This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus The Messiah", 9/4/2016

JESUS THE PROMISED MESSIAH

Isaiah 11:1-9

From the giving of the Law, God promised Israel that if they followed His commands,

that they would be prosperous in the land that He had promised them through

Abraham.  Lev 26:3-7

Through out Israel's history as recorded in the Old Testament, they refused to keep

God's commands. As a result, God planned  the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple

and a seventy year captivity by the Babylonians.  Jer 25:9

Isaiah's prophecy to Israel was just prior to the Babylonian captivity.

God promised the destruction of Israel and at the same time the restoration of the people

and the reconstruction of the nation. This text deals with the redemption of the

people of Israel through Jesus Christ.

This complete redemption will not take place until the Millennium reign of Christ.

This nothing more than the reconfirming of the promise that God made

in the Garden of Eden.   Gen 3:15

THE PROMISED MESSIAH

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

A. God promised King David in 2 Samuel 7:16 a kingdom forever,

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

 established forever."

   1. The descendant from Jesse, David's father is Jesus Christ.

   2. Jesus came as a spiritual King, not a physical King.

B. A tree that dies is cut down, leaving a  stump in the ground.

   1. Sometimes there is still life in the stump because the root is not dead.

   2. The root of Jesse is Jesus Christ.

   3. Even through Israel was cut off, God planned their redemption through

       Jesus Christ.

C. This indicates God's foreknowledge of our troubles and victories.

THE MESSIAH'S EQUIPPING

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

A. This is a Holy Trinity verse.

    1. You have the Father, referred to as the Lord.

    2. You have the Holy Spirit that rest upon Jesus.

    3. And You have Jesus, the Son referred to as the shoot.

B.  Jesus, the Messiah, Israel's redeemer came equipped with seven spirits.

     (According to Keil and Delitzsch)

   1. The Spirit of Jehovah, The Devine Spirit

        a. The creative process for fullness of the Divine powers

        b. Jesus was equipped with power to act with super human wisdom

            and strength.

        c. The spirit that makes nothing to hard for God.

  2. The Spirit of Wisdom

       a. The power to understand the nature of things through appearance

       b. Technical skills or special abilities  Ex 28:3

       c. We can only get wisdom through the study of God's Word.

       d. Jesus is the author of the Word.

  3. The Spirit of Understanding

      a. The power to discern the difference of things in their appearance

      b. The act of understanding; the sphere of wisdom.          

  4.  The Spirit of Counsel.

      a. The gift of forming the right conclusions.

      b. To give design and purpose

 5. The Spirit of Might.

     a. The ability to carry out God plans and purposes.

     b. Power and strength

 6. The Spirit of Knowledge

     a. Perception or skill through a close relationship with the Father.

     b. Understanding what could be gained with a close relationship with

         the father.

 7. The Spirit of Fear of the Father

     a. The reverence of the Father

     b. The respect of the Father

     c. Complete obedience to the Father.

THE MESSIAH'S AUTHORITY

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

A. Jesus, the Messiah followed the Divine Will of the Father.

   1. He only spoke the Words of the Father.

   2. While He lived on earth, He did only what was the will of the Father.

   3. He responded to the Father with trust and obedience.

B. Jesus delighted Himself in  obedience to the Father.

   1. Jesus constantly seeks the will of the Father.    Luke 22:42

   2. It pleased Him be chosen as the redeemer of man.    Isa 53:10

C. Jesus does not judge on what He sees, but judges from what is in the heart of man.

    1. Jesus is not partial to any person.

    2. He is no respecter of person.

    3. Jesus  judges according to what is right but with love and kindness.

 D. The poor and the needy are judged with righteousness.

    1. The wicked will be judged and condemned.

    2. The Word of God is a two edged sword; it can cut and convict the hearts

        of man.   Heb. 4:12

    3. When we study God's Word we will be convicted of our sins and

         redeemed from them by our confession of faith.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE REDEEMER

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

  A. The Lord Jesus has a zeal for righteousness.

      1. Jesus is the father of righteousness.

      2. Jesus is faithful and just to forgive all who come to Him in faith.

  B. After His second coming,  will rule in righteousness.

      1. He will rule in spirit and in truth.

      2. We should worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

      3. We should live this life  in love for God and our neighbors.

THE PEACE OF THE REDEEMER

V:6-7. "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox."

A. After the second coming of Christ, during His millennium reign, He will establish

     peace on earth between man and all God's creatures.    Rev 20:2-6

   1. God will restore the peace that originally existed in the garden of Eden before

        the fall of man.

   2. Adam was given authority over the Garden and all God's creatures.  Gen 1:28

   3. Animals did not fear man or other animals.

   4. Adam was given the job of naming all of the animals God created.

      a. Adam had to have close contact will them to name them.

      b. There is no indication that was any conflict in the Garden of Eden.

B. Jesus will have domination over the Millennium Kingdom that man lost through

     disobedience.

   1. There are several things we can learn from this text about God.

   2. He is a God of Peace.

   3. He is a God of order.

   4. He is a God of Love.

   5. He is a tolerant.  

   6. He is a forgiving God.

   7. He is a God of righteousness.

    8. God is in control of all creation and all events.

    9. God has planned our lives from the beginning to the ending.

HARMONY BETWEEN MAN AND BEAST

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

A. During the millennium reign of Christ, he will change the nature of animals.

    1. The natural hostility and fear between man and animals will be removed.

    2. God will maintain the rights of the defenseless and the poor.

B. The indication is that man and beast will return to being  vegetarians.

    1. Man will return back to the diet God originally designed for him.   Gen 1:29

    2. God original diet for man was all sufficient.

    3. The first animal was killed as a covering for man's sin.      Gen 3:21

JERUSALEM THE CENTER OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

 V:9.  They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be

      full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

  A. Jesus will rule from His holy mountain.

      1. Jerusalem will again become the center of religious activities and the center

          all knowledge.

      2. Knowledge will be guided by the righteousness of God.

 B. With Satan bound for a thousands years, there will be no influence of sin.

     1. Jesus will rule with righteousness.

     2. There will be complete harmony on earth during the millennium reign.

 C. It is one of the goals of Christian education to pursue harmony between man

      and God.

    1. We can only live the blessed life that God has designed for us through

         obedience to His Word.

    2. Even though the world today is not at peace, we can enjoy the peace of

        the Lord in our lives daily.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston, Texas

For a complete list of my lessons, visit my blogs

"goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com"

"www.revmmitchell.com"

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Love The Foundation Of The Family", 8/28/2016

LOVE THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY

Matthew 22:35-40, Romans 12:1-2, 13:8-10

STUDY THE WORD, YOU WILL BE TESTED

Matthew 22:35-40

V:35-36. " One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

A. Not everybody who entertains you is your friend.

    1. Some people question you, just to see what you know.

    2. Some questions are designed to prove that you are ignorant.

    3.  Some questions are designed as a trap to condemn you.

B. You have to beware of your audience and watch out for the dogs

     that come around you.       Philippians 3:2

   1. Don't be to quick to associate with people until you know their motives.

   2. Everybody your color is not your kind. And everybody your kind may not be

       your color.

   3. Jesus was opposed by His own people.

       a. He grew up with the ruling Jews, which were his color.

       b. They knew His family.

   4. They were jealous of His knowledge and application of the Word.

   5. They were envious of the power He displayed following the Word.

   6. Jesus made known to the Jewish leaders that their traditions which

       they placed before the Word had no power or authority.

  7. The Jewish leaders hated Jesus because He taught the Word in

       truth which opposed their traditions and their authority.

   

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENTS

V:37-39. " 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.'".

A. Jesus used every occasion to teach the Word of God correctly.

    1. Jesus taught the Word in spirit and in truth.

    2. Jesus being mindful of those who hated Him and those who loved Him,

        taught the Word so everyone could get an understanding and be convicted

        by it.

   3. Church begins when believers talk about the Word of God.

   4. Some who hear the Word will be drawn to Jesus and others will

       reject Him.

B. You have to know the Word for yourself to defend the Gospel

     against those whose intent is to destroy any faith in the Word.

   1. Bystanders, not involved in your conversation will be effected by your

       testimony.

   2. Everyone need to hear a word from God through you.

C. Love is the operative word.

   1. God is love.

   2. He first loved us while we were sinners headed to hell.

   3. God demands that we love Him.

   4. Loving God is the most important commandment because we were

       created out of God's love.

   5. God loves us and it is our duty to love Him.  

   6. If we truly love God we will follow His commandments. John 14:21

D. The second great commandment is the one that trouble us.

   1. It is easy to love God because He is  constantly good to us.

   2. We see the evidences of God's love, daily in our lives.

   3. To love our neighbors is difficult because we rarely get a chance to

        know our neighbors.

   4. God commands us to love those we know and those we may never know.

       a. There is a  way to love our neighbors.

       b. Strip away in your mind everything you know and don't know about

           your neighbors, so that all you see is a child of God.

       c. That is exactly what Jesus did to love us enough to die for us.

 E. When we see a child of God, we ought to see a mirror of ourselves.

     1. All the good we see in our neighbors, we ought to see in ourselves.

     2. All the bad we know about our neighbors, we are capable of being

         ourselves.

     3. In other words, before God, we are no better or worst than our neighbors.

     4. In truth, our neighbors have no race or color, they are just creations of God.

LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS  1 Peter 4:8

V:40. " All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

 A. I am told that there are 613 commands in the Bible. We can't know

      all of them, therefore we can't keep all of them.

    1. The Word says if we are guilty of one, we are guilty of all of the

        commandments.   James 2:10

    2. We can't help ourselves because we born in sin and shaped in iniquity.

    3. The Lord Jesus is our help and our strength.

B. These two great commands that Jesus gave covers all our sins.

    1. Jesus death on the cross paid our sin debt, past, present and future.

    2. Jesus freed us from the penalty of the Law.

    3. It is by God's grace and His mercy that we exist in His presence.   

A LIVING SACRIFICE

Romans 12:1-2

V.12:1-2. " Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.

2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will."

A. When we consider what God has done  to save us from our sins, there ought to be

     some conviction to commit ourselves to His will.   

    1. The Apostle Paul urges us to sacrifice our fleshly desires for God's

        spiritual blessings.

    2. It is true that we are saved, sanctified, justified and sealed to an eternal

        destination of eternal life with Jesus.

    3. There is more to the Christian life than just being saved.

    4. We should be on a continual spiritual growth path.

    5. We can only grow  spiritually if we lay aside self and summit ourselves  to the

        commands of God.

    6. We have been equipped to serve God, but if self gets in the way, we will stay

         inactive and spiritually void.

B. We must transform our thinking to consider the will of God before we

     consider ourselves.

   1. We have to make room for God in our schedules.

   2. We have make ourselves available to God.

   3. We must seek ways to served God.

   4. We must study His Word to know what God wants us to do.

   5. We must make a commitment to serve.  

C. Transforming ourselves is easy to talk about, but difficult to put in

     practice.

   1. It can be done but it takes effort on our part.

   2. Pray without ceasing.  1 Thes 5:17

       a. Prayer is our line of communication with God.

       b. Before you start your day, have a talk with God.

       c. Let God lead  your daily activities.

       d. Make it a habit of lifting up Jesus in all you do.

  3. The ways of the world changes daily.

  4. The Word of God never changes.

  5. Make all your decisions according to the Word of God.

  6. " Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may

       know how to answer everyone. "   Col 4:6

      a. Grace is favor in love. Encourage everyone with your words.

      b. At the same time be truthful.

A DEBT OF LOVE

Romans 13:8-10

V:8. " Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for

        he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. "

 A. The word debt here refers to being controlled by the ways of the world.

     1. The only controlling factor in our lives should be the Word of God.

     2. We are not obligated to do what the world does.

     3. We are to be convicted by the Holy Spirit to follow the commands of God.

 B. The only debt we owe to others is to love them as God commands.

     1. When we love someone, we have their best interest in mind.

     2. Even those who mistreat us are to be loved.

         Matthew 5:44 states, " But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who

         persecute you."

          a. Not an easy or desired thing to do, but it can be done.

          b. Though the power of the Holy Spirit, we know that the blessing of

              God follow our obedience to His commands.

THE GIFT OF LOVE

V:9-10. " The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

A. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.    Rom 3:23

   1. It by God's grace and mercy that our sin debt was paid in full by the death Jesus

       Christ on the cross.

   2. That was a single act of the love of God that set us on a heavenly path.

   3. Our eternal destiny is sealed by the blood of Jesus.

   4. God does not owe us eternal life, but His love for us guarantees it. 

B. How can we deny others the same love that God granted to us freely?

   1. Jesus is our perfect role model for the righteousness of God.

   2. If we love as God has commanded, our neighbor has to be our object.

   3. We can only experience the joy and peace of love by loving our neighbors.

   4. Love is an action word.

   5. We show our love by how we treat others.

   6. Love should be our life style.

   7. It is loved that redeemed us.

       a. We can show that redeeming love to others.

       b. We must consider that we were blessed so we can be a blessing to others.

   8. We are commanded to be in the business of loving others.

        a. Seek the best for others and not harm in any way.

        b. When we seek the best for others, we show God's love.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston, Texas

For a complete list of my lessons visit my blogs

"www.revmmitchell.com" and "goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com"

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "God's Promise, The Reason For My Salvation", 8/21/2016

GOD'S PROMISE, THE REASON FOR MY SALVATION

Romans 11:11-24

REJECTION OF JESUS BY NONE BELIEF

V:11-12. " Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God's offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it."

A. God chose Israel as His people. He promised their redemption to Abraham.

    He confirmed His promise with Isaac and Jacob. God's Word never fails.

    1. So the answer to verse 11 is no.

    2. Israel stumbled because of their disobedience.

    3. They were blinded to the promised Messiah when He presented Himself

        to them.

    4. The Word of God was presented first to the Jews which they rejected

         in favor of their worldly desires.     Acts 13:46,  Rom 1:16

B. Jesus, the promised Messiah became a stumbling block to them.

   1. God allowed them to reject the Messiah so that salvation could be

       presented to the Gentiles.  Acts 13:46

   2. God planned the lifting of Jesus by the Gentile to provoke the Jews to

       jealousy.

   3. Perhaps the plain in sight blessings of the Gentiles will cause the Jews to ask the

       question, "what must I do to be saved" ?

C. The Church started with the Jews and was promoted by a few Jews, who now

     have become a minority in the Church.

    1. God's plan for the redemption of the Jews  through faith in Jesus has not

        changed.

    2. The world will be greatly blessed when the Jews accept Jesus as their Messiah. 

ELECTION BY THE GRACE OF GOD

V:13-15. " I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!"

A. God converted an enemy to the Church to be a great friend of the Church.

    1. Paul's zeal to persecute the Church was changed to a zeal to promote the Gospel

        of Jesus Christ.

    2. Some times God allows our disobedience to work for the good of the Church

        community.

B. God gave Israel His Law with a choice to be obedient or disobedient.

   1. God could have easily converted their hearts to obedience, but allowed

       them to make the choice on their own.

   2. Their choice of disobedience worked for the good of the Gentiles, which is US.

   3. Israel's choice to reject Jesus worked to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham,

       that his seed would be a blessing to many nations.   Gen 17:4

   4. The Jews chose death rather than a life with Jesus.

   5. Their choice does not change the promise that God will fulfill with future generations

       of Jews.

MOMMA'S SALVATION DOES NOT INSURE YOUR SALVATION

V:16-17. " And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.17 But some of these branches from Abraham's tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God's special olive tree."

A. Abraham was considered righteous because he believed God.

     1. His descendants are considered righteous when they believe God.

     2. Not all of Abraham's descendants will believe God.

     3. Those who believe God have a right to the tree of life.

     4. Those who reject God's Word will be broken of from the tree of life.

B. Salvation is a choice that everyone has to make.

    1. The Jewish leaders of Israel rejected Jesus doing His life on earth.

        a. Our Lord and Savior pointed out their problem;  " You have let go of the

            commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

            Mark 7:8

    2. The leaders influenced most of Israel to reject Jesus and demanded

        that He be crucified.  

    3. The tree, Jesus Christ is Holy, but many of the branches were unholy

        and broken off.

 C. The Gospel was preached first to the Jews who rejected it, setting the

      stage for the salvation of the Gentiles.

    1. The Gentiles readily accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the

        Church grew in leaps and bounds.

    2. We were grafted into the Holy Tree by faith in Jesus Christ.

SALVATION BY GRACE, NOT BY WORKS

V:18-20. " But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.19 "Well," you may say, "those branches were broken off to make room for me."20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn't believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen."

A. We, the Gentiles, cannot brag that our salvation is due to our own merit.  Eph 2:8,9

     1. We can brag about God the Father  allowed the circumstances of unbelief

         of the Jews  so that Gospel  was preached to us.

     2. We can boast of the Grace of God for His love that provides our eternal

         life.

B. God's plan of redemption for man included the sins of man that led to the

     crucifixion of Christ which glorified Him.

   1. We must learn to fear God and reverence Him so that generations after us will

        not reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be cut off from salvation. 

   2. We  the Church, are role models for Christ to our children and generations

       after us. 

   3. If we want our children to know God, we must teach them the Word of God.

   4. We have to study the Word and know the Word to teach our children.

   5. It is the parents responsibility to teach their children.

LEARN TO TRUST GOD

V:21-22. " For if God did not spare the original branches, he won't spare you either.22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off."

A. The God we serve is a loving God.

    1. He loves those who follow His commands.

    2. The Lord said; " Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who   

        loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and

        show myself to him."    John 14:21

    3. It is because of God's kindness towards us that He gave us the spirit to love Him.

B. These verses appear to indicate that you can lose your salvation.

    1. But we know that we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of

        redemption.  Eph 4:30

    2. The reality is, that if we don't show evidence that we trust God in all our situations,

         the generations that come after us will not trust God and be cut off from

         the salvation that is free to them.

   3. It is our job to lift up Jesus in all that we do.

      a. Jesus said; " And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

          John 12:32

      b. The Lord will do the drawing if we role model Jesus to others.

   4. I believe our problem is that we get so busy in day to day activities, that we

       forget to lift Jesus.

GOD WILL SAVE ANYONE HE CHOOSES.

V:23-24. " And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong. God's Mercy Is for Everyone ."

A. It is God's plan that all Israel be saved.   Rom 11:26

    1. The true Israelite is the one who believes God.

    2. You are not a true Israelite by birth, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

B. The Israel He is talking about are those who believe in Him.

    1. Many Jewish forefathers have been saved because of their belief in Jesus.

       a. And certainly many Jewish believers today are saved.

    2. The masses of Jews still reject Christ as Lord and Savior.

    3. Perhaps they are still waiting the arrival of the Messiah.

    4. Perhaps they believe that righteousness  of God can be obtained by their

       own good works.

C. God has planned a new generation of Israel that will grow up doing

    Christ millennium reign on earth after His second coming.  Rev. 20:6

    1. God will fulfill His plan for the salvation of Israel.

        Romans 11:26 states, " And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer

        will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob."

    2. This new Israel will grow from a remnant of Jews; " Joel 2:32 states

        " And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall

         be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord

         hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."

THANK GOD FOR CHOOSING US

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston, Texas

For a complete list of my lessons, visit my blog

"goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com"

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Sovereignty Of God" 8/14/2016

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

Romans 9:6-18

STUDY TO KNOW THE WORD FOR YOURSELF

V:6-8. "  But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants."

A. The Word of God can never fail.

    1. God is infallible

    2. He knows the end from the beginning.

    3. He is the same today as He was yesterday.

B. Our problem is interpreting the Word of God correctly.

   1. We must understand that God's plan for man began before the foundation

       of the world.

   2. We must understand that God's election of those He dedicated to Jesus

        was predetermined before the foundation of the world.     Eph 1:4

   3. Everything happens according to God's sovereign will.

C. "They are not all Israel"

    1. Because you are a descendant of Israel does not make you an Israelite.

    2. God chose Abraham to be the father of many nations and he became faithful

        to God's commands.   Gen 17:4.

       a. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac at the command of God

       b. Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God.     Romans 4:3

   3. The true Israelite follows God's commands.

   4. The true Israelites are descendants of Abraham by God election through faith.

GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

V:9-10. " For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON." 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac."

A. God is faithful to keep His promises through all Generations.

    1. God uses time to develop generations of faithful people.

    2. God election continues through time.

B. In Rebekah's womb, God made an election of Jacob over Esau

   1. God's election has nothing to do with us. It is His sovereign will

       for us.

   2. No one can claim justification by their works.   Justification is by the justifier,

       who is Jesus Christ.     Romans 3:26

C. Notice, God divided the seed of Isaac into two nations.

   1. One would be the nation of the promise.

   2. One would be a nation who would oppose the promise.

GOD'S SOVEREIGN ELECTION

 V:11-13 " For though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." 13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."

A. `God has a purpose and a plan for each of us.

     1. God chooses us for specific jobs.

     2. He chooses some for higher positions than others.

     3. He chooses some to lead and some to serve.

     4. Every position is designed to promote God's plan of redemption for mankind.

 B, The Hebrew word for hate is "miseo" which means to love less or to detest.

     1. It seems strange to me that God chooses some to love more than others.

     2. God is sovereign, so I really don't have to understand.

     3. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

     4. It is by His grace and mercy that He chooses to bless who He blesses.

     5. Jacob's name was changed after an encounter with God to Israel.

         a. The name Jacob means supplanter.

         b. The name Israel means soldier , contender with God.    (1900 BC)

         c.  God called out Israel in Exodus 4:22  (1500 BC)

              "Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son."

      6. 400 years before the birth of Jacob God had foretold his position.

         a. We really don't know what God has planned for us until He makes it known to us.

         b. God allows all of our circumstances so that they fit His divine plan.

GOD IS JUST IN ALL HE DOES

V:14-15. " What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION."

A. The Lord we serve cannot be judged by us.

    1. God is the creator and owner of everything.

    2. What He chooses to do with us is His business.

B. What seems unfair to us, could be God plan for us being worked out.

   1. We can observe the present, but we can't always see how events today

        will work out for our good.

   2. All things work together for those who love the Lord and are called

       according to His purposes.

   3. What seems bad to us by our way of thinking, may be working for

       our good.

   4. It's human nature to want to tell God what to do with His mercy and

       His compassion.

   5. If we had it our way, those we don't like would never be blessed.

   6. It could be that God is using those we don't like to be a future

       blessing for us.

GOD'S ELECTION EXCLUDES YOUR INPUT

V:16. " So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy."

A. God wouldn't be God if we were smart enough to tell Him what to do.

    1. God wouldn't be God if we could tell Him what is just and what is unjust.

    2. God wouldn't be God if we could tell Him what is right and what is wrong.

B. Man has nothing to offer God that he didn't received from God.

    1. Man has no knowledge that he didn't gain from God.

    2. Man has no strength that he didn't get from God.

    3. Man has no worth that God didn't allocate to him.

GOD USES EVIL TO BRING HIM GLORY

V:17. " For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH."

A. God has a purpose for everything to does and everything He allows.

    1. The Egyptians became the caretakers for Israel until God decided to

         fulfill His promise to Abraham.

    2. God told Abraham 400 years before there was a nation, that Israel would

        grow up in slavery.   Gen 15:13

B. The delivery of the Israelites from Egypt served to show the world God's

      power and authority over nations, Kings and the environment.

   1. Israel was delivered from Egyptian army with out one gun being fired or

       one battle being fought.

   2. God used the forces of nature in the form of plagues to force Pharaoh

       to release Israel from captivity.

   3. God was gloried in the exodus of Israel from Egypt.

   4. God used the forces of nature to destroy the Egyptian army.

   5. God cleared a path through the Red Sea to allow Israel to escape.

   6. God used the same path to destroy the Egyptian army.

GOD'S SELECTIVE MERCY

 V:18. " So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. "

 A. God harden the heart of Pharaoh so that he would not let Israel go until

      the tenth plague when He killed all the first born males of Egypt.

    1. God controls the minds and actions of evil people to work for the good of his

        chosen people.

    2. Just as God harden the heart of Pharaoh, He could have soften his heart.

B. God uses the harshness of life to grow His people into maturity.

    1. God uses the harshness of life to give us a testimony of His goodness.

        His power, His authority and His glory.

    2. God uses the harshness of life to control us until He is ready to reveal

        His glory to us.

    3. All while we are going through tough times, God grace and mercy covers us.

    4. God protects us through the tough  times.

THANK GOD THAT HE CHOSE TO USE US

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston, Texas

For a complete list of my lessons visit my blog

"goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com"

    

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Nothing Can Seprate Us From The LOve Of God" 8/6/2016

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD

Romans 8:28-39

GOD WORKS FOR YOUR 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."

A.  Your life is controlled by God's sovereign plan.

     1. You have been called by God.

     2. Your life has a purpose.

     3. God works in your life.

     4. All God's work is for your good.

     5. All the circumstances of your life are under God's control.

     6. What we consider good can work in our favor according to God's will.

     7. What we consider bad can work in our favor according to God's will.

 B. Our love for God causes Him to work all things in our favor.

     1. God is love.

     2. What God does for us is out of His love.

     3.  We have to seek God to discover His purpose for our lives.

     4. Our purpose must give God glory.

     5. If what your are doing does not give God glory, it is not your purpose.

CHOSEN BY GOD FOR HEAVEN

V: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."

A. God "foreknew", He knew in advance what would happen.

     1. God knows the end from the beginning.

     2. All the events of your life are in God's plan.

B. God "predestined".

    1. God predetermined all the events of your life.  Jer 29:11

    2. God decided that He wanted you to look like, act like, talk like and

         think like His Son.

C. God planned the death and resurrection  of His Son.

    1. God planned our redemption in His Son.

    2. God planned our relationship with him through His son.

D. God's Sovereign will is that we are brothers and sisters of Jesus.

THE PROCESS OF REDEMPTION

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

A. God has two classes of people.

     1. Those He predestined.

     2. There are those God did not predestine.

     3. It is by His Grace that we were predestined.

B. The order of our lives is given in this verse

    1. He predetermine before we were born that we would be part of the body of Christ.

    2. At the right time, after we were born, God called us out of the world.

        a. He drew us to Himself.

        b. He gave us a measure of faith to accept His Son as our Savior.

   3. Once called out of the world, God justified us.

       a. He rendered us innocence of all our sins through the blood of His Son.

     b. The blood of Jesus is the payment that satisfies God's demand for justice

          for  our sins.

  4. Once justified, God glorified us.

      a. The word "glorified" is the Greek word "doxazo" which means honor, or

          esteem.

      b. It is an honor to be called a child of God.

      c. We did nothing to deserve this honor.

      d. This honor is God's sovereign will for us.

      e. Our glory begins in heaven around the throne of God.

      f. At death, we will enter into eternal life with our Lord and Savior

         Jesus Christ.

MORE THAN THE WHOLE WORLD AGAINST US

V:31. " What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against

  us?"

 A. God is our protector.

     1. It does not make any difference what people try to do to us. God

         is in control of our lives.

     2. God is in control of all our circumstances.

 B. God has planned our circumstances according to His good Will.

     1. Being a Christian does not eliminate trials and tribulations from

         your life.

     2. Being a Christian guarantees  trials and tribulations.

     3. We are the target of Satan's devices.

     4. When we face trials and tribulations, God stands with us and will

          see us through them.

     5. God will use our trials to strengthen us.

     6. God uses our trials to grow our faith in Him.

    

GOD'S LOVE MANIFESTED IN HIS SON

V: 32. " He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

A. The God we serve loves us so much that He sent His Son who knew no sin to die

      for our sins.

    1. God has a vested interest in us.

    2. God has given us victory over Satan and his devices.

B. How we handle our trials is a testimony to our faith in Jesus.

   1. He promised never to leave us or forsake us.

   2. This means trouble is on the way, but Jesus has it covered.

  

JUSTIFIED BY GOD

V:33-34. " Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

A. Those who God has rendered innocence, can not be condemned by the anyone.

     1. The Justified are not under the Law. We are under grace.

     2. The Jews who live by the Law are those who condemned Christ and everyone

          who believes in Him.

     3. Christ the Law giver, fulfilled all the requirements of the Law with His death

        on the Cross.

B. Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for all those

     He called out of world.

     1. The saved are not under the condemnation of anyone.

     2. We must be careful that we don't condemn another brother or sister in Christ

          according to our way of thinking.

     3. We must be careful not to form negative opinions of another brother of sister

         because we don't agree with them.

GOD'S LOVE IS PERMENANT

V:35. " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"

A. Christian faith grows with the trials and the tribulation we face.

     1. There are seven areas listed that affects our minds, hearts, emotions,

          and bodies.

     2. Trouble comes in all shapes and forms.

     3. Sometimes trouble comes from unexpected places.

     4. You expect trouble outside  the Church, but you don't expect it to begin

          inside the Church.

     5. The Apostle Paul was dealing with issues in the religious community from people

         who didn't understand the Word of God.

B. God is aware of what we  are going through and has given us the power of

     His word and the Holy Spirit to deal with all issues.

    1. No problem that we face shall shake our confidence that God loves us.

    2. The issues  we face should  not cause us to doubt the love of Christ.

    3. We should see our trials and tribulations as God's way of improving some

         area in our lives.

        a. James 1:2 say count it all joy.

        b. James 1:3-5 gives the spiritual benefits of our trials. 

      

  

OUR TROUBLE IS CONTROLLED BY GOD

 V:36-37. " As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

A. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but love, power and sound mind.

    1. Some people take our humbleness as weakness.

    2. Some see our faith in Jesus as foolishness.

    3. It is our faith in Jesus that makes us stronger and wiser than the world.

B. We can expect trouble. But we can expect God to see us through our troubles.

    1. The victory over the sinful world has already been won.

    2. It takes faith to love our enemies and to do good to those who use us.

    3. It takes faith to suffer the consequences of proclaiming Jesus Christ.

    4. It takes  faith to believe that there is a reward for serving God, both

        here on earth and in heaven.

    5. Love is the key to peace with God and peace with man.

HEAVEN BOUND

 V:38-39. " For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,   

   neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor

   anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in

   Christ Jesus our Lord. "

A. There are things beyond us that we have no control over.

     1. Life and death are in the hands of God.

     2. Angels and demon are spiritual beings that we can't see but know through God's

         Word exist out side of our minds and bodies.

B. Everything that exists is in the hands of God and under His control.

     1. Since we abide in Christ and His Word abides in us, we are more

         than the whole world against us.

     2. Just as Jesus is one with the Father, we are one with Jesus.

     3. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

     4. Jesus said that those who the Father gave him cannot be lost from Him. 

         John 6:37

     5. Before the foundation of the earth, we were predetermined to be in Jesus.

     6. We should rest all our hope in Jesus.

THANK GOD FOR ELECTING US

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston, Texas

For a complete list of my lessons visit my blog

"goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com"