Sunday School Lesson For 12/30/2018, "Be Wise, Look For Jesus", Matthew 2:1-12

BE WISE, LOOK FOR JESUS

Matthew 2:1-12

SEEKING JESUS IS WISE

 V:1-2. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem

2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

A. This Christmas season should be full of joy, peace and hope because of the birth

      of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He King of Kings.

    1. He is the star of the universe.

    2. Every morning when we wake up, we ought to look for Jesus.

    3. There is no person wiser than the one who keeps his mind focused on Jesus.

B. The Magi were men who were probably rich, but more than that men who

     studied the stars and knew their significant.

   1. This star they saw on the night Jesus was born probably brighter and set

       lower in the sky than any other star.

   2. Let me suggest that the star may have been the same bright light the shepherds

       in Bethlehem saw when the angels appeared to them, the night Jesus was born      

       Luke 2:9

   3. God does not tell us from what country the Maji came or exactly how long

       it took for them to get to Jerusalem.

    4. God does not tell us how many men there were who came to King Herod

        look for the King of The Jews, but they came.

    5. They were determined to worship the new born King.

    6. Nothing should stop us from worshipping Jesus.

        a. The Maji had one purpose in mind that was to lift up the name of

             the king of Kings.

        b. We have but one true purpose in life and that is to worshipped Jesus.

        c. Everything else we do in life should support our worship of Jesus.

C.  1. God the Father, Himself set the worship of Jesus in motion with an

          heavenly angelic choir before the shepherds at night

          in this way:  Luke 2:13-14

          "And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host  

            praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest,

            And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

      2. God made known to the lowly shepherd  first, the birth of Jesus.

          a. Let me suggest that it was to the shepherds first because Jesus is the

              Chief Shepherd.

          b. The shepherds were doing what Jesus does for us; watching over the sheep

               24/7.

          c. Jesus neither sleeps or slumbers. 

          d. That is good news to us, that were are never out of His sight.

SATAN GET'S DISTURBED WHEN YOU SEEK JESUS

V:3-4. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

    When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he    

     asked them where the Christ was to be born.

   A. Herod was a violent man. He came to be king by force killing anyone he thought

        to be a threat to his throne.

       1. Herod killed one of his wives and her sons.

       2. All Jerusalem was disturbed because this news may cause a new wave of violence

           by the king Herod.

   B. Foreigners who were non Jews,  came looking for the new King to worship Him.

       1. The Jews who should have known  Jesus, only looked for Him because

            they feared their pagan king.

       2. The chief priest and the teachers of the law had all the evidence of Jesus birth

            but attached no significance to their knowledge.

           a. They had the testimony of the shepherds who were eyewitnesses to His

                birth. Luke 2: 8-17.

            b. They had the testimony of Simeon in the temple the day Jesus was

                 dedicated.  Luke 2:25-35.

            c. The had the testimony of Anna the prophetess in the temple . Luke 2:36.

            d. They had the prophecy in the scriptures all the details of Jesus birth.

        3. We can get so distracted by our own agendas, that we miss the blessings

             in the Word of God.

           a. As believers, we are commanded to study the Word of God.

              2 Timothy 2:15

              "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be  

               ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

          b. Not only that, but God gives us the importance of the scriptures.

              2 Timothy 3:16-17

              " All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for   

                correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be   

                adequate, equipped for every good work."

4. The local Church in Jerusalem had two years to find Jesus, but

    never looked.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS IS HIS WORD

V:5-6 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:

"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

   for out of you will come a ruler

   who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."   Micah 5:2

A. It is a sad thing when the Church who has the Word of Jesus take Him

     for granted.

    1. The Word of God should never become a text of convenience.

        a. A text we got to when we are in trouble.

        b. A text we go to when we need something from God.

   2. The Church quickly found the Word of God, and quoted it

       correctly. but were not convicted by it.

   3. The worst thing we can do is ignore the wisdom that is in the Bible.

B. We have no evidence that the Chief Priest and the teachers of the law

     went looking for Jesus, when they were reminded of the scriptures

      concerning His birth.

      1. They only used the scriptures to benefit their agenda.

      2. We have no evidence that the Chief priest and the teachers of the

           law were excited to know of the birth of their long awaited Messiah.

      3. This Christmas season should be an exciting time because someone

           who loves us was born to save us. 

THE DEVIL GET'S BUSY WHEN YOU SERVE JESUS

V:7-8. " Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the  

   star had appeared.

8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As

   soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

A. Once you have investigated the scriptures, you put you knowledge into action.

     1. Herod's reason for searching for Jesus was wrong, but through him

         gives us directions to find Jesus.

     2. We should know the time and the place that Jesus was born.

     3. We should continue searching the scriptures to know Jesus in our lives

     4. By all means we should go to the temple to worship Him.

B. Herod said " as soon as you find him" let me know.

    1. Time is not on our side.

    2. Tomorrow is not promised to us.

    God has given us today to worship Jesus.

C. Notice Herod did not call Jesus a baby, He knew HE was a young child.

    1. Herod knew when Jesus was born.

    2. He knew not to look for a baby in a manger.

    3. Jesus came in the flesh as a baby, but He grew to be a man. 

    4. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, but live in excitement of our

         life with Him as the risen savior,

LET GOD BE YOUR GUIDE

V:9-10. " After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. "

A. When you are looking for Jesus, He will always lead you to Himself.

     1. No one can come to Jesus unless he is drawn by the Father. John 6:44

     2. God start drawing us to Him when we look up out of our misery

         and see the light that is in the Son.

B. Some plant and some water that which was planted/

    1. God planted the seed of Jesus in the minds of Maji when the were

        searching the stars in wonder of His glory.

    2. It is obvious that Maji had some knowledge of the scriptures.

    3. From the age of the Dead Sea Scrolls, we know that the Old Testament

        was complete at least 300 years before the birth of Christ.

   4. That seed was watered when they saw the saw the star again on

       search for Jesus.

   5. God gives us information about Jesus as we study His Word.

        a. If you want to know where Jesus is, stop by the Bible.

      b. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

      c. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet.

6. When we come in the presence of Jesus we ought to shout for joy.

THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

V:11. " On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."

A. When coming into God's sanctuary, our first thing we ought to do

      is fall down and worship Jesus.

    1. Worship starts with honoring God with all our being.

    2. When ever you come in the presence of the Lord you ought to bring a

         free will offering.

B. God gives us three gifts that were brought to Jesus in His house.

   1. Let me suggest that gold represented His kingship.

   2. The frankincense may represent an offering for the atonement of our sins.

        a. In the temple the priest, were in charge of burning incense

            outside the temple represented the prayers of the saints.

   3. We know that Jesus body was anointed with myrrh after His death.

        a. Therefore the myrrh may have represented the completion of His

            mission on earth.

        b. He was born to die for our sins.

 NEW DIRECTIONS FROM THE LORD

V:12. " And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to  

  their country by another route."

A. When you follow God, He give you insight into future events.

    1. God protects those He loves.

    2. No weapon formed against God's people with prosper.

    3. While Herod may had plans to kill the Maji, God

         protected them back to their home.

B. There are several points that we need to highlight.

    1. The worship of the Lord is mandatory for believer.

    2. Those who worship must bring an offering.

    3. Those who worship the Lord are guided to a closer relationship

         with Him.

    4. Those who worship the Lord must constantly look for His guidance.

JESUS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook

or visit my blogs: revmmitichell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Birth Of A King", Matthew 1:18-25, 12/23/2018

THE BIRTH OF A KING

Matthew 1:18-25

A NEW FAMILY IN CHRIST

V:18 "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. "

A. Throughout the Old Testament, God has been giving us information about the

      Savior of mankind starting in Genesis 3:15.   4000BC

     " And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her   

      seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

    1. Since a woman does not have a seed, the indication was that a miracle birth

        would take place.

    2. God never gave the total details regarding the coming of the redeemer at

        one time.

    3. God chose specific events at specific times to add to the story of the redeemer.

B. It was in the book of Isaiah 7:14 that we were told that a virgin would bear a child.

    1. Isaiah 7:14    740 BC

     Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will   

      give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

    2. The miracle birth was through the power of the Holy Spirit

DON'T MAKE A CONCLUSION WITHOUT THE FULL STORY

V:19. " Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. "

A. What God does, the logic of man can not understand.

     1. According to the Jewish law a woman caught in adultery could be stone to death.

     2. Those who God uses follow the law, but are filled with compassion.

     3. Joseph loved Mary enough not to expose her, but not enough to marry her.

B. We should never judge someone when we don't know the full story.

     1. Mary accepted God's plan for her life regardless of the consequences.

     2. Joseph saw the consequences as a reason not to get the full story from

         Mary.

     3. God does not tells us whether Mary told the full story of her pregnancy to

         Joseph.

     4. If she did, Joseph did not accept her word.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM

V:20. " But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

A. God's plan for man is not changed by the desires of man nor his ignorance of the

     the Word.

    1. Whenever we are confused by the Word, God will make it plain to us.

    2. Joseph got a Word from the Lord that he valued more than his opinion.

    3. The Word of God has authority over any man made laws.

    4. If we govern ourselves by the Word of God, our opinions become useless.

COMMUNICATION, A KEY TO MARRIAGE

B. Three things about marriage stands out in this text.

    1. In a  marriage , the couple must learn to communicate with each other.

       a. 50 percent of communication is listening

       b. In our listening must be an understanding of the others persons

           point of view.

  2. In a marriage or any relationship there must be trust.

      a. Joseph may not have trusted Mary's explanation of her pregnancy.

      b. Or, his mind may have been closed to her situation.

      c. He could have made up his mind based on sight.

      d. It is evident that Joseph did not trust Mary's devotion to him

          before he heard from God.

      e. A lack of trust can destroy a relationship.

3. God intends for marriage to be permanent.

     a. In any relationship, there will be good and bad.

     b. You should not abandon  the relationship as soon as the bad

          shows up.

     c. What we perceive as bad, God may intend for our good.

     d. All things work for the good of those who love the Lord

          is easy to say when the bad is not happening to you.

     e. Faith and love grows when we endure the tough times together. 

WHEN YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, PRAY

C. The Word gives us more wisdom than all of mans thoughts.  

     1. By listening to the Word of God, Joseph got an understanding

         of God's work in Mary.

     2. God choices for us, is not always logical to us without the

         guidance of the Holy Spirit.

D. God identified the mother of Jesus and the step father of Jesus

     at His appointed time.

     1. Joseph was descendant from King David.

     2 Samuel 7:11-13     1040 BC

        "The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12   

         When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your 

          offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish

         his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will  

         establish the throne of his kingdom forever."

    3. Before His birth, God established Jesus as king of kings.

THE WORD CONFIRMS THE WORD

V: 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he  

   will save his people from their sins."

A. God confirmed the mission of Jesus,  given in Genesis 3:14.     4000 BC

    1. The mission was also confirmed in Isaiah 7:14.        740 BC

    2. The name Jesus means Savior, from the Hebrew word which means

         "whose help is Jehovah".

   3. Notice that throughout Old Testament history, God is constant in promoting

       His plan of redemption to us.

  4. God's plan does not change with time or circumstances.

B. The Lord gave us a name for the Savior, Jesus.

    1. The Lord placed Jesus in a God fearing family.

    2. When Jesus comes into our lives we learn our purpose in life.

    3. Greatness is in God, but it may come without fame or glory.

    4. We are connected to the one who every head shall bow and every

        knee shall bend.

    5. The Christian life is not about us, but about lifting up Jesus.

GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

V:22. " All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

A. The Lord keeps His promises, but not on our time.

     1. God uses us to fulfill His plan for mankind.

     2. We may never know the importance of our lives in God's plan.

     3. Before the foundation of the earth, we were chosen to be

         in Jesus.

B. God established Jesus, not only as our Savior, but to be our

     constant companion.

    1. Since God is with us, why worry.

    2. God is bigger than our problems.

    3. God is the solution to our problems

         

 THE JUST LIVE BY FAITH 

V:24-25. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him  

  and  took Mary home as his wife.

 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name  Jesus.

A. When God speaks, we must listen.

     1. When God speaks we must act on faith.

     2. Obedience to God's Word not only blesses you but others also.

B. Accepting God's Word may not always be popular, but it will always be

     for our best.

   1. Joseph respected God Word and His wife by not have sex with her

       until after the birth of Jesus.

  2. Joseph obeyed God command and named the baby Jesus.

  3. By following God's command, the lives of Mary and Joseph were

      protected and blessed.

  4. Our life with Jesus is not without problems, but it is always protected.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS, OUR SAVIOR

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lesson, follow me on facebook and visit my

blogs: revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The First And Second Coming Of Jesus", Isaiah 11:1-10, 12/15/2018

THE FIRST AND SECOND COMING OF JESUS

Isaiah 11:1-10

THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS

V:1 "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;  his roots a Branch will bear fruit."

A. We are all rooted in our parents, grandparents and all descendants.

     1. We are all connected to past generations

     2. What ever happen in past generations shapes and molds us for the future

          work of God.

     3. Our past tells where we come from, but does not define where we are going.

B. Isaiah connects the genealogy  of Jesus to Jesse the father of King David.

     1. The sins of Jesus forefathers led to  the Babylonian an Assyrians captive.

     2. God ended His punishment of Israel with the  promise of an everlasting King.

     3. God's promise of an everlasting King is found in the covenant God made with

         Abraham some 1200 years earlier.

         a. Genesis 17:6-7

        " I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from   

         you.  I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you

         and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the   

         God of your descendants after you."

        b. God made a covenant with King David that there would be an everlasting

            kingdom from his generation, 300 years earlier than the time of Isaiah.

            2 Samuel 7:16 

             "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will

               be  established forever.'"

       4. Between the past promises of God and the trials and tribulations of our past

           is the positioning of God for our future.

C. From the birth of Jesus came the Church .

     1. From the Church  came believers from all nations

     2. We never know how many people  our faith in Jesus will draw to Him.

 

THE EQUIPPING OF JESUS FOR THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

V:2-3. " The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power ,the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord —

 3a. and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

A. It is the spirit of the Lord that equips us for His works.

    1. Anyone who has accepted Jesus as their personal savior has the indwelling

        of the Holy Spirit.

    2. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding.

        a. Those who have faith in Jesus have access and an understanding of

             God's Word.

        b. It is faith in the Word of God that empowers believers.

            Proverbs 1:7

            "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

               but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

        c. Those who follow Jesus are wiser than the world. The story

            of Daniel and the 3 other Hebrew boys indicate the success of

            following God.

            Daniel 1:20

            In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned  

            them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his    

            whole kingdom.

       3. The spirit of counsel and power.

           a. Any wise counsel we have comes from the Lord.

           b. The Word of God is full of stories of men and women who

                relied on God to make decisions.

                Job 12:13

               To God belong wisdom and power;

                counsel and understanding are his.

      4. The Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord

           a. Jesus., even though He was God did not rely on Himself

               when He walked the earth.

           b. Jesus has full and complete understanding of His Word.

               John 7:16-17

               Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.        

               If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes

               from God or whether I speak on my own.

           c. Jesus reverence His Father.  The first step toward knowledge is the

               fear of the Lord.

           d. It is a blessing to believers to be able to abide in God's Word.

JESUS THE FINAL JUDGE

V:3b.-4. "He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked."

A. Jesus, our Lord and Savior followed His own directions to us.

     1. The Just live by faith and not by sight.

     2. What we see and hear from man is often not the  truth.

     3. A person can be judges by His actions.

B. Jesus will Judge the heart of man.

     1. The discussion shifts from Jesus character to How He deals with us.

     2. Jesus will deal with us according to His righteousness.

     3. His love for us demands that He chastises us when we are wrong.

     4. Believers are justified and sanctified by His righteousness.

C. Those who will not accept Christ will be condemned for their sins. 

\

THE REIGN OF CHRIST ON EARTH

V:5 "Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist."

A. Jesus came the first time to die for our sins.

    1. Our faith in Jesus is our way to salvation.

    2. John 3:16

       "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever  

        believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. "

B. Jesus will come again to judge the world

    1. The discussion now shifts to the millennium kingdom.   Rev 20:4

    2. Jesus will reign on earth for a thousand years.

    3. All believers will be taken up to reign with Him.

    4. Non believers will  endure the tribulation .

    5. Those who come out of the tribulation, mainly the Jews will grow into

        a new nation under Christ rule.

 A PERIOD OF HARMONY ON EARTH

V:6-9.  The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

 8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.

 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

A. These verses describe a period of peace and tranquility.

    1. This will occur doing the 1000 year reign of Christ.    Rev 20:4

    2. God will reverse the hostile nature of animals toward man.

    3. The survival instinct of animals will be reduce to being satisfied  by the

         food produced in the millennium period.

    4. The animals living together in Noah's ark was fore runner of this period.

        a. Noah and his family were under the control of God.

        b. There was no danger inside the ark.

        c. Everything needed for survival was provided by God.  

B. Doing the millennium, Jesus will be king and ruler. Rev 20:4

    1. His Word will be made known to all mankind.

    2. There will be no need to teach the Word, because all mankind will

        have  full knowledge of it.

    3. All believers today have access and the ability to have full knowledge of

         God's Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH, THE FINAL RESTING PLACE

V:10. " In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious"

A. This verse seem to be another time frame.

    1. John 12:30-32

        30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for

         judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I,  

         when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."

  2. The millennium kingdom ends with Satan being released for a short period

       of time in a last attempt to deceive God's people.

       a. Satan is bound and cast into the eternal hell.   Rev 20:7

       b. The books are open and Jesus judges all sinners and they are cast into the

            eternal hell.  Rev 20 11-15

        c. The Book of life is open and all believers are judged and placed in

             heaven to be with Christ.

   3. The old heaven and earth is passed away and a new Heaven and Earth

        is put in place. Rev 21:1

        a. This is the resting place of Christ.

        b. All believers, Jews and Gentiles will worship the Root of Jesse , Jesus

             Christ forever.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas  77386

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and visit my blogs;

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus Is The Light Of The World",Isaiah 9:1-7, 12.9.2018

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Isaiah 9:1-7

DOOM AND GLOOM WITHOUT GOD

V:1. " Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations."

A. The absents of God's rule in the life of a person is darkness.

     1. A person not under the rule of God is under the rule of Satan.

     2. Darkness in the life if the nation of Israel began when they rejected God's

         in favor of a human king.

     3. Eventually they became under the rule foreign kings who worshipped idol

         gods.

 B. The promise land was divided into the southern and northern kingdoms.

     1. The northern kingdom indicated by the tribes of Zsbulun and Naphrali

          became under the rule of the Assyrian in 732 BC.

     2. By rejecting God's rule, they gave up their freedom to an ungodly kingdom.

     3. Hardship in our lives results from disobedience to God's commands.

     4. The Jordan river runs north south throughout the promise land.

     5. The Assyrians used that route to take control of the Northern Kingdom.

          and devastated the area.

GOD BRINGS LIGHT TO POOR IN SPIRIT

V:2 "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

A. Jesus made His home in the Northern Kingdom around the sea of Galilee.

    1. Under the Assyrian rule the Galileans became rough and crude people.

    2. The Jews found it hard to believe that the Messiah would come from that

         area.

          John 1:46

          "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked."

 B. Even though Israel rejected God's rule, 700 years later,

      Jesus began His ministry among the poor in Galilee.

      Matthew 4:23:

     " And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the   

      gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease  

      among the people."

   1. Jesus began His great ministry among the poor, and underprivileged.

   2. The educated leaders of Israel knew the scripture but misinterpreted its meaning. 

        John 7:41-42

       Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

       Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the   

        town of Bethlehem, where David was?

     3. When you don't know the scripture for yourself, a cloud darkness is over your

          life.

     4. The Old Testament contains the history of the Nation of Israel which you

          have to understand to have a clearer understanding of the Gospels.

     5. You can easily be misled by those who preach what they don't know.

     6. Light is in the Word of God.

JOY COMES THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS

V:3. " Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

A. The prophet Isaiah gave Israel a forward look at dark days of their 70 year

      captivity in Babylon, the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem.

    1. He also gives them hope of their deliverance out of captivity as

        free men.

    2. God chastises those that He loves.

B. After a period of chastisement, God delivers those He love back in right

     fellowship with Himself.

   1. Under Assyrian and Babylonian captivity, there was no joy among the

       people.

   2. Because of their sin against God, many Israelites lost their lives in battle.

   3. After being released from captivity , their numbers were decreased but

      the joy of freedom returned to them.

VICTORY IS IN JESUS

V:4.-5 " For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod  

    of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but

   this shall be with burning and fuel of fire."

A. God allows and controls the trouble in our lives.

    1. In order to get us ready for deliverance. God make us appreciate His

        love and control.

    2. The Israelites took God for granted during long years of freedom.

    3. They came to better appreciation  of  God rule over their lives.

    4. God designs and uses our trouble to draw us to Him in prayer.

B. It was God and God alone that released Israel from captivity.

    1. God commissioned the Babylonian Kings to take Israel into

        captivity and to release them captivity.

       2 Kings 24:2

       The Lord sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him. He

       sent them to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the Lord proclaimed by

       his servants the prophets.

   2. The Lord controls those who trouble us and the time in which our trouble

       will end.

       2 Chronicles 36:23

    "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

      The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has 

       appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people

       among you — may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up."

JESUS WAS BORN IN THE FLESH TO BE OUR KING

V:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

A. God's plan of redemption for us is complete with all the details of our

     redeemer.

   1. God gave us His son as our redeemer.

   2. He could have chosen any one, but He chose the one who is without sin.

  B. All authority over heaven and earth was given to Jesus.

      1. Jesus is the only door to salvation.

      2. No one can come to the Father without Jesus.  

  C. Jesus is Wonderful.

      1. No human being can do the things that Jesus does.

      2. John 1:3-5

         Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been

         made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the  

         darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

   D. Jesus is our Counselor.

       1. Jesus is omniscience.

       2. John 1:1-2

           In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was  

          God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

       3. Any need we have can be supplied by Jesus.

       4. Any question we have can be answered by the Word of God.

E. Jesus is the mighty God.

     1. Jesus is omnipotent.

     2. Jesus has power over life and death.

     3. Jesus said

         John 10:17-18

         "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take   

           it again.  18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own  

           initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.    

           This commandment I received from My Father."

F. Jesus is Alpha and Omega.

    1. He has no beginning and no ending.

   2. Revelation 1:8

     "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who

      is to come, the Almighty."

G. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

     1.It is through Jesus death on the cross, that peace is made with the Father

        for all believers

     2. As recorded in John 14:27, Jesus said:

        " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world    

           gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

 ETERNAL LIFE IN JESUS

V.7 "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

A. Our eternal life rest with our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    1. John 3:16-17

       "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever  

       believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son  

       into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever   

       believes "

    2. Jesus is our heavenly king.

        1 Timothy 6:14-17

        Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time — God, the   

        blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is   

        immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.

       To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS

Rev. M. Mitchell

asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and

visit my blogs, revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "God's Plan To Save Us", 12/2/2818

GOD'S PLAN TO SAVE US

Isaiah 7:1-4, 7-16

The nation of Israel was in trouble times because of choices they made to reject

God's rule over them.  God delivered Israel as a free nation out of Egypt in

1500 BCE. God gave Israel His commands while still in the desert.

In 1100 BCE, Israel rejected God's rule over them for a king like their

Gentile neighbors.  In 930 BCE, because of their sins and the rivalry

among them, they were divided into two kingdoms. This text is around 790 BCE.

A HOUSE DIVIDED WILL NOT STAND

V:1. "When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it. "

A. A house divided will not stand.

   1.700 years after coming into the promise land as a unified nation,

      Israel was divided into two kingdoms.

   2. The kingdom of Israel included  ten tribes of Israel;

       Asher, Dan, Ephrain, Gad, Issachar, Manasseh, Naphtali, Ruben,

      Simeon and Zebulum'

   3. The Kingdom Judah include the tribe of Benjamin and Judah.

       Jerusalem was included in the Kingdom of Judah,

   4. Jerusalem was the holy city and the location of God's temple.

      A desirable prize for the Northern kingdom.

WHEN GOD IS NOT IN CONTROL, THE DEVIL IS

B. Two hundred years after rejecting God's rule, Israel was fighting

     among themselves and worshipping idol gods.

   1. The kingdom of Israel made an alliance with Aram (Assyria)

        to fight against God's holy city Jerusalem.

   2. God's chosen people,  made an alliance with the enemy of God to                     

        fight against God.

   3. A house without God will in time destroy itself.

   4. The people of God made an alliance with enemy to fight against

        there own brothers and sisters

    5. When we forget where we came from, we forget who we are.

C. Our sins does not affect God's plan of redemption.

    1. Even when we make wrong decisions, God comes to our rescue.

    2 God stopped the fighting in His holy city

    3. Ahaz, the King of Judah,  developed the same relationship with Assyria and                    

        worshiped idol gods.

    4. Ahaz tried to combine idol worship with the worship of God, to

        please the Assyrians.

        a. He built altars and sacrificed his own sons to idol gods.

    5. Ahaz's plan backfired because the  king of Israel made the same alliance

       with the Assyrians (Aram). 

 

THE DEVIL PLAYS BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD

V:2 Now the house of David was told, "Aram has allied itself with Ephraim"; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.

A. Ahaz, the king of Judah was fill with fear when he heard that Ephraim

     (Kingdom of Israel), had made and agreement with Aram the enemy to fight against

      them.

     1. When there is no trust in God, you can easily be shaken by the enemy.

     2. When you make a plan with the devil, he will lead you to ruin.

     2. The promise land was surrounded by the enemies of God.

B. Since God's chosen people didn't totally rely on Him, they lived in fear.

    1. Both the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom had

        44 kings together.

    2. They really only needed 1 King, King Jesus

     3. The number of kings is an indication of the instability of man.

     4. Man cannot be relied on for any length of time.

GOD'S INTERCESSION 

V:3-4. " Then the Lord said to Isaiah, "Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field.

 4 Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood — because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. "

A. 2 Timothy 1:7-8

     For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound   

     mind.

   1. Israel had a history of victory with God during their fight to take over the

       promise land.

   2. They had been out numbered in battle and out armored, yet victorious

        under God's divine guidance.

   3. When they worshipped the idol gods of the Gentile nation, they couldn't

        win against their enemies or against their brothers.

B. When God is with you who can stand against you.

   1. The anger of your enemies is nothing to God.

   2. God is no respecter of person.   

   3. In times of trouble, we must trust God.

   4. In your fear, God will send someone to comfort you  and

       reassure you of Gods protection.     

IN THE WORD OF THE LORD IS YOUR FUTURE

V:7-8. " Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

"'It will not take place, it will not happen,

8 for the head of Aram is Damascus,

and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.

Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. "

A. God knows the end from the beginning.

    1. You don't need to worry about the solution

        to your problem, God will take care of you.

    2. The battle is not yours, it is the Lord.

B. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet.

    1. We don't have a problem making a meal out

         that which will perish.

     2. We should run to the table of God and feast

          on a meal for our soul.

STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH

V:9. " The head of Ephraim is Samaria,

and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son.

If you do not stand firm in your faith,

you will not stand at all.'"

A. The key to our salvation is faith in God's Word.

    1. The just live by faith and not by sight.

    2. God wants total reliance on Him.

    3. We should not have one feet in the Church and

        the other in the world.

B. With God we don't need a backup plan.

    1. Trusting God requires us to give up reliance

        on self and others.

   2. Trusting God requires us to wait on His answer.

THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU A SIGN OF HIS GLORY

V:10-12. " Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."

12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test."

A. God is waiting on our prayers for help.

    1. We should never be afraid to go to God for help.

    2. There is no problem to big that God can't handle and none to

        small that God will over look.

B. It is nothing wrong with asking God to give you a sign that

     He is working on your problem.

   1. Malachi 3:10

       Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test 

       me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates

        of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it

   2. When you are obedient to God's commands, you can ask Him for what

        you want.

C. When you don't study the Word, you want know that God expects you

     to test His dedication to you.

    1. When we are to busy being in tuned with world, we will mist being

        in tuned with God.

    2. We have to let God's Word over ride our thoughts. 

GOD IS WAITING ON YOUR PRAYERS

V:13. " Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?"

A. If you can go ask man for help, why would you not ask God for help.

    1. Man cannot be relied on.

    2. Man may want to help, but not have the resources to help.

    3. Man may want to help, but not ready to help when you need him,

B. God is willing and have the resource to help when you need Him.

    1. Hebrews 11:6

       " But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must 

         believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him"

    2. Trusting in the Lord is not all about you.

    3. King Ahaz was thinking about himself and not the welfare of his people.

    4. When we serve God, we bless our families.

GOD'S PLAN OF REDEMPTION

V:14-15. " Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right."

A. God's plan of redemption begins with the High Priest of His Temple, Jesus

    1. You will know the man of God because he does what is right.

    2.. A man walking with God, resist the temptation of doing wrong.

B. Genesis 3:15 is the promise of a redeemer for man.

     And I will put enmity between you and the woman,

     and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head,

     and you will strike his heel."

    1. This verse, Isa 7:14.  tells how the redeemer will come into the world.

    2. This verse gives the name of the redeemer; Immanuel, God with us.

    3. This verse give us His character as He grew up.

        a. He will reject evil and do only good.

    4. The verse indicates that our redeemer will be born into a

        family of meeker means.. He will eat butter and honey.

THE PROPHECY OF ROMAN RULE OVER ISRAEL

V:16. " But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste"

A. The nation of Israel at the time of Isaiah had two kings.

   1. At the time of Jesus birth, there were no kings.

   2, The nation of Israel was under Roman occupation.

   3. The outward glory of Israel was over with and replaced

       with inward glory of humble character.

THANK GOD FOR JESUS

Rev. M Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77o41

For more lessons follow me on facebook and visit my blogs;

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com