This Week's Sunday School Lesson. "Taking Ownership Of Your Sins", 10/29/2017

TAKING OWNERSHIP OF YOUR SINS

Nehemiah 9:32-38, 10:28-29

INTRODUCTION

The Israelites at the time of this message from God were back in the promise

land after 70 years of captivity. God used the kings of the same nation who

destroyed Jerusalem and their beloved temple to release them from

captivity.

Some of the Israelites refused to return to Jerusalem preferring to retain the

life that they enjoyed doing captivity. Those who refused to return, abandon

their city and the salvation God provided for them.

Most of the Jews who returned, went back to their attitude of taking God 

for granted with ritual service and an unchanged heart. The returning Jews

were directed by God to rebuild the temple and walls around Jerusalem.

Instead they made their priority rebuilding their homes and returning to their

pagan lifestyles.

It was the prophet Haggai that God used to remind Israel that failure to rebuild

the temple was the reason for the failure of their crops and their dissatisfied life

(Haggai 1:4-11). 

It was Nehemiah, a Jew serving under  King Artaxerxes of Persia who

God commission to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem and to restore the

temple worship. God used the Persian King as His agent to release

Nehemiah to the job of restoring worship of Him in Israel.  

OWNING UP TO YOUR SINS

 V:32. "Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes — the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, upon our priests and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.

33 In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong. "

A. The first step of restoring your relationship with God is to recognize your sins and

     take responsibility for them.

   1. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

   2. Our state of unhappiness, frustration,  disrepair and life of mishaps belong

       to us.

   3. As a result of our unfaithfulness, God allows us to face the hardships of

      life which are consequences of our sins.

     4. In case of Israel and ours to, it is the failure to honor God with our lives

         that is the underlying cause or our distress.

B. God is just in punishing us.

    1. He chastises those He loves.

    2. Not only is He just, but He covers us with His mercy until we can come to

        our right mind.

C. God never changes. His Word to us never changes.

    1. It is us that leaves the path of righteousness and follow our own fleshly desires.

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

    3. We have chosen to order our steps by the worlds standards.

    4. The sooner we admit that we are wrong, we can repent and return

        to God's guidance.

D. God has made a covenant of salvation with us ratified by the blood of

     Jesus on the cross.

   1. We have to take hold of that covenant, believe it and operate like

        we are children of the king, destined for heavenly places.

   2. We have to resist the temptation of living as slaves to sin and

        take on the whole armor of God to live a redeemed life.

BREAK WITH THE PAST, SUMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD

V:34-35. " Our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers did not follow your law; they did not pay attention to your commands or the warnings you gave them.

35 Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you or turn from their evil ways. "

A. As Christians, the chosen of God, we have to recognize that our sins and attitudes   

     today affects generations to come.

   1. We pass on our habits and behaviors to our children who pass the same on to their

        children.

   2. Nehemiah recognized that Israel's sins were not entirely their fault.

   3. Their behavior had been learned from their past generations.

   4. We take on the habits of what we see and are taught.

   5. It takes a redeemed heart to change old habits.

B. It is good to review how good God has been and review how ungrateful

    we have been.

   1. Sometime we see the good we have as something owed us or something deserved.

   2. We don't realized that what we have is by the God's grace and His alone.

C. Israel was chosen for the promise land by Gods divine election.

   1. Yet, they did not see the goodness of God as a reason to serve Him.

   2. They did not see God as their God nor see a reason to follow His commands. 

D. It is up to us to break the cycle of sin and follow God.

   1. Change has to start with us for next generation.

   2. We are God's role models for unbelievers.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT SERVING GOD

V:36-37 "But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces.

37 Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.

A. We forfeit the blessings of the Lord when we fail to follow His commands and

     honor Him with our praise.

   1. All the goodness of the earth was created by God for our use and enjoyment.

   2. Without a relationship with God, we cannot have access to all He has in store

        for us.

B. We are slaves to the world because of our disobedience.

   1. Instead of enjoying God's creation, we have becomes slave to it.

   2. We should be lenders and not borrowers.

   3. Most of us owe all our income to creditors.

   4. The world says the more credit cards you have the better off you are.

   5. God say ask and it will be given to you, but we can't wait to

        get in debt to have what we want.

   6. It is our disobedient behavior that put us in distress.

PERSONALIZE A COMMITMENT TO SERVE GOD

38 "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our  

     leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."

 A. We need to come to a personal understanding of the reason for our problems.

    1. We need also to make commitment to God to change our attitude toward

         Him.

    2. Unlike new years resolution, we should intend to keep any commitment

        we make to God.

  B. According to this text, it is a good idea to put your commitments to God

      in writing.

    1. There is nothing wrong with sharing your commitment with other

         like minded spiritual people.

    2. Together, with the encouragement and support of others, you can continue

         your desire to serve God.

Nehemiah 10:28-29

SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM PEOPLE WHO DON'T LOVE GOD

28 "The rest of the people — priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand — 

29 all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.

A. To keep your commitment to God you may have to get rid of some folk.

     1. There are those who will not be comfortable with your new direction.

     2. There are those who will try to convince you that you are ok and no

          change is needed.

B. Establish a relationship with those who follow God's commands.

    1.  Hang around people who share your commitment to change.

    2. Your commitment to change may influence others in your

         circle to change.

THANK GOD FOR HIS TOLLERANCE OF US

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

    

Sermon; Living With Jesus, John 2:1-11

LIVING WITH JESUS

John 2:1-11

The Lord started off humanity in the Garden of Eden with a marriage between Adam and Eve and His Word.

It was a new beginning in creation

A new marriage, The beginning of a new family. 

The young couple starts off life with the joy of togetherness and the hope of tomorrow.

We are all part of this one big family called the Church. It is a global family that spread

through out the World.

It knows no race, no gender and no nationality. In this family everyone is treated

as equals.

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in

Him shall not parish, but have eternal life. 

Our Text this morning is  JOHN 2:1-11

John 2:1-11

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there,

2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

4 "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."

5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."  They did so,

9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

Just want to talk this about LIVING WITH JESUS

A. It is fitting that Jesus starts His ministry at a wedding.

    1. Our whole Christian experience is the preparation for a wedding with Jesus the

        bride groom.

    2. Our journey to the altar with Jesus began when we accept Christ as our personal

        Savior.

    3. Our time from birth to death is our life with Jesus.

    4. Do you realize that Jesus is getting you prepared to be His bride.

B. A lot of effort goes into planning a wedding.

    1. I tagged along with my wife in  planning my daughter's wedding.

    2. Selecting the church for the wedding, selecting the place for the reception,

        selecting decorations and planning the menu was long drawn out and trying process.

    3. No matter how well you plan something unexpected can happen.

The location of the wedding was a city called Cana

The Name Cana means a place of needs

A city located on the hill 330 feet above the valley.

We all at some times in our lives will come to a place of needs.

We all will find ourselves in the valley of life looking toward the hills to Jesus.

One thing we know for sure is we need is Jesus

My first point:

(1) DON'T PLAN ANYTHING WITHOUT JESUS

C. Notice Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

    1. Don't plan anything without Jesus.

    2. Don't go looking for a wife without Jesus.

    3. Don't go looking for a husband with out Jesus.

    4. Don't go looking for a job without Jesus

    5. Don't get into your car without Jesus

    6. You should not go any place that you can't take Jesus.

    6. The unexpected can and does happen

    7. We see what is, but Jesus sees what will be.

    8. Our view is limited, but Jesus view is complete.  

D. The fact that Jesus came to the wedding is an indication

     that He celebrates life and family

     John 10:10 :  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

    1. Jesus is our joy

    2. John 16:24:  Jesus said, I came that your joy be full

       

        Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

    3. Jesus honors the institution of marriage.

        If a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing.

    4. Jesus is a partner in our joys

It does not matter weather you single or marriage, widower, or divorce

You are The bride of Jesus.

We are all equally in this big family call the Church

(2) DON'T UNDER ESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THE CHURCH FAMILY

D. Don't under evaluate the important of  Church Family.

    1. Once you join up with Jesus you become part of a large family

    2. Jesus disciples were invited to the wedding.

    3. God put family into our lives because we are social people.

        a. We can lean on each other in times of trouble.

        b. We can encourage and uplift each other.

        c. We should be ready to help each other in times of need.

(3) THE WISDOM OF ELDERS

V:3. " When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

 A. The mother of Jesus was probably part of the planning committee.

     1. The Bible say honor your mother and your father that your days will be long.

     2. There is wisdom in our elders.

          a. They have the wisdom of time and events.

          b. They have been there and done that and suffered the consequences.

     3. Mary's wisdom is highlighted here.

     4. The young couple just getting started, ran into a problem.

     5. The ink was not dry on the marriage license and they were having a problem.

     5. They ran out of wine.

There is wisdom in the elders of this church. Sister Dalfrey, Sister Brooks, Sister Gentry

Sister Gaylord,  Sister Morning, Brother Harding just to name a few.

They Got the wisdom of grey hairs. The insight they can give this younger generation

is invaluable.

      

First point:  Don't Plan Anything Without Jesus

Second point:

(4) WHEN YOU GOT A PROBLEM, TAKE IT TO JESUS

6. Mary teaches us a lesson here.

           a. When you got problem take it to Jesus.

           b. I am sure there were many men at the wedding, yet

               Mary took the problem to Jesus.

           c. Mary called on the one that she had been told by the angel

               Gabriel was the Son Of God.

           d. Mary called on the one who God the Father said, This is my Son

                in whom I am well pleased.

           e. Mary didn't call on the mayor, she didn't call on the governor, she

                 didn't call on the president.

           f. She called on Jesus

                the one who has all power, authority and the resources to handle

                her request.

           g. Our prayer request are God opportunity to be glorified.

(5) DON'T TAKE JESUS FOR GRANTED

V:4 "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."

A. Jesus takes off His maternal son position and put on His position as Savior

     1. Jesus did not come down to earth just to grant our prayer request.

     2. He came down for the cross.

     3. Yet Jesus honors our desires.

         a. There was no real need here, but a desire to enjoy the ceremony.

         b. It would be a considerable embarrassment to the young couple

             to run out of wine.

          c. These Jewish  wedding were community affairs that could last

              up to seven days.

    4. Jesus most significant miracle is the redemption of man through His blood.

B. Jesus was at the start of His ministry on earth

    1. He had another 3 years before the cross.

    2. The key point here is don't take Jesus for granted.

        a. He is not your McDonalds

        b. Jesus answers prayers, but to His Glory.

First Point:  Don't Plan Anything Without Jesus

Second:       When You Got A Problem, Take It To Jesus

Third:

(6) SEE YOURSELF AS SERVANTS OF THE LORD

V:5 "Jesus' mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

 A. When you call on Jesus , be ready to do what He tells you.

      Three thing about a servant are important

        a. A Servant have to be available

        b. A servant need a willing spirit

        c. A Servant follows the commands of his master.

   What is Jesus , but a servant of His Father.

    He said I did not come to be serve. I came to be a servant of All

     1. The Lord said, I would rather obedience than sacrifice.

     2. When you see yourself as a servant,  it takes away pride

     3. When you see yourself as a servant, everybody is more

          important than you.

B. What are we but servants of the Lord Jesus

     1. A Servant is under the protection and provisions of his master.

     2. Mary expressed complete confidence in Jesus.

     3. When we go to God in prayer we should have complete confidence that

         He will answer.

First: Don't Plan Anything Without Jesus

Second:  When You Got A Problem Take It To Jesus

Third:   See Yourself As A Servant

Forth:

(7) BELIEVE THAT JESUS CAN

V:6-7. " Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. "

A. The Lord can do exceeding abundantly more than we an ask or conceive.

     1. The water was for the washing of hand before a meal

     2. It was a large volume because the large number of guest,

     3. A wedding feast could last 7 days.

B. These vessels were never designed to be anything but purification ritual. 

     1. Those six barrel could hold up to 180 gallons of water,

           that about 900 bottles.

     1. There is no limit to the resources of the Lord.

     2. Jesus is a master of using what we have to be all we need,

(8) BELIEVE THAT JESUS WILL

V:8-9. " Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."  They did so,

9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside "

A. Here Jesus uses to simple elements to celebrate  Himself as the life giving source

    

    1. To the Samaritan woman at the well He said

         John 4:14

         "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give    

         him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

    2. The wine represent the new covenant in His blood

         Luke 22:20

        "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

    3. Wine is mostly water

       a. Jesus made the wine without the grapes

         This indicates that He and He alone is our Salvation

       b. Jesus represented the change from the Jewish law of ritual

           water purification to sacrificial blood of our Salvation

       c. What that song we sing:

            I Know It Was The Blood I know it was the blood,

            I know it was the blood, I know it was the blood for me;

            One day when I was lost He died on the cross,

            I know it was the blood for me.

         

B. The servants having never seen Jesus do a miracle acted on faith

     1. Obedience to God's Word is the key to our blessing

     2. Did the water become wine in the barrel?

        a. Did the water become wine as it was taken out of the barrel?

        b. Either way it became wine by the faith of the servants.

     3. What ever we need from Jesus takes place by our faith in Him.

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

          Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the

          evidence of things unseen.

C. Notice, the servant did not tell the master of the banquet where the wine

     came from.

    1. There are some things that God does is between you and Him.

    2. to reveal exactly how God has done something may cause confusion.

        a. To reveal that there was wine in a water purification pot would be

            upsetting to any Jew.

    3. Non believers may not share your enthusiasm for the Gospel

    4. I see a problem here

        The servant didn't reveal where wine came from.

         Don't you ever take credit for what you didn't do.

         Give Jesus the credit for your success.

First:  Don't Plan Anything Without Jesus

Second:  When You Got A Problem, Take It To Jesus

Third:    See Yourself As A Servant Of Jesus

Forth:  Believe That Jesus Can, Believe That Jesus Will

Fifth:

(9)  THE BEST IS YET TO COME

V:10. " and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

A. The evidence of the high quality of the water turned in to wine is the testimony of

      master of the banquet.

    1. You can't beat God's giving

   2. Now, if I say He is good He is better than that

          i f I say you are great you've been, greater than that.

          If I say you are sweet you've been, sweeter than that.

         You've been, more and more in my life.

         If I say you are rich you've been, richer than that

         If I say you are strong you've been, stronger than that

         If I say your Holy your, more than that you've been,

         more and more in my life

B. The Life of  a man is but a few days and filled with sorrows

     1. This is not the best God has for us.

     2. The best day of this life will be the day we die and enter into heaven.

     3. I believe you get some of the best while you still live

     4. The crowd enjoyed the best while at the wedding feast

First: Don't Plan Anything Without Jesus

Second: When You Got A Problem Take It To Jesus

Third:  Develop A Servant Attitude

Forth:  Believe That Jesus Can, Believe That Jesus Will

Fifth:   Know That The Best Is Yet To Come

Sixth:

(10) REFOCUS YOUR PRAYERS SO GOD GETS THE GLORY

11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

A. There are two reasons given in the text that God answers our prayers

    1. That He get the Glory.

        a. We can mess this one up. We will say because we prayed, No

            it is because God is God.

    2. That others by our testimony,   come to Christ.

        Our testimony about the goodness of God is important to those

        struggling with their faith.

B. The reason for you troubles is so God gets the Glory and others are

     drawn to Christ

    1. Jesus showed up at the wedding so that He could turn the water into

        wine so that His disciples would believe.

    2. The servants got the greatest blessing because they witness the miracle

    3. God sets you up with some problems, so you can see His Glory.

I missed this before

We should Ask God To Use Our Problems that He Gets the Glory and Other are

drawn to Christ

Is there anyone here today that don't know Jesus as your personal savior?

The Time is now. Come be apart of the body of Christ

Don't put off tomorrow, what you can do today.

You might not make it till tomorrow.

Come join with us in fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Living A Blessed Life", 2 Sam 7:1-16, 10/22/2017

LIVING A BLESSED LIFE

2 Samuel 7:1-6, 8-10, 12-16

REFLECT ON GOD'S GOODNESS

V:1-2. " After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him,

2 he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."

A. It is good to reflect on the goodness of God.

    1. A good time to reflect on God is when He has given you rest.

    2. God give us labor to keep us productive and rest to get refreshed and to reflect on

        past activities.

    3. I don't think that there is anything that refreshes my heart more than to reflect on    

        how good God has been  in my life.

    4. We all will face some difficulties in life that will bring down our spirit. But when

         we take time to reflect that in the mist of our trouble, God is still good,

         our spirit will be lifted.

B. King David reflected on how good God had been to him.

    1. Then he considered what he could do for God.

    2. Worship of the Lord began in a tent and was centered around the tent designed by

        God which housed the Ark of the covenant from the time of Moses.

    3. The tent was designed to be mobile as the people of Israel wondered in the desert    

        and finally in the promise land.

    4. King David settled in his palace, thought it would be good to build a permanent

        temple for the Ark of the Covenant.

    5. It is certainly good for us to consider how we can serve the Lord more.

BE GREATFUL AND  SERVE GOD

V:3-5. " Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you."

4 That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?

A. Nathan was David's spiritual advisor.

    1. It is good for us to have people we can council with when serving the Lord.

    2. We have to evaluate what we hear and determine whether it is from the Lord.

    3. Sometimes people will agree with you just to please you.

    4. Nathan the prophet of God spoke without talking to the Lord.

B. David had a good relationship with the Lord.

    1. His journey with the Lord begin when he was teenager tending his fathers

        sheep.

     2. He showed his reliance on the Lord when he single handedly defeated Goliath

         before an helpless Israel army.

     3. He had become King and consolidated Israel into one nation depending on the Lord.

     4.  Why didn't  King David go directly to God when considering to build the temple?

          a. God does not tell us.

          b. Sometimes God will put people in our lives to guide and to reprove us.

          c. Nathan may have been introduce at this point in the King's life for the

              role he would play later.

C. Because Nathan the prophet spoke for himself, he had to go back to King David

     with a word of correction from God.

    1. We have to be careful when  we give advice that it is from the Lord.

    2. Our opinion may influence someone to go against the plan of God.

    3. When our advice is wrong, we have to own up to it.

GOD'S PLAN IS BEST AND INCLUDES YOU

V:6. " I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling."

A.  Sometimes God has to remind us that we cannot improve on His design.

     1. God's plan is not obsolete because it does not meet our standard.

     2. Whatever plan David had to build  God a temple was defective because it

          it didn't include God design, provisions and commissioned skilled workers.

B. God is bigger than any temple.

    1. He cannot be contained in walls

    2. Wherever God decides to meet us is made holy and acceptable by His presence.

C. We should consider our true intentions when we decide to serve God.

    1. Was David's desire to build a temple a monument to himself or a monument

        to his God?

    2. Since David had settle into a place, did he think God would settle with him?

    3. Did David think that his rest was the final movement of Israel?

GOD IS THE REASON FOR YOUR SUCCESS

V:8 -9. "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.

9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth."

A. We should never forget where God has brought us from.

    1. We should never forget how much God has done in our lives.

    2. We must remember that we are where we are because of God's intervention.

B. We must keep in mind that anything we obtain is because of what God does

     in our lives.

   1. When we consider the goodness of the Lord, we should humble ourselves before

        Him in all things and before all people.

   2. We cannot take credit for anything in our in our lives.

   3. All credit is due the Lord.

   4. It is the Lord who protects us and continues to provide for us.

MAKE GOD'S PLAN YOUR PRIORITY

10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning

A. Any plan that we have for the Lord is minute compared to the Lord's plan.

    1. David's plan just included a temple.

    2. God's plan includes the local temple, the spiritual temple and the eternal

        home of the nation of Israel.

B. David was just considering his time and his people.

    1. God considers all time and all people.

    2. Jesus said my kingdom is not of this world.

    3. The temple of the Lord is not built with human hands.

    4. Anything built with human hands is temporary.

    5. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of the Lord is

         forever.

   6. The time frame indicated in verse 10 is after the second coming

        of Christ.

   

TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN TO FOLLOW GOD

V:12-13. " When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. "

A. God uses different people for different missions in His plan of redemption.

    1. God began His plan for Israel with His covenant with Abraham.

    2. Moses was called to bring Israel out of slavery from Egypt.

    3. Joshua was called to lead Israel into the Promise Land.

    4. King David was selected to consolidate Israel in to one nation in the

        Promise Land.

    5. King Solomon was called to build the temple as the central place of worship

        in the Promise Land.

B. King David was a man of war.

    1. His life was surviving the trial and tribulations of life.

    2. He did it by prayer and praise and worship.

    3. He trusted the Lord to bring success in his mission

    4. David was a national king.

    5. David had a dysfunctional family of his own doing.

    6. King David majored in trusting the Lord in trials and tribulation.

C. God chose David son, Solomon to build the temple.

    1. Solomon was a man of peace.

    2. By building the temple, Solomon centralized the worship of the

        nation of Israel in Jerusalem

    3. Solomon was an international King.

        a. Other nations paid tribute to Israel under his leadership

    4.  Solomon solidified the nation of Israel in prayer and worship

    5. Solomon lived a blessed life through prayer and worship

    6. Solomon majored in the wisdom of God.

TEACH THE VALUE OF DISCIPLNE

V:14-15. " I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.

15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you."

A. God has a plan for us that includes our children.

    1. When we serve the Lord our children are blessed in return.

    2. It is our job to train our children to know and love the Lord.

    3. Our children will learn by our example.

B. The blessing of God includes his chastisement.

    1. A good father loves his children enough to discipline them.

    2. God assumes ownership of us as His sons and daughters.

    3. He allows us to be punished by the laws of our government.

C. Even though we sin, we remain His children.

    1. God will never leave us or forsake us.  

    2. When we were chosen by God, we were chosen for good works that

         He will prefect in us.

    3. God perfects us through trials, tribulations and His discipline.

FIND JOY IN GOD'S ETERNAL  COVENANT WITH YOU

V:16. " Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"

A. From the seed of King David came Jesus Christ our king forever.

   1. God looks forward to the end times.

   2. He provided Jesus, our Lord and Savior for our eternal salvation.

B. Find joy in God's promise of your eternal life.

   1. God's covenant ensures our complete redemption into heaven.

   2. God's covenant ensures that Jesus will always be your king.

   3. God's covenant ensures His protection through the storms of life.

   4. In the mist of the storms of life, God's covenant ensures joy and peace.

BE BLESSED BY LOVING THE LORD

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

Houston Texas, 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook or visit my blogs

www.revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Establishing A Relationship With God", Exodus 20:18-26, 10/15/2017

ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Exodus 20:18-26

INTRODUCTION

At the time of this scene, the Israelites, 2 plus million people are in the desert

for their first time. They had no permanent shelter and no visible protection.

They grew up in Egypt with the Egyptian army present and permanent housing.

Now they are out in the desert living from day to day in tents.

Everything about this scene would be scary to someone who does not

trust God.   

A TYPE OF THE CHURCH

There is a type of God's Church presented here.

     1. God The Father the center of all activity,

        The dark cloud, the thunder and lightening

         represents God's divine presence.

     2. Mount Sinai, the altar of God

     3. God's Commands,  His Word, His Son

     4.  Moses, His messenger, minister of the Word

     5. Aaron,  God's first high priest

     6. The Nation of Israel, God's elect people, the congregation

LEARNING TO TRUST GOD

V:18. " When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance ."

A. When you hear thunder and see lightening, the best thing to do is to run

     for cover. Get to a safe place.

   1. We know by experience that a lightening strike can do much damage and

        can kill a person.

   2. During their exodus from Egypt, they had experience the presence and the protection

       of God.

   3. God had appeared in a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by

       night. 

   4. Israel grumble against Moses leadership during the exodus from Egypt,

       therefore their hearts were guilty.

B. Instead of being drawn to God for their deliverance, they backed away from

     God.

   1. They had experience the destructive power of God during the 10 plagues

        in Egypt and destruction the army of Egypt in the Red Sea.

   2. The thunder and the lightening put fear in their hearts.

   3. Israel had been warned that if they touch the mountain while God was

       present, they would die.

  4. They had been protected by God, yet they were afraid of Him.

       a. What was the problem?

       b. God is spirit and they that worship Him must do so in spirit and

           truth.

       c. The Israelites having experience the power and glory of God for only

           a short time, did not trust Him or know how to worship Him.

       d. They were in a position they had never experienced before.

       e. They were at cross road of change.

TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD

V:19-20. " and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."

20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

A. Put yourself in their shoes and see if you would react differently.

    1. It takes time to get rid of old habits and establish new ones.

    2. It takes time to adjust to a new environment.

    3. It takes time to adjust to new house rules.

B. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments for Israel's  house rules of freedom.

    1. God established His present before Israel so that could see His power, glory and

        His authority.

     2. The whole nation become frightens in the presence of God.

     3. They asked that Moses be the mediator between them and God.

     4. Today, Jesus is our mediator.   

C. Israel responded like guilty people  not people who had been redeemed.

    1. There is two types of fear indicated here.

        a. There is the fear of judgment, punishment  and destruction.

        b. There is the fear of reverence of the Lord.

    2. We need to develop a holy fear of the Lord.

    3. It should be obvious  to us, that each day, God is on our side.

D. The Ten Commandments was the start of a relationship with God.

   1. Once we establish a relationship with the Father, there is a desert time.

   2. There is a time when God will test the faith of each of us.

   3. The Israelites had lived under Egyptians rules in slavery.

   4. They had to learn to live under God's rules in freedom.

   5. Our faith is developed through the trials and tribulations of life

       that we face.

E. It is only through the Word of God that we know what sin is.

   1. It is only through the Word of God that we know what the

       consequences of sin is.

   2. It is only through obedience to the Word of God that we learn

       the value of trusting God.

LEARNING TO REVERENCE GOD

V:21-22. " The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick

     darkness where God was.

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites this: 'You have seen for yourselves  

      that I have spoken to you from heaven: "

A. Imaging a scene where there is a dark cloud over a mountain.

    1. Imagine at the same time seeing lightening and hearing thunder

        coming from the mountain.

    2. Imagine  the sun shining everywhere except the mountain.

    3. Imagine being told that the Holy awesome  God is in the mountain.

    4. Imagine only one man being called up into the thick darkness to meet

        with God.

 B. Imagine waiting to see if the man who went up the mountain in the

      presence of God would survive his encounter.

    1. By the grace of God through His Son Jesus, we are in the presence of

        God continuously.

    2. Like the Israelites we should tremble all day long in God's sight.

LEARNING TO WORSHIP

V:23. "Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold."

A. The Israelites came into freedom with images of Egyptian idol gods engrave in their

      minds.

    1. They had been forced to worship idols gods throughout their existence in

         slavery.

    2. They may have even brought with them statues of the Egyptian god.

B. God gave Israel this command because it was a habit that had to get rid of to

    trust Him.

   1. God does not share His supreme position with any idol.

   2. The  Lord our God is a jealous God.

   3. Even today we have to be careful that we don't trust that which we

       possess.

   4. God is forever, what we have is temporary.

SACRIFICE, A CONDITION FOR BLESSING

V:24 "'Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. "

A. Obedience to all of God's commands ensure His blessings to us.

    1. God requires us to worship Him and Him alone.

    2. God requires us to give our complete devotion to Him.

B. God require us to make two types of offerings.

    1. A burnt offering.

        a. That which is totally dedicated to Him.

        b. Represents our complete surrender to God.

    2. A Fellowship  or peace offering

        a. This offering was an expression of gratitude

            for the blessings of God.

C. The Israelites were commanded to build an altar to the Lord.

     1. The altar to God was a high place.

     2. The altar represented God divine holiness.

     3. God is high above our sinfulness.

     4. We should always lift God up in our minds and hearts.

BUILD AN ALTAR TO GOD IN YOUR HEART

V:25. " If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. "

A. In the wilderness, the altar to God was to be made of the  natural stones that God laid  

     on the earth.

    1. To Alter the stones in any way would defile the stones.

    2. What God made is perfect and does not need mans help.

B. The Israelites had mastered the art of carving stone into the image of idol gods.

     1. Any altering of the natural stones would remind them of their past habits.

     2. Any altering of the stone may have caused pride in their hearts

         rather than the humbleness God requires.

APPROACH THE ALTAR OF GOD WITH A CLEAN HEART

V:26. " And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it."

A. Part of the Egyptian worship includes temple prostitutes.

    1. The Israelite priest were commanded to have special dress that did not

         expose their flesh.

    2. Nakedness was a  disclosure of sin.

    3. In the Garden of Eden, it was after Adam and Eve at from the tree of

        Knowledge of Good And Evil that they recognized their nakedness.

B. The foundation of the Christian faith is love.

    1. God gave Israel His commands for righteous living because of

        His love for them.

    2. God defines our love for Him as obedience to His commands.

    3. God commands covers our love for Him and our neighbors.

    4. Our love for God is indicated in how we approach Him.

    5. Our salvation is base on our faith in God's commands.

THANK GOD FOR CHOOSING US

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook or visit my blogs

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

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Rules For Free People", Exodus 19:16-25, 10/8/2017

RULES FOR FREE PEOPLE

                               

                                                      Exodus 19:16-25

INTRODUCTION

 After God brought the Nation  of Israel out of slavery  in Egypt . He gave them

 His commandments.

A. God called Moses to the mount Sinai.

    1. God selects leaders for His people.

    2. God called Moses out of Midian to lead His people

        out of slavery into the desert around Mount Sinai.

    3. We are sheep and our pastors are God's shepherds.

B. God  instructed Moses to  prepare the people to receive His command.

    1. He told Israel who they will become.

       a.  Nation of priests.

       b. A holy nation

    2. The Church should be the priesthood for the world.

    3. The World should see a role model of God's holiness through us.

C. They were prepared to meet God.

     1.They were commanded to sanctify themselves

     2. They were commanded to watch their clothes.

     3. They had been in the desert for three months.

     4. It is God who sanctifies (set us apart) us.

     5. It is by obedience to the Word of God that we are cleanse of our sins.

     6. Anytime we meet God in prayer or worship we set ourselves apart from

          worldly desires to focus completely on Him

GOD MEETS US WHERE WE ARE

V:16. " On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled."

A. The number three is a divine number.

     1. There are 3 in the Holy Trinity;

          God the Father, God The Son And God the Holy Spirit

     2. Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of a fish.

     3. Jesus spent 3 days  in belly of the earth before His resurrection.

B. When we see lightning and hear thunder today it should be reminder of

     the power and the Glory of the Lord.

    1. It is the Lord who created the our weather system.

    2. It is the Lord who is in control of our climate.

    3. It is the same today; we tremble at the sound of thunder

        and the power of lightening.

    4. No man can control the sound or thunder or the direction  lightening

        strikes.

    5. God forces our attention to Himself through His awesome display of

        power.  

GOD CHOSES HIS LEADERS

V:17-18. " Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently,

19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. "

A.  It typical in Church services to have a worship leader.

     1. We stand before the altar lifting up our voices in the praises of the Lord.

     2. Our minds should be completely focused on the goodness of the Lord.

     3. Where two or three are gathered, the Lord stands in the mist.

B. The smoke represents the Lord presence and the atonement of our sins.

    1. The fire represents His holiness and our redemption.

    2. God presents Himself in fearful elements so we want take Him for

        granted.

    3. We ought to tremble before the presence of the Lord because by His

        thoughts we could be eliminated  from the earth in a second.

 C. The trumpet was used to call the nation to attention.

      1. To get the attention of a million plus people a loud sound was needed.

      2. The trumpet was used to call the nation to battle.

      3. God reminds us the battle is not our, but we need to pay attention

          while He does battle for us.

 D.  This whole scene is symbolic of the work  Jesus did on the cross.

      1. Moses was the deliverer of Israel from slavery.

          a. Jesus is our deliverer from the bondage of sin.

       2. Moses was the mediator between God and Israel.

          a. Jesus is the mediator between us and God the Father

       3. The mountain represents God's throne which we can only approach

            through the work of Jesus on the cross.

       4. The mountain also represent infinite highness of God  above our sinful state.

CONSIDER GOD HOLY AT ALL TIMES

V:20-22. " The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up

21 and the Lord said to him, "Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish.

22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them."

A. The Lord comes down to our level through His Son Jesus and through the

     indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

    1. Jesus said that where two or more are gathered in my name, He is in the mist.

    2. It is easy to forget as Christians, that we are the temple of the Lord.

    3. God descended to the mountain top to meet with Moses.

    4. God descends  into our hearts to meet with us.

B. God revealed His Word to those He chose as priest, leaders and prophets.

    1. Moses was chosen by God to  give His commands to Israel.

    2. God gave some as pastors to bring His Word to the Church

    3. The pastors being close to God has divine insight into the needs of

        the Church.

C. God divine presence required that nation to come to the mountain to receive

     His Word but not touch the mountain.

    1. To touch the mountain while God was presence was sudden death.

    2. The hearts of people of Israel was still focused on their sinful habits of

        slavery.

    3. They had not consecrated themselves to the obedience and authority of the Lord.

    4. While it is true that God loves us, He can only tolerate our sins through the

        intercessory prayer of the mediator.

    5. Our sins are covered by the intercessory blood of our Lord and  Savior,

        Jesus Christ.  

 D. As ministers of God, we fail when we approach the Word of God with impure hearts.

    1. In studying the Word, we must prepare ourselves to receive a Word of inspiration

        from the Lord.

    2. The phones, TV and internet must be turned off so we can devote our time

        completely to the Lord. 

    3. God should not have to share His time with the world.

TEACH THE WORD OF GOD

V:23. "Moses said to the Lord, "The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, 'Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy."

A. Our pastors need some quite time with Lord.

    1. Our pastors need a quite place to meet with the Lord.

    2. Our pastors need to concentrate themselves before meeting with the Lord.

B. Pastors need to adhere to the commands of God in meeting with the

     people of God.

   1. The pastor is responsible to warn God people when they are straying away

        from the Word.

   2. It is the duty of the pastor to warn the flock when they are putting themselves

       above God. 

   3. The Word is the authority, not the desires of the people.

PASTORS NEED AN INNER CIRCLE

V:24 The Lord replied, "Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them."

A. Pastors ought to have a circle of ordained people that he confides in.

   1. There ought to be at least one minister that he can trust with his innermost thoughts.

   2. Moses had Aaron, his brother.

   3. Throughout his ministry Aaron was the one who comforted Moses.

B. Pastors ought to have an outer circle who work with Him in serving the

    Lord.

   1. Aaron become the high priest of Israel.

   2. The other Levite priest took on supporting roles.

   3. There are some places the pastor can take his inner circle that he cannot take his

       outer circle.

   4. God is the guiding light of the pastor.

COMMANDS TO LIVE BY

V:25. " So Moses went down to the people and told them."

 A. God gave Moses His commands so that the people of Israel                                         

      operate as free people.

    1. Our freedom is based on our obedience to God's commands.

    2. Disobedience to God commands results in a lost of freedom.

B. The ten commandment that God wrote with His finger is our foundation

     for freedom.

Exodus 20:3-17

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2. Thou shalt not make to thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in   

    heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not  

     hold  him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

4.  Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy.

5.  Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the

     LORD thy God giveth thee.

6.  Thou shalt not kill.

7.  Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8. Thou shalt not steal.

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, 

      nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is   

      thy neighbor's.

THANK GOD FOR HIS PASTORS

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Toll Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook or visit my blogs

revmmitchell.com  or goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com