
(which he had planted as a missionary). Paul wrote to them when he heard that
they had forgotten that salvation is by faith. Instead, the people had become
legalistic – placing themselves back into obedience of the Old Testament Law.
Paul was shocked. “6. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7. Which is not
another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto
you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-8). Paul revealed that some
teachers, those who had come in and taught them, had perverted the Gospel of
Christ. Pervert means “in a bad sense, to turn into something else;
to change for the worse.” It was not another gospel; it was completely
false – for they had changed the Gospel message. The
Gospel message can be presented in different ways, but the
basis
can never be changed, or altered. Paul warned that if anyone preached something
other than Jesus saves by grace, they were to “let him be accursed.”
Accursed means “given up to the curse and destruction; not punishment intended as
discipline, but given over to divine condemnation (declared guilty and doomed
to punishment).”
Paul continued, in his frustration, over
their quick reception of wrong teaching from a false teacher. Read what had
happened. “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came
in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they
might bring us into bondage” (Galatians 2:4). False brethren means “those
who had outwardly become members of the church, sharing in fellowship, but
inwardly they were not Christians, having no right to be counted as brothers –
for they were missing the kinship of spiritual life.” These “false
brethren” had come into the church. They had brought in doctrines that were
intended to destroy the Gospel message along with those who preached the Gospel
truth. Those false teachers entered into the church spreading legalism (obeying
the Law), opposing the freedom from the confines of the Law that
Jesus brought.
But does that mean the Law is unnecessary? Remember the purpose of the Law: “19.… all the world may become guilty before God. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19b-20). The Law came to reveal sin, not to save man from sin. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16). Man can only be saved by faith in Jesus who fulfilled the Law, purchasing man’s freedom from the confines of the law. Paul reminded them of this freedom. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans about Jesus delivering Christians from the Law. “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter” (Romans 7:6). Christians are to live a new life in newness of spirit – not the confines of the Law. Paul emphasized that because we have God’s Spirit, we are to live our lives unto God.
Have you believed the true Gospel message of Jesusthrough faith, and that it is not of works?
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
—1 Corinthians
15:10
Key Verse Thought: Read
the Key Verse. The first half of the verse is helping us understand that only
one who has asked Jesus into their heart and life can live a life pleasing to
God, and that is only because of grace. Grace
means“the favor and good will of God undeservedly
given to people; the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to a holy God.”
Moreover, because it is an undeserved forgiveness of sin, Christians are to
work harder than anyone else to please God, obeying His commands. We must remember
that we cannot do it by ourselves. We can only do it with the help of God.
Emphasis: We are
to be strong as Nehemiah. He not only lived a life pleasing to God, but he led
others to do the same. Christians are to recognize that we have God’s Spirit to
help us and we are to be faithful to remove sin when we see it in our lives.
Lesson Summary: In
our last lesson, we learned how Nehemiah helped rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem,
reinforcing the city. Not only that, but we learned of the many times the
enemy’s plans were thwarted, and God’s people were able to complete the walls
in fifty-two days.
Now that the city was reinforced and
protected, it was time to organize the people. Nehemiah appointed jobs to
people and selected men to be rulers in the city. The people gathered together
and asked Ezra to read the book of the Law to them. After hearing God’s Words,
the people began to live according to God’s Word. They celebrated the Feast of
Tabernacles. This was followed with a time of prayer. After acknowledging their
sin, they made a covenant with God to obey His commands.
The people drew lots to find out who would live inside of the city of Jerusalem, and who would live in the cities around. Then there was a dedication of the completed walls.
Nehemiah returned to Shushan to serve the king again – just as he had promised. After a time, he returned to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he saw much sin – beginning in the house of the Lord. Eliashib, the priest, was friends with Tobiah (their adversary) and had allowed him to move into the Temple. The Levites were working outside of the city instead of taking care of the house of the Lord. The people were working, buying, and selling on the Sabbath – breaking God’s commands. They had intermarried with the nations around, again; for the high priest’s own grandson had married the daughter of Sanballat, the enemy of God’s people. Nehemiah removed and corrected the sins of the people. He prayed for God’s people.
If you are teaching this to children, the following is a craft idea to help them remember this lesson:
We cut out a copy of the Ten Commandments and made a book of the Law to help us remember the importance of knowing God’s Word and living according to what the Bible teaches.
“17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Paul loved the church at Corinth
and poured his heart and life into them as he taught them how to live
faithfully, pleasing Christ. We found that Paul taught each Christian to be an
ambassador for Christ, representing Him to the world (see 2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Paul continued teaching the
Corinthians by reminding them that it is an individual choice as to how to
live. He challenged the Corinthian Christians by bringing further instruction
on how to live a Christ-like life.
Christians must separate from things contrary
to God. “14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath
light with darkness? 15. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part
hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).
Righteousness means “the
state commanded by God and standing the test of His judgment; God’s uprightness
or standard to which man is expected to conform.”
Unrighteousness means “lawlessness;
the violation of God’s divinely instituted Law; sin; iniquity; although there
may not be a specific law against depraved or lustful desires, they are still
sin.”
Communion means “fellowship
with; participation.”
Paul began by encouraging each Believer to understand that they were to
not fellowship with, or even participate with, those who live contrary to God’s
Word (this includes friendships with, business partnerships with, or even
marriage to, unsaved people). Christians must recognize that there is no common
ground between them and the lost. Instead, see what Paul wrote they were to do.
“17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18. And will be
a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
Come out means “to depart from someone’s presence, the intimacy.” Touch not the unclean thing means “to have no dealings with the heathens
(non-believers).” The message had not changed – for just as in the Old
Testament God called for His people to separate from the nations around, God
calls for Christians to separate from the lost world around. Did you notice the
promises God gave? “… and I will
receive you, 18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters…” (2 Corinthians 6:17b-18). Father
means “God as the creator, preserver,
governor of all men and things, watching over them with paternal love and care.”
Understand that Christians are the children of God. He is able to be a loving
Father to us when we live right, but He must be a disciplining Father when we
choose to live contrary to His Word (see Hebrews 12:5-8).
What is a Christian who lives here in this world to do? Cleanse and
eliminate. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). First, understand the promise God
gave: He will be a Father, the one who protects and watches over Believers with
love and care. That should give any Christian the courage to choose to do what
is right: “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.”
Cleanse means “to purify from the pollution and guilt of sin – in a spiritual sense.”
Christians are to remember that once Jesus has entered into the heart, “filthiness
of the flesh and spirit” must be eliminated. Filthiness means “anything
that defiles (to make unclean or impure).” Any sin is unacceptable.
Christians must correct their lives. Paul
understood this would be difficult (see 2 Corinthians 7:4).
Is correction necessary?
Does correction often go unheeded?
Does anyone really like to be told they are
doing something wrong?
Paul had a difficult decision – allow sin to
continue, or confront the problem and encourage the people to eliminate the sin
that separates from a right Christian life. Paul had great confidence that the
church at Corinth would receive
this instruction, living a better life before God – as ambassadors representing
Christ. He also understood their initial reaction would probably be anger, but
once they understood and repented, they would be better Christians. “For
behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what
carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what
indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what
zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved
yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11). Use the following definitions to help you
understand this verse:
Carefulness means “earnest
effort; diligence.”
Clearing of yourselves means “to
give an answer or speech in defense of oneself.”
Indignation means “to be
under a great burden which results in indignation (holy displeasure in oneself
for sin).”
Fear means “reverence;
respect; honor.”
Vehementdesire means “strong affection; to desire earnestly.”
Zeal means “used in a good
sense means to be hot or fervent.”
Revenge means “penal
retribution or vengeance to the evildoer.”
Approved means “to make
known; declare; to show.”
Clear means “innocent;
blameless; pure.”
Matter means “the thing being
done or to be done; matter; business.”
These things are what the Corinthian Christians achieved because they received and obeyed Paul’s instruction of how to live a Christ-like life.
Are you willing to obey God’s Word, putting away sin and the unclean thing, choosing instead to become Christ’s Ambassador?
… and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
—1 Peter 3:15b
Key Verse Thought: Read
the Key Verse and understand that the way to have a ready answer comes by much
prayer. In this lesson, we will learn of a mighty man of prayer named Nehemiah.
When the people in Jerusalem did
not know what to do, Nehemiah was always ready with a word of hope and
encouragement for God’s people
Emphasis: Today,
we will learn that prayer is not only important for our own personal life to
know what God wants us to do, but to also be an encouragement to others with a
word of hope.
Lesson Summary: Zerubbabel
led the first of the people back into the land
of Israel. We then learned that
Ezra led a second group from the land
of Babylon into Israel.
The Temple of the Lord had been
rebuilt, but we will learn today that the walls of Jerusalem
were broken down and the gates were burned. No one had begun to reinforce the
city of Jerusalem.
A message of the condition of Jerusalem
was delivered to a man named Nehemiah. He was the cupbearer in King Artaxerxes
court. (Remember that King Artaxerxes allowed Ezra to lead a group into Israel.)
When Nehemiah received the message, he immediately prayed. When the king
recognized he was troubled and asked what it was, Nehemiah told the king his
heart’s desire – to return to the city of Jerusalem
and rebuild the walls and gates. Not only did the king send him, but gave him
many supplies.
When Nehemiah returned, he surveyed the
damage. He reported to the people what needed to be done. The people agreed
that the walls and gates needed to be rebuilt. So, they began.
And the enemies made themselves known. Today we will learn of the many troubles the enemies caused God’s people as they rebuilt the city walls and gates – and the many times the enemies plans were thwarted because of the prayers of Nehemiah and God’s people.
Even with the threats from the enemies to come in and kill God’s people, they remained to the task of building – many with sword or spear in hand. Nevertheless, God was with them, the gates were built, and then the walls were finished in fifty-two days.
If you are teaching this to children, the following are a couple of ideas for a craft to help them remember Nehemiah:
To help us remember that Nehemiah helped rebuild the walls in gates around Jerusalem, we built a “wall with gates” out of construction paper. We then added the verses Nehemiah 6:15-16 at the top.
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
Many Christians today have not put forth much
effort to grow in their Christian lives. They have remained immature, never
taking the time to read or study God’s Word. When a Christian does not know
what the Bible teaches, they cannot grow in their Christian walk with Christ.
Paul understood the Christians at Corinth
had not grown in Christ (they were still immature, not having learned how to
live as a Christian); Paul dealt with their godless lifestyles. “Know ye not
that ye are the temple
of God, and that
the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Apparently, these
Believers did not even understand that God’s Spirit lived within them. God
would discipline any who did not take care of (i.e. live a life pleasing to
God) their new life in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:17).
The Believers (Christians) were to understand that they could no longer live
according to the world’s ways. They were to live according to God’s ways. We
can find these “ways” recorded in the Bible. Remember what we are to
understand: “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (see 1
Corinthians 3:17-18).
Each person is accountable for his or her own life and the
way he or she lives according to God’s Word. “1. Let a man so account of us,
as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2.
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1
Corinthians 4:1-2). Believers (stewards) were above all, to be found faithful
as “stewards of the mysteries of God.”
Steward means “one who manages a house and is accountable
to the owner.” Faithful means “servants or ministers who are faithful in
the performance of duty.” Paul not only taught them, but he was an example
to them.
After addressing a particular problem that
had remained in the church at Corinth,
Paul listed more things they were not to allow. “But now I have
written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a
fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an
extortioner; with such an one no not to eat” (1 Corinthians 5:11). Paul is teaching them things that would
help them in their Christian walk. Use the following definitions to understand
these verses:
Keep company means “to
mix together; to mingle together; to have fellowship or keep company with.”
Brother means “members of the
same Christian community.”
Covetous means “one who wants
more; a person covetous of something that others have; a defrauder for gain.”
Idolater means “a servant or
worshiper of idols.”
Railer means “railing
(clamoring with insulting language; uttering reproachful words); or reviling
(treating with language of contempt).”
Drunkard means “drunken;
drunkard (an excessive use of strong liquor; a person who habitually or
frequently is drunk).”
Extortioner means “rapacious
(given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence or force); an
extortioner (wresting anything from a person by force, authority, or by any
undue exercise of power; illegal exaction).”
God will deal with the lost world who commits
theses acts. “But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from
among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13). Put away
means “to remove; to expel; to
excommunicate.” Christians are not to keep company with people who behave
in any of these manners – especially if they claim to be a Christian. See that
it even included that we are “with such an one no not to eat.” Eating
with someone is an intimate form of fellowship. (Remember the progression of
sin in Psalm 1:1-6.)
Why can we not hang around people like this?
Paul explained to them why they could not. “And such were some of you: but
ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Once one becomes a Christian, it is
important to understand they are different. Sanctified means “to
withdraw from fellowship with the world by first gaining fellowship with God.”
Spending time with people living contrary to God’s Word will do harm to God’s
church, instead of good, and especially in the lives of each Christian. We are
to understand that because of Jesus, we are sanctified. Therefore, we must follow
God’s Word, which is full of basic Christian principles of how to live a life
pleasing to God.
Read what Paul reminded them of again. “19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). If each Christian would just remember that they were bought with a price, and they are no longer their own, it would be much easier to live a life pleasing to God.
Do you remember that you are sanctified, bought with a price, and you are no longer your own?
… behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
—Numbers 23:23
Key Verse Thought: Read
the Key Verse for this lesson. Have you ever sinned? Did you get in trouble? Do
you think you have ever gotten away with something? It is important to
understand that though one may not have gotten in trouble at that time, keep in
mind that God sees and knows all. Be careful when you sin against God – for
your sin will find you out!
Emphasis: Christians
are to prepare our hearts to serve God – no matter what task God may have for
us to do. Remember: when the people of Israel
sinned against God, their sin was made known. It was difficult to make it
right.
Lesson Summary: In
our last lesson, we learned about Esther and the salvation of the Jews from
certain death. If you think about it, without godly people like Daniel,
Mordecai, and Esther about whom we have learned, the recognition of God by the
people, and especially the kings, may not have been. Even in our more recent history,
there are people who have made sure that future generations know of God and
learn to trust in Him.
This week we will learn of Ezra. He led the second remnant
back to Jerusalem from the land
of Babylon. Before he left, he
prepared his heart. He determined to go back to Israel to make sure God’s
people not only had the written Word of God (for he was a scribe), but he
wanted to be sure the people knew the Word of the Lord and lived it. He had no
idea the challenge that lay ahead of him!
King Artaxerxes (King Ahasuerus’ son, and possibly Esther’s
son as well), issued a decree that any and all who wanted to return to Israel
could go. Not only that, but he sent much silver, gold, and vessels for the
house of the Lord. Ezra recognized the hand of God and the blessing of the
king.
Ezra made sure they had priests and Levites to return with
them. Many of these he placed in charge of the great riches they were carrying
into Jerusalem.
As soon as they arrived in Jerusalem, they found out that many of the men had married wives of the heathen nations around. Some even had children by them. Ezra was astonished and devastated at the condition of the people. He rent his garment and prayed. Ezra was ashamed of the great sin in which the people were living. As the people gathered, they acknowledged their great sin and were willing to do something about it. Ezra challenged the people to correct their ways.
The men who had married foreign women had to send them away – and the children born by them.
If you are teaching this to children, the following are a couple of ideas for a craft to reinforce this lesson.
One time we sewed a heart together with the top open, put stickers on the outside, and hid verses inside of it. Another time we made a heart frame with stickers and put the verse Ezra 7:10 in the center to help us remember how important Ezra understood that God’s Word is.
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:7
Paul, the Apostle, understood the importance of the message he was to
deliver: Jesus, God’s Son, lived a perfect life, died on the cross paying for
man’s sin, and rose again the third day. This was a message the world did not,
and could not understand. It is a mystery to them. “7. But we speak the
wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained
before the world unto our glory: 8. Which none of the princes of this world
knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). If the people in Jesus’ time had understood
that Jesus had come to deliver them from sin, they never would have crucified
Him. Paul wanted Believers to understand that their job was simply to preach
this Gospel message, and God would reveal Himself to the
individual.
If God’s church would operate under this system, simply preaching and
teaching Jesus, see what is promised. “But as it is written, Eye hath not
seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). If
God’s people (Christians) would simply present the Gospel message, God would
reveal Himself; and Christians could never even imagine what He will do.
Remember when Peter first preached Jesus on the day of Pentecost – three
thousand were saved on that day (see Acts 2:41). In addition, just a few days later, he
preached again and five thousand were saved (see Acts 4:4). In every city Paul
entered, he preached Jesus, and many people believed.
Why did God want to reveal such mighty things
to us? “12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the
spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to
us of God. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of
God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Remember that once a person is saved (becomes a
Christian) that they have a new nature (God’s Spirit). God gave His Spirit, “that
we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” God will then
teach each Christian exactly how to live a life pleasing to Him (as one reads
God’s Word, and listens to godly teaching). People, who do not know Jesus, do
not understand why Christians want to go to church, or revival, or even read
the Bible, as they learn how to live a Christian life – for “they are
foolishness unto him.” Non-Christians cannot understand these things “because
they are spiritually discerned.” Christians have a different nature.
Paul understood that the Believers in the
church at Corinth had not grown in
maturity in Christ as they should have, so he reprimanded them. “1. And I,
brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even
as unto babes in Christ. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for
hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3.
For ye are yet carnal…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Because they had not yet
learned how to live a Christian life, they were still “carnal” (carnal means “weakness; frailty; of persons being worldly”).
Paul then explained to them the importance of
different teachers and workers. “5. Who then is Paul, and who is
Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7. So then
neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that
giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). Some workers plant the seed (plant means “to be the first to preach the gospel in a place”), another may water (watered means “to water, irrigate; used metaphorically of instruction”), but only God gives the increase (gave the increase means “to grow, increase, or add something”).
Only God saves people.
“8. Now he that planteth and he that
watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his
own labour … 10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a
wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.
But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11. For other foundation
can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians
3:8-11). Each Christian is supposed to plant and water – for we are all to tell
others about Jesus. We are to be a “wise masterbuilder” – just like Paul
was. Wise masterbuilder means “a skillful, expert workman or builder; an
architect.” But most importantly, the foundation must be Jesus (foundation means “the elementary doctrine and instruction; fundamental doctrine or
principle – which is Christ”). The Gospel message of Jesus must be taught
first in order for anyone to be saved.
Do you plant or water, sharing the Gospel message of Jesus to others?
