This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Jesus The Good Shepherd", 4/30/2017

JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

John 10:1-15

ONE WAY IN

V:1-3. "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."

A. These verses describe  a gated enclosure where a flocks of sheep are kept

     for safety.

   1. The gate keeper, doorman or watchman keeps watch over the sheep

       in the absent of the shepherd.

   2. The doorman knows the shepherd.

   3. The sheep know the voice of their shepherd.

   4. The sheep will only respond to the voice of their shepherd.

B. The shepherd spends time with his sheep to get an intimate knowledge of them.

     1. The shepherd know the needs, wants and the problems of his sheep.

     2. The shepherd cares for his sheep.

     3. Because of the shepherd's constant attention to the sheep, they know his voice.

     4. According to Barnes Notes, it is common for the shepherd to name his sheep.

        a. The sheep will respond to the name when they hear the shepherds voice.

C. The pastors of the local Churches are the watchman of God's sheep.

     1. It is the job of the pastor to teach and preach the Word of God to the congregation

         so that they will have a working knowledge of the Word.

     2. The congregation should be able to distinguish between the Word of God

          and false doctrine.

 D. The Word of God is the door to the hearts of the congregation.

     1. The shepherd or pastors should be guided by the Holy Spirit.

     2. The shepherd should lead his congregation to a closer walk with Jesus.

     3. The shepherd should lead by example.  

JESUS TAKES THE LEAD

V: 4-5. " When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

A. When the local Church is well schooled in the Word of God, they will know the

     the voice of a stranger because he preaches a different doctrine.

    1. A well educated congregation will not follow a stranger.

    2. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

    3. A well educated congregation will recognize and not listen to Satan.

B. The Word says be careful how you entertain strangers because you might be

     entertaining an angel.

    1. There are God's angels and Satan's demons who show up to be entertained.

    2. We must be on our guard so we will know the difference.

    3. Empowered with the Word of truth, believers can rebuke Satan.   

JESUS GIVES US AN UNDERSTANDING OF HIMSELF

V:6-8. : Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. "

A. When you don't understand the Word, you should stop and ask questions.

    1. A God shepherd checks to see if his teaching is understood by the hearers.

    2. Jesus began with a parable which His disciples did not understand.

    3. He explained the concept of a good shepherd in another way.

B. The gate keeper to salvation is Jesus.

    1. The truth is Jesus.

    2. The light of the world is Jesus.

 C. Sheep know the voice of the shepherd because they have been nurtured by Him.

    1. Robbers and thieves were the false teachers of the day.

    2. The Jewish leaders; the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Scribes were false

        teachers.

        a. They did not care about the spiritual welfare of the Jewish people.

        b. They used their position for personal gain. 

   3. There were some Jews who knew the Word of God and did not listen  to

       the false teachers.

   4. We have a choice. Study the Word of God for our spiritual growth or

        remain ignorant and subject to the influence of false teachers.

       a. Study the Word so that you may rightly divide the Word of truth.

       b. Study the Word so you will be able to recognize  false teaching.

JESUS, THE GATE TO SALVATION

V:9-10. " I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

A. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

    1. No one can come to the Father but through Him.

    2. No one can come to Jesus unless he is drawn by the Father.

B. Satan is a master at perverting the Word to deceive believers.

   1. Satan mixes a little lie into the Word which make his statements a lie.

   2. That was the problem with Eve in the garden of Eden.

       a. She repeated the Word to Satan, but he convinced her that her interpretation

           was wrong.

       b. Satan call God a liar but Eve couldn't see the lie.

       c. We must know difference between the Word of God someone's opinion.

   3. The Word of God never changes.

   4. The Word never contradicts itself.

   5. Every verse in the Bible gives clarity to every other verse.

   6. Satan is a master at getting you to focus on your problems rather than Jesus, the

            problem solver.

        a. Satan is a master in getting you to concentrate on his thoughts rather than

            the Word.

        b. Jesus gave us the example in the wilderness; repeat the Word of God in the

            mist of false teaching.

        c. Consider how silly it is: The devil trying to teach Jesus, the author of the Word.

  

THE SACRIFICE OF THE SHEPHERD

V:11-13. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep."

A. Jesus is the good shepherd.

    1. He is good because He is the source of all righteousness.

    2. He is good because He is the source of life.

    3. He is good because He loves His sheep.

    4. He is good because He protects His sheep.

    5. He is good because He provides for His sheep.

    6. He is good because He leads His sheep in the right direction.

    7. He is good because He sacrificed His life for His sheep.

B. You can tell the difference between someone who is for themselves and someone

     who is for God.

    1. The hired help will not risk his life for the sheep.

    2. The owner will protect his sheep with his life.

    3. Jesus the good shepherd, never abandons us.

    4. In times of trouble the selfish person will abandon the Word and you.

    5. In times of trouble Jesus is a shield for all believers.

QUALITIES OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 V:14-15.  "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep

A. He knows His sheep.

    2. He knows what's in our hearts.

    3. He knows our spiritual needs.

    4. He knows all our weaknesses.

    5. He knows His plan for our lives.

    6. He knows when we are going astray and how to put us back on course.

    7. He knows our sins and our need for forgiveness.

    8. He knows our fears and He comfort us.

    9. He knows our troubles and provides the solution.

  B. The sheep of the shepherd knows Him.

   1. He predestined us to be in Him before the foundation of the world.

       Eph 1:4

   2. He called us out of the world.   Rom 8:30

   3. He drew us to Himself. John 6:37-44

   4. He gave us a measure of faith so that we could accept Him as our savior.

       Rom 12:3

   5. He gave us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so that we could understand

       His Word.   John 14:17

   6. He rearranged our thinking so that we would have a thirst for His Word.

       Matt 5:6

   7. He allows circumstances in our lives so that we are drawn into dependence

       on Him. James 1:2-6

    8. He gave us preachers and teachers to proclaim His goodness.   Eph 4:11

    9. He uses the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us in remembrance of

        His Word.  John 14:26

    10. He sealed us by the power of the Holy Spirit so that our focus would

          stay on Him.   Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30

C. The shepherd is known by the God the Father.

    1. God the Father so loved the world that He gave His only begotten

        Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have

        eternal life.  John 3:16

    2. The Father and the Son are one.

D. The shepherd knows the Father.

    1. The Shepherd did not speak on His own, but what the Father

        told Him.   John 8:26-28

    2. The shepherd reverenced the Father.

    3. Even though He is equal to the Father, He thought it not robbery to

       submit to the will of the Father. Phil 2:6-8

 E. The shepherd sacrificed His life for the sins of His sheep.

    1. You and I have eternal life because of the work the shepherd

        completed on the cross.  2 Cor 5:19

    2. The shepherds death on the cross was by His own intentions.  John 10:18

    3. After bearing the sins of the world on the cross, His last dying words

        was, "It is Finished".   John 19:30

THANK YOU JESUS FOR BEING THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Rev M Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons follow me on facebook and visit my blogs

goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com and www.revmmitchell.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, The Love Of God", 4/23/2017

THE LOVE OF GOD

Romans 5:6-11, 8:31-39

ORIGINAL STATE OF HELPLESSNESS

V:6-8. " For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. "

A. Our birth in the flesh was in weakness.

     1. As new babies we were totally dependant on our parents.

     2. As babes, having considered no sin,  we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity.

     3. All flesh is born in sin because of Adam's sin in the garden.

B. We were also born in spiritual weakness, incapable if resisting sin.

     1. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, then all of

         us were born in a condemned state.  

    2. God in His omniscience, knew our condemned state and provided us a

        redeemer in His Son Jesus Christ.

C. God on Mount Sinai, gave Moses His commands so that we might know Him

      and His righteousness.

    1. The Word of God makes us aware of our sinful state and condemned

        destination of Hell.

    2. Because of God's great love for us, He sent His Son down from heaven to

        die for our sins.

D. The text says at the right time Christ died for us.

     1. At the right time when we knew our sins, Christ died.

     2. At the right time when we knew our state of condemnation, Christ died.

     3. At the right time when we knew we needed a redeemer, Christ died.

     4. At the right time in God's divine plan of redemption, Christ died.

     5. God gave Us His Word, judges, prophets and apostles to teach His

         Word to us.

     6. At the right time God brought us to our knees and made us call on Him.

     7. At the right time when we knew our helplessness and our need for Him,

         Christ became real to us.

E. The evidence of God's love for us is the cross.

    1. How did you and I get to the cross?

    2. Jesus said, we did not choose Him, He chose us.

    3. God's choice of us was before the foundation of the world.    Eph 1:4

ENEMIES MADE FRIENDS

V:9-10. " Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. "

A. We have three Biblical terms that  are key to understanding redemption.

     1. Reconcile is a mutual change,  from hostility to holiness.

     2. Atonement is the exchange of Jesus sinless nature for our sinfulness.

     3. Justification is our delivery from eternal damnation.

B. God has a process for His of plan for our redemption.

    1. Romans 8:30 states, " And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he

        also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. "

    2. God selected His Son to be our redemption. Gen 3:15

    3. God called us out of the world.

    4. He commanded His son, who knew no sin to die  for our sins; that is atonement.

    5. We are justified by our faith in the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.

        (freed from the penalty of sin)

    6. The Lord reconciled us to Himself. We were change from a state of hostility to

         a state of holiness in Christ Jesus.

        a. Any man in Christ is a new creation.

        b. Any new creation is under Jesus care.

    7. Jesus gave us a measure of faith that enabled us to accept Him as our salvation.

        Rom 12:3

       a. No one can come to Jesus unless He drawn by the Father.   John 6:65

       b. We came to Jesus not on our own, but by divine intervention.

       c. Those who come to Christ have thirst for Him given by Him.  John 6:37-38

   .

JESUS JOY GIVEN BY HIM

V:11. " And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus

 Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. "

A. Jesus said, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself.

    1. Once in Christ we are given a conscience to have joy in Him.

    2. In John 15:11 Christ states, " I have told you this so that my joy may be in               

        you and that your joy may be complete. "

B. If we keep our focus on the cross, any sadness we have should evaporate.

    1. Happiness is conditional on the way we feel.

    2. But joy is eternal based on our knowledge of the goodness of God.

 MORE THAN THE WORLD AGAINST US

Romans 8:31-39

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

A. One of the comforts that every believer has is God on their side.

    1. The "if" means that we have to be doing what God approves.

    2. The "if" means that our objective is to glorify God.

B. God is more than the whole world against us.

   1. God will complete the good work He began in.  Phil 1:6,

   2. God has an interest in those He loves.  2 Cor 9:8

IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS

V: 32-33. : 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? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. "

A. For our good, God is willing to do everything that is good for us that He

     may get the glory.    John 15:8

    1. Since Jesus and the Father are one, for our good, God sacrifice Himself for

       our salvation.   John 10:30

    2. For those God has predestined, there is nothing that will prevent  them from

       being saved.

    3. Jesus said , those that Father has given me, I lose none.   John 6:30

B. God has a vested interest in all believer because we were created for good

      works.  Eph 2:10

    1. No one is able to speak a word against our salvation, that Father will

       listen to.  Psalms 103:11-12

   2. The blood of Jesus has atoned for our sins past, present and future.                     

       Psalms 103:11-12

JUSTIFICATION BY THE MAN AT THE TOP

V:34-35. " 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. 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. Our Faith in Jesus was sealed from the moment we confessed Him as Lord

     and savior.    Eph 4:30

    1. The redeemed of the Lord are not perfect and will sin from time to time.

    2. We have the mercy of God that forgives our sins and the grace of God

         continues to show us favor.

    3. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.

        a. It is the will of the Father that none of His elect be lost.   John 6:30

B. There is only one judge who condemns and He is Jesus.   Acts 10:42

   1. We are not promised a life without trials.

   2. We are promised that our circumstance will not separate us from love

        of the Father.

   3. James 1:2-3 states: "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."

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

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

A. These verses are the Apostle Paul's testimony to his love for Jesus and His Church.

    1. He was able to find strength in his persecutions.

    2. Even though, Paul was continuously persecuted by the Jews, His  love

        for Jesus prompted him to encourage us doing times of trouble.

B. Trouble in the life of a believer is not a sign of defeat.

     1. Trouble in the time of a believer is God's time to be glorified through us

         John 11:4

     2. According to verse 37, we gain supernatural strength in our trouble if we

         endure the time.

     3. According to the verse, it is not our strength, but the strength of Jesus imparted

         in us.

C. We are more than conquerors because we have victory in this life and

     the eternal life to come.

INSEPARATABLE FROM THE LOVE OF GOD

 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, 39 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. Having been adopted in Christ by our faith in the blood of Jesus we belong

     to Him.

   1. We have been sealed with the Spirit of God until the day of redemption.

   2. Like Paul, we have to be certain in our minds, that nothing separates us from the

       love of..

   3. We were created new in Jesus because of God's love for us.

B. Notice in these verses Satan mission to separate us from Christ.

   1. Our physical death is not the end of God's love for us.

   2. Trouble in this life is no indication of God's abandonment of us.

   3. Trouble caused by Satan and his demons are not an indication of

       God's lack of love for us.

   4. The trouble that man may causes in your life is not an indication

       of a lack of love of God.

   5. Nothing in creation can separate us from the love of God.

C. The truth is, we are bound to heaven by the love of God and neither

      we or anyone else can change that.

THANK GOD FOR HIS GREAT LOVE

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway

Houston Texas, 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and vist my blogs

www.revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Thank God For The Empty Tomb", 4/17/2017

THANK GOD FOR THE EMPTY TOMB

John 20:1-10, 1 Peter 1:3-5,8-9

GRIEF AND CONFUSION RESULTING FROM LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

V:1. "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. "

A. Sometimes our worries are unnecessary if we would pay attention to the Word.

    1. The Word prepares us for practical situations.

    2. In Matthew chapter 26:16, Jesus told His disciples that He was going to die

        in Jerusalem.

    3. In Matthew 17:21-23, Jesus told His disciples that He would be killed, but be

        raised on the third day.

B. The disciples heard the Word, but refused to believe what they heard.  Matt 16:22.

    1. They spent a whole weekend in fear and grief because they didn't take the Word

         seriously.

    2. They were blinded by their own view of Jesus so they could not see the

         mission of Jesus.

    3. They saw the horror of Jesus death on the cross but not the glory surrounding it.

C. Dedicated disciples are prepared to worship the Lord in good times and in bad times.

    1. Mary Magdalene and several other women prepared to worship the Lord by

        anointing Him with spices for His burial.

    2. The women got up early Sunday morning before daylight and went to the tomb.

    3. This is an example of putting God first at the start of our day.

    4. This is  an example of preparing to serve the Lord while the world entertains

         themselves.

    5. We should come to church to worship and not to be entertained.

D. When you are prepared to serve and worship the Lord, you can expect God to

      bless you in unexpected ways.

    1. They came knowing the tomb was sealed, but found it open.

    2. They came expecting to find a dead Jesus but found no body.

    3. They came expecting to unwrap a body, anoint it and rewrap it, but found

         no need.

    4. They came looking for Jesus dead in the tomb, but found Him alive outside the

         tomb.

RUN TO TELL OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS

V:2. " So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."

A. Still confused by the evidence of an empty tomb, the women did not consider the

     the Words of Jesus that supported the evidence.

   1. When you are confused, you will spread your confusion to others you come in

        contact with.

   2. The women took their confusion to Peter and John.

B. We had the compassion of the women to go to the tomb, which prompted the men

      to follow.

    1. God puts men and women together because they compliment each others

        weaknesses  and strengths.

    2. The knowledge of one Christian can call to action the abilities  of another.

    3. Based on the report from the women, the men laid aside their fears and

        grief to go to the tomb and see for themselves.

OUT RUNNING OTHERS WITH OUR FAITH IN JESUS

V:3-5. " So Peter and the other disciple went forth, and they were going to the tomb.

4 The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first;

5 and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. "

A. Once the men got moving, their competitive spirit kicked in them.

     1. John outran Peter to the tomb.

     2. They both wanted to see the evidence for themselves. Why didn't

          they run together?

         a. Everybody runs the Christian race at their on pace.

         b. It does not matter how fast you run, just complete the race.

     3. When we serve Jesus it is important that we hurry on to the task.

 B. John arrived at the tomb first, and viewed the evidence of an empty tomb

      from outside the tomb.

     1. John observed the linen wrapping lying in place.

     2. Where one stops, another may continue.

LET YOUR LOVE FOR JESUS DRIVE YOU CLOSER TO HIM

V:6-8. " And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw the linen wrappings lying there,

7 and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself.

8 So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed."

A. Once Peter arrived at the tomb, he went in and observed the linen wrapping in one

     place and the face cloth that covered Jesus head, folded, but in another place.

   1. The boldness of Peter to go into the tomb, prompted John to follow.

   2. Two people can observe more than one.

   3. Two people can confirm each others conclusions.

B. Two can compare  what they witness with what they heard.

    1. They had a credible story to tell the other nine disciples.

    2.  The trip to the tomb may have reduced their fears and  brought

         them closer together.

    3. The trip to the tomb may have given them a better respect for the

         testimony of the women.

   4. Some times God will use our uncertainties to draw us closer together. 

C. What did John believe after seeing the empty tomb?

    1. Did John believe that body had been moved?

    2. Did He believe the story of the women?

    3. Did John believe that Jesus had come alive again?

    4. Did John believe a miracle had taken place?

    5. Sometimes we believe what we see, but may not understand the

         significance of what we see.

CONTINUE STUDYING THE WORD.

V:9-10. " For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.  So the disciples went away again to their own homes. "

A. Having witness the evidence of the empty tomb, Peter and John did not

     connect that with the Words of Jesus.

   1. Sometimes God leaves us in a state of confusion to draw us into a deeper

       study of the Word.

   2. Peter and John had the evidence of an empty tomb, yet they still did not

       know that it was the fulfillment of Jesus promise to them.

B. The Word of God is always the cause of our personal meditation.

   1. It is up to each believer to take time to read the Word and to spend time

       meditating on what was read.

   2. Reading does not always give an understanding of the Word.

   3. Observation is the first part of meditation.

       a. The stone covering the tomb was rolled away.

       b. The body of Jesus was not in the tomb.

       c. The linen that was used to wrap the body was lying in place.

       d. The napkin that covered the face of Jesus was folded up in another

           place in the tomb.

   4. Investigation is the second part of our meditation.

      a. Who moved the stone?

      b. What happen to the body?

      c. Where were the Roman guards that were assigned to guard the tomb?

      d. If someone stole the body of Jesus, why would they take time to

          remove the linen wrapping and then place the face cloth neatly in a

          another place in the tomb?

      e. What would be the purpose of removing a body from a tomb?

  5. Application is the third part of our meditation on the Word.

     a. How does the events of this chapter in the Bible agree with the rest of

         the Bible?

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

         and are call according to His purposes.

     c. How does the empty tomb work for our good?

     d. Was the empty tomb the purpose of God?

     e. It is very important that we apply all of the Word of God to our

         lives.

     f. We should leave no question unanswered if we want the best understanding

         of the Word.

THE MERCY OF GOD

1 Peter 1:3-5

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

A. This is the answer to the empty tomb.

     1. Jesus said, If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.

     2. Jesus was lifted up on the cross by evil men to die for sins of all men.

B. Jesus death on the  cross is the atonement or payment for our sins, past,                                

     present and  future.

   1. Jesus resurrection from the dead is the victory over Satan that God

       promised in the Garden of Eden.

   2. Faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus is the way God provided for

       eternal life for all believers.

   3. The Purpose of the empty tomb is the evidence of God's mercy for us.

C. Through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus each believer

      is born again into the living hope.

   1. We ought to be grateful for the death and resurrection of Jesus.

   2. We should live like heaven is our home.

   3. This journey through life is preparing us for our final eternal

        destination with Christ in Heaven. 

THE GRACE OF GOD

1 Peter 1:8-9

8 And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

A. Faith comes by hearing and not by sight.

    1. We have never seen Jesus, but we have the testimony of the Word.

    2. We have never seen Jesus, but we have the testimony of Apostles who

         were eye witnesses to Jesus life, death and resurrection.

    3. We have not seen Jesus but we have the testimony of the Holy Spirit

         that indwells us.

   4. We have not seen Jesus, but we have our own testimony of what He has

       done in our lives.

B. We believe in Jesus because He has drawn us into an intimate knowledge

     of Himself.

  1. We believe in Jesus because we know the change in ourselves since

       we came to know Him.

  2. We believe in Jesus because we see the truth of His Word in nature

       and in ourselves.

  3. We believe in Jesus because  He sacrificed His life that we might have

       eternal life.

 

THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR LOVE

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons follow me on face book and

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

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Love Of God Sealed By The Blood" 4/9/2017

THE LOVE OF GOD SEALED WITH BLOOD

John 3:1-16

MESSED UP; KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT WISDOM

V:1-2. ' Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

A. Even in the worst crowd there may be some good people.

   1. Nicodemus was a member of the ruling Jews who hated Jesus.

   2. He was rich in money and knowledge of the law, but poor when it came

       to the righteousness of God.

   3.  He had observed the miracles of Jesus and concluded that God was

        working  through Him.

   4. Nicodemus had heard the teachings of Jesus and concluded that He was

       teaching God's Word.

B. The Word of God drew Nicodemus to Jesus.

    1.  Nicodemus was either  afraid or  ashamed to be seen with Jesus, because he

         approached Him at night.    (His name means conqueror of the people)

    2. Unlike the other 69 members of the Sanhedrin council, Nicodemus came to Jesus to

        discuss the Word of God.

    3. He gave up his position of righteous influence by approaching Jesus in secret.

    4. Apparently Nicodemus was going along to get along.

    5. There is power in the Word of God that will separate you from the crowd.

DIE ONCE, TO BE BORN AGAIN

 V:3-4. " Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"

A. God will give you the opportunity to preach Jesus to your enemies.

    1. Jesus used His encounter with Nicodemus to teach the salvation of God.

    2. Jesus knows what we need when we need it.

    3. Any study of the Word will expose our ignorance of the Word.

    4. Perhaps Nicodemus thought that his knowledge of the Law, his position in the

        Sanhedrin and his Jewish heritage,  had secured him a place in heaven.

B. Jesus preached the basic condition for salvation.

    1. One must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.

    2. By human thinking, rebirth is impossible and cause for further discussion.

    3. According to Jewish thinking, a relationship with God was secured by

        keeping the Law and a Jewish heritage.

    4. Nicodemus responded in the flesh to a spiritual doctrine.

    5. Nicodemus knowledge of the Law was void of any spiritual enlightenment.

    6. The good thing was Nicodemus came to the Word to get an understanding

         of the Word.

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

V: 5-6. " Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

A. Basic Christian doctrine is  an outward confession (water) and inward change (spirit).

    1. Baptism by the Holy Spirit is through faith in the death and resurrection of

        Jesus Christ.

    2. The rebirth takes place at the moment of confession and belief.

B. Jesus was alive at the point of His discussion with Nicodemus.

    1. Therefore, Nicodemus redemption would be based on  faith in the Word of Jesus.

    2. Since Jesus was the Word in the flesh in presence of Nicodemus, his

        redemption would have been based on accepting Jesus as the truth.

C. Christians are born twice and die once.

      1. We are born in the flesh and die in the flesh when we accept Jesus as our

          personal savior.

      2. We are born in the Spirit with our confession of faith in Jesus.

      3. Jesus is our living water empowered by the Holy Spirit.

BORN AGAIN; A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

V: 7-8 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

A. Nicodemus was confused by Jesus statement.

    1. We cannot understand the Word of God without the Holy Spirit enlightenment.

    2. The Word of God is foolish to the world.

B.  There are some things we cannot proved with human reasoning.

    1. The Word of God has to be accepted by faith.

    2. We can measure the force of the wind and we can determine it's direction.

    3. We cannot see the wind, but we know it exist.

    4. We cannot see the Holy Spirit.

    5. We know the Spirit exist because it give us an understanding of the Word of God.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT HOW, JUST ACCEPT BY FAITH

V:9-10. " Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?"

A. Nicodemus was full of knowledge, but he lack Godly wisdom.

    1. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, wisdom and instruction.

         Prob 2:7

    2. Nicodemus had been trained in the Law as a tool for crowd control and

        personal gain rather than the promotion  of  the righteousness of God and love.

        Matt 23:2-12

    3. In fact, the ruling Jews developed their own traditions which they used to over rule

        the authority of the Word of God.  Mark 7:9

 B. Jesus question to Nicodemus was an indictment of his  selfish ambition and desire

       for prestige and power.   Matt 23:13-15

    1. Nicodemus like the rest of the ruling Jews were blinded to the Word of God

        by there own self righteousness and sins against God's people.   Matt 23:16

    2. It is the power of the Word of God that convicts our hearts of our sins.

    3. We ought not study God's Word and remain in a condition of sin.

THE TESTIMONY OF GOD'S WORD

 V:11-12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"

A. The testimony of truth of God's Word is all around us.

    1. Look to the sky and see the proof of God's Word.

    2. He created the sun to be light of the day and the moon and the stars to be light of the

        night. Genesis Chapter 1.

    3. Man in his finite wisdom has concluded that the universe evolved from a huge

        explosion rather than an orderly creation by the almighty God.

    4. In fact we don't have to look any further than our own bodies to see  a

        testimony of God's creative power.

B. If we cannot believe the glory of God in what we see on earth, how can we

     believe in God's glory in heaven.

    1. If you cannot believe you were made in God's image and likeness, you will

        not believe that you are predestined to be in Heaven with Jesus.

    2. While Nicodemus came to Jesus blinded, it is believed that he began

         to see the Light in Jesus and became a disciple.  John 7:50-51, 19:39

       

THE DIETY OF JESUS

 V:13 "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of  

     Man. "

 A. This is the doctrine of the deity  of Jesus.

     1. He voluntarily left His throne in Heaven to take on human flesh to be known to

         us as the Son of Man.

     2. Once His work was completed on earth, He returned to the Father and is seated

         at His right hand.

 B. Jesus had two natures, He was the Son of Man and at the same time the Son of God.

     1. Jesus accomplished what no other human could do.

     2. He came from Heaven, voluntarily gave up His life and returned to heaven.

IF I BE LIFED UP

V:14-15 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life."

A. This is the doctrine of our salvation.

    1. Jesus said if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.

    2. Jesus used the example of Moses in the desert to show how faith in Him

        produces eternal life.

       a. The Israelites had been bitten by poisonous snake and were condemned to death.

       b. But faith in the bronze serpent lifted up before them saved their lives. Num 21:4-9

  B. Jesus pointed to His death on the cross as the atonement of sins for all men.

      1. We exist in the wilderness of sin doomed to the eternal Hell.

      2. But by the Grace of God, His Son was sent to be the salvation of man.

      3. The doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus is presented.

THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

V: 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

A. God defines His love for us as the sacrifice of His Son for our eternal life.

    1. The first human institution created by God is family.

    2. God loves family.

    3. In His creative process, God created an environment suitable for life

        before He created Adam and Eve.

    4. The finishing touch of His creation was marriage.

    5. God defined eternal life as a marriage between the Church and His Son.

B. John 3:16 is a family verse.

    1. God does not discriminate between gender, race or nationality in the make up

        of His family.

    2. The "whoever" includes members of the entire population of the world.

    3. The "whoever" includes all those He predestined to be in Christ before

         the foundation of the world.   Eph 1:4

C. God created family to be in His likeness and in His image.  Gen 1:27

    1. When Adam sinned against God in the Garden of Eden, the                        

         relationship with the Father was broken.     Gen 3:6

     2. From that point on, man was born in a condemned state.

     3. God promised His Son as the redeemer of man from

         his condemned state.   Gen 3:15

     4. Verse 16 is the fulfillment of that promise. 

D. Salvation is by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

    1. Salvation is not by works because someone would boast.   Eph 2:8-9

    2. Salvation is a free gift from the almighty awesome God.   Eph 2:8

    3. Jesus fixed man's broken relationship with the Father with His

        death on the cross.

    4. Jesus paid our sin debt in full with His blood shed on the cross.

THANK YOU JESUS FOR LOVING ME

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lesson follow me on facebook and my blogs www.revmmitchell.com

and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com