Bible Study Series: Al Things Good, Romans 8:28-30

 ALL THINGS WORK FOR YOUR GOOD

Romans 8:28-30

ALL THINGS GOOD

V: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. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

The “we” are believers in Jesus Christ. To nonbelievers this is foolishness. This letter was

written to the church in Rome. From Jerusalem, the Word spread to the Roman Empire. Both

Jews and Gentiles were made participants in God's Gospel.

To know is to know the truth which is the Word of God. To know the truth one must

study the Word of God. We must meditate on the Word of God to allow the Holy Spirit

to give us an understanding of the Word. One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to teach us

the Word. (John 15:26).

The things that the apostle Paul speaks of are the ills, trials, and tribulations of life. We

may not know when they will show up in our lives. We do know from our experiences

that they show up from time to time. We make not know the duration of that which

afflicts us, but God knows. We must expect them and learn to endure them with patience.

Notice, they work for our good. This is encouragement that what troubles us will benefit

us. The good is our eternal interest. Not what happening today. Not what will happen tomorrow?

But the good helps us imitate Jesus in our daily walk.

The good quicken our prayers. The good forces us to rely on Jesus and not the world.

The good cause us to reflect on God's grace and mercy. The good heightens our thankfulness.

The good broadens our love for one another.

Notice, that good work is only for those who love the Lord. Those who live in the spirit of obedience.

Whatever you are going through is working for your good now.

God is working. The Holy Spirit is working. Your troubles are pressed into service for your

good. The good strengthens your faith.

James 1:2-5

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

God is getting us ready for more service. Your trials are strengthened exercises to get us ready for more

difficult tasks. The Lord expects more fruit from those who love Him.

There may be some areas in your life that need cleaning up. One who loves God is not

sinning against God. The promise God made is for the present time. Sin blocks the promise.

There may be some attitudes, habits, and people that you are holding onto that are blocking

your total commitment to God. You may experience divine trouble to refocus your thinking

on areas that are pleasing to God.

Some trouble we cause ourselves because of our disobedience and failure to seek

divine wisdom before we act. Sometimes we fail to let God order our steps.

The word called is the Greek word kletos which means invited. We have been invited to

good work of producing more fruit. Not fruit for ourselves, but fruit that gives God glory.

The work is according to God’s divine purpose. The Greek word for purpose is prothesis

which means to set forth for all to see. The work God has for us was predetermined for

our salvation.

CALLED TO SERVE AN UNLIMITED GOD

Romans 8:29

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers

God is not limited by time and circumstances. He sees everything at once, past, present, and future,

He sees from eternity past to eternity future. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

To God, there is no beginning or end because He always was and always will be.

Before the foundation of the earth God divide the men he would create into two classes. Those

He would save and those He would leave condemned. The word foreknow is the Greek word

proginosko which means to foresee or know beforehand. Before anything was anything, He

planned everything. God knew what He would do before there was anything formed to do.

The word predestinate is the Greek word proorizo which means to predetermine or ordain or

limit in advance. God limited us, the church to salvation. God favored a certain number of

mankind that would be born to be like His Son. He predetermined a certain portion of

men to be born and let in sin.

Before there was sin, God knew a world in sin. God set sin in motion by creating the Arch

Angel Lucifer and allowing Him to corrupt a third of the angels He created. Angel were

God first spiritual creation. Job 38:4-7

Before there was man to sin, God knew men

in sin. Before Adam knew sin, God set in the middle of the Garden of Eden two specific trees.

He set the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil for the temptation of man (Genesis 2:9). Let me suggest the trees were there to give man a choice. He could choose life

or death.

Before you were in your mother's womb, God knew your sin.

Jeremiah 1:5

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

And before you were born I consecrated you;

I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

God limited you and I, the church to the tree of life even though we were born in sin.

He set us apart from the world before birth. He assigned jobs and positions to us before

birth. You have a purpose for being on this earth.

Let me suggest, your purpose is not sitting idle and waiting on God to speak. You and I must

constantly seek God.

Matthew 7:7

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you

We had no choice but that we were born in sin. We were not given the option to be born in righteousness or to be born in sin.

Psalms 51:5

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

We do have a choice not to stay in sin. Accepting Jesus is a choice we can make

God opens the door for us to make that choice.

It was by God's grace and mercy that He chose us for salvation. The Father

sent Jesus to die for our sins to give us the right to the Tree of Life.

Proverbs 3:16

18 She (WISDOM), is a tree of life to those who embrace her;

those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

If you want to make wise decision, seek God’s advice first.

God enabled us to make the choice He would give us to choose Him.

Jesus is the firstborn of a new creation in Him. The first choice is to choose Jesus.

Ephesians 1:4-6

In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

All the churches are sons and daughters of the Father

PREDESTINED FOR GLORY

Romans 8:30

30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

The word called is the Greek word kaleo which means to call forth in a loud voice.

You were called out of the world to be in Jesus.

Who heard the call? You responded to the call. The angels heard the call. Satan and his

demons heard the call.

The word justified is the Greek word dikaioo which means to render innocent

Jesus' blood on the cross atoned for our sins. When God looks at us He sees the blood of

Jesus. We have been rendered innocent by the blood of Jesus.

The word glorified is the Greek word doxazoo which means to hold in honor

Why would the Lord hold sinful us in honor? Let me suggest because Jesus

honored us with His death on the cross

GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GOOD

God made a plan for your life before you born. God plan for your life is

for you to give Him Glory.

1^st Before time as we know it, God determined that we would be His glory.

2^nd We were born in sin because of the sin of Adam. Adam’s sin condemned the whole of

mankind born after him. It is by God’s grace that you learn to trust Him. Sin is the tool

He uses to draw you to Him.

3^rd We were called out of the world Romans 8:30

4^th We were justified

5^th We were glorified

6th We were drawn to Jesus by the Father John 6:44

7th We are given a measure of faith to accept Jesus as our Savior Roman 12:3

8^th We were baptized into his death and resurrected into the newness of eternal life

Romans 6:3-5

9^th We were adopted as sons and daughters of the Father Ephesians 1:5

10^th We were given the command to abide in Jesus as He abides in us

11^th We were given the command to produce fruit John 15:5

12^th We are given trials and tribulations in our walk with Jesus to

strengthen our faith to produce much fruit. James 1

12^th We are given the enlightenment that all things work for our good as we

love the Lord.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

WHAT IS GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOU?

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING TO

FULFILL THAT PURPOSE?

CAN YOU BE SURE YOU ARE CHOSEN

BY GOD?

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Qualities Of A Good Person", Matthew 5:1-16, June 4/2023

 THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD PERSON

Matthew 5:1-16

SPEND TIME WITH JESUS

V:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:

The good thing about our Savior is He is ready to teach us any time we come to Him. He's available to meet with us privately. Jesus will position Himself for us away from the crowd. It is up to us to make time for Jesus

There is no excuse for not taking time for Jesus. We take time to do everything we want. We take time to go to work. We take time to go shopping. We take time to go entertain ourselves with friends.

None of this worldly time is profitable for our salvation. None of this time is soul-strengthening. Only Jesus can provide spiritual uplifting. You will never get the truth from the world.

Jesus' disciples followed Him to the mountain for more instructions. We must follow Jesus to the Bible. The mountain we must climb is the one in our minds.

PROFITABLE QUALITIES

A HUMBLE SPIRIT

V:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs, is the kingdom of heaven.

The poor in spirit is not one that does not have the spirit of God but one who knows he is not as close to God as he should be. The poor in spirit is grieved that he does not have a total commitment to God. He is struggling in his flesh and sin is weighing him down.

The poor in spirit is struggling because the peace and joy of Jesus escape him because he can't let go of his circumstances. The poor in spirit desires to imitate the love Jesus has for the Father. Because He is striving to please God, he will be blessed. The poor in spirit humbles himself before the Lord. Because of his humbleness heaven is his destination.

MORN TO DAY BUT JOY IN THE MORNING

V:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

The poor in spirit morns because of his spiritual poverty. He mourns because there is more to life with Jesus, that is blocked by the desires of the flesh. What happiness he experiences is short-lived because it is rooted in the world's cares. If only he could see the world as temporary, he could focus on the eternal blessing that awaits him.

You and I must realize that the trouble we face is allowed by God to strengthen our faith in Jesus. If we learn the joy of endurance we will be comforted by Jesus.

POWER UNDER CONTROL

V:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

The word meek is the Greek word praus which means gentle and humble. Meekness is the inter grace that sees the good in situations. Some say it is power under control. Meekness is obedience to God’s commands in opposition to confrontation. Meekness is characteristic of the mildness of temper, slow to speak, slow to act and quick to listen and consider the needs of others.

A meek mind carefully considers all the aspects of a situation before acting according to the wisdom of God. Meekness assumes that every aspect of a situation is not known.

A meek mind is not satisfied until it has exhausted every possibility.

The meek person acts according to the will of God and therefore is an inheritance of the earth which he enjoys.

SEEKS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

V:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

It is the righteousness of God that brings success and joy in life. Those who seek the

righteousness of God are endowed with the wisdom of God. They are filled with

the confidence of the Lord and peace and joy that is lasting. An Unnatural appetite for

the righteousness of God makes one independent of himself and dependent on the spiritual

nourishment of health and strength of the creator.

Our prayers to God are inspired by Him with a design to answer. Those to thirst after

God’s righteousness will be filled with the confidence of salvation.

SHOW YOURSELF AS A FRIEND

V:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Mercy is defined as the kindness of God toward the miserable and afflicted.

Jesus exercised His mercy for mankind with His death on the cross for our sinfulness.

God expects us to show mercy toward others. It is showing compassion for those in need. What goes around comes around. Because we show mercy for others, God will show us more mercy.

TRUE LOVE FROM A PURE HEART

V:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

True religion begins with a pure heart. A pure heart begins with the washing of

the blood of Jesus cleansed with the conviction of the Word. Any man in Christ is a

new creation. The new creation is under the power of Christ. A pure heart cannot

exist or continue to exist without the intercession of Christ. It is the Lord who keeps

us from all unrighteousness.

A pure heart seeks to please God. A pure heart is grieved at any thought of

sin. Because it constantly seeks God it has His presence dwelling in it.

A pure heart sees the needs of others above itself.

MAKE PEACE NOT CONFUSION

V:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Jesus came into this world for peace with those chosen by the Father. It is a

peace that surpasses all understanding. We can enjoy the peace through

our faith in Jesus. Since Jesus is the mediator for us before the Father,

we are to seek to mediate circumstances among men.

It is our job not to engage in any conversation or activity that causes

grief among men. On the contrary, we should engage in activity that reconciles

differences.

ENDURE PERSECUTION WITH JOY

V:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Christ was hated because He claimed the righteousness of the Father. He made it known

to us that we would be hated when we claim Him as our Savior. To act according to the righteousness of God is to oppose the actions of the world. God’s righteousness exposes sin.

Because the world loves sin, it is natural for us to be hated. We cannot seek heaven and

agree with sin. When we glorify God before men, He promises to lift us before men.

QUALITIES AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE

BLESSED WHEN INSULTED

V:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We cannot expect the praise of men in this world. If we seek the praise of men we oppose God.

John 5:44

44 How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?

Men praise you only when you agree with them. They don’t about what is right.

They care about what makes them look good in the eyes of others.

When we praise God for His righteousness, we can expect to be falsely accused and insulted by those who love sin. Sin is the devil’s influence. Satan came to steal, kill

and destroy. You are Satan’s target.

Our joy comes from the Lord and not men.

John 15:11-12

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

The joy we have is based on the promise of eternal life with Jesus. The Lord is in

the midst of your troubles making them work for your good. Enduring your

troubles produces fruit that others can see and be encouraged.

SEASON THE WORLD WITH THE WORD

V:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Salt seasons food. It gives it a different taste. The job of believers is to season the thoughts and ideas of nonbelievers with the Word of God. The world rejects God because of its ignorance.

Our job is to introduce others to the Word of God. The Word has the power to convict nonbelievers of their sins and draw them to Christ. The Word through the power of the Holy Spirit will change chosen nonbelievers into believers.

We were called to glorify God by claiming Him as our Lord and Savior. Our testimony is important to influencing and encouraging others in the Lord. God never gave anyone the job of being silent. We are worthless to the glory of God if we sit on the sidelines and just look.

MAKE SOME NOISE ABOUT JESUS

V:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Jesus is the light of the world. We are His ambassadors.

Luke 2:32-33

A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

John 1:9

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

It is the believer's job to claim the glory of God for others to see and hear.

Our lives ought to be an imitation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When others see our faith in our actions, they may be encouraged.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Bible Study Series; A Good Woman Proverbs 31

 A GOOD WOMAN

Proverbs 31

Who wrote Proverbs 31?

Proverbs 31:1-3

The sayings of King Lemuel — an oracle his mother taught him:

2 "O my son, O son of my womb,

O son of my vows,

3 do not spend your strength on women,

your vigor on those who ruin kings.

According to the text, it was written by King Lemuel, but inspired by his mother.

She valued the reputation of her son, his position as king, and his relationship with

the nation God placed him to serve.

Who was King Lemuel?

 There is speculation that Hezekiah, who became the 13th king of Judah after the kingdom of Israel split in two, added these last two chapters to the book of Proverbs

  Regarding the writers themselves, Agur and Lemuel, the Jewish Talmud states that "Solomon was called by six names:  Solomon, Jedidiah, Koheleth, Son of Jakeh, Agur, and Lemuel." (forchristian women.org)

The Name Lemuel is a Hebrew name, according to the Eastern Bible Commentary means

dedicated to God, a king whom his mother instructed. The rabbinical commentary identifies as

King Solomon.

Knowing that King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, why would you want to listen

to him? The evidence is King Solomon was a womanizer, an abuser of women's feelings.

What could he know about a good wife? Surly, the King did not have much time to spend

with any woman.

Assuming Proverbs 31 was written by King Solomon, at what age did he write it?

No one knows, God does not tell us. We know that earlier part of his kingship, Solomon

was concentrated on building the Temple in Jerusalem. He established himself as a man of

wisdom throughout Israel and in foreign countries. He was devoted to God in the earlier part

of His kingship.

Perhaps after the Temple was built, he spent his time on his fleshly desires for women.

Let me suggest, that in the latter years of his reign, he settled down and reflected on

what he had learned in life, writing Ecclesiastes and Proverbs.

In my older age, I have had a chance to reflect on my life’s journey. In this time

I often reflect on the teachings of my mother, father, and grandparents. According to

the text, the king was reflecting on the teaching of his mother.

If you couple your relationship with God, with the teaching of your parents and your

life's experiences, you can conclude with good advice. Perhaps that is what Solomon

did for us in the Book of Proverbs.

The first advice the King’s mother gave him is to settle on one woman. If the King was

Solomon, his mother was Bathsheba who was taken from her first husband by his

Father, King David. David had several wives and many conflicts among his children.

Marriage is a sacred institution created by God. He meant for man to be the head of

the household and to treat His wife with respect. Bathsheba knew what it meant to be

disrespected and devalued.

IDENTIFYING THE WORTH OF A WOMAN

Proverbs 31:10-12

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall not need spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

The word virtuous means strength, power, resourceful

You have to know your worth. God designed you to be powerful and resourceful.

It is part of your DNA. Don’t let no man or woman devalue you.

Why should a strong woman get attached to a weak man? Somebody weak will try to

bring you down to their level. I grew up around some strong women. They didn’t

have a lot of education, but they were strong in the Lord and strong in the community.

It takes a strong woman to raise children; Feed them, dress them, bathe them, educate

them, and discipline them. You need to know you got value. The Lord says you are

more valuable than rubies. A ruby is a precious stone, beautiful to look at. A ruby has

hardness, it has durability, and luster, and is a rare stone. It is bright red, the color of the precious

blood of Jesus.

A man must learn to see his spouse not just as a wife, but as a valuable partner.

A strong woman can be trusted. A strong woman is not wasteful. A strong woman follows

the Lord.

Parents and Grandparents, teach your children what to look for in a mate.

Bathsheba had experience. She was taken from her husband. Forced into adultery.

King David got her pregnant and didn't want the baby. David tried to fool

her husband that the baby was his. When that didn’t work, he had Bathsheba’s

husband put on the front line of the battle so he would be killed. King David did this

to save his reputation. He disrespected and disregarded the worth of a beautiful lady.

The life Bathsheba knew as a young bride was destroyed by

the selfish lust of a king. Yet this mother gave her son valuable advice on how to

value a woman.

A GOOD WOMAN PUTS HER SKILLS TO WORK

Proverbs 31:13-16

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

A Good wife is a working woman. She works inside the house and outside the house.

She does whatever it takes to provide for her family.

Watch this fellows, a good husband provides the wife with help when she needs it.

It is a working partnership. A good husband is aware of the wife's workload.

If both are working, you may not be able to do everything without some outside help.

A GOOD WOMAN KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE

 BUSINESS

Proverbs 31:16-20

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

A good wife has good business sense. She knows a good deal when she sees it.

If need be, she makes independent decisions for the family.

In verse 17, a good wife takes responsibility for the decision she makes.

A good wife works long days and into the night.

A good wife is not idle, but busy.

A GOOD WIFE IS GENEROUS

Proverbs 31:20-23

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

A good wife knows it is not all about her and her family.

She is generous to the poor.

She realizes she has been blessed and shares her blessing with others.

A good wife is thrifty, resourceful, and creative. She makes the best clothes

for her family.

A GOOD WIFE DRESSES TO LOOK GOOD FOR HER

 HUSBAND

A good wife cares for herself and dresses well for her husband.

Ladies you looked good when you got him. Keep looking good to

keep him. Other women will be glad to take your man.

A GOOD WOMAN IS NOT PASSIVE

Proverbs 31:23-26

23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

A good woman makes her husband look good around other men.

A good woman has stuff to say and goods to sell.

She is a strong woman with good character. She does not have time for gossip or foolishness

If you need good advice, she is the woman to seek.

THE REPUTATION OF A GOOD WOMAN SPEAKS FOR HER

Proverbs 31:27-31

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

A good woman works for the family. She does not try to please the neighbors.

She sets the standards for other women to strive for.

She is smart and kindhearted and her family appreciates her.

The key to her successful life is her love for the Lord.

Her reputation speaks to her goodness

LADIES VALUE YOURSELF AS GOD VALUES YOU

DON’T BE A VICTIM, BE VICTORIOUS

CLASS QUESTIONS

WHAT LESSONS DO YOU SEE IN PROVERBS 31?

WHAT SHOULD MEN LEARN FROM PROVERBS 31?

WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT DO YOU GET FROM

PROVERBS 31?

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Pray For Me So I May Believe", John 17:6-21

 PRAY FOR ME THAT I MAY BELIEVE

John 17:1-21

In this text, Jesus prepared His disciples for His return to heaven. He first prayed to the

Father for Himself, then for his disciples.

His prayer for Himself was that He be glorified so the Father would be glorified. Jesus did

not mention His crucifixion, but that was in view because it was the way to His glorification

to return to heaven.

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

There ought to be prayer before action. You and I cannot tell what tomorrow will bring. Jesus

knowing all things, prayed to the Father for what He knew would take place. If we want to

imitate Jesus we should be constantly in prayer.

From time to time we need to review with the Father our purpose for being on earth.

Jesus's purpose for descending from heaven and becoming man was to grant salvation to all of

God’s chosen. He was given all power over the human race. He only exercised the power

according to the will of the Father. Jesus defines for us the essence of eternal life. Eternal

life is to know the Father and the Son.

There are lots of man-made gods. But there is only one theos, supreme divinity. No man-made

god can have any power or can create anything. The work Jesus came to do was to make known

the Father and Himself to His chosen. To know the Father is to acknowledge, worship and, obey

his commands and accept the Son as savior.

Jesus honored the Father with His death on the cross which provided atonement for the sins of the world.

Jesus requested the Father to glory Him with His resurrection and return to the heavenly

throne seated at His right hand. Jesus spoke in the presence as if the crucifixion and resurrection

had already taken place. The work of Jesus exists in all time. Time is relevant to God's creation.

THE REVELATION FROM JESUS

John 17:6-8

6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

The work of Jesus was for His chosen, not the entire humanity. It is the Father who chose all

who He will draw to believe in Him. No one can come to Jesus unless he is drawn by the Father.

To be chosen is by God's divine election and not by ourselves. Jesus gave credit to the Father

for all the work He did on earth. To imitate Jesus is to give credit to the Father for all we have and all our

Accomplishments.

The Word of God convicts us and draws us into obedience. Jesus came as a teacher and preacher.

He spent three and a half years revealing the Word to His disciples and those who followed Him.

He taught His disciples everything the Father gave Him.

All believers are ambassadors of Christ. It is our job to teach and proclaim the Word of God

to our families and everyone we come in contact with. It is not our job to convince anyone

of the truth of God's Word. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. It is our job to be a testimony of

the truth.

Jesus is the Word and it was His job to bring His disciple into a belief in Him. The 11 disciples

were the apostles who started the church of Jesus Christ. Our confidence in Jesus is enhanced

by their testimony and sacrifices.

PRAY FOR ME, LORD

V:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one.

Prayer is our first line of communication with the Father. It is our job to pray for those around us.

Prayer is so important that Jesus gave us a promise; If you ask the Father in His name we will be

given what we ask.

Notice Jesus' prayer was for believers and not the world. Jesus claims us as His. He paid the

ransom for all believers with His shed blood on the cross. The Father gave all believers to

Jesus to pay the ransom. Jesus has a vested interest in us. It is because of our faith that

Jesus is glorified. Every believer ought to honor Jesus in praise and worship. It is Jesus'

prayer to the Father that we receive our protection.

The ultimate goal for believers is to become one with Jesus. One in His love. One in His

forgiveness. One in His tolerance. One in His obedience to the Father. One in His power

and authority. One in His joy and peace.

THANK JESUS FOR SAVING ME

V: 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.

Our temporary position is here on Earth. Our permanent residence is heaven with the Father.

It is Jesus who keeps His arm of protection around us 24/ 7. He not only protects us from

the evil of the world but also from the adversary of the world, Satan, and his demons. We are locked

in the salvation of Jesus and we cannot get out. We may stray from time to time, but Jesus

got a hold of us.

Jesus' death on the cross was no surprise, but His joy. It was the finishing touch of His ministry.

We have joy because we are confident that we have a place He has prepared for us in Heaven.

The hatred of this world is expected, but victory is ours because Jesus has overcome the world.

We have the Word of God to remind us of His abundant grace and mercy.

JUST VISITING, HEAVEN IS MY HOME

V15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

We have mountains to climb and valleys to travel that God will not remove. As long as we are

here on earth our protection is guaranteed. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow

of death I have no evil to fear because God is with me.

We are not of this world. We are set apart from the world with the truth that is Jesus Christ.

Being ambassadors for Christ our mission is to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth.

By teaching the Word of God, others that have been chosen will be drawn to Christ by

the Holy Spirit.

Our purpose is to bear much fruit by abiding in Christ so others will be encouraged in the Word.

John 15:7-8

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR PRAYER

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus The True Vine" John 15:1-17, 5//21/23

 JESUS, THE TRUE VINE

John 15:1-17

PRUNING WITH LOVE

There is a reason for pruning the branches of the vine according to the

Samaria and Lessons from the Vineyard by Doug Hershey

“Vineyard and Vines in the Bible

In biblical times, vineyards were very common. It was a great source of income, food, and drink as well as a place to enjoy and celebrate. Yeshua (Jesus) often referred to vineyards or vines in His teachings.

The Pruning at the Vineyard

Many branches are found growing on the main vine. Yet the further away from the vine these branches grow, the harder it is for them to receive nutrients and produce.

Branches that are growing far to the side or underneath the vine are trimmed since they will have a harder time getting sunlight. It is also simply easier to harvest a branch that is growing straight up.

So, after pruning the underside and sides of the vine, a few branches may grow close together. The vinedresser will keep the most upright and again, prune the others. The closer the branch is to the vine, the healthier and more fruitful it will be.

Likewise, if we are to bear fruit that the Father desires, the closer we are to Yeshua, the better.

The Life-giving Wind in Samaria

Once the gardener removes the dead branches, along with the underside and wayward ones, he considers the spacing of the remaining branches. The upright and fruitful ones need at least 4-5 inches from each other to allow the wind to pass through."

Vineyards have been planted and cultivated since the time of Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Noah planted a vineyard and drank wine (Genesis 9:20) God brought Israel into the promised land which was productive and complete with vineyards:

Deuteronomy 8:8-9

8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

The first miracle Jesus performed was at a wedding feast where He turned water into wine. The vineyards were plentiful and the production and the sale of wine was a thriving industry.

Jesus used the vineyard to describe His relationship with the Father and the believers' relationship to Him.

THE TRUE VINE

V:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

There are many types of vines. Some produce fruit to eat, some produce flowers,

and some are just thrones. There are blackberry vines, tomato vines, watermelon

vines, and grape vines, just to name a few of them.

Jesus used the grapevine to symbolize Himself. Every Jew could identify with

His analogy. Just as there are different kinds of vines, there are different religions

that claim the Father, but not the Son. Without the Son, there is no spiritual

fruit for the branches.

The Jewish nation was a vine, that rejected the Father as their gardener (Isaiah 5:1).

They chose their traditions over the Word of God.

The true vine chooses the Father as the Gardner and follows His commands.

Believers are branches of Jesus. Verse 15:1 describes the relationship between

the Father, the Son, and the believers. Believers are placed in the Son and

cared for by the Father.

Some believers produce no fruit. They have a relationship but are not

active in the ministry. What does it mean in verse 2 when He said the Fathers

take him away? The Greek word for taketh away is airo which means lift up

or raise up. This does not appear to be a loss of salvation verse. Jesus said

what the Father has given me, I lose none. The branch may be lifted up to

the light to be enlightened. We were chosen to be in Christ before the foundation

of the world (Ephesians 4:1). We were drawn to Christ from a dark place. The

process of being enlightened takes time and is different for every believer.

None of us came to Christ-producing fruit.

Every believer has a direct connection to the Son who has a direct connection to

the Father. Jesus describes Himself as the vine planted by the Father. It is the

Father's job is to maximize the production of the vineyard.

There are four classes of fruit in this text. No fruit, fruit, more fruit, and much

fruit. I believe the no fruit represents the newcomers to Christ and the complacent

church members who enjoy the relationship with Christ but are not committed

to service.

The fruit-bearing branches are those believers who are working in Christ

using their gifts and talents but have areas that hinder spiritual growth.

They may still hold on to an unforgiving spirit. They may harbor some

envy and jealousy. They have some areas of lust they are struggling with.

God knows us intimately and knows what it takes to curve our appetites

to total commitment to Him.

The Greek word for purge or prune is kathairo which means to cleanse.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We must look at ourselves,

recognize our sins, and repent. God’s mercy extends to us with forgiveness.

CLEANED BY THE WORD

V:3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

None of us are good in ourselves. It is our faith in the atoning blood that Jesus

shed on the cross that cleanses us from all unrighteousness. The word remain or

abide in Greek is the word meno which means to stay in a given place. We have

a choice each day to be obedient to God’s commands and remain in fellowship

with Jesus.

As a branch cannot produce grapes without being connected to the vine, we cannot

do the work of Christ without fellowship with Him. We have been given the job

of imitating Christ in our daily activities. We cannot do the work of Christ without

submitting to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit that resides within

us. Producing fruit is our job. What is the fruit Jesus referred to?

Galatians 5:22-24

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentlenesses, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.

There are nine elements of the fruit listed here. By ourselves, we are not capable of

producing this kind of fruit. Our character has been shaped by the world which

does not include this. It is only through the new creation in Christ that we are enabled

to produce fruit.

We have been placed in Christ according to His divine favor. It is through God's

favor that we were elected to produce fruit.

REMAIN IN JESUS

V:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

The relationship with Jesus does not exist without Him being in our hearts. Our

relationship with Jesus is demonstrated through our obedience to His commands.

Acts 17:28

'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

Notice verses 5 -7 begin with "if". The if represents our personal, daily choice

to follow Jesus. Verse 5 is a blessing and a curse. Remain Jesus; produce

much fruit. Break fellowship with Jesus, produce nothing.

Verse 6 is the result of doing nothing. By doing nothing you wither into a state

of worthlessness useful only for firewood which warms for a short time. God's

mercy is shown here because Jesus said you are like firewood. The word

like is the Greek word hos a comparative adverb. Hos is part of the word

hosanna which means oh save. We are saved by Grace not by works.

He If in verse 7 is the blessing of remaining in fellowship with Jesus;

Ask and it will be given to you; your wants, your needs, and your desires.

If we remain in Jesus we will only ask what is pleasing to Him.

Verse 8 is God’s will for our lives. To give Him glory by producing much

fruit. Why? So the world can see what a disciple of Jesus looks like. We are

the first beneficiaries of abiding in Jesus.

LOVE LIKE THE FATHER

V:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

It is our duty to give a testimony of the Father's love for us. Jesus constantly talked

about the Father to his disciples and followers. He left no doubt that He was under

the Father’s commands.

We must first know the Father’s love for us. We must consider that whatever we

have, whatever we have accomplished is because of the Father’s Love. From

time to time we must reflect on what God has done in our lives. It is only

when we have confidence in the Father that we will express our confidence

to others.

The evidence of our love for God is our obedience to His commands. Notice

the result of our obedience is Jesus’s joy. Not partial joy, but complete joy.

Not joy that fades when trouble arises, but joy during trouble.

A FRIEND’S LOVE

V:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Love requires sacrifice. If you are not willing to sacrifice yourself for someone,

love doesn’t exist. I am not talking about killing yourself. I am talking about doing

all that you know that will be helpful to them.

You can like a person without loving them. You can’t love a person

without liking them.

Those you love become your friends. Those you like become people you use. You

tell a true friend everything that will be helpful to them. You don’t worry about

hurting a true friend's feelings if what you know will help them.

Jesus made known to us everything He knew about the Father. We can only have

full knowledge of the Father through faith in Jesus.

CHOSEN BY LOVE

V:16 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.

We must keep in mind that we did not come to Christ on our own initiative. It

was the Lord who chose us and gifted us with the spiritual gifts and talents to

bear fruit.

The benefit of being a branch in the vine of Jesus is the constant flow of spiritual

blessing. The blessing that we pass on to others is in abundance. We are assured that

all we need and want comes from the Father when our prayers are in Jesus' name.

We learn to love others through the love Jesus has shown us.

Rev. M. Mitchell