Teaching the Word of Truth
April 3, 2011
Lesson: 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 Introduction Christians are to act like soldiers of the King, as well as bearing the agape love of our Father in heaven. We are to comfort one another with the comfort we have received from the Holy Comforter. And, we are to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, for the harvest is great, and there will be rejoicing in heaven over the sinner who repents. However, there is still the need for a soldier’s armor in this world of darkness and strife. We are to put on the whole armor of God that we might be able to stand against the evil devices of the devil (Eph. 5:10-12). To endure hardness means that we must be prepared, through the Word and Spirit, to do battle, to withstand the evil arrows of the unregenerate. A superficial understanding of the Gospel cannot meet this need. We need the wisdom and full counsel of God, and a soul which cries out for the “living God” (Psa. 84:2). “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee: in whose heart are the ways of them. …They go from strength to strength” (Psa. 84:5-7). Paul encourages Timothy to take action, saying, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2:2). The minister of the Word has a responsibility to teach the truth as revealed in God’s Scriptures, especially to those who are faithful elders or teachers in the congregation, that they should be able to teach others. Sometimes the emphasis has been wrongly put on the gift of teaching rather than on the ability to teach the truth as revealed in God’s Word. As Paul has transmitted the truth to Timothy, Timothy is to transmit this truth to others, and so on and on. This means that there must be much preparation in the Word of God, whether we are teachers, evangelists or parents, etc. Thus, we become faithful Disciples of Christ, obeying the commission to make disciples of all nations.
Be Faithful – 2 Timothy 2:8-13
Paul encourages his son in the faith, Timothy, to be strong in his faith and service. Timothy is to remember “that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bond. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” A Christian is one who has faith, looking unto Jesus “the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Joy comes when the task is finished and God’s glory shines. Therefore the Christian is fully convinced that what God has revealed is true, and his faith is confirmed: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it elders obtain a good report” (Heb. 11:1-2). There are those, as in the day of Paul, who would lead believers to doubt the resurrection of Christ, and therefore His saving grace. We are reminded that God’s promise is kept, Christ is the seed of David; His resurrection is true. Though Paul is in bonds because of false accusations, the Word of God is not hindered in its power to redeem. Paul is free to endure all things, even false imprisonment, for the sake Christ’s elect. The elect are delivered from evil because of the efficacy of the Gospel, which is in Christ Jesus. We can trust the Word of God, for if we die with Christ, we will also live with Him; if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with Him. We must not deny Him, for He will deny us. We must believe, for even in our weaknesses He is always faithful and cannot deny Himself. This encourages our daily repentance and faith in Christ our Savior. Our faith rests upon the unchangeable Christ and His Word.
Discussion: What is faith in Christ?
Show thyself approved -2 Timothy 2:14-15
Paul urges Timothy to “put in remembrance” to the congregation those things which they were taught of the Lord, “charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” Congregations are easily led astray, thus leading others away from the true Word, when they chitchat about little words of no meaning. Paul gives us this picture in another of his epistles: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; or they are unprofitable and vain” (Titus 3:9). Matthew Henry gives us this understanding: “Observe, People are very prone to strive about words, and such strife’s never answer any other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that is, in his name and from his word.” The Word of God is to be placed before the congregation, those Scriptures which “principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man” (Shorter Catechism A. 3). Therefore, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This may be illustrated in the work of a craftsman who has studied and practiced his work and is not ashamed to put his finished product on display for all to see. To ‘study’ means to act speedily, to be diligent in your labor to learn what the Spirit is teaching. To be ‘approved’ means that your study when tested will not be found wanting. ‘Rightly dividing’ is to be correct in knowing and understanding the divine message. Let our prayers be: “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forevermore” (Psa. 86:11-12).
Discussion: Why is it profitable to study the Word of God?
The Christian’s Keeping
April 10, 2011
Lesson: Jude 17-25
Key Verse: Jude 24-25
Introduction
The Christian has something the wicked do not have, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, of whom the universal Church testifies, that “the third person of the Holy Trinity, of one and the same essence, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son; and therefore is the true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us” (Belgic Confession). Along with the Father and the Son the Spirit is able to keep us. The Holy Spirit “is true and coeternal God with the Father and the Son; …He is also given me, to make me a true faith, partaker of Christ and all His benefits, that He may comfort me and abide with me for ever” (Heidelberg Confession). God’s Scriptures “manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names, attributes, works, and worship, as are proper to God only” (Westminster Larger Catechism). Thus we understand that God “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). In the midst of sorrows, tribulations, and persecutions, the Christian knows that there is nothing that can separate them from the love of Christ. The Scriptures confirm that victory we have in Christ Jesus: “For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:36-39). This is the spirit of the Epistle of Jude, written before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70). Persecution and apostasy has been building up. The Christian congregations are receiving epistles, letters from Paul, Peter, and others, including, “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ,” who wrote to those who are “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called” (Jude 1). The hope of these Congregations is set upon the truth that they belong to God who has called them into His marvelous Light, and will certainly be preserved in that Light, Christ Jesus.
Kept in the Love of God –Jude 17-23
The Congregations, not only face the persecutions from without, the must also deal with those who act ungodly within the fellowship: These are murmurers, complainers, walking in their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage” (16). Their advantage meaning that by their actions, they personally profit in one way or another. Jude encourages the Congregations, “But beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” It is no surprise for the Christian that they would be tempted by those who would mock their faith, and would act from the lust of their flesh and not from the love of God. Their hearts and their actions are of their father the deceiver because they do not have the Holy Spirit. They walk according to their ungodly lusts, separating themselves from that which is righteous and good. Christians, being so warned, receive this admonition, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life.” Note that we are called “beloved”—as those who are thought of as well by the Lord, as precious in His sight. In this special relationship with our Father in heaven, through Christ, we are able to build ourselves up in our most holy, most moral, a divine faith. This is our faith in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, which produces fruit in our lives to the glory of God. This building process is nurtured in the Word of God, in our prayers which reveal our fellowship with God, by which we are kept in the love of God. As we study God’s Word, pray in the power or authority of the Holy Spirit, we look for, and anticipate an answer from our Father, which is nothing less that tender mercies of our Savior operating in our lives “unto eternal life.” The Congregations are told that they not only will be building their faith, but that they will make a difference. How do we make a difference? We make a difference by our compassion toward one another; by our living in Christ whereby the gospel is shown through word and deed, that some will be saved “with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Matthew Henry’s give us this understanding: We must watch over one another, must faithfully, yet prudently, reprove each other, and set a good example to all about us. This must be done with compassion, making a difference. How is that? We must distinguish between the weak and the willful. Of some we must have compassion, treat them with all tenderness, restore them in the spirit of meekness, not be needlessly harsh and severe in our censures of them and their actions, nor proud and haughty in our conduct towards them; not implacable, nor averse to reconciliation with them, or admitting them to the friendship they formerly had with us, when they give evident or even strongly hopeful tokens of a sincere repentance: if God has forgiven them, why should not we?
Discussion: How are we to grow in our faith?
Kept by God –Jude 24-25
Jude shows us the wonder of being kept in the love of God by way of a doxology, a celebration of the glory of God in Christ Jesus: “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Not only does our Lord keep us from falling, or failing, but He does so that He, as our Advocate and Mediator, present us as “faultless” (without blame) before the glory of The Heavenly Triune Majesty. Paul, writing to the faithful saints at Colosse, that Christ “having made peace through the blood of the cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight” (Col. 1:20-22). Since Christ paid the penalty for our transgressions before the Father, being judged as sinners on our behalf, Christ would not hesitate to keep us in His righteousness before such a glorious Majesty. Our celebration should be nothing less than glorifying the Triune Creator and Savior, and therefore enjoying Him forever: “To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” We know victory and joy in our Lord for He is Sovereign, having full dominion and authority over all things, for He is the Creator and Sustainer of both material and authorities: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33-36). Thus we both live and praise Him, day by day, year by year, with joy, in the presence of our most gracious and merciful Lord and Savior.
Discussion: Why are able to praise our Lord and give Him thankful hearts?
Hosanna!
April 17, 2011
Lesson: Mark 11:1-11
Key Verse: Mark 11:9
Introduction Christ came as a King with a kingdom, to His temple which He called, “My house of prayer.’ The song of David proclaims this twofold activity of the Messiah, saying, “Praise waits for thee, O God, in Zion; and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O Thou that hears prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come” (Psa. 65:1-2). Our Lord is to be praised because He has called us to be in His kingdom. Our Lord would hear our prayers because he has prepared a place for us in His presence. Thus, when Christ came to Jerusalem, He heard His people sing his praises. We too are called to raise our voices in song, “Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord” (Ps. 113:1). Praise (Halal) is the picture of brightness. We are to celebrate the glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Hosanna of Mark 11:9 is found in Psalm 118:25-26, “Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.” The house of our Lord, the very Body of Christ, is to reveal this praise in our prayer life with the Father. Thus we are to be called His house of prayer. Let us be careful not to make our fellowships dens of thieves, twisting His word that we may gain treasure at the expense of others.
Thy Kingdom Come, Mark 11:1-11
King Jesus set the time and the place, and rode into Jerusalem with majesty and honor. He came as the Savior and King of His people. When Christ and His disciples came to the mount of Olives, He commanded two of His disciples to find a colt. They were to say to the owner, “the Lord hath need of him.” The Lord had prepared a colt to ride into Jerusalem. He would ride as a victorious King. He was the King whose purpose it was to set His face toward Jerusalem; for He was set apart at birth, having been given the name ’Joshua,’ which means, Jehovah is salvation; He would save His people from their sins. He had said to His disciples about this last visit to Jerusalem, saying, “I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). This place would be in the household of God the Father. The preparation for this reconciliation would take place on His cross of Calvary. His words to the disciples would ring true from that cross. Such as when He claimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Christ is the Captain of our salvation, the “author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9); the faithful High Priest through whom we come to the “throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in time of need” (4:16). Nothing is left to chance in God’s plan of salvation for His people. The Son was given the name above all names; in Christ alone we are be saved, our sins forgiven; and the promise given, that we have in Him the gift of eternal life. Each step of our Savior was prepared and fulfilled. The donkey was prepared for His entry into Jerusalem, as true as the Cross for our entry into the Father’s presence. Let us give much thanks and praise for our King and Savior who was “crowned with glory and honor; that (Christ) by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). By our Lord’s sacrifice we know the truth that we “are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels” (Heb. 12:22). The company we keep as children of our Father in heaven are mighty in strength and number. We claim with the un-numerable number of saints “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,” standing before the throne of The Lamb, saying, “Salvation is of the Lord …Blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 7:9-12). Many had come to the feast of the Passover. Hearing of the coming of Jesus, they were moved to meet Him outside the city. They spread their clothes before Jesus, along with branches which they cut from the trees. The King of kings, the ruler of nations, came to God’s City as it was told by the prophets: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zech. 9:9). The people cried with loud voices: “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” Pray that the daughters of Zion, the Redeemed people of God, would cry out with such praise. We live in an age of entertainment, churches and so called Christian leaders, working the crowd to an unholy frenzy. True rejoicing and praise that ring out for all to hear come from hearts, which cannot hold in the wonderful truth of Christ and His saving grace, of the King and His righteous dominion.
Discussion: What is the meaning of Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey?
We Worship the Living Lord
April 24, 2011
Lesson: Matthew 28:1-10
Key Verse: Matthew 28:9
Introduction
The resurrection of Christ Jesus speaks both about His victory over sin and its death penalty on our behalf. We have been given a new birth by the Spirit. We also look for our own resurrection in Christ. Paul, not wanting the church at Thessalonica to be ignorant concerning those who have died in the Lord, that we "sorrow not," states our hope in Christ’s resurrection, writing, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. ...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; then we who 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 Thess. 4:13-17). When we received Christ as our Savior, we witnessed the glory of being resurrected from the darkness of sin and its consequences. Now we look forward to the resurrection of our bodies that we might live with our Savior for all of eternity. “Christ is risen; therefore, the bodies of the saints must rise. Christ did not rise from the dead as a private person, but as the public head of the church; and the head being raised, the rest of the body shall not always lie in the grave. Christ’s rising is a pledge of our resurrection. ‘Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus’ 2 Cor iv 14. Christ is called the first-fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor xv 20. As the first-fruits are a sure evidence that the harvest is coming, so the resurrection of Christ is a sure evidence of the rising of our bodies from the grave" (Thomas Watson).
The Angel from Heaven (28:1-7)
“As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,” Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre: “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.” Heaven testifies to the resurrection of Christ by sending a divine Messenger. The body of Jesus was put to rest on the sixth day of the week and it was raised new on the first day of the next week. The Son of God had commended Himself to the Father after making atonement for the sins of His people. On that third day Christ claimed His body, a new and resurrected body. The glory of God is revealed in the divine Messenger. “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.” The earth itself shook as it gave up the body. The guards also shook for fear, “and became as dead men.” The wicked shake at the sign of the glory of the Lord: Thus “the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing” (Psa. 2:1). When the Gospel is clearly preached and the presence of the Lord is shown, the wicked shake and cry, keep your religion in the pew. Why such a fear? The Lord declares that He has set His King “upon the holy hill of Zion.” The banner of the Church of our Savior declares Him to be the King of kings. Our victory resides in the resurrected Lord. For the Savior testifies, “I will declare the decree; the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psa. 2:6-8). Christ, having accomplished His redemptive work on the Cross of Calvary, spoke out to the Father, “into Thy hands I commit my spirit.” He now sits at the right hand of God the Father. His resurrection reveals that the words of the Psalmist are true. The angel of the Lord spoke to the women, “Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified.” The presence of the Lord is always comforting in the midst of our trials and tribulations. The angel points to the open tomb, saying, “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” The women, having seen the tomb empty, were told to go quickly “and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him.” The apostle John began his first epistle with these words, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life; …That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” We witness to the death and resurrection of our Savior through eyes of faith and the teaching of God’s Scriptures. Our witness must be of that which we have seen and heard by the Spirit through His Scriptures. Our joy is that in Christ, we not only testify to His saving grace, but also that because He is our Redeemer, we have fellowship with our heavenly Father. We rejoice also that this fellowship is with one another. To this fellowship we share the Gospel of Christ to others.
Discussion: What witness do we have today that Christ is our risen Lord?
The Risen Lord! (28:8-10)
The women departed quickly from the tomb “with fear and great joy.” The women have hearts filled with the combination of fear and joy. Mark records that the women fled quickly from the tomb “for they trembled and were amazed” (16:8). They had witnessed the glory of heaven as they saw the angel and heard that Christ was alive. They were beyond themselves, unable to fathom all that they have seen and heard, their hearts filled with awe and joy. Truly their Lord was their resurrection and life. As they went to see the disciples, “Jesus met them, saying, All hail.” A quiet word of greeting brought the women to bow down before Him: holding Him by the feet, they worshiped Him. Jesus took the fear from their hearts and gave them the message that when His disciples go to Galilee, there they would see Him. “Christ is nearer to his people than they imagine. They needed not descend into the deep, to fetch Christ thence; he was not there, he was risen; nor go up to heaven, for he was not yet ascended: but Christ was nigh them, and still in the word is nigh us” (Henry). Because Christ is present with us today, we can look upon Him by faith. We acknowledge His presence through the Written Word of God. The Holy Spirit witnesses to our spirit that, in Christ, we cry out in prayer, “Abba, Father!” Our faith is not a religious experience, but an actual means of fellowship with God. This presence of Christ in the life of every true believer is expressed rightly in these words of Thomas Watson, who wrote that “Faith is a Christ-prizing grace, it puts a high valuation upon Christ. ‘To you that believe he is precious’ I Pet ii 7. Paul best knew Christ. ‘Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?’ I Cor ix i. He saw Christ with his bodily eyes in a vision, when he was caught up into the third heaven; and with the eye of his faith in the Holy Supper; therefore he best knew Christ. And see how he styles all things in comparison of him. ‘I count all things but dung, that I may win Christ’ Phil iii 8.. Do we set a high estimate upon Christ? Could we b e willing to part with the wedge of gold for the pearl of price?” Faith not only acknowledges the presence of the risen Lord, but expresses the truth that with eyes of faith we see Christ. We obey Christ and His Word because He is truly with us. By faith we are made more and more like Christ, and so declare His presence as we grow in His righteousness, truth, and justice. “As a Chameleon is changed into the colour of that which it looks upon , so faith, looking on Christ, changes the Christian into the similitude of Christ" (Watson). If our worship and praise do not glorify Christ, does not reveal who He is and what He has accomplished in His death and resurrection, then there is not real worship and praise. If our prayers and Bible studies do not reveal the presence of Christ, then we have not rightly prayed and studied. The resurrected Lord has called us to witness, telling us to go and teach the nations, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:20). We teach because the Teacher is present. He is not only risen, He is with us!
Discussion: How does the resurrection of Christ strengthen our faith?
