The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Encourage

  • Is Church Important?

    “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

    Hebrews 10:25

    Jesus’ earthly parents took Him to the Temple when He was a child, and He continued to go as an adult. He not only went to the Temple, but also the synagogue. The synagogues had become common places of Bible teaching and worship. They were started during the Babylonian captivity. Because the people had no Temple in which to worship God, they began to meet in smaller groups for worship and biblical instruction. According to Jesus’ actions, He not only went to the synagogue regularly, but He taught there often as well.

    Jesus’ parents took Him to the Temple the first time shortly after He was born (see Luke 2:27). They took Jesus to the Temple when he was twelve years old (see Luke 2:46). When Jesus was an adult, He still went to the Temple and the synagogue often. “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Luke 4:16). It was His custom. There are dozens of verses in the Gospels declaring Jesus went to the synagogue and the Temple.

    Do you remember what often happened when Jesus went to the synagogues? Or even the Temple? When he went to the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth where He read a portion out of Isaiah, see what the people did. “28. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29. And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong” (Luke 4:28-29). Not only were they angry with Jesus, they wanted to throw Him off of a cliff to kill Him. “But he passing through the midst of them went his way” (Luke 4:30). Nevertheless, Jesus did not quit going to the synagogue or the Temple. When He went, He often taught the people. When Jesus taught, He made known the need for repentance of sin. The people would then be given the choice – to accept Him or reject Him.

    See a few of the following examples:

    • A ruler of the synagogue believed in Jesus to heal his daughter (see Mark 5:22-24, 35-43).
    • The people did not believe in Jesus (see Mark 6:2-6).
    • The people of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth rejected Him, wanting to kill Him (see Luke 4:16-30).
    • Jesus taught in the Temple, and many did believe on Him (see John 7:28-31).

    Because Jesus went to the Temple and synagogues often, many of the religious leaders heard and believed in Jesus. “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42).

    Today, we do not go to the Temple, for it has been replaced for Christians with the church building. The church building is the place that Christians go to meet in smaller groups for worship and biblical instruction. (Did you notice that was the same function as the synagogue?) Because Jesus found it important to go to the synagogue often, many recognized who Jesus was during the gathering of people in those locations. It was there that God’s Word was taught. Today, Christians are to attend church often. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Not only are we to attend church to learn more about the Bible, helping us to become better Christians, but for much the same reason that Jesus often visited the Temple and the synagogues – to encourage and teach others about Jesus.

    Admittedly, today’s churches are sometimes difficult places to attend regularly. There are obviously problems in some churches. It may even be difficult to find a true Bible believing and teaching church. However, each Christian is encouraged to go more and more often, for time is short. The synagogues Jesus attended were fraught with religiosity. The leaders taught a religious system and tradition more than God’s Word. Jesus was often challenged, met with confrontation, rejected, and at times even attended at the peril of His life. Yet He continued to frequent them regularly. However, while He was there, He taught the truth. Sometimes He said, “as it is written”, and often He referred to what they had heard and told them, “I say unto you” to correct what they had heard.

    Today, we have the complete written Word of God, and it is important that each Christian knows what the Bible teaches. When a Christian goes to church, one can be pretty confident that there is no fear of death. However, there may be challenges, confrontations, or even rejection. But that is no reason to quit attending church (maybe find a new one!). Jesus attended while He lived here on earth. Christians should be just as faithful, praying God will provide a Bible teaching church to attend. Paul encouraged the men he left in charge at the church in Ephesus. Remember what he taught them: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The church was purchased with the blood of Christ. It is very important to Him.

    Have you found a Bible teaching church in which to attend faithfully?

  • A Book of Remembrance

    “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”

    Malachi 3:16

    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. Malachi addressed many of the same sins that Nehemiah dealt with in the lives of God’s people.

    God had Malachi remind the Jews of the great love God had for His people. Yet, God’s people were not living as His people – for they sinned and did not even recognize how great their sin had become. Malachi’s burden was to reveal to the people just how far from God they had fallen.

    One important thing God wanted the people to understand was written in the second chapter. “If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart” (Malachi 2:2). Not only would they not hear God, they had not taken His Words to heart: “if ye will not lay it to heart”. The things that one lays to heart are the things that are the most important to one. So much so that these are the things that make one who they are (as in character, beliefs, attitudes, actions, etc.). This verse was directed to the priests in Malachi’s day. This means that they were not allowing God’s Word to enter into their hearts, making a difference in their lives. Because they had not heard or laid to heart God’s Word, they were in a sinful condition before God. The priests thought they were doing fine because they practiced a religious system, but God knew the condition of their hearts. Because of the condition of the priests, the people in like manner, were also in sin.

    Some of the blatant sins of the day were listed in Malachi. In the midst of that list, see what God said, “… Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts …” (Malachi 3:7b). God continually extended an invitation for the people to return to God, in repentance and change of heart, and God would return to His people. If they would return to God, obeying His commands, God’s people would not be able to contain the blessings He had in store for them.

    During this time, there were still a few people who truly feared God. God recognized those few who rejected the sin and obeyed God’s commands. “16. Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:16-17). God not only saw them, He heard them. They are His “jewels” for they belong to Him. God knew them and wrote of them in a special book of remembrance. These people obviously loved God and sought to know Him more – for they thought upon His name. Remember that the things that one lays to heart are the things that are the most important to one. So much so that these are the things that make one who they are (as in character, beliefs, attitudes, actions, etc.). When one continually thinks on God, God will continually be in that heart and mind. That is when a change in one’s life can take place. Those that God saw that still feared Him, “spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it” (Malachi 3:16a). They obviously encouraged each other often, and God heard.

    This is a good thing to remember today. Much encouragement comes from sharing with others who also fear and serve God. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). God does not expect us to “go it alone”. We learn to not commune with evil ones, for they will corrupt our lives (“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” 1 Corinthians 15:33). Instead, we are to fellowship with those who walk in the light (because Jesus is the Light). “5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. … 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:5, 7). God gives Christians with whom to fellowship and grow in Christ.

    As we read in Malachi, God keeps a “book of remembrance” of those who trust in God, fear Him, think on Him, and speak often with one another. One day, God will “open the books” (see Daniel 7:10 and Revelation 20:12). What do you want God to have written about you?

    Are you one who has “feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” becoming more like Him?

  • Be Prepared

    “16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

    What amazing words! Jesus promised Christians that He would one day descend from heaven, where we will be caught up together, meeting Him in the air! And we will be with Him forever! The next verse tells us: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). We are to remember that Jesus has not forgotten us, He is coming for us, and we should strongly encourage one another with these words.

    When will this happen? “1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). No one knows. But if we pay attention, we will be able to tell when that day is getting closer! As long as we are cognizant as to what is happening in the world and in the church, that day should not take us by surprise. Even though a thief does not call ahead to warn you when he will break into a home or business, we know the most opportune times for a thief to break into a place. And we prepare. We watch. We make sure that we will not be caught off guard. We take precautions to keep us from an unexpected break-in. Just in the same manner, we should live our lives prepared. We know that day will come suddenly, as a surprise. We need to watch. As Christians, we should be living as if that day could be today. The day the Lord will come, and each Christian will stand before Him to give an accounting of his or her life, and what that person has done with that life to please the Lord. It is important to keep in the forefront of our minds that we represent Jesus in this world — for we are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Remember the warning Paul gave to us. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

    Throughout the New Testament Paul encouraged Christians in what they were to do. Each Christian needs to remember that we are to become more like Jesus everyday. We must be aware of the temptations that surround us, that try to prevent us from living right. We must make a conscious effort to live a faithful Christian life, pleasing Jesus all day every day, never becoming tired of the Christian life. We are always to be on guard, awake, and ready for Jesus to come again at any moment! And we are to encourage others with this message! Remember the words of Galatians 6:9: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

    Watch!

    Be prepared!

    Don’t be weary in well doing, remembering that Jesus could come today!

  • Lesson 12 (Lesson 25): Deuteronomy 12 – 34: Planning the Trip into the Promised Land

    Key Verse

    “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Remind them that God’s people were preparing to go into the land of Promise to conquer it.  They had heard the stories of giants in the land, yet they were getting ready to enter.  God wanted to encourage them.  He would be with them.  They should not be afraid.  If God told them to enter the land, He would go with them, and He would not fail them.  (Optional idea:  Ask them if they have ever been afraid.  One time you never have to be afraid is when you do something that God has told you to do.  God told His people to go and possess the Promised Land.  They probably remember the stories of giants in the land.  Plus, these people were not soldiers trained for battle.  God wanted to reassure them.  Don’t be afraid.  God would be with them and He would not fail them, nor would he leave them.  God will do the same for us today, if we will walk with Him.)

    Summary:  In our last lesson we saw that Deuteronomy is a book looking back to what God had done for His people (Deuteronomy 1-11.)  In this lesson we see the rest of the book is looking forward (Deuteronomy 12-34).

    All of Israel gathered together.  Moses warned the people not to forget the words of God’s law.  Moses laid out before the people the blessings for following God’s law.  He then warned them of the curse of God if they failed to obey God’s law.  Deuteronomy is a reminding of the law, and the people are brought to the brink of the Promised Land, ready to continue.  The constant theme we have been noticing is the importance of obedience to God.  He wants obedience from His people – but He gave them the choice.

    Joshua was appointed the new leader (Deuteronomy 31), and Moses died (Deuteronomy 34).

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  God wanted His people to know that He would be with them wherever He led them.  The constant theme we have been noticing is the importance of obedience to God.  He wants obedience from His people – but He gave them the choice.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 25 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 25 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we made a suitcase to travel.  We took a center file folder and glued pictures of things that you would pack into a suitcase cut from magazines.  Include things like clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, hairbrush, shoes, socks, etc.  But especially find a sticker (or a cut out picture) of a Bible.  They should understand the importance of reading their Bible everyday – even on a trip!  You could then decorate the outside like a suitcase.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural. Today, have them make two mountains – one for curses and one for blessings.  (You could do this individually or as a group.)  Help them write curses on the one and blessings on the other.  Encourage them to remember that when we walk with God, He has promised to bless us.  And remember the memory verse, He will not fail them or forsake them.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.