This Week Sunday School Lesson, "Don't Be A Stumbling Block", 5/1/2016

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DON'T BE A STUMBLING BLOCK

Luke 17:1-10

DON'T BE A STUMBLING BLOCK

V:1-2. Jesus said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble."

A. Jesus was continued His teaching about the rich man and Lazarus ( the poor man).

    The rich man overlooked Lazarus suffering outside his gate.

    1. The rich man refused to lend a helping  hand as Lazarus laid dying at his gate.

    2. The stumbling block of the life of the rich man was his wealth.

B. What the story of the rich man and Lazarus points to is  the certainty of death.

    1. This story points to two final  destinations; heaven or hell.

    2. Your destination after death is determined by your faith or lack of faith in Jesus.

    3. The rich man's faith was in his wealth, a stumbling block  to heaven.

    4. Lazarus lying outside the rich man's gate had but one hope, Jesus Christ, which

        sealed his destination in heaven.

SIDE TRACKED BY THE WORLD

C. We live in a materialistic world where there a many stumbling blocks to our faith in

    in Jesus.

    1. It is easy to get side tracked and lose sight of what is important in this life.

    2. It is easy to get side tracked in this life and lose sight of heaven.

D. Believers who get caught up in materialism and selfishness become stumbling blocks  

     to  the faith of others.

    1. When someone weak in the faith see us acting like the world, we become a

         stumbling block to them.

    2. When we fail to act upon our faith, we become a stumbling block to others

        weak in the faith.

E. There is a penalty for those who are stumbling blocks to others.

    1. Believers who become stumbling blocks pay a price somewhere in their

        walk with Jesus.  

    2. Jesus is very protective of children, orphans, widowers and those struggling

        in their faith

    3. We harm ourselves when we neglect those who are helpless and need

         thoes strong in faith as their role models.

QUALITY OF LIFE DETERMINED BY FORGIVENESS

F. Believers destination of heaven is secure in Jesus Christ.

   1. Our destination has been sealed by the Holy Spirit.

   2. Our quality of life on earth is determined by how we treat our neighbors.

   3. Our quality of life has nothing to do with wealth, possessions or education,

       but everything to do with the love we show our neighbors.

FORGIVENESS SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC

V:3-4. "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."

A. The key to not being a stumbling block is forgiveness.

   1. The test of our faith comes when we face adversity at the hands of family, friends

       and brothers and sisters in Christ.

   2. When we judge others by our own standards, we are at risk of becoming a

        stumbling block.

   3. When we are not able to tolerate, the behavior of others, we are at risk of becoming

       a stumbling block.

  4. We find it difficult to forgive for any reason, we are at risk of becoming a

      stumbling block.

B.  Jesus warns us to be on guard, because everyday someone, somewhere, will do

      something to you that you will consider wrong and offensive.

   1. Daily you need to be ready to forgive.

   2. Forgiveness should become your trade mark of peace, joy and harmony with

       others.

     a. The spirit of forgiveness or un-forgiveness is a mind thing.

     b. It can affect you emotionally, mentally and eventually physically.

     c. When you can't forgive, Satan is attacking your mind.

     b. The Spirit of un-forgiveness allows the thought and the sight of another

         person to control you.

   3. To forgive is a decision you have to make daily.

       a. According to the text you have to be willing to forgive the same person

           an unlimited number of times.

       b. Jesus recommends that we warn the person that his/her actions are offensive.

       c. If he says he want do the same thing again, forgive him

       d. The person may, not change, but Jesus  says forgive as if the person

            did change.

THE APLICATION OF FAITH

V:5-6. " The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you."

A. The disciples, having heard the words of Jesus, prayed for more faith.

    1. They were trying to shift their burden of un-forgiveness to Jesus by asking

         for an increase in faith.

    2. Each of us have been given a measure of faith.    Romans 12:3

 B. In His response, Jesus told His disciple that had enough faith to forgive.

    1. It is not the amount of faith that you have that is the problem, it is the

        application of your faith.

    2. In His example, Jesus said that a very small faith can move mountains.

    3. A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds.

        a. A mustard seed is an herd planted in a garden.

        b. Once planted, it can grow up to twelve feet in a few months.

    4. A mulberry tree (sycamore) is a very large tree with deep roots that grows in a

        field.

    5. A very small faith exercised in the name of Jesus can cause a very large obstacle

         to be moved out of you life.

 C. Forgiveness is an act of love to the offending individual.

     1. Forgiveness frees us from barriers we set up against other individuals.

     2. Forgiveness frees us from the mind control of Satan.

     3. Forgiveness keeps the doors of restored relationships open.

 D. The seed of faith grows when exercised in the name of Jesus.  

HUMBLE SERVICE

 V:7 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? 8 "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? 9 "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'

A. Pride is another stumbling block to our faith.  1 Cor  4:6

    1. In this example, Jesus uses the  relationship between a land owner and a slave.

    2. You could think of it as the relationship between your boss and you.

    3. When you do what you are paid to do, you are due no praise.

    4. If you are paid an hourly wage, you owe an hour worth of work.

B. It is a privilege to be able to serve Jesus.

    1. We were chosen before the foundation of the earth to be in the Body of Christ.

    2. We were all given spiritual gifts to serve. Romans 12:6

    3. We have a responsibility to serve  1 Cor 1:29-31

    4. Serving is not an option, but a duty.

C. No one is due special praise because of their service.   1 Cor 4:7

    1. No one's gift is more important than another's.

    2. No one's work is more important than another's.

WHAT PRIDE DOES TO YOU

D. Pride sets you up to be offended by another person.

    1. When you are puffed up, you will be easily disappointed when you don't

         the pat on the back that you think you deserve.

    2. You can get to the point where you can't forgive because you didn't get

        recognized for your service.

    3. If some one gets recognized and promoted for same thing that you  did

        your spirit of un-forgiveness will be heighten.

    4. If pride was not the issue, you would not be affected by what happens to

        another person.

The reason for our being is to give God praise and glory.

God does not need us, we need Him.

We don't do God a favor by serving Him.

God does us favor by allowing us to serve.

Jesus came down from heaven, took on human flesh, died for our sins,

to Glorify His Father.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE  TO GLORIFY GOD WITH OUR SERVICE

FORGIVE AND BE BLESSED

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Church

Houston, Texas

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Life On My Terms", 4/24/2016

LIFE ON MY TERMS

Luke 15:11-24

TRAIN UP A CHILD

V:11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons."

  A. The two sons represents two different personalities.

       1. Children can be raised the same way and treated the same way,

           but be totally different.

       2. The younger son was discontented and vocalized his feelings.

       3. The older son may have also been discontented but to disciplined to

           to speak up.

 B. This story highlights  the restless nature of the younger son.

     1. A restless impatient nature can lead to irrational decisions.

     2. This text is a continuation of Jesus examples of the love of the

         Father for His lost sheep. ( review the preceding text).

C. The two sons were raise by a godly father.

    1. They both had a solid foundation in the Word.

    2. The younger son looked on the other side of the fence and saw a

        different world that he wanted to experience.

         a. On his side of the fence, he knew the strictness of  his father

             and his daily routine of chores and work.

         b. On  the other side of the fence, he imagined a world of  excitement

             and freedom.

DECISIONS WITHOUT THE WORD

 V:12. " The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate. So he divided his property between them."

A. The Father represents our Holy Father, who gives to us generously.

    1. In the normal case, an inheritance is not given until the parent is dead.

    2. Our Father gives us a permanent inheritance the moment we establish

        a relationship with Him.

B. Like the younger son, we sometimes walk away from the Father's wisdom

    to do our own thing.

   1. We know what is required of us, but we don't always do it.

C. We have to be careful what we ask for, because the Lord may grant our request.

   1. Some things that seems good may not be good for us.

   2. The younger son asked for resources that he did not have the capability to

       manage.

  3. The younger son's inheritance was his, whether  he had procession of it or not.

      a. In the Fathers hands, it was safe.

      b. In his hands, the inheritance was only as safe as his ability to manage it. 

      c. The younger son probably never had to manage time and resources.

      d. The younger son probable never had to make a budget or pay bills.

 

FOOLISH LIVING

V:13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living."

A. The younger son wanted to be out from under the control of his father.

    1. He was restless and ready to live his life outside of the sight of his father.

    2. Restlessness can lead to irrational behavior.

    3. The younger son based his decision to leave on his fleshly desires.

    4. The younger son rejected the spirit of the father.

B. The text says after some time he left.

    1. The father and the brother probably counseled with the younger son not to leave.

    2. He took time to consider what he did.

    3. The younger son allowed his fleshy desires to over rule the spirit.

C. When the younger son left the father, he left  the life in which he grew up.

    1. He left the wisdom of the father.

    2. He left the protection of the father.

    3. He left the provisions of the father.

    4. He left the guidance and direction of the father.

    5. He left the tolerance of the father.

    6. He left the peace of the father.

    7. He left the joy of the father.

    8. He left the security of the father.

    9. He left the order of the father.

    10. He left the discipline of the father

    11. He left the strength of the father.

    12. He left the council of the father.

    13. He left the headship of the father.

    

C. The text says that the younger son went to a far country probably to get to a place

     where  the word about his actions wouldn't get back to the father.

   1. He lived like there was no tomorrow.

   2. He lived in a manner that would have displeased his father.

   3. He left all he had been taught at the door of the first club he went into.

   4. He was the life of the party.

   5. His behavior was disrespectful and dishonorable.

  

THE CONSEQUENCES OF FOOLISHNESS

 V:14-15. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs."

A. The younger son invested nothing in friendship or fellowship.

    1. He invested everything in foolish living with no return.

    2. He traded his wealth for a few good times.

    3. He lived a life without responsibility.

B. The best way to learn the value of a good life is to lose it as a result of

       foolish decisions and then long for it back again.

   1. It was the love of the father to let the son experience life without responsibility,

       so he could learn the value of being responsible.

   2. The son needed to experience the consequences of irresponsible behavior.

   3. He needed to experience the results of ignoring the fathers teachings.

TRIALS BRINGS YOU CLOSER TO GOD

V:16-17. "He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!"

A. Satan show's you all the glory you can have if you follow the flesh.

    1. The problem is, it is all a lie.

    2. Satan tried to pull that trick on Jesus after He fasted 40 days in the wilderness.

        a. Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and said "if you worship me

           all of this will be yours."

       b. Satan lied because he didn't own anything.

 B. The younger son learned the consequences of foolish living results in want and

      destruction.

     1. He learned that his disrespectful behavior led to his disgrace.

     2. He learned that money cannot by happiness.

     3. He learned that money cannot buy friendship.

     4. He learned that the father's commands were the best way to live.

     5. He learned that in hard times, you cannot count on man.

C. The younger son needed the hard times to make him reflect on the goodness in the

     father's house.

    1. He learned that he was out of his mind  not to follow the wisdom of the father.

    2. He learned that good sense is the fathers teachings.

D. The text say when he came to his senses he realized how much he lost

     when he left the father's house.

   1. He learned that there is honor in the father's house.

   2. He learned that there is provisions in the father's house.

   3. He learned that the best place for him was in the father's house.

CONFESSION OF SINS

 V:18-19. " I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'

A. The younger son set his mind on going back to the father's house.

    1. He recognized his sins were the cause of his degraded position.

    2. He recognized that he had sinned against the father and heaven.

 B. He recognized that his sins made him unworthy of the fathers love.

    1. He remembered that his father had taught him about the kingdom of heaven

    2. He remembered that his father had taught him that there is salvation in

        righteousness.

 C. The younger son made up his mind  that he was going to go to the father and confess

      his sins.

   1. He made up his mind that he was going to the father and ask for forgiveness.

   2. He made up his mind that he was going to  the father with an humble spirit.

   3. He made up his mind to give up his sonship for a slave position.

TURN BACK TO JESUS, THE REVIVAL

V:20-21. " So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

A. The father knows your heart before you speak a word.

    1. The father is waiting on you to turn to Him for forgiveness.

    2. You are never out of the sight and the mind of the father.

B. The father uses your circumstances to draw you to him.

   1. He will allow you to go through trials to make you realize your need for Him.

   2. The younger son left with a proud heart, but came back with a humble

        spirit.

   3. He left thinking he didn't need the father, but came back knowing he

        could not survive without the father.

C. The Father has love and compassion for those who turn to him.

   1. The love of the Father does not count your past against you.

   2. The Father embraces those who come to him.  

   3. For those who repent, forgiveness is automatic.

THE LOVE OF THE FATHER

V: 22-24. "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."

A. Once you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness, full fellowship with the Father is

     restored.

    1. The best robe was reserved for honored guest.

        a. The father accepted the son back as a guest.

    2.  The ring represent  his sonship.

    3.  The sandals identified the son as a member of the family.

          and not a slave of the family.

B  The son was welcome back with a celebration.

    1. The son that was lost was now back in the family.

    2. He was restored to fellowship with the Father.

    3. Angels in heaven rejoice when one sinner repents.

THE WORD, DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston Texas

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Your Faith Makes A Difference", 4/10/2016

YOUR FAITH MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Luke 7:36-50

MEETING THE DEVIL WITH THE WORD

V:36-39 " Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table."

 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is — that she is a sinner."

A. Not everybody who smiles in your face is your friend.

    1. Not everyone who comes around you, comes to be helpful.

    2. There are some people who are jealous and envious and who's only

        intent is to see you fail.

    3. The Pharisee  invited Jesus to find fault with His ministry.

         a. He questioned Jesus position as a prophet, because He allowed a woman

             to wash His feet.

         b. The Pharisee question Jesus knowledge because He allowed a woman to

             anoint Him with her perfume.

B. There are some folk who look for the bad in everyone, but never see the good.

    1. A woman who was grateful for what Jesus had done in her life, came to serve.

    2. This woman came bearing gifts to serve.

    3. This woman had a past that people could not forget.

    4. People who knew this woman judged her based on her past.

    5. People who knew her, couldn't see beyond her past, even though she

        was doing good.

 C. She brought expensive perfume to anoint Jesus.

     1. The perfume she brought was probably her best.

     2. The perfume she brought  cost her something.

     3. The perfume she brought, was her way of showing love

          and respect for Jesus.

     4. She poured the perfume on Jesus feet and wash them with her hair.

     5. She humbled herself before the Lord with tears in her eyes  to give Jesus

         guest treatment.

 D. The host judged the woman as a sinner without judging his own lack of compassion.

    1. You can never get away from your past.

    2. You can do what the woman did; fall on your knees before Jesus and

         ask forgiveness.

    3. When you get up off your knees, your past will still be your past, but

        you will have full forgiveness  from the Lord.   

    4. It does not matter what others think of you, it is what Jesus thinks that counts.

     

AN EXAMPLE OF FORGIVENESS

 V:40-45." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."  "Tell me, teacher," he said. 41 "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged "correctly," Jesus said.

A. Jesus did not respond to the judgmental thoughts of the Pharisee, but gave an

    example of forgiveness.

   1. Forgiveness has nothing to do with the amount  of the debt, but the love

       of the one doing the forgiving.

   2. To Jesus, sin is sin.

       a. There are no big sins or little sins.

       b. All sins carry the same punishment, death.

 B. In Jesus' example, one man owed more, therefore by

      human standards, you would think he would love the money lender

      who forgave his debt more.

     1. We must realize that there is no way we can satisfy our sin debt before the

          Lord.  

     2. God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son so that those who

         believes in Him will have eternal life.     John 3:16

     2. Because of the Lord's love for us, we ought to sacrifice to Him our very best.

C. We can learn a lesson of repentance from this woman.

    1. We can make it our business to publicly show our love for Jesus every

         chance we get.

    2. We can come to the Lord giving Him our best.

    3. We can fall on our knees asking for forgiveness.

    4. We should be grieved in our hearts because of our sins.

    5. We should humble ourselves and serve the Lord with gratitude.

    6. No one should have to ask us to serve the Lord.

    7. The proof of her love for the Lord was in her works.

        a. James 2:17 says faith without works is dead.

        b. There was nothing dead in this woman's faith.

    8. Because of her faith, she served the Lord.

 D. The glory of a woman is her hair.  1 Cor 11:15

    1. Can you image a woman using her hair to clean the muddy feet

        of anyone.

     2. Even though her hair was her glory, she gave it to Jesus.

  

FAITH PRODUCES WORKS

V: 44-48. " Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

A. To Jesus, every situation is an opportunity to teach the principles of love  and

     forgiveness.

   1. Jesus used a comparison  between Peter and the woman to show us the difference

       between the one who knows he is a sinner and one who thinks he has no sins.

   2.  The one who knows his sins, knows his need for forgiveness.

   3. The one who knows his need for forgiveness, knows that the only one

       who can forgive him is Jesus.

   4. The one who knows Jesus, treats Him like his king.

   5. The common custom of the time was to wash the feet of the guest and pour oil

        over his head.

   6. This sinful woman was not the owner of the house, but she treated Jesus like

        her guest.

   7. This woman was not even invited to the house, but she seized the opportunity

       to seek Jesus for her salvation.

 B. Peter, walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, served with Jesus, but did he

      really know Jesus?

   1. Peter loved Jesus, but did he love him as his salvation?

   2. Did Peter know that he was a sinner in need of salvation?

   3. You cannot take the Lord for granted just because you come to Church.

   4. You cannot assume that your sins are forgiven because you serve the Lord.

 C. Your sacrifices for the Lord does not grant you salvation.

       1. It is your repentant heart and your plea for forgiveness

          and your faith in Jesus that  is the key to your salvation.

       2. Everyone at the dinner party saw the woman as a sinner, but Jesus

           saw her plea for forgiveness.

       3. Everyone in the crowd saw the woman's past, but Jesus saw her future

           in his righteousness.

       4. Everyone in the crowd condemned the woman, but Jesus lifted her up to

           eternal life.

SALVATION IS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

 V:49-50. " The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

A. The woman came to Jesus in faith.

    1. The other guest came to Jesus in disbelief.

    2. The woman came to Jesus knowing who He was.

    3. The other guest came to Jesus condemning Him for His love for sinners.

 B. Where you came from is no indication of where you are going.

    1. Your past is no indication of your future.

    2. The woman came in sin, but left in the righteousness of Jesus.

    3. She came a child of the devil, but left a child of the Lord.

    4. She came in darkness, but left in the light.

    5. She came in turmoil, but left in peace.

C. At Jesus Word of forgiveness, the crowd was left wondering who He was.

   1. Since faith comes by hearing, then the crowd was deaf.

   2. The crowd saw Jesus but did not come to know Him.

   3. The crowd came without faith and left without faith.

   4. The crowd came in darkness and left in darkness.

CONFESS YOUR SINS BEFORE THE LORD

HUMBLE YOURSELF AND SERVE HIM WITH YOUR BEST

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston, Texas