Bible Study Series: Stop The Steal

 STOP THE STEAL

STOP THE STEAL is the phrase chanted by the Republican supporters

As they storm the capital of the United States on January 6, 2021

Some claimed they were responding to the then sitting President

To over turn the 2020 elections results of the new President.

To me, the most horrifying event was not the breaking into the capital

building, but the attempt to take away the voting power of millions

of Americans to stay in office.

The phrase Stop the Steal, didn’t start with the 2020 elections of the US.

The phrase has its origination in the Heavenly

Realm by one Angel named Lucifer which means Morning Star.

He was the cause of 1/3 of the  angels rebelling against the

God who created them.

  

EVIL INTRODUCED INTO THE WORLD  

Isa 14:12-15

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF PRIDE

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Lucifer, now called Satan intended to take God’s place.

    

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

All of Satan’s influences didn’t work. Lies and deceptions will never

Triumph over the truth. It can for a while, because we allow it.

 

This first insurrection took place before God created the earth.

    

Job 38:4-7

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?

Tell me, if you understand. 

 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it? 

6 On what were its footings set,

or who laid its cornerstone— 

7 while the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for joy? 

I can imaging God saying; “ STOP THE STEAL”

Satan was kicked out of heaven and landed on earth after God

created man.  Satan landed on earth because God allowed it.

Satan was given the authority over darkness by God Himself.

        

1 John 5:19

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 

BORN IN SIN    

Eph 2:1-2

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 

Satan showed up in the Garden of Eden, deceiving Eve and caused Adam to

Be disobedient. Satan is still at work today in the entire world.

All a result we were all born under the influence of the Stealer. 

Does God have a need to say to us, born again Christians, STOP THE STEAL?

Let me suggest He does and He does.

I am told that there are 613 commandments in the Old Testament. Who can

Know them all? Who can be obedient to what he does not know? 

Don’t worry, Here is what Jesus said:

  

John 12:47-48

For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 

Lets look at some actions where I believe that God would say to                         believers;  STOP THE STEAL

1. Can you love the 45th president of the US? The one who is still

    influencing the steal of your vote.

    

Matt 22:37-40

37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." 

Is not the 45th president of the US your neighbor?

I don’t have to like what he did. I hate his actions, but

I am commanded to love him because God said so.

Stop stealing the example God set for us to be the light in a dark world.

Here is the proper response;

    

Matthew 5:44-45

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. 

STOP THE STEAL by having unconditional love.

2. Have you ever in casual conversation said “MY GOD” responding to

    Someone’s comment or action without being in prayer or thinking

    about prayer?

    In these instants, you are using God’s name in vain

    

Ex 20:7

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord  thy God in vain; for the Lord  will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

The Hebrew word for vain is shav with means useless, deceptive or false

And also empty. 

Stop saying the name of God when it is empty of His glory and honor

Stop making God less than He is. God’s says STOP THE STEAL

3. In your finances Is God the last one to be considered?  Do you

    offer God what is left over after all bills are paid ?

      

Mal 3:8-11

"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse, the whole nation of you because you are robbing me. 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. 

God clearly says STOP THE STEAL!

By robbing God, you rob yourself.

4. When thing are going well, do you give yourself the credit for what 

     for your job, your family and your assets? O yea, thank you God.

    

1 Cor 10:26

For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.

STOP THE STEAL. You can’t take credit for anything. What

you have came from the Lord.

5. Do you spend more time reading the world than you do reading

    the Word?

 2 Tim 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Do you study the Word to get an understanding to drive all your decisions?

STOP THE STEAL!  Can you hear God saying stop stealing my time.

6. Do you spend any time getting prepared to serve God?

    Or do you show up armed with what you think is right

    

2 Tim 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

STOP THE STEAL!  God wants you to be equipped to serve.

7. Do we come to church when it is convenient or out of habit?

    In 2020, we were forced to a new way of doing Church that

    doesn’t require leaving home. Yet the majority of our members

    don’t join in.

    

Heb 10:19

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

STOP THE STEAL!   The text says the job of encouragement belongs

to each of us. We have enough on our plate with this pandemic.

But the Lord calls on each of us to encourage others to join in

with us on zoom. 

8.  Do you pray all the time?

     

1 Thess 5:17-18

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

STOP THE STEAL!  There is always someone who needs you to pray 

for them. During this pandemic the world needs your prayers.

Prov 15:29

The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

 Do you know someone who don’t know the Lord and want listen to anyone?

It is your prayers that God will act on to turn that person around.

James 5:16

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 

STOP THE STEAL!  Don’t ever think that your prayer is not important. 

Those who don’t know the Lord can’t get an audience with Him, but you

Can. God reacts to your prayers.

9. Are you in the habit of giving God praise for your existence?

        

Ps 96:4

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods. 

    

Ps 105:2-3

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts. 

3 Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord  rejoice. 

STOP THE STEAL!  Praise is contagious. Praise is effectual.

Praise is influential. 

 Just as Satan influences the world to

Do evil, you influence the world to do good with your praise.

10. Do you worship the Lord on Sunday only?

     STOP THE STEAL : worship Him continuously

        

Ps 100:2

Worship the Lord  with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord  is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

There is a difference between praise and worship.

Praise is unidirectional. We praise God. He does not praise us. Praise is our acknowledgement of His power, authority, wisdom and worthiness. Praise does not require a response from the one who is being praised.

On the other hand, worship is relational. It is not only our communion with God. It is also is His communion with us. 

    

Ps 22:3-4

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

You want to be close to God. Start your praise

STOP THE STEAL  Give God praise and worship

The world want know they are stealing unless we show them

by our example. 

STOP THE STEAL

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Hearing The Word By Faith", John 8:12-217 1/21/2021

     

HEARING THE TRUTH BY FAITH

John 8:12-27

Before the following conversation, Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees

who brought a woman into the temple caught in adultery to trick Him.

Jesus resolved the conflict by writing on the ground, perhaps the

sins of the accusers. All the accusers left except the woman. Jesus said to

her since there is no one to condemn you, I do not condemn you; sin no more.

NEED AN OPEN HEART TO RECEIVE DIVINE TRUTH

V:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

A. The more people heard Jesus teach the more followed Him. This was

     upsetting to the teachers of the Law. 

   1. They could recite the Word, but they had no true understanding of the

        Word. Therefore the Pharisees and other teachers walked and taught

        In darkness.

   2. The teachers of the Law listen to every Word Jesus taught to find fault

       to condemn Him.

B. Jesus taught Biblical doctrine with spiritual meaning that was above the   

     understanding of those who rejected Him.

   1. The words light and darkness are physical examples of spiritual truths.

   2. Jesus is the living truth. He is the way to all understanding of divine 

        knowledge.

   3. You and I do not have access to divine truth without belief in Jesus.

   4. When you read the Bible your heart must be open to receive the

        divine truth by faith.

   5. The Word of God is far beyond our fleshy understanding.

   6. Living according to the Word of God is living in the light even if

       you don’t fully understand it.

THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS ENOUGH

V:13 The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid." 

14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.

A. All of us judge based on what we see backed up by what we believe.

    1. The problem is what we see is not the full story. 

   2. If we are not willing to listen to the one we judge, we will never know

       the full story.

   3. The Pharisees had made up their mind that Jesus was not truthful

        and therefore were not open to learning more.

   4. That had the light in front of them but preferred to remain in darkness.

   5. They had the truth in front of them but preferred to believe their own 

        lies. 

B. When you have a relationship with Lord you will know the truth and

      the Truth will set you free from lies and deceptions.

    1. One testimony of Jesus is what He does in your life.

    2. The Jews believed that it took the testimony two to confirm an action

         or belief.

    3. We have our faith in the Word and our knowledge of what Jesus has

         done in our lives is our testimonies.

    4. The Jews saw Jesus as a man from Galilee and refused to see Him as

        the Son of God. 

THREE WITNESSES: FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT

V:16.  But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me." 

19 Then they asked him, "Where is your father?"

"You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 

A. Decisions made according to God’s Word will always be right.

    1. Jesus came in the name of the Father. He followed the will of

        the Father.

    2. We have the testimony of Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

B. If you don’t know Jesus you will not know the Father. 

    1. The Jews knew of the Father, but they had no understanding of

          Him.

    2. They knew the Law as a tool for judgment but not as the way to

        salvation. 

    3. They knew all the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah

         but could not recognize Jesus as Him.

   4. There is no advantage of reading the Bible if you refused to believe.

THE CROSS, THE RESTORATION, HEAVEN

V:20.  He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come. 

21 Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come." 

22 This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?" 

A. Jesus was teaching in the court of the women in the temple.

     1. There were 13 offering chest, 12 for the 12 tribes of Israel. And one

         for the women to place their offering.

     2. We need not worry about our enemies, because God is in control.

     3. The ruling Jews were the enemy of Jesus, but they could not touch

          Him until the Father said so.

B. Jesus pronounced judgment on all who refused to believe in Him.

    1. Jesus foretold His death, resurrection and His seat at the right hand

        of the Father.

        a. I am going away was His death

        b. Where I go was His resurrection

        c. You cannot come is His heavenly throne.

    2. Die in your sins is the judgment of nonbelievers.

    3. Notice the Jews did not ask Jesus what His statements meant.

    4. They based their conclusion on their own thoughts.

    5. Understanding God’s Word requires study and investigation.

BELIEF IS HEAVEN, UNBELIEF IS HELL

V:23.  But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins." 

A. Jesus separates Himself from His earthly accusers.

    1. Am from above:

       a. I am Spirit

       b. I came from the Father

       c. I was sent by the Father

   2. In comparison; you are from below.

      a. You are from this world.

      b. You are flesh and blood

      c. You are controlled by the influence of Satan.

 B. Jesus gives judgment to the unbelieving world.

      1. Without faith in Jesus, you will die in your sins

      2. Redemption is only possible through faith in Jesus.

      3. Jesus is the only redeemer that make heaven the home

          of those who believe.

I AM WHO I AM

V:25 "Who are you?" they asked.

"Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 

26 "I have much to say in judgment of you. 

But he who sent me is reliable, 

and what I have heard from him I tell the world." 

27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 

A. Unbelievers are steadfast in their opinions and refused to be enlightened.

    1. In their minds are hostility and violence.

    2. They show their disrespect by refusing to see the glory in front of them.

B. Jesus' response is always the same. I am who I am,  can

    only be understood by faith. 

   1. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

   2. Without faith one is judged by sin with the destination of eternal

       separation from the Father.

   3. The Word is true weather you believe it or not.

   4. Without accepting Jesus as the Messiah, there is no

        understanding of the Word.

THANK THE FATHER FOR JESUS

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lesson, follow me on facebook and visit my blogs

Remmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Good Food Good Jesus", John 6:53-71", 1/24/2021

     

GOOD FOOD   GOOD JESUS

John 6:53-71

THE TRUTH OF EATING GOOD

V:53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 

A. There are times when we need to pay close attention to God’s Word

     1. This is a Biblical doctrine that is not easily understood.

     2. The first doctrine to pay attention to is "truth"

     3. No matter how educated a person is or how well connected they are

         unless they speak the Word of God, they do not speak the whole truth.

     4. Conversation can easily be mired in misinterpretation, deceptions

         and lies. 

     5. Truth is not opinions, but guided by the Holy Spirit in applying God’s

         Word to every situation in life.

     6. The Word of God is the only way to the truth of any situation.

B. The Flesh of the Son of God is the Word of God.

     1. When we speak of the Son Of God, we are speaking of the divinity of

          Jesus. 

      2. When we speak of the Son Of Man we speak of the Humanity of

           Jesus. 

      3. Jesus in the flesh had a divine nature and a human nature.

      4. We are speaking of the Spirit of God housed in the body of a man.

      5. Jesus housed in human flesh dwelled among men on earth.

      6. Today the Word of God is housed in every believer.

C. Eating the flesh of Jesus is digesting the Word of God in our minds.

    1. The more we study and meditate on the Word, the more eating and

         digesting of the Word takes place.

    2. Eating the flesh of Jesus is believing the Word.

    3. Believing the Word is not static, but also acting on the Word;

        That is, putting the Word in practice in our lives

D. Drinking the blood of Jesus is accepting His death on the cross as

     The atonement for our sins.

    1. Life is in the blood. Flesh without blood is dead.

    2. Without Jesus, there is no eternal life

    3. The Holy Spirit drives the blood of Jesus through every fabric

        of our minds. 

E. The food we eat and liquid we drink every day are only temporal,

         they go in the mouth and come out the other end. 

    2. The Word of God continues to refresh our minds with hope, joy

        and peace.

    3. The blood of Jesus is a cover over us that ensures eternal life with the 

         Father.

F. Our fleshly bodies are the temples of the Lord. 

   1. By eating the Flesh of Jesus and drinking the Blood of Jesus

       we are abiding in Him and He is abiding in us.

   2. We are here with the purpose fo reflecting the purity of Jesus to

       draw others to Him.

  

FEEDING ON JESUS

V:57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."  59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 

A. The apostle is repeating what he said in John 3:16.

    1. The apostle John expressed the intimate relationship of the Father 

         with Jesus.

    2. Notice the word Father is the Greek word Pater 

        which means parent or nearest ancestor .

    3. Unlike the idol gods which are dead, and made with the hands of man,

        the living Father has no creator.

    4. The living Father sent Jesus as living bread for all believers.

B. God provides for both our physical needs and our spiritual needs.

    1. We need physical food for daily living which the Father provides.

    2. The spiritual food from Jesus provides eternal life.

    3.  The manna God provided to the Israelites in the desert was 

          temporary gifts for the temporary time.

    4. While we live here on earth, the soul must be fed the Word of

         God to refresh our hope of eternal life. 

C. The Word of God should be taught in the assemble of the people.

    1. The Word was taught in the synagogues without a view of the  need

        for a savior. 

    2. While the Old Testament was taught, the mystery of the coming 

        Messiah for eternal life was not understood.

    3. Jesus' teaching of Himself as the Messiah was hated by the

        religious leaders and considered blasphemy. 

HARD SAYINGS, GOOD WISDOM

V:60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" 

61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

A. The problem with the hearers was interpretation. 

     1. The leaders of the synagogue did not ask for clarification.

     2. The leaders interpreted the Word of Jesus as physically

         eating His flesh and physically drinking His blood.

    3. Those who want to learn the Word, must continue researching

        the Word. 

    4. God designed the Word to be understood only by the guidance

        of the Holy Spirit.

B. Notice God created two groups of people; those who will reject

     the Word and those who will accept the Word.

   1. Pay attention to verse 65. In this verse, God tells of His election

       of believers. 

   2. Those who believe are enabled by the Father to believe.

   3. Those who believe are drawn to the Father.

   4. Those who reject the Word have not been enabled to believe.

   5. Pay attention; it was God Himself who made the election before

       anyone came in contact with the Son Of Man.

ACCEPTING WHAT TOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND BY FAITH 

V:66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 

67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 

68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." 

A. The word disciple is the Greek word matheetees which means a leaner or 

            pupil.

        1. The Lord introduces two types of disciples.

        2. There are those who follow Jesus as long as the Word

             agrees with their opinion. 

             a. There are many religions that do not believe that the entire

                  Bible applies to them. They pick what they want to believe.

             b.   Matt 5:18-19

                  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the    

                  smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means 

                  disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 

           3. There are many who leave the Church because they don’t agree 

               with the preached Word.

        4. There are disciples who hold that every word of the Bible is true

             even if they do not understand it.

        5. There are those who come to Church to be part of a group, but

             never accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

B. The true disciples of Jesus align themselves with Jesus. He is their

      Lord. They claim Him as the master.

     1. The true disciple believes that Jesus is the Holy One of God.

         a. The word Holy is the Greek word Hagios which means set

              apart by God. 

     2. The true disciples believe that Word is the truth and eternal.

     3. The true disciple believes that Word provides life.

     4. The true disciple of Jesus believes that there is no other truth.

CHOSEN FOR GOOD 

V:70.  Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"  71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) 

A. Jesus chose us, we did not choose Him.

     1. Before we were conceived, we were chosen.

     2. By the grace and love of God we were chosen. 

B. Jesus chose evil for the purpose of magnifying the Truth.

     1. We have to have evil to develop a love for the truth.

     2. We need to see some bad to crave the good.

     3. God placed evil in the world, to give us a choice of choosing

         Him.

     4. God placed the Tree Of Knowledge of Good And Evil in the

         middle of the garden of Eden to challenge us to make a choice

        for Him.

     5. In the middle of a developing Holy nation, God placed evil.

     6. Judas was chosen to observe, learn and participate in the

         ministry, but not enabled to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

     7. I cannot explain why, but it was done for good of all 

         He chooses as His.

THANK GOD FOR CHOOSING ME

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

         

Bible Study Series: The Value Of A Tree, Luke 8:5-15

         

THE VALUE OF A TREE

Luke 8:5-8, 15

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." 

    

Luke 8:15

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 

THE GOOD SOIL

I want to focus on the seed that fell on good soil.

We are the good soil that the seed of God has fallen.

We were chosen before the foundation of the earth as the good soil

 Eph 1:4-6

 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and   

 blameless in his sight. 

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 

THE TREE; A SYMBOL OF MAN

Through out the Bible God uses the tree as a symbol of goodness and strength.

After the creation of the earth, God planted trees in the Garden of Eden.

    

  

  

Gen 1:29

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. 

 

Gen 2:8-9

8 Now the Lord  God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground — trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

God gave trees two purposes: To be pleasing to the eye and good for food.  It was the trees that had seeds that He gave Adam to eat.

IMPORTANTS OF THE TREE

They make life possible. They provide shade, beauty, tires

for our cars, lumber for our houses, and aspirin for our healing.

God compares us to His trees. Trees that are seed bearing.

    

Psalm 1:2-3

 But his delight is in the law of the Lord ,

and on his law he meditates day and night. 

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers. 

LIFE CYCLE OF A TREE

We all have a life cycle. From a seed to a baby,

From a baby to a child. From a child to a teenager.

From a teenager to an adult. From an adult to death.

During our life cycle we have the opportunity to influence others,

A tree is no different. Through out its cycle, it influences 

Man through it beauty and the fruit it produces.

 

God planted the first tree. We do not know whether God started with a full

grown tree or not. But we do know by observation how a tree grows today.

It starts with a seed planted in the ground. The first trees in the garden

Of Eden were watered by the moisture in the ground.

The seed in the ground germinates and roots go down in the soil

Look at the parallel;  Jesus died was buried and was resurrected. 

We died to Jesus and are resurrected in newness of life.

    

Eph 1:13-14

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory. 

THE ROOTS OF SALVATION

Roots have to go down in the soil to find moisture

When we study God’s Word we seek the moisture in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said any man in me will never thirst.

That’s why the seed that fell on the rock could not grow because there

 was no moisture. It could not develop roots.

Eventually a shoot come out of the ground from the seed

The seed is the Word of God which is planted in us by hearing.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

    

Isa 11:1-2

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 

2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him.

That shoot is the Jesus in us.

The more we study and meditate on the Word of God the deeper the 

roots.  The Word reveals God’s will for our lives.. From the Word we

 get purpose and directions.

REACHING FOR THE SON

As the shoot grows it reaches toward the sun. 

The Sun provides photosynthesis. the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.

    

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

GROWING IN THE SPIRIT

Healthy, mature trees have roots that travel down in all directions seeking

water and nutrients.

We need the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments. 

Every Word of God provides the direction for our lives

We need the Old Testament to understand the New Testament.

We need the Gospels to understand the other 24 books of

The New Testament. 

Every word in the Bible provides nutrients for the soul. 

The deeper and wider the roots of the Word, the more we are able to

withstand the trials, troubles and droughts of life that comes our way.

The stronger the winds of life, the deeper our roots need to be.

Wide deep roots provides the tree with stability in hurricane type winds. 

God has some storms for our lives that can be weathered with wide

deep understanding of His Word.

    

Prov 3:18-20

She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who embrace her;

those who lay hold of her will be blessed. 

19 By wisdom the Lord  laid the earth's foundations,

by understanding he set the heavens in place; 

20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided.

THE BEAUTY OF THE TREE

From the roots flows the moisture and nutrients to the top of the

Tree. 

The leaves grow up and out. The leaves captures the sun light and

glisten. People see the outside and are drawn to the shade of the

Lord you provide,

    

Rev 22:2

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

In you, the tree of God, are words of comfort and encouragement.

Words of wisdom from deep in you flow easily to others.

THE FRUIT OF THE TREE

Mature trees are productive and produce fruit in their seasons.

All believers are given fruits of the spirit.

    

Gal 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Others are drawn to the tree, because in you is the life of God.

  

John 15:16-17

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. 

THE GLORY OF THE TREE

God started man off in the garden of Eden with trees and our

Eternal life is blessed with the Tree Of Life.

    

Rev 22:1-2

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. 

THE WORK OF THE TREE

God gave each of us gifts of the spirit through with the fruit of the 

Spirit blossoms. 

    

1 Cor 12:28-29

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 

The purpose of the tree is to promote the work of God.

      

John 6:28-29

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." 

The deep roots, wide branches, glistening leaves and resulting fruits 

 Cause us to look towards heaven and eternity.

In the life cycle of a tree, when it becomes mature it produces fruit

That drops to the soil and provides seeds for another cycle.

We are the trees that God has planted on earth to spread seeds

for those drawn to Christ.

IN SUMMARY

Gen 1:29

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. 

    

Gen 2:9

And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground — trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. 

YOUR POSITION         Seed bearer; proclaim the Word of God

YOUR CHARACTER      Be pleasing to the eye:

                                                  Love. Tolerance, forgiving, patience,  

                                                   generosity,  compassionate , humble spirit 

YOUR PURPOSE        Bear fruit that is good for food.

                                          

                                      John 6:35

                                      Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who         

                                       comes to me will never go hungry, and he who   

                                       believes in me will never be thirsty. 

                                      John 6:29

                                       Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe                                        

                                       In the one he has sent." 

                                       The work of God is making disciples, by teaching         

                                        and preaching the Word of God

YOUR SUCCESS    Fruit bearing    Luke 6:15

                                       It (seed) came up and yielded a crop, a hundred  

                                       times more than was sown." 

Rev. M. Mitchell

1/13/2013 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Looking For Jesus" John 6:25-40, 1/17/2021

 LOOKING FOR JESUS

John 6:25-40

A SEARCH FOR JESUS

V:25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 

 26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

A. There are somethings you don't discuss with none believers.

     1. Jesus did not discuss the activities of the night before,

     2. Four miracles happen the night before (on the fourth watch).

         a. Jesus walked on the rough water of the lake

         b. Jesus had Peter to walk on the rough water.

         c. Upon entering the boat, the rough water, and the wind calm down.

         d. Upon entering the boat which was 5 miles from the shore of 

              Capernaum was immediate at the shore.

      3. These miracles were designed to build the faith of the disciples in 

           Jesus.

      4. The miracles above were recorded by three of the Gospel writers 

           for our benefit. 

           a. Following Jesus will sometimes lead you into turbulent 

               circumstances.

           b. While the circumstances will appear to put our lives in danger,

                there is no danger because Jesus is protecting us.

           c. Jesus is in control of all the circumstances of our lives.

B. Some people come to Jesus looking for a handout.

     1. Because we are looking for a hand out we make fail to see to the

         miracle of what Jesus has done.

      2. They witness the miracle of Jesus taking 2 fish and five biscuits  

           and feeding 5000 families.

      3. They saw the food they ate, but not the miracle. 

      4. They forgot that they wanted to force Jesus to be their physical king.

      5. They could not see that Jesus was more than a man but their 

           spiritual king of kings.

      6. The crowd wanted more handouts, without giving thanks for

           what they had been given.

C. The foundation of the Christian faith is understanding who Jesus is 

      and what His mission is for us.

     1. Physical blessings are temporary.

     2. Spiritual blessings are eternal.

     3. The crowd ate the physical food and was full, but that

            only lasted for a day.

         4. When we develop a relationship with Jesus both our

              physical and spiritual needs will be satisfied.

        

              Matt 5:6

              Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

              for they will be filled. 

              John 6:56

              He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and     

              I in him.

STUDY GOD’S WORD

V: 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 

A. The title Son of God, emphasized His Divinity, and that He is "part" of   

     the Trinity, and God Himself. The Title Son of Man is from Daniel and

 emphasizes His humanity and His messianic purpose in coming to save        

      us, as it points back to the prophecy, which it fulfills. These are both 

      titles of Our Blessed Saviour.

   1. The Phrase "The Son Of Man " refers to the suffering of Jesus.

   2. The food that spoils is the food we eat and is processed in our bodies.

   3. The food that endures for eternal life is the Word of God.

    

       John 6:54

      Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I   

       will raise him up on the last day.

B. God the Father approves the Son of Man,

    1. God sent His Son with the authority to give eternal life.

    2. The word endure is the Greek word meno which means to abide

         in a state of expectancy.

     3. We are to live expecting eternal life with Jesus.

 C. The word work is the Greek word ergazomai which means to toil

       Or be engaged with.

    1. Believers have to make a personal choice to be engaged with Jesus.

    2. It is a personal choice to study God’s Word.

    3. The study of the Word, puts you in direct contact with the Holy Spirit.

THE WORK OF GOD

V:28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." 

A. Change is us begins when we question what we believe in.

    1. Having being exposed to the truth, we have to decide

        to live in light or live in darkness.

    2. When we meditated on the Word we become convicted to 

        follow the ways of God.

B. To believes is a personal choice to engage with Jesus.

     1. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

     2. Faith is to engage our hearing to the Word of God.

     3. Faith grows as we meditate and act on the Word of God.

C. Faith requires us to believe that  God the Father sent Jesus for

     Our eternity.

   1. The work began in the Father to draw us to His Son.

   2. We have to decide to turn to God.

FAITH BY HEARING NOT BY SIGHT

V:30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'

32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from 

heaven. 

A. One of the problems of believing in the Word is our desire to see some

     physical proof of it validity. 

   1. The group of Israelites that followed Jesus across the lake had witnessed

       the feeding of 5000 families with bread and fish.

   2. They did not stop to think where all the food came from.

   3. They saw no evidence of fish being caught and cooked and bread

       being baked.

   4. Yet they all ate and were filled.

B. The same group wanted to make Jesus their king because He fed them.

    1. They heard Jesus teaching the Word of God and witness Him healing

        their sick.

     2. No other man of their time ever healed anyone, yet they couldn’t

         see Jesus as a man using the power of God.

     3. You must ask yourself what evidence you have that God exists.

      4. No man has seen God at any time.

      5. What miracles has God done in your life today?

      6. Will you give God credit for your existence?

C. The Jews recalled that Moses gave their forefathers manna from

     Heaven.

     1. They did not witness the manna from heaven, but they

          believed what they heard.

     2. They had Jesus in front of them, but didn't believe His Word.

     3. We have the Glory of God in front of our eyes each day.

     4. It would be foolish not to believe that what we see is not

         supernatural. 

  

THE BREAD OF LIFE

V:33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 

34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 

35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 

A. Jesus reveals to the potential disciple who He was.  

    1. He is not of this world, He is from heaven.

    2. He is the bread of life.

    3. He is the one who gives life

B. The bread is the Word of God.

    1. The Word of God is the wisdom of God.

    2. Jesus establishes Himself as the one who gives the fulfillment of life.

    3. Jesus opens the door for us to come to Him by the will He has placed

        in us.

    4. Our unbelief causes us to delay coming to Him.

C. The reward of coming to Jesus is to never be hungry and to 

      Never thirst.

    1. There may be a difference between hungry and thirst.

    2. Hungry has been said to be the desire to live in a way that

         is pleasing to God.

         Also the desire to do God’s will.  Matthew 5:6

    3. To thirst is to find satisfaction in Jesus.

         a. To find fulfillment in Jesus

         b. To find our deepest desire in Jesus.

         c. To be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

              and humility

UNBELIEF IS MAN’S WILL

V:36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes 

to me, I will never drive away. 

A. All good things come from the Lord

    1. Good and bad are allowed by the Lord

    2.   Romans 8:28

         And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who  

         love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

 B. The Old Testament was complete 300 years before the birth of Christ.

    1. The Word was taught in the Jewish synagogues.

    2. Jesus first reading of the Old Testament was in the Synagogue

       from Isaiah 61:1-2 recorded in Gospel of Luke.

    

       Luke 4:18-19

      The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach   

       the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to 

       preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, 

       to set at liberty them that are bruised,

       To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

  3. The Jews knew the Word of God but believed their traditions.

          

      Mark 7:8

      You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the   

      traditions of men." 

 4. All believers are in the eternal will of God before the foundation of the

     world.

 5. Those who would not believe are also in the eternal will of God.

 

GRACE AND MERCY; GOD’S WILL   

V:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 

40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." 

A. God's grace and mercy cover all believers before they are born.

    1. Jesus presents us with His two natures.

    2. He was divine yet human at the same time.

B. Jesus was born of a woman, yet He existed before the woman

     that birth Him.

   1. The woman that birth Jesus has a genealogy. Jesus existed

        before there was a genealogy

   2. The woman that birth to Jesus had a beginning. Jesus has no

        beginning.  

   3. The mission of Jesus was to provide the way all elected to

       salvation.

   4. It is the Lord who causes us to look to Him and believe in Him.

   5. Everyone has the opportunity to believe in Jesus.

       a. Some will believe according to God’s will.

       b. Some will not believe according to God’s will

   6. We must thank God for His will.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Follow me on facebook and my blogs:

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

Bible Study Series: NO IS NOT AN OPTION, Matthew 15:21-28

     

NO IS NOT AN OPTION

Matt 15:21-28

CRY FOR HELP

V:21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 

A. This lady was not part of the Nation of Israel. She was an outsider

    1. Her daughter was ill. Her daughter was uncontrollable. Maybe  

       destructive.

    2. This woman needed help.

    3. She came to Jesus

B. How did she come to hear about Jesus?

    1. Why would she think that Jesus, a Jew, would help the enemy of

        Israel.

    2. This indicates that the word of mouth was a powerful tool of

         communication. 

    3. When it comes to the health of our children we take what measure

         we need to get help.

C. She knew more than His name. 

    1. She knew more that His reputation for healing.

    2. She knew more than His family line.

    3. She knew Him as Lord. 

    4. She knew Him as her help.

 D, She came asking for mercy.

     1. She knew Jesus as a doctor.

     2. She knew Jesus as one of compassion.

     3. She knew Him as the source of love.

E. She came to Jesus expecting Him to solve her problem.

    1. She came with a simple urgent prayer.

    2. She came humbly before Her Lord.

     

SLICENE  FROM JESUS

NO IS NOT AN OPTION

V:23. Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 

A.  This mother had a problem.

      1. Her child was ill. She couldn’t take NO for an answer.

      2. When we need Jesus we can’t accept NO.

      3. Jesus said what ever we ask the Father in His name

          would be done for us.

      4. Jesus expects us to believe Him for our needs.

B. Because we don’t have an answer to our prayer,

    don’t means Jesus has not heard our prayer.

   1. The first thing she ran into was silence from Jesus.

   2. Since NO is not an option, we have learn to wait on the Lord.

       a. His thoughts are not our thoughts; His ways are not our ways.

       b. Jesus is not on our time clock, but we are on His. 

        

     Ps 27:14

     Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart

      and wait for the Lord .

  

     Ps 33:20-21

     We wait in hope for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield. 

      21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 

   3. The second thing she ran into was rejection by the Church.

       a. The disciples wanted her to go away.

       b. Since NO is not an option, you can’t listen to negative folk.

    

           Ps 17:14

           O Lord , by your hand save me from such men,

           from men of this world whose reward is in this life.

   4. You can’t listen to thoughts of doubt.

        a. James said if you doubt, don’t expect anything from the Lord.

        b. Since NO is not an option you have to reassure yourself

            with God’s promises.

    

            Ps 119:140

            Your promises have been thoroughly tested,

            and your servant loves them. 

NEED FOR A RELATIONSHIP 

V:24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 

A. Watch this; Jesus made a distinction between Jews and Gentiles.

      Christians and none Christians

     1. Since NO is not an option, you can’t get upset with the Word

         because it doesn’t say what you want it to say.

     2.  From the sound of the text it appeared that Jesus was excluding

          this woman because of her race. 

     3. When we don’t understand God’s Word, we have to seek clarification.  

     4. Since NO is not an option we have to find the purpose of

         the Word.

B. Jesus drew the woman into a relationship with Him

    1. God does not answer the prayers of sinners.

    2. Jesus became her intercessor for His glory.

        a. He let the Word be spread about Him so she would hear.

        b. Jesus caused the problem with her child be so servere that

             she was drawn to Him.

    3. He knows our needs, so Jesus drew her to him to establish her faith.

WORSHIP THE LORD 

V:25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 

A. Sometimes worship begins when we recognize our problems are beyond   

     our ability and the abilities of those around us.

    1. When we are forced to call on the true and living God we have heard 

         about, our journey with Jesus begins.

    2. Your testimony about Jesus affects others around you who are

         going through trouble.

    3. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

    4. When someone don’t know Jesus, your testimony opens

         the door to them. 

B. She humble herself before Him.

     1. This is the second time she called Jesus Lord

     2. She used the Greek word “kurios” for Lord which

         means supreme authority.

     3. She considered Jesus above all others,

     4. She put her trust in Jesus

     5. The Canaanites worshiped idol gods.

     6. She recognized that no idol god could do what she

         heard Jesus did.

      7. She put her faith in Jesus.

 

THE TEST OF FAITH

V:26.  He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 

A.  Jesus answer seems to drive her away.

     1. When NO is not an option, you don’t let anything

          stop you from getting to Jesus.

     2. Jesus draws us into continuous communication with Him.

     3. When we question the Word, we are drawn to investigate the

         Word. 

     4. The more we study, the more the Holy Spirit enlightens us.

B. Notice, Jesus identifies, the children with the household pet.

    1. We love and care for our pets. 

    2. We are not going to let a pet starve.

    3. The bread of life is the Word.

    4. Jesus identifies the application of the Word with our desires.

C. The Word is a vertical communication with the Lord.

    1. We have to apply the Word in a horizontal communication

        with our circumstances and those around us. 

    2. Jesus gave us five senses; sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.

       a. Two more senses should be added, movement and balance.

       b. Along with the senses is His wisdom

    3. When studying the Word, we use our given senses, in applying

        the Word.

    4. The household pet taps into all of our senses, 

    5. God draws us into a deeper practical way of knowing Him.

    6. Every living thing has to be fed. 

    7. Jesus identified the application of His ministry.

        a. Feed Israel then the Gentiles, His adopted people.

FAITH TESTED AND DEVELOPED

V:27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

A. When we know the Lord, we know His mission.

     1. The nation of Israel was first chosen through Abraham,

          but the Gentiles were included in the promise to Abraham

          to be revealed at a later time.

     2. When one is hungry, the crumbs fulfill the promise of the

          Lord.

     3. In the crumbs are all the ingredients, of the full meal.

     4. There are 66 books in the Bible containing 31102 verses.

     5. All we need is a few verses to know the Lord.

B. We come to know the Lord through our trials and tribulations. 

     1. Any small thing from the masters table is more than all

         wisdom of the world.

     2. The word master is the Greek Word kurios which

          is the supreme authority.

     3. Jesus calls himself the supreme authority.

     4. Jesus echoes the woman’s developing faith in Him.

     5. The more interaction we have with the Lord, the more

          our faith grows

     

PRAYERS ANSWERED BY GREAT FAITH 

V:28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 

A. Jesus takes us through trials and tribulations to develop and

     strengthen our faith.

    1. In all our life, NO should not be an option.

    2. We belong to the Lord and all the world belongs to Him.

    3. Jesus said; whatever we ask the Father in His name would be

        done for us.

B. Our problems are God’s way of bringing us to the conclusion

     That He is the supreme authority.

   1. God wants us to develop great faith in Him.

   2. A faith that want take NO for an answer.

   3. A faith that always see the favor of God in our lives.

   4. A faith that takes us to God first.

   5. A faith that questions the Word of God to learn more.

   6. A faith that calls on God in the hour of trouble.

   7. A. faith that sees the best in God when facing difficult

        situations.

    8. A faith that worships God continuously.

    9. A. faith that praises God all the time.

THE REASON FOR OUR TROUBLES

Watch this:

   1. The reason God allowed the devil to possess the woman’s

       daughter was to draw her to Him.

   2. Jesus allow her to develop and confess her faith in Him

       in the practical study of the Word.

   3.  Jesus drew her into a confession of faith.

   4. Jesus healed her daughter for His glory.

The woman took her testimony of Jesus back to her community

Tyre and Sidon .

Her testimony probably influenced others in an idol worshipping community

To believe in the one true and living God.

Rev. M. Mitchell

 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson "The Reason For My Troubles" John 6:15-21, 1/10/2020

 THE PURPOSE OF MY TROUBLES

John 6:15-21

START YOUR JOURNEY WITH PRAYER

V:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. 

A. Jesus had fed five thousand men plus women and children

     5 biscuits and 2 fish. 

   1. A crowd followed Jesus bringing their sick to be healed.

   2. After the miracle feeding they wanted to force Him to be 

      their king.

   3. God has a mission that will not be interrupted by men.

B. Jesus went up to the mountain perhaps to be alone with

     The Father and to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

   1. Prayer is an important part of any work for God.

   2. Jesus gives us the example to find a place to have

       some alone time with the Father.

   3. We do not know what tomorrow will bring, but we can

       be assured that the Father has a plan.

C. There are always those who want to use Jesus for their

     Personal benefit. 

    1. You cannot make the Word be what you want it to be.

    2. You cannot take Word out of context.

    3. Since Jesus took care of the crowd's health problems,

        they decided to make Jesus be the answer to their political

       desires.

   4. Don’t take the kindness of Jesus

A JOURNEY FOR CHRIST

V:16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.

A. We should never take a trip without Jesus on our minds.

     1. The disciples followed Jesus's command and got into a boat headed

         to the other side of the sea.

     2. Life is a journey, that is made possible by Jesus.

     3. We must keep in mind that our journey has a divine purpose.

B. We are the church when the Church is not in your sight

    1. The disciples were all in the Boat, but we hear not discussion

        about Jesus.

    2. The disciples were in the boat, but hear no prayer.

    3. The disciples were in the boat, but we hear no praise.

    4. The disciples were in the boat but we hear no singing.

C. We must keep in mind that the journey is just as important as the

    destination.

   1. It on the journey that we put into practice the teaching of the Word.

   2. The attitude we have on the journey determines the attitude we

        will have when we get to the destination.

   3. The journey gets us prepared for the destination

   4. The disciples were headed from one place of teaching and

       witnessing to another place.

   5. Don’t waste the journey.

   6. The journey is a time of growth and development. 

THE GOOD TROUBLE IN YOUR LIFE

V:18.  A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 

A. Since there was no singing on the boat and there was no studying on

     The boat and there was no praying on the boat they were not

     Ready for rough waters.

   1. The journey is filled with ups and downs highs and lows.

   2. The journey will have some good times and some bad times.

B. It is during the rough times that we learn to trust God.

    It's during the rough times that we learn to wait on the Lord.

  1. The Lord uses the rough time to train us the next destination.

  2. The Lord uses the rough times to force us into conversations

     that we would not have in the good times.

C. One thing we see is that God controls the conditions of our journey.

    1. God can change your journey from smooth to rough at any time.

    2. God controlled the winds so the waters became rough.

    3. According to Mark 6:48, Jesus saw the disciples struggling to 

        control the boat in the rough waters. 

    4. Jesus was on the mountain and the disciples in boat 3 ½ miles

        out from the shore in rough water.

    5. According to the text it was late at night. According to Matthew 14:25,     

       it was the fourth watch, from 3 am to 6 am when Jesus came to them.

 D. The disciples saw something walking on the water and they were afraid.

     1. Their first response was it was a spirit.

     2. This highlights their immaturity and their fears.

     3. If Jesus had been in their hearts while in the boat in rough waters

         they would have called on Jesus. 

    4. When Jesus was on the mountain looking at the disciples

        struggling, there is no indication that the disciples called on Jesus.

    5. This tells us that when Jesus sends us on a journey, He has His

        eye on us.

     6. Is Jesus still your Jesus in tough times?

MIRACLES REVEALED IN OUR TROUBLES

V:20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 

A. According to Matthew 14:27, Jesus said be of good

     Cheer, it is I.

   1. Jesus is with you in your bad times.

   2. You should see Jesus and be excited when you are going through 

        tough times. 

   3. Jesus will not put more on you than you can handle.

   4. The tough times are times to learn from Jesus.

B. According to Matthew 14:28, it was Peter who tested his faith

    In Jesus. 

   1. Peter saw Jesus walking on water, so said, If it is you, call me out

      on the water.

   2. Peter was alright on the water until he took his eye off Jesus

      and focused on the rough waters. 

   3. If you have ever been in a boat in rough waters, you know waves 

       go up and down.

   4. Peter was walking on top of the high point of the waves.

   5. It was a miracle until Peter focused on the human impossibility 

        of his situation.

    6. As soon as Peter look at the situation and thought about it, he began

        to sank.

     7. Don’t ever doubt the power of God in your life. 

        

JESUS IS THE MIRACLE IN MY LIFE

V: 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. 

A. It is God who designs test in your life, so you can see His Glory.

    1. When you start looking for His glory, you will see more glory.

    2. According to Matthew 14:32, as soon as the disciples accepted

       Jesus in the boat, the wind stopped.

    3. Not only that, the boat was 3 ½ miles from the shore they started

       from and 5 miles from the other side.

       a. When Jesus got in the boat, they were immediately on the

           other side at their destination of Capernaum.

B. The purpose of the trip across the lake in the dark was to 

     develop the trust of the disciples in Jesus.

   1. The purpose of the rough waters was to expose their fears

       and superstitions. 

   2. Before we get going, we ought to walk with Jesus.

   3. When the going gets rough, we ought to call on Jesus first.

   4. The moment you start your journey, Satan shows up to 

       stir up fear in your life.

   5. The only way to keep Satan out is to have Jesus in. 

   6. The purpose of your journey is learning to trust God.

THANK GOD FOR TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For More lesson follow me on facebook and visit

My blogs

Revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blog.com.

Bible Study Series: Don't Lose Your Bible

     

DON’T LOSE YOUR BIBLE

2 Kings 22:3-17

INTRODUCTION

This text is about a young king, named Josiah, who restored the worship of God In Israel.

The father and grandfather of Josiah were kings of Israel. They destroyed the Worship of God in the Temple and replaced it with the worship of

Idol gods. They erected graven images in the Temple. They practice witchcraft and burn their sons in the fire.  (2 Kings 21: 1-6)

It is assumed that they destroyed every copy of Moses Law they

could find.  

When King Manasseh died. His son took the reign and continued 

evil against the Lord. He was assassinated and Josiah was made

king at 8 years old.  Perhaps under his mother's guidance, he

was taught to honor the Lord.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE: RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE

2 Kings 22:3-

V:3 In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the Lord. He said: 4 "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people. 5 Have them entrust it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. And have these men pay the workers who repair the temple of the Lord — 6 the carpenters, the builders, and the masons. Also, have them purchase timber and dressed stone to repair the temple. 7 But they need not account for the money entrusted to them, because they are acting faithfully." 

A. Many of us are not aware that our temple is in disrepair. The

     The Influence of the world provides unneeded frustration and worries.

     Somewhere in each of us is a dark secret that keeps us from being

     all that we can be for the Lord.

B. Times and circumstances have brought hurts and disappointments that

     Need repairing to restore us to our fullest.

     Each of us is the works of God in progress.

C. Its when we look in the mirror with a view of the Word of God

    That we see your need for restoration. 

THE LOST BIBLE; RETURN TO BIBLE STUDY

V:8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord ." He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. 9 Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: "Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord  and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple." 10 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant: 13 "Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord's anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us." 

WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR BIBLE, YOUR TEMPLE FALLS IN DISREPAIR 

HOW DO YOU LOSE YOUR BIBLE

In the text, the Bible was lost due to 57 years of rule of kings

who stopped the worship of God in the temple. The kings replace

Godly worship with idol worship.

The Kings replaced the truth with lies and deception.

 1. The first thing we learn in the text is no matter how far we 

      stray away from God, His Word is preserved.

     a. Jesus said heaven and earth may pass away, but my Word

         is forever.

     b. The Word never get lost, we get lost from the Word.

     c. If we ever heard God’s Word, it is preserved somewhere 

         in your brain.

B. Notice that the Bible was lost in the temple.

    1. For 57 years, it collected dust, undisturbed in the temple.

    2. While idol worship was performed in the temple,

        the Bible was quietly hidden.

    3.  No one thought to go look for the Word.

    4. The priests were not operating as priests according to the Word

    5. For 57 years, no sacrifices were made to the Lord.

C. The Influence of ungodly leaders can cause you to stray away from God.

    1. Is that an excuse not to worship?

    2. Your personal worship has nothing to do with the leaders of 

         the country.

    3. Your personal worship is based on your relationship with the Lord.

D. When you lose your Bible you forget who you are.

     1. It was the job of the Levite priests to take care of the temple

         and offer sacrifices for sin.

     2. It was the job of the scribes to record the words of the

         prophets of God and to make copies.

     3. It is God who gives you purpose and a mission.

THE START OF RESTORATION

A. Restoration begins when there is a new perspective.

    1. Sometimes, God has to do something tragic to get us a

        new perspective.

    2. Josiah became king at 8 years old.

    3. Watch this; Josiah's dad was abusive, and his grandfather

         was abusive. They both were previous kings.

    4. The grandfather died and the father was assassinated.

         a. That left the mother in charged to raise her son.

         b. Josiah’s daddy didn’t teach him about God.

         c. His granddaddy didn’t teach him about God.

         d. The priest didn’t teach the king about God.

         e. It had to be his mother who taught the young king

              about God.  

   B. King Josiah was 26 years old when he started a campaign to

        repair the temple.

        1. It is apparent he knew nothing about God's commands.

        2. For eighteen years after the abusive kings were dead,

            the High priest of Israel failed or neglected to do their job.

         3. The High Priest found the book of the law during the repair

              of the temple. 

         4. The high priest was not moved by the book of the Law

              a. This would indicate he had lost sensitivity to 

                   Word of God.

              b. This would indicate he had lost his love for the Word.

              c. For more than 60 years he had not performed

                  his duties as High priest.

         5. He gave the book to the scribe, who read it to the king.

C. The fact that the book was lost indicated that there was an deliberate 

      effort to destroy all copies of the Book by evil kings. 

    1. The original manuscript that had been in the Ark of

        the covenant was hidden by men of integrity to keep

        it from being destroyed.

    2. Watch this, neither the scribe nor the High Priest was

         convicted by the Word.

 

 D.  It was King Josiah who heard the Word and believed the Word

      1. After hearing the Word, the King became convicted

           by the Word.

       2. After being convicted, the King wanted to know more about

           Word of God.

       3. We began our communication with God through prayer.

       4. Once king Josiah heard the Word He wanted to understand the Word.

                

EVERYONE HAS A MISSION

     Watch this; God sneaked one in on the importance of the influence

      of women.

        2 Kings 22:14

         Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to           

         speak to the prophetess Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of 

         Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in 

         Jerusalem, in the Second District. 

    No matter who you are, God got a mission for you

          1. King Josiah's father was abusive and died.

          2. From the age of 8, his mother taught him to love God.

          3. When men quit being men, women raise the family

   GOD HAS SOMEONE WAITING TO DO YOUR JOB

          1. When men quit being men, women become teachers.

          2. Why didn’t the High Priest go to God for a Word? That was his   

               job.

          3. When we fail to utilize the position God has given us we

               we lose the ability of the position 

          4. If the High Priest and the Scribe had done their jobs, the King

              would not have needed to go to the keeper of the wardrobe for

              a message from the Lord.

             5. For 57 years, Huldah, the keeper of the wardrobe was in waiting

                  to give a message from the Lord to the king. 

HOW DO YOU LOSE YOUR BIBLE?

    When your wants outweigh your needs.

    When the desires of the flesh minimize the desire for the Lord.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR BIBLE?

1. You have no enlightenment from the Word.

2. Without the Word, you live in darkness

3. If you lose the Word  you lose the effectiveness of prayer

4.  Lose the Word and Others are not motivated to study God’s Word.

5. Without the Word, you make decisions without wisdom

6. When you lose the Word you  have no hope beyond what you can see

7. Without the Word, you are moved by emotions.

9. Without the WORD You began to worship idols;

     self, job, family, or money.

10.  Without the WORD you Trust in yourself rather than God.

11. When you lose your Bible, you become insensitive to the those

       who are perishing.

12. When you lose your Bible you lose the influence of the Holy

       Spirit.

13. When you lose your Bibles you lose the convicting power of

       Holy Spirit.

14 When you lose our Bible you become prey to every falsehood

      promoted by our society

15. When you lose your Bible, you lose God’s grace

       To have a Bible and not read it, is to not lay your

        heart to it. 

        If you haven't laid your heart to your Bible you are 

        Not ready to digest it. 

        If you can’t digest it, you can’t develop faith in the WORD. 

       LITTLE FAITH, LITTLE GRACE

  16. When you lose your Bible, you lose your purpose and mission.

LOST BIBLE, LOST FOCUS

You lose your Bible when your focus becomes what you

want rather than what you need.

For example:

What I want is job security,

What I need is the security in the Lord.

What I want is peace in the family

What I need is the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

What I want is to be loved.  What I need is to love God.

What I want is a new stuff.

What I need is to be thankful for what God has given me.

LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH THESE TEACHABLE 

THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

MY DEEPEST THOUGHT IS TO KNOW GOD

MY DEEPEST DESIRE IS TO SERVE GOD

MY DEEPEST NEED IS TO HAVE GOD

MY GREATEST ASSET IS THE WISDOM OF GOD

       

MY GREATEST TREASURE IS THE LOVE OF GOD

IN 2021 DON’T LOSE YOUR BIBLE

Rev. M. Mitchell